What is your name and what city do you rep?
My name is Zihao Fang and I am from China. I represent Hohhot and Los Angeles.
Tell us about your latest releases, what inspired you to create them?
The name of my latest song release is “Reflection”. I was inspired by the artistic atmosphere of San Francisco and my city life there.
What is unique about you and your music?
I am from a family which both of my parents are professors in Music School. They really have a deep impact on me and my music. I started studying Chinese folk music when I was six years old. The purpose of me coming to the United States is to study music and find the methods of blending Chinese folk music and Western music style. “Reflection” is the third single from my album “Soul of Fashion”. When I was making the song, I tried my best to get rid of the shackles of folk music and incorporate the hip-pop elements into my work for the first time. This is a very big challenge for me, and I am proud of the final sound of “Reflection”.
What shaped your music?
After I had collaborated with many good producers, I found there should be a “selling point” of my music and I should find my own niche. I started to analyze how big songs were created. For example, nowadays many songs consist of sample audio files which make the producer lost his/her identify. Knowing the structure of a good song and trying to duplicate its production method has really helped me shape my own music.
When did you realize you were going to make music professionally?
It is the moment when I found that I do not need other people to judge whether my music is good or bad and my music is able to find its own audiences. I think making music is subjective but at the same time producers have the human tendency to get approved from the music critics and listeners. I believe when a producer knows he does not need compliments to confirm his career and occupation choice is the moment he can confirm he can make music professionally.
What type of music do you listen to?
Pop, Hip-pop, Rock and Classic Music
What inspires you to write music?
My daily life and mood. I use music to record my life. When I listen to one of my old songs, I feel i am in a time machine which takes me back to the time when I was writing it. It is a surprise how small details of my life can impact and inspire the key elements of my writing. At the same time, I believe some people may feel connected with my music and my music may help them boost their mood or take them to another world. That’s the whole purpose of being a producer and composer.
What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) and that you are passionate about?
I think I will become an executive music producer and supervise the work of upcoming artists. I may also teach more students so my knowledge and expertise can pass to the next generation.
Happiness to you is…
Happiness to me is having the freedom to create the type of music I want and love. It is difficult because sometimes when you produce music, you need to force yourself to think about the market. However, if you go with the market trend, the music may not sound authentic.
What do you wish you were told when you first started making music that you think would help artists just starting out?
I wish someone can tell me believe in my music and myself when I first started making music. As a musician and producer, you always try to find the “truth”. When people tell you your work is good, you sometimes doubt whether it is true. When people tell you your work is bad, your judgment may be affected by the comment. Being able to tell yourself you can make it and your work will be recognized, that I believe is the beginning of a successful music career.
Tell us about your upcoming projects…
My single “Reflection” is available on all major streaming platforms June 6, 2022.
Where do we find you music / music projects?
