In the remote region of Zunyi, located northeast of Guiyang in China’s Guizhou province, a unique musical tale unfolds. The music duo Wang Meng + Yu Miao uses this area, known for its historical significance as the site of the Zunyi Conference during the Long March in 1935, as a backdrop for their creative compositions.
Known for their mesmerizing performance in Shuanghedong Cave Network, a 257km-long karst cave that is Asia’s longest, this pair is no stranger to unusual venues. Their Shanghai-based collaboration has led them to create installations for the exterior of Shanghai’s Metro-City shopping mall, perform at the Shanghai Children’s Theatre, and even debut their abstract soundscapes from the counter of a computer repair shop in Shenzhen’s Futian district.
Their divergent backgrounds – Wang Meng, a visual communication designer and an oil painter by training, and Yu Miao, a graduate of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing – help to foster a unique blend of visual and sonic art. Together, they create minimalist soundscapes complemented by visuals conjured from a laptop, allowing their music to tell the story of the Chinese lifestyle today.
Wang Meng and Yu Miao have explored this innovative fusion in their first album, “Both,” released in 2020. The album reflects China’s transformation over the past four decades, blending the deep pulsing bass of modern industry with the melodious tones of the guzheng – a 2,000-year-old Chinese instrument. Their music challenges the idea that Chinese culture must only reflect the past and insists that it should also echo the contemporary realities of a society in flux.
However, their journey has not been without obstacles. The Covid-19 pandemic brought a halt to their live performances, and lockdown measures in Shanghai disrupted their routine. Nevertheless, they used this period to produce work that reflects their isolation. They painted, took photographs, and performed live-streamed performances, resulting in a unique piece, “Yinxiang Shanghai” or “Shanghai Impressions”, capturing the experience of lockdown in a bustling metropolis.
As the world reopens, Wang Meng + Yu Miao are once again envisioning their next steps. They plan to produce music for a local theatre show and are working on a double concept album that juxtaposes gentle compositions with more percussive, noisy material. With the borders opening, they are also exploring opportunities to perform overseas. Despite the challenges faced, the duo remains a potent symbol of Chinese musical innovation and resilience.
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