'Music is my magic'

Composer Liu Sola is dedicated to reviving ancient Chinese sounds through her contemporary, avant-garde approach. Chen Nan reports.

The rehearsal starts with a few repeating notes from a keyboard, followed by the distinctive sounds of the pipa (a four-stringed Chinese instrument). Then come the guitar riffs and drum beats.

Composer and lead vocalist Liu Sola (Liu Suola) raises her hands as she approaches the microphone and begins to sing.