Last year was another stellar one for independent music in Shanghai. Bands, producers and DJs continued to release quality albums, many with innovative packaging approaches, and collaborate on shows and other such events. No small amount of new bands and other creative forces emerged, while longstanding veterans continued to forge ahead with stellar albums and memorable performances. Shanghai received a brand-new music festival, several Shanghai-based bands journeyed to other countries, and a host of noteworthy touring acts came here to perform. All in all, not a bad year.
The Fever Machine’s Dan Shapiro took it upon himself last year to poll a wide range of writers, producers, artists, promoters, venue proprietors, as well as many of the musicians themselves, to get their thoughts on the year’s highlights. See the results here. This year, it’s me handling the polling, and here’s how it worked. Judges were asked to select their top picks as well as up to two runners-up for each category. Winning picks received two points, while runners-up merited one. I’ve tabulated the results, but before we get there, let’s take a moment to meet our judges.
Xiao Zhong: Drummer, Pairs; talk show host and blogger,Shanghai247
Disclaimer: Though I’ve listed my personal choices along with the winners, runners-up, and honorable mentions, I did not award any points based on my selections. That having been said, here we go!
“It was quite a 2011 for them. They got picked up by Maybe Mars, recorded and released a good album, found out they were playing SXSW, got some run internationally (Noisey), and they're considered geniuses at home. So you can't really argue this one, I'd say.” – Zack Smith
“Had to be this. I've written about Duck Fight Goose before, and Sports pretty much exemplifies everything I've ever said or thought about them. It's more lush than... Probably any album I've heard from anywhere all year. It's absolutely packed with musical ideas, as everyone expects of DFG, but the ambitious and weird lyrical ideas that makes Sports feel more substantial than their previous EP.” – Tim Dodds
“It's the epitome of the BCR formula, and it's been stuck in my head more than any other new song this year.” – JC Heinbockel
BCR - The Knitting Song
Runner-up: Rainbow Danger Club – “Enduring Love”
Honorable mentions: Battle Cattle – “Bank”; The Instigation – “No Way Out”; Conrank – “Wo Yao (Remix)”; Friend or Foe – “Snortin’ Clorox”; Death to Giants – “Anyone Can Learn How to Count In Chinese”; Stegosaurus? – “Stinky Tofu”; Rainbow Danger Club – “Enduring Love” and “Babies Grow On Trees”; Pairs – “Cloud Nine” and “No Regrets”; Duck Fight Goose – “This Is the Circus”, “Glass Walls” and “History”; Sonnet – “了了上海伐老乱哪能立得牢脚”; The Song Dynasty – “Ambition”; Tim Wu – “扭一扭PP”; Moon Tyrant – “Cities”; X Is Y – “2 of Us” and "Never Sever"; The Fever Machine – “Dance With Deviance”; Next Year’s Love – “She Wanna Hurt”; AM444 – “Eye Wonder” and "去海边 (Qu Hai Bian)"; The Horde: “Beijing Sucks”
My pick: Boys Climbing Ropes – “The Knitting Song”
Best New Band
Winner: Death to Giants
“No questions. Two super-skilled musicians making super-awesome noise. More Disney covers, guys.” – Bren Geringer
“Guy is awesome and real supportive. Seems to have a lot of energy and this lust-for-life thing going on. He’s the black DJ B.O. His blog is a pretty good read too.” – Xiao Zhong
Runner-up: Drunk Monk
Honorable mentions: Acid Pony Club,El’se, Mau Mau, DJ Sacco, Dave Van Buuren, R3, Santo Chino, Blaise DeVille, Tsu Sing, SIG, Conrank, DJ B.O, DJ Eurotrash Atheism
My pick: Heatwolves
Producer of the Year
Winner: Adam Gaensler
“He's a master craftsman and an inspiration to the DIYers that make Shanghai special. He's my teacher and takes care of those he works with. He's a blogger and supporter of the scene. On top of it all, he's probably the most versatile guitarist in the city. Adam is a DIY superhero, technical wizard and innovator. I'm scared to think what kind of tasty things he could do when given a proper studio.” – Dennis Ming Nichols
Runner-up: Rainbow Danger Club CD release @ Live Bar
Honorable mentions: Die!Die!Die!, Yantiao, and Pairs @ Yuyintang; Midi Festival; Azari & III @ Shelter; Pairs CD release @ Yuyintang; Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ Mao Livehouse; Top Floor Circus’s 10-year anniversary @ Mao Livehouse; Bob Dylan @ Shanghai Grand Stage; Trash-A-Go-Go presents The Morlocks @ Yuyintang; ROM CD release; DJ Shadow @ The Mixing Room; Black Rabbit Festival; Halloween @ Yuyintang; The Illumin8tors present Solar/Lunar @ Mao Livehouse; Cave Singers @ Yuyintang; Ken Stringfellow @ Yuyintang; World’s End Girlfriend @ Mao Livehouse; Duck Fight Goose CD release @ Yuyintang; Jeffrey Lewis & Xiao He @ Yuyintang; Frosty Eve, Fearless and Screaming Savior @ Yuyintang; Picnic @ Yuyintang; The Whitest Boy Alive @ Dream Factory
(Note: As DJ B.O received many nominations on his own in addition to his membership in Trash-A-Go-Go, I've combined their scores)
Winners: Split Works
“Black Rabbit Fest, Chad Valley, Hanggai, They are just always setting the bar higher in regards to bringing in talent to the city.” – Jordan Small
Runner-up: Trash-A-Go-Go/DJ B.O
Honorable mentions: Double Down Productions, The M, Heatwolves, Playful Warrior, The Fever Machine and Friends, S.T.D., Otakrew, Abe Deyo/LegalGrey Promotions, Subculture, Xiao Zhong
My pick: Split Works
Best Album Packaging/Cover Art
Winner: Friend or Foe – My Claw Is Never Limp!
“These guys have put a lot of thought into their image and narrative, and everything about MCINL! reflects their over-the-top raucous music.” – JC Heinbockel
Runner-up: ROM – ROM
Honorable Mentions: Androsace – Demo, Battle Cattle – Kenny Is Not Dead, Pairs – Summer Sweat, Rainbow Danger Club – Where Maps End, The Fever Machine – Living In Oblivion, Duck Fight Goose – Sports, Pause – Pause, JUE compilation, AM444 – Eye Wonder
My pick: ROM – ROM
That does it for this year’s awards! Congratulations to all the winners! I’d like to thank all the judges for participating and sharing their thoughts, and an even bigger thanks to all the winners, runners-up, and nominees for giving us all such wonderful things to do, hear, and look at in 2011.
Always the bride's maid... of course *sob * it's just an honor to be nominated...
Think there might be a little confusion in the producer category between folks who are recording and engineering bands' music and folks writing and releasing their own electronic music... might be something to address the next time around.
Unless Brad has a deep house album or something he's working on that I just don't know about.
Good point. I guess we could split that between "engineer" and "producer". But then you've got a guy like Nichols, who produced the FoF album in the traditional sense of the word - he was sitting with the band and helping them shape their songs, playing an active role in the crafting process beyond just making the recording sound nice. There'd have to be a way to acknowledge this as well.
How do you think we could split this up while allowing for all roles to be included? The engineering role played, for example, by Brad with DFG and Gaensler with Moon Tyrant and Stego, vs the production role played by Nichols with FoF, vs the producer-composer you see with artists like Conrank, Downstate, and The Ponies.
Speaking of Downstate - you rollin to Shelter on Sat? I'm torn between that and checking out The Instigation's new lineup. Might have to stop by YYT first and dip out after their set...
Dunno. Haven't watched the actual Grammys since Pearl Jam boycotted them oh so long ago... but they do have categories for "Producer of the Year, Classical" -- orchestral music people -- and "Producer of the Year, Non-Classical" for people like Dr. Dre, Babyface, and Rick Rubin... and then they have "Best Dance/Electronica" recording, which is what Skrillex is winning these days I think.
So you could either have "Best Album, Rock" and "Best Album, Electronic" or "Best Producer, Rock" and "Best Producer, Electronic"... but then it all gets pretty involved and its just more fun to ghetto-ize the electronic DJ types in the esteemed Shanghai Grammys anyways.
Re: Downstate's thing... yeah man. Im going to that shit. It's a pretty good album. Here's a tip: he won't start playing until like 1am, so you can go to YYT before and catch both shows...
Splitting the Producer category into Rock and Electronic still wouldn't allow for the separation of album producers vs album engineers - which seems to be the main problem you raised, right? There's also the limiting factor of there not being a whole lot of people doing things here. I'd have loved to have VJ and Rapper of the Year categories, but we'd be seriously wanting for nominees. VJ of the Year = Olivepixel vs Tina, for example.
I think we should keep Album of the Year the way it is, though. One ring to rule them all. Hypothetical: Let's say there are 2 really nasty electronic albums one year, both of which are undisputedly "better" than the year's best rock album - there's no reason the rock album should be "allowed" to win Best Album simply because those electronic albums aren't competing with it.
I'd also like to try and reach out to more jazz people next year. Dan's original feature was just focused on rock, but as we're getting more and more crossover between the scenes, why not try and be as inclusive as possible? There's a whole jazz scene out there with which I regrettably have little to no contact.
Could we split the Producer category to "Producers named Adam of the Year" and "Producer of the Year"? Or even just a sub-category for producers/engineers who work on less than ten tracks a year?
"Splitting the Producer category into Rock and Electronic still wouldn't allow for the separation of album producers vs album engineers - which seems to be the main problem you raised, right?"
Well, I think it would because it would just recognize the two different meanings of the word "producer"... On the one hand you have someone like Brad who is recording, mixing, mastering, and "producing" some band's rock record and on the other hand you have people like Conrank, Hamacide, APC, and Downstate who are writing their own music on hardware and software, and releasing it -- they're also referred to as producers, who, ironically, might not even "produce" their own albums... electronic producers more often than not have an outside guy come in to fix their shit as well... it's just two different things. Splitting up the category or making a new one recognizes the different function and therefor the different achievement of the person doing it.
Of course, you're right about the lack of material being released anyways but it seems like there is enough electronic shit out there in Shanghai being released to warrant something... off the top of my head last year, Shanghai had, Am444, SIG, ROM, Hamacide, not to mention lots of online stuff from Conrank, Acid Pony Club, and probably more that I dont know about.... Confrim-X? MHP? VOID dudes? B6? Didnt he just release something?
It wasn't so much the electronic producers I'm worried about as opposed to the rock ones. But who knows who'll get their hands dirty in 2012.
Anyways, I've been converted to your point of view and, should I do this piece again next year, will allow for both electronic and rock producers to be recognized.
f0 r3⧨Ls I'm GLD y▲11s Lk3d ma ♫'s in 2011. I'm honored. S0m3 ◉F ma Fv0rte sH0wz LsT yr w3r r0❨K sh0wz e.g. @LUNO w/tht 1 IRish 男 wiF th▲ gTr ped▲ls who scrMed ▲L0T N' ALl the B3▲T BuFF3t Sht n' Whn I Plyd w/女's lk3 myStry n' th0se 0thR BNDs ★★★★★★★ I Gve u 7 STRs lk3 a DUB▲I h0t3l ƒCK ys 上海 Lts K33P Ki11NG 1T in 2012 !!!
I think you could have Best Band and Best Electronic Act, rather than two awards for producers. The album award goes across the board I reckon, but hands-off Vs. hands-on producer is a bit complicated for me - maybe Best Brad award next year?
I like that idea. That'd also separate eletronic music producers/composers from DJs. Dan's piece last year was just about rock. I'm trying to expand, but clearly I didn't go far enough. Next year will be more thorough.
Thinking about a general "Personage of the Year" category as well. Who's done the most for the scene? That sort of thing, to recognize one person in particular who's gone above and beyond. Not sure though. Thoughts?
Hey everyone - So there have been a few people asking about forums over the last few days, we did try it a while back but no one posted. Let's try this again. The forums are located here - http://www.shanghai247.net/forum.
Any registered user can set up a topic, we've added a few including one for continuation of this comment thread.
There may be bugs so if you find any post in 'bugs' forum topic
We'll probably keep them open for 3 weeks, see how it goes. Enjoy!
Comments
Very different from Mao's awards
Pity poor Boys Climbing Ropes - a 4 time City Weekend runner up, nominated at the Mao awards and runner up here again. Nice one on song of the year
Great work Ivan on reviving this
Thanks Archie!
T'was my pleasure. Credit should be given to Dan for getting this off the ground last year. I'm just picking up where he left off.
About those Mao awards....I'd go with "suspect" as the most positive adjective with which I could describe those results.
MAO awards
What WERE the results of the MAO awards? I'd be interested to know.
Results here
http://www.chinamusicradar.com/?p=3165
With the quickness! I was
With the quickness! I was coming with a direct link to the SS article, but I guess we can direct some traffic over to CMR ;)
Thanks for also mentioning this piece btw
haha, i love this comment:
haha, i love this comment:
"Mao Live should win an award for 'Worst Sound at an Expensive Venue'"
Always the bride's maid... of
Always the bride's maid... of course *sob * it's just an honor to be nominated...
Think there might be a little confusion in the producer category between folks who are recording and engineering bands' music and folks writing and releasing their own electronic music... might be something to address the next time around.
Unless Brad has a deep house album or something he's working on that I just don't know about.
Good point. I guess we could
Good point. I guess we could split that between "engineer" and "producer". But then you've got a guy like Nichols, who produced the FoF album in the traditional sense of the word - he was sitting with the band and helping them shape their songs, playing an active role in the crafting process beyond just making the recording sound nice. There'd have to be a way to acknowledge this as well.
How do you think we could split this up while allowing for all roles to be included? The engineering role played, for example, by Brad with DFG and Gaensler with Moon Tyrant and Stego, vs the production role played by Nichols with FoF, vs the producer-composer you see with artists like Conrank, Downstate, and The Ponies.
Speaking of Downstate - you rollin to Shelter on Sat? I'm torn between that and checking out The Instigation's new lineup. Might have to stop by YYT first and dip out after their set...
Dunno. Haven't watched the
Dunno. Haven't watched the actual Grammys since Pearl Jam boycotted them oh so long ago... but they do have categories for "Producer of the Year, Classical" -- orchestral music people -- and "Producer of the Year, Non-Classical" for people like Dr. Dre, Babyface, and Rick Rubin... and then they have "Best Dance/Electronica" recording, which is what Skrillex is winning these days I think.
So you could either have "Best Album, Rock" and "Best Album, Electronic" or "Best Producer, Rock" and "Best Producer, Electronic"... but then it all gets pretty involved and its just more fun to ghetto-ize the electronic DJ types in the esteemed Shanghai Grammys anyways.
Re: Downstate's thing... yeah man. Im going to that shit. It's a pretty good album. Here's a tip: he won't start playing until like 1am, so you can go to YYT before and catch both shows...
Splitting the Producer
Splitting the Producer category into Rock and Electronic still wouldn't allow for the separation of album producers vs album engineers - which seems to be the main problem you raised, right? There's also the limiting factor of there not being a whole lot of people doing things here. I'd have loved to have VJ and Rapper of the Year categories, but we'd be seriously wanting for nominees. VJ of the Year = Olivepixel vs Tina, for example.
I think we should keep Album of the Year the way it is, though. One ring to rule them all. Hypothetical: Let's say there are 2 really nasty electronic albums one year, both of which are undisputedly "better" than the year's best rock album - there's no reason the rock album should be "allowed" to win Best Album simply because those electronic albums aren't competing with it.
I'd also like to try and reach out to more jazz people next year. Dan's original feature was just focused on rock, but as we're getting more and more crossover between the scenes, why not try and be as inclusive as possible? There's a whole jazz scene out there with which I regrettably have little to no contact.
Runner up two years in a row...
Could we split the Producer category to "Producers named Adam of the Year" and "Producer of the Year"? Or even just a sub-category for producers/engineers who work on less than ten tracks a year?
"Splitting the Producer
"Splitting the Producer category into Rock and Electronic still wouldn't allow for the separation of album producers vs album engineers - which seems to be the main problem you raised, right?"
Well, I think it would because it would just recognize the two different meanings of the word "producer"... On the one hand you have someone like Brad who is recording, mixing, mastering, and "producing" some band's rock record and on the other hand you have people like Conrank, Hamacide, APC, and Downstate who are writing their own music on hardware and software, and releasing it -- they're also referred to as producers, who, ironically, might not even "produce" their own albums... electronic producers more often than not have an outside guy come in to fix their shit as well... it's just two different things. Splitting up the category or making a new one recognizes the different function and therefor the different achievement of the person doing it.
Of course, you're right about the lack of material being released anyways but it seems like there is enough electronic shit out there in Shanghai being released to warrant something... off the top of my head last year, Shanghai had, Am444, SIG, ROM, Hamacide, not to mention lots of online stuff from Conrank, Acid Pony Club, and probably more that I dont know about.... Confrim-X? MHP? VOID dudes? B6? Didnt he just release something?
It wasn't so much the
It wasn't so much the electronic producers I'm worried about as opposed to the rock ones. But who knows who'll get their hands dirty in 2012.
Anyways, I've been converted to your point of view and, should I do this piece again next year, will allow for both electronic and rock producers to be recognized.
THNKS SH247 FAM
f0 r3⧨Ls I'm GLD y▲11s Lk3d ma ♫'s in 2011. I'm honored. S0m3 ◉F ma Fv0rte sH0wz LsT yr w3r r0❨K sh0wz e.g. @LUNO w/tht 1 IRish 男 wiF th▲ gTr ped▲ls who scrMed ▲L0T N' ALl the B3▲T BuFF3t Sht n' Whn I Plyd w/女's lk3 myStry n' th0se 0thR BNDs ★★★★★★★ I Gve u 7 STRs lk3 a DUB▲I h0t3l ƒCK ys 上海 Lts K33P Ki11NG 1T in 2012 !!!
http://www.heatwolves.com
http://soundcloud.com/heatwolves
holllllllllllerbck.
Alright lads?
I think you could have Best Band and Best Electronic Act, rather than two awards for producers. The album award goes across the board I reckon, but hands-off Vs. hands-on producer is a bit complicated for me - maybe Best Brad award next year?
Nice
I like that idea. That'd also separate eletronic music producers/composers from DJs. Dan's piece last year was just about rock. I'm trying to expand, but clearly I didn't go far enough. Next year will be more thorough.
Thinking about a general "Personage of the Year" category as well. Who's done the most for the scene? That sort of thing, to recognize one person in particular who's gone above and beyond. Not sure though. Thoughts?
FORUMS
Hey everyone - So there have been a few people asking about forums over the last few days, we did try it a while back but no one posted. Let's try this again. The forums are located here - http://www.shanghai247.net/forum.
Any registered user can set up a topic, we've added a few including one for continuation of this comment thread.
There may be bugs so if you find any post in 'bugs' forum topic
We'll probably keep them open for 3 weeks, see how it goes. Enjoy!
Desert F**k Eagle was snubbed for the DJ category?
He kills Dave Van Buuren and DJ Eurotrash Atheism and day of the week!