NEW SINGLE
Annie returns with “Lunar New Year Overture”
Hi Annie, welcome to VQS, Tell us a little bit about you and your music.
I am a Guzheng (Chinese traditional instrument) Artist/Composer/Instructor currently living in Los Angeles. I have been working on promoting and integrating this beautiful music in the United States for years. In 2017, I played at the NAMM show as a Guzheng solo artist, introducing this little known instrument to a wide audience of industry professionals, who were in awe of its heavenly sound.
In the Chinese New Year Gala 2019, I was honored to collaborate with Maestro Carl St. Clair, Conductor Roger Kalia, and the Pacific Symphony at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. On Christmas Eve 2020, I just performed at the 61st Annual LA County Holiday Celebration on my instrument Guzheng with Singer/Accordionist Jessica Fichot and the band. We arranged a Jazzy style song with Chinese elements and the show was aired on PBS SoCal and KCET.
“This song is dedicated to the biggest Chinese traditional festival – Lunar New Year” – Annie
Congrats on the release! What was your inspiration for this new single?
Released 2/11/21. This song is dedicated to the biggest Chinese traditional festival – Lunar New Year, which is also called the Spring Festival. During the Lunar New Year, family and friends gets together and celebrate.
Making great Guzheng music is my true passion. I had an idea about making a special song for this traditional festival, then I made a Guzheng solo that about my memories of the Chinese New Year. In the Chinese New Year Concert 2020, I played this song with an Chinese orchestra at the Bonita Center for the Arts, but I thought it’ll be very cool to make it with some drum beats and electronic instruments!
“The melody is full of a joyful festival atmosphere…”
What was your vision for this song?
The melody is full of a joyful festival atmosphere, also contains a special Guzheng bending technique in the bridge, which mimics the tone of people talking and adds a unique charm to the music. This song combines the Chinese traditional instrument Guzheng with Western instruments Guitar, Bass, Drums, and so on. It interweaves and blends the folk charm with pop elements, highlighting the cultural diversity.
