It’s been over a year since Beijing-based record label Maybe Mars arrived at the Dream Factory for its first label showcase as part of last January’s JUE Festival. Carsick Cars, Snapline, Wuhan's AV Okubo and Ourself Beside Me demolished Zhijiang’s stage, cementing the label’s status as China’s leading indie-rock imprint.

On January 22, Maybe Mars returns, this time storming MAO Livehouse with a new line-up, but the same mission.

“Our bands have a pretty strong buzz in Beijing but that doesn’t always reach out to other cities,” states Nevin Domer of the Maybe Mars creative team. “The showcases are a way we can ensure our younger bands will get the exposure they deserve by placing them with bigger bands that will draw.”

While the label's initial concept was to follow up the JUE show with regular trips to Shanghai as a platform to propel their up-and-comers, plans slowed slightly due to increased signings, the launch of the Maybe Noise subsidiary and album releases from Lanzhou's Low Wormwood, Xiao He, 10, Hot & Cold, Nanjing's 8 Eye Spy, Carsick Cars and Shanghai’s Muscle Snog, as well as debut discs from The Gar and Xi'an transplants 24 Hours, both of whom will be playing the showcase, along with P.K.14 (pictured) and Hebei-turned-Beijing boys Rustic.

“It has taken us a little longer than we hoped to be able to make a large push,” explains Domer. “That said, things are developing very rapidly and the situation is getting better, which will make it easier for us to get out of Beijing and have more of a presence in other cities.”

In the past four months, the label has begun to make headway abroad after its marquee acts traveled to the U.S. for a 13-date tour, all receiving praise from discerning audiences in New York, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia.

“It has been great to see our bands gain the sort of attention abroad that they are enjoying now ... We will be sending six bands to the U.S. for a Maybe Mars showcase at [South by Southwest, America’s largest urban music festival, held annually in Austin, Texas],” Domer adds.

Worldwide acclaim aside, Domer insists Maybe Mars is “thoroughly committed to China first, and building a healthy, productive scene here,” adding that the label hopes “more cities in China will develop important scenes in their own right.” He has also announced a February 27 follow-up showcase featuring Carsick Cars, AV Okubo, Guaili and Birdstriking.

While Shanghai still lags behind its northern counterpart, Maybe Mars continues toward its goal of pushing Chinese artists, hoping to inspire musicians nationwide.

photo courtesy of James Bollen