I don’t think we’re talking about media sponsored scenes, or arguing that Beijing’s music scene needs international validation to exist, but lets not deny the simple fact that the act of cultivating music and art is vastly different here than it would be in any developed Western country. Still, when the majority of Chinese bands wear their Western influences on their sleeves, it’s impossible to say that they themselves don’t need or want the attention, if only to further convince them that they too can have the American dream!

Also, don’t you think it’s a bit idealistic and naive to say that musicians anywhere in the world are simply content with “enjoying the music”? This is sadly true for a smaller portion of artists than we’d like to admit and rightly so. Art is art whether or not anyone sees it or calls it as such, but art develops and thrives in an enviroment that encourages and rewards it.

Yes, there are alot of good bands in China who have been making great music for years without any kind of outside influence or attention, but I can’t think of a single band who wouldn’t jump hoops to be signed to SubPop and given an advance to record albums or do a world tour. It’s the continuous coverage of and discussion of Chinese bands that will enable this to happen, whether or not the interest is valid or simply a case of watching monkeys in a cage.

While I agree with the sentiment that music should be it’s own reward, I think this is a little naive. Playing for it’s own rewards is certainly a part of music but peer acknowledgement, rooms of screaming fans, newspaper headlines and the ability to do what you love for a living are all equally important factors. Like it or not, validation, even from the smallest audience, let alone the international media, is a driving force behind even some of your hallowed bands.

I’m not suggesting that it is important to have international attention for the success of Beijing’s live scene. I’m suggesting, as a separate point, that any international observers, or people who want Beijing to get international plaudits, should wait a while and not ruin a good thing before it is ready.

There is obviously a scene (lower case) in Beijing, but there is no SCENE (upper case). Why not just enjoy the music. I don’t get the need to be part of a SCENE. Is it a ‘legacy’ thing, something for dustjackets.

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Also, I remain firmly convinced that most overseas press interest is still very much of the ‘Well, golly gee, those Chinese aren’t queuing for bread, and hey guess what they can afford intruments’ school of thought, rather than the ‘Hey, we’re really interested in the actual music they’re making with the intruments’. Don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, but it’s still all about the novelty.

sorry about that! buy you a beer next time i see you?

i find that it’s really hard to write about any music scene in any city without coming off as either too harsh or too enthusiastic, there’s a human tendancy to tear things to shreds (which i am nearly almost always guilty of).

I have a feeling that what you are describing as my ‘cynicism’ would be better described as my ‘guarded optimism’. If you re-read my post you’ll see that while I think it is crazy to put Beijing in the same league as Brisbane or Birmingham – something you say you agree with – there is still a lot to be excited/optimistic about – something you also agree with. I think we’re still on the same page.

I’m suggesting that this place really deserves its place in the sun but if people look too early then it will ruin it in the longrun. As I said..”the indie rock scene is quietly developing into something pretty special. Don’t begin the hype yet as this scene is simply too fragile to deliver. With bands like these on the up though, there is an unquestionable optimism about town.”

Not cynicism…guarded optimism.

Ed