Yijia Tu
涂议嘉
Born (1997-11-08) 8 November 1997
Shichuan, China
EducationSOAS University of London; St John's College, Oxford
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician
Years active2014–present
Musical career
Instrument(s)Guitar, Guzheng, Tuvan throat singing[1]

Yijia Tu (Chinese: 涂议嘉; born 8 November 1997) is a Chinese singer-songwriter and dancer.

She was celebrated in China after placing in the top three of singing competition Sing My Song (中国好歌曲 第一季),[2] an open contest for songwriters to sing their own compositions. Her music drew praise from both judges and audience.[3] After graduating from high school with a certificate in composition, Yijia released her debut album '17' via Sony Music in collaboration with Chinese and internationally acclaimed musicians including Grammy winner Luca Bignardi, Liu Huan, and the China Philharmonic Orchestra; the album won 'Media's Choice Award' at the 2015 Chinese Music Awards.[4]

Yijia moved to the United Kingdom to pursue academic study of medieval English music,[5] founding The Sages (竹林七贤, named after Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove)[6] with Peadar Connolly-Davey,[7][8] quickly finding an audience for Chinese traditional music via BBC Radio 3 and other national broadcast media.[9][10]

Advocating for representation of Chinese music in Western music promotion

Attending WOMAD Festival in 2019 Yijia noted the absence of Chinese music on the lineup, and decided on this basis to pursue a dissertation with St John's College, Oxford exploring the reasons for this. Activities undertaken during this study led to her being booked for 2022 (to sing & play guzheng as part of orchestra "Cheng Yu & Silk Breeze") leading Oli Steadman to bring his fellow members of Stornoway to view the performance.[11] Impressed & moved to tears by Yijia's individual vocal performance, they invited her to collaborate on their forthcoming album,[12] and ultimately tour together during the band's Autumn 2023 comeback tour.[13]

Yijia now performs regularly in the UK including as a part of cultural showcases of Chinese music[14] and Yi cultural identity,[15] and collaborates with recording artists.[16]

Discography

  • It's Not Up To You with Stornoway (band) (2023)[17]
  • Rotten Bun For An Eggless Century with Mui Zyu (2023)
  • Anyway, Still with Exit North (2023)
  • Chinese Whisperer (2023)[18]

References

  1. ↑ "TOMMY KHOSLA + YIJIA // LIVE SITAR LED NEO JAZZ & WORLD MUSIC". 11 October 2022.
  2. ↑ 《中国好歌曲》将开播 刘欢为《卷珠帘》落泪
  3. ↑ Sing My Song
  4. ↑ "The World's Music at Oxford – Yijia Tu".
  5. ↑ "The Sages live at Asia House". March 2019.
  6. ↑ "Chinese "Indie girl" modernises classical music of the West and East".
  7. ↑ "The F-List Directory of UK Female+ Musicians The F-List Directory of UK Female+ Musicians".
  8. ↑ "The Nest Collective – Yijia Tu biography".
  9. ↑ "Music Planet: China – Sichuan and Yunnan".
  10. ↑ "Music Planet: Road Trip – China: Sichuan and Yunnan".
  11. ↑ "The Nest Collective – Stornoway biography".
  12. ↑ "Nightshift Magazine Oct 2023" (PDF).
  13. ↑ "Live Report: Stornoway – O2 Forum Kentish Town, London".
  14. ↑ "Silk Road Bazaar". 24 June 2023.
  15. ↑ "Yicrafts And Friends: Cultural Style Week Celebrates East Asian Culture, Music, and Fashion!". 26 May 2023.
  16. ↑ "mui zyu Uses the Absurd to Come Back to Herself in Debut Album 'Rotten Bun for an Eggless Century'". 24 March 2023.
  17. ↑ "WATCH: Stornoway – 'It's Not Up To You' (feat. Yijia)".
  18. ↑ "Announcing "Chinese Whisperer"".
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