Josh Feola writes about music, art, and tech, with an aim to seed mutual understanding and share resonant stories about international exchange across subcultural networks. He’s written over 500 articles giving context to the dynamic cultural matrix in which he remains an active voice.
Josh was deeply embedded in China’s underground culture from 2009-2020, formerly managing iconic Beijing music venues D-22 and XP, organizing music festivals Sally Can’t Dance and BEME, and drumming in Beijing bands Chui Wan, SUBS and Vagus Nerve. As a curator and promoter he has organized more than 1,000 events in China and abroad.
Widely read and cited among academics, journalists and China-watchers worldwide, for over ten years Josh’s insight and expertise have been sought by outlets including MIT Technology Review, Dazed, The Wire, Bandcamp Daily, Artsy, Quartz, Vice, KCRW Press Play, and the New York Observer, where he co-authored an influential opinion column with Peking University economist Michael Pettis.
As a consultant and event manager, Josh has lent his expertise to organizations such as SXSW, Vans Warped Tour, Goethe-Institut and ChinaWeek LA, speaking on and moderating panels about China’s music industry while introducing audiences to live performances from notable independent Chinese artists like Carsick Cars, Snapline, Faded Ghost, Bohan Phoenix, and many others. Josh has also consulted on and programmed events for brands including Audi, Converse, and Doc Martens, and conducted extensive field interviews with high-profile figures straddling the US/China cultural divide, such as MC Jin, Jeremy Lin, and Jackson Wang.
Josh is currently working on a book with artist Krish Raghav about Beijing underground music, 1999-2019 — sign up for updates. He lives in his hometown, San Antonio, TX, with his wife Emma.