Showcasing new artists, writers, and musicians based in China.
Showcasing music, podcasts, performances, and other listenable material in China.
September 2015
“And that’s, by far, one of the most meaningful things that I’ve ever experienced in this country”
Carl Setzer
Carl Setzer tells a story for Beijing Storytellers about his unique China experience of visiting his father-in-law's grave in a Shandong cornfield and the cost of progress.
Posted Sept 30, 2015
Photo by Hannah Lincoln
About Carl Setzer:
Carl has lived in Beijing for six years and in Mainland China since 2004. He founded Great Leap Brewing in "the age of awesome," and they now have three locations in Beijing. Loreli was able to record Carl's story at the Beijing Storytellers event on September 22nd, part of The Bookworm's 10th Anniversary celebrations. Full disclosure: Loreli's Amy Daml also hosts the Beijing Storytellers.
“It’s just about creating good music and playing it with your friends.”
Fake Weed
Fake Weed talk to Loreli about the Beijing music scene, their forthcoming album, the uselessness of pressing CDs, and how (some) of their moms think they're cool.
Posted Sept 23, 2015
Photo by Michael Hamilton
About Fake Weed:
Three bearded lads who make noisy math punk music or whatever you feel fit to call it. Always noisy. Started in 2013 as a two piece, then lucked out with the tragic passing of Mammals (of which Woolly was also a member), because we harvested a fully operational drummer (Mike Fuksman) from the bones to create the magical 3 piece Fake Weed you hear and get confused by today. Genius drummer Michael Winkler then became genius bass player Michael Winkler, and we all lived happily ever after until genius Michael Winkler decided to move back home. It was great fun. Our album will be recorded in the next few weeks, and available to download from bandcamp for the usual 'name your price. Mike played in Incisors, and Mammals, and a bunch of other bands. Winkler has done loads of stuff, played most recently in Yantiao, is a fine producer and composes some excellent electronic/ noise music (armtrick, guijian). Woolly played in mammals, and played drums in a band called tda for many years in the UK.
Songs: 1) Napoleon 2) You won on points, but we won on skill 3) Always the child bridesmaid, never the child bride 4) God help those who help themselves
“You take whatever shit you have and you put it together and you make something cool.”
Luv Plastik
Luv Plastik talk to Loreli about their punk approach to making music at the Ran Live showcase at DDC.
Photo by Angelina Merkulova
Posted Sept 17, 2015
About Luv Plastik:
Luv Plastik is an independent noise rock duo from England. Their music is a literal embodiment of ‘drum and bass’. Distorted, explosive and synthetic bass grooves are combined with classic 70’s drums. The common theme of the music is a vintage-voiced, gritty, dark-humored scream and a murmur. The band’s modern electronic sound and retro rock feel collide to differentiate Luv Plastik’s music from the Beijing underground music scene. Every live show is on the verge of bursting apart, and all of their energy is left on the stage. Over the last year, a lot of local media and magazines have quickly been drawn to this burgeoning new band, which has quickly ascended to the status of new intriguing act to emerge. Find Luv Plastik on facebook and more about Ran Records here.
Loreli spoke with Luv Plastik on September 12th about playing as a two-piece, working with Ran Records, and half a story before sound check cut us off about Dan's brush with death. Spoiler alert: he lives.
Songs: Jackson, Defective Detective, Psych Black
“The music scene here is really open.”
Remedios the Beauty
Robin and friends give us her final show + interview.
Posted Sept 1, 2015
Photo by Jony
About Remedios the Beauty:
Since 2010, Robin Koob has played with anumerous Beijing artists, like The Randy Abel Stable, Christmas, and the Harridans. She began performing original work as Remedios the Beauty in 2013, collaborating with singer/guitarist Nathan Borofka, combining folk and indie rock to create acoustic music that is simultaneously ethereal and attached to reality. After five years in China, Robin said goodbye to Beijing back in July, though Nathan still plays around town. Loreli caught up with Remedios the Beauty (and their biggest fan, Morgan) on the night of Robin's farewell concert.
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