Hiperson (Chinese: 海朋森; pinyin: Hǎipéngsēn) is a Chengdu-based indie rock band founded in 2012. The style of the band's music has post punk and garage influences, and incorporates spoken word poetry.
Hiperson 海朋森 | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Chengdu, China |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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Currently, the band has five members: Chen Sijiang on vocals; Ji Yinan and Liu Zetong on guitar; Wang Minghui on bass; and Wang Boqiang on drums.
Career
editHiperson was founded in Xindu, Chengdu at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music when guitarists Ji Yinan and Liu Zetong met as classmates; the two met vocalist Chen Sijiang through a mutual friend. Former bassist Huang Rentao and drummer Chen Qingkai were also classmates.[1] The name of the band was conceived as a phrase, "hi, person": "like a non-human entity viewing things that occur in the human realm."[1][2]
The band was signed to Maybe Mars after opening for now-labelmate P.K. 14.[3] Under Maybe Mars, Hiperson released their debut album, No Need For Another History (Chinese: 我不要别的历史; pinyin: Wǒ bùyào bié de lìshǐ), which was produced by Yang Haisong and recorded at Psychic Kong Studio in Beijing.[2] Their second album, She Came Back From the Square, was recorded live at the band's practice room in Chengdu and released by Maybe Mars in 2018.
In 2019, the band released an EP titled Four Seasons, which was released by London-based label Damnably. The record was a departure from the more garage rock sound of their previous releases, with elements of dance music and bedroom pop.[4][3]
In 2020, the release of the album Bildungsroman was meant to be followed with a tour of Europe and the US, as well as a performance at American music festival South by Southwest, which were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] In 2023, the band collaborated with indie rock band Fazi on a song for the acclaimed television drama The Long Season.[5] They reportedly declined to participate in Chinese music competition show The Big Band.[6]
Musical style
editBands which have inspired Hiperson include Shuh Tou, P.K. 14, Fugazi, Talking Heads,[2] Sonic Youth, and Shellac.[7] The sound of their 2020 album Bildungsroman was influenced by the compositions of Pauline Oliveros. Their music also includes jazz, emo, and spoken word elements, and has been compared with Siouxsie and the Banshees.[8][9] Their recording style varies drastically between albums, from the more DIY, unpolished style of She Came Back From the Square and No Need For Another History to the clean, professional studio recordings in Bildungsroman.[2]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Date of release | Album | Producer | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 April 2015 | 我不要别的历史 (No Need For Another History) | Yang Haisong | Maybe Mars |
| 3 May 2018 | She Came Back From the Square | Maybe Mars | |
| 24 July 2020 | 成长小说 (Bildungsroman) | Ji Yinan |
EPs
edit- 15 November 2019 - Four Seasons EP
Singles
edit- 13 November 2019 - 昼夜 (in collaboration with FAZI)
References
edit- ^ a b Ng, Kristen (2015-04-20). "Lest We Remember, Lest We Forget: Interview with Hiperson 海朋森". KIWESE. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ a b c d e Basbas, Franchesca Judine (2021-03-19). "Introducing: Hiperson on making an album in lockdown and playing sold-out shows in China amidst a global pandemic". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ a b Ng, Kristen (2020-08-08). "Hiperson Reconstruct Narratives on Bildungsroman". KIWESE. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ Feola, Josh (10 January 2020). "Yin: Chengdu Band Hiperson Show New Depths on Recent EP "Four Seasons"". RADII. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ Yang, Caini (2023-05-05). "The Underground Bands Playing Out China's Hit TV Show". Sixth Tone. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
- ^ He, Qitong (2023-12-30). "For Chinese Rock Bands, a Shortcut to Fame Comes With Questions of Integrity". Sixth Tone. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
- ^ McNamara, Patrick. "((Hiperson)) Band Profile and Upcoming New York City Concerts". Oh My Rockness. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ Smith, Collin (2020-04-22). "The Fresh, Inventive Sounds of Contemporary Chinese Post-Punk". Bandcamp Daily. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ Grogan, Bryan (2020-07-28). "Meet Hiperson, Your New Favorite Band". RADII. Retrieved 2024-10-07.