DJs can produce more than a great party
Independent music in Beijing has gained major ground internationally due in large part to the efforts of hardworking bands and dedicated record labels. Music mavens like Martin Atkins of PIL and Blixa Bargeld of Einsturzende Neubauten sprinkled fairy dust on Beijing bands’ productions, FM3 did the European summer festival circuit in style, and Lonely China Day received strong support from reviews in the New York Times. So when will we see Beijing’s dance music scene receive similar international attention? Rarely do DJs gain fame for DJ skills alone. Producing original tracks remains the only way to gain real international credibility. “Many DJs in China are more interested in downloading music rather than music production software,” according to Beijing-based DJ Kai, one of the few DJs in Beijing to have his music released for purchase on major record labels. “If you only have DJs and a few producers, then DJ culture in China will continue to be part of the ‘nightlife’ world, rather than the ‘music’ world”.

The indie scene in China has committed record labels like Modern Sky and Tag Team Records, but the absence of record labels devoted to dance music is conspicuous. With the Party People’s Committee record label folding without a major release, and Acupuncture Records’ name merely a statement of intent, the lack of DJs in China producing their own music means their skills will be used to sell Chivas, not CDs.

The dance music circle has much to learn from the more established live music scene. “Not many people go to a live show at 2 Kolegas to be ‘seen’”, says Matt Kagler of Tag Team Records. “Live music isn’t as glitzy, but as long as the focus is on the music, then a real growing scene can exist.”

A few forward-minded DJs deserve recognition for venturing into production. Mickey Zhang played his own productions to 20,000 techno fans in Japan this year, and producers like Liman, Terry Tu, B6 and The Mug Up Phonies all make the crowds move to their own tunes.

Dance music fans and DJs alike are seduced by watching big name DJs rocking big crowds in Beijing, but any artist is only as good as his tools. It’s great to hear a DJ making that special mix to drive the crowd wild, but local turntable technicians can also create that amazing record for other DJs to use. After all, records and productions last far longer than the muddy memories of the last big party, and only through producing their own music will China’s DJs leave a legacy.

• Dan Stephenson