[Photo by Nan Zi/China Daily]

Erzin first experienced traditional throat-singing around 25 years ago, when Tibetan throat singers and Tuvan singers performed in Los Angeles.

"I wish I could do it. It sounds like ancient history. It sounds like the beginning of the world," he says.

With his career in music spanning four decades, Erzin says every song is like a book in four or five minutes, and he wants to take people on a journey, to touch them emotionally and intellectually.

"I like working with creative people, musicians and people of principle. They believe in something. They are smart and interesting. They inspire me. With Hanggai, the bonus is I am learning another culture, which I love to do," he adds.