Post by mossy on Jun 24, 2006 0:48:53 GMT 8
Hom Alone
Or is he? The famously tight-lipped WANG LEE HOM keeps us guessing.
BY ALEX ER (REPUBLIC POLY)
LIME: You've released 15 albums since 1995. How do you manage to be so productive?
WANG LEE HOM: Well, I guess for you doing interviews are kind of like me writing songs. I've got my little book, it's like writing a diary. It's just writing what I feel and it ends up being a lot of music.
List three things to look out for in your new album, Heroes of Earth.
There's some traditional Beijing and Kunqu operas elements. Also the collaborations with the musicians that I feel are present day 'gai shi ying xiong' (heroes), like the opera singers from China and Taiwan and also pop singers from over the world like Rain, J-Lin, Jin, Mayday's Ashin, Machi... a lot of great artistes, a lot of great collaborations. And I'd like everyone to look out for how I'm attempting to create more identity for Chinese hip-hop with this album and the previous one.
What pays off better in this industry, working hard or schmoozing smart?
Working hard, definitely. I know a lot of schmoozers who don't ever do anything but schmooze.
Your concerts in Taipei last March set the record for selling the most number of tickets (26,000) at one of their stadiums. How did you celebrate?
It's a great honour, and it's a new venue, I'm sure someone will break my record. I'm really happy with the way the concert went. I'm hoping to bring the tour to Singapore in September.
You've acted in a few films including Avenging Fists. Which Hollywood blockbuster do you wish you were a part of: Mission Impossible III, The Da Vinci Code or X-Men: The Last Stand?
I don't think I could be in any of those movies, because I don't really see a role for me.
What kind of roles are you looking for?
A lot of it has to do with the script, not the role. Just like a good song, the most important part is the song itself. This is my philosophy - not who's singing it, not the arrangement, but the lyrics and melodies. I feel the same way about the roles.
Is there a bad review in your career that you always remember?
No, there're people who say bad stuff or good stuff about you, anything that you do. Sometimes it's very very helpful and constructive. But usually, a critic or someone attacking you in the press is just trying to get their own names in the press, so I usually don't pay attention to those people. Most of the best criticism that I've got is from friends or from other artistes and producers who care about your work.
Being a celebrity makes you vulnerable to attacks from tabloids. Is your love for your craft enough pay-off for this invasion of privacy?
Definitely, and I don't think that there's a conflict, I'm here to make music, and that's my job. I'm not here to do any of that other stuff. Because I tell myself that everyday, and whenever anything comes up in the press that has nothing to do with my job, I just tell myself," You don¡¦t have to address it, it's not your job, it's not what you¡¦re here to do."
Who was the last person to catch your eye?
I've been into the YouTube website (www.youtube.com). I can spend hours watching Prince and Stevie Wonder concerts, lots of live performances that I wouldn¡¦t be able to see otherwise. Recently, I just love what Prince is doing. I've always been into it, but never seen him live. I just have new-found admiration for him.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us.
(Long pause) Something that would surprise you... Let me think... Well... I enjoy drinking coconut juices.
Heroes of Earth is in stores.
Or is he? The famously tight-lipped WANG LEE HOM keeps us guessing.
BY ALEX ER (REPUBLIC POLY)
LIME: You've released 15 albums since 1995. How do you manage to be so productive?
WANG LEE HOM: Well, I guess for you doing interviews are kind of like me writing songs. I've got my little book, it's like writing a diary. It's just writing what I feel and it ends up being a lot of music.
List three things to look out for in your new album, Heroes of Earth.
There's some traditional Beijing and Kunqu operas elements. Also the collaborations with the musicians that I feel are present day 'gai shi ying xiong' (heroes), like the opera singers from China and Taiwan and also pop singers from over the world like Rain, J-Lin, Jin, Mayday's Ashin, Machi... a lot of great artistes, a lot of great collaborations. And I'd like everyone to look out for how I'm attempting to create more identity for Chinese hip-hop with this album and the previous one.
What pays off better in this industry, working hard or schmoozing smart?
Working hard, definitely. I know a lot of schmoozers who don't ever do anything but schmooze.
Your concerts in Taipei last March set the record for selling the most number of tickets (26,000) at one of their stadiums. How did you celebrate?
It's a great honour, and it's a new venue, I'm sure someone will break my record. I'm really happy with the way the concert went. I'm hoping to bring the tour to Singapore in September.
You've acted in a few films including Avenging Fists. Which Hollywood blockbuster do you wish you were a part of: Mission Impossible III, The Da Vinci Code or X-Men: The Last Stand?
I don't think I could be in any of those movies, because I don't really see a role for me.
What kind of roles are you looking for?
A lot of it has to do with the script, not the role. Just like a good song, the most important part is the song itself. This is my philosophy - not who's singing it, not the arrangement, but the lyrics and melodies. I feel the same way about the roles.
Is there a bad review in your career that you always remember?
No, there're people who say bad stuff or good stuff about you, anything that you do. Sometimes it's very very helpful and constructive. But usually, a critic or someone attacking you in the press is just trying to get their own names in the press, so I usually don't pay attention to those people. Most of the best criticism that I've got is from friends or from other artistes and producers who care about your work.
Being a celebrity makes you vulnerable to attacks from tabloids. Is your love for your craft enough pay-off for this invasion of privacy?
Definitely, and I don't think that there's a conflict, I'm here to make music, and that's my job. I'm not here to do any of that other stuff. Because I tell myself that everyday, and whenever anything comes up in the press that has nothing to do with my job, I just tell myself," You don¡¦t have to address it, it's not your job, it's not what you¡¦re here to do."
Who was the last person to catch your eye?
I've been into the YouTube website (www.youtube.com). I can spend hours watching Prince and Stevie Wonder concerts, lots of live performances that I wouldn¡¦t be able to see otherwise. Recently, I just love what Prince is doing. I've always been into it, but never seen him live. I just have new-found admiration for him.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us.
(Long pause) Something that would surprise you... Let me think... Well... I enjoy drinking coconut juices.
Heroes of Earth is in stores.
