The World Underground : Episode 2 is live! Watch it now.

Episode 2: GUIGUISUISUI & NOISE ARCADE

Budget : $3,000 after fundraiser fees

Hello again. Welcome to the newest edition of The World Underground. This project is funded entirely by donations. I release everything for donation so that it's accessible to everyone, as well as in the hope of continuing, or some day becoming self-sustainable.  Please consider making a donation of $5 via the donate page.

Episode 2 follows Beijing based musicians GUIGUISUISUI (Dann Gaymer) and Noise Arcade (Michael Cupoli) on tour in Japan, Korea, and Northeast China.  This is a film about the people you meet along the way. The endless sounds that now, can never be unheard. Noise meeting deep quiet, and confusion meeting exhaustion. Finishing this film almost broke me. It took four years. It's shifted and morphed so many times. Those who don't follow me closely may not know that I moved to China while making it, spent three years there, and have since moved to Indonesia to do this project full-time.

For a while I thought I'd never be able to make something that I didn't loathe. I did, and this is it. An attempt to capture a three week trek through some of the most beautifully bewildering, drunken, noise-drenched landscapes on earth. To me, it's always surprising just how much can be shared without language. Alongside the Korea based media outlet Aweh, our goal was to align ourselves with as many local artists as possible, and see what stories came naturally.  From Busan, to Osaka, all these sounds and stories that stuck to us over the weeks, it's bottled into 90 minutes. To me, this film is unfinished, and it will remain that way. When is something ever truly "done" anyway?

This isn't an attempt to provide any sort of objective documentation of the people, places, or artists we discovered on our journey.  It's not even meant to be a reflection of reality.  It's simply a story we've chosen to share.  Take from it what you will.  That said, I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks so much for continuing to support this project.  It means the world to me.

It features performances, footage, and interviews by:

GUIGUISUISUI (China)

Noise Arcade (China)

Luvplastik (China)

JFI (China)

Nice Legs (Korea)

Yamagata Tweakster (Korea)

East Guinness Crew (Korea)

Mineri (Korea)

Colours (Korea)

Drinking Boys & Girls Choir (Korea)

Say Sue Me (Korea)

Genius (Korea)

Bellbottom from 80's (Japan)

Macmanaman (Japan)

Ninja Man (Japan)

Tero Tero (Japan)

Blond New Half (Japan)

Psychedelic Desert (Japan)

Komai Satoshi & Cyappie (Japan)

Harikozue (Japan)

Punk Disco (Japan)

Elephant Noiz Kashimashi (Japan)

Darklaw & Facial Mess (Japan)

Your Pest Band (Japan)

Thanks so much for continuing to support this project.  It means the world to me.

Film, photography, editing, and sound recording by John Yingling

Japanese translation : Jon Van Dyke

Korean translation : Seoyool Park

Genius audio mix : Arne Stich

Say Sue Me audio mix : Philip Brett

Trailer credits: 

Sound Design by Dereck Blackburn of Quiethouse Recording

Songs by: 

Your Pest Band

Noise Arcade

Say Sue Me

GUIGUISUISUI

Blond New Half

Additional footage by Julia Pentelute

Take care out there.

- Yingling

Incoming : Korean skate-punk, Spanish hooks, Dirty Fingers

Hello. This is an updated plan for The World Underground for the next few months. It's a rough, by the pant-seat type of deal, and could change due to death, dismemberment, exhaustion, or whatever lies in between. In a perfect world, the mighty Hot Snakes would agree to let me go with them on their Europe tour. We're bothering them about that now. If not, I'll trek alone and get mega wine-drunk and do what I can. That's a whole 'nother ball of wax in the future, though. I'll be editing in between all of this, on the road, in shitty hotel rooms, and as always, telling stories along the way. See you out there with Generacion Suicida, 드링킹소년소녀합창단 - DrinkingBoys&GirlsChoir, OH Dirty Fingers 脏手指! 

Episode 2 progress, a move to Indonesia, and the future!

Howdy folks.  A few things for you:

My time in Northeast China has come to an end, and next Friday, I begin exiting China. I'm moving to Indonesia for a deep dive, and taking this project full time for as long as possible. This has me jumping in and out of tours with Hiperson, Dirty Fingers, and Hedgehog in June.  Hiperson and Hedgehog both have new records out.  Click their names to listen.  I'll also return to Osaka, Japan, this time with my filming camera, so I'm hoping it's even half as eventful as that last trek with Blond New Half.  I'm so excited to begin a new chapter that will bring this project to the next level.  For those who threw down on the fundraiser to help make it happen, Thank You again.  I will briefly return to the midwest in July to ship your donation perks!  Some major boxes in my personal life have finally been checked.  All of them, really, except that of the release of Episode 2 of this project.

Episode 2 has been all but finished for some time. My original plans to have it released have come and gone many times. This is frustrating, but due to the DIY nature of people doing things for low-to-no cost, I must sit tight and let the rest of the pieces be finished when they're able. I hope for a June release, but time will tell. For my move to Indonesia and the subsequent new shorter film series, I'm putting pieces into place to expedite these issues. I've learned a lot over the last few years, and I'm very excited to start having consistent high quality content for you that really makes The World Underground shine each month. That's what the move to China was working toward, and it begins now. In nine days.  Holy shit!

The future is bright. I begin a move to Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 9 days.  This will serve multiple purposes.  The first, will be to begin editing Episode 3, which is a self-funded endeavor, trekking once again with Beijing's P.K.14.  This film will be very different from my previous pieces.

Once this has finished, I hope to begin a longer piece on Indonesia, while I am living in country.  I think this brings great opportunities to not only show-case past filming efforts done there in 2015, but bring some new light to what is currently happening.  In the middle of all of this, I will begin a short film series, that I hope to release every single month.  Bringing this project into more hyper time-sensitive output is something I have wanted to do for year, and it's about to become a reality.  After this has all began taking shape, I will begin work on a film about Missoula, Montana.  That will be a very interesting time capsule.

Summer and beyond is going to be very interesting.  Aside from what I have lined up so far, I will be letting things fall into place naturally along the way.  Freeing myself up to "just go" has long been something I've pined for.  Fall will bring a 7 city S.E.A. tour by the South Los Angeles Spanish punk band Generacion Suicida.  This is only the beginning, as everything in between will be an "as we go" endeavor.  There should be shows by Mexico grind-core bands in Rumah Api, Kuala Lumpur, treks in Sumatra with Palmer Keen from Aural Archipelago, and everything else in between.  That's not to mention the very vibrant scene of Yogyakarta, the city that will be my editing and resting base.

For all of this to become reality so soon, I am very, very excited.  I'm doing my best not to freak out entirely right now.  Thanks for your patience, and your support. It's about to get real. 

As always, I'll update you every chance I get along the way.  The tours should bring daily updates.  Social media is doing its best to keep eyes on the fear, terror, and shittier aspects of life, but we can only do what we can to push forward in healthy ways.  Let's keep rolling.  We can make it.  Stay safe out there.

Best,

- Yingling

The World Underground is moving to Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Hey.  Hope you are well.

The time has come to move this project to Indonesia. I will be starting a short film "dispatch" series. This was supposed to happen last year, and after many delays, it's once again time to take a giant, terrifying leap into the unknown.

The goal will be to release short films at least once per month, while I work on the feature length documentaries. Write more. Expand the scope from music, onward to arts and culture issues.  Indonesia is a vast and ultra-compelling area.  

In June, I will move to Yogyakarta, and use it as an editing and launching pad. Their art and music scene is an absolute gem itself, and I've wanted to move there since my first visit 4 years ago.

Essentially, the new leg of this project will begin the second I leave Northeast China, when I will follow a short tour with a Chengdu, Sichuan based band Hiperson, who you should know by now. After I get settled in Yogyakarta, I will go back to America for the first time in 3 years, mail the perks for this fundraiser, kiss my parents, and then begin editing the first short film. Bringing this project into the full-time realm, and visiting places like Borneo, Sabah, Taiwan, and fringe scenes along the way is going to expand the way I run this project, and should be endlessly exciting.

I am raising funds to do this the right way.  You can grab art from Tony Cheung, record packs with music across Asia, and more. Your money will spread across everything touched, paying for translators, gig covers, supporting local scenes through fundraiser perks and beyond.

Please consider donating: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-world-underground-dispatch-series/x/101516#/

Thanks so much.

-Yingling

Watch a trailer for The World Underground: Episode 2

Episode 2 follows Beijing based musicians GUIGUISUISUI (Dann Gaymer) and Noise Arcade (Michael Cupoli) on tour in Japan, Korea, and Northeast China.  This is a film about the people you meet along the way. The endless sounds that now, can never be unheard. Noise meeting deep quiet, and confusion meeting exhaustion. An attempt to capture a three week trek through some of the most beautifully bewildering, drunken, noise-drenched landscapes on earth. To me, it's always surprising just how much can be shared without language. An inability to speak with traditional language can still bring powerful bonds. As technology continues to grow, so shall this. Alongside the Korea based media outlet Aweh, our goal was to align ourselves with as many local artists as possible, and see what stories came naturally.  From Busan, to Osaka, take all these sounds and stories that stuck to us over the weeks, and bottle it into 90 minutes. I really think you'll enjoy it.

This film features performances, footage, and interviews by :

GUIGUISUISUI (China)

Noise Arcade (China)

Luvplastik (China)

JFI (China)

Nice Legs (Korea)

Yamagata Tweakster (Korea)

East Guinness Crew (Korea)

Mineri (Korea)

Colours (Korea)

Drinking Boys & Girls Choir (Korea)

Say Sue Me (Korea)

Genius (Korea)

Bellbottom from 80's (Japan)

Macmanaman (Japan)

Ninja Man (Japan)

Tero Tero (Japan)

Blond New Half (Japan)

Psychedelic Desert (Japan)

Komai Satoshi & Cyappie (Japan)

Harikozue (Japan)

Punk Disco (Japan)

Elephant Noiz Kashimashi (Japan)

Darklaw & Facial Mess (Japan)

Your Pest Band (Japan)

It will include many others.  As with the first episode, the films page will include exhaustive details on all artists, people, and places featured in the film.

This film isn't an attempt to provide any sort of objective documentation of the people, places, or artists we discovered on our journey.  It's not even meant to be a reflection of reality.  It's simply a story we've chosen to share.  Take from it what you will.

If all goes as planned, this will be released in Summer 2017.  Keep an eye on our social media.  In two weeks, I'll once again go on tour with Beijing's legendary P.K.14, so there will be stories daily.

Thanks so much for continuing to support this project.  It means the world to me.

Trailer credits: 

Sound Design by Dereck Blackburn of Quiethouse Recording

Film, photography, editing, and sound recording by John Yingling

Songs by: 

Your Pest Band

Say Sue Me

GUIGUISUISUI

Blond New Half

Additional footage by Julia Pentelute

Harsh noise hits Heilongjiang.

P.R.C.M (中國絞肉機) last week, in Harbin.

This gig almost did not happen. It was originally scheduled at "The Door", but the Chengguan had other plans, locking down the main bar street in the city for an undetermined amount of time.  For an undetermined reason.  Leaving everyone to keep their front lights off, and lay low.  Such is life in China.  

Moving shows can be a disaster, and that being said, I am truly amazed at how this went down, especially for a city such as this.  I don't mean to rag on Harbin.  Really.  It's just that, this type of thing, it just doesn't happen here.  Even neighboring Dalian, home to bands like Wang Wen, is simply spotted with shows throughout the year, but Harbin, Shenyang, and Changchun, where many of these acts come from, it's still very much a crawling toddler in the grand scheme.   

Six acts performed in just over three hours. Artists from Yunnan province, Changchun, Switzerland. Live visuals. A kraut rock band. A lot of people showed up. They actually put money in the donation hat. I have seen hundreds of rooms totally clear out for more tame things than much of last night, but everybody stuck right where they were, all the way until the end. I can't begin to describe how happy it all made me.

Thanks so much to everyone who made it what it was. It really means a lot to us. Dongbei, GOOD JOB! Stoked on summer. Bands : Come hang! Cheers.

Escape from Dongbei : A trek for noise in S.E. Asia.

I hate to say it, but life is fairly easy for me up in N.E. China.  It feels stupid and shitty to be so comfortable during such tumultuous times.  However, that's just the way it has rolled out for me.  Working my ass off on a lot of fronts feels really good.  I have begun to understand that some things are just going to take a little more time than I'd like, and that's okay.  That's life.  I get paid decently well, am throwing large chunks of money at debt for the first time in a decade.  I have free time to finish a Bachelor's Degree and continue to work on this project.  I like my job.  Sure, Dongbei can be a bit grating sometimes, but for now, it's home.  Having the privilege to travel is another large benefit to taking up this lifestyle.  Though we have lined up some gigs in Heilongjiang, there is largely, nothing happening up here on a regular basis.  We have an upcoming rager with Changchun noise heads.  See the previous blog post for more information, if you're so inclined.  That said, I really miss a consistent noisier end of things.  I decided to take an extended Spring Festival holiday and head back to some of my favorite places.  Check out a few new spots.  Do everything I could to drench myself in as much art and music as possible.  This is how it went.

Wong Ah Wah on Jalan Alor

First up : food.  Night one in Kuala Lumpur. No hassles getting everything started at the airport. Data SIM, money, train into town. Easy, and all done with a smile. It's hot out. I laugh, as I haven't been this warm in a long time. Midnight by now. If you look at a few dozen lists of where to eat in KL, there are a few places that stick on every one, and that's the chicken wings at Wong Ah Wah, on Jalan Alor, a popular street food spot. I love a good Char Kway Teow, but these people, they're not wrong. After fifteen hours of travel, I limp to the end of the food street. Surprisingly, it's half empty. These wings are spectacular. Impossibly crispy. Try to go during non-peak hours. So good to be south again. My body is already happy. Today, all the food.

Nasi Lemak at Village Park in KL.

Now we're talking. Nasi Lemak with Rendang and chicken. Fragrant rice. Peanuts. Sambal. Truly an outstanding thing. On a tip from the ever-helpful Brad M. Seippel, I headed to what he suggested was the best in town, Village Park. Thank You, Brad. Couldn't ask for a better lunch. Afterwards, I met up with an old friend, Matthew Cronin, and his partner Lana Mckinnon. On the outskirts of Jalan Alor, we took a deep breath of Isaan thai food. Bar hopped with Kilkenny on tap. Ended with a second round of Wong Ah Wah. Tumultuous times call for a dive for warmth, and we've cosmically found it here, this week, in Southeast Asia. I hope you can, as well. Take care out there. Be well, and keep pushing on, friends.

Rumah Api

I didn't expect to see anything like this in Malaysia. Happy to be wrong. The wonderful Shaze, who is away from the city, contacted me about a gig at Rumah Api, which I had still never been to. Think of all your favorite dirty DIY spaces around the world, and that's it. Perfect. It's been well over a year since last seeing the members of Shh...Diam!, who are very vocal on LGBTQ, women's rights, and issues we should all care about. Much of the venue is covered in such. This night, as I take a quick glance and see America massing by the millions, a small handful launched each other into the air again and again. It felt like home to us. Thank You, Malaysia. This was the warmest, kindest 72 hours I can remember. Today : Jakarta, MDC, screaming with Dave Dictor . Perfect.

MDC at Ponti Fest Jakarta

M.D.C. Indonesia, day one. Flew in, ate Satay Padang. My friend Jay took me around to ten shops on his bike until we finally found a SIM. Met up with the wonderful Dea Karina, who brought me to "Ponti Fest". Yesterday, the collective's house was raided by police. Tonight, the M.D.C. crew played alongside two dozen other bands including The Elected Officials and The Restarts. Bonkers gig. So many kids. So many bands. Classic Indonesia. Insane heat in the main room. Anca Manimau was there! Spectacular night. Thanks for the killer first day, Indonesia. Tomorrow, a breather.  

You can listen to a live recording here, or by clicking below while you read.

Satay and soup

So nice to be street level in Indonesia again. First real taste of Jakarta traffic today. Truly bonkers. A short trip turned two hours, but that's the reality here. There are a few apps here like Uber, but for motor-bikes. Exact same concept.  It's a ubiquitous set of food, available everywhere here. Chicken Satay with an intensely good peanut sauce. Two types of soup. Chicken + Goat. Tea. Rice. It's great, and I've missed these flavors.

Morning, Bandung. A three hour train ride in yesterday, and I immediately met up with Palmer Keen. He runs the spectacular "Aural Archipelago", documenting lesser known traditional music around Indonesia. Also in tow was James Russell Fritsch, who just began a new label, "100,000". Our meeting point, the Sudirman street market, a Chinese / Indonesian area. I immediately ate two plates of Guangdong style pork. We then headed to a seedy Jaipong club, which I can't even begin to explain to you right now. This is Palmer's porch. The green house, James'. I didn't know this upon separately planning to meet both of them. They've both left the country this morning, and allowed me to stay. Thank You for the hospitality. A few days of wandering, until Jogja band Seahoarse, who I met on my first run here, play a gig! Excited!

Jaipong in Bandung.  Highly recommended.

Last night, Palmer + Sinta said we'd go to a "seedy Jaipong club". I'm still learning what I witnessed. In 1961, Sukarno prohibited Rock and Roll, Western genres, so Jaipong was born. It's a Sundanese dance performance with traditional instruments, but players + dancers feed off each other. This place... indeed very seedy. There'd be a pop session, then Jaipong would start. Men would go up and dance with the women. However, respect was paramount. It's about sensuality. How close can you get without touching? You'd do a jig up to tip the band. People cheered. Wild atmosphere. A wasted police officer kept sitting by us, telling us he was a cop, grabbing us, and pulling Palmer up to dance. Definitely the wildest place I've been that few foreigners ever trek to. If you're ever in Bandung, go dive in.

Seahoarse (Jogja)

Seahoarse. Well over one year ago, I caught their second show as a band, in Yogyakarta. Of course, now, they're tighter, faster, louder. An amazing warehouse spot, "Spasial" that supposedly used to be an old military area. Shops, cafes littered inside. Really something, and I'd assume, a perfect newer addition to Bandung's scene. Five other bands. A showcase for Jakarta based Kolibri Records. Really great to see this type of thing in Indonesia, such a massive space. Feeling pretty raw, with stomach sickness turning into body flu by night. My most anticipated gig is tomorrow, back in Jakarta, so I'm going to responsibly power through, and then rest when I get to the chill vibes of Yogyakarta. I'll be safe. Time to rest. Cheers.

Panca Dwinandhika Zen . He's working in Bandung, where we met, documenting tattoo culture. Not only has he worked in a prison, befriending the in-mates, he aims to capture the disappearing traditional world of the "hand-tap" style art-form. There are under a dozen remaining in the world that know this style, and he believes in keeping it alive. He's done another film about Bali. We talked about his current research, trying to find the Jugun Ianfu, or what were "comfort women" for Japanese colonialists. Near the borders of Indonesia and Timor Leste, at 14 to 16 years old, they'd get large tattoos to be spared being chosen for this. They're now around 90, and he's trying to wade the difficult waters of finding them. Very nice to meet you, Panca. Until next time.  You can read a bit about Panca's journey, in a VICE Indonesia article by Dea Karina.  Click here to do that.

BBDKK in Jogja

To Jogja!  One of my favorite cities on the planet.  This is BBDKK. Opening reception for "A Quiet Universe", which was nice. One of their members played a metal rod with bike parts as strings. I don't know the specifics, but I asked him about it and he said it was inspired by the group Senyawa. Good job Rully and Wukir! Chill night. It was Indra's birthday, and I asked him what his favorite spot to eat in Jogja was. He told me, an italian pizza joint. It was still open. Off we went, just in time for last order. We then decided it was a good idea to go get tacos down the street. These were good decisions, really, considering the lack of this type of stuff in N.E. China. We bode farewell to Indra. A few beers with the J's, and left the night as true gluttons. Another Happy Birthday to you, Uncle Indra. Thanks for the nice night. Today : Prambanan round 2.

Prambanan

Prambanan Temple. My second visit here. Really, just as good as the first. This, and the other main one around Jogja, you cannot go wrong with. Everyone seems to have to so much joy to be there. You'll get a boatload of selfie requests, first in a group, then they want to go one by one. I honestly do not mind, as everyone is so giddy about it, and not in a shitty way. You leave smiling. I think if anyone is really down and out in their life, they should just go here. We hit the grounds, and then went back to the city center, shopped Batik, and intense downpours began. Four hours of planning to hit a Sate Klathak joint, with no cars available, and around midnight, we ended up in the outskirts with Gisa, sipping on deep flavors. Indonesia is wonderful. Thanks to everyone who makes it so.

ARTMOSF at Ruang Gulma Collective

Spectacular show at Ruang Gulma Collective. Amazing space, great people. Ihsanul Fikri : "ARTMOSF, this time, is ecology. I use ecological elements. Sensor sensitive sound painting with pencil. Every scratch is the tone that represents composition of the plant. Fire reaction. I burned palm kernel as an icon for deforestation in Sumatra and Kalimantan, and they burn the forest. Minimal effect, only one, modulating pitch and shift."

Ikbal Lubys is from Malang, but this gig was at Ruang Gulma, in Yogyakarta, where he now lives. That bonkers instrument, handmade. "The guitar was made with really old railway wood. Built in 2013, it has a 4 piece knockdown system, for easier travel. The tuning is special, crossed strings, making two different areas of sound. Like percussion. Active and piezo pickups, but I never use piezo. It's better when played without guitar picks. I can get more than one sound if I turn between tuning system." This was a really great night. Off to KL for one night. This was an intensely wonderful trip, with a lot of layers, old and new.  Indonesia, once again, you've left me grinning with a full heart. 

Masakan Padang

Back in Harbin. Visions of Masakan Padang joints swimming in my head. This is Sumatran food. Eat it with your hands. Go in, and most of the time, you either choose, or they'll pile up all the dishes they have, in front of you. You're only charged for what you eat. Dangerous territory when you're hungry. It feels better than I thought it would, to be back in China. Familiar territory. Back to work on all fronts. Refreshed. Started a brutal new semester of school. Still working on the new film. Spinning plates. Plans I deemed set in stone, I'm already thinking of delaying. Strange calm with this decision. Not much else to do than keep rolling, do the best I can on it all, and let it play out how it may. 

Lots happening this year.  Thanks for following along.

Onward.

Meizhiyong and Changchun friends plan Harbin takeover! Incoming gig!

Incoming noise to Harbin, Heilongjiang!  It can be very difficult to get gigs together up here, but we've done it twice, and we're about to do it again.  Largely thanks to "The Door", who is letting us do basically whatever we want, we've got a killer one coming up on March 15th!

Meizhiyong joins forces with a crew of other people, including a fellow from Sweden!

Full line-up : 

粗糙影像（psychedelic rock 迷幻摇滚）changchun长春

PRCM (noise 粗噪音）(CN）

... (NIKO) notebook noise 笔记本噪音/CH瑞士

LGOOOO（experimental guitar 实验吉他）changchun长春

Consider everybody here super excited.

If you have any friends in Dongbei, let 'em know.  

Until next time,

- Yingling

Incoming : The World Underground - Episode 2

Hello from Northeast China.  Things are going well.  I'm keeping my head in the sand for a while, editing Episode 2.  Here's how it should look.  I'm excited, and hope to release it by summer.  New live recordings will start going up on the "LISTEN" page.  Thanks for following along.  Much to come.

All the best,

John Yingling

"The Astounding Underground of Indonesia"

Hey all,

I've finally published a staggeringly long article on Impose Magazine, about our trip to Indonesia.

There's a lot to explore here.  Head over and settle in.

An interview with Broke In Korea...

Interview in issue #22 of "Broke in Korea" alongside a mess of other great people, artists, bands, and things I had no idea about. Thanks to Kyle Decker, Jon Dunbar, and all who make this thing.  It's never easy, but always, mostly, sometimes worth it.  

Click HERE to read the whole deal, which I recommend you do.

A missed opportunity, rectified.

Two days ago was Indonesia's 70th independence day. I was running on zero sleep, because we're trying to finally get back on a "normal" schedule. There was a parade right outside of our place, and the sounds went in one ear and out the other. It totally eluded me until I looked outside. Shit!

I ran downstairs in my pajamas and tried to get some good video. Wrong shutter speed. It's crap. I was pissed. So when Indra told me there was a parade today to kick off Festival Kesenian Yogyakarta, I beamed. I spent half the day mailing our Chinese VISA forms to Chicago via the only FedEx in Jogja. That was fun. Got home, grabbed my gear, and headed out early. Redeemed! Video should look amazing. Great day. Tomorrow : Jogja Noise Bombinghit the festival with Junichi.

Kombo #8

Back into the woods. Behind Wangi Artroom // Kedai Koppi Bell, Kombo 8 began.

 Junichi Usui from Tokyo joined in this time. He played a Shō, which if my research is correct, is derived from the Chinese 笙 (Sheng). Each musician played a set of their own, and then they melded together to form an improvised collaboration.

The final performer was a bit late, but got there, then taking the concrete space near the cafe. The sun was down then, so only the lanterns lit the electronics as Junichi came in with improv claps, metal clanks, his violin, the call to prayer over the loudspeaker and the crickets adding even more layers to it all. Another wildly imaginative day organized byJimi, Satya, and crew. Excellent.

"TO DIE"

"TO DIE." Jogja. Indra Menus' collaborative noise project. Supposedly constantly changing form, members, and sound. It's all an experiment. A show with Made Dharma 's hardcore / grind jam Warmouth, who played last because they're "too loud" and were cut short near the end due to neighborhood complaints. Happens everywhere. 

Gisela Swaragita and Seahoarse brought some refreshing reverb pop style stuff that'll mix great with all of this chaos. Today was a travel day.

We trekked clear across Java, south of Jakarta, to a city called Bogor. Saturday, there's a 12 band bill. A birthday party, for a baby...named Nirvana.

Nobody thinks this is as funny as we do.

Halo, Bogor. I like you already

Belkastrelka

Belkastrelka. Jogja. Indra Menus pick us up and brings us to the Malioboro area by motorbike. Tonight was a meet-up for Yogyakarta's chapter of Soundcloud users. Oxen Bar. A beautiful out-door patio stage. After a few low-key acoustic acts, Asa Rahmanabrings some heavy Bjork / CocoRosie vibes while her husband Yennu busts on a guitar plugged into a spread of pedals.

A fitting soundtrack to this city. Noise is a concern in this area, like many. You could tell they were turned way, way down. Perhaps we can organize a louder round two upon our return in September. Tomorrow : Electronics labs and synthesizer discussions.

Jogja, Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta. Jogja. Whatever you choose to call it, I already like it here. It's the only region in Indonesia headed by a monarchy. Indra Menus meets up with me. He's an archival nerd after my own heart, compiling a backlog of recordings I know all too well.

This is another important hub of noise kids, building synths out of Nintendo's, found and made objects, whatever they can make work. We walk around the central market area, and end at a coffee shop ran by his friend. The amount of dark spaces here that house expertly crafted products amazes me. You just have to know where to look. I finally meet Lintang Radittya, who makes something he calls the "Javanese Modular". Great conversations. Heavy week coming. 

A new generation of noise heads

How do you ensure a new generation of noise kids? Sit them down workshop style, and teach them how to create simple instruments out of pencils. Today was supposed to be a rest day, but Aoki Chan suggested we go to this, and we're really glad we did.

I did not expect to see a large group of young kids sitting around, super interested to learn about circuitry, soldering instruments together. We left after four hours, and they were still smiling, eager to learn. Oo Uncletwis, Helmi Hardian, and many others have a collective called Waft - Lab, doing this across Indonesia and Thailand. Inspiring. Time for bed. Tomorrow : 15 bands in one day.

Klepto Opera in a Graveyard

Surabaya. Day one and we head to an old graveyard, tagging along with KLEPTO OPERA, a super unique psyche / grunge / noise act who've been going for over 15 years. They were shooting a video for a new song "Menggilas Dunia". Most of the graves dated back to the mid 1800's, and over 60% of them were dug up by looters. Though they're playing fierce for this band photo, they were ridiculously nice. Though it's Ramadan, obviously not everyone is fasting. A first warung meal next to a skate park that was ridiculously busy by the time we left. Tomorrow, a noise set on the streets. "Noise Bombing" : Round 1. Super glad to be here, Indonesia.

Nice Legs, MACMANAMAN...Hello, Japan!

Seoul ended well.  Nice Legs are a trippy, heated three piece led by Lauren Walker, who just so happened to be the cousin of an old friend from High School.  I can't make this stuff up.  Many thanks to Ollie and Shai for hosting us, and helping along the way.  We ended in Busan at a bar called "Basement", and local GENIUS blew me away.  Look them up.  Excellent.  

Fukuoka, Japan kicks things off with a seriously stacked 6 band bill.  Everything from Hendrix style stoner licks, to this bat-shit crazy math rock band called MACMANAMAN.  Cheers, Japan.  

Seoul, Korea

South Korea. Dalian was a trip, and the ferry, even more-so. A sleeper float which was actually quite comfortable. Xie, the leader of Wang Wen, left us with hugs and a bottle of 11 year old whiskey.  Korea is when this starts to get heavy. Today, we rest from the trek. Tomorrow, we finally meet the Yamagata Tweakster, GT Arpe. Elated. Over 20 bands I have never seen in the next 16 days. It just gets more and more gnarly from here. Can't wait to dig into this country. Refreshing already.