BeijingDazeTales of Live Music From Beijing's Mostly Underground Rock Scene..

Feb
17thVoodoo Kungfu: A Weibo Goodbye from Li Nan

Flash back to 2009 when yours truly had a hectic circuit running around Beijing from show to show, the one slotted in the middle featured Voodoo Kungfu and the Folk Orchestra at Mao Livehouse. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the sight of Li Nan perched up above the stage, his body covered in writings, preaching to a hypnotized crowd in a packed Mao Live.
It was beautiful!

Fast forward a few years, things have changed and it’s apparently time to waive Voodoo Kungfu goodbye as their frontman and musical soul, Li Nan is headed out to Berklee College of Music. The announcement was made through his weibo account also announcing a farewell tour sometime this spring. Here’s hoping it’s a grandiose and befitting celebration of a unique monster. All of Voodoo Kungfu’s tunes are now available for download on their douban page for personal use and hopefully not for abuse.

Voodoo is one of the most interesting acts still and Li Nan definitely had a lot to do with it. I’m sure something will come out of his time stateside! You can also follow the band on weibo for some interesting tidbits and historical facts that Li Nan has been posting lately about the music, logos, makeup, influences etc…

http://weibo.com/voodookungfu

I don’t think many people will understand how special of an artist China is losing… I’ll refers you to this slightly outdated, but nevertheless relevant, interview by Gary Temple for City Weekend a few years back:
http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/beijing/articles/blogs-beijing/the-beat/voodoo-kungfu-and-the-coming-dark-age/

Up from the abyss, thirty-stories high, Voodoo Kungfu rises in a blood-soaked cry. But this is not your father’s metal band—this is a new demon, hissing of a dark new age, of truth and transcendence in this life. Brainchild of visionary vocalist Li Nan, Voodoo Kungfu comes to this year’s Midi Festival soaked in venom and ready to feed.

couldn’t have said it better if i tried!

Get the songs here:
http://site.douban.com/voodookungfu/

I’m just really hoping that in the farewell tour, they bring back the orchestra side of the band to make it a thundering memorable goodbye! They should go out on top as one of the most interesting acts to come out of the mainland.