Live China Music Podcast

Elie Rosenberg & William Griffith

Have you ever wondered why a country with a population of 1.4 billion people hasn't produced a global superstar yet? China's music scene is rich, diverse, and colorful but hardly ever reaches other countries. Those of you into classical music probably heard of Lang Lang and Yo-Yo Ma, if into post-rock then Wang Wen and Chinese Football are names you might be familiar with, and the metalheads out there could possibly have heard of Nine Treasures. But these bands barely scrape the top of the iceberg. Will Griffith, founder of the longest lasting blog on China's indie scene, Live China Music, and myself, Elie Rosenberg, hope to take you on a discovery of this bubbling music scene, with new episodes every two weeks covering the latest releases. We will focus on emerging artists, although if a particularly noteworthy track comes out from an established or legacy act, we won't fail to mention it. All the music we cover is from artists based in China.

  1. Mar 30

    New Releases: Booma Bitz, Grace Latecomer, Lay Lady Lay and more...

    Live China Music Podcast — Discover China's Indie & Underground Music Scene English-language weekly/biweekly podcast exploring new music from China's vibrant indie, alternative, rock, electronic, punk, experimental, hip-hop, and post-punk scenes. Jump into a melting pot of noise rock, post rock, dream pop, indietronica, and rock pop with the Live China Music Podcast's latest batch - tracks to get those feet tapping and those emotions swelling from across China. From the bittersweet romance of Chengdu's Deep Water to the triumphant feminist charge of Beijing's Lay Lady Lay - all the way to the sweeping cathartic melodies of Suzhou's Grace Latecomer - it's an eclectic collection that once again showcases the depth of China's indie music scene. Bask in it. Booma Bitz - Traitor Bandcamp: https://boomabitz.bandcamp.com/album/lions-in-my-skull-2    Lay Lady Lay - Channel ME! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ISs8R2LKvMDrqCfFz40sp?si=rdWcLB2BR8WdBj6hME4k8A    Grace Latecomer 优雅的迟到者 - 所有坚固的都将烟消云散 Bandcamp: https://1724.bandcamp.com/album/whispering  Please note we made a mistake in the English name of the album, it is actually "Whispering"   Deep Water水太深 - "Have A Good Time" Spotify to previous EP Roving: https://open.spotify.com/album/5FoOj7w9WyANXFxJfoBVZU?si=CJVyj2WWRuW4kv7bKhu9Vw    广恐 - 国王 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2gPhDffNEdACudf2VnOpT7?si=4fe053ff632549e5    Extract of the poem 苹果上的豹, by Lin Yue 有些独自的想象,能够触及谁的想象? 有些独自的梦能被谁梦见 一个黑暗的日子,带来一会儿光   舞台上的人物被顶灯照亮 一个悬空的中心,套着另一个中心 火苗的影子,掀起一只巨眼 (full poem in this link: https://dict.baidu.com/shici/detail?pid=43d9f4a47deaf92d501fad6d6353854a)   About us: Every episode, hosts Elie Rosenberg and Will Griffith review the latest tracks from bands and artists living in China, spotlighting underground and emerging talent rarely heard outside Asia. Expect 4–6 freshly released songs, artist context, genre highlights, and short audio clips in each ~30-minute show. Whether you're into Chinese indie rock, avant-pop, experimental electronic, punk, underground hip-hop, post-punk, jazz-inspired sounds, or cross-genre alt music, this is your guide to what's new and compelling in Mainland China's music world.   We systematically sign waivers with the artists or their label to ensure we do not infringe their copyright. Hope you'll enjoy and please support by sharing around, don't hesitate to reach out by finding us on instagram (livechinamusic or zefrenchvillain) or writing to livechinamusic@gmail.com  Credits: Producer: Elie Rosenberg Co-producer: William Griffith Hosts: Elie Rosenberg & Will Griffith Editor: Elie Rosenberg Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:43 Booma Bitz (lo-fi indie rock from Beijing) 09:41 Grace Latecomer (post-rock from Suzhou) 17:56 Lay Lady Lay (rock-pop from Beijing) 23:06 Agoraphobia (indie rock from Beijing) 30:34 Deep Water (dream pop from Chengdu) 37:08 Outro

    43 min
  2. New Releases: Nova Heart, Pu Poo Platter, wish you could swim, and more

    Mar 16

    New Releases: Nova Heart, Pu Poo Platter, wish you could swim, and more

    Live China Music Podcast — Discover China's Indie & Underground Music Scene
 English-language weekly/biweekly podcast exploring new music from China's vibrant indie, alternative, rock, electronic, punk, experimental, hip-hop, and post-punk scenes.   Spring is upon us and that means lots of new music to dig into. This week Elie and Will jump between Shanghai and Beijing before lying in the emo rock hotbed of Zhengzhou. We'll be highlighting some exceptional new earworms from long-standing favorites to emerging trailblazers - from the buoyang flowing-melodies of wish you could swim to the sure-footed propuslvie groove of Heat Mark.    1. Nova Heart - Young and Cruel  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1rF7pwO8tnKWuLNwdFcxQR?si=8e71680f0e3d4594  2. Pu Poo Platter 宝宝盘 - 三人遊戲 Three3ome Bandcamp: https://pupooplatter.bandcamp.com/track/three3ome  3. Wish you could swim 祝游会 - 旅店 (The Inn) Bandcamp: https://zhuyouhui.bandcamp.com/album/wild-swim  4. 圈圈QuanQuan / Sovietaxi / Diana Chen - 异世界的浪漫isekai romance Bandcamp: https://quanquan.bandcamp.com/track/isekai-romance 5. 热斑Heat Mark - I Hate You, Miss You, Love You, Oh 我恨你想你爱你哦 Bandcamp: https://heatmark.bandcamp.com/track/i-hate-you-miss-you-love-you-oh 6. Jimi's Guess 吉米的猜想 - 翠光庭記 Bandcamp: https://jimidecaixiang.bandcamp.com/track/--9  About us: Every episode, hosts Elie Rosenberg and Will Griffith review the latest tracks from bands and artists living in China, spotlighting underground and emerging talent rarely heard outside Asia. Expect 4–6 freshly released songs, artist context, genre highlights, and short audio clips in each ~30-minute show. Whether you're into Chinese indie rock, avant-pop, experimental electronic, punk, underground hip-hop, post-punk, jazz-inspired sounds, or cross-genre alt music, this is your guide to what's new and compelling in Mainland China's music world. We systematically sign waivers with the artists or their label to ensure we do not infringe their copyright. Hope you'll enjoy and please support by sharing around, don't hesitate to reach out by finding us on instagram (livechinamusic or zefrenchvillain) or writing to livechinamusic@gmail.com  Credits: Producer: Elie Rosenberg Co-producer: William Griffith Hosts: Elie Rosenberg & Will Griffith Editor: Elie Rosenberg

    41 min
  3. Mar 2

    New Releases: wishtoday, 吴卓玲, Run! Novel, 肥肥 / Eggman

    Live China Music Podcast — Discover China's Indie & Underground Music Scene English-language weekly/biweekly podcast exploring new music from China's vibrant indie, alternative, rock, electronic, punk, experimental, hip-hop, and post-punk scenes. Rolling into the Year of the Fire Horse with our stockpile of new releases. A spicy spread of hip-hop, post punk, techno, emo, and chamber pop to nerd out over with acts from Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Zhengzhou. Yes, we're all over the map today! So whether you're an angst-ridden youth who loves quoting the Great Cornholio or a cosmic space cadet ready to rave with the best of them - we've got you covered. A riotous good time for all as we welcome the Spring. Happy Year of the Fire Horse!   短篇小说 - 短跑小说 Run! Novel @run1novel Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6KxC3ahEIQC2mPCjzVaAKF?si=7dd7872660be4feb  Bandcamp previous album: https://runnovel.bandcamp.com/album/get-poverty-from-risk    他所看到的事 - 无序的黏土 Disordered Clay Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1SrKzqsmV2GmwBT2Q58LKV?si=9f9a09676b764b05    Warp (SHAO remix) - 吴卓玲 @jolene_wu @shaoyanpeng Bandcamp: https://wuzhuoling.bandcamp.com/album/warp  Website: wuzhuoling.com    望梅止渴 - 肥肥 / Eggman  @feifeioiam @prod.eggman Bandcamp: https://aftersoundltd.bandcamp.com/track/--10    大只老 (GIGACHAD)- v是兔子wishtoday @wishtoday_official Bandcamp: https://wishtoday.bandcamp.com/album/--5    About us: Every episode, hosts Elie Rosenberg and Will Griffith review the latest tracks from bands and artists living in China, spotlighting underground and emerging talent rarely heard outside Asia. Expect 4–6 freshly released songs, artist context, genre highlights, and short audio clips in each ~30-minute show. Whether you're into Chinese indie rock, avant-pop, experimental electronic, punk, underground hip-hop, post-punk, jazz-inspired sounds, or cross-genre alt music, this is your guide to what's new and compelling in Mainland China's music world. We systematically sign waivers with the artists or their label to ensure we do not infringe their copyright. Hope you'll enjoy and please support by sharing around, don't hesitate to reach out by finding us on instagram (livechinamusic or zefrenchvillain) or writing to livechinamusic@gmail.com    Credits: Producer: Elie Rosenberg Co-producer: William Griffith Hosts: Elie Rosenberg & Will Griffith Editor: Elie Rosenberg   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:42 Run! Novel (avant-pop from Guangzhou) 10:09 Disordered Clay (post-punk from Shanghai) 16:52 Wu Zhuoling & SHAO (cosmic electronic music from Chengdu) 21:24 Fei Fei & Eggman (hip-hop from Hangzhou) 30:28 Wishtoday (emo-punk from Zhengzhou)

    41 min
  4. Feb 16

    New Releases: Dizkar, Moxizishi, Jailwhale, and more...

    Live China Music Podcast — Discover China's Indie & Underground Music Scene English-language weekly/biweekly podcast exploring new music from China's vibrant indie, alternative, rock, electronic, punk, experimental, hip-hop, and post-punk scenes. Dropping an episode right on Chinese New Year, Will and Elie wish you the best for the Year of the Horse, introducing as we do some fresh new cuts from China, from some smooth R&B to melancholic folk with a healthy dose of rock music. 马年快乐! Oopsie: Elie messed up while reading the Chinese name of the Step, it's huixuan louti!Deepest apologies!   Tracks 朱门 Crimson Door / 地磁卡 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1wBMqwDvWnlJpXcQRtPUnI?si=2d54ba3733fa478d  His Bandcamp (not up to date): https://dizkar.bandcamp.com/album/rational-loop    原地踏步 / JAILWHALE  Bandcamp: https://jailwhale.bandcamp.com/album/cool-state-2    赣愚Stiff-necked Fools / 大象暮地Elephant Grave Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3UVEbzjP8jFkbb5gj9qY16?si=db482904426e4e52    异乡人 / 回旋楼梯  Bandcamp: https://thestephuixuanlouti.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-echo-fades    旧事 / 莫西子诗  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/5Hd4HPQKHN10YUNY76PZAu?si=56ffdaeeb9b741a9    About us: Every episode, hosts Elie Rosenberg and Will Griffith review the latest tracks from bands and artists living in China, spotlighting underground and emerging talent rarely heard outside Asia. Expect 4–6 freshly released songs, artist context, genre highlights, and short audio clips in each ~30-minute show. Whether you're into Chinese indie rock, avant-pop, experimental electronic, punk, underground hip-hop, post-punk, jazz-inspired sounds, or cross-genre alt music, this is your guide to what's new and compelling in Mainland China's music world. We systematically sign waivers with the artists or their label to ensure we do not infringe their copyright. Hope you'll enjoy and please support by sharing around, don't hesitate to reach out by finding us on instagram (livechinamusic or zefrenchvillain) or writing to livechinamusic@gmail.com  Credits: Producer: Elie Rosenberg Co-producer: William Griffith Hosts: Elie Rosenberg & Will Griffith Editor: Elie Rosenberg   Timestamps: 00:00 Dizkar - R&B from Kunming and Chengdu 07:15 Jailwhale - alt indie from Beijing 14:10 Elephant Grave - indie rock from Nanning 19:22 The Step - indie rock from Guangzhou 28:24 Moxizishi - folk from Sichuan

    38 min
  5. Feb 2

    New Releases: Lao Dan & Vasco Trilla, Gogoj, Li Daiguo & Slim Rothaus, Gooooose, and Ruhao

    A whole episode of new experimental music for your ears! Elie and Will nurse hangovers with a slate of experimental music from some of China's most esteemed experimental musicians. We also dig into two new compilations from two emerging electronic music labels. Take the ride and get ready to expand your horizons! Li Daiguo & Slim Rothaus Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/50sblBL9HjewGHNMYzfEQo?si=467ff1801614419e    新物种 1 New Species 1  / Lao Dan & Vasco Trilla Bandcamp: https://laodan.bandcamp.com/album/new-species    Shrimpy / Goooose Bandcamp: https://open.spotify.com/track/3F8WjNUxYCZijwQCBZJPR9?si=c3c5d19fdb2a4509    20240107 / Ruhao  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6JQh58Jwz5OyKkAlG889QX?si=2e2cf3f5408746c4    Duo Improvisation by Sheng Jie & Shenggy #1 / Gogoj a.k.a Sheng Jie, ShenggyShen, Emily Ritchie Bandcamp: https://shanavlab.bandcamp.com/album/horses    Additional information: Tomorrow Festival: https://b10live.cn/tomorrowfestival  Old Heaven Books: https://oldheavenbooks.bandcamp.com/  SVBKLVT: https://svbkvlt.bandcamp.com/    About us: Every episode, hosts Elie Rosenberg and Will Griffith review the latest tracks from bands and artists living in China, spotlighting underground and emerging talent rarely heard outside Asia. Expect 4–6 freshly released songs, artist context, genre highlights, and short audio clips in each ~30-minute show. Whether you're into Chinese indie rock, avant-pop, experimental electronic, punk, underground hip-hop, post-punk, jazz-inspired sounds, or cross-genre alt music, this is your guide to what's new and compelling in Mainland China's music world.   We systematically sign waivers with the artists or their label to ensure we do not infringe their copyright. Hope you'll enjoy and please support by sharing around, don't hesitate to reach out by finding us on instagram (livechinamusic or zefrenchvillain) or writing to livechinamusic@gmail.com    Credits: Producer: Elie Rosenberg Co-producer: William Griffith Hosts: Elie Rosenberg & Will Griffith Editor: Elie Rosenberg   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:12 Li Daiguo & Slim Rothaus - experimental acoustic music from Dali 08:56 Lao Dan & Vasco Trilla - experimental jazz from Shenzhen 16:46 Gooooose - experimental electro from Shanghai 22:30 Ruhao - experimental ambient 27:24 Gogoj & Shengji - experimental from Beijing

    35 min
  6. Jan 19

    New Releases: PK14, SHQT, Aza's Piper, Spring Hill Post Tide and Railway Suicide Train

    Live China Music Podcast — Discover China's Indie & Underground Music Scene English-language weekly/biweekly podcast exploring new music from China's vibrant indie, alternative, rock, electronic, punk, experimental, hip-hop, and post-punk scenes. Today's episode discusses a very exciting batch of new releases all along the spectrum of post-rock, including many acts that have been influential over decades or in recent years. Dive in! Tracks:   痛苦的故事 (Painful Story) - Shanghai Qiutian from Shanghai Website: www.shqt.live    午夜来客 (Midnight's Cosmic Guest) - Spring Hill Post Tide from Wuhan Bandcamp: https://springhillposttide.bandcamp.com    篝火日 (Bonfire Day) - 旧日的派珀(Aza's Piper) from Hangzhou Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/39dNcaW0g6xUyJQH9BvD3E?si=v3fHklwjTX-5z4Q8Dpkj9Q    在河边找甘草 - Railway Suicide Train from Hangzhou & Beijing Previous album on Bandcamp since this new one isn't available yet! https://woguidehuoche.bandcamp.com/album/continent      5 . Crossing The Boundaries of Reality 跨过现实的边界 - PK14 from Beijing Bandcamp: https://storecords.bandcamp.com/album/appearances    About us: Every episode, hosts Elie Rosenberg and Will Griffith review the latest tracks from bands and artists living in China, spotlighting underground and emerging talent rarely heard outside Asia. Expect 4–6 freshly released songs, artist context, genre highlights, and short audio clips in each ~30-minute show. Whether you're into Chinese indie rock, avant-pop, experimental electronic, punk, underground hip-hop, post-punk, jazz-inspired sounds, or cross-genre alt music, this is your guide to what's new and compelling in Mainland China's music world. We systematically sign waivers with the artists or their label to ensure we do not infringe their copyright. Hope you'll enjoy and please support by sharing around, don't hesitate to reach out by finding us on instagram (livechinamusic or zefrenchvillain) or writing to livechinamusic@gmail.com  Credits: Producer: Elie Rosenberg Co-producer: William Griffith Hosts: Elie Rosenberg & Will Griffith Editor: Elie Rosenberg   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:20 SHQT (post-rock from Shanghai) 09:19 Spring Hill Post Tide (Psychedelic music from Wuhan) 16:17 Aza's Piper (Lovecraftian dream-pop from Hangzhou) 23:36 Railway Suicide Train (Psychedelic Folk from Hangzhou & Beijing) 30:28 PK14 (post-punk from Beijing) 36:25 Outro

    39 min
  7. 12/31/2025

    Best of and recap of 2025!

    Elie and Will break down the past year. Best bands, best albums, what's been trending and what's impacted the Chinese music scene in 2025, as well as some thoughts and hopes for 2026. For more detailed lists in the written form, check out the following links: Beehype: https://beehy.pe/best-albums-of-2025/  Live China Music Wechat: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/GznN61SlozcrSIzvXQsStQ    See below links to listen to the albums mentioned, in no particular order of our top picks:   Riot In School - Punk Rock Blasphemy https://riotinschool.bandcamp.com/album/punk-rock-blasphemy    The Beneficial Society - The Beneficial Society https://open.spotify.com/album/6G27ZALN3N5wE8UtoKT7pz    Linfeng - Sad But Beautiful https://open.spotify.com/album/3BdHmNjVippCYm4uLQ7OK2    Wasted Laika - Red Dragonfly, Green Peacock https://open.spotify.com/album/7KfjHxQBja1UWmF6LlNhlz    鸡毛大 - I Only Sing In Winter https://open.spotify.com/album/0B96F31OU1L0VlbcCVvSk3?si=llm5CWyrQguPtoO_YupGng   施鑫文月 Gray Gray Sun https://open.spotify.com/album/3HeO54HGPMW10gcQbllZIz?si=dYR4kvRrRSiUXJHHbqsMvw   Smiqra - Rɡyaɡ̇dźé! https://hoplites.bandcamp.com/album/r-ya-dz-e    Cola Ren - Mekong Ballad https://colaren.bandcamp.com/album/mekong-ballad    Khunati - Misty Mountain Pagoda https://wvsorcerer.bandcamp.com/album/misty-mountain-pagoda     About us: The mission of the Live China Music Podcast is to shed light on Chinese music, providing listeners with insights and information on the Chinese music scene that they would not be able to obtain elsewhere. Every episode, hosts Elie Rosenberg and Will Griffith review the latest tracks from bands and artists living in China, spotlighting underground and emerging talent rarely heard outside Asia. Expect 4–6 freshly released songs, artist context, genre highlights, and short audio clips in each ~30-minute show. Whether you're into Chinese indie rock, avant-pop, experimental electronic, punk, underground hip-hop, post-punk, jazz-inspired sounds, or cross-genre alt music, this is your guide to what's new and compelling in Mainland China's music world. We systematically sign waivers with the artists or their label to ensure we do not infringe their copyright. Hope you'll enjoy and please support by sharing around, don't hesitate to reach out by finding us on instagram (livechinamusic or zefrenchvillain) or writing to livechinamusic@gmail.com  We systematically sign waivers with the artists or their label to ensure we do not infringe their copyright. Hope you'll enjoy and please support by sharing around, don't hesitate to reach out by finding us on instagram (livechinamusic or zefrenchvillain) or writing to livechinamusic@gmail.com    Credits: Producer: Elie Rosenberg Co-producer: William Griffith Hosts: Elie Rosenberg & Will Griffith Editor: Elie Rosenberg

    39 min
  8. 12/29/2025

    Last releases of 2025 from China: The Cheers Cheers & Chestnut Bakery, PPT, 饮马池...

    We cover the last (well, almost last) releases of 2025 from hardcore to a lovely indie pop jam perfectly suited to the holiday season! Don't miss out on new music coming out of China with our latest episode - and keep your eyes peeled for our 2025 recap this week!    Tracks: PPT / What is SSD Anyway Bandcamp: https://pptviolence.bandcamp.com/track/what-is-ssd-anyway  饮马池 / 向前 Artist Spotify (track not available yet): https://open.spotify.com/artist/2QkClfOJ8NEoiG7uXTjGm0  河馬難受  / 扮鬼 Bandcamp: https://hemananshou.bandcamp.com/track/-    巧克力工厂 / Run, Ade, Run! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3tZYaqami2DVaFNDMUQPKa?si=a72c540a75174e97    Cheers Cheers & Chestnut Bakery / Flickers Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/030yKKuFaWpuR2ukBi3vKB?si=a8272b8661074337    About us: The mission of the Live China Music Podcast is to shed light on Chinese music, providing listeners with insights and information on the Chinese music scene that they would not be able to obtain elsewhere. Every episode, hosts Elie Rosenberg and Will Griffith review the latest tracks from bands and artists living in China, spotlighting underground and emerging talent rarely heard outside Asia. Expect 4–6 freshly released songs, artist context, genre highlights, and short audio clips in each ~30-minute show. Whether you're into Chinese indie rock, avant-pop, experimental electronic, punk, underground hip-hop, post-punk, jazz-inspired sounds, or cross-genre alt music, this is your guide to what's new and compelling in Mainland China's music world.   We systematically sign waivers with the artists or their label to ensure we do not infringe their copyright. Hope you'll enjoy and please support by sharing around, don't hesitate to reach out by finding us on instagram (livechinamusic or zefrenchvillain) or writing to livechinamusic@gmail.com  We systematically sign waivers with the artists or their label to ensure we do not infringe their copyright. Hope you'll enjoy and please support by sharing around, don't hesitate to reach out by finding us on instagram (livechinamusic or zefrenchvillain) or writing to livechinamusic@gmail.com    Credits: Producer: Elie Rosenberg Co-producer: William Griffith Hosts: Elie Rosenberg & Will Griffith Editor: Elie Rosenberg

    25 min

About

Have you ever wondered why a country with a population of 1.4 billion people hasn't produced a global superstar yet? China's music scene is rich, diverse, and colorful but hardly ever reaches other countries. Those of you into classical music probably heard of Lang Lang and Yo-Yo Ma, if into post-rock then Wang Wen and Chinese Football are names you might be familiar with, and the metalheads out there could possibly have heard of Nine Treasures. But these bands barely scrape the top of the iceberg. Will Griffith, founder of the longest lasting blog on China's indie scene, Live China Music, and myself, Elie Rosenberg, hope to take you on a discovery of this bubbling music scene, with new episodes every two weeks covering the latest releases. We will focus on emerging artists, although if a particularly noteworthy track comes out from an established or legacy act, we won't fail to mention it. All the music we cover is from artists based in China.