Music
Monday, 04 January 2010 04:01
Written by Nicky Almasy, Photo by Nicky Almasy

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Three music scene insiders tell us what to expect in local music in 2010...

Today we speak to the first lady of Shanghai’s underground music scene – Yuyintang’s main organizer, Super Sophia. Of course, there are masterminds above her – Zhang Hai Sheng and Lu Sun – who own YYT, but if you want to get a gig (and we mean a decent gig; one that counts) there’s no way around her. She knows everyone and everyone knows her. If you don’t, then trust us – you may have felt the music, but the music didn’t feel you.

What's on YYT's menu for January?
2010 will start with Cold Fairyland doing an anniversary show and then there are a few punk gigs with TOOKOO, Bigger Bang, Guai Li and Triple Smash to name a few. Then, the Canadian band, Great Lake Swimmers play a show on the 10th. Also, a Finnish Viking heavy metal band is coming in the middle of the month.

Sounds scary...
Yeah (laughs). It’s all the usual, you know, band after band after band.

Not as scary as the Expo though?
Yeah, it looks like we might have to close down for a while during the event.

Are we talking weeks or months?
More like months, I think. It’s a shame because it would be such a great opportunity to promote the local music scene. A lot of foreigners will come to Shanghai to visit the Expo and it would be a good chance for them to take a peek into the local music culture, but it looks like it’s not going to happen.

Who do you think will be the biggest act of 2010?
Obviously it’s going to be The Mushrooms’ year. There’s a lot of buzz around them. My next tip is Duck Fight Goose, but Boys Climbing Ropes are releasing an EP in January too and a lot of people looking forward to that.

Why is YYT the most important venue of the rock scene right now?
I think it works because the owners and the management are in it for the love of music and they’re embracing new local bands no one else cares about. Mao Livehouse just opened, it’s a big place with new equipment, but it’s never gonna be like this place, because this is where the heart is. Yuyintang is Shanghai’s CGBG’s, full stop.

What's it like to work there?
YYT is one of those rare venues where not the particular day shapes how busy the place is. You know those places where the owner always moans, ’Oh, you know, Tuesdays are slow’? Here’s the other way around, the program dictates. Sure, there are empty days, but be it any day of the week, if it’s exciting people will come and people will know about it. You always have the feeling that you’re somewhere important.

Like this? Then read interviews with Alec Haavik and Andy Best here.

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