The ABCs of pop

看板Leehom (王力宏)作者girene.時間20年前 (2004/04/26 01:37)推噓0(0推 0噓 0→)

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(Story by Suwitcha Chaiyong) Did you Know? Wang Lee Hom wrote the song “Julia” in five minutes while getting his hair cut. (Photographs courtesy of Sony Music BEC TERO) With looks like the guys from F4 and the musical credentials of Jay Chou, Wang Lee Hom is the latest Taiwanese singer taking his turn as Asia’s pop sensation. But since this 27-year-old heartthrob was born and raised in New York — he calls himself an ABC, or American-born Chinese — he is proving to have the perfect blend of East meets West persona that seems sure to guarantee his global success. But more important than his dashing good looks and his ability to speak five languages, it is Lee Hom’s musical pedigree that separates him from the typical fly-by-night superstar. Lee Hom has been involved with music since the age of 3 and learned to play the violin when he was just 6 years old. At 18 he went to study music at Williams College in Massachusetts, and at 23 he graduated with a master’s degree from Boston’s prestigious Berklee School of Music. Not a bad CV for any musician, but that is just the background information on Lee Hom’s career. By 1995 he had already released his first album in Taiwan. By the time his fourth album, White Paper, hit the shelves in 1997, Lee Hom was a certifiable star. His hit song “Love U is Love Me,” from his eighth album, is the song that truly launched him on the international scene. Lee Hom has been picking up awards left in right across Asia and recently took home a Channel [V] Thailand award for favourite Asian artist. He is now promoting Unbelievable, his ninth and latest album. Student Weekly recently had the chance to sit down with the busy pop sensation as he talked about his musical education, his upcoming albums and his first-ever trip to Thailand. Student Weekly: This is your first time in Thailand; how do you feel? Wang Lee Hom: It is very exciting to be here. I got a very warm welcome at the airport — at one point, it became too warm. Someone tried to take off my shirt, but got my button. I want to know if any of you got my button. Student Weekly: Let’s talk about your musical background. You spent many years in music schools; what was that like? Wang Lee Hom: Music school was very tough, very strict. I practised all the time and did a lot of homework, but it was very great because I’ve always been around very talented musicians — people who are better than me at everything, like composing, violin, piano.And at very young age, I faced the reality that music is very tough road. People need a heart surgeon when they’re sick, but they don’t need a musician. Growing up in that kind of environment I’ve always been aware of the hardships of being a musician. Student Weekly: Your latest album, Unbelievable, has many different musical styles. Why so much variety? Wang Lee Hom: Every album has such a different concept — the sound and everything. I want to be free as an artist. I don’t want people to think that I’m a hip-hop artist or R&B singer; I want to be able to stay away from being in any category. I just want to give people a new, fresh sound. That’s why this album is called Unbelievable, because it is like giving people a surprise and not repeating what you’ve done. Student Weekly: As a famous person, it’s hard to have privacy. How do you feel about always being in the spotlight? Wang Lee Hom: I’ve gotten used to it, but only because I have balance in my life. Most of time I’m in the studio writing, recording, arranging and producing. By the time I get to the point that I finish the album and really feel strongly about it, I’m ready to do anything to promote it, because I really care about it. Student Weekly: Let’s talk about your fans. Are Thai fans different from fans elsewhere? Wang Lee Hom: I think the language is different; they sound different. But kids all over the world are similar. Like when I was a kid, the music you love you feel strongly about it. And when I sing, they sing along; when I dance, they dance along. It’s like interaction. I like that music can bring everybody close together. Student Weekly: So what projects are you working on now? Wang Lee Hom: I’m working on three albums at the same time. My entire Japanese album is coming out in June. It will be released in Japan and Taiwan. The English album I’m going back to US to work on, and the Chinese album is coming along. The Japanese album is like all of my past nine albums. The English album is original, and the Chinese album is new. Student Weekly: Will Thai fans have the chance to see you in concert here? Wang Lee Hom: I’d really love to have a concert here. I will start a new concert tour in June. Before I came here, I was in Singapore and working with the band and doing the arrangement for the concert. And in June, we will perform in Shanghai. That will be my first time giving a solo concert there. I really hope I can come here. If you guys want me to come, I will. ＊資料來源: Student Weekly, Thailand http://www.student-weekly.com/190404/190404_enter_04.html -- ╖ ╓╓ ╖╓═╮╓═╕╓ ╦ ╓═╕╖ ╓╓═╖╓═╮╓ ╓═╕ ║ ║║\ ║║ ║║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║║ ║║ ║║ ║ ║ ║║ \ ║╠═╡╠═╡║ ║ ╠═╡║ ║╟═╢╠═╡║ ╠═╡ ║ ║║ \║║ ║║ ║ ║ ║ \ / ║ ║║ ║║ ║ ╰═╯╙ ╜╙═╯╙═╛╙═╛╩ ╙═╛ ﹀　╜ ╙╙═╯╙═╛╙═╛ 我就喜歡，王力宏 -- ▌ ▁▌ ▌▁ ▌|情報員標號: nat-61.adsl.ntu.edu.tw |局中| ◤ ▌ ▌ ▌▃ ▌|隸屬☆單位: 中央情報局 (bbs.e-cia.net) |邑情| ◣