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Xiaojuan's songs in the key of life

By Zhang Junmian: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, August 23, 2012

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For eleven years, Xiaojuan, the lead vocalist of the independent Chinese folk band "Xiaojuan & Residents from the Valley", and her soul mate, guitarist Xiaoqiang have been singing regularly in the evening at Moon River Resort's buffet restaurant in Tongzhou District, Beijing, six days a week, from Tuesday to Sunday.

Xiaojuan, the lead vocalist of the independent folk band "Xiaojuan & Residents from the Valley", has forged her own unique path through the purity of her music and her life-affirming attitude. [Photo by Zhang Junmian/China.org.cn]

Xiaojuan has been performing in Beijing since 1993, when she first came to Beijing from Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province. She decided to stay in Beijing and pursue her dream of becoming a folk singer. "We first sang at Lieqimen Beer House [now dismantled] in Zhongguancun, an information technology hub in Beijing," she recalled. "Then we performed temporarily at one of the Rogers' chain restaurants, and then later, in 2001, we began performing at Moon River."

Despite the change of location, many of Xiaojuan's die-hard fans from her Zhongguancun days have followed her to Moon River, inspired by both her music and her message. It appears the feeling is mutual. "Actually they are also my friends who were with me as I grew up," said Xiaojuan. "We gave each other strength to face up to life's different challenges."

From her days as an obscure bar singer to her current status as the Chinese mainland's most renowned female folk singer, Xiaojuan simply loves singing, no matter how large or small the audience. "Singing has become part of my life, and I never really chased success or stardom," she said. "I just do what I like every day, that is, singing, and it brings me great happiness and contentment."

Influenced largely by folk bands such as Brothers Four and the 1960s American trio of Peter, Paul and Mary, Xiaojuan is best-known for her poised, unpretentious and deeply-moving singing style. Critics have written glowing of her songs, describing them as being like "the gentle wind from the valley, which has a magic power to heal the spent mind and restless spirit in a world of hustle and bustle".

Her songs are a reflection of her thoughts and feelings and are often accented by references to natural scenery. She is also known for her interpretations of other classical folk songs.

Xiaojuan, who also suffers from infantile paralysis, has also overcome a number of hardships since her move to the capital. "Life was really hard for me in 1993 when I first came to Beijing," she recalled. "In the most extreme instance, I had only 50 yuan for my daily expenses after I'd paid my rent, and I had to stretch that out over a whole month," she said. "Yet I never thought of giving up singing. You know, you feel fulfilled when you are doing something you really like. "

Xiaojuan majored in accounting at university, but she sensed that it would not make her happy in the long term.

Then in 1998, Xiaojuan and her partners founded the band “Xiaojuan & Residents from the Valley”. Besides Xiaojuan and Xiaoqiang, the band now has two other members: Xiaoguang on flute, harmonica and keyboard, and Arai Soichiro on drums.

Members of Chinese folk band "Xiaojuan & Residents from the Valley" (from left to right): Arai Soichiro on drums, lead vocalist Xiaojuan, Xiaoguang on flute, harmonica and keyboard, and Xiaoqiang on guitar. [File Photo]

The band has become increasingly popular, both in Beijing and other cities, mainly through word-of-mouth. However, despite its success, the band is determined to retain its independence for the sake of musical integrity "In this way [being independent], we are not restricted by various requirements. There's no doubt that we have met with many difficulties, especially financial. Fortunately, though, we have always had a lot of friends who appreciate us and are willing to help us. We have never sought overnight fame and fortune. We simply care about making music and doing it to the best of our ability."

Xiaojuan doesn't worry about the band's future, even though its music is generally regarded as being "non-mainstream". "Folk music is simple, sincere, natural and free," she explained. "It's like a simple but cozy home for travelers who, exhausted by their hard journey, wish to find a tranquil spot to rest. That's why we have more and more fans of all ages."

Apart from staging live performances and holding concerts, the band has released six albums so far: "The Past as the Wind"(2006) , "Recall the Past"(2007), "Red Cloth and Green Flowers"(2008), "Music from the Valley"(EP, Hong Kong,2009), "From Taipei to Tamshui"(2010), and "City in C Major"(2012).

The albums, mostly reinterpretations, also include nearly 50 songs written by Xiaojuan, including her very first piece-"Blue outside the Window", written in 1993-- as well as "Residents from the Valley", "My Home" and "Red Cloth and Green Flowers".

The band's latest release, "City in C Major" takes in such themes as poetry, music and freedom. The album is dedicated to the renowned, late Chinese poet, Gu Cheng. In 1998, Xiaojuan, deeply impressed by Gu's early works, put his words to music. Gu's father and sister were deeply touched by Xiaojuan's interpretations of Gu's poetry and were amazed that his works could be blended with music so perfectly.

"City in C Major" (2012), latest release of Chinese folk band "Xiaojuan & Residents from the Valley", is dedicated to the renowned, late Chinese poet, Gu Cheng. [File Photo]

Success and recognition are now becoming increasingly common currencies for Xiaojuan, who first came to the public's attention in 1994, when she performed her original unaccompanied piece, "Beautiful Soul", for the album "Rock Beijing II".

Then, In 2005, Xiaojuan's reinterpretation of "Red Snow Lotus", written by well-established contemporary Chinese folk representative Hong Qi, based on a popular Scottish ballad, became a sensational hit online, attracting millions of followers and gaining her further recognition.

Chet Lam, the renowned Hong Kong-based independent "city-folk" singer-songwriter, has also been effusive in his praise of Xiaojuan's musical talent. "I feel touched by happiness every time I listen to Xiaojuan's songs," he said.

Lam invited Xiaojuan and the band to be his first-ever guest performers at his 2007 Beijing concert. He made his decision on the spur of the moment, having only been introduced to the band three days earlier. In late 2009, Lam and the band jointly held the "Meeting You" concert in Beijing, touching the audience with their captivating and beautiful interpretations of folk songs and ballads.

It is clear to anyone who has heard and been affected by Xiaojuan's captivating songs that she has forged her own unique path through the purity of her music and her life-affirming attitude. As Chet Lam has said of her: "It's a kind of divine, but still accessible feeling [when she sings], inspired by someone who can easily possess your soul when they begin to sing."

("Red Cloth and Green Flowers", by Chinese folk band "Xiaojuan & Residents from the Valley")