Music

On Saturday, September 7th head over to Soi Baochao for another edition of Cangku Unplugged with friends of Soi Baochao The Reprobates, Bang Bang Mary, Eric Allen & Woodshed, Better off Alive, Chanel, OGMC, and Reese taking the stage with Unplugged host Cluster Cuss.

For more information or for tickets, visit: ticket selling page

Bands bios:

Reese is an open dude hosting open mic at Caravan. He comes from the cartoonish land of Texas, and he wants to bring a strong sense of community to the performers of Beijing. Come by, say hi, and feel free to jump on the mic! He'd like to meet you on Sunday, whether you're a musician, comedian, poet, storyteller, or juggler he welcomes everyone to join in the good times!

Reese是一个开放的家伙，经常在驼队的开放麦克风神出鬼没。他来自卡通画一样的德克萨斯，他希望能把北京的开放麦克风给到每一个想表演的你面前。走过路过不要错过，跟这个大胡子美国人打个招呼，他就能把你安排上台。他希望在星期天能见到你，不管你是音乐人，喜剧人，诗人，讲故事的人，甚至到耍杂技的人，他都想跟你一起度过美好的时光，再重复一遍，他是一个开放的家伙！

Bang Bang Mary：

Bang Bang Mary is a four piece rock n roll band aiming to shoot up dance floors with tunes that will have the audience sweaty and exhausted by the end of every set. With one Brit and three South Africans in the band they draw influence from artists such as Arctic Monkeys, Fokofpolisiekar and Pretty Viscous. Their set is made up of originals with a few covers and are skilled at demolishing drum kits and jumping about in skinny jeans.

Since arriving in Bejing last March they have played at various venues such as Temple, School Bar, Hot Cat and DDC. The current members are Tyron (bass guitar and backup vocals), Jamie (rhythm guitar and lead vocals), Ulli (lead guitarist) and Bastian (drums).

Bang Bang Mary 是由四种乐器组成的摇滚乐队，他们的音乐激情四射，极富感染力，很容易调动起观众的热情。成员包括一位英国籍和三位南非籍，他们的灵感来自于艺术家 Arctic Monkeys, Fokofpolisiekar 和 Pretty Viscous。歌曲包括原创和翻唱，亮点在于有力、响亮的架子鼓演奏形式和和歌手们青春活泼的形象。从去年3月抵达北京后，他们已经在多种场合演奏，例如Temple, School Bar, Hot Cat 和 DDC. 目前成员是 Tyron (贝斯手 and 伴唱), Jamie (节奏吉他手and 主唱), Ulli (主吉他手) 和 Bastian (鼓手)。

Eric Allen Woodshed

艾力克・阿兰 柴房乐队

https://ericallenwoodshed.com/

Singer / songwriter, Eric Allen, brings his soulful sound and WOODSHED band to China’s hottest stages.

Playing originals, such as Holy Rollin’, Rattlesnake Mama, Terrebonne Blues, and Tomcat Stroll, as well as covers influenced by American blues rock legends, the Eric Allen Woodshed is Beijing's only band that combines a rocky style with authentic American Chicago, Texas, & Mississippi Delta blues. You can watch the Woodshed’s latest release at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDvik_m2Ejo&t=2s

The Eric Allen Woodshed has been featured at many of Beijing's best venues and at various festivals throughout China.

Eric ‘Howlin’ Allen is joined by a talented lineup of musicians, including Lenny Mississippi (Michael Maslennikov) on lead guitar, Rotten Jimmy Memphis (James Thomason) on bass, and (The Reverend Alabam) Alex Degtyarev on drums.

The Reprobates：

The Reprobates are a grunge/punk/Rock band who come from all over the world and currently based in Beijing. The band is made up of Chris (England, Rhythm Guitar and Vocals), Paul (Ecuador, Bass Guitar), Puneet (India, Lead Guitar and Vocals) and Jake (England, Drums). With such a wide variety of cultures The Reprobates brings out something different using the influences of every individual and they surely enjoy every performance and what they create and uphold the mantra of doing their own thing and represent a wide variety of sound and emotions through their original music. The band takes musical influence from styles such as alternative rock, grunge, punk, metal and blues. What to expect from their performance? Gritty, melodic, and a hell of a good time!

Better Off Alive:

Eclectic, raw, and fun, “Better Off Alive” is crunchy, gritty rock with a tin whistle and middle finger. Their music floats on the sound of various woodwind instruments, vocal harmonies, and distorted guitar riffs. Influences include elements of Irish/Eastern European folk along with 90’s grunge and twang. Motifs are thoseof tears, love, anger, blood, death, and being better off that it all exists.

Members include:
Miguel- Guitar and Vocals
Domingo- Tin Whistle/ Vocals/ too drunk for the Pogues

Paul- Bass Guitar/ The white trash Latino.
Carlos- Pots and Pans/ The 25 year old

Better Off Alive’s premier EP is now available

Chanel:

Chanel is a South African acoustic guitar player and vocalist. She has her Honours Degree in vocal performance and has performed with numerous bands in South Africa.

Her acoustic style creates an ambiance of remembrance and old school longing. Her tempo with a stomp box adds a full body sound to her acoustic set of covers and originals.

Since arriving in Beijing she has performed at a few venues where she was able to share her passion of soulful music with her own individual twist.

Chanel是来自南非的原声吉他手和歌手，她获得了声乐表演的荣誉学位，并在南非与许多乐队合作演出。

她的声学风格营造了一种怀旧和传统的氛围，她用吉他脚踏板打出的节奏为她的音乐创作添加了更独特的风采。

自从来到北京，她已经在几个地方参加过表演，在舞台上以她独特的方式向大家分享对灵魂音乐的激情。

OGMC:

OGMC（outposts gangster motorcycle club）乐队成立于2011年，是中国第一支乡村音乐乐队。其音乐风格结合流行音乐、乡村音乐和摇滚乐多种音乐元素而成。其中融入了西部音乐元素，令乐队的风格在中国独树一帜，乐队创始人庄雨从事音乐事业20年之久曾组建过多支成功的摇滚乐队，经过沉淀最终确定了乐队成员。在国内众音乐节演出中得到一致的好评。

We've been here for almost 11 years now since June 1st of 2008. This was the special spot of local rock'n roll scene where people who liked the place called it "Utopia", and one of the important land marks of subcultures，and without a doubt the spiritual home to most of its fans.

Every Wednesday of the week, here comes all types of artists who are local or international to gather here and share the stage. They are musicians, singers, poets, comedians, instrumentalists, freestyle rappers, b-boxers, dancers and sometimes DJs, not only to share the joys but also make friends.

Starts from 9 pm and onwards, for all the people who love stage,

And from time to time, if we spot some very potential talents who are better to meet more audience, we'd like to invite them to our monthly hosted event " Cangku'stock" and help them to build up their fan base and ready for bigger stage in the future.

and with our 11th year's anniversary on June 1st, we decided to have a special edition this month on 31st, we wish to see y'all good friends who support us always and share the celebratory moment.

Here's the introduction of the bands:

JUN & BHR:

Jun was born in Lanzhou and has the wild northwest blood in him. You might've seen him at many openmics in town asking for free beer. After playing as the guitarist/vocal of his college band, Jun started performing on the streets of Beijing since 2013, and has brought his stage to New York, Shanghai and Nairobi. He steals inspirations from John Mayer, Universal Youth Hostel and LiDong (立东乐队), to name of few. His style is mainly folk rock.

严骏，甘肃兰州人。大学时的乐队解散后，他就开始和哥们儿在街上演出，赚了钱就去喝酒。他很喜欢John Mayer，万能青年旅店和立东乐队，写的歌也偏向民谣摇滚方向。

CHILL HEADS:

Chill Heads...introducing the freshest trio to hit the Beijing music scene

Hikmat (Nepal) on guitar, Ben (Thailand) on bass and Jake (England) on the drums bring you tight, slick and with it grooves that keeps the audiences foots a stomping.

Come Vibe with the Chill Heads... Peace x

TENZIN DOLKAR:

风格：Indie Rock, Alternative Rock, Trip-hop

成立：2017–至今

成员：旦旦，李轩，瑶瑶

Tenzin Dolkar既是乐队的名字，也是主唱旦旦的藏语名的英文写法，他们的音乐透露着异域、性感、深邃，像隐藏在地下的一股暗流，向这个时代发出古老而原始的声音。第一张专辑以现代音乐为框架，融合中东以及西藏地区的音乐元素，讲述欲望与自由、矛盾与融合，既有对现实的绝望也拥有对生命的希望，他们用冷漠的旋律爆发出挣扎的力量。

HAZEMAZE（雾迷宫）：

HazeMaze is a unique new comer to the Beijing scene. The band is a super group, composed of members of Macondø, SHA!, Silent Speech, and Peking Floyd. Their music combines atypical time and song structures with a pop sensibility for melodic lines and vocal hooks. Fans of varied bands like Tool, Portishead, Dou Wei, and Primus will find a lot to love with Hazemaze.

HazeMaze (雾迷宫) 是北京一支独特的超新晋乐队。这是一支超级乐团，由 Macondø、沉默演讲、Peking Floyd、Sha!、鲸鱼马戏团、Click#15 等多个乐队的成员组成。他们的音乐用非常规的节拍和编曲结构，并与流行乐的旋律和唱调结合而成。喜欢 Tool / Primus / Portishead / 窦唯的听众一定不要错过雾迷宫带来的现场体验。

SASO ft. SPIRIT REBELLIOUS

Is a Live Band that is based in Beijing. They are from various parts of the world but the beauty of music is that it blends with all cultures and conforms to any norm in society.

“We’re here to keep you company, tell

you stories that resonate with your thoughts.”

SASO

SASO is about to release his debut EP. The exciting, newfangled sound that he has made his own is certain to gain interest from across the world.

The development of his unique style is the result of a lifetime of musical influence. Growing up he was listening to music from Ray Charles, BB king, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, Fela kuti, Nina Simone. To name but a few.

SASO’s musical journey did not begin in Beijing, however. Born in Uganda, it was here that he developed his musical tastes and interests, and it wasn’t long after picking up a guitar that he was experimenting with the sounds from Bob Marley, all of which have had a profound influence on the direction his musical journey has taken.

After realizing that making music was his main goal, he began to showcase his talent in various venues across Beijing, playing at numerous gigs and making sure that his name and music were being heard by as many people as possible. He was quickly noted for the unique style that he brought to the open mic scene and his popularity began to grow.

SIR BOB/BB

BiberChe -B.B. guitarist player

playing various styles but most of all enjoying in creation and composing. Music is life for me. In these days I enjoy Blues and gospel music the most. Bands : 357, VeTo, Goribor, Dongbeis, SASO, spirit rebellious.

He has played in a number of open mics around Beijing and his mastery of the guitar has created a following in Beijing. He has been laying guitar for more than 20 years and his concentration mainly around blues/soul, reggae.

He is currently working with SASO, playing the main guitar on the upcoming EP.

BB has played in a number of venues around the world,in cities like Amsterdam, Berlin and most cities around Europe.

Raymond Kweatey is my name. My artistic name is 'Orijinal', a hard-working and experienced musicianOrijinal, a 14-year-old self-taught musician, started playing when he was very young. He was born in Accra, Ghana, on 23 June. He shows diversity, and his performances and genres range from jazz, blues, pop, reggae, rock and jazz. ORIJINAL has performed at various festivals, competitions, Pangea Seven Star Hotels, JW Marriott Bars and six different countries in Asia and has received excellent feedback from employers and spectators. Show passion, humility and respect for all cultures.

Raymond Kweatey是我的名字。我的艺术名字是'Orijinal'，勤奋和经验丰富的音乐家Orijinal在很小的时候开始演奏，他是一名14 岁的自学音乐家。他6 月23 日出生在阿克拉加纳。他表现出多样性，他的表演和流派多种多样，包括爵士，布鲁斯，流行，雷鬼，摇滚，爵士乐。ORIJINAL 已经在各种音乐节，比赛，盘古七星酒店，JW万豪酒店酒吧以及亚洲六年的不同国家进行过表演，并得到了雇主和观众的非常好的反馈。展现激情，谦逊和尊重所有文化.

VAN G

Van G is from North of China. He’s been playing music for most of his life and will never stop. And he always says if you still love doing something after the age of 30, and then that something might not just be a hobby but your destiny.

MARTHA：

Marty is an experienced vocalist with almost 10 years experience under her belt. She started singing in choirs, later on she started singing in theaters for plays. She is a medical doctor who loves music . A lot of people have compared her to Amy winehouse Martha has sung in a number of open mics here in Beijing, she has also been a vocalist for Spirit rebellious for quite some time.

RAFA

Rafa arrived in China in 2007 before smartphones and baidu maps, when you had to ask the old people for directions within the hutongs. Rafa has been playing drums since his feet could reach the pedals. Rafa started playing Latin music around 20 years ago back with some Caribbean friends, but later got into alternative rock, progressive and heavy metal. Back in 2012 here in Beijing Rafa played with Siren, a local metal band.

Rafa's most played playlist include Incubus, Dream Theater, The Beatles, The Bee Gees, RHCP, and a lot of love songs from the 70s.

Rafa is very excited and honored to join this reggae roots band and hopes to bring some Caribbean vibe to their music.

WHAI：

WHAI was founded in 2012 by four Chinese ethnic artists back grounds, each playing original music with distinctly Chinese elements.

WHAI plays a mixture of Trip-Hop,Dance,Chinese folk,Psychedelic, Avantgarde,Experimental,Rock,Industrial,Techno and Noise.However,their sound cannot be boxed into one category;it flows free like the songs' subject matters which range from China to phoenixes to the meaning of life. WHAI's music is dark yet dreamy,transporting those who listen to a mysterious world where anything is possible. Like its members who do their own thing despite societal pressure,WHAI's music refuses to be shaped by rules and predetermined norms. WHAI also incorporates techno music,thanks to special guest member Mickey Zhang. Mikey Zhang is one of the most influential DJs in Asia,who's influence on the Asian,especially the Chinese electronic music scene,cannot be over stated. Those who choose to listen can fly to another world while moving to the beats.

WHAI is the alternative in the popular,it's the newest and most underground band out there today.

PANDA 4ET is a project founded by the italian drummer Antonio Fusco together with three excellent musicians of the Beijing Jazz scene including: Zhang Jing (guitar), Simone Schirru (guitar) and Dan Callaghan (bass).

The training ranges from reworking of jazz classics to original songs with a mix of groove, interplay and open spaces, without to leave out the big tradition of the swing.

-----Click Here for detailed information----

‘Van Plein’ is a jazz trio from South Korea, consisting of Guitarist Dr. Han(Dongil Han), Bassist Wonseok Oh, Drummer Jonghyun Kim.the trio music combines elements of contemporary jazz with modern rock and pop in influence.

New released album ‘Proudest Month Ever’ has nine original songs, it contains the impression from the people and give it back to the people through the songs.

--------Please click Here for detailed info---------

The BRICKS Standard jazz Night with Italian DIVA Simona de Rosa in the house!

Lines:

Vocal: Simona de Rosa (Italy)

Pianist: Sejin Bae (Korea)

Guitar: Gennaro Esposito (Italy)

Bass: Daniel Callaghan (Ireland)

Drums: Antonio Fusco (Italy)

-----------Click Here for detailed information---------

Simona De Rosa is an award-winning singer, composer, educator. Having released two albums as a leader and appearing on numerous albums, she has established herself in the NY jazz scene and continues touring internationally.

Born in Napoli, Italy, Simona De Rosa started to play piano at the age of ten. As a teenager she discovered her voice and started singing different types of music from classical to pop and soon become fascinated by jazz and the thrilling possibilities of spontaneous improvisation.

While studying geology science in Napoli, Simona already had the chance to work with many bands ranging from a duo to big bands. After graduating, Simona moved to New York, and has been living there and in Italy since then. During the time in New York, she was enrolled at Queens College where she developed her skills in arranging and jazz performance. She was offered to travel with her projects gracing several stages in USA (United Nations NY, Kupferberg Center of Arts NY, Zinc Bar, Stage 72, Untermayer Park NY, Trumpets Jazz Club NJ, Bloomfield Italian Festival PA, Mercer County Italian Festival NJ, Warren Italian Festival OH, Lake Worth Street Painting Festival FL, Italian American Museum NY, Consulate General of Italy NY, Ft Lauderdale Italian Festival FL, San Gennaro Fest NY, Madonnari Art Festival MD), in Watamu Kenya, Vietnam Hanoi “Jazz Diva Residency at Sofitel Metropole) and Europe with her projects and as guest (Umbria Jazz, Pomigliano Jazz Festival, Moncalieri Jazz Festival, Napoli Jazz Festival, Blue Note Milano, Peperoncino Jazz Festival, Alatri Jazz Festival, Montecorice Jazz Festival, Pozzuoli Jazz Festival, Sunset Jazz Festival, Teatro Summerte, Teatro La Claque, Teatro Eduardo De Filippo, Sunset Jazz Festival, and many more). Simona joined the Duke Ellington Sacred Concerts conducted by Randal Keith Horton (Duke Ellington, Michael Jackson) and was invited to sing many times at the prestigious Friars Club in Manhattan by the actor/singer Dominic Chianese (The Godfather, Sopranos). Simona is also very close to her neapolitan roots in the USA, organizing events for the italian-american community. In 2014 she produced and organized a concert named after the same parallel that links Napoli and New York:”41st parallel”. A titanic operation with 60 musicians on the stage of the LeFrak Concert Hall in Queens. That night was awarded by the Country Executive Ed. Mangano for her spirit of leadership and dedication to the italian-american community. She was also invited to represent Italy for the ABC7 National American TV during the Columbus Day Parade 2014 on the famous Fith Ave.

The Solid Gold Dream Machine is back @ The BRICKS

Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine (more conveniently known as Solid Gold) have been together in various shapes, sizes, forms and formations for the last decade, bringing their own nu-wave-nostalgic feel to the covers they perform.

As trendsetters of the “Postmodern Jukebox” scene of Beijing, Solid Gold maintain a focus on modernising tunes from the past; a cocktail of known crowd pleasers mixed with those-songs-you-swear-you've-heard-somewhere-before leaves audiences both invigorated, and refreshed. Taking influence from the wide array of musical preferences, combined creative talents, and collective years of experience shared amongst the eight piece band, the specific end goal in mind is always...Fun.

Whilst the internal mechanisms of The Solid Gold Dream Machine may change from time to time, the cogs keep turning, bringing the party as often as possible. Jump aboard Solid Gold's very own Soul Train where you are invited to sing it with Stevie, move it with Marvin and (depending on how much liquid fun you consume), enjoy a showcase of once forgotten classics you'll not forget any time soon

---------Click here for detail-----------

Victor Bastidas music is an exploration on his native Colombian folk music, through the elements and language of Jazz music. Complex and intricate rhythms blend with nostalgic and lyric melodies, as well as a very unique harmonic approach. He is collaborating for this project with Colombia’s Folk singer Colleen Andrea, the great Organist Zhou Xian on and Saxophonist Liu Xiao Guang. This will be an all original repertoire of Victor Bastidas compositions.

Lines：

Vocal：Colleen Andrea (Colombia)

Keybroad: Zhou Xia /周侠 (China)

Saxo: Liu Xiao Guang/刘晓光 (China)

Drums: Victor Bastidas (Colombia)

------Click Here for detailed information----

Click Here for tickets booking and detailed information

Jeannie Gagné is a world-class vocalist, she has sung with Philip Glass, George Duke, opened for Bare Naked Ladies, performed for NBC-TV with comedians Penn and Teller, toured with reggae legend Frankie Paul, and sings on soundtracks such as for the feature film “Anima Mundi.” S h e h a s received extensive press coverage such as feature stories on PBS’s All Things Considered and the CBS Evening News. Literally singing with the soundtrack of West Side Story before she learned to speak and writing songs since toddlerhood, Jeannie has always known that music is her life.Some of the remarkable musicians Jeannie has worked with are Phillip Glass, Terri Lynn Carrington, Walter Beasley, Shawn Pelton, Stan Strickland, George Russell Jr., Everett Bradley.Jeannie sings from the depths of her soul with rare skill and passion. Her four-octave range and unique vocal style go from strong blues-influenced soul singing, to lyrical, beautiful and sometimes haunting reflective singing. She performs jazz with equal agility, and is seen frequently in the Boston area and elsewhere. Her pop/rock sound has been compared to Bonnie Raitt,Sarah MacLachlan, and Sheryl Crow.

Line up:

Saxo/Vocal: Oleg Kireyev (Russia)

Pianist: Moreno Donadel (Italy)

Bass: Daniel Callaghan (Ireland)

Drums: Dimitry Stelianny (Russia)

-----------Click here for detailed information----------

Oleg Kireyev is the first Russian musician, who combined ethnic jazz motifs with amazing Bashkir folk instruments and incredible throat singing. Oleg is one of the few jazz musicians on the modern Russian scene who is brilliantly versed in the variety of jazz styles, genres and directions. He is equally excellent in the jazz mainstream, in fusion and world music.

However, it is impossible not to notice the influence of the traditions of Kireyev's native land, who was born in Bashkiria and absorbed the musical heritage of two dissimilar cultures - European and Asian. Meanwhile, after being influenced by omnipotent bebop and traditional jazz, seasoned with African rhythms, Latin American jazz and Asian ethnic music, Oleg Kireyev created his own unique style and brought it to perfection.

Howard Mandel (the president of the Jazz Journalists Association), says that Oleg "is born to play the saxophone, similar to a dervish manner, swinging really impetuously"; "The Express Star" (Great Britain) notes that Oleg's playing style is characterized by "a powerful swing and the highest level of tension";"the British Evening Mail" calls Kireyev "a revolutionary Russian saxophonist", and "an extremely interesting and sophisticated musician."

Kireyev’s career as a musician spans the decades. In 1985, when ethnic music began to gain popularity all over the world, Oleg formed a group called “Orlan”, which was very successful in the USSR, and became a phenomenal event for the Soviet audience of that time. Shortly thereafter, Kireyev spent three years in Poland practicing and working in Krakow, honing his skills with Polish musicians. Almost every night he was performing in the best jazz clubs with high-class jazz musicians. At the same time, he held the position of creative director of the famous jazz club in the old town of Krakow.

Poland in the early 90's was the center of focus for a world-wide jazz trends and a huge number of musicians, and exactly there Kireyev was noticed by international critics and Western jazz fans for the first time. Thanks to a timely and deservedly received scholarship which helped him to study at the Bad Schank's jazz school (1994), Oleg Kireyev instantly moved on the international stage, being a great musician up to this day. And after receiving a special award for an outstanding performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland (1996), Oleg Kireyev gained substantial fame in the international music community and was warmly welcomed at other well-known jazz festivals and clubs around the world.

Oleg Kireyev released 15 jazz albums. His release of 2007, "Mandala", published by the New York label " Jazzheads ", was nominated for the Grammy Award as the Best Contemporary Jazz Album. Intensive Euro-American concert tours in support of the "Rhyme and Reason" album, which was created with help of the American pianist’s Keith Javors trio, were successfully held in 2010 and 2011. "Downbeat" magazine, for example, favorably commented on the release of the album: "The quartet of Javors and Kireyev demonstrates a broad view on music and an unlimited rhythmic variety."

The constant desire of creative expression found its new embodiment in the "Bashkir caravan" album (2012), by the legendary Oleg Kireyev’s team "Orlan", recreated in 2011. "Orlan’s" fusion is incredibly easy to perceive, it makes you want to dance , but at the same time it certainly contains the necessary complexity of the language, which manifests itself in solo and in ethnically outstanding musical material.

Wherever Oleg is and wherever he lives, he surrounds himself with the best expert-musicians whose talents and skills are unquestionable, while successfully working on projects connected with world jazz, ethno-jazz and mainstream, Oleg Kireyev is interesting to a various musical audience.

The real pride of the musician today is the title of National artist of Bashkortostan and the post of the Cultural Adviser of the Bashkirian President, which, however, does not interfere his numerous concert tours to Europe, USA and Russia.