Producer George Chen (center) poses with indie musicians at the songwriting camp.[Photo provided to China Daily]
At the China Musical Techno Base — a national music industry base in Hangzhou, East China’s Zhejiang province, a group gathered with one common purpose — to unlock the melodies hidden within their hearts.
From May 13 to 19, 15 groups of indie musicians joined the Galaxy Album Creation Camp, an event launched by NetEase Cloud Music, a leading music streaming service provider in China. Within seven days, they were bound by their love for music and the desire to express themselves through lyrics and melody.
Led by experienced mentors and seasoned songwriters, such as singer-songwriter and producers Sandee Chan and George Chen, the camp offered a nurturing environment where young talents honed their skills, experimented with new sounds and collaborated with like-minded peers. Each day was filled with workshops, jam sessions and mentoring, providing ample opportunities for growth and inspiration.
“It was not just about perfecting production skills or crafting catchy hooks. At the heart of the camp was a deeper exploration of self-expression and storytelling,” says singer-songwriter Li Dingding, one of the musicians at the camp.
“It was the first time that I joined in a songwriting camp, where I met many talented musicians. Before I came here, I knew nothing about the other musicians, never heard of their music, which allowed me to have a sense of freshness,” says Li, 36, whose music style ranges from R&B to hip-hop.
The singer-songwriter, who came from a mountainous area in Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, Xichang, Southwest China’s Sichuan province, launched her music career on a Chinese TV show in 2012 but soon withdrew from the limelight, devoting herself to songwriting.