May 7 Friday
Monokino
The ‘Monokino’ project brings together the artistic visions of musicians from different worlds: George van Wetering (Amsterdam, NL): song writer, lead vocals, guitar; Yu Jin (former keyboard player of first all-women rock band ‘Cobra’, Beijing, CH): keyboard and synthesizer; and drummer Wouter de Buck (NL). The sound has been spiced up in a rather kitschy way with a combination of melodious high pitched vocals, static keyboard, rock guitar and electronic/acoustic drum segments. Since the commencement of the band, Monokino has built a tight fan base in China, Germany, Belgium, Luxemburg and the Netherlands and has received critical acclaim for both its recorded indie music and the band’s live performances. Monokino has won several awards in different categories.
Monokino’s new album will be called “Heartbeat”, to be released on the Soma label (based in Shanghai) in May 2010. “Heartbeat” is a double album packed with a selection of 18 great Monokino remixes and acoustic songs.
In May 2006 Monokino released their first EP in China on the independent Chinese label, Newbees Records. To promote their EP, Monokino played several gigs in Shanghai and Beijing, including the four-day Midi Music Festival in Beijing to 20,000 fans. Between 2006 and 2009 Monokino played at all the main festivals and clubs in the Netherlands and undertook two German tours. In September 2008 Monokino’s debut was released on the largest Chinese indie label, Modern Sky. Monokino completed a successful Chinese tour in September, October and November 2008. In 2009 Monokino returned to China for their 3rd Chinese tour. Their China tours received mass press coverage back in the Netherlands.
Monokino goes to China again!
There are only a few bands from the west that visit China this often. Monokino tries to meet their fans as often as possible. This year the cities Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Guilin, Guangzhou, Shenzehn, Hong Kong, and Macau will be included in the tour.
Shanghai Expo 2010
Monokino will perform at the World Exposition in China. On May 7 and 8, Monokino will play at the Dutch Culture Centre in Shanghai. In addition to the Dutch pavilion, Happy Street by John Körmeling, there will be a multifunctional space in Shanghai where exhibitions, performances and meetings are held. The second building is called the Dutch Culture Center, and is located in the center of Shanghai. The DCC is a completely renovated factory building from the '40s with an area of 1400 m2. Monokino will perform with many other both musical and theater groups.
Monokino’s China Tour 2010
May 3, Modern Sky Strawberry Festival, Beijing / May 9, CD release party, Mao, Shanghai, / May 11, Music life club, Guilin / May 13, Vox, Wuhan / May 14, Tekkwun, Guangzhou / May 15, Hidden Agenda Live House, Hong Kong / May 16, XL creation, Macau / May 19, Idutang, Shenzhen / May 20, D22, Beijing / May 22, Mao, Beijing
Douban: http://www.douban.com/artist/monokino/
Myspace: www.myspace.cn/monokino
