Mark your calendar

By

Chen Nan

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-21 14:05

Singers and bands from Thirteen Month Records return to the capital after treating fans to a three-day music festival on Golden Beach in Shandong province's Qingdao city last weekend.

Ma Tiao, a veteran singer-songwriter who has been active in Beijing's bar scene for years, is known for writing some of the popular songs performed by singer Lao Lang.

Ma has dazzled music lovers since signing with 13 Month, an indie record label working with some of China's most important music writers.

The native of Kelamayi city, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, infuses his hometown's traditional musical instrumentation into his music.

Xinjiang elements can also be heard in his singing style and lyrics. He uses his guitar to play chord progressions and melodies usually created using Xinjiang instruments in his songs.

Chuan Zi, a folk singer-songwriter and owner of a music bar in the southern part of the capital, has a special place in the record company.

He wrote more than 100 songs during the eight years he spent in prison.

Although he'd never planned on launching a music career, his soft voice and self-questioning lyrics thrust him into fame.

Unlike other singers, Chuan Zi performs with only a dog and a guitar. The pooch has joined him on stage for a decade.

He has released his first album earlier this year.

Other performers include the bands Shan Ren, from Yunnan province, and Nan Wu, which combines Chinese folk songs with heavy metal.

8 pm, tonight. Starlive, third floor of Tango Club, north of Yonghegong Qiao. 6425-5677

星光现场，雍和宫桥北

Chen Nan