Chinese ethnic bands and musicians are making an ever bigger scene in Beijing and in the wider world. Some of them are not satisfied playing only the ethnic card. Jurat T.T. (from Xinjiang) is one such musician. He started to get more attention after opening at the Mamer & IZ’ album launch in July. Since then, his energetic, dark and psychedelic sessions have gained him quite the acclaim from Beijing’s indie crowd. How can that be enough? After years of endeavor, he will finally launch his first album – Sans Famille – this Saturday (Dec 17) at Temple bar. We spoke to the musical dreamer.

Why did it take so long to finally release an album?
I actually started writing songs in 1994. But it needs a lot of money to record albums. I was by myself. I had to take it slow. Somehow it just didn’t work well after I came to Beijing.

You've played in many different bands. What can we expect from this album?
It’s a collection of songs I wrote since 1996. Most of the songs are in Uighur language. Only one song’s in French. Some songs are very dark, heavy and psychedelic, kind of experimental. But you can get all kinds of music from this album. The songs mostly talk about religions and education.

Why did you choose Temple for the launch?
I’ve tried some other places, but the sound quality was  not good enough. Yaksa’s guitar player is a co-owner of the bar. He plays heavy music, he knows what would sound good. I’ve thought about MAO too, because everyone knows it. But I always cough when I’m there.

What made you come to Beijing?
A friend who played Saxophone in my band went to study at Midi School. Then he asked me to join his band in Beijing. I thought I’d come to have a look at what is so special about Beijing but there wasn’t much that hit me, actually. So I kind of just toured around a little while and went back home, but the environment back home was not good. I could only play songs like Hotel California in the bars. I realized that there was no future.

What first inspired you to make music?
I started to remember songs from TV shows since I was three. I liked reading fairy tales when I was a kid and that probably made me like imagining things. And there’s always some tunes in the imaginary world of mine. I finally realized that I could write songs and started to record with cassettes in 1994.

Where do you find your influence?
I mostly listen to Western rock songs but the folk ethnic feeling is from my blood. I write my own music, no matter what genre it belongs to, it will be my sound.

Why don’t you use traditional instruments?
Beijing has many folk musicians using ethnic instruments. But some of them actually don’t have the vibe. There’s no difference playing those with a guitar. The best Xinjiang ethnic musicians all live in the small villages back home but none of them is famous. Mamer is using bass to express himself. I think you can use any kind of instrument to express the ethnic feeling.

Tell us about your friendship with Mamer.
I first met him when I was living near Huoying. We are both from Xinjiang and playing indie music in Beijing. We always have something to talk about: life, love life and music. We are like brothers. I played in his band before but I couldn’t give up my own stuff. We still worked together a lot after I left. He actually sang in the song “Guest” on my album.

What are you listening to now?
I listen to different music according to my mood. I’ve been listening to King Crimson a lot lately. Some times I would have tunes in my dreams, I would look for that kind of music after I wake up.

Have you done anything other than being a musician?
I’ve considered doing something else when the situation is tough but I really don’t have any other skills.

Jurat T.T.
RMB 50, RMB 40. 9pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)