Interview: Yunggiema

I first caught Yunggiema on April Fool’s Day this past year, and no joke, I was literally floored by the end of her performance. If you ever are looking to hear music at it’s most pure, most hauntingly beautiful form then look no further. Yunggiema, a Menba minority, who ancestors hailed as far as Bhutan before making their way to the southeast parts of Tibet, conjures up the past in ways both fresh and modern, all the while staying true to her roots. It’s a feat that has more than once brought awe from the entire country. I was lucky enough to ask shot some quick questions towards the songstress’ way, before her show Friday night at Mako Livehouse.

Give us a little history of yourself? How did you get to where you are now?

While studying performance art at the Communications University of China, I met Song Yuzhe who started Dawanggang which I joined during my years there. After graduating, I decided to pursue music as a career.

How much did music play into your childhood?

When I was young, the first music I was exposed to was in the temples, hearing the chanting of the monks and villagers. Taking in these rituals, and the sounds of these religious instruments used cleanse my soul from that moment on to today!

How important is it to you to preserve aspects of your culture through music?

Music has no boundaries – no limits of time and space. Music can exist forever. If one day if we have nothing, no worries, we still have love. We can turn this love into a sound, which can pierce through the darkness around us. My grandmother always encouraged me to sing!

Though most of your tunes are set to traditional instruments and arrangements – you just as often add a modern touch to your songs. What was the decision-process behind adding modern beats to some of your tunes?

The soul is old – body and space have always been changing. I think my music needs to improve with the time. At the moment, the traditional elements are clashing with new modern elements – it’s more meaningful.

You often collaborate with numerous artists from all around China and the world? Do you find it easy to play alongside others? Do you find it rejuvenating in any way?

I don’t often play with too many other artists. I like taking it easy. But when the occasion comes up, it’s always delightful, and a great way to see different sides of myself.

What’s next for you?

1. Save some energy 2. Take it easy!

Thanks a bunch for the answers! Quite the romantic. Don’t forget to check out Yunggiema this Friday at Mako Livehouse. Click below for a chinese version.

能跟大家讲述一下你自己以及你是如何成为一名歌手的？
在大学快毕业时认识了大忘杠乐队的创办人宋雨哲，便加入了大忘杠乐队，毕业后就正式转行做了音乐这一行，原来在中国传媒大学就读表演本科。
音乐对你的童年有什么样的影响？
小时候感受到了第一个音乐，应该就是老人跟寺庙里的喇嘛们念经的声音，然后就是金刚舞法会时候的各种法器的声音，洗礼了我的灵魂，直到今天！
 对于你来说，你认为音乐对于保留文化起到什么作用？
音乐无国界，音乐不受时间空间的限制，它可以源远流长，如果有一天我们一无所有，不要担心，我们还有爱，我们可以把爱变成声音，穿透一切黑暗！我奶奶只鼓励我一直唱下去！
尽管大多数你的音乐都采用了传统的乐器。但是你也经常会加进一些新的元素在你的歌曲中。为什么你要加入这些元素？
灵魂是旧的，身体跟空间一直在变，我认为我的音乐也很需要与时俱进！在这个时代，传统跟新的元素的碰撞会更有意义！
你经常会和国内以及国外非常出众的人一起合作演出。你觉得和他们并肩演出容易吗？你认为能丛中找到灵感吗？
 不经常的事情，我更喜欢一切都随缘，当然这种碰撞跟交流是很愉快的事情，而且从中会看到更多面孔的自己！

你的下一步计划是什么
1，积蓄能量，2，一切随缘！