Say Farewell to Summer With 6 of China's Indie-Pop Up and Comers

While Beijing may be still be considered the musical hub of China, the fact is, it’s hard (and getting harder) to get bands from outside of Beijing to venture up north. Unless you’re selling out venues left and right, your chances of being able to cover your transportation fees alone are slim. While Guangzhou gets to cozy up with Shenzhen and Hangzhou with Shanghai, we’re stuck with Tianjin (no offense, Tianjin).

So, last year when Ai Jing AKA AJ, one of the brains behind Haze Sounds (a promotional branch of ticketing platform Showstart) unveiled Hazy Summer Nights – an annual showcase aimed at shining a spotlight on the new generation of bands across China – I was ecstatic. Finally, here was the chance to see how China’s rising metropolitans are shaping the music scene and kickstarting new trends.

This Saturday, Aug 24 at Yue Space, volume two of Hazy Summer Nights returns with a taste of the next wave of bands that have been making a splash in China's blossoming indie-pop scene.

The result is a roster of six young and eclectic bands ready to show the capital what they've got. From Wuhan, sometimes referred to as the Chicago of China, comes indie-pop darlings Lonely Cookies whose 2018 debut EP East Lake Swimming, led by the silky-voiced Feng Han and an effortless sense of melody, was one of our favorites last year.

Another band that topped our Favorite Albums of 2018 was Xiamen’s Peach Illusion, made up of vocalist O.O and producer C.C. Fueled by bubbly youthful energy, these two use their hushed, delicate lyrics and jangly synth arrangements to create addictive romance-kissed fizzy soda pop. And while it flew under our radars, Chengdu’s Daydream Secrets (pictured at top) busted onto the scene last year with their self-released and amusingly titled debut Don’t Panic My Bro – a shamelessly robust Britpop album that doesn’t hold back on their ideas of rock and roll grandeur.

From the humid Guangzhou streets come Hoo!, brimming with shades of city pop and raggedy alternative rock (the exclamation point ain’t there for nothing), who will also be recording their debut up here. Shanghai’s Loft Beach, meanwhile, have only released two songs but that hasn't stopped the wave of hype, and for good reason – they’re a breezy mix of '60s psychedelia and '90s retro rock, one that’s not afraid to throw up some Brain Wilson high notes and colorful dissonance in their swirl of surf-tinged indie pop. The evening is rounded out by Beijing’s own Then, Islands, whose instrumental rock, balanced with moments of ambiance and calm, may just make them the heaviest band on the bill. 

While their backgrounds, demeanors, and musical styles differ, the one thing the six bands have in common is their ability to invoke the humid, sun-drenched nostalgia of summer. As such, we thought it was only fitting to conduct a roundtable with the bands and get their thoughts on how summer has left an impression on them and their sound – a final farewell before the leaves begin to turn.

What images, feelings, or memories does summer bring to mind? 
Lonely Cookies: Wounds on my knees because somehow I always fell on the ground in summer when I was a kid, and thus, often couldn't go swimming with friends.

Peach Illusion: The crashing of flames and shadows, like fireworks that linger, and a lonely, silent rain before autumn’s arrival. 

Loft Beach: Summer is a beach and a loft. 

Hoo!: The impressions that summer leaves are the noise of the air conditioner and the scent of lemon mint from my potted plants on my balcony.

Daydream Secrets: Although summer is hot, my first impression of summer is always cool because there are swimming pools, air conditioners, and ice cola.

What does summer represent for you?
Loft Beach: Summer is a milkshake between surfing and daydreaming.

Hoo!: Beer and chuan'r! It’s too hot in Guangzhou in the summer. Only beer and music can ease the heat.

Daydream Secrets: Summer to us is about the release of passion – sweating and relishing the coolness of the summer night.

How does your music fit into the theme Hazy Summer Night?
Peach Illusion: Our lyrics are filled with summer-themed metaphors and tender sentiment, and our arrangements are filled with blurred color – it's a fine companion to a hazy summer night.

Loft Beach: We are in fact, a summer band from the south city. We hope to bring our south summer dreams to this northern city.

Daydream Secrets: Just like our song a "Jupiter Surfer" you can follow our music into a breathless steamy livehouse full of vigorous life. The scene would be quite psychedelic. Everyone's clothes are soaked with sweat, but there is still plenty of energy to jump until the end of the show. Even when they go out to meet the wind, they’re still not satisfied. This feeling is only obtainable in summer. 

Then, Islands: A romantic summer night + less romantic music = men and women swaying side to side.

What does a ‘hazy summer night’ look like in your city?
Peach Illusion: We live in Shanghai now, where the summer nights are embraced with poetic haziness, neon lights, streetlights, trees, and a fragrant breeze all mingling together, no matter whether it's sunny, foggy, or rainy. [Our hometown of] Xiamen is a coastal city with endless summertime, so when we moved to Shanghai, the time spent together in summer nights is shorter and more precious.

Loft Beach: Two of our members are from Kaili in Guizhou. Kaili is a magical city. In the summer night, you can see the very big moon in the sky. It’s so bright that you can make your way home by its light. Fireflies are everywhere. Our song "When We Were Young" is all about our childhood in this city. Now that we live in Shanghai, we miss the days when we could swim in the river and eat watermelon. That’s our perfect summer day.

Hoo!: A hazy summer night in Guangzhou is basically when it’s so hot the sweat blurs your line of sight. 

Daydream Secret: We are from the wonderful city of Chengdu. Some people danced to the dawn at [vinyl record bar] Funky Town. Some people eat late-night hot pot on the side of the road. Every time you pass a community, you will hear the sounds of mahjong. Of course, there are all kinds of music all night in Chengdu; you can always find a space that belongs to you in this city.

What’s the perfect summer activity?
Peach Illusion: Riding a motorbike to roam around the city at night.

Hoo!: Earlier, in June, we had the perfect summer night with [Huizhou band] Right Lane Convergence on Huolushan, Guangzhou – there was a modified sports car turned into a barbecue, a rooftop show, and hundreds of free bottles of craft beer! We were such a mess, and the next day, we opened our eyes and found ourselves lying in the field. We couldn’t’ stop laughing for five minutes – it was an unforgettable experience!

Daydream Secrets: Swimming is by far the perfect activity for summer – it cools you down and you lose weight at the same time!

Then, Islands: Eating watermelon at home with the air conditioner on.

READ: Chengdu Electronica Musician Shii Melds Pop Sensibilities With Futuristic Sheen

Images courtesy of the bands