Jon StojanSchoolgirl byebye, a name quietly rising in the music world, recently completed their first 7-city tour in the United States, marking not just a series of performances but a cross-cultural musical journey. From the seaside of Seattle to the bustling streets of New York, their music traversed the American continent, bringing a unique musical experience to each city. The tour, nearly sold out at every venue, especially in Los Angeles where fans lined up early, highlighted the band’s immense overseas appeal and influence. This tour not only validated the band’s prowess but also garnered them more recognition and attention on the international music scene.
US tour . Los Angeles . Lodge room
US tour . Los Angeles . Lodge room
Following the tour, the band’s collaboration single “Automatic” with American band inner Wave quickly became a hit on Spotify. The song’s success marked a breakthrough in the international music market for the band and signaled a bold attempt and transformation in their musical style. Subsequently, their all-English EP “Lunch Poem” further showcased the band’s musical diversity, from the Eastern melodies of “Lunch Poem” to the Western metaphors of “Eat me alive.” Each track displayed the band’s unique musical understanding and creative talent, enriching their musical palette and winning them more fans and attention worldwide.
Schoolgirl byebye stands out with its unique musical style and commitment to independent production, thanks largely to core members—lead vocalist and guitarist YangYue and drummer Xu mengsu. Not just partners in life, they are soulmates on their musical journey. Their meeting seemed destined, beginning in the campus of Nanjing Arts Institute, where not only was their love born but also their musical dreams.
Xu mengsu&YangYue
Xu mengsu’s artistic journey started at age 5 with vocal training, quickly revealing her musical talent. In 1999, as the lead singer representing China at the Macau handover ceremony, she performed “Song of the Seven Sons,” marking an important start in her artistic career and infusing her future musical path with a deep sense of national identity and mission. Her talent extended to literature in high school, winning an award at the 9th New Concept Writing Contest. Such cross-disciplinary explorations became an integral part of her musical creativity. Majoring in film and television production at Nanjing Arts Institute, she laid the groundwork for becoming the band’s music video director. Post-graduation, her experiences ranging from writing for “Hit Light Music” magazine to participating in Gang of four’s China tour enriched her music with cultural depth and social responsibility.
Contrasting Xu mengsu’s diverse artistic background, YangYue showed a natural talent and passion for music from a young age. Studying violin performance and classical music composition under Professor Li Yuanwo at Nanjing Normal University, he delved deeply into the art of music. At Nanjing Arts Institute, YangYue quickly became a key figure in Nanjing’s independent music scene, contributing to its growth. In 2012, his 12-stop tour in China with the band drew wide attention. From 2011 to 2016, he was active in China’s largest Midi Music Festival and Strawberry Music Festival, headlining the Shanghai Midi Festival in 2013, significantly boosting his music influence and contributing to the independent music scene in China.
In 2015, YangYue and Xu Mengsu founded Schoolgirl byebye, starting a new chapter in their musical collaboration. The band quickly gained attention for its unique style and profound artistic expression, performing in nearly a thousand shows, including many at China’s renowned music festivals. Beyond music creation, YangYue fostered young musicians by organizing college music competitions and festivals, providing a platform for talent and promoting the growth of music talents. He also produced records and planned singles for local bands and independent musicians, mentoring nearly a hundred students, most of whom are active in Nanjing’s independent music scene, greatly promoting the local music culture’s prosperity.
Concert scene
In just a few years, Schoolgirl byebye, led by YangYue and Xu mengsu, has rapidly risen to become a significant force in the independent music world. They have released 16 studio albums and 23 singles, with their works entering the Netease Cloud Music official chart 94 times and amassing over a billion global listens, showcasing the band’s popularity and influence. Especially notable was the “weak” EP released in September 2020, which not only sold over a hundred thousand copies but also achieved a billion streams online worldwide, marking a successful international breakthrough for the band.
Schoolgirl byebye’s tour history also confirms their artistic charm and widespread influence. From the sold-out China tours starting in 2020 to successful performances in Hong Kong and Taiwan in 2023, the band has not only won numerous fans at home but also sparked an Indie POP trend in the Asian music scene. Their music crosses cultural and geographical boundaries, engaging in exchanges and interactions with artists and fans from different countries, showcasing the possibilities and vitality of cross-cultural communication in independent music.
Looking to the future, Schoolgirl byebye’s musical journey continues. They plan to publish a novel based on the band’s creations in 2024, a cross-disciplinary attempt that not only showcases the members’ versatility but also offers fans and readers more opportunities to understand the band and its musical world. Moreover, the band’s upcoming new round of tours in Asia and Europe indicates they will continue to showcase their music on a broader stage, sharing their artistic philosophy and emotional expression with more audiences.