Music Industry Insight: Mar of Pacalolo

For our September Music Issue, we asked a selection of the city's music experts for their take on the current state of the 'scene' here in the capital. Their insight was adroit, humorous and controversial in equal measure. In this blog series we post the interviews in full. Next up, Mar of Pacalolo.

On the best acts of the last 12 months
Hedgehog playing at Yugong Yishan on June 16, 2012. In the second half they jammed and it was beyond most of their fans, but very tight. They really work when they're on stage. And that drummer, she is magical.

On the development of the Beijing 'scene'
It is an exciting time because CCTV has started to feature real Chinese rock and roll bands. In the past we have been a truly underground phenomenon, where even the more popular bands can't live off the income they make. Now, if we have access to the people's media there is the chance we will begin to see much more famous bands appear.

On the future of 'the scene'
As CCTV has begun to allow bands to play, this will focus the attention of young rock and rollers. The glass ceiling has been raised. Whether this new dream of getting your band on TV will be a good or bad thing remains to be seen.

On current trends
Many bands have begun revisiting the experimental music that came to light in America through the 1960's and 1970's.

On how Beijing stands up to other musical cities
The world is a big place, and there are many cities. If we talk instead about the other cities in China, Beijing is China's rock and roll capital. There isn't a great deal of musical diversity among its most popular bands, and most of them could practice more, but it has been exciting to see so many rich kids choosing to play rock and roll. Wow, some of the equipment these people have been buying costs as much as an Audi! That's something you don't see in the other cities of the world.

On getting recognition in Beijing
Beijing is the cultural center of China. It is rich and has a thriving nightlife, so bands can always find bars to play at. That is a wonderful thing. Getting "signed" doesn't mean as much in China as it does in the rest of the world.

On obstacles in Beijing
Practice, practice, practice. Most people want to have a band because they want to wear that on their sleeve. For China to really be a world-class rock and roll city there will need to be bands that want to get together and play music all night long instead of going out to dinners or KTV until the early hours of the next morning.

On influences in Beijing
The homogeneity of Beijing's music scene and its roots could have a wonderful book written about it's evolution. We first heard rock and roll music watching our parent’s pornographic videos. Those were the first foreign media to be smuggled into China, and the music made me and my brother go out and start a band. The new musician may be influenced by the internet most.