Mayuan Poet (麻园诗人), emerging as a distinctive voice within China’s indie rock landscape since its formation in October 2007, has rapidly evolved as one of Yunnan’s most promising bands. Renowned for their eclectic mix of poetic lyricism, intense emotional expression, and dynamic stage presence, the group has solidified its reputation through impactful performances and a compelling discography. Their work, characterized by a blend of aggression and introspection, reflects the band’s deep roots in the rich cultural milieu of Kunming, a city in the southwest part of China. In March, Mayuan Poet is on tour in North America, performing in cities including Austin, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, and Boston. Mayuan Poet performed live at the Moroccan Lounge in L.A. this past Sunday.
The Audience
Rebecca Zhang, a USC alumna and currently a college advisor living in Los Angeles, shared her excitement about the band’s visit. Zhang, who became acquainted with Mayuan Poet during her graduate studies in L.A., expressed her admiration for their music, particularly their hit song “泸沽湖 Lugu Lake.”
“I’ve been a fan since I first heard ‘Lugu Lake,’ and learning more about them over time only increased my interest,” Zhang said.
Surprised by the band’s decision to tour in the U.S., she added, “I never really expected them to come here since they’re not as mainstream as some other bands, so it’s a pleasant surprise.”
Zhang hopes the band enjoys the warm reception from their fans in L.A., a rare stop for them. She also mentioned her intention to introduce Mayuan Poet’s music to her American colleagues, saying, “I often talk about different bands with my coworkers, and I definitely plan to recommend Mayuan Poet to them.”
Liam McConnell, a Kansas native who moved to Los Angeles for a career in manufacturing, also shared his enthusiasm for Mayuan Poet’s recent performance at the Moroccan Lounge.
McConnell, who has been a fan of the band for about a year, said, “I’ve really enjoyed their music, and when I saw they were coming to town, I just had to be here.”
An admirer of rock music, McConnell finds Mayuan Poet’s tunes particularly resonant, noting that their songs have helped him through difficult times.
“Their music just makes you happy,” McConnell added. Despite being one of the few non-Chinese speakers in the audience and attending the concert alone, McConnell’s appreciation for the band’s music transcends language barriers. He expressed a keen interest in recommending Mayuan Poet to his friends, highlighting the universal appeal of their music.
Kalinga Lou, an enthusiastic fan, shared her unique experience attending the band’s live performance. Originally from China, Lou has been following the indie music scene closely since her university days in 2018.
“I first got into live music with COM’Z 康姆士, and it completely changed my perspective. I’ve been chasing live house performances ever since,” Lou recounted.
Lou was pleasantly surprised when Mayuan Poet announced their North American tour.
“I’ve been leaving comments on every band’s social media, urging them to tour in North America, especially L.A. I can’t believe they actually came!” she exclaimed.
However, she noted the challenges foreign bands face, such as visa issues and high costs, which sometimes lead to cancellations or financial losses. Nonetheless, Lou remains hopeful that more bands from Asia will perform in the U.S., enriching the local music scene with diverse sounds and stories.
“It’s always a thrill to see people from different backgrounds at these concerts. It shows how music truly transcends borders,” she added.
Milo Cao and Huan Shen, both immersed in the creative industry as a design manager and a creative director respectively, shared their experiences attending a Mayuan Poet concert in Los Angeles. Cao, who enjoys folk and rock music, and Shen, who prefers instrumental tunes, found common ground in their appreciation for Mayuan Poet’s music, particularly after watching the band on the show “乐队的夏天 The Big Band.”
However, it is challenging to share some Chinese music with non-native Chinese speakers. Cao mentioned, “I’ve tried to share some Chinese songs that I like with my local colleagues in the United States, but sometimes it’s hard to resonate due to the language barrier.”
Beyond the interest in Mayuan Poet, like many other audiences who attended the performance, Cao, and Shen expressed a desire for more bands from Taiwan and mainland China to perform in Los Angeles, providing international students and professionals in the area more opportunities to experience live music from home.
Lead singer Ku Guo (苦果)’s reflects on performance
Ku Guo (苦果), the lead singer of Mayuan Poet, expressed in an interview with Annenberg Media the various challenges the band faced on tour.
“Our team underwent significant changes due to language barriers, and we had to quickly adapt by bringing in temporary staff both from China and locally in the U.S.,” he said, highlighting the logistical hurdles of international touring.
Despite the rocky journey Mayuan Poet has faced, they have resolutely decided to complete this trip, filled with fighting spirit.
“Performing new songs usually takes over half a year to feel completely comfortable with, so this was a significant challenge for us,” he explained.
Despite the physical and mental fatigue, Ku Guo found inspiration in the U.S., particularly during a visit to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.
“It’s a place where hard work can turn you into many people’s idol, a culture and soil that encourages achievement in any field,” he remarked, drawing parallels between this realization and the band’s aspirations.
Ku Guo also acknowledged the Chinese diaspora in the U.S., expressing solidarity and hope that Mayuan Poet’s music offers comfort and connection to their homeland.
“For those living far from home, our music is a reminder of their roots, offering strength and solace,” he said, emphasizing the band’s desire to support their compatriots abroad.
As Mayuan Poet continues their tour, Ku Guo looks forward to more opportunities to connect with international audiences and share the band’s unique blend of poetry and rock music.
Friends from the East
CheiZak Li (李宏杰), founder of “Friends from the East,” an organization instrumental in coordinating Mayuan Poet’s concert tour in North America, spoke about the initiative’s objectives and challenges. Established in November last year in the United States, the festival and tour series aims to introduce more Eastern musicians to the Western audience.
“Our main goal was to give young people in the North American market the opportunity to experience more music from Eastern artists,” Li explained.
The choice of name for the series, “Friends from the East,” was deliberate, reflecting the mission to use music as a bridge of friendship between cultures. While the series primarily featured Chinese bands, Li emphasized its inclusivity, noting the diverse lineup in their recent event in Austin, Texas, which featured artists from Japan, Australia, and the United States, and was hailed as one of the best live performances at the SXSW festival.
Li candidly addressed the financial aspect of bringing artists from East Asia to North America.
“The primary intent of this initiative is not profit. There are many other projects one could pursue that. It’s about the passion for music and bridging cultural gaps,” he said.
Despite logistical hurdles like visa procurement and the high costs associated with international tours, Li remains committed to the project. He hopes to attract a broader audience, including non-Chinese speakers, as the series evolves to include artists from other Asian countries, enriching the cultural tapestry of North America’s music scene.