Making the right noises

Ear-piercing feedback and distorted, throbbing rhythms might not appeal to the average music listener. But for Beijing-based noise band Hot & Cold, noise is a way of life.

The band is made up of Canadian brothers Joshua and Simon Frank, and has existed in some form since 2006. "We played in a punk band in India; we're influenced by music from different cultures," says Simon.

The band's unique brand of confrontational, experimental rock music has won them a growing fan base in Beijing and Shanghai, where noise music is more popular. "It's more extreme in Shanghai, there are a lot of noise performers there," says Joshua.