Song Dongye

Born in Haidian District, Beijing, in November 1987, Song Dongye writes folk and ballad songs that sit close to the ground: quiet, narrative pieces shaped by everyday life. As a teenager he absorbed Chinese folk performers Zhao Lei and Xu Wei, along with Bob Dylan and Damien Rice. The New York Times later called his music contemplative and pointed to his appeal among young Chinese listeners, who responded to lyrics about everyday life and emotional honesty.

Song began releasing music independently on Douban in 2009. His 2010 solo album Xue Ni Hong Zhua included "Every Year" and "Hey, Pants". In 2011 he co-founded the Mayouye Folk Organization with Yao Shisan and Ma Di. The single "Miss Dong" followed in 2012 and won the Best Folk Newcomer Award at the 13th Music Billboard Annual Ceremony that April. In June 2013 Zuo Li's cover of it on the television talent show Super Boy brought the song wide national attention. That December, Anhe Bridge North won the Lu Xun Cultural Award for Music of the Year. In 2015 he performed at the Modern Sky Festival in Central Park, presenting his introspective folk to international audiences.