Time Out at 40

Ai Weiwei | Xander Zhou | Gia

Gia gives up booze © Time Out

Gia
Gia is the woman who made the world wake up to the Beijing punk sound. When her all-girl band Hang On the Box formed in 1998, hardly anybody outside China had any idea of Beijing’s thriving alternative scene. A year later, Gia and her girl band were pouting on the cover of Newsweek, the only Chinese band ever to do so, and the secret was out.

How would you describe Hang on the Box’s sound?
We had our own style of brash bitch-pop, which everyone suddenly went crazy for.

Who was your most famous fan?
Probably Jackie Chan or Billy Corgan from the Smashing Pumpkins. We couldn’t believe it when he said he liked our music!

What else have you been up to over the last ten years?
I’ve formed a new band, Girl Kill Girl and I’ve learnt to DJ, which I love. Feature continues

How would you respond to any critics who said your music hasn’t moved on?
First, I would tell them that as long as people enjoy watching me that’s what’s important. Who wants to be like all these geeky Joy Division wannabes that are all over the scene right now anyway? Then, I’d probably give them the finger.

Describe your perfect night out?
You’ll be surprised to hear that I’ve given up booze and fags so my parties are a little quieter these days. But I still love to go listen to electronic music with fellow ‘old soldiers’ (people who club frequently).

And your perfect Beijing day?
I’d sit on a balcony and watch the sunrise, and just stay there until sunset. I’d cook for me and my lover, and then go to Wumen at midnight to take pictures. I love walking there from the west gate of the Forbidden City, taking photographs of what I see.

www.timeout.com/beijing

Ai Weiwei | Xander Zhou | Gia