Zhao Lao Da（赵老大）is a singer-song writer originally hailing from Yinchuan, the capital city of the Hui Muslim, semi-autonomous region of Ningxia. Lao Da now makes his home in Beijing though he retains a strong connection with his home province. His ragged style of music blends the so-called ‘West Wind Folk,’ synonymous of western China with some foreign influences as well as more contemporary styles, making Lao Da’s unique sound difficult to pinpoint. Years of heavy whisky and tobacco usage appear to be taking their toll on Lao Da, who complains of health problems, but he retains a youthful impudence and sly smile that seems to indicate that Lao Da shall be around for some time yet. We caught-up with him before his show in Yi Du Tang in Shenzhen, for a quick chat.

B.C. Is this your first time in Guangdong?

L.D. No, I’ve been here many times before. I spent a long while down here way back, oh… [Lights a cigarette, looks to the ceiling, appears to forget what he’s saying.]

B.C. What is your impression of Shenzhen this time?

L.D. It’s really good. I like it. When I came here before it was a bit disorderly but it has changed a lot. The south has been opening up for thirty years and now it is opening to culture as well.

B.C. Are you promoting a new album?

L.D. No, not yet. In three months I hope to begin to record.

B.C. What do you think of the music scene in Beijing now? Is it better or worse than before?

L.D. Every era has good and bad bands. The eighties had good bands and so did the nineties. There are a lot of good bands now of course but more rubbish as well. More and more rubbish.

B.C. As you know, I’ve just come back from Beijing and I saw a lot of bands. The trend seemed to be that more and more bands like to sing in English. Do you welcome this?

L.D. [A double whisky arrives. Lao Da takes a sip.] It is certain that Chinese bands who sing in English are false and meaningless.

B.C. Who are your musical influences?

L.D. Oh many, so many.

B.C. Then who specifically?

L.D. You know I haven’t listened to music for ten years. I don’t own any CDs. People come to my house and think that’s strange. I don’t even have a CD player. But I watch films.

B.C. What kind of films do you watch?

L.D. Chaotic films. [He doesn’t specify.]

B.C. What’s your favourite place to play in China?

L.D.  Liang ge hao peng you（两个好朋友 酒吧）is the best bar in China because freedom exists there. Freedom is important.

B.C. Is China free?

L.D. There is more freedom here than in western countries, believe me.

B.C. But what about the introduction of market capitalism? Has this improved China?

L.D. No capitalism is a problem everywhere. In China and the west.

B.C. What are your plans for the future?

L.D. I have no plans and no dreams. I will make the album. That is all.

[Lao Da is called to go on stage]

B.C. Last question before you go. Can music, your music or the music of others, change people?

L.D. No. [Cue tobacco cackle. He stands and looks down at me.] It just sounds good.

Photos & Text by Tom Bird

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