Happy Avenue
Encyclopedia
Happy Avenue is a Chinese rock
band based in Beijing
, China
, founded in September 1999. Members include Wú Hóngfēi (吴虹飞, vocals), Gěng Fàng (耿放, electric guitar
), Lǐ Wéiyán (李维岩, electric guitar), Zhōu Qí (周琦, electric bass guitar
), and Tián Kūn (田坤, drum set). Wu originally also played acoustic guitar in the group before deciding early on to focus strictly on vocals. The original bass player, Shèng (胜), was replaced by Jiǎng Róng (蒋荣) in June 2000, and Jiang was eventually replaced by Zhou.
Wu Hongfei (surname Wu, b. 1975), Happy Avenue's vocalist and leader, is a graduate of Beijing's prestigious Tsinghua University
, with bachelor's degrees in environmental engineering
and the editing of scientific books, and an M.A. degree in modern Chinese literature
(although she primarily studied Western literature
).http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/2237/2005-4-22/139@230590.htm Also the group's only female member, she has the distinction of being China's best known female rock
singer. Originally from Sanjiang, in the southern Chinese province of Guangxi
and a member of the Dong
ethnic minority
, Wu is also a magazine journalist and a published novelist. Her lyrics range from lighthearted, absurdist vignettes (like "The Orange Who Wished to Be an Apple") to darker and more melancholy meditations on subjects such as death, alienation, and longing. "Daughter" deals with the issues surrounding unwed motherhood. Some other songs feature literary subject matter; "The Fish Who Loved Xiaolong" tells the story of a mermaid
who gives up her tail in order that she might be able to leave the sea and marry a human.http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/2237/2005-4-22/139@230590.htm
The group's music is eclectic, and generally unclassifiable by genre, though occasionally somewhat reminiscent of such avant-garde groups as Talking Heads
. Songs range from quirky, upbeat, and sardonic ("Daughter") to somber and brooding ("May"), the latter style leading some reviewers to describe the group's music as gothic
. About the group, Wu says, "We never, ever let 'common taste' influence our music. We do what we like."http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/en/beijing/stories/happyavenue_2002-05
The group's melodies are catchy, with Wu's often pentatonic vocal melodies showing the influence of Chinese folk singing (leading the band to be described by some as a folk rock act). In some songs Wu's expansive melodies extend to the highest register of her voice in a manner reminiscent of opera
, while others are rather lullaby
-like ("Knife"). The group's albums often utilize vocal overdubbing to create an angelic choral
effect. In a few songs ("Daughter") Wu sings in a more unorthodox manner, using abrupt sliding tones, whispering, and even screaming, displaying a wide range of emotions. Her often consciously edgy vocals, thus, contrast considerably with those of the sweeter and more formulaic styles of Mandopop
and Cantopop
singers such as Faye Wong
or Teresa Teng
.
While Wu's youthful-sounding vocals often show the influence of Chinese traditional music, the musical background provided by the band is more or less based in straight-ahead rock, ranging from simple flatpicked lines to all-out rocking grooves
, giving each song a musical character different from the others. Lead guitarist Geng utilizes a wide range of guitar effects, lending a wide variety of timbre
s to the group's sound. The group's demo, "Grain," features Wu's voice with only a sensitive, classical-sounding acoustic guitar
accompaniment.
Like most rock bands in China
, Happy Avenue is essentially an underground
or cult group
, whose audience consists largely of students and those of college age. The group generally plays in bars such as Beijing's CD Cafe and Get Lucky Bar, and has also performed in several other Chinese cities. Its first performance took place on May 1, 2000 at the Midi Modern Music Festival, sponsored by the Beijing Midi School of Music
. Despite their consistent efforts, Happy Avenue's members have as yet found it impossible to reap financial rewards from their work, due in part to poor promotion of their music by their record labels, as well as due to current Chinese musical tastes.http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/2237/2005-4-22/139@230590.htm
Happy Avenue released its first CD, A Fish in Xiao Long's Room, in 2004. During the recording of this album, Wu was writing her master's thesis, and, in order to complete the recording, postponed her graduation for a year.http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/2237/2005-4-22/139@230590.htm Their subsequent disc was released in 2005. Their track "Daughter" was included on the Beijing Band 2001: New Rock Bands from the People's Republic of China compilation CD, produced by American producer Matthew Corbin Clark. Due to Clark's efforts, Happy Avenue's music achieved recognition in the United States
with the inclusion of their song "Daughter" in China in the Red (2003), a PBS
Frontline television documentary about contemporary China.
Wu has written candidly about her experiences with Happy Avenue in her semi-autobiographical novel The Double Life of Afei.http://www.thatsbj.com/blogging/blogs/index.php/2003/05/01/book_review_2 She released a four-song solo EP in 2007.
Chinese rock
Chinese Rock , occasionally referred as Mandorock or Cantorock depending on the language of the song in question, is commonly used to describe a wide variety of forms of rock and roll music, in connection with the rock bands...
band based in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, founded in September 1999. Members include Wú Hóngfēi (吴虹飞, vocals), Gěng Fàng (耿放, electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
), Lǐ Wéiyán (李维岩, electric guitar), Zhōu Qí (周琦, electric bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
), and Tián Kūn (田坤, drum set). Wu originally also played acoustic guitar in the group before deciding early on to focus strictly on vocals. The original bass player, Shèng (胜), was replaced by Jiǎng Róng (蒋荣) in June 2000, and Jiang was eventually replaced by Zhou.
Wu Hongfei (surname Wu, b. 1975), Happy Avenue's vocalist and leader, is a graduate of Beijing's prestigious Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University , colloquially known in Chinese as Qinghua, is a university in Beijing, China. The school is one of the nine universities of the C9 League. It was established in 1911 under the name "Tsinghua Xuetang" or "Tsinghua College" and was renamed the "Tsinghua School" one year later...
, with bachelor's degrees in environmental engineering
Environmental engineering
Environmental engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to improve the natural environment , to provide healthy water, air, and land for human habitation and for other organisms, and to remediate polluted sites...
and the editing of scientific books, and an M.A. degree in modern Chinese literature
Chinese literature
Chinese literature extends thousands of years, from the earliest recorded dynastic court archives to the mature fictional novels that arose during the Ming Dynasty to entertain the masses of literate Chinese...
(although she primarily studied Western literature
Western literature
Western literature refers to the literature written in the languages of Europe, including the ones belonging to the Indo-European language family as well as several geographically or historically related languages such as Basque, Hungarian, and so forth...
).http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/2237/2005-4-22/139@230590.htm Also the group's only female member, she has the distinction of being China's best known female rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
singer. Originally from Sanjiang, in the southern Chinese province of Guangxi
Guangxi
Guangxi, formerly romanized Kwangsi, is a province of southern China along its border with Vietnam. In 1958, it became the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, a region with special privileges created specifically for the Zhuang people.Guangxi's location, in...
and a member of the Dong
Dong people
The Dong , a Kam–Sui people of southern China, are one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China. They are famed for their native-bred Kam Sweet Rice , carpentry skills, and unique architecture, in particular a form of covered bridge known as the "wind and rain...
ethnic minority
Ethnic minorities in China
Ethnic minorities in China are the non-Han Chinese population in the People's Republic of China. The People's Republic of China officially recognizes 55 ethnic minority groups within China in addition to the Han majority. As of 2010, the combined population of officially recognised minority...
, Wu is also a magazine journalist and a published novelist. Her lyrics range from lighthearted, absurdist vignettes (like "The Orange Who Wished to Be an Apple") to darker and more melancholy meditations on subjects such as death, alienation, and longing. "Daughter" deals with the issues surrounding unwed motherhood. Some other songs feature literary subject matter; "The Fish Who Loved Xiaolong" tells the story of a mermaid
Mermaid
A mermaid is a mythological aquatic creature with a female human head, arms, and torso and the tail of a fish. A male version of a mermaid is known as a "merman" and in general both males and females are known as "merfolk"...
who gives up her tail in order that she might be able to leave the sea and marry a human.http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/2237/2005-4-22/139@230590.htm
The group's music is eclectic, and generally unclassifiable by genre, though occasionally somewhat reminiscent of such avant-garde groups as Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
. Songs range from quirky, upbeat, and sardonic ("Daughter") to somber and brooding ("May"), the latter style leading some reviewers to describe the group's music as gothic
Gothic rock
Gothic rock is a musical subgenre of post-punk and alternative rock that formed during the late 1970s. Gothic rock bands grew from the strong ties they had to the English punk rock and emerging post-punk scenes...
. About the group, Wu says, "We never, ever let 'common taste' influence our music. We do what we like."http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/en/beijing/stories/happyavenue_2002-05
The group's melodies are catchy, with Wu's often pentatonic vocal melodies showing the influence of Chinese folk singing (leading the band to be described by some as a folk rock act). In some songs Wu's expansive melodies extend to the highest register of her voice in a manner reminiscent of opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
, while others are rather lullaby
Lullaby
A lullaby is a soothing song, usually sung to young children before they go to sleep, with the intention of speeding that process. As a result they are often simple and repetitive. Lullabies can be found in every culture and since the ancient period....
-like ("Knife"). The group's albums often utilize vocal overdubbing to create an angelic choral
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
effect. In a few songs ("Daughter") Wu sings in a more unorthodox manner, using abrupt sliding tones, whispering, and even screaming, displaying a wide range of emotions. Her often consciously edgy vocals, thus, contrast considerably with those of the sweeter and more formulaic styles of Mandopop
Mandopop
Mandopop is a colloquial abbreviation for "Mandarin popular music." It is categorized as a subgenre of commercial Chinese-language music within C-pop. Mandopop was the first variety of popular music in Chinese to establish itself as a viable industry. As the name implies, Mandopop features songs...
and Cantopop
Cantopop
Cantopop is a colloquialism for "Cantonese popular music". It is sometimes referred to as HK-pop, short for "Hong Kong popular music". It is categorized as a subgenre of Chinese popular music within C-pop...
singers such as Faye Wong
Faye Wong
Faye Wong is a highly successful and influential Chinese singer-songwriter and actress who is usually referred to as a diva . Early in her career she briefly used the stage name Shirley Wong . Born in Beijing, she moved to Hong Kong in 1987 and rose to stardom in the early 1990s by singing...
or Teresa Teng
Teresa Teng
Teresa Teng , was an immensely popular and influential Chinese pop singer from Taiwan. Teresa Teng's voice and songs are instantly recognized throughout East Asia and in areas with large Asian populations...
.
While Wu's youthful-sounding vocals often show the influence of Chinese traditional music, the musical background provided by the band is more or less based in straight-ahead rock, ranging from simple flatpicked lines to all-out rocking grooves
Groove (popular music)
Groove is the sense of propulsive rhythmic "feel" or sense of "swing" created by the interaction of the music played by a band's rhythm section . Groove is a consideration in genres such as salsa, funk, rock, fusion, and soul...
, giving each song a musical character different from the others. Lead guitarist Geng utilizes a wide range of guitar effects, lending a wide variety of timbre
Timbre
In music, timbre is the quality of a musical note or sound or tone that distinguishes different types of sound production, such as voices and musical instruments, such as string instruments, wind instruments, and percussion instruments. The physical characteristics of sound that determine the...
s to the group's sound. The group's demo, "Grain," features Wu's voice with only a sensitive, classical-sounding acoustic guitar
Classical guitar
The classical guitar is a 6-stringed plucked string instrument from the family of instruments called chordophones...
accompaniment.
Like most rock bands in China
Chinese rock
Chinese Rock , occasionally referred as Mandorock or Cantorock depending on the language of the song in question, is commonly used to describe a wide variety of forms of rock and roll music, in connection with the rock bands...
, Happy Avenue is essentially an underground
Underground music
Underground music comprises a range of different musical genres that operate outside of mainstream culture. Such music can typically share common values, such as the valuing of sincerity and intimacy; an emphasis on freedom of creative expression; an appreciation of artistic creativity...
or cult group
Cult following
A cult following is a group of fans who are highly dedicated to a specific area of pop culture. A film, book, band, or video game, among other things, will be said to have a cult following when it has a small but very passionate fan base...
, whose audience consists largely of students and those of college age. The group generally plays in bars such as Beijing's CD Cafe and Get Lucky Bar, and has also performed in several other Chinese cities. Its first performance took place on May 1, 2000 at the Midi Modern Music Festival, sponsored by the Beijing Midi School of Music
Beijing Midi School of Music
The Beijing Midi School of Music is a music school in Beijing, China, established in 1993. It is the first music school in China whose curriculum focuses on such modern musical genres as rock, jazz, blues, pop, Latin, country, funk, and fusion.The school's mission is "to promote an artistic and...
. Despite their consistent efforts, Happy Avenue's members have as yet found it impossible to reap financial rewards from their work, due in part to poor promotion of their music by their record labels, as well as due to current Chinese musical tastes.http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/2237/2005-4-22/139@230590.htm
Happy Avenue released its first CD, A Fish in Xiao Long's Room, in 2004. During the recording of this album, Wu was writing her master's thesis, and, in order to complete the recording, postponed her graduation for a year.http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/2237/2005-4-22/139@230590.htm Their subsequent disc was released in 2005. Their track "Daughter" was included on the Beijing Band 2001: New Rock Bands from the People's Republic of China compilation CD, produced by American producer Matthew Corbin Clark. Due to Clark's efforts, Happy Avenue's music achieved recognition in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with the inclusion of their song "Daughter" in China in the Red (2003), a PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
Frontline television documentary about contemporary China.
Wu has written candidly about her experiences with Happy Avenue in her semi-autobiographical novel The Double Life of Afei.http://www.thatsbj.com/blogging/blogs/index.php/2003/05/01/book_review_2 She released a four-song solo EP in 2007.
Compilations
- 2003 - Beijing Band 2001: New Rock Bands from the People's Republic of China. Kemaxiu Music.
- 2004 - First Chinese release
- 2005 - Second Chinese release
External links
- Happy Avenue page from Rock in China site
- Happy Avenue page from Beijing Band 2001 site
- "Happy Avenue Leads To......" by Wendy Liu, from City Weekend, December 5, 2004
- "Multi-faceted Artist Shares Story", from China Daily, December 19, 2002
- Lucky Road profile from China Daily
- Band profile from Beijing Portal
- "Queens of Beijing: The city’s female movers and shakers", from That's Beijing, March 9, 2005
- Review of Wu Hongfei's The Double Life of Afei
- Happy Avenue photos from Shanghai Streets Photoblog
- Happy Avenue photos
- Happy Avenue photo
- Happy Avenue photos
- Happy Avenue history (in Chinese and English)
- Wu Hongfei blog (older)
- Wu Hongfei blog (newer)
- Happy Avenue interview (Chinese)
Listening
- Interview with Wu Hongfei from China Beat radio program (click yellow smiley face to listen)
- Article and audio from PBS Frontline page
- Audio samples (in Chinese; click on "headphones" icon for each track to download)
- Audio samples (in Chinese; click two links to the right of the Windows Media Player icon)