Music

Singer / songwriter Eric Allen has spread his soulful, roots sound in China since 2015. In the spirit of authentic American blues, outlaw country, and cowboy folk, Eric Allen has performed his original material, including 40 Years, Holy Rollin’, She Waits, All On Death Row, Rattlesnake Mama, and others throughout China. Prior to arriving in China, Eric performed solo in New York City.

Eric’s self-titled debut LP, Eric Allen, released in January, 2021 and was recorded as an entirely acoustic undertaking. It’s songs convey stories of life on the road, hope, and longing in Eric’s down-to-earth style.

Eric is also lead singer of the Eric Allen Woodshed - Beijing's only band that combines a hard-rockin’ style with authentic Chicago, Texas, & Mississippi Delta blues. For a more acoustic experience, check out Eric’s Woodshed Trio. The Woodshed has been featured at many of Beijing's best venues and at various festivals & venues throughout China.

In addition to performing, Eric Allen brings the American blues to China’s youth in less exposed areas through blues classes & performances designed to generate interest in blues and music in general.

Stevie Mac takes the stage at Tokyo Lounge, serenading patrons as they sip whiskey and enjoy the timeless classics of the Mac Daddies.

The Song of Sorrow Rooted in Literature, Pork is Reborn as Shuniku

The predecessor of Shuniku was the band Pork. They were active in the D-22 scene from March 2008 until August 2017. Due to creative differences and the general progression of life, they disbanded. Over the past ten years, they have experienced multiple environmental and cultural changes. In 2021 they decided to reorganize as a new incarnation known as Shuniku.

The organizers of this event will be providing a rich concept of enjoyable music. This special performance invites some old friends from the D-22 era such as a versatile musician, thruoutin who will be doing a live set. Beijing long-stay DJs like Kaize and SunMeng will also be grasping rhythms to adjust the mood of the dance floor. This party not only revolves around the rebirth of Pork's new project Shuniku but also welcomes the color of its selected guests.

The creation of Pork can be divided into three stages noted by the release of the three albums discussed below. As the albums develop, more and more connections to Asian themes present themselves in the work. All of which contain literary characteristics, imagery, and aspects of sadness.

When the members came together to create new songs, certain expressions of imagery and despair became clearer. There was the development of a softer sound due to the maturing expression of the group. This produced a more unique style in the music, making it more feminine and easier to hear. As a result, the content became richer in texture.

Pork’s name is derived from the Andy Warhol film bearing the same name.

The romanji spelling of ‘shuniku’ actually comes from Chinese characters meaning red ink paste. It is an essential part of the conclusion of a contract. The name in English, red ink paste, can be abbreviated to just R.I.P.

The group decided to change their name to inherit the characteristics of the past. They wanted a connection between Asian philosophy and its functionalities to be present in their work.

Pork - Love Education (2014)

There will always be some people who cannot keep up with the times. Pork prides itself on being different, but still preserves the clichés of the last century. They laugh at themselves and would rather fall into the imagination of romanticism. After six years, Pork recorded their first album 爱的教育 (Ài de jiàoyù) meaning Love Education in English. Despite the passage of time, feelings of arrogance do not seem to fade away in this album but maintain an indescribable Asian color to the music.

Pork - Rogue (2015)

Just as shadows and light can evoke certain symbols in paintings, the jerky and full musical characteristics of Rouge are carefully smeared across the canvas to bring out something new. Within is the meaning of nothingness brought out by multiple consciousnesses. To a certain extent, the literary direction and deconstruction of musical elements are exactly what the Pork was seeking out in this album. This almost sudden turn in theme created a unique landscape of fit for rascals.

Pork - Worry (2017)

This album represents how sorrow and fear wipe away and enshrine our day-to-day lives. A fuzzy outline can often represent a solemn image. At the same time, light can loom like a dream. Pork attempts to convey the story of Lu Li. They wish to encapsulate the changes represented as ashes are swept away on a will. This unveils a timeless light throughout the album.

BLACKWATER is back to Paddy's!

The most famous Irish rock band in Beijing comes back even stronger with the addition of two young and talented Irish musicians: Sean Spillane as lead singer and Siobhan Clare Keane (fiddle) bring a fresh and authentic sound to the band. Founded in 2010 in Beijing, BLACKWATER draws from the rich traditional Celtic repertoire to create a live rock show with a strong Irish taste.

After having played for years in a traditional style, BLACKWATER has decided to turn the power on and make it loud! This is when the drummer Cedric Lebaillif and later on the bassist Matt Gaillard joined the band. Along with Zoe Wang (accordion) and Nico Torrese (guitar), two of the founders of the band, they now are embracing the rich tradition of Celtic rock and the equally rich, if more chaotic genre of Irish punk!

Come to Paddy's and enjoy BLACKWATER's sound, Friday April 2 at Paddy's. No Cover charge

Rena Lei is a senior singer active in Beijing Jazz stage and a member of Jazz Association of China Music Association.

She grew up in a musical family when she was young. She showed her strong memory and imitation ability of music melody, and began to learn singing skills with vocal music teachers. The University studied in the TV Department of Communication University of China, majoring in radio and television editing and directing. She signed a contract with Beijing Star disc Culture Development Co., Ltd. to become its own artist. She released individual singles and participated in commercial performances. During this period, she first came into contact with jazz music in Beijing CD jazz bar, so she was deeply fascinated. Since then, she began to learn jazz songs and embarked on the road of becoming a jazz singer. She has performed in Aria bar of China Hotel, Park Hyatt Hotel, Beijing Liang bar, big easy happy station bar and other occasions. During this period, she has accumulated experience in performing jazz and a large number of jazz song library. Her singing style tends to standard jazz, including swing, bossa nova, ballad and other traditional jazz styles. She has cooperated with famous jazz musicians such as Jinfo, Xia Jia and Huang Yong. In the past few years, she has performed in hotels and bars all over the country, including curve cigar bar of Ritz Carlton Hotel in Shenzhen, Ritz Carlton Hotel in Sanya, and haiweilin bar of Lishunde hotel in Tianjin. After returning to Beijing, she began to perform in major jazz clubs in the form of individuals or bands, including “bricks, Fugue, Tango by ala house, blue note, river and lake bar”etc. her Quintet was invited to perform in Tsinghua University's free night activities. During this period, she has the honor to meet and learn from many Chinese and foreign jazz musicians. In more than ten years of professional performance activities, She has learned and improved her singing skills, maintained the delicate and unique style of voice line, explored and learned Jazz impromptu singing method, and was able to sing works with great contrast across styles.

In addition to performing activities, Rena has also participated in the lyrics, composition and singing of the songs in and at the end of many online films.

Brand New Live Music bar-Tokyo Lounge soft opening in the hottest Japanese cuisine area IchiBanGai( First Avenue), Tokyo Lounge will keep presenting first rate live music and delivering supreme food & beverage ! Free Entrance with more benefits waiting for you, EVERY DAY!

In a shaker stir together a saxophonist who plays keys and a bass player who is also DJ. Fill the wild thing three-quarters up with electro swing and add 3 ounces of nu jazz. When ready to serve, gently mix itwith passion and positive vibes.

Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, Tony Williams, Philly Joe Jones, Gregory Hutchinson, Marcus Gilmore, Paul Motian, Nasheet Waits, Jochen Rueckert, Jim Black, Dan Weiss, Tyshawn Sorey

A songwriting graduate of Berkelee College of Music, American-born Jess has been a performing resident of Beijing for nearly two decades and is recognized as one of the best jazz vocalists and singer-songwriters in China.