Just when I’m ready to pack my bags and move to the smog-laced skies of Beijing for endless indie bands every night, I take another look at Yuyintang's Douban page and decide to stay one more week. Shanghai has experienced somewhat of an upturn in the rock music scene recently with new local bands popping up and a plethora of touring acts coming through. Here's a few notable local live acts that played last week: a brand new all girl Shanghainese band Gushuichejian who opened up for The Hormones; Chinese punk rockers Dirty Fingers, who played a rousing Logo show on Friday; and HanHan from Duck Fight Goose taking his new gear out for a walk at Yuytintang on Saturday for a evil solo set. 

This week is just as busy with tons of live gigs around town. Here's my Top 5 -- let’s get 'er done. 



Ajinai

First up on Friday is the Beijing based inner Mongolian folk act Ajinai at the QSW. Images of a 1,000 year old Mongolian indie rock scene come to mind when listening to the four-piece band using a morin khuur (horse head fiddle) as their center piece, backed by the throat singing of front man Hugjiltu. Instantly I’m transported to the grasslands of Inner Mongolia where I can just imagine he is singing about being dumped by his girlfriend or how his parents just don’t get it. Ajinai do a bang up job of balancing their rock band aspects with the traditional aspects layered on top. Also known for being masters of improvisation at many shows you’ll find guest musicians. 

These kids are pretty well known in the world music scene, playing Europe and North America on top of touring most of Asia. Ahhh world music, that’s a scene I never thought would cross my path. In fact 10 years ago if you had told me I’d be visiting multiple "world music’"shows a year punk rock Sacco of the past would have had to killed future Sacco on the spot. But screw it I’ll see ya down at QSW on Friday for some sweet throat singing grasslands love. 

Ajinai - "Grass" 




Uma


 
Also on Friday is a little indie electro gig that almost slipped under the radar in the form of Uma playing at Logo. It’s nice to see the infamous club back on Xingfu lu (now in its third incarnation) and getting decent gigs under new manager Mache. Uma is a husband and wife team doing the whole boy on beats girl singing number and are one of the Austrian record label Seayou’s main acts. They're touring in support of their new self titled LP and stopping by Shanghai after a short Japan tour. 

Uma started to make a name for themselves in the experimental pop world back in 2012 when they toured with Silver Apples releasing an EP titled Drop Your Soul that featured a collaborative track with the legendary pioneers of psych rock. They took a little under two years to write and produce the new album, which comes from trips into the Austrian countryside where the couple drew sketches representing potential songs. Uma is also a graduate of the Red Bull Music Academy which seems to be a real badge of honor these days insuring easier booking around the world. Check out this pretty amazing track "Drop Your Soul" before heading down to Logo bar on Friday. 

UMA - "Drop Your Soul (Feat. Silver Apples)" 
 


Wild Beasts


 Saturday night starts out with some Wild Beasts at the QSW. The band has been a strong staple of the British indie rock scene for the past five years. Four boys from Kendal that have been rocking London’s top indie record label Domino for the past four albums. Their latest work titled Present Tense has reached the UK top 10 indie charts and they frequently appear in the pages of NME magazine. On the previous album Smother it seemed Wild Beats might be hitting a dry spell with that album just going through the motions, but this year’s Present Tense saw them break out of their indie molds and incorporate some over-the-top elements. 

One of the more notable changes is the increased use of electronics in the small farm-town boys setup. The band explains when they moved to London it felt like abandonment of their Northern England home. But that’s the price of middle-level fame and this Saturday they will be the farthest from Kendal they have ever been for the Split Works featured show of the month. Little bonus for Wild Beasts ticket holders – you discounted entry to the Wooozy Offline dance party at Arkham that features English producer Lone. That's 60rmb if you go to Wild Beasts first, compared to the regular 80rmb ticket. Giddi up. 

Wild Beasts - "Wanderlust"
 

 Lone – "2 is 8" 




Marble Sounds

Hot on the heels of Split Works are up and coming promotional company New Noise with Belgian indie band Marble Sounds at On Stage on Saturday night. It seems New Noise have been bringing through indie rock bands to Shanghai almost on a weekly basis, often on the same night as Split Works shows. Are the Chengdu kids giving long-time promoters Split Works a run for their money? Either way, this means more musical options for us and this little classic indie rock show at On Stage looks to be solid as ever. 

Their debut album is titled “Nice is good” and I couldn’t describe the band more perfectly. Just plain, nice sweet indie rock that could lull me to sleep every night for the rest of my days. Some of the songs really are quite subtle yet captivating, but a lot of their tracks seem too obvious for my tastes in the lyrics department. If you strike out on singles day this Tuesday then I suggest taking another swing at the dating pool with this show. Yes, this gig is "Sacco’s Indie Date Night Pick of the Week." Check out this pretty awesome song "Leave A Light On" followed by a video from Chinese production team Project 10. 

Marble Sounds – "Leave A Light On" 
 

Marble Sounds – "Dance Clarence Dance" 



Luca Brasi

If scaring the hell out of that SmartShanghai date is more up your alley then Saturday’s installation of Rat On at Harley’s will do the trick just fine. The bar is filled with rough and tumble punks and drunks and this Saturday is no different plus a strong dose of Tasmanian rock in the form of Luca Brasi. Lately it seems the Rat On crew have taken it up a notch with two live shows every month. Always alongside the touring band are a selection of local bands painstakingly picked by Australian rock curator Nathan Swamp Dog. Along with Luca Brasi on Saturday we have good time hooligans Stegosaurus? plus two bands I’ve yet to see: Poetry In Shorts and Before the Daylight. Always exciting to check out some new Chinese band action. Saturday’s main act Luca Brasi have been churning the Australian countryside with their brand of melodic punk that is just safe enough to throw on hi-fi while driving with your mum around Tasmania. The band is touring in support of a new album titled By A Thread. Check them out live at Harley’s and expect plenty of more Rat On shows in the near future. 

Luca Brasi – "Get Sad, See Mates
" 

Rock N Roll. ***