五條人

chinese folk folk rock alternative rock indie folk

Wu Tiao Ren（五条人，The Five Men） is a folk-rock band from Haifeng County, Guangdong Province, China, known for their use of the Haifeng dialect, rough-and-tumble style, and concern for rural life. Wu Tiao Ren was formed in March 2009 by two Haifeng natives, "A Mao" (lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist) and "Ren Ke" (lead vocalist, electric guitarist, accordionist, and harmonica player). Wu Tiao Ren members are not classically trained. Their music mostly narrates past people and events using commoner language, focusing on surrounding circumstances, and serving as a record of rapid societal transformation. In these accounts, the creators themselves are part of the subjects they depict. Wu Tiao Ren's dialogue, shouts, and curses are easily reminiscent of the local customs and folkways of Haifeng and Lufeng. Different from the generally "healing" tone of typical folk music, Wu Tiao Ren's themes often revolve around the cultural differences between urban and rural areas and the conflict between globalization and localism. Some critics suggest that Wu Tiao Ren's music is not folk music in the true sense, but a combination of folk, rock, and local vernacular street performance. Songs by Wu Tiao Ren are much of southern flavor. Upon hearing the sound of their guitars and accordions (sometimes harmonicas or jew’s harps), one can feel a breeze blowing from this small seaside town, bringing along understandable whispers of the ocean. Once you lend your ear to their songs, t...