Tian Qiyi release a new track recorded at Pagoda Studio

Tian Qiyi return with Watch The Sunrise, a track built around bowed string instruments from China and Mongolia, fixed to a dub-oriented rhythmic base. The single precedes the release of the full album Songs For Workers, due 28 June via Pagoda Records. The track was written and performed by brothers John Tian Qi Wardle and Charlie Tian Yi Wardle, with bass contributions from their father Jah Wobble.

Title: Songs For Workers
Artist: Tian Qiyi
Release Date: 2025-06-28
Genres: Dub, Post-punk
Label: Pagoda Records
Description: Tian Qiyi release Watch The Sunrise via Pagoda Records ahead of their new album Songs For Workers, out June 28 and featuring contributions from Jah Wobble.

The arrangement is structured with defined verses and choruses, unlike the rest of the album, which leans toward less conventional forms. The melodic line references traditional Xinjiang material, while the lyrics draw on Buddhist philosophical concepts. According to the band, the song reflects dualities such as light and dark, life and death, rationality and faith, approached from a non-theistic perspective.

The new release follows Red Mist, their 2024 debut LP, which also featured Jah Wobble across several tracks. On Watch The Sunrise, John plays drum kit, synth bass, percussion, and yangqin, while Charlie performs on morin khuur, erhu, and ghijik, in addition to vocals. The track was engineered and mixed by John at Pagoda Studio. It will appear as track five on the forthcoming album.

The full Songs For Workers LP consists of ten tracks. In addition to the title song, it includes contributions from Jah Wobble on six tracks. Other entries include Dharma, Luoyang, Siege, and Mongolian Dub. The record features production by Tian Qiyi themselves and is published by Domino Publishing and 30 Hertz.

Tian Qiyi will appear live throughout the year, with scheduled performances including Liverpool Sound City (4 May), We Are Merton Festival (5 May), and Whitby Musicport Festival (25 October).

retrofuturista

Retrofurista is a site on design, interesting things, audio visual arts, and food.