Hi, I’m Jake — a music nerd, a bad guitar player, and a pretty decent diaper sniffer. These days I play cherry ES-335 for an audience of one (my daughter), accompanied by a small army of Donner synthesizers she’s slowly learning to destroy.
This blog is where I write about the things I can’t stop thinking about: Chinese indie music that deserves more ears, live shows worth traveling for, gear that’s fun to chase, and occasional dispatches from a career spent inside the music industry.
Chinese indie has been the throughline of everything I’ve done. I got my start as an editor at Modern Player Magazine, one of China’s best-selling music instrument publications, back when print still felt important. That job gave me a front-row seat to the scene as it was finding its footing — the DIY venues, the scrappy labels, the bands that were building something real with almost nothing. I’ve been paying attention ever since.
After a decade moving through music media, e-commerce, and artist relations, I now work as PR Manager at Donner Music, helping independent musicians get their hands on gear that doesn’t compromise. The views here are mine alone, not my employer’s.
If you’ve landed here because you’re curious about what’s happening in Chinese indie music, or you just want to read honest takes on shows and records — welcome. Stick around.
— Jake Wu