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Jay Chou: Play around with electronic music in new album
by kelvin@multistars - 17th June 2006
Because of the "Pepsi Big Stars lead by Jay Chou concert" being held yesterday, Jay took his "musical tornado" all the way to Chang Chun. After the afternoon rehearsal yesterday, Jay appeared as arranged in front of the media: a simple white flower printed t-shirt, a simple chain around his neck, his hair the same as usual. The reporter didn't even say "Hello, Jay Chou" yet and he had already sat down. Music, film and the other topics about him replaced the sharp rumours, each of these were put in front of Jay.
If you put "Jay Chou" in a search, the latest news that will pop up must be related to his new movie "City Full Of Golden Armour". The interview yesterday also started from this new movie...
CSWB: The movie you starred in last year "Initial D" was very hot, can you say that in accepting to film Zhang Yi Mou's "City Full Of Golden Armour" you are "challenging" professional actors?
Jay: "Initial D" was a box office success because of fans supporting it. In terms of movies I'm not too confident about my own popularity, I'm still more confident about my music. I hope that my acting can improve.
CSWB: In "City Full Of Golden Armour", you work with these heavy class actors Gong Li and Chow Yun Fat, do you have pressure? Have you finished filming your parts?
Jay: I'm happier working with seniors. My parts are basically finished, the only thing left is the voiceover.
CSWB: You are personally doing the voiceover, is your Mandarin ok?
Jay: Voiceover and music are not the same, you have to pronounce more clearly, it was me talking.
When "Initial D" came out, a lot of people thought this was "heavenly king Chou" playing with money; who could have known, Jay is not satisfied with getting the best ticket sales, he also wants to be a director, to the awaiting fans, Jay has given the deadline of: 5 years.
CSWB: You were once the director of your own MV for "Hair Like Snow" and you plan to be a director of movies, did you "secretly learn" from Zhang Yi Mou when working with him and what did you learn?
Jay: I'm very happy to be working with an international class director Zhang Yi Mou, I don't dare to secretly learn. I stand by the side without saying a word and obediently listen to his orders. I should learn to be modest like him.
CSWB: From what you are saying, you see your performance in the movie to be very important, have you made up your mind to develop in the movie field?
Jay: I hope I can be a director, this is my dream. Movies is another road for me, I don't know the result. I hope it can be a smooth, long like the road of music.
CSWB: Do you have a planned time?
Jay: Within 5 years! My first movie will have the feeling of campus and will be related to music.
"Quickly use Nun-Chuks, he he ha hei..." this is the initial product of Jay's music. A lot of people were curious how a song with such unclear pronunciation can become most loved by the young generation. But, Jay brought along the latest news, his new album will be out in August, it's enough to make Jay fans happy for a long time.
CSWB: "November's Chopin" was already a very long time ago, when is the new album out?
Jay: End of August, beginning of September! The style is of course "Chou style". And this so-called "Chou style" is not pronouncing clearly. Music needs to have a unique individual flavour, I'm still maintaining my own style. I will add in a little electronic music where appropriate, please look forward to it!
CSWB: This year you got very little from the GMAs, will you care a lot?
Jay: No matter what award ceremony, you have to have a normal heart to face it, it is not the biggest affirmation if they say it is good. I won't make music to match the tastes of the judges, sales to me is a bit more real.
CSWB: Talking about your music, you can't get away from Vincent Fang, will you still be working with him in the new album?
Jay: Vincent Fang is my lifetime good friend, I can't be without him when making music. His lyrics are great, just listening to it you get the picture, we will continue to work together.
"You are in the South, I am in the North, we are both the generation that grew up on McDonalds. Little eyes, big stars, do you know how many girls you have charmed..." This is the lyrics from "super girl" Angela An's "Hello, Jay Chou", it is enough to illustrate his place in fans' hearts. Yesterday, he gave some suggestions to young people.
CSWB: The young people now really like your music, they see you as their idol. Normally what do you ask of yourself?
Jay: I'm not a bad example! Normally I do a bit more exercise, for instance playing basketball, not going to night bars, on some occasions I have no choice. And I don't smoke, drink, a positive image, perhaps you can find some of this on me.
CSWB: How do you interact with young people?
Jay: Listen more to my music. I write a lot of lyrics in there.
CSWB: Your "Bo Le" Jacky Wu is right now working with Mainland China TV on a programme about talent selection, he wants to find "the second Jay Chou", how do you see this? Can Jay Chou be repeated?
Jay: (thinks for a few seconds) I don't know. But making this programme is very interesting, I hope they can discover someone even better than me. There are a lot of people who can sing better than me, it's only that they don't have a chance. I like these competitions, young people who participate will get a chance.
CSWB: This is your second time to the northeast, what's your impression?
Jay: The fans are very passionate. The deepest impression was that once after a performance, a female fan climbed onto my back, I carried her for a while walking around and then I found out I don't know her; I thought it was a staff member joking around. But I have to remind fans to take notice of safety, if not then next time your father, mother won't let you come to see my concert.
CSWB: Before there was news about conflicts between you and the media?
Jay: In Mainland China, it doesn't happen. Why is there conflict? It's not the majority of the media that is not good, it is only a small part, I'm talking about the "paparazzi", they talk nonsense, my EQ, mood won't be controlled well. A lot of celebrities hate the "paparazzi", but it's the reality of life and there's nothing you can do about it, everyone loves looking at it, even I love to look at gossips.
We thought a lot about the kind of situations Jay might meet, but when Jay sat in front of me, I discovered I was wrong! He changed from the "legend" that he doesn't speak much, and his temper was not big. Occasionally when he answers and the reporter does not hear it clearly, he will frown slightly and repeat it; the reporter suggested taking a picture together, he will put down the photo album in his hand, he's very cooperative.
In the middle of the interview, the mobile of one of the staff members by his side rang, the ringtone was his "Huo Yuan Chia", yet he says he won't use his own music as a ringtone, he's scared people will say he loves himself. Originally we were talking about music, movies, but after some talking he mentions his parents, saying his gratitude to his mother for her support to his music making; he said he didn't have time so he could only pay for his father to take a vacation in Japan.
Father's Day is fast approaching, he said everyone could listen to "Dad I Have Come Back", and learn how to maintain the relationship between father and son. After the interview, we heard the leader of Pepsi say, "We don't have time this time, if not we would have invited you to watch North-East Chinese song-and-dance duets", Jay seriously thought about it for half a day, quietly noting it down, other people said interestingly, perhaps he can find inspiration in North-East Chinese song-and-dance duets.