Subjam Records

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Subjam Records

Short Introduction

Subjam was established by Yan Jun in 2000. This label was involved to China's indie music, film and literature. as well as experimental, electronic, sound-poem and more genre which is difficult to define. now it's going on to spread indie music and literature.

Info by Yan Jun himself

When I first time use the term Sub Jam that's 1998. I was in very bad mood because a canceled concert which almost gathering China's first non-Beijing underground rock festival. I decided to edit and print a fan-zine. Need a title, I picked up from my few english words. Sub is related to sub-culture and something just emerging; Jam, of course it's about to make some noise together. This was a one-off fan-zine filled by reports, descriptions and philosophy articles about Chinese underground music/culture. It has spreaded for 5000 copies and still some copies here for request for free.

In 2000 my book Noises Inside was published. I included a compilation CD which contained of some early Chinese experimental/avant-garde pieces. That's the first time Sub Jam appeared as label.

In summer of 2001 I decided to release good music of my friends'. P.K. 14 (post punk), Tongue (experimental/heavy rock) and Wang Fan (avant-garde) were my first artists. Only few indie labels in China at that time. I did (and doing) that in an anarchistic method. without contract, artist hold the copyrights, non-profit and buiding by help from many friends.

Thanks to Xiao Cui and his Koudai (Pocket Music) for cooperation since 2002 to 2004.

Sub Jam released some books and films as well. I had be involved to indie film (especially documentary film) scene for two years. Afterward I was happy to quit and be a audience.

Sub Jam is also became to my alias by some related people.

In 2004, new scene rised. I hung out with FM3, Wu Quan and Wang Fan very often. We had some discussion and then start KwanYin Records for sound art/abstract music (or whatever you call it). Sub Jam stay in the fast blooming indie music scene. That's the story. You know, every story has no end...

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