INDEX
A Fresh Presentation of Indigenous Taiwanese Language
Do you think many people who speak Taiwanese share this recognition of being able to express their identity through the language?
Weni：It might be hard to imagine from Japan, but Taiwan is a small country where multiple ethnicities and languages coexist. Each person carries a part of ‘Taiwanese culture,’ and there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong. In musical terms, it’s somewhat like a band where various instruments come together to create one sound [laughs].
I imagine that as values become more diverse, Sorry Youth has faced challenges in gaining empathy and growing as a band. Given the concern that focusing solely on the preservation of indigenous culture might limit your audience, what direction are you aiming for as a rock band?
Giang Giang: We are constantly thinking about blending Taiwanese rock music with modern music genres to create new sounds. In this album, Noise Apartment, we combined trip-hop and synthwave with Taiwanese lyrics. With the addition of Olivia Tsao and Eno Chen’s vocals, I think we achieved a fresh sound.
Chung-Han: We’re always considering how to present Taiwanese language as something new. When using words that were born long ago in new music, we keep experimenting with different ways to tell a story.
Weni: Beyond just the lyrics, we always want to take on new challenges. When I have the time, I make it a point to go to live houses without looking at the lineup, so I can gather new inspiration. The concert we held at the Taipei Music Center in August was the largest venue we’ve ever played, and it was a valuable opportunity to show our growth to many people. However, we are also considering different forms of live performances and expressions for the future.
