DBG #14 Zhang Xiaobing | Goodbye Lennon
dabaoge.net
Location: Beijing
Artwork: Nini Sum @ Idlebeats.com
Spending the afternoon in Chengdu with Zhang Xiaobing and his smiley, hippy accomplice Zhang Ruoshui was something like I imagine it would have been like hanging outwith a young Bob Dylan and John Lennon. To put this reference in context, we have it on good authority that Xiaobing has penned just as many songs as Dylan (at least for his age). He’s written hundreds of songs, mostly during his years as a student of Sichuan University: the very campus we met him on in Spring 2012 to capture a very special version of his provincial swagger, “Goodbye Lennon”.
It would be easy to find political reference in the lyrics. But that wouldn’t do justice to the debris of influences, collected from East and West of the digital wall and cemented into this contemporary folk tune.A musical reference to John Lennon seems far too abstract (at least in this tune), but his ideology is an obvious inspiration. We’re picking up subtle vibes of naïve, youthful ambitions that fade out, the uncomfortable reality of being pushed into the world before you’re ready and the legacy spawned by those who chose their own path and either fell or were cut down – as Lennon himself was. It’s precisely this youthful innocence that leaps off the screen at 3min 05 sec as the sunshine from a beaming student, rains down on Xiaobing and Ruoshui as they shimmy past. It’s our favourite moment in the film and a reminder that the spirit of youth and music go hand in hand.
This is the first in a series of videos we shot on the road, early in 2012. This is just the beginning. Expect a handful more DaBaoGe films from Chengdu, Chongqing and Wuhan. Goodbye Lennon, hello Chengdu.
Andy & Charles
DaBaoGe (打包歌)
It would be easy to find political reference in the lyrics. But that wouldn’t do justice to the debris of influences, collected from East and West of the digital wall and cemented into this contemporary folk tune.A musical reference to John Lennon seems far too abstract (at least in this tune), but his ideology is an obvious inspiration. We’re picking up subtle vibes of naïve, youthful ambitions that fade out, the uncomfortable reality of being pushed into the world before you’re ready and the legacy spawned by those who chose their own path and either fell or were cut down – as Lennon himself was. It’s precisely this youthful innocence that leaps off the screen at 3min 05 sec as the sunshine from a beaming student, rains down on Xiaobing and Ruoshui as they shimmy past. It’s our favourite moment in the film and a reminder that the spirit of youth and music go hand in hand.
This is the first in a series of videos we shot on the road, early in 2012. This is just the beginning. Expect a handful more DaBaoGe films from Chengdu, Chongqing and Wuhan. Goodbye Lennon, hello Chengdu.
Andy & Charles
DaBaoGe (打包歌)
