The first-ever Grammy Festival opened last Monday in Beijing, with a lineup that included international superstars, Pharrell Williams, One Republic and James Bay. Prior to the event, I was lucky enough to meet and speak to some of the performers. 

I was able to chat to Grammy award-winning artist Daya, who even sang a few lines of her single "Hide Away" for CGTN.  

And now we catch up with Canadian pop sensation, Carly Rae Jepsen, whose huge hits include "Call Me Maybe" and "I Really Like You." 

Jenny: Carly, you've previously performed here in China. What's the difference when it comes to performing in this country, compared to all the other places in the world you've performed in? 

Carly: It's kind of my favorite part about traveling. It's never kind of the same performance twice. So I would say, we were at the venue yesterday for sound check and it was just this open field and because of the pollen flowers, there's this sort of white, beautiful, snowy feeling to it. And it's just beautiful I can't wait. And I think everyone, hopefully, shows up in the mood to dance. And that's the key thing, my favorite type of performances are when people show up ready to celebrate. 

Jenny: What's it like being nominated for two Grammys ("Call Me Maybe" earned two Grammy nominations for 2012 for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance)? 

Carly: That was a really cool moment! I was just in the kitchen cooking when we found out and I think I threw pasta all over the place. So it was really exciting! I think those are the "pinch me" moments of your life. 

Jenny: You are known for extremely catchy pop songs, how do you come up with the lyrics and music? Is there a formula?

Carly: It's tricky with music and with art because everyone just has different opinions about things and I don't look at myself as like knowing how to do anything other than what feels natural... I guess the main thing that I can offer is that, it's good to keep challenging yourself and it's good to work with other people, who kind of come at songwriting in a different way than you do because there's takeaway in that. You can kind of look at, sort of their way of digging into music and see if that can work for you too, or [that can] make you a stronger writer in turn. So yeah that would be my one bit of advice! 

Jenny: Do you have any future projects here in China that we should know about?

Carly: For everywhere and China included, I have my new album that I'm working on. So it's not set yet for when I'm releasing it, but I'm looking forward to finally having that baby finished and then be ready to share it. And hopefully, that in turn brings us back to China for a tour. That would be the dream! 

Watch the rest of the interview in the video.