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. 4d ago

    New Releases: Muklauyan, Run Run Run, Dizang, 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. We're in the thick of summer and we've got some new tracks from China to keep your cool! We jump headfirst into the long awaited debut LP from Shanghai sound explorers Dizang, as well as the 'easy listening' laid back aura of Run Run Run, off the new wonderful compilation from Space Fruity Records. The summertime vibes continue as we check in with two of SJ Records freshest releases - the always bubbly and evolving Zoogazer; and the young and volatile Red-Haired Youth Murder Case. Finally, we gush over the beguiling new release from Muk Lau Yan - made up of members of seminal indie acts Snapline and Queen Sea Big Shark. So grab a cold one, crank up that AC and let the LiveChinaMusic Podcast give your refuge for the next forty minutes.    Tracks: 陌生的你 - 木楼人  Bandcamp: https://muklauyan.bandcamp.com/track/a-stranger     醉美台南 - Run Run Run https://spacefruityrecords.bandcamp.com/track/run-run-run    蝴蝶 - 动物园钉子户 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1nwn7Pqg6Ox2ltNpAnGxzL   发狂的季节 - 紅髮少年殺人事件 Bandcamp: https://farfardisc.bandcamp.com/track/--35     無量河 Voyage - 地藏 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3WbmTxjTjgR2us58zRVSIB    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: Producers: Elie Rosenberg & William Griffith Hosts: Elie Rosenberg & Will Griffith Editor: Owen Luo   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:33 A Stranger by Muklauyan 09:52 Enchanting Tainan by Run Run Run 17:10 Butterfly, by Zoogazer 22:31 Crazy Season, by Red-Haired Boy Murder Case 30:07 無量河 Voyage by Dizang 38:13 Outro

  2. Jul 22

    New Releases: Howie Lee, LEONWILL, Summertime Sadness, 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. Join Elie and Will on as they search for the ever-elusive groove on their latest sonic journey through the China music scene. This week - we explore some of the electronic scene's most vibrant and earworm-worthy tracks - including the latest from producer phenom Howie Lee, producer and saxophonist enthusiast LEONWILL, and the latest compilation from label NU-S3RVO, which highlights the exceptional female artists leading the way. Plus, we check in with two of the hottest acts to emerge out of the indie scene over the couple of years - Shenzhen's Summertime Sadness and Wuhan's Nono (Zhang Xingchan). Dig in and enjoy. Tracks: Cocoonics / Message in a Tofu Bandcamp: https://nu-s3rvo.bandcamp.com/track/cocoonics-message-in-a-tofu  LeonWill / Ignore that what you want Bandcamp: https://leonwei.bandcamp.com/track/ignore-that-what-you-want   张醒婵 / 老师我要上厕所 Excuse me, may I go to the restroom? Bandcamp: https://zxc0514.bandcamp.com/track/excuse-me-may-i-go-to-the-restroom  夏日磨磨茶 Summertime Sadness / The Muted (刘英工作室Sessions) Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/4HNMkVvjL05d3WHmwC4AtY  Howie Lee & 郭采洁 / 小鹿跳 (Feat. 郭采洁)  Unreleased on occidental platforms as of yet  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: Producers: Elie Rosenberg & William Griffith Hosts: Elie Rosenberg & Will Griffith Editor: Owen Luo Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:21 Cocoonics (electronic) 07:38 LeonWill (electronic) 16:06 Zhang Xingchan (experimental pop rock) 27:00 Summertime Sadness 36:59 Howie Lee (electronic) 43:53 News 47:42 Outro

  3. Jul 8

    New Releases: Milkguard, The Three Mice, Sullenboy, 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. The duo has returned! Elie and Will put aside their careers and family responsibilities and head back to their happy place - talking shit about one another as they offer up a batch of new tracks coming out of Mainland China. And we've been sitting on some gold during the hiatus - with stunning new releases off of Small Animals Records - The Three mice and Sullenboy. Plus, the lates electronic head trip courtesy of Nanning producer Craone, supple dream pop from Nanjing's MilkGuard and the punk anthem of the summer from Harbin's Cut Frenzy. It's good to be back!   忧郁干杯乐园 by The Three Mice from Shenzhen Bandcamp: https://thethreemice.bandcamp.com/album/where-is-my-mice   Blue by Sullenboy from Wuhan Bandcamp: https://sullenboywuhan.bandcamp.com/album/sun-moon  Kaleido Mirage by Craone from Nanning Bandcamp: https://shypeople.bandcamp.com/album/kaleido-mirage   Spring by Milkguard from Nanjing Bandcamp: https://milkguard.bandcamp.com/track/spring-2  You Look Like Shit by Cut Frenzy from Harbin https://cutfrenzy.bandcamp.com/album/you-look-like-shit-b-w-hello-failure-my-old-friend    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 02:42 忧郁干杯乐园 by The Three Mice from Shenzhen 12:51 Blue by Sullenboy from Wuhan 20:44 Kaleido Mirage by Craone from Nanning 27:38 Spring by Milkguard from Nanjing 33:50 You Look Like Shit by Cut Frenzy from Harbin 40:47 Outro

  4. Jun 11

    New Releases: No Decision at Night, WaytheDinoScream, TIPS!, cassette player romance, lastwejust...

    Apologies for ghosting everyone! Between losing the orginal audio in a freak accident and losing our producer in the midst of a transition, it's been a strange couple of months. But I've dragged my feet too long and since I've got nothing to lose - I'd figured I'd jump in the staddle and give this podcast thing a test drive. Try to get the engine running, at least for the time being. And because producer Elie isn't here to chime in or use his magical editing skills - we're giving you the tracks in their full. So join us on this EMO journey as we check in with some of this past spring's newest indie bands including No Decision at Night, WaytheDinoScream, TIPS!, cassette player romance, and lastwejust...   1.No Decision at Night 夜晚做决定 - Block 8 四号楼 https://open.spotify.com/album/3IwEXukhEcbT3ipYpTgRDo   2. WaytheDinoScream - Ping-Pong Boys' Spin During the School Break 大课间乒乓少年回旋 https://waythedinoscream.bandcamp.com/album/the-schoo-day-we-spent-with-a-brachiosaurus   3.lastwejust... - 何意味 https://music.163.com/#/album?id=367826964   4.Tips! - Manticore 曼提柯尔 https://tipsband.bandcamp.com/album/world-moved-on   5.cassette player romance - fiction in your pocket 你口袋里的科幻小说 https://cprm.bandcamp.com/album/meaning-of-home   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: Will Griffith Editor: Will Griffith   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:21 No Decision at Night  (emo math rock from Beijing) 06:09 WaytheDinoScream (emo from Changsha/Wuhan) 12:10 lastwejust... (emo from Shanghai) 16:28 TIPS! (math rock from Nanjing) 22:05 cassette player romance (lofi pop/5th wave emo from Hangzhou/USA) 25:00 Outro

  5. 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

  6. 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

    New Releases: Nova Heart, Pu Poo Platter, wish you could swim, and more
  7. 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)

  8. 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

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.