Farmer's Art to Springsteen: Su Yang's Like a Grass

There was barely any festival sign at the Star Live, but the atmosphere there last Friday was probably warmer and more intimate than any over decorated Christmas party in Beijing. Four years since his last outstanding album, Su Yang finally released his new album Like A Grass on Christmas Eve with support from almost one thousand fans that packed the venue.

Su Yang's songs mostly have roots in Chinese Northwest villages. A combination of electric guitar and bass, proper drum set and the occasional blues element added a bit of rock & roll to his songs, while most of his inspirations are from the folk songs that have been sung by farmers in the field for generations. But the crowd at the gig showed that this "farmers' art" still appeal to young people around 20 to 25.

The sharp sound of the Suona (a Chinese instrument shapes like a trumpet), a big acoustic drum and Shanxi country style talking ballad were rustic, but when blended they turn into some calm bass and acoustic guitar plucking, and the songs come out surprisingly distinguished.

If the crowd was already heated, "Xian Liang" (贤良), titled song from his last album boiled it. Love was not mentioned any where in the words, but from the glorious faces on stage, the spontaneous affecting chorus from the crowd, you started to understand that true emotions are usually hidden under the simplest surface, anything fancy seemed hypocritical.

Accidentally catching cold a week before the gig made Su Yang's voice a bit more husky than usual, when he concentrated his energy to his throat and chant to the high pitches, it reminds you of something between the sounds of Bruce Springsteen and a Chinese field-man's yelling.

I talked to Su Yang after the gig. When asked where he liked playing the most he said he actually doesn't like performing that much, but rathered "Just drink with friends and start singing when we all get drunk, that's the best."

The show started early, ended early, people had plenty of time left to catch the subway without even being in a hurry. I believe they went home happily with satisfaction and madrigals echoing merrily in their minds.