Strong like a rock

One of his new ideas was to use color to describe the various elements of rock music and life. In his 2005 album, Show You Color, Cui used red to signify rock music, blue for electronic music and yellow for pop music.

The lyrics of his song, Blue Bone, go: "Red, yellow and blue represent human being's heart, body and wisdom".

Cui hopes to transform his upcoming concert, also titled Blue Bone, from red to blue, which to him represents wisdom and free spirit.

"Blue also means freedom and innovation for music and thoughts."

Blue Bone is also the name of Cui's first film, as a director. To be released in early 2013, he wrote the plot in 2005 when he released the album Blue Bone.

Divided into three parts, it tells the story of a young underground rocker and network hacker who encountered an unknown singer. The two found out their parents' sad love story during the years of the "cultural revolution" (1966-76).

"I wasn't trained in filmmaking. I made the film like how I would sing a rock song, telling stories in my own way," Cui says.

"I did not have commercial pressure from the film market. If I had, I wouldn't have done it."

Many of Cui's fans go to his concerts for his old tunes, but Cui always surprises them with new elements.

In 2009, he used strong visual effects at his concert at Beijing Exhibition Center Theater. Then a year later, Cui collaborated with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra to present rock music with a classical music approach.

For the upcoming show, he has prepared a line-up, both familiar and unfamiliar to the audience, including some of his classics like A Piece of Red Cloth and Nothing to My Name, and new songs like The Lost Season, which was featured in director Ning Hao's film Guns and Roses.

Audience will get a preview of his new song from his 2013 album, titled Girls Out There, which has English lyrics in it. The song is about a village boy from the farm who longs to see the outside world.

"The English lyrics are not designed for foreign listeners, but to create a fusion effect," he says. "I don't design my music intentionally. All the elements I used serve the music.

"I want to try new ideas. Even when I sing Nothing to My Name today, I want to remix it with different musical ideas. But I will keep to the melody," he adds.

Off stage, Cui says he spends his spare time watching various shows, from young local rock bands to modern dance performances.

He also likes hanging out with his old friends, like Liu Yuan, the renowned saxophonist, whom Cui befriended during his days with the Beijing Song and Dance Troupe.

He doesn't smoke, and usually drinks a little before performing, according to You You, Cui's long-time agent, who is also his good friend.

"His life is simpler than most people's. He is an artist living for art's sake."

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn.