As an experienced freelance writer and photographer, Hugh Bohane has had his work published in a variety of magazines in China, England, America, Australia, and elsewhere. Relishing his role as an avid writer, Hugh has interviewed many Chinese identities and wrote about many of Yunnan’s music festivals, showing proficient writing skills and great insight into the Chinese arts.

Hugh talked with Lynn, a reporter from InKunming and shared his opinions about the people and the creative arts here in the spring city.

InKunming: Who have you interviewed?

Hugh: I tend to do interviews with Chinese people who are doing interesting work in their related fields. They might be a TV host of a food program or a young Parkour artist, for example. I have interviewed and or photographed Jia Zhangke(贾樟柯), a movie director, Edison Chen(陈冠希), a singer from Hong Kong, Zhao Wei(赵薇), an actress, and numerous Chinese bands. I also teach writing part-time to Chinese learners, who are preparing for the IELTS exam, which I really enjoy.

InKunming: Who has impressed you the most among them?

Hugh: I have to say they all do in different ways. But if I had to choose one, I would say Maleonn Ma, an art photographer based in Shanghai. I think he is one of China's best art photographers. I luckily, got to spend a couple of hours with him in his studio in Shanghai. Inside, there were 80 other artists all living together in the one building. They would sleep during the day and come out at night to work. I love Maleonn’s work. It has this certain wonderment about it; it’s hard to explain. That was my first interview in China, so for me it was quite special.

InKunming: You have lived in China for six years; you must have visited many interesting places around the country.

Hugh: Quite a few, but I've never been to Xinjiang or Tibet. I love travelling in China; it's just such an amazing country with so much to see. There is quite a lot of hidden beauty here. I never get bored of living here. There is always something to see and learn, and at times, it’s allowed me to work quite freely.

InKunming: How about your time in Kunming?

Hugh: It has been really good. I’ve been very lucky. I found Kunming to be quite a giving place. Once you have some good contacts here there are a lot of good opportunities for work. Life here can be colorful, surprising and relaxing. No matter who you are or where you are from you can find a pretty comfortable life here. If you are respectful and your intentions are good, you will be accepted and tolerated. You can find a comfortable place for yourself inside this unique community and be given the support you need.

I had lived in Shanghai for three years before I came to Kunming. I loved Shanghai, but Kunming is more suitable to live. Kunming isn’t so stressful. For one thing: the cost of living is lower than Shanghai. A lot of people here don't have to work as hard as they would in the bigger cities. If you are living in Beijing and Shanghai, your rent is going to be much higher than it is here.

I enjoy living here, for it’s a small, like-minded community of people. You know everyone and you can meet up with your friends easily. You tend to go to the same places, Salvador's, Moon Dog, Alei, or the Mask Bar and it feels like a big family, made up of many different nationalities.

I think it's a pretty good place for foreigners to study Mandarin due to the immersion you can get living here. It is not like Shanghai, where more people speak English. In Kunming, not as many people speak it, so you need to use your Mandarin.

I like the climate and the nature here. There are some spectacular mountains and lakes within Yunnan, and the sunsets we get here can be quite breathtaking. Also, Yunnan has the most ethnic minorities in China and their culture is seriously fascinating.

InKunming: What do you think has been the most fascinating thing in Yunnan?

Hugh: Certainly the minority culture would be one. For example, the Wa people fascinate me. They are a mountain people who live on the Yunnan border with Burma. I haven’t had a chance to visit that region yet, but I know a couple of really good Wa musicians from there. For example the band: Sigangli. They occasionally play shows in Kunming and their performances are always an uplifting experience. They have the special knack for getting everyone grooving.

Recently, I traveled to the remote Nujiang Autonomous Prefecture, a place with epic mountains and with views of clouds at eye level. The Lisu ethnic minority who live there are really warm and hospitable. They are mostly a mix of Christians and Buddhists. The folks that live there riskily use a wire rope to cross from one side of the “angry river” to the other. It is quite an impressive scene.

InKunming: Have you written any travel journals about Yunnan?

Hugh: Actually, sort of. If I go to a music festival in Lijiang, for example, that would have a certain travel angle to it. There are some well-established foreign writers, who have covered travel and who have worked solidly over the years here such as: Chris Taylor, Jim Goodman, Chris Horton, and Patrick Scally. Yereth Jansen and Michael Steverson are two great international photographers who shoot a lot of travel here in Yunnan. Most of my work tends to be based around the music scene in Yunnan, outside of that, I am mostly just doing interviews with various Kunming and expat folk.

InKunming: What do you think of the music scene in Kunming?

Hugh: It’s very underrated. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of work that artists living here, both local and foreign are doing. I was quite surprised by how much is going on for a third tier city.

There are some really groovy musicians here such as: War Horse, Sea loving Mammals, The Great Apes, Funk Assembly, The Quebec Rednecks, Sigangli, Lao Han’s Reggae Band, Shanren, Tribal Trip, DJ DSK, DJ Xiao Kris, Koshaa, Maxi, Low Scene, and so forth.

Whenever I have interviewed artists here, they all seem to share a similar level of modesty and approachability, which has made my job easy.

You don't come across too many big egos here. To be respected here, one needs to be a bit humble and modest, I would think. I have never felt intimidated interviewing people here and I always try to show the talent I’m interviewing the utmost respect. Local people here may naturally ask to know more about the publications you are writing for, before giving you an interview, and that is totally reasonable. After you have gained their trust, you feel worthy of their attention. You can talk openly with them about their work.

For example, the members of the band Shanren are very easy-going and open. I would consider them to be one of the best bands here in Yunnan. As far as I know, they are the first Yunnan band to tour North America. They are always very engaging and friendly and excellent ambassadors. Really, all my work here hopefully has been about is just trying to put Yunnan’s people on the world map.

(Editor:Lynn)

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