Zandari rocks on, despite new political reality

The Bohemian Betyars, a "speed-folk freak-punk" band from Hungary, will perform for Zandari Festa at 8 p.m. Sunday in Rolling Hall.

By Jon Dunbar

Zandari Festa returns for its sixth year Friday to Sunday, amid a totally new political environment that would have been unimaginable last year. But musicians -- local and foreign -- are ready for the nation's main indie music showcase.

This year's event offers 140 music acts, with more than 50 from overseas, at 11 venues around Hongik University, Seoul. Additionally, 36 delegates representing overseas festivals and labels are in town.

Many delegates have arrived days ahead of the festival so they can also attend Mu:Con, a government-run music conference.

"I usually just come over for Mu:Con," said John Kastner, representative for Canadian Music Week (CMW) and Montebello Rock Fest. "Everyone always tells me about Zandari but they've been a bit far apart for me to stay that long."

Canadian punk band Pseudo, seen here performing at Thunderhorse Tavern in Seoul, Sept. 8, will play their fifth Korean show this month at Zandari Festa at 6 p.m. Saturday in Club FF.

Last year, Zandari was held Sept. 30 to Oct. 3, while Mu:Con ran Oct. 6 to 8. But this year it ran Sept. 26 to 28, ending the day before Zandari.

"It seems like they've finally figured something out," Kastner said. "It's nice to see, because the people who will benefit from it the most are the bands."

"Mu:Con can support Zandari with its stable production and financial system and Zandari can share its more diverse musical line-up with Mu:Con," said Zandari founder Kong Yoon-young.

The culture industry has faced upheaval since last Zandari, following former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment and the arrest of then Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun for lying under oath about the government's blacklisting of artists.

But music industry insiders fell short of citing governmental housecleaning for the increased synergy between Zandari and Mu:Con.

Deer, an electronic act inspired by trip-hop and industrial founded in Hong Kong by two Mexican expats, will perform for Zandari Festa at 7 p.m. today in K-Art Didim Hall.

Another development this year is China's economic retaliation against Korea's culture and tourism industries over the deployment of a U.S. anti-missile system here.

All Chinese delegates seem to have canceled on this year's Zandari, except Pierre Blanc, a Frenchman representing Beijing's Dong Dong Festival.

"Unfortunately the diplomatic relationship between Korea and China does not allow artist development at this time," Blanc said. "I'm working worldwide, not exclusively in the Chinese or Korean market. My vision goes beyond."

Instead, he said he will connect Zandari acts with festivals in Africa.

THAAD retaliation limits opportunities for Korean musicians, such as electronic artist Aseul who signed a digital distribution deal at last year's Zandari with a Chinese agency. But the Shanghai-based company isn't coming this year and didn't answer an email from The Korea Times.

The Venopian Solitude, which started in Malaysia as a one-woman show but expanded to a seven-member band, performs for Zandari Festa at 6 p.m. Saturday in Rolling Hall.

"I think maybe it will be difficult for a while," she said, "but I expect things will get better."

Tensions have also increased due to U.S. President Donald Trump, whose protectionist policies have been negative on strategic and economic cooperation with South Korea.

"There are many concerns and challenges with the current administration," said James Minor, delegate for South by Southwest (SXSW). "To confuse matters, a great amount of incorrect information has spread and left people poorly informed."

Earlier this year, SXSW sparked controversy over a contract clause which explained that visiting artists who were entering the country without a work visa could not perform at unsanctioned events. Although the clause was nothing new, it was misunderstood by some musicians as a threat from the festival this year due to the strained political climate.

But Minor says SXSW 2017, held in March, ended up having even more overseas applications than ever.

"I was concerned there would be hesitation from artists, but what I'm seeing is reassuring," he said.

Likewise, Zandari's attendance seems little affected by the threat of war with North Korea.

"Could it happen? Sure. Are there people convinced it will happen? Definitely," said Jeff Moses, American front man of Korean punk band …Whatever That Means. "But will it actually happen? You're more likely to be struck by lightning."

Vaudou Game, an Afro-funk band hailing from Togo and France, will perform for Zandari Festa at 8 p.m. today in K-Art Didim Hall. Club FF.

The show must go on

Regardless of political tension, the musicians and delegates are ready for a wild three days in Hongdae.

"We hope Zandari will be our official introduction to the Asian market," said Canadian hip-hop artist Arlo Maverick. "Hopefully there will be delegates in attendance that like what they see and book us for shows or tours in Asia."

He also hopes to discover Korea's music scene while here.

"Zandari will be our opportunity to learn more about Korean hip-hop and network with the artists," he said. "You never know, a collaboration or two may come out of it!"

For many, this is a chance to have fun and make likeminded friends from distant lands, but also to sign deals.

"I am expecting Zandari to be a networking opportunity for us," said Jonathan Lyte of Canadian punk band Pseudo.

"We do not get a chance to socialize with bands from the East. So we are definitely hoping to make some friends and will enjoy some of the bands I have been dying to see."

"I'd like to meet someone who sends us on a fairytale world tour," said Steve C of Busan rock band Genius.

Many festivals are sending delegates for exactly that, with participating festivals including Japan's Fuji Rock Festival, Russia's V-ROX and the U.K.'s Liverpool Sound City, as well as SXSW and CMW, and many others.

Minor, who is attending Zandari for the fourth time, hopes to discover some unique acts for SXSW 2018.

"Victim Mentality is one act I saw at Zandari and immediately invited to SXSW," he said. "I randomly ended up seeing them and was completely blown away."

Korean acts have been enjoying a consistent high at SXSW since 2013, when the first K-Pop Night Out showcase was held.

"I believe the success of the Korean acts at SXSW originally stemmed from general curiosity," Minor explained. "As soon as people saw how great and unique the music was, word spread and the showcase seems to grow a bit each year."

Kastner of CMW has also seen great results from bringing bands to his festival.

"Korea is such an amazing market," he said. "I think it's about to blow wide open."

Not only does Kastner scout bands for festivals, he also has record distributor connections and even manages bands, including the Replacements and Dandy Warhols, and he brought along Toronto rock group Dearly Beloved to play Zandari and Mu:Con.

"I'm excited to come to Korea to see what I can find to bring to CMW in 2018," he said. "And if I find a good Korean band I believe in, I'll definitely get behind it and make some stuff happen."

Visit zfesta.com for the program schedule and other info.