INTERVIEW

Meet the rising stars
of subcultural China

All photography by Ka Xiaoxi

Meet the youth changing things up in China, as we talk gig venues, music genres and the scenes that inspire them.

Guan
Guan
What do you do?

Guan: I'm a graduate student at China’s Academy of Art, and I also work as a DJ.

Why do you play electronic music?

Guan: I like taking risks and challenging people through music and I feel like electronic music allows me to do that.

What are the differences between Shanghai’s music scene and Hangzhou’s music scene?

Guan: I feel like Hangzhou’s music scene is more relaxed in a way. But I can definitely access more creative and alternative music in Shanghai.

What has been your favourite gig?

Guan: My set at Modern Sky Lab in Shanghai. I loved the audience and it felt so good to play there.

Hyph11e
Hyph11e
What do you do?

Hyph11e: Electronic musician.

Describe your style in three words

Hyph11e: Freedom / House girl / Stubborn.
Scintii: Girl / Intuitional / Always thinking too much.

Scintii
Scintii
What is your favourite live music venue?

Scintii: It must be Shelter! My friend recommended that I go there back when I was still living in Beijing. I go there every time I’m back.

Which music genre defines you?

Scinitii: Trip-Hop. Although it changes day by day.

Xuan
Xuan
What do you do?

Hudidi: I used to work for independent magazines with my friends. Now I’m an editor for a youth and street culture magazine. I also sometimes DJ.
Xiaoyu: Fashion designer and model.
Xuan: Model / Producer.

Xiaoyu
Xiaoyu
Describe your style in three words?

Xuan: Independent / Thoughtful / Always Studying.
Xiaoyu: Art / Myself / Simple.
Hudidi: Faith and Independence.

Which subcultures have influenced you?

Hudidi: Jamaican culture always inspires me.

Hudidi
Hudidi
What new music are you listening to?

Xiaoyu: ‘No Geography’ by The Chemical Brothers. The whole album is excellent, it reminds me so much of the golden age.

Which music genre defines you?

Hudidi: Reggae and punk.
Xuan: Rock ’n’ Roll. Because of it, I opened my mind up to different cultures and genres.