Shanghai pop-rock band Jen's Curfew releases debut EP Confetti Tears at The Pearl on Sat Sep 5, 9pm. RMB100 tickets. Dark new video 'Neon Rain' features vengeful murder plot. Costume contest with RMB400 prize.
Tags:But their debut music video for 'Neon Rain' takes things in a decidedly darker direction—a vengeful protagonist, a murderous rampage, and band members getting brutally dispatched in increasingly creative ways...
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Ahead of the release of their debut EP, Confetti Tears, at The Pearl this Saturday, we sat down with the band and their director to find out how it all came together.
The Band...
Chris
Bass
Photo by Roman
The Canadian is the brains behind the band's "pop for the rock kids" sound, describing it as "Madonna through Marshall amps."
"I had an idea for an indie pop band back in 2022. I thought pop music would go over well with the rock kids.
"I started making some pop song demos and asked Jen to sing on one. She did and we just went from there."
Jen
Vocals
Photo by Roman
The Filipina frontwoman is the glitter-drenched voice of Jen's Curfew.
"Chris approached me and asked if I was interested to help out with vocals for a song he composed. I said yes!
"After that, he brought up a music project and whether I'd be interested to start a band with him.
"We met the rest of our bandmates through open mic jams and friends within the Shanghai indie scene."
Craig
Drums
Photo by Roman
The Australian—who readers might also know as the 'Tell Craig Your Story' podcast host—got a message during the Shanghai lockdown, asking if he'd like to join.
"Chris told me he'd met Jen, who was an amazing vocalist, and asked if I'd like to join the band as the drummer."
Baldwin
Saxophone
Photo by Roman
The Singaporean 'sax guy.'
"I joined the band in early 2023 as the sax guy and ended up playing in Jen's Curfew second official gig at OKOK Club.
"Stuck here ever since."
Nan
Guitar
Photo by Roman
Born and raised in Shanghai, Nan considers 'Neon Rain' his favorite song to play live.
"I really really enjoy the dual solo between guitar and sax in the end.
"Big shout out to Chris who wrote the song, and everyone in the band that makes the song even better!"
Lyssary
Keyboard
Photo by Roman
The Kunming native was recruited by Nan.
"At the beginning of this year, Nan told me they were looking for a new keyboard player and asked if I'd be interested.
"As soon as I heard the band played live regularly, I joined without hesitation."
The Director...
Fintan Kearney
The Irish filmmaker has been in China for three years.
"I had been making commercials in London and had become a little disillusioned with the industry; so I was really hungry for a complete change.
"China seemed like it might be the place to provide that change. I wasn’t wrong."
Music video making, however, was new creative territory for him.
"I'd never made a music video at any point in my career. So many of my contemporaries and the directors I look up to had started in music videos and made some of the most defining music videos of their era."
When he put out a call to bands, only Jen's Curfew and one other artist ("second music video coming soon") were truly committed.
The band gave him complete creative freedom—no briefing, no notes on the song's meaning.
"They wanted to hear my interpretation of it and really gave me a blank canvas to pitch whatever I wanted, which was just as daunting as it was fun."
The Concept...
His pitch? A dark, revenge-fueled narrative, a murderous "Yin to the band's Yang."
"Jen's Curfew as a band is all energetic indie-pop fun energy. So I was really drawn to the idea of making a video that had a darker theme that would provide a sharp dichotomy to that."
And what better victims than the band members themselves.
"Having band members take an active role in the narrative, not just perform, is a bit of an inside joke if you know them and what warm, open, and loving people they all are.
"And then to see the way in which they are brutally dispatched of is funny, to me."
The Making of...
This was no big-budget production. This was indie love, favors, and the Shanghai creative community coming together.
Says Fintan:
"A lot of favors. No record label or financier was behind this, so myself and the band pitched in what we could to the budget.
"It really opened my eyes to the incredible support people will give in Shanghai when they believe in a project and the people making it."
Then came the sponsorships—FujiFilm and SIGMA both came on board with new camera and lens tech.
"FujiFilm with their newly launched ETERNA 55 cinema camera and SIGMA also with their newly launched AIZU Prime cinema lenses, which gave the video its unique look.
"I was just blown away and humbled by the support for this project and I think it really speaks to the strength of the Shanghai creative community."
Adds Baldwin:
"The band definitely leveraged a lot on the professionalism shown by Fintan and his crew.
"It was amazing that everyone knew what they each had to do, and every one of us gave it our all."
Says Jen:
"The project would not have been possible without the help of great friends we have in the indie music, film, and F&B scene.
"The people involved believed in the vision, Fintan's direction, and the passion in creating something by collaborating with creatives all around the city.
"My dress was made by Lilicious and I adore it as she was so meticulous on integrating the music video concept into the overall look.
"To be able to make something of this caliber and of this much heart from plenty of professionals has been a dream!"
The Song...
Says Chris:
"'Neon Rain' is something we can all relate to: the drama of a breakup.
"When it happens, it feels like the whole world is in upheaval, whether we are the ones being left or the leavers.
"It describes the human condition and the melodrama of love."
Adds Jen:
"In a city as transient as Shanghai where connections are often fleeting, the story traces the emotional aftermath of heartbreak, navigating loss, identity, and quiet resilience."
Lyssary likens the to song to listening to rain grow heavier:
"As it builds, each instrument becomes more vivid and expressive, until they come together like the rain itself, giving shape to all those complicated emotions."
The Live Experience...
Says Craig:
"We take a lot of pride in our live performances. We always try to put on the best show possible, with plenty of audience participation, energy, and a fun atmosphere that everyone can enjoy."
Adds Baldwin:
"Every show is different, and there is always a new theme. You're paying for it, so we guarantee you a fantastic time.
"After all, you can't experience bubbles and glitter if it ain't live."
Lyssary offers a whimsical take:
"We bring joyful music, extravagant costumes and makeup, and an incredible party atmosphere.
"Basically we're the Kinder Surprise of bands: three good things in one."
Says Nan:
"One of the best party bands in Shanghai. We bring pure joy during the show."
For Jen, it is all about sharing that energy with the crowd.
"We have themes to allow people to be part of the performance rather than just be idle receivers.
"We believe the best performances are the ones that make the crowd feel like they are part of something bigger and that they feel included."
The EP Release...
Celebrate the release of Jen's Curfew's debut EP, Confetti Tears, at The Pearl.
Says Craig:
"It features songs we've been performing live in our set and it's exciting to finally have them available for everyone to hear."
The theme is Benchwarmer's Ball—go sports! Dress up for a costume contest with a RMB400 prize.
Expect high-energy live music, guest DJ Roisin, and signature cocktails.
Click below to get your tickets now:
Sat Sep 5, 9pm; RMB100
The Pearl, 471 Zhapu Lu, by Wujin Lu 乍浦路471号, 近武进路
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