On December 5, 2019, this day that may seem indifferent to everyone, was cherished by Tian Yi as "the most meaningful day in life after the day of birth" - more than a year after debuting as the runner-up of "Children of Tomorrow 2", the 20-year-old boy finally launched his first solo album "Are You Thirsty" on this day.
In the new album, he contributed many original songs, and cooperated with Chen Shanni, Fan Yitang, Qi Zitan, Peng Haitong, the travel group Wei Wei and many other favorite musicians, "life winner" Tian Yi admitted that when he saw the album cover after refreshing the music platform, he seemed to be calm on the surface, but he was actually too excited to speak. So, sitting in the small living room of Sony Music, even though he has experienced 5 hours of announcements, he is still not tired, even a little brisk. It could be seen that this calm and introverted young man was cherishing what was happening. After all, in high school, he wrote in his diary:
"It may be a little silly to say it, but I really love music."
Courtesy of Sony Music
Sunny Chen gave music a new soul
On the negative floor of the Beijing Tianqiao Art Center, Tian Yi walked into the Xinjiang Liquor Livehouse wrapped in a black down jacket. This day is the day that Chen Shanni's "Junior A" tour performed in Beijing. Even after watching the scene of the Shenzhen Station, Tian Yi still came to the territory of "Princess Shani" on time again.
Chen Shanni, a female musician with her own style in the Chinese music scene, not only plays a role that cannot be ignored in "Are You Thirsty", but also occupies an important position in Tian Yi's mind. Since the second year of high school, a song "Love Song" has been nourished by Chen Shanni's three albums of "Low-key Life", "God of War Caldia" and "JuvenileA", so it has become a natural plot to invite her to cooperate in his debut album. "Being able to find her is actually a blessing for Teacher Tuo Qingfeng."
After Tian Yi created a sample of the title song "Cold", he sent it to Wu Qingfeng, the star promoter of "Children of Tomorrow 2", to audition, and under Qingfeng's matchmaking, Chen Shanni nodded and agreed to take over the production of this song. Tian Yi remembers that day in Taipei, when it was raining heavily, Chen Shanni, dressed in black, appeared in the recording studio at 4 p.m., "She wore a key-shaped earring, exactly like the image on Weibo." I was still very nervous, but I felt that with her, I would be more confident when I recorded the sound. And she added a new voice to the arrangement that competed with the outside world, giving the song a new life and soul. ”
Cover of the album "Are You Thirsty". Courtesy of Sony Music
Systematic cognitive pop music began with Zeng Yike
In Tian Yi's music, there is a kind of alienated and introverted temperament. This young man with beautiful literature and art admitted that he actually did not think that he could really produce a complete album, "When I just finished the competition, I thought it was very happy to release a single." He never seemed to have had a wild ambition, but he never left the small universe of music.
When he was a child, Tian Yi often followed his mother to the beauty salon. During the time of her mother's skin care and beauty, Tian Yi sat on the side and obediently listened to the songs in her Mp3. "Like Qi Qin's "About Winter", as well as "Big ChangJin", "Sweet Honey" and so on, my mother likes to listen to it. It seems that since then, I have developed a lot of interest in music. ”
Referring to the systematic cognition of popular music, Tian Yi said that it should have started with Zeng Yike, "When I was in the sixth grade of elementary school, I first heard her "Night Train", and then she came out "A Cat's Journey Forever 21" and later "The Flying Thief"... She should be my pop initiation. Although I was relatively young at the time and did not understand the connotation of the lyrics, I just liked the sincere feeling when she sang, including the style of her lyrics, which later had a lot of influence on me. ”
After high school, Tian Yi fell in love with Zhou Bichang because he watched "I Am a Singer", because "Love Song" noticed Chen Shanni, and then he also came into contact with Wang Ruolin, Dou Jingtong, and many independent musicians including Qiu Bi and spice bands... When he heard those works with more unique connotations, he found that the resonance in his heart became more and more profound. And this nourishment was later reflected not only in his unique song selection system on the stage of "Children of Tomorrow 2", but also in full view through his own musical works.
Dialogue with Tian Yi
Beijing News: Everyone likes to call you "four fires", but the main concept of the album "Are You Thirsty" is "water", in your opinion, how is "water and fire" compatible?
Tian Yi: In fact, water has different forms, it may be as hard as ice, it may be very gentle and warm, and it may also be very hot and intense. Of course, I have a passion like fire in my heart, such as the love of music, the yearning for singing and the stage, but I also want to express a feeling of "extinguishing myself to water you", which is a kind of inner desire to be loved, or a spirit of dedication for love.
Beijing News: The song "Winter Dates" is very interesting, can you talk about the creative process?
Tian Yi: Probably last winter, I would buy very crisp winter dates every day, and at that time, I was often at home alone, and sometimes I had a more bitter mood, but every time I ate winter dates, I felt happy, which was a small thing that healed me, so I wrote this song. But the calories of winter dates are still not low, and there are 500 calories per kilogram. [Laughs]
Beijing News: More than a year after his debut, is there a difference between the singer's profession and what was once expected?
Tian Yi: It doesn't seem to be as interesting as imagined, singer is a profession that needs a sense of mission and continuous learning, and it is also a somewhat boring and lonely process. For example, when I was in college, although I didn't particularly like to communicate with many people, I had to meet people every day. Now that there may be no work, there will be many opportunities to avoid many communication sessions. Privately, I may still be in a relatively closed state, so this career is not as easy and easy as I think. However, being a singer still has to be responsible, because so many people are supporting you, looking at you, waiting for you to do something that makes them unexpected or warmer to them.
Beijing News: When there is no job, how does the daily day belonging to Tian Yi generally spend?
Tian Yi: Generally it is to surf the Internet and see what is new and fun. I'm also a 20-year-old kid, so I'll watch fun videos and laugh, or order fried chicken to see if I want to eat garlic or spicy and sour. Every day, I also practice singing and practicing guitar. I'm not a special homemaker, I can go out to a movie by myself, go to the mall to buy scents or clothes, yes, I still like scented candles.
Beijing News: Do you often go to Livehouse or gymnasium to watch performances recently? Will the mentality of watching a show be different now than it was before the debut?
Tian Yi: I have seen less in these two days, because I am busy with album things. In December and January I will try to see more. In the past, when I went to the show, I felt that "I finally want to sing this song" and "I will sing this song", but now it is more of a learning attitude. For example, the last time I saw The scene of Mrs. Sunny, I was learning how she interacted with the scene. In fact, I also communicated with her about this, and she told me that you should try to make yourself the center of the stage, fully integrate into the song, and the action is naturally revealed, and then ask the audience for love.
Beijing News reporter Yang Chang
Edited by Tian Kaini Proofreader Zhao Lin