Tuesday November 3, 2009
Back with a bang
By SETO KIT YAN
Shaun Yu Yong Bang stages a comeback after his musical career hit a snag.
AFTER a few hiccups along the way, Shaun Yu Yong Bang is back to restart his musical career.
Currently based in Taiwan, the Singaporean singer-songwriter said that he was elated to be making music and releasing his latest album Tears From Demon (Mo Gui Yan Lei in Mandarin).
Released in early August, his third album enjoyed good sales in Taiwan despite competing with the likes of Khalil Fong, Jam Hsiao, Jolin Tsai, David Tao, A-mei and Sodagreen. It remained on Taiwan’s weekly G-Music Billboard Top 10 Mandarin Albums in August and September.
Shaun Yu Yong Bang has been learning the ropes of the music industry and has a new CD out. “I feel very happy although there were obstacles. I have to take things one step at a time and it feels like I’m starting from zero again,” said Yu who was in Kuala Lumpur to promote his album recently.
Candid Yu does not shy away from talking about his past disappointments.
Yu burst onto the Chinese pop music scene in 2001 with a self-titled debut album. His signature hit – romantic ballad Ni Shi Wo Zhui Shen Ai De Ren (You Are My Deepest Love) – became one of the top three most requested songs at karaoke lounges throughout the year and remains a popular choice even now.
In 2002, he was nominated the most popular new male artiste at the 2nd Golden Melody Awards, alongside Vic Zhou, Vanness Wu, A-Do and Victor Chen.
After that high, Yu’s career hit a snag when his manager Ji Zhong Ping was said to have been troubled by marital problems.
“Each time I asked him about my next album, he would tell me to wait another half year while he dealt with his family problems. Half-a-year later, he gave me the same reply and this happened many times over.
“In the meantime, my parents grew increasingly concerned about the direction my career was heading.
“My mother thought that I should be releasing another album soon as my earlier one sold well.
“My father even suggested that I take legal action against my manager. But, I felt I couldn’t do something like that.”
The problem persisted and derailed his musical career. Yu grew disillusioned as he struggled to survive the rough patch,
Yu learnt the hard way how misplaced trust and a lack of understanding about the industry practically shattered his dreams.
Fortunately, his love for music and singing kept him optimistic so he decided to stage his comeback.
“In the past, the were many things I was ignorant about. Now, I’m also nurturing new talent and establishing my own music company so I’ve learnt to try to keep things professional and look at everything in a more positive way.
“I try my best to make everybody around me happy, whether I’m doing interviews or working with the production crew.”
Looking bulkier these days, Yu said he spending his time at the gym. “I’d spend at least two hours working out everyday. When I’m exercising, I’d usually be listening to faster, more uptempo songs,” he said.
He later discovered that the music that accompanied his workouts had a greater impact than he could imagine.
“I began to wish for more upbeat music like that in my life. But, I wanted to listen to more Chinese music when working out as mostly English songs were played in the gym. There is a lack of uptempo Chinese music.”
“Nowadays, more and more people are into exercising. I, too, hope to have more Chinese music accompaniment when I’m exercising.” Hence, the concept for his new album that includes more uptempo tracks.
Yu, who plays the guitar, composed all the 10 songs and penned the lyrics for eight of the tunes.
Born to a Singaporean mother and a Malaysian father, Yu speaks and sings in Mandarin, English and Cantonese.
“Mo Gui Yan Lei is actually about how even a demon has an angelic side. No matter how bad a person is, there will be something that can bring tears to his eyes.”
Many have commented that when he sings faster tracks he sounds somewhat like Asia’s King Of Pop Jay Chou.
When asked to comment on this, Yu offered: “Some of the songs are quite wordy, and not easy to sing as they require a slight slurring of the words for a smoother sound. Also, I worked with Michael Lin (who works with Chou as well) on the arrangement of a couple of songs so I guess there might be some similar sounds.”
■ Tears From Demon (Mo Gui Yan Lei) is available in local record stores.
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