Muma
Muma &Third party
On August 25th, 2007, the Yunnan rock band Yao, who was invited to participate in the 2007 Lijiang Snow Mountain Music Festival (blog), released an open letter to quit the festival, which triggered a discussion on whether rock should be mainstreamed. Subsequently, the newly formed "Muma &Third party" by the famous rock artist blog became the last band to participate in the 2007 Lijiang Snow Mountain Music Festival. At the same time, Muma’s solo debut album "Velvet Road" will be officially released this fall. The reporter conducted an exclusive interview with Muma himself on the topic of new records and "rock mainstreaming".
This record is a novel beginning for me.
Liu Hao: Does the name "Third party" have a special meaning?
Muma: It means the third party, or a party named after the number 3.
Liu Hao: Is it the other side besides mainstream and non-mainstream?
Muma: That’s not important. The name was given by a friend who studied law. In a legal contract, the third party is TP.
Liu Hao: The new record is called Velvet Highway, which is very soft and charming, and it is also "Muma". What’s the special meaning of the title, or is it sentimental?
Muma: Nothing, just the words in the lyrics of the track Velvet.
Liu Hao: What’s the biggest difference between this record and previous works?
Muma: Compared with previous works, it uses more colors. For example, the style uses some elements of rock music in the 1970s or 1980s, but it is not so authentic. Emotional expression is more personal, which is completely a fragment of one’s own life, and there are many fabrications. There are some props in the lyrics that have never been seen before.
Liu Hao: At present, I have only listened to two new records, "She is a Dark Talk Star" and "Third Party". I feel that the melody is comfortable and your personal feelings also exist. What elements will you value more in the future: melody, lyrics, personal emotions, or so-called thoughts?
Muma: I won’t lose my personal feelings. In fact, the relationship between enthusiasm and indifference has always been a theme I pursue musically.
Liu Hao: After the Third Party was founded last year, there were not many performances. Except for beijing pop music festival, it only appeared in Yugong Yishan and star live. Why are there so few people on the scene?
Muma: The real performance of the Third Party is actually "beijing pop music festival" now. The Third Party only rehearsed for two weeks and then went on stage. It didn’t play well. I have been making this new record and have no time to perform. We stayed in the shed for a year and a half, and recently the Third Party began to perform. We have performed three times in the last two weeks.
Liu Hao: If you were allowed to recommend it, which works in the new album are most worth mentioning?
Muma: This record is a novel beginning for me. It is a whole worth mentioning, hehe.
Liu Hao: Xie Tianxiao is called "the king of underground rock" by the media at present. Although this is suspected of hype, it also explains the positioning of musicians from one side. What about your path? More mainstream or underground?
Muma: Who cares about this? I cared about the road before I was 24. When I first conceived Jelly Empire, it rarely appeared in my mind. If you can, please don’t let me carry the brand of indie rock, even if it disappears at any time, it doesn’t matter, that’s a part of pride.
Liu Hao: At present, there are two tendencies in China: some bands pay more attention to localization, while others move closer to the West. Which tendency do you prefer?
Muma: I prefer the one who is good at music.
Liu Hao: Who do you think your current music audience will be?
Muma: I can’t guess, but if possible, I hope "Mermaid" is my biggest audience.
Liu Hao: I wish your new specialty a hot sale and let more people hear your personal feelings.
Muma: Thank you.
I like performing, and I like standing on the stage.
Liu Hao: Talk about the Music Festival. Lijiang Snow Mountain Music Festival, what do you think of this performance?
Muma: I haven’t been there yet, so I can’t talk about it. I don’t know what the specific lineup of the music festival is, but I like to perform and I like to stand on the stage.
Liu Hao: What about Lijiang? Have you been there before?
Muma: I have never been to Lijiang, but I have been to Dali.
Liu Hao: What do you think?
Muma: Hehe, I like Yunnan. I will stay there with some friends for more than a week after the performance.
Liu Hao: The waist band’s withdrawal from the music festival is very hot, and the hype itself is not what the waist band thinks. I just want to talk to you about the essence of this matter. What is your understanding of "rock mainstreaming"?
Muma: There are not many such arguments in China, but there are also many disturbances about it abroad. But I think there is no problem in this matter. Anyone can choose his own behavior and interpret his own behavior. That is a right! Apart from waist behavior and remarks, other related remarks are shit, and I don’t want to add anything to it. Of course, I’m not praising what they have done.
Liu Hao: Are you surprised that a talent star like Purba Rgyal is standing on the stage of the rock music festival?
Muma: I don’t know this person. I wouldn’t be surprised if my mother stood on this stage. In fact, I hope my son will go there to play. Do you feel panic because a 5-year-old child who doesn’t know what rock and roll is standing on the stage? I hope this doesn’t scare everyone.
Liu Hao: Do you agree with Purba Rgyal’s agent that "there is no distinction between high and low levels of music. At present, the dilemma of Chinese rock music is increasingly returning to the underground. This narcissistic attitude and the’ pure rock theory’ are not conducive to the development of rock music. Rock music should be more inclusive. There are many examples of different types of music cooperation and extraordinary achievements at home and abroad."
Muma: The same road tone. I think that kind of words are just unexperienced public relations words, and anyone can say them. I don’t have the concept of "Chinese rock music" in my mind. I’m not that great. The bands and people I respect are actors and talented, such as PK14 and Zuo Xiao Curse. I will only classify them as cool and creative in my mind.
Liu Hao: The waist band said, "I don’t believe anyone can’t see how bad the industry level in this circle has become." As far as things are concerned, is the industry standard in this circle worse than before?
Muma: What do you mean by industry standard? I watched PK14 show in 2004 and PK14 show now. They made great progress. I only care about individual standards. Who cares about industry standards?
Liu Hao: Should we adapt to the mainstream of rock, or resist it with the independent spirit of rock?
Muma: Personally, I don’t care about the positioning nature of music products, mainstream or underground. I only care about the author’s heart and musical exploration and creation. I don’t care what others say is mainstream or underground. When I stand on the stage, it is mine. No one can try to influence me.
Liu Hao: If mainstream singers want to cooperate with you, will you? For example, Yang Naiwen, an independent pop singer in Taiwan Province, has been covering the songs of mainland rock bands, and has also won heartfelt praise from fans.
Muma: I have to see what kind of cooperation. If it’s just a cover, please contact my copyright company, hehe.
Liu Hao: You are the penultimate band on the last day. It should be a little cold in Lijiang at that time. Take care when you arrive in Yunnan. I hope you can perform in the best condition.
Muma: Thank you. I hope so too.
Editor: Li Xingchi
