Chasing new arts

In 2001, after the band toured around Britain with its debut album, The Fake Fake Sound of Mikabomb, Long left and joined a Dutch electronic music group, Arling & Cameron.

"I lost my interest in punk - electronic music is much more suitable for my personality, which is full of color and fun," she says.

The band's tour around European countries in 2001 was suspended due to a car accident on the way to Spain. Then Long returned to Beijing to take a break. There, she met songwriter Tian Peng.

Long didn't plan to stay but was tempted by the idea of releasing an album for Chinese music lovers. To their surprise, their hit single, Nobody Would Be Like What I Am, topped most domestic charts soon after it was released in August 2004. The electronic beats and Long's silky voice made the band the biggest surprise of that year.

However, as they enjoyed the fame, the frequent promotion and commercial performances made Long both exhausted and bored.

"I spent a lot of time traveling on the road but only sang one song. I made a lot of money, but it was a waste of time," Long says.

For early next year, she plans to hold a live concert - an intimate one with few people. She will design the stage and decorate the venue.

"Music is not the only thing in my life. I want to do many others things, such as learning ikebana. I have moved forward," she says.