Originality is one of music’s most precious commodities and a trait that Yunggiema has in spades. With a sound rooted in the traditions of her Monpa ancestry, the singer is both revered in indie-folk circles and a former runner-up on Chinese Idol.
Despite enjoying a sizable fanbase, the singer is just putting the finishing touches to her debut album. Scheduled for a May release, it will be preceded by a four-city national tour that stops off in Beijing (Yugong Yishan, April 15), Shanghai (MAO Livehouse, April 17), Guangzhou (Fei Livehouse., April 22) and B10 (April 23).
Seven years in the making, The Secret Land of the Lotus is a “tribute to my Mêdog hometown.” With an estimated 80,000 Monpa people in the world, Yunggiema immortalizes the grueling trek that brought her ancestors from East Bhutan to Tibet over three centuries ago, where an estimated 25,000 Monpa people now reside.
Tracks like ‘Sad Song’ capture the loneliness of the months-long barefoot journey that members of the Monpa made escaping from a tyrannical leader to a secret land mentioned in Padmasambhava’s sutra.
Others like ‘Pray for the Eternal Beauty’ capture the serenity of Mêdog – a geographically lush paradise full of wild animals, which was the last county without permanent road access in China.
She credits her grandmother for teaching her ancestral songs and melodies “ever since I began to learn how to sing.” While her aunt is a Sichuan Conservatory of Music graduate dedicated to preserving these ancient songs, Yunggiema originally studied performance art at Communications University of China in Beijing.
“I was about to graduate from school when I met Song Yuzhe from Dawanggang in Lhasa in 2009,” she says. “After that, I gave up my dreams to be a dramatic actress and pursued music.”
She joined the folk favorites before moving on to a solo career inspired by her ancestral story. An immediate hit in the indie world, Yunggiema’s profile was exponentially elevated by her performance on the 2013 season of Chinese Idol.
“My teacher encouraged me to do it,” she explains. “She was very concerned about me, and wanted more people to hear the sound of my voice. At first I was hesitant, but a lot of my friends were supportive despite some opposition from the independent music community.”
She remains surprised that she did so well on the show, immediately enchanting mainstream audiences with her ethereal voice and unique backstory.
Other indie favorites like Mongolian fusion rockers Hanggai and Beijing blues group Hoochie Coochie Gentleman have since followed in her footsteps, flooring mainstream audiences with their distinct sound.
While big names such as the Mainland’s original rocker Cui Jian have since recruited Yunggiema on projects, she modestly notes, “My life didn’t change too much after. I am who I am.”
That earthy nature can be found throughout Yunggiema’s music. With tracks that range from sparse traditional arrangements to modern orchestration inspired by Portishead and Massive Attack, Yunggiema has crafted a sound that is wholly her own.
Although she boasts the potential to become a global world music star like Sa Dingding, Yunggiema downplays any larger musical ambitions.
“I just sing and express myself to the best of my abilities,” she says. “My biggest concern is how people connect with my music. I hope they find it comforting.”
Yunggiema Tour
Beijing: Apr 15, 9pm, RMB120-150. Yugong Yishan.
Shanghai: Apr 17, 9pm, RMB120-150. MAO Livehouse, see event listing.
Guangzhou: Apr 22, 9pm, RMBTBA. Fei Livehouse.
Shenzhen: Apr 23, 8.30-10pm, RMB120-150. B10.
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