3095
I had the pleasure of meeting <a href="http://www.mdnphoto.com/" target="_blank">Matt Niederhauser</a> last year over a Sichuan hot-pot dinner in Beijing with some mutual friends. Not only is he an extraordinarily talented photographer, but he's also a great dinner guest – perhaps one of the wittiest people I've ever met, hysterically funny at times.
Matt's been brilliantly photo-documenting the Chinese indie (I refuse to call it underground) music scene in Beijing for the past few years. Together with some help from Cult Youth illustrator / designer Chairman Ca and acclaimed producer / sound engineer Yuli Chen, Matt recently published a book titled <em><a href="http://www.soundkapital.net/" target="_blank">Sound Kapital</a></em> with <a href="http://www.powerhousebooks.com/book/1117" target="_blank">Powerhouse Books</a> (to buy it, link <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Kapital-Beijings-Underground-Powerhouse/dp/1576875210/" target="_blank">here</a>). In word and image, the book captures the energy of the personalities and performers at some of the Beijing scene's staple music venues: <a href="http://www.d-22.cn/" target="_blank">D-22</a>, <a href="http://www.yugongyishan.com/" target="_blank">Yugong Yishan</a>, 2 Kolegas, and <a href="http://www.maolive.com/" target="_blank">Mao Livehouse</a>. There is also a great article about <em>Sound Kapital</em> on The Economist's <em>More Intelligent Life</em> blog – to check that out, link <a href="http://www.moreintelligentlife.com/blog/erin-dejesus/nary-zither-nor-lute" target="_blank">here</a>.
We're big fans of Matt's work – not simply because of the aesthetic quality of the photography (which is superb, no doubt), but more importantly because of Matt's contribution (conscious or not) to giving Chinese indie music a "larger stage." He has taken it out of the clubs and out of the under-represented "underground." He's made it just a bit more accessible, giving it a chance to be served up to a much broader audience in China and abroad (dare I say "the mainstream"). As uncool as doing anything for the mainstream might sound for hipsters the world-round, this is something Chinese indie music and the Chinese creative community in general desperately need. Neither will thrive without increased media attention and awareness-raising / education among the so-called "uncool" mainstream. Bravo Matt. Thanks for your contribution.
Below we've shared a sampling of Matt's photography. I'm sure some of these are included in <em>Sound Kapital</em>, <a href="http://www.moreintelligentlife.com/blog/erin-dejesus/nary-zither-nor-lute" target="_blank">get the book</a> to see the full collection – your coffee table with thank you. For more Chinese indie music on NeochaEDGE, link <a href="http://edge.neocha.com/category/music/" target="_blank">here</a>. /// AjS
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-502" title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
Hedgehog ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Hedgehog-2.jpg"><img title="Hedgehog 2" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Hedgehog-2.jpg" alt="Hedgehog 2" width="570" height="378" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
Girl Kill Girl ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Girl-Kill-Girl.jpg"><img title="Girl Kill Girl" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Girl-Kill-Girl.jpg" alt="Girl Kill Girl" width="570" height="404" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
Carsick Cars & Girl Kill Girl ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Carsick-Cars-Girl-Kill-Girl.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7176" title="Carsick Cars & Girl Kill Girl" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Carsick-Cars-Girl-Kill-Girl.jpg" alt="Carsick Cars & Girl Kill Girl" width="570" height="346" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
Carsick Cars ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Carsick-Cars.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7177" title="Carsick Cars" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Carsick-Cars.jpg" alt="Carsick Cars" width="570" height="374" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
Demerit ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Demerit-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7178" title="Demerit 2" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Demerit-2.jpg" alt="Demerit 2" width="570" height="374" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
Joyside ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Joyside.jpg"><img title="Joyside" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Joyside.jpg" alt="Joyside" width="570" height="375" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
Guan Tou & Zhang Hanhao ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Guan-Tou-Zhang-Haohan.jpg"><img title="Guan Tou & Zhang Haohan" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Guan-Tou-Zhang-Haohan.jpg" alt="Guan Tou & Zhang Haohan" width="570" height="419" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
Demerit ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Demerit.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7179" title="Demerit" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Demerit.jpg" alt="Demerit" width="570" height="394" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
Guan Li & R.W.F ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Guai-Li-R.W.F..jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7181" title="Guai Li & R.W.F." src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Guai-Li-R.W.F..jpg" alt="Guai Li & R.W.F." width="570" height="403" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
Hedgehog ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Hedgehog.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7185" title="Hedgehog" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Hedgehog.jpg" alt="Hedgehog" width="570" height="378" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
Liu Liu & Bian Yuan ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Liuliu-Bian-Yuan.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7187" title="Liuliu & Bian Yuan" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Liuliu-Bian-Yuan.jpg" alt="Liuliu & Bian Yuan" width="570" height="464" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
Queen Sea Big Shark ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Queen-Sea-Big-Shark-.jpg"><img title="Queen Sea Big Shark" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Queen-Sea-Big-Shark-.jpg" alt="Queen Sea Big Shark" width="570" height="406" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
Ourselves Beside Me ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Ourselves-Beside-Me.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7188" title="Ourselves Beside Me" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Ourselves-Beside-Me.jpg" alt="Ourselves Beside Me" width="570" height="378" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
The Scoff ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/The-Scoff.jpg"><img title="The Scoff" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/The-Scoff.jpg" alt="The Scoff" width="570" height="373" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
PK 14 & Xiao He
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/PK-14-Xiao-He.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7190" title="PK 14 & Xiao He" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/PK-14-Xiao-He.jpg" alt="PK 14 & Xiao He" width="570" height="376" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
The Gar & Yang Haisong (PK 14)
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/The-Gar-Yang-Haisong-PK-14.jpg"><img title="The Gar & Yang Haisong (PK 14)" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/The-Gar-Yang-Haisong-PK-14.jpg" alt="The Gar & Yang Haisong (PK 14)" width="570" height="420" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
Subs ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/SUBS.jpg"><img title="SUBS" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/SUBS.jpg" alt="SUBS" width="570" height="420" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
Queen Sea Big Shark & White
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Queen-Sea-Big-Shark-White.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7191" title="Queen Sea Big Shark & White" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Queen-Sea-Big-Shark-White.jpg" alt="Queen Sea Big Shark & White" width="570" height="420" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
R.W.F. ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/R.W.F..jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7194" title="R.W.F." src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/R.W.F..jpg" alt="R.W.F." width="570" height="321" /></a>
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg"><img title="orange-line" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/orange-line.jpg" alt="orange-line" width="570" height="15" /></a>
Spike & Overdose ///
<a href="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Spike-Overdose.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7197" title="Spike & Overdose" src="http://edge.neocha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Spike-Overdose.jpg" alt="Spike & Overdose" width="570" height="396" /></a>
This SPIN Earth report is brought to us by our friends at <a href="http://edge.neocha.com/" target="_blank">NeochaEDGE</a>, and was originally published <a href="http://edge.neocha.com/photography/matthew-niederhausers-photograpghy-shares-chinese-indie-with-world/" target="_blank">here</a>.
74
2009-11-13T05:42:24Z
2
Such an amazing showcase here. This is what this project is all about. Next we showcase correlating tracks for each band featured here....
0
Cultural/Heritage
Rock/Indie/Alt
3397
31.2307
121.473
Shanghai, China
2009-11-16T20:05:00Z
7
matt-niederhauser-and-the-vibrance-of-beijings-indie-music-scene
published
Matt Niederhauser and the Vibrance of Beijing's Indie Music Scene
2009-11-16T20:22:20Z
1345