Rock group No Party for Cao Dong spotlights Taiwan’s vibrant indie music scene

2019/01/07

Taiwan indie rock band No Party for Cao Dong plays the 34th and final date on its Same Old, Same Old world tour Jan. 5 at Legacy Taipei. Since launching the tour last June in the central city of Taichung, the group has performed its catchy, punk-inflected music to audiences in such cities as Amsterdam, New York, Singapore, Tokyo and Toronto.
 
 Sold-out crowds at venues around the globe are a testament to the abundant talent and growing following of the four-piece outfit. The band also spotlights the wider development of Taiwan’s music sector. Long renowned as an international hub of Mandarin pop, or Mandopop, today the nation also boasts a vibrant indie scene.
 
 Formed in 2012, the group is made up of lead vocalist Wood Lin, guitarist Chu Chu, bass player Sam Yang and drummer Fan Tsai. Named after Cao Dong Street on Taipei’s Yangmingshan, or Mt. Yangming, it released its debut album “The Servile” in March 2016. Hits from the 12-track record include “Wimpish,” which targets societal injustice, and “Simon Says,” a powerful expression of anger and frustration among modern youth.

The poster for the group’s 2018 world tour Same Old, Same Old is a collage of urban images from Taiwan. (Courtesy of No Party for Cao Dong)
 
 In February 2016, Cao Dong kicked off its first major tour, entertaining fans in five cities in Taiwan as well as Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China. Its second tour, titled Surging, ran from November 2016 to January 2017 and included several stops in the U.S.
 
 As an indie group, Cao Dong relies on social media to reach out to audiences at home and abroad. “We don’t have a large budget, so we use channels like Facebook, Instagram and Weibo as well as music streaming platforms to connect with fans around the world,” said Lee Hsiao-tzu, the band’s producer.

In 2017, the group hit the mainstream, receiving nominations in six categories at the Golden Melody Awards, Taiwan’s equivalent of Grammys organized by the Ministry of Culture. It took home the honors for best new artist and best music group as well as song of the year for grunge hit “Simon Says.”
 
Cao Dong was also one of eight rising stars showcased at the Golden Melody International Festival held in June on the eve of the 2018 GMAs. In addition to traveling the world last year, the band was also busy working on its second album.
 
“They’re always trying to be really creative with their new tracks,” Lee said. “And in time, as they accumulate more experience, I believe they’ll further develop their unique voice.”

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=19&post=148194)