In brief
As they embark on their first national tour, Varihnaz's unique combination of farming and music offers a refreshing alternative to China's fast-paced modernism, featuring lyrics that highlight agricultural life.
Before hitting the road for their debut national tour, Ba Nong, the frontman of the Chinese band Varihnaz, prioritizes an essential task: completing the summer harvest. Positioned in a picturesque field surrounded by verdant hills not far from his farm in Guangxi, Ba Nong reflects on his dual life as a musician and farmer. "The land gets to rest, and I get to go play," he remarks, highlighting the unexpected nature of managing a growing music career while tending to the fields. Varihnaz is not your typical band. Comprising two farmers and a former bricklayer, the group creates music that diverges from the conventional themes of romance and heartbreak prevalent in mainstream Chinese pop. Their lyrics focus on everyday agricultural life, discussing topics such as pesticides and poultry raising. The band’s name means “fields filled with fragrant rice flowers” in the Zhuang dialect, which resonates with their roots and the culture they are proud to represent.Fans appreciate Varihnaz for providing an authentic and refreshing alternative to the polished and commercialized entertainers that dominate China's music industry. In an age where competition is fierce and urban living often overshadows rural existence, their songs serve as a reminder of the serenity found in simpler lifestyles.Ba Nong, who is 44, hopes that through their music, he can encourage listeners to embrace diverse lifestyles and challenge societal expectations. “The more tolerant and developed a society is, the more diverse its lifestyles should be, too,” he asserts, advocating for a cultural shift that values individuality over conformity. As Varihnaz embarks on their tour, they aim to connect with fans who yearn for a slice of the pastoral simplicity that resonates through their evocative melodies.
