Glamorous, poetic, melancholic and dreamlike: Muma were tagged with many labels in their early phase, between 1997 and 2006. 

Now the group has returned to the music scene, and CGTN reporter Yang Ran spoke to the trio during filming of the online variety show "Big Band." 

It's Muma's debut on a variety show. They've performed their signature songs such as "Dance Steps," new hit the "King of Old Town" and a cover of a mando pop song "Later." 

"I was very nervous before the first show. I had no idea what people would feel when they saw a new Muma with new members," said drummer Zhang Dawei.

"I had not performed for quite a while. Regrouping Muma was a stressful process, because I've been playing in a band for so many years. I started from Muma, and then the Third Party with Dawei, and then I met Deng Liyuan and started a new journey. I knew that some fans would not accept us as a new group. But since we have decided to do something, we must concentrate on it with our full strength and accomplish it. So I didn't worry about the results after that," said the vocalist and guitarist Xie Qiang.

Founded in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Muma was a spiritual symbol to many musicians and enthusiasts. They were honored as the kings of Goth rock and also created much buzz in the mainstream music circle, and even in the fashion industry with their distinctive aesthetics. 

The original group of four split and the lead vocalist Xie Qiang turned to his new project named Muma and Third Party. In 2017, Xie met guitarist Deng Liyuan, a big fan of the old Muma, and was determined to regroup the band. 

"Of course a band is worthy of praise if it can keep the original lineup. But how many bands in the entire world can do that? Bands break up and then get together again. In my opinion, it's fine as long as I can keep moving forward and creating new music," said the vocalist and guitarist Xie Qiang.

"There is no absolute right or wrong. Any collision and fusion will create a kind of beauty. To me, it is what makes art and music lovely and beautiful," said the drummer Zhang Dawei.

Defying labels, the band is open to all the changes and new things. They say they are like children of music, trying to materialize the imagery in their minds with notes. 

"Our music is perhaps a little abstract, but the lyrics are very clear. Muma's lyrics are both very surrealistic and have a storyline. I'm very impressed. It was guidance to me when I was young. The biggest value is the baptism of my spirit," said the guitarist Deng Liyuan.

"I think I should change constantly as a musician. Some say that we should insist on a style, I don't think so. We should play as we wish. We should do what we want to do the most. What is the style? We don't have to say by ourselves. Just let people feel it. So I just keep creating new music constantly and make breakthroughs," Xie Qiang added.

(Cover: Muma rehearse in a Beijing studio. /CGTN)