Baobao is named for her unique hair style that bounces around as she drums. [Jane Willborn]

Wang Lingna is known by her friends as Baobao (sudden) for the way her cropped hair poofs out around her face as she drums violently at concerts. As a drummer for hotly-tipped Chinese psych rock band Windsor Forest (wensha senlin), she is filled with energy, and eager to speak about the band’s upcoming nationwide tour.  

"I'm originally from southwest China's Sichuan Province, but after college I have basically always been away from home, like in Beijing or Dali, in southwest China's Yunnan Province," she explains.  

Although drumming in a rock band is far from the conservative traditional female role often portrayed in Chinese history, Baobao insists that more and more women in the country are taking up the practice.

"Maybe before girls didn't play as much because drumming is very physical; it requires a lot of manual labor. But I think more women are starting to join… Maybe some girls liked it from when they were young and started studying or learning online. There are a lot of female drummers around me- and a lot of girl bands!"

The Sichuan girl stated that she was personally influenced by her father, who was also a drummer and taught her to study music from a young age. However, when it came time for her to enter college, she paved her own way, choosing a major in English.

Following graduation she did a variety of odd jobs, from singing in bars to working in an advertising company. Baobao confided that she hates office jobs, "If I can do the work from home, why would I have to clock in and clock out like that?"

A couple of years earlier, she returned to her first passion of music, and has even recently quit her side jobs to focus exclusively on Windsor Forest.

The band played at the DDC Bar in the hutongs of Beijing February 26, and made a second appearance just two days at Modernsky Lab. Describing their style as a mix of "Brit Rock," "Psychedelic Pop," and "City folk rock," the band drew in a packed audience.

Reflecting on the role of women in modern Chinese society, Baobao was enthusiastic in expressing an optimistic future.

"I think that Chinese girls are very strong. Chinese girls can do things you couldn't even imagine, there are a lot of interesting things out there that women are participating in. Also, I think that actually the way girls think is actually more imaginative than men. So hold onto your creativity, and create things – you will have excellent results."

 

Baobao by the advertisement for her band at the DDC Bar. [Jane Willborn]

Windsor Forest playing to a crowded room in February. [Jane Willborn]

The DDC Bar, Beijing, where the band made their last appearance. [Jane Willborn]

Baobao smiling at a friend after the show. [Jane Willborn]

(Women of China)

By Jane WillbornEditor: admin(Women of China)