Slow-moving finger-picked ambient folk straddling the synthetic and organic divide – that is "The Ending Was A Typical Part", the first album by the Zurich-based duo Gūsū. It combines the tradition of playing the guzheng with electronic instruments, allowing different yet harmonious worlds to collide.

The collaboration between Xueyan Chen and Nicolas Balmer alias Gūsū was born out of their shared musical explorations in 2022 and has evolved into a dialogue of sound. Chen's guzheng, an instrument deeply linked to Chinese history, resonates with improvised and self-composed melodies, freeing its pentatonic scale from its traditional bounds. Her playing is underscored with the cryptic hum of Balmer's modular synthesizers, the deep bass and layered textures that combine the organic with the electronic. Together they create a sonorous exploration of identity, displacement and unity.

Xueyan Chen has been playing the Guzheng since her early childhood. With her moving to Zurich, Switzerland she started reimagining its historical identity through improvisation and self-composed melodies. With this approach, Chen emancipates the instrument from its classical heritage, weaving a contemporary and deeply personal narrative. Nicolas Balmer meanwhile brings a contrasting yet complementary dimension with modular synthesizers, bass guitar, and electronic textures. His layered soundscapes amplify and distort the Guzheng's pentatonic timbres, enveloping them in mysterious tones and expansive harmonics.

Gūsū is a transcultural music project born from the confluence of two distinct artistic voices: Xueyan Chen and Nicolas Balmer. Together, they create a complex dialogue of sound that bridges the ancient and the modern, exploring the liminal spaces between tradition and experimentation. Gūsū's inception was serendipitous, sparked by a shared stage in late 2022. What began as spontaneous improvisations has since evolved into a profound collaboration. The duo has performed under various monikers, finding their ultimate identity in the name Gūsū, a nod to both heritage and transformation.

www.subjecttorestrictions.ch
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Written and Composed by Xueyan Chen & Nicolas Balmer
Produced by Nicolas Balmer
Vocals and Lyrics by Xueyan Chen
Mastered and Lacquer Cut by Isabel Schröer at Scape Mastering
Graphics by Emilie Meyer
A&R by Dominik André
Unterstützt von Stadt Zürich Kultur
Original Release by Subject To Restrictions Discs
Copyright 2025

Gūsū - The Ending Was A Typical Part

The Ending Was A Typical Part

Gūsū - Háizimen De Xiào Shēng II

Gūsū - 镜子后面的幽灵

Gūsū - Háizimen De Xiào Shēng I

Gūsū - Did You Ever Tried To Write

Gūsū - Standing Cross Water

Gūsū - 垂柳戏水

Gūsū - 兰亭春

Gūsū - Rural

Gūsū - Resist

Gūsū - Liúyì Wǒde Xūqiú

Be away from the edge. Steep slope.
https://links.subjecttorestrictions.ch



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Distribution: Bordello A Parigi (worldwide), The Business (USA)
Licensing: licensing@subjecttorestrictions.ch