Brothers John Tian Qi Wardle and Charlie Tian Yi Wardle, who record as Tian Qiyi, come from an impressive musical heritage. Their mother, Zi Lan Liao, is an internationally renowned virtuoso of the guzheng (Chinese harp) and director of Liverpool’s Pagoda Arts – home to the Chinese Youth Orchestra. Their grandfather, Mr Li, established that arts centre in 1982, and their father, John Wardle, better known as Jah Wobble, is a bass player of mercurial talent and a pioneering artist of world fusion music. With parents who have worked variously with Peter Gabriel, Brian Eno and Baaba Maal, it seemed inevitable that John and Charlie would become professional musicians.
“I think it was, yes,” agrees John, who specialises in percussion, “when we were younger, we both went off and did…
