— THE PUSH SHOVE 推搡

The deal was done a while back and the recording budget was set last month. I guess people are finding out now cos they are in JUJU recording and everyone hangs out there. Despite Maybe Mars’ Douban page being pretty good these days, they failed to mention ANYTHING about DFG signing there or on their regular webpage.

This has been coming a while as Han Han has been working with those guys on the Maybe Noise off shoot for a while, hooking up Muscle Snog and 8 Eye Spy. I’m still most taken with the Boojii CD “Reserved” from that part of the Shanghai Scene, although they signed with Modern Sky.

Check this out: from Nov 09 http://www.kungfuology.com/andybest/2009/11/shanghai-soon-to-be-famous-for.html

Although since then half the acts have become defunct ..but the other half are fulfilling the prophecy.

Thanks for the heads-up Andy. Granted I’ve been off the grid for a while, but I’m surprised I haven’t heard about this before. I’d expect it to make more of a splash in headlines. But not a single peep out beyond the couple SH blogs.
Just how are Shanghai bands accepted in Beijing? I’ve heard mixed reviews from smaller acts, but am curious what kind of reception DFG gets up there.

Yeah, it’s interesting. I think Shanghai is perceived as being more pop sounding and treated with general derision from man on the street. Which is funny, cos the Shanghai/Yangzi area bands that have done CDs up there are Muscle Snog, Boojii and 8 Eye Spy and now DFG. All excellent and all somewhat experimental. We also have Torturing Nurse and NOIshanghai. 

From down here, it looks like the real push from Maybe Mars lately is for their band Rustic. Draw your own conclusion or comparisons.

I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m being down on MM of course. They are the only true label in China, in my view. Look at their total list of artists and albums, it’s an achievement that no one else has matched. I’ve bought most of the CDs as they appeared down here and went to 90% of the showcases and tours. As should everyone who supports Chinese indie music.