Gulou (Drum Tower) is located at the northern end of the central axis in Beijing, where ancient Beijing residents told time and arranged life according to its sounds. Hundreds of years later, Gulou no longer sounds, but the streets along its eastward red wall have become the central artery of the Beijing indie music scene.
 
Sounds from the BedroomFor Roland, it is a combination of love and passion for the art of producing/sound engineering that fuels his quest of doing music full-time. “Music is an expression of my personality and soul. The main driving factor for me is to produce albums that people will enjoy and talk about for the rest of their lives. Knowing that I’ve made a change or given people the belief to follow their dreams and passion for music is definitely an added bonus.” 
A Label of Indie PassionWhen a mutual friend introduced Lesley Chew and Errol Tan at a music event years ago, little did they know they would one day become the DIY king and queen of local indie music. Both have been brought up in families that instilled the love of music in them when they were just wee toddlers. With a common interest, the engaged couple indulged in alternative and indie music voraciously, stacking up piles of vinyl records, paying pilgrimage to music festivals around the world and supporting the local music scene the best they could with their patronage. 
Zero to Indie HeroEveryone talks about the music and most probably only sees the glamorous side of the musicians on stage. But here’s the real deal. |
Street Snaps SHTANG TING 27 
Anywhere in HongdaeIn Hongdae the indie scene is anywhere you want it to be. Hanging out, making music, relaxing, partying all blend into one state of creative being that is happening everywhere. From the bathroom to the rooftop; it’s not about where you are it’s about what you make it. |
Asia IndependentSome of Asia’s most exciting independent bands tell us about the indie scenes in the cities they call home. 
Small Venues Rock Out Huge!On regular days, this tiny, unventilated room is merely a jamming studio where bands practice and rehearse. Pack in more than 50 people between the four bare walls and it becomes a venue. No elaborate lighting, no proper sound system, and sometimes there isn’t even a stage to speak of. So why would bands and an audience even bother to come to a gig held in a jamming studio – a rising trend among the local indie gig circuit? 
Street Snaps HKSai Yeung Choi Street, Mong Kok, has one of the largest pedestrian flows in Hong Kong. An indie show held downtown is rare. Indie shows are usually considered to be underground parties for a minority, but today it’s moved to a busy street. Strong rhythms and sensitive musical themes have attracted many of the people passing through to stop and watch, to see what the young people are doing. On a hot summer evening watching the performers dancing, the audience begins to move along to the music. 
Hanging out in HongdaeAt Club FF, Look & Listen, made up of JeongMin (vocal/guitar), YunMin (drums), and MiSook (bass), plays punk/garage music influenced by … |
