Rock plans change

For Yang Cheng, a drummer with the Wuhan rock band Risky Joy, the outbreak has meant an abrupt change of lifestyle.

Yang, who lives in the city's northern Huangpi district, which despite being home to some 1 million people, is a relatively small, quiet area, owns a musical instrument store and teaches guitar. Risky Joy, which was established in 2012, is well-known among local rock fans.

Comprising four members, the others being vocalist Victor－who only uses one name－guitarist Yang Wan and bassist Qiu Yilin, the band had just wrapped up a nationwide tour, taking in more than 20 cities, and planned to release a new album this year. However, due to the outbreak, plans have been put on hold and the four are staying at home.

Yang Cheng, who was born and raised in Wuhan, said: "We started writing new songs at the start of this year. We work from home, discuss new ideas for the album through the internet and practice our songs."

On Jan 20, when leading respiratory expert Zhong Nanshan said novel coronavirus pneumonia could be spread among humans, Yang Cheng said Wuhan suddenly became the epicenter of the outbreak and appeared to be the "most-mentioned city in the world".

Shows have been postponed at venues in the city where local indie rock bands have emerged over the years, including Vox in Hankou district.

Yang Cheng said the outbreak led to him making a major decision.

"I used to struggle between my passion for rock music and the reality of being the breadwinner for my family. As it's hard to make a living from being a rock band member, I thought about giving it up at one time," he said. "But now, I'm not worrying about this problem anymore. I know what I love. Life is short, so I will make music my lifelong career."

In addition to practicing guitar and drums for hours, he is still assessing the impact of the outbreak and discussing writing new material with his fellow band members about the sudden changes brought to their lives.

"I listen to lots of music every day, from heavy metal to blues and funk, which helps calm my nerves. We formed the band because we consider music our way to communicate with the world. It heals people－anyone who plays music knows this," he said.

"Isolation gives us the urge to write and play music, and although we don't know when our lives will return to normal, we have time to think."

A self-taught guitarist and drummer, Yang Cheng became interested in rock music when he was 18. After graduating with a major in architecture from Wuhan University of Technology, he worked for a local real estate company.

As a new act with few opportunities to perform, Risky Joy still managed to enjoy life. In 2016, the band had two original songs recorded for compilation album The Sound of Wuhan 4, dedicated to new indie rock outfits based in the city. In March last year, its debut album, Back to the Golden Times, was released.

In 2015, Yang Cheng led four of his music students in launching a rock band called X-boys. Last year, the lineup finished in the top 10 in the Midi Kids Band Competition, an annual event organized by the Beijing Midi School of Music, one of the first contemporary music schools in China.

All four, whose ages range from 11 to 16, are from Wuhan, but due to the viral outbreak, they have had to postpone their plans.

Cai Yucheng, 16, the band's songwriter and guitarist, said: "Music is like a friend, especially amid the outbreak. I wrote lyrics for the first time when we competed in the Midi Kids Band Competition, and I love this way of expressing myself. Now, inspired by the outbreak, I want to write more."

Yang Cheng, who is conducting music courses online and guiding his students in practicing at home, said he misses the bustling streets of Wuhan.

"When the outbreak ends, I want to go to some popular scenic sites in the city, which I rarely visit as they are too crowded. I also want to play basketball and play music with my friends. One of my dreams is to open a live house venue, providing a stage for more young local rock bands."

Shen Lihui, who in 1997 founded Modern Sky, now one of the biggest indie record labels in the country, said, "Wuhan has a young, vibrant music scene and many acts from Hubei province have performed at the annual outdoor Strawberry Music Festival."

The outbreak means the label has had to delay plans for the festival this year, which was due to open in Wuhan.

On Feb 8, Modern Sky announced it had signed the Wuhan punk rock band Happy Wheel following the release of a single titled Self Isolation. The song's lyrics include: Hold on my lover, I will meet you after the winter again. Hold on my brother, the fire of hope is still burning in your heart.

The band's lineup comprises vocalist Hu Yang, bassist Liang Jiaman, guitarist Wang Jinyu and drummer Yin Kuoshuai.

"We become restless, fearful and disappointed when we are forced to be isolated," Yin said. "After the outbreak, I want to meet the other band members to rehearse."

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