Music Industry Insight: Philipp Grefer, Fake Music Media

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, Philipp Grefer of Fake Music Media.

On the best new band in the last 12 months
Well, obviously I´m totally biased, since I manage them, but it is with no doubt Nova Heart. They had their first show last June and it is quite amazing how they improved so quickly due to all the touring around the world. They are currently rehearsing with the drummer of Hedgehog, so this could be another amazing step forward.

On the best band in the last 12 months
I´m totally biased again but since it would be a bit too much to mention Nova Heart twice I´ll give this one to ReTros, they are tight! And if you like great humour, there is still no better band than New Pants. I also like Long Shen Dao for reggae and Subs for their stage energy. I haven´t seen Hedgehog for a while but they definitely have the cutest drummer. White earns best experimental for me.

On the development of the Beijing "scene"
It surprised me that D-22 closed and that while we were travelling in Australia some journalist asked, "So, is the indie scene in China dead now?" To connect the closing of just one club with the death of indie music in the whole of China was a bit strange to me. Especially since I feel it is getting more and more diverse, and its really hard to know all the bands. Even when I came here just a few years ago, I thought, I know all the bands. But it´s not like that anymore. There are so many bands, although, I still have to say its not easy to find a really good one

On the future of "the scene"
The scene is getting much more international. We recently travelled with Nova Heart to the US and Australia, and met so many Chinese bands over there: Shanren, ReTROS, Carsick Cars, New Pants etc. Even Fu Han was there – just for a holiday. She didn't even play. As Chinese companies are going more and more out, so do musicians.

On trends
We started our (nu-)disco party Dance Dangereux only 2.5 years ago. I decided to put more energy into DJing because nearly nobody was playing this kind of stuff at that time in Beijing. Now we have tons of great parties with this kind of music in Beijing (e.g. Dim Sum Disco, Neon etc.) and even some Chinese “rockers” turned towards disco like Billy Starman who recently put a cool mix up on his soundcloud.

On how Beijing stands up against other musical cities
I think it´s actually much easier to get a start [in Beijing]. And if you are any good and have a few connections you will find yourself playing a big festival stage in front of tons of people relatively quick. If you can hold this stage down though, is another question.

On recognition for unsigned bands
Well, I usually only hear of bands when they are already signed. Actually sometimes it seems to me that it is incredibly easy to get signed on a Chinese label. At least there are tons of CDs of signed bands out there, where I think, it would have been great if they had practiced a little bit more before putting this record on the market.

On the main obstacles for new bands
Good songwriting, somebody who sings well.

On influences
I think a new generation of kids already gets a lot of influences from Chinese acts, who themselves got a lot of influences from the West. Obviously, if we are speaking about Chinese folk music – and there is a lot of great stuff – the influences always have been Western anyway.

On getting ahead
It´s the same as in any other city, sleep with the right people;). Alternatively, write good music.

On getting a foot in the door
Write a great song and then send it out to the right people with great packaging.

On who new bands need to know
I guess one of the main festival organizers e.g. Shen Lihui or Zhang Fan.

On accommodating venues for new acts
What Bar, Hot Cat Club, XP

Click here to see the September issue of the Beijinger in full.