Playlist: Peter Vautier's Portfolio
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New Sounds of China Episode 3: The Beijing Scene (Beyond Maybe Mars)
From Peter Vautier | Part of the New Sounds of China series | 59:03
Episode three explores the diversity of Beijing's underground music scene.
After episode two's critical assessment of the famous Maybe Mars label, we move into territory mostly uncharted by Western journalists, to consider the output of three less-hyped Beijing record labels. The resulting diversity of sound is breathtaking, ranging from the urban folk of Wan Xiaoli, with his tales of modern urban life; to the postmodern self-consciousness of New Pants, with their musical riposte to Pet Shop Boys' "Go West"; and the curiously misplaced Britpop style of Sober, a band more influenced by The Beatles and Blur than Peking Opera and Maoist propaganda songs.
The show includes interviews with the managers of all three record labels: Shen Lihui, the charismatic, Richard Brandon-esque helmsman of Modern Sky Records; Da Fei, one of the idealists behind tiny label Mr Miss, which draws inspiration from legendary 1980s British indie label Sarah Records; and Lu Zhongqiang, the more practical manager of 13 Month, a label devoted to modern Chinese folk.
Paul Kendall, a former music journalist (Time Out Beijing, China Radio International, Billboard) and current Chinese music PhD student presents the show alongside Hu Pan, a Beijing-born rock musician, Peking opera performer, and music journalist.
New Sounds of China Episode 4: The Chengdu Temperament
From Peter Vautier | Part of the New Sounds of China series | 59:01
A curious mixture of punk rock, localized ska, DIY pop, and cannabis-infused folk from the city of Chengdu, gateway to China's wild west.
After two episodes devoted to music from the Chinese capital, our Beijing-centric presenters finally attune their ears to the sounds of a second city. Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan (or Szechuan) province, is stereotypically known for its spicy food and spicier women, yet also hosts a thriving alternative music scene.
Positioned close to some of China's most remote and ethnically mixed regions, Chengdu is an obvious base for folksong collectors, yet it has also developed a distinctive urban culture, including a number of small, lively music venues. Therefore, at the same as introducing the local musicians who help shape this rival to the Beijing scene, we also explore (and challenge) the so-called "Chengdu temperament", a concept which supposedly describes the local way of living and making music.
Paul Kendall, a former music journalist (Time Out Beijing, China Radio International, Billboard) and current Chinese music PhD student presents the show alongside Hu Pan, a Beijing-born rock musician, Peking opera performer, and music journalist.
New Sounds of China Episode 5: Ethnicity and Music
From Peter Vautier | Part of the New Sounds of China series | 59:01
Tibetan hip hop sits awkwardly next to Kazakh folk, and a Beijing rap metal band converts to Mongolian throat-singing. Um...is this Chinese music?
Our final episode addresses the controversial matter of ethnicity and music in China. We question the portrayal of China as a homogenous nation, by playing modern tracks inspired by the traditions of the country's many ethnic minorities. At the same time, just to be difficult, we counter the easy assumption that only minorities possess folk music, by playing tracks rooted in the traditions of the majority Han Chinese, including the work chants of Yangtze river boatmen sampled by Cui Jian, the godfather of Chinese rock.
Interviewees include: Rachel Harris, an academic expert in Chinese (particularly Xinjiang) music from the School of Oriental and African Studies; and Hanggai, a throat-singing collection of Mongolians and Han Chinese currently making their name on the world music circuit.
Paul Kendall, a former music journalist (Time Out Beijing, China Radio International, Billboard) and current Chinese music PhD student presents the show alongside Li Xiao, who has previously dabbled in media and gig promotion within the Beijing scnece, before sensibly abandoning such frivolries for a proper job.