American surfs wave of PRD’s music scene

Cynthia Song

Curt Zimpfer said he is riding a wave in Shenzhen. While the economic reforms in the Pearl River Delta have unleashed a flood of economic growth, Zimpfer is part of a more recent budding music scene in the area.

“Music just exploded in my life here, without any expectation,” Zimpfer said. “Music festivals are growing and gaining popularity. It’s interesting to watch the industry being built and it’s cool to be part of it.”

Zimpfer said when he first came to Shenzhen, there was only one bar where people could play music.

And then things changed.

In 2014 a rock and soul festival was successful.

“Something really awesome is happening here,” he said. “The hard work of a few people is starting to turn into something interesting.”

Zimpfer, originally from Philadelphia, the United States, plays the guitar or bass in two bands, Dragon Turtle and Funk Shui.

The 25-year-old won a “best bass player” award in a Battle of the Bands in Guangzhou in November 2015, with Dragon Turtle taking second place.

A month earlier, his band was the winner of the Zhongshan leg of the same competition, and he was named best guitarist.

On Dec. 5, the young musician had his first solo album, “Be Weird,” released on iTunes.

Zimpfer made the decision to come to Shenzhen over three days in August 2013. As a major in English and music, and wanting to travel, he accepted a job offer from a language institute in Shenzhen.

“I love my job, partly because my mother was a teacher. Also being a teacher is humbling. It brings me back to earth,” Zimpfer said.

A teacher in the daytime, Zimpfer plays music at night.

At first, it was just occasional performances, but joining a band opened a door for him. The success of a friend’s album in spring 2014 inspired him. He started writing songs for his album in July 2015, and finished writing and recording in October.

“I admit that the sound quality on this album is not the greatest. ... I ask only to be judged on creativity and musical originality,” Zimpfer wrote on his album’s introduction.

“I made the recordings in my bedroom,” Zimpfer added.

Zimpfer describes his album’s music as happy and groovy.

“The message behind the album is that it’s OK to be who you want to be in this community. That’s why it is named ‘Be Weird,’” he said.

“I have planned to move back to home or to other countries. But ... I can’t leave, because of the growing music scene. I have to ride the wave.”