Chantaiman’s name translates to “John Doe” in Chinese, but the band’s music is actually a beautiful homage to 90s Brit-pop and post punk. Mesmerizing melodies and simple yet effective basslines create an ambient & dreamy atmosphere for the entirety of Ordinary People, their debut LP. Stream “Need Nobody” below and name your own price for Ordinary People on Chantaiman’s bandcamp. For Fans Of: Interpol, Radiohead, The xx Social Sites: Facebook, Website, Bandcamp, Soundcloud By Ashley Aron

<a href="http://chantaiman.bandcamp.com/album/ordinary-people">Ordinary People by Chantaiman</a>

 Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Austin Lam (Guitars, Synth, Songwriter), Mic Chan (Bass, Producer, Songwriter), and Michael Cheuk (Vocals, Songwriter).

What's your hometown (or what are your hometowns)? We are all from Hong Kong, the most densely populated city in the world.

How did the band come together? How long has it been? In 2009, Austin’s old band (heavily influenced by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club) decided they need a lead singer rather than doing the dual vocals/guitars approach. They recruited Michael after a few rounds of auditions, which involved a sing-off with another potential candidate. In 2010, the band however experienced some member changes. Austin brought in Mic, his longtime friend and the best bassist he knew to complete the new lineup. With a desire to start fresh, the band was renamed to Chantaiman, which is the Chinese equivalent of “John Doe” in English. 

How have you grown since you started? We have grown exponentially in terms of musicianship and knowledge in recording. Our debut full-length, Ordinary People (2014) was recorded, mixed, and produced by ourselves. It was definitely a learning experience. Entire recording and mixing sessions were scrapped as Austin and Mic’s studio knowledge increased. We also found our musical identity during the recording and writing process of the album. During the beginning stages of the band, we referred to ourselves as playing “(Fill-in-the-blank) Rock”. But the completion of our album solidified our sound as rooted in 90s brit-pop and post-punk.

What sets you apart from other bands? Our musical vision is probably what distinguishes us from most bands. We invest time, effort, and money into Chantaiman for one reason: The love for music. Every decision related to the band revolves around our passion for music. This is why we have released our album Ordinary People for free. We are very proud of the album and would like everyone to own it without the financial obstacles.

What's the best part about being in your band? Fantastic creative chemistry is definitely the best thing about being in this band. We have deep admirations for each other’s respective musical talents, and to create music with artists you truly admire is a dream come true.

More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making? For Ordinary People, brit-pop and post-punk bands like Interpol, Blur, Radiohead, Embrace, The xx are obvious influences.