INDEX
Beijing’s Thriving DIY Culture: A Creative Groundswell
What are the prevailing trends in the Chinese rock scene? Initially, there was a shift toward commercialization preluding the audition program “The Big Band.” How do you perceive its scope and impact from the standpoint of those actively engaged in the scene?
Qing (Dr.): It was usually around 2004-2005 that new bands that were not in the so-called song style started to become active, and I think that they were an important part of the media’s discussion of youth culture from that time. After that, we gradually started collaborating with brands that were deeply connected to the culture, such as Converse and Zippo, etc. I remember well around 2010 when Converse started collaborating with bands and labels.
Weisi (Ba): Along the way, there were opportunities to connect with musicians and events overseas, such as the China-themed showcase at SXSW in the US, and to come together as a “cultural force” to bring the Chinese rock scene to a wider audience.
Carsick Cars participated in the second season of “The Big Band.” Could you begin by sharing the motivations behind your decision to join the show?
Weisi (Ba): My main motivation was “I want a better life!” (Laughs). After you actually performed, you got paid more for your events and had more opportunities to perform.
Shouwang (Vo&Gt): Personally, though, I don’t think it’s healthy for a band that has been doing this for years to become famous by appearing on the show. However, the number of people who are actually interested in indie bands has increased a lot due to the show, so I think that is a positive aspect.
Qing (Dr.): It’s not so much whether or not you get on TV, but rather what kind of show you get on, and this show is the only one in China right now. We didn’t win in the end, but it made us realize that it is not a band like us that is needed for such a show. The Big Band” later went on to collaborate with famous pop singers, so to be honest, I’m glad we didn’t join that trend (laughs).
What do you think about the the influence of this kind of commercialization on emerging bands?
Qing (Dr.): With the emergence of large live music venues and the increase in rental fees (……), there is an aspect of over-commercialization. It’s a bit unfortunate that the old scene of going to a studio on a whim, seeing someone from another band there, jamming lightly, and playing at …… is decreasing. But I guess it can’t be helped, since everyone has to eat.
Weisi (Ba): While live music venues are becoming more commercial, on the other hand, there is a new scene that is returning to DIY. There is a new trend of DIY live performances at factories, parks, and cafes in search of a place to perform. For example, our friends have performed at the event space “fRUITYSPACE,” and there are many interesting live performances there.
Shouwang (Vo&Gt): Yes, when you are pulled by commercialism, a new trend is born that can be a counter to it, so it is not necessarily only the bad side of being commercialized.
Is it a common practice for Chinese bands to consider the acquisition of advertising value as a standard part of their activities?
Shouwang (Vo&Gt): There are bands that want to be on TV and bands that don’t want to be on TV, so there may be a polarization. Whether you can benefit from the media is largely a matter of luck. Commercial capital is always in pursuit of what fits the times, but in music production, I think what you want to express comes first.
Qing (Dr.): Advertising collaborations are supposed to be done because both parties have the same ideas, but nowadays the sponsors’ intentions are inevitably stronger. I would like to see more good collaborations where the artists and sponsors are in agreement.
Weisi (Ba): It is inevitable that underground bands like us cannot get sponsors. We can’t collaborate with “Zhongnanhai” (*) (laughs).
The representative song “Zhongnanhai” from the first album “Carsick Cars” is said to be a song about cigarette brands, and in China, cigarette advertising is completely prohibited under the “People’s Republic of China Advertising Law.
