These past few weeks have been quite difficult as far as writing and music goes. I have been struggling with ideas, sounds and concepts. Mainly, I have been at a loss for what to say and talk about. For me, this is the biggest issue when producing an album because if I don’t know what I want to say then everything is meaningless.
I experience a lot of self-doubt, confusion, frustration and depression during each production of a new album. But this process is essential because otherwise nothing new will emerge. I firmly believe that one must “reset to zero” before one’s heart and soul can contain and express new ideas and emotions. However, this process can be quite painful and exhausting emotionally. I believe that if one is not able to complete this process andcycle then one will not move forward or grow in that stage of life.
Something I’ve wanted to talk about but only touched upon previously is the state of Chinese music as a whole. The reason I couldn’t’ talk about these things is because of the limitations of the media and press. I’m not talking about censorship but about the fact that our media is becoming increasingly more focused on trends and gossip rather than more “serious” topics. Therefore, I am delighted to have this forum in which I can “chat” and share with my friends and supporters thoughts and ideas I may have. I am in no way claiming that I am right about anything so please don’t hold me to that. I am merely expressing my opinions and observations about things that I am extremely concerned about. I don’t see music as just merely entertainment but a reflection of our culture and society.
The eternal dilemma of the artist is to create something new while at the same time not isolate his/her audience. That is something I ponder with each album. To deliver something that is both new and fresh while at the same time not losing your audience is something very difficult to achieve if at all achievable. If you come out with an album that is too different than your previous works then people will say that you are changing for change’s sake or that you have changed for the worse. If you don’t change at all then people will say you are repeating yourself and stagnant. How does one achieve a “perfect” balance so that both sides are satisfied?
Often people tell me that their favorite album of mine is the “blue” one or the first album. They tell me their favorite songs are “Blue Moon” or “I Love You” and that they wish I could write more songs like those. However, what they fail to understand is that the person who wrote those songs has grown and changed. If I tried to write songs like I did on the first album I probably wouldn’t be able to do so because I’ve become a different person who feels and thinks differently. And even If I were able to write songs similar to those on the first album would people like them or would they say that I’m repeating myself? Herein, lies the dilemma.
And what is the solution to all this? Well, there is no “solution” except to be true to yourself and be yourself.
However, that is easier said than done, as you all know. It takes courage, love, and some wisdom to be yourself. What I’m grateful of is that at least I have the love and support of my fans and friends to be myself. As for wisdom, well, I ask that of God.
Production and work on my new album has already commenced as you may already have heard. I am deep within the process and am often confused and frustrated. I hope something new and true will emerge at the end of this journey. There are talks and rumors about when the album will be released but all I can say is that it will be done when it’s done. I ask for your support and patience and that you also keep an open mind and ear when you first listen to this album when it comes out.It will be something quite different than the previous albums but I assure you one thing-that this and every album of mine will be an imprint of my life, mind, heart and soul.
To me, the first three albums formed a trilogy of sorts. This is technically the fourth new studio album and, so, it will commence a new period or perhaps trilogy for me. This new album will embark on new sounds, topics, ideas, feelings and opinions. But it will, nevertheless, still be a David Tao album at the core.
