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Photo provided to China Daily
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Qu composed and wrote her two albums, which contain a mix of English and Chinese songs. For her second album, she also worked with Grammy Award-nominated record producer Ron Aniello, who has worked with artists like Bruce Springsteen and Sixpence None the Richer. Last year, she was even invited to serve as the Vancouver tourism ambassador in China.
Before all that achievement, she had been living in a small apartment in Vancouver, writing and composing her songs, and looking for opportunities to get greater exposure for them.
The native of Heilongjiang's provincial capital Harbin, who was educated in Canada, says her success is within her expectations. She has been writing songs since age 15 and has matured as an artist in recent years.
"I know that for some people, I seem have a kind of overnight success, but I have to say that it's not true," she explains.
"I have been making the effort for years. I know my music and my voice so well. I am confident about myself. I always have a clear goal in my mind－releasing albums with my own style and attitude. I think I made it."
She admits she had a hard time adjusting to celebrity life after winning fame, especially the intensive tour schedule.
But the upside is she can help young singer-songwriters and bands show themselves to the world. She invited new bands and musicians to open her concerts during her North American tour.
Qu plans to return to Vancouver to enjoy a simple life for a few months before releasing her third album at the end of the year.
"Since no one recognizes me in Vancouver, I don't wear makeup and walk downstairs to buy food," she says.
"That kind of life is peaceful and inspires me to write more songs."
If you go:
ThinkPad Space
Inside the MasterCard Center, the former Wukesong Arena, 69 Fuxing Lu (Road), Haidian district, Beijing.
7:30 pm, May 30 and 31.
400-610-3721.
180-580 yuan ($29-93).
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