Launched in July 2020 by Fangzhou, a former radio host at EZFM, a national radio network under China Media Group, 周末变奏 Key Change has quickly gained over 70,000 subscribers across platforms, with more than 250 episodes published in 4 years.
A continuation of his previous radio show, Music Matters (2016–2021), which introduced millions of listeners in China to independent music acts, Key Change takes a broader approach. Moving beyond the upbeat indie rock and pop tunes of its predecessor, the podcast explores a wide spectrum of alternative music—from leftfield pop, ambient, and neo-classical to alternative R&B, obscure jazz and funk. Many episodes are crafted around musical themes, revisiting classic albums, exploring emerging artists and labels, or offering random observations on popular music’s role in everyday life.
The show also features conversations with rising indie artists from China and around the world. Past guests have included Super Girls (快乐女声) alumna and singer-songwriter LXY (李霄云), Taiwanese singer and actress Amber Kuo (郭采潔), Manchester-based instrumental trio GoGo Penguin, British cellist and singer-songwriter Lucinda Chua, London-via-Vancouver DJ and electronic artist Yu Su, Hong Kong-Montreal alternative duo Gong Gong Gong (工工工), Taiwan’s pop-rock sensation Fool & Idiot (傻子與白痴), and Irish rock quintet Fontaines D.C..
