(TRANS) 180814 Zhang Yixing full interview, from 理娱客 (Part 1)
Source |Translated by laymerence
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
T/N: Interview split into multiple parts because this is a enormous interview...
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Q: Do you usually make another album once you finish one? Or do you make them simultaneously?
ZYX: I make another album after finishing one.
Q: Some people make a lot of songs, then divide them up (T/N: into albums)?
ZYX: Yes, I make a lot of music too, then many are denied by myself...
Q: Too many.
ZYX: Too many.
Q: I remember in your book you wrote that you had a hard drive in the past.
ZYX: Ah, hard drive (T/N: regarding the story in his book about how he lost hundreds of songs he composed because his hard drive crashed)
Q: Yes yes yes yes
ZYX: Normal composers will... whenever someone is met with an issue like that, it is because the person is inexperienced, or too confident in their experience.
Q: Just making a few demos on the phone
ZYX: Yes, my hard drive was like that too, actually after those tracks were lost, actually if I didn't touch that drive and immediately gave it to someone to fix, it could have been fixed. But I thought I was great, so I went to fix it myself, after I fixed it I thought I'd done it. But actually I could see the documents, when I tried to drag them out, the documents were all 0KB, which means to say the document was gone but there was only the file folder. When I dragged them out, I wanted to recover it and then put it back in.
Q: Because you'd opened it so...
ZYX: Yes, opened it, so I couldn't recover it.
Q: Now your music is in...
ZYX: 6, 6, 6, 6 hard drives, every time I'll save save save save save save.
Q: Will you always think about making those songs (you lost) in the future?
ZYX: No no, but having composed songs for nearly 10 years now, so I feel that was a good experience in the past. Because those (songs) were things of the past, and so I have some decent works which I will listen to too, but those are from the past, which are different from (my songs) now, so...
Q: Did you feel frustrated then?
ZYX: Not frustrated, back then I just felt, ah, maybe it's the heavens not wanting me to do this job, not wanting me to compose music behind-the-scenes, so I was quite sad. Not frustrated, just sad.
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Q: What have you been mostly busy with recently?
ZYX: Busy with the album, tidying all the tracks, after tidying up all the documents, doing most of the basic mixing, then each song's professional mixing has to be done in discussion with the mixing teacher. Mm, because now after the first set of compositions are complete, I've mixed the music once, then all the balance, and balance, after all the balance is right, I'll speak to the mixing teacher and explain my thoughts, because every mixing and mastering teacher have their own...
Q: Persistence?
ZYX: Yes, persistence I suppose, they are a little persistent, very frustrating, we can't communicate in this area.
Q: They'll battle with you.
ZYX: Yes really battle with them, saying that reverb can be reduced, I just want this little bit, boom they'll increase it for you. If you want the delay to be reduced, boom they'll increase it for you. What can you do, you have to communicate with them you know? Then because they are professional engineers, yeah they are professional, you can't say "I just want", because that feels impolite too. So you have to say it nicely to others. For example now there's a song that I want to say "aye forget it I'll just mix it myself" but my mixing is not professional, and it isn't as y'know as the professional mixing, so when Mastering it you can see a lot of the own imperfections in the mix, so you still have to communicate, you can only communicate.
Q: Then now that you've entered this stage, you must be close to releasing (your album) right? About at the end of the year?
ZYX: Yes, now I am doing something that is just a bonus, which is that I hope the songs can have a broader coverage.
Q: Using a bonus track?
ZYX: Yes, because fans like it, they want to hear me make purely music. Actually in these 3 albums there are some pure music, the first song in this album is pure music, just purely music, nothing else. This song's name is... should I say it? This song's name is quite impressive.
Q: That mapo tofu?
ZYX: No, mapo tofu is another one, like the song, this is purely music, there is nothing else, just purely music.
Q: If you don't want to say it, don't say it, don't force yourself to.
ZYX: No, I feel that I can say it, because this song is rather meaningful, this song is called "Assembly Call" (集结号). Why is it called the "Assembly Call"? Because a long time ago, Zhang Yixing debuted as a singer, then through "Go Fighting" everyone got to know him better. I've never held concerts either, so in terms of my music works, maybe it's... shows, that people know me better through.
Q: Getting into that is really quite good too, really.
ZYX: Then I hope that those who like Zhang Yixing because of the singer, or those who like Zhang Yixing, can all assemble and listen to this album, and work hard with me together, I hope that we can break into the foreign/overseas market.
Q: Earlier I heard your album your album's style covers quite a broad range, some are contemporary R&B, and others have Hip Hop elements.
ZYX: Others are ballads, I don't know if you've heard that song "Goodbye Christmas"?
Q: I listened to it.
ZYX: Ay, sometimes I really want to promote songs, because that time although I don't celebrate other countries' festivals, but that Christmas, December 24, was rather sad, because I was alone. That song is really very nice, if everyone has the chance, you can really listen to "Goodbye Christmas"
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Q: I heard a lot of styles in your album, to you, what is your favourite style?
ZYX: Actually I am the sort who is quite a mix, actually I don't have just one...
Q: No especial favourite, every style
ZYX: Yes, to me every style of music is ok, if there is an area of music that is my blind spot, it's rock. I really don't know how to do rock, I really don't know.
Q: Do you want to understand how to do that too?
ZYX: Maybe I don't quite understand rock, but the other music styles I know a little of. Then recently the so called popular music styles, I might know a little more about, like R&B and Hip Hop. Because every time after I make these songs, our jie jie and gege managers, they'll ask me to write an introduction (to the song). I really find it hard to write, is this sound defined as Hip Hop or R&B or Trip-Hop, or that sort of virtual bass? Or is it something else, there is too much, I don't know what I am either, so it's a little bit of a mix. But with every song, I have my own backbone, which is generally when other people listen to it they'll feel "Oh, this is like music that Zhang Yixing makes". Yes, that.
Q: You need styles that are ever-changing, but need a style that is clearly individual and unique?
ZYX: Yes, so that when other people listen ot it they say oh, this seems like it was made by Zhang Yixing.
Q: What is your usual composing habit? Because I hear that sometimes musicians can be more sensitive and they may rely on inspiration, but other people may be more objective and for example they'll arrange it based on a wave. As a composer, what sort of musician are you?
ZYX: I make the track first, I'll finish the track up to 60-70% then start making the melody, after the melody, then if I can make the Topline with overseas composers. Because I'm used to finishing my track, then I'll chat with overseas Topliners about it, I'll say that my music is like this, do you have any other thoughts. Then they'll add in their thoughts, then if the thoughts of two parties are very compatible, and fuse together very well, then it'll become a song in the album.
Q: For example when your opinions are very conflicting?
ZYX: Then it'll be very difficult to put that into my album. Because my album is like this, because I make my own tracks, then I have my own Topline, because my Topline represents the entire song's direction, then my Topline will clash with the overseas Topliner. Once these two clash, and because I made the track. My original experience of the musical style, and the Western musical style fuse, then they have their own unique singing methods and style, and when that is fused with mine too, because I have to sing after they sing, then translating that into Chinese and singing it again, then translating that into English to sing, translating these versions back and forth will create the best state. So some people will say, ay, why is it that in Zhang Yixing' songs you can hear the Chinese lyrics that aren't so "ay", the Chinese and English lyrics aren't so "ay".
Q: That (T/N: the Chinese and English lyrics) isn't strange?
ZYX: The reason is because there is constant clashing, yes, then with lyrics it is the same thing, these lyrics are ones I have to be satisfied with. Oh, this time was incredible, in my 10 tracks there was a lyricist who wrote 8 of my songs. This is a mysterious thing, no one has ever written so many lyrics for me before.
Q: Is it because you like the style of his lyrics?
ZYX: Yes, the style of his lyrics are very similar to the state of this album, and they are very good, they fit very well.
Q: Earlier we were talking about your music. When it comes to words, for example what sort of words do you like, what words can you pick from your songs?
ZYX: Actually I like (words) that are more direct, concise and to the point, but accurate and moving. Mm, winding words are ok too, but it depends on what song it is in, like in popular music, maybe others can't understand what you are saying, what the key point is, including the climax and the bridge, it is very hard to make others understand what I am singing, so as long as the way it expresses it is similar to my demo, I will choose it. Actually I really like lyrics that have a cultural background to them, but the problem is that the best lyricist teachers won't be willing to alter their own works, which makes it harder for me to control it, because many things have been refined in my demo for a while. For example, I've refined a demo back and forth 5-6 times with others, sometimes 10 times. That day, whilst filming I was also chatting about the demo to someone. My Topline, is like this - for example after I make the track, firstly I sing a topline track myself, and I send it over to let them listen to my topline, after they listen to it they'll give me their opinion, and send back their feedback, and let me listen to it, then arrange it. The tracks are arranged and arranged, and after leaving the best parts, I'll send it back to him, then he'll send it back to me again, some times back and forth like this, the most has been 10 times (back and forth).
Q: On IG I saw your photographs, then I saw a lot of waveforms in the photos, I really paid attention to those.
ZYX: That's...
Q: Yes yes yes, what is your requirements for your creative environment? For example, will you turn the lights off? Or?
ZYX: No no, I don't have the lights off. The creative environment first I have to be in the state myself. For example I want to create/compose something, for example when I am filming, every day is the creative environment. Think about it, when I am filming, my album is all done by me, my goodness, that's very terrifying, that's very exhausting. So now I want to gradually let these things go, because...
Q: You want to be be completely immersed in it.
ZYX: Yes, that's one reason, and another is because with composing, it really is a time-consuming job, one song... you know because you make music too.
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Q: I know, when you were making "SHEEP" you say you devoted 2/3 of your time into it, then I observed your schedule was very packed every dya, then how did you manage to squeeze this time out?
ZYX: Every night before sleeping, or not sleeping, or for example when filming - I'll memorise the lines at night, because you have to change scenes whilst filming, or change machines, in those moments once they say "stop", I'll "bong" and run into the van, then make music for 5 minutes. In 5 minutes, you can at least adjust the music a little, then... "bong" run out again, and film, then after filming it'll be change of machine and scene again, "bong" back. Just memorising the lines at night, then filming in the morning, making music in between.
Q: When working overnight, what was the longest you had to stay up for?
ZYX: Working overnight isn't not sleeping either, I'll sleep 1-2 hours, yes.
Q: How do you adjust your mental state, with such stress?
ZYX: Not well, my mental state isn't well. When others see me, they will say, aiya your mental state is really good. But no choice, music is, ay, only by squeezing time like this, because if I had large amounts of time and all... because there's a lot... I know some singers, they have a production team to help them produce things. I'm carrying it myself, yes.
Q: You can do that too.
ZYX: Yes, but I have no chance to interact/meet (them), because I have limited time, I believe all teams are through gradual interactions.
Q: Although you're exhausted alone, but it feels like you have joy in it too.
ZYX: It gives me a sense of accomplishment. Arranging music is a specailised thing too, I like to talk music with people in the field. Because these things are my weapons.
Q: The weapons you're referring too?
ZYX: Weapons to conquer the world, my dance, my music, my arrangement, what else do I have? Nothing, right, and acting, recently.
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Q: Actually you have many identifies, including your Weibo verification says you're an actor, a singer, then you also do variety shows. But I want to know with regards to your career development, do you want to develop in all areas, or do you want to target more specific areas?
ZYX: I feel it can't be said to be developing in all areas, it should be developing according to the situation. Everyone's path is different, I might be...
Q: What is your path then?
ZYX: Developing according to the situation, yes, actually I hope that I can get the affirmation from the world, that's what I want to do more, it's my own unrealistic ideal I suppose.
Q: How do you want to develop according to the situation, because you have so many identities, then you love music so much.
ZYX: I feel that music, how do I prove that my music is the best? How do you prove that your music brings products, results, your target has to be the highest point. The highest point may be awards, it may be platforms, it may be stages, you decide. Our standards are all different, but give yourself the highest target, that way you'll become like me, dreaming unrealistically, and keep working hard.
Q: For example, with the Chinese music market, as a musician you'll definitely know, then the movie/TV industry is so heated, you have spent a lot of energy filming shows, do you ever feel conflicted with this balance or choice?
ZYX: Filming a good music video is very expensive. Acting a good movie is very difficult too. Every time I get an opportunity, I am willing to use my greatest hard work to do it well, I don't want those who support and like me to be disappointed, that's my basic thought, nothing else. Including Bo-ge's "The Island" that is about to be released, I hope that you'll go watch it, because Bo-ge came to look for me, at that time I was about to release an album.
Q: It was just at that timing.
ZYX: It was the album "SHEEP", I'd contacted the directors and everything, but Bo-ge asked me, ok, I'll go.
Q: Were you hesitant or scared?
ZYX: Of course I hesitated, Bo-ge gave me a day to consider, but I was quite happy, I learnt a lot from Bo-ge.
Q: Then what was the result of your consideration?
ZYX: No, he gave me one day, he said to think about it, give me an answer tomorrow. I said, ah, ge, really. Then the next day he said, I've written the script in your direction, I said no, ge, I haven't said I'll go, I haven't said I'll go y'know? The next day he didn't wait for my response and said that hte script was already written in my direction, prepare yourself, my goodness, nothing else, he was very strong.
Q: Then when you were filming, it became like you said earlier, running in both directions?
ZYX: Yes yes yes, Bo-ge knew it too. And one night, I woke up Yu He Wei teacher, because I was making music, because you know you have to listen to that thing repeatedly "dong dong dong da dong dong dong", then Yu He Wei teacher couldn't sleep and called the hotel to complain. Then the hotel called me, and I didn't know it was Yu He Wei teacher who had complained. The next day I met Yu He Wei teacher, and he said "yesterday which brat" - he didn't know wh it was - "yesterday which brat was so noisy, because..." I said ah, Yu He Wei teacher, you made the phone call of complaint? (Yu He Wei teacher said) It was you? I said, oh it's me, sorry teacher. He said he had a key scene and he couldn't even memorise the lines because he was so tired, yesterday I disturbed him all night.
Q: That sounds exactly like my neighbour. Have you calculated this before, how much time do you spend each month on flying?
ZYX: No, I don't know how much this is.
Q: How do you pass time on the plane?
ZYX: Making music or sleeping, but if it's shaking too much...
Q: You can't
ZYX: What I'm most impressed by is when the plane is going dadadadada (turbulence on the plane), people are eating there, I'm really impressed. Even when someone else's water has fallen onto the floor, they're eating there, mm, the water is on the floor, that's alright, very calmly. My goodness, impressive impressive, I'm amazed.