Cover of the album "Journey to the West"
In today's Chinese music scene, it is not easy for singers to maintain the pace of releasing one album a year, let alone the "feat" of releasing two albums a year - but in 2018, Sun Shengxi did it. This 28-year-old overseas Chinese female singer who is originally from Shandong, grew up in South Korea, and debuted in Taiwan. She can write and sing. Three months after she released her third solo album "Woman" in July last year, she released her third album. 4 experimental albums "Journey to Greece" with completely different styles.
In May this year, the nominations for the 30th Golden Melody Awards were announced. Sun Shengxi was shortlisted for five awards including Best "Mandarin" Female Singer, Best "Mandarin" Album, and Best Arranger for "Journey to Greece". As the chairman of the jury, Taiwan's senior female singer-songwriter Chen Shanni commented: ""Travel to the West" should be one of the boldest albums last year." So, what kind of musical courage and charm does this "dark horse of the best female singer" have? Before the official performance of the 30th Golden Melody Awards ceremony this Saturday, a reporter from the Beijing News met Sun Shengxi in Beijing.
Talking about the Golden Melody Awards
Appreciating Jolin Tsai , OZI and Meixiu Group
"This Saturday is the Golden Melody Awards ceremony, will you be nervous?" After hearing the reporter's inquiry, Sun Shengxi took a breath of air and leaned back on the sofa. She really "wailed" and said, "So it's this week!" The cute little girly qualities of this post-90s female singer were instantly revealed.
Beijing News: In 2015, I was nominated for "Best Newcomer" with my first solo album "Girls". This time, I was nominated directly from "Newcomer" for Best "Mandarin" Female Singer and Best "Mandarin" Album. Yours What kind of waves happened in your heart?
Sun Shengxi: Actually, I have been working hard since I was shortlisted as a newcomer. Many people have told me that newbies will have to compete with female singers! So I have this pressure and intention to make music better and more extreme, and the Golden Melody Award has become a motivation for me to make music. I was not shortlisted for the second album "Between". That night I thought a lot about what to do for the third album. Then we started preparing for "Journey to Greece", but before "Journey to Greece", I still I wanted to complete the series "Girls to Women", and I also wanted to take myself a step further, so I first released "Woman", challenged the production, and participated in conceptual and visual work, and then I went beyond all the previous ones. Framework to create a fusion experimental jazz album "Journey to Greece".
Beijing News: What were you doing on the day the Golden Melody Awards finalists were announced?
Sun Shengxi: We were having dinner at the time, and we had work to do next. Then my agent prepared a tripod and helped me start the live broadcast, and then filmed my reaction at the same time. It was very interesting, God predicted.
Beijing News: Among these awards, which one excites you the most?
Sun Shengxi: What excites me the most, I think, is the female singer, because it is an affirmation of one’s singing career, so I only wanted to have this one before. If not, I will continue to work hard, but I didn’t expect it. Five items, I think it’s a lot!
Beijing News: Among the shortlists for this year’s Golden Melody Awards, are there any singers or works that you particularly like?
Sun Shengxi: I really like Jolin Tsai’s album. I think her works have become more handsome again, and the visuals and design are also very solid. I also admire OZI quite a lot and hope he has good results. I also met Meixiu Group in Announcement a while ago. I also think they are quite cool, because many aspects of their music are completed inadvertently, achieving a very natural result.
Talking about "Journey to Greece"
I'm not afraid that everyone will be scared by this album
The hardcover physical album of "Journey to Greece" is a cube box, with ten test tubes and ten songs placed side by side in two rows between the wood grain design paper The lyrics of the song are hidden in each test tube, "because we feel that every song is an experimental work, and new 'Xi' plants can grow under everyone's irrigation." Sun Shengxi said.
Beijing News: From the first album to the fourth album, have you sensed your own growth and changes?
Sun Shengxi: Yes, I feel that the voice, emotion and technique are becoming more and more natural. When it came to "Travel to Greece", I was completely relaxed and more willing to try and less afraid. For "Woman," I would use a slightly more popular singing style. I didn't dare to put anything too different in it, but for "Travel to the West," I really didn't set too many restrictions, just like "Human Style." Like this song, I am willing to express my broken and crazy side because I am not afraid that people will be scared by this album, because it is such an experimental album in itself.
Beijing News: Is it your long-standing obsession to make a jazz-style fusion experimental album like "Journey to Greece"?
Sun Shengxi: The main reason is that we want to give it a try, break away from the entire previous state, and interpret it in a different style. In fact, I have always wanted to try Jazz. I also have some interest and confidence, and I think it is suitable for me. When I relax, I also listen to jazz as background music and sing along a little bit.
Beijing News: Which style is closer to the real you, "Journey to Greece" or the three albums in the previous trilogy of female transformation?
Sun Shengxi: This is a bit difficult to say, because I think the first three pictures were a bit reserved, but that was what I wanted at the time, it was my story and what I wanted to say from the bottom of my heart. The first and third ones are closer to me, and the second one has more lyricists involved. But "Journey to Greece" really allowed everyone to see a different version of me. The two producers teacher Li Xinyun teacher and teacher Chen Junhao gave me a lot of space. I also tried improvisation and synchronized recording, so this one is also very special. like me.
talks about growing up.
once formed a band to sing rock and roll, and later debuted on the Avenue of Stars.
After songs such as " Less Talent " and " Live with You " became popular in mainland China, Sun Shengxi was surprised and relieved. The female singer told the Beijing News reporter that her big goal in the future is to travel around the world, "I hope that foreign audiences can also hear my singing."
Beijing News: How do you absorb music nutrients in your daily life? ? Who/what is the musician or work that has influenced you the most?
Sun Shengxi: I remember when I was in elementary school, I saw the MV of Avril 's "Complicated" for the first time, and I thought she was so beautiful and the song was so good. Later, when I reported in the first grade of junior high school, I reported that my idol was Avril Lavigne. Maybe that’s when I started cultivating the soul of rock and roll. Later, I liked to listen to RB, Beyoncé , Alicia Keys, etc. When I started playing in bands with my friends in high school, I listened to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Mayer, , Muse, etc., and then I listened to it again in college. More rock stuff.
Beijing News: What was your journey when you came to Taipei from South Korea to pursue your dream? Are there any difficulties or discomforts?
Sun Shengxi: I lived in South Korea from birth to my second year of college. I came to Taipei after taking a break from school. When I was in Korea, I actually wanted to go in the direction of independent music, because I felt that my age, appearance, etc. had missed the possibility of being an idol trainee, but music is actually difficult to do alone, and I am not too mature. Planning and ideas, then my aunt was in Taiwan, and she asked my father, should I let Xixi come and give it a try? So I went to participate in Chinese Avenue of Stars , and then entered Rolling Stone Records. Basically, I adapted quite well in Taiwan in my first year. Some overseas Chinese friends would take me to go shopping and eat and drink, which was more like traveling. (laughing)
Beijing News: Do you already have a rough plan and appearance for the next album?
Sun Shengxi: Because the album has always seemed to have a variety of genres, next, I want to gather the genres into one or two more, and then run them throughout the entire album. I also want to continue trying to produce and give the music more of my own personality.
Written by/Beijing News reporter Yang Chang Photos provided by the artist
