Exclusive article from Taiwan

[Wendy]

Original Chinese article extracted from: leehomwang.xxking.com
Translated by: Shane (taken from HOManiacs Malaysia)

This was an hour long interview Leehom did with a few lucky Taiwanese fans at one of his promotional activities. I did minimal changes to some of the phrases as it would have sounded funny if I translated them word-for-word, plus the original context had loads of big bombastic Chinese words than I'm not so familiar with, so if there's any mistakes at all, thousand apologies. If you want to read the more-detailed article, it's at the link as stated above.

PART ONE

Q: You started out learning classical music, ever thought of coming out with a classical music album?
A: Not at the moment.

Q: Since you think in English and you compose in English, you have to translate the original lyrics (in English) to Chinese lyrics. Are there any difficulties when translating them? And do you sometimes feel that the feeling evoked doesn't much reflect on the original one after being translated? And I think you are singing too many love ballads!!
A: Hmmm, I think I've sung too many love songs too! I don't think it's the matter of translation, it's whether the audience and market can accept it. But if I feel the English lyrics for a particular song seems to be more
applicable to the original concept, then I'd put it into the album as well, for example like "Mary Says". But I normally compose in Chinese now, just like "W-H-Y", I write them in Chinese straight away.

Q: So which of your songs do you think is the most touching one?
A: "Crying Palms"!!

Q: You've previously reproduced the song "Descendants of the Dragon", ever thought of reproducing another song?
A: I didn't sing "Descendants of the Dragon" just because my uncle wrote it, but also because of the fact that I was born and raised in US, thus it really puts a big meaning to the whole idea. But right at this moment
I haven't got any particular song in mind which I want to reproduce (re-sing). What more I love to compose, the new album can't even fit all the new songs, talk about the 'old' ones!

Q: Have you ever had the experience of not being able to compose a tune though it keeps ringing in your mind? Will you put yourself into a dilemma just to compose something 'different'? How do you solve those problems?
A: I think every composer does go through the so-called dilemma, and it's a real tough time, like not being satisfied with what I've composed.I guess any artists or anyone who is involved in the field of 'creating' would face the same thing. We need a lot of encouragement and confidence in ourselves. The people who are always by my side are very important to me, and of course not forgetting the support given by my fans.

Q: After filming "China Strike Force", have you thought of what other roles you'd like to take in acting?
A: I just finished filming a movie with Hyde and Gackt, it's called "Moon Child". Acting is really interesting as it gives me a lot of inspirations in terms of composing. I will be working with Gackt on the original soundtracks
for the movie. Right now, I'll still be putting my focus on music, as my next Mandarin album will be out around summer next year.

Q: You've been in the entertainment circle for about 7 years now, why do you think your music can survive in the market for 7 years?
A: I guess it's because the audience trust me, and they think that my music is sincere, serious and there's quality assured?

[Wendy]

PART TWO

Q: Your love ballads are really good! Are they all your personal experiences? Just like the song "Last Night", is it a true story? Ever sang it to the girl?
A: Love ballads don't necessarily come from personal experiences, just like acting where actors don't in reality go through what is stated in the script, whereby most of the time it depends on the "acting method", and the same goes for singers. But of course, "Last Night" originated from a true personal experience, and the girl stated in the song is a real character, just that I've never sang it in front of her. During uni times, the hostel for male and female students were on the same block, and she was my study partner. We were working on an assignment together on one night, then she fell asleep on the bed, as I watched her sleep, I didn't even dare to breathe cos' I was thinking to myself "wow...she's so pretty!", but I just didn't get the courage to express my feelings for her, aiyoh! I just didn't dare to!

Q: How do you train your singing skills? Have you thought of going back to Uni to learn more on music?
A: Previously, I had some vocal trainers, but right now, I'm on my own. I spend about 1-2 hours everyday practising. It's just like exercising, it doesn't matter whether I'm having a show on that day. As I had a few shows at some schools recently, I kind of miss my schooling days when I see all those students, wanting so much to become a student again. But I guess I'm just missing 'life' as a student, cos' I don't think there's a need (or neither do I have the time) to go back and learn more on music. There are already so many things that I've not learnt from working on music now, what more learning music in college is more theory-based. Well unless I'm gonna do White music, then I might consider going back, cos' it's of a whole different perspective.

Q: There are rumours saying that you play 17 different musical instruments?
A: Haha! Playing them doesn't mean I play them well enough, but I want to improve on my piano and guitar skills. I used to think I know how to play them, but when I think of it again now, I feel I actually don't know it that well, I'm just playing them aimlessly. It's just like I do speak a little Spanish, but that doesn't mean I speak the language fluently. To talk about instruments that I feel I play well, I guess it's the piano and violin. As for the drums and guitar, I hope I'll be able to improve on them.In fact, I really hope I can be like Stevie Wonder when he records, where he plays his own drums, then plays his own guitar, then the keyboard...

Q: It's quite obvious that you've sung differently in "Two Persons Doesn't Equal Us", why do you sound so sad and moody in the song?
A: I actually did quite a few versions for this song, I still ended up choosing the one which I sang right after getting up from bed, cos' it evokes the feeling better.

Q: When you performed Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" during the recent Golden Melody Awards, you had the whole audience applauding. So when's your Taiwan concert coming along?
A: Of course I hope to get back to Taiwan for the concert as soon as possible, but I really do not know when just as yet. I'll definitely announce it once everything's confirmed!