**City Weekend: Hey! We know you–you work at Mokkos, one of our favorite bars, and you also sing Tibetan folk songs at Anar every week.

Lamu: I sing songs that I heard my family and others singing as a little girl. That makes up the base of my music but, after that, I just follow my gut. I never formally studied music.

CW: How did you end up singing at Anar?

Lamu: I started at Mokkos, but I wasn’t singing at the time. My friend was playing at Anar and he introduced me to the manager. I guess I impressed him because he asked me to stay and sing there regularly. I had my first performance about six months ago and have stuck around since.

CW: You are from Yunnan, but are Tibetan. How has this inspired your music?

Lamu: If I weren't Tibetan, I probably wouldn’t even be singing. It’s part of our culture– everybody sings. I’m pretty sure it’s a law that if you’re Tibetan–you have to love music. Most of our songs are about our daily lives, but some are Buddhist chants, which are good for the soul.

**CW Are you inspired by local musicians?

Lamu: The musicians at Anar are amazing. Their music is unlike anything I’ve heard in Tibet or anywhere else. We’re not a band. We don’t rehearse together. Anyone is welcome to come and show off what musical talent they have. It makes for a unique sound.

Asya Krengauz