Easy World / Crazy Work
Trip hop artist Zhong Chi releases her album tonight at Creek Art - By Jade, Dec 20, 07
Zhong Chi is a fresh addition to China's trip hop and electronic music scene. Coming off a successful show at The Shelter earlier this month, tonight sees the release of her debut album "Easy World" at the Creek Art Center. The Shanghainese singer has been beavering away for the last 18 months on this captivating and ambient album. Expect a Bjork meets Portishead down-tempo vibe, with beautiful atmospheric beats and samples infused with melodic and emotional vocals.
Lyrically, "Easy World" communicates an environmental and spiritual message about how to treat the planet and the importance of having balance in our lives. SmartShanghai sat down with Zhong Chi to find out more about the new album.
You should listen to it when you are alone. I'm sure different people will have their own understanding of "Easy World" in their mind. If we have hope, there will always be an "Easy World" for us. If we can be a little bit more positive...
I actually didn't really know this type of music was called "trip hop," until my first media interview and they asked me the same question. I listen to all kinds of music and don't really follow a certain genre. After I met my producer, Jamyam Yeshe, he showed me some of his draft demos. Now I just can't get away from his music, it's so attractive to me. When I first heard his music the lyrics and singing melody suddenly appeared in my mind. This is also how we started to work with each other.
A band from Sweden called Club 8 really built up my confidence to work with my producer and release my album. Their female vocalist Karolina and her track "Love in December" encouraged me a lot. Thanks a lot, Club 8.
It has an environmental message which is very simple: it encourages everyone to take better care of the earth. We must try and do little things in our lives, like trying to use less plastic bags or try to stop using the air conditioner -or at least set it above 27 degrees in summer. We only have one earth and it's our responsibility to take care of her as well as our brothers and sisters (the animals). Some people may think one person can do nothing to improve the current situation of our environment, but that's not true. We can all make a difference as long as we all make a few small changes.
Sentiment wise, I think everyone has a down period; They feel sad and helpless for a time. But when we have experienced the bad period we feel happier about our successes and joyful times. Every experience is a treasure in our lives.
Even though it's not in formal English grammar, I really feel this sentence expresses what I believe. "Crazy work" refers to the stupid things humans do automatically, such as make war or murder. Basically, just not living to their needs. Only people themselves can stop their own "crazy works."
It was an accident. I went to the studio with a friend who was doing a commercial recording. I'd never even been to a recording studio before. That day my producer, Jamyam Yeshe, was not too busy, which is unusual, and he was playing his guitar. I was attracted by his beautiful melody, so I started to sing with the melody. He liked my singing and said "do you want to record that
Lyrically, "Easy World" communicates an environmental and spiritual message about how to treat the planet and the importance of having balance in our lives. SmartShanghai sat down with Zhong Chi to find out more about the new album.
How would you describe your music to people that have never heard it before?
You should listen to it when you are alone. I'm sure different people will have their own understanding of "Easy World" in their mind. If we have hope, there will always be an "Easy World" for us. If we can be a little bit more positive...
How did you get into trip hop/electronic music?
I actually didn't really know this type of music was called "trip hop," until my first media interview and they asked me the same question. I listen to all kinds of music and don't really follow a certain genre. After I met my producer, Jamyam Yeshe, he showed me some of his draft demos. Now I just can't get away from his music, it's so attractive to me. When I first heard his music the lyrics and singing melody suddenly appeared in my mind. This is also how we started to work with each other.
Who inspires you in music?
A band from Sweden called Club 8 really built up my confidence to work with my producer and release my album. Their female vocalist Karolina and her track "Love in December" encouraged me a lot. Thanks a lot, Club 8.
Your album has a lot of spiritual messages, what is the ethos and sentiment behind the music?
It has an environmental message which is very simple: it encourages everyone to take better care of the earth. We must try and do little things in our lives, like trying to use less plastic bags or try to stop using the air conditioner -or at least set it above 27 degrees in summer. We only have one earth and it's our responsibility to take care of her as well as our brothers and sisters (the animals). Some people may think one person can do nothing to improve the current situation of our environment, but that's not true. We can all make a difference as long as we all make a few small changes.
Sentiment wise, I think everyone has a down period; They feel sad and helpless for a time. But when we have experienced the bad period we feel happier about our successes and joyful times. Every experience is a treasure in our lives.
The slogan on the album cover reads, "I will stop your crazy work." What does this mean?
Even though it's not in formal English grammar, I really feel this sentence expresses what I believe. "Crazy work" refers to the stupid things humans do automatically, such as make war or murder. Basically, just not living to their needs. Only people themselves can stop their own "crazy works."
How did you come to work with indie label Soma?
It was an accident. I went to the studio with a friend who was doing a commercial recording. I'd never even been to a recording studio before. That day my producer, Jamyam Yeshe, was not too busy, which is unusual, and he was playing his guitar. I was attracted by his beautiful melody, so I started to sing with the melody. He liked my singing and said "do you want to record that
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