Oct 11, 2016 Imprint Presents: Underground Bands from China preview with Chui Wan
Last year, I got to see Chui Wan two nights in a row and it was great. The Beijing band’s songs have so many layers of sound, intelligence, and beauty that it takes more than one listen to really absorb and appreciate them. Just check out “The Sound of Wilderness” (below), which is as patient as it is psychedelic and lovely as it is intense. You don’t need to know Mandarin to get it.
This year, Chui will be playing three shows in Southern California and it all starts at the Psychic Temple on Saturday, October 15 along with the hugely influential Carsick Cars and noisy Alpine Decline–both also awesome and also from Beijing. Yes, I will be at all three shows and hope to see you at a few of them, too.
How do you look back at your last tour of the U.S.? How did it compare to what you expected?
It was an exciting, unforgettable, and special experience for us. We were so lucky to meet so many good people, play for good audiences, play at cool venues, and work with a great tour staff.
What do you hope for on this tour?
Maybe learn more about America, maybe just play good shows–that would be enough.
How will your set be different than the last time around?
We are looking forward to playing our newer songs. There will also be some experimental concerts on the tour.
Got a lot of new songs or sounds in the works?
Yes. Actually, we just finished a composition and debuted it at the Beijing Minsheng Museum of Art in August. The recording will be released by Maybe Mars in a few months but it won’t be performed on this tour.
Coming from China, are Chinatowns in the U.S. and other countries kind of interesting or are they the last places you want to go?
It is just a location. The people are the most important thing about a place.
Do you mind playing another daytime show with kids in the audience?
We will definitely enjoy that show.
I think David J lives in L.A. Is he coming to the shows out here?
If we could meet him again, that would be great!
Are you going to be in the same van as Carsick Cars? Do you vote on what to listen to and eat or does one person get to make those decisions?
We have known each other for at least seven years and whatever we decide on is fine. It is always easy.
Get tickets at eventbrite.com and see you there!