ZHANGYE is one of China’s top rising EDM stars who has a purpose to make sure that not solely he achieves nice heights within the world EDM trade, but additionally needs the identical for fellow Chinese language DJs/producers as nicely. As an alumnus on the prestigious Moscow Tchaikovsky Observatory, ZHANGYE obtained his begin as a DJ/producer in 2022 and since then, his phenomenal abilities are getting stronger every day, week, month, and 12 months.
Earlier final month, he launched his newest monitor, ‘The place Do We Go’, with Steve Aoki and Rosie Darling, a monitor that’s excellent for mainstage environments and it incorporates highly effective storytelling that bridges cultures in superior transdencence. Right here is the unique interview with ZHANGYE as he talks about ‘The place Do We Go’, how he blends his classical music background amazingly alongside his present dance/digital music profession, his management as head of the Cyanhill Music record label (he’s additionally the Founder and CEO of Cyanhill Capital), and the way worldwide audiences can get to know extra concerning the up-and-coming stars of China’s blossomig EDM trade.
The international reputation of Steve Aoki is simple, and dealing with him has been an absolute pleasure. A mutual pal launched us to one another and we instantly clicked. He’s a real world famous person and pioneer whose vitality and musical imaginative and prescient are merely unparalleled. Our collaboration transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, which is a testomony to the facility of music as a common language. We shared an identical imaginative and prescient for the monitor proper from the beginning. Through the inventive course of, as an alternative of merely chasing sophisticated style stacking or technical aptitude, we made the decisive option to look again on the golden age of Future Bass.
As for Rosie Darling, her voice is the vessel for this tune’s soul. She is an unbelievable indie-pop artist with nice expertise whose vocals has tons of real emotion and infectious high quality. She completely captures the tune’s theme of introspection and trying to find path—the core query of ‘The place Do We Go’. I’m actually excited to have created this piece alongside two such distinctive musicians from completely different fields. This isn’t only a single; it feels extra like an exploration—a steerage in direction of the infinite potentialities of music.
When producing ‘The place Do We Go’, how does it really feel for you by way of profession development going from learning on the prestigious Moscow Tchaikovsky Observatory to showcasing your abilities to the broader EDM world?
I studied classical music on the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. Classical music and digital music are certainly worlds aside. Classical music calls for intensive examine and rigorous coaching; to make use of an analogy of manufacturing, classical music operates like a “grasp artisan” or “craftsman,” whereas digital music represents fashionable manufacturing strategies. One can produce digital music even with out systematic, formal schooling. Nonetheless, my classical music background is much from a previous I’ve deserted. As a substitute, it has develop into my core inventive benefit: I take advantage of the logic of classical structure to assemble the world of digital music.
I’m not restricted by the “guidelines” and “types” of classical music. I’ve as an alternative realized use the “language” of digital music to convey the very essence—the “musical soul”—that strikes folks essentially the most. This transformation makes me really feel excited, extremely energetic, and stuffed with limitless potentialities. I’ve embraced the trendy energy of digital music, whereas nonetheless carrying the meticulous spirit and craftsmanship of my classical coaching.
You might be one of many main voices behind the CHINA EDM Vol. 1 compilation. What do you concentrate on being a rising star in China’s digital music trade?
I’m deeply honored to be considered a “rising star within the Chinese language digital music scene,” however extra importantly, I see my function as that of a bridge. The core significance of a undertaking like CHINA EDM is to showcase the power, variety, and immense potential of Chinese language digital music to the world. We now have excellent producers who possess distinctive cultural views and modern manufacturing methods. My job is just to assist construct the stage—to make sure these voices get the worldwide recognition they really deserve.
For me personally, this carries a terrific sense of accountability and mission. By way of my work and my label, Cyanhill Music, I goal to show that Chinese language digital artists cannot solely collaborate with high worldwide musicians but additionally lead traits and drive your complete trade ahead. We’re actively working to inject the distinctive sound and vitality of Chinese language EDM into dancefloors and radios across the globe.
In comparison with how it’s immediately, how was the digital music scene in China like once you first began your music profession, and even once you have been a lot youthful?
Roughly 20 years in the past, most individuals thought of digital music like a “area of interest, underground discipline”. We lacked skilled producers, mature labels, and channels to attach with the worldwide scene. Events have been primarily confined to underground golf equipment in just a few cities, and the viewers measurement was very restricted. Over the previous decade or so, now we have witnessed an explosive progress. Massive-scale music festivals sprung up, attracting high worldwide DJs whereas concurrently offering a platform for native artists. Extra crucially, the popularization of expertise and the event of the web allowed a youthful era of producers to have entry to cutting-edge manufacturing instruments and world music traits.
We now possess skilled labels, mature techniques, and an enormous fanbase. The scene has develop into more healthy, extra numerous, and extremely vibrant. Nonetheless, the pandemic dealt a major blow to the Chinese language digital music market. The variety of music festivals decreased by 90%, and the anticipated returns didn’t materialize. This slowdown, which really started round 2018, prompted these audiences to step by step migrate to different types of content material, though the digital music market’s foundational viewers had already been cultivated.
If we put aside the influence of the pandemic on the Chinese language EDM market, all earlier information indicated that the home scene was poised for a golden age of improvement. However presently, the “breakthrough” of Chinese language EDM into the mainstream nonetheless lacks momentum. As a synonym for “in style and avant-garde,” digital music carries a fancy cultural attribute; it requires the help of the precise environment, trade infrastructure, labels, and, crucially, pioneering leaders.
How can worldwide music followers, in addition to music trade consultants, get to know and be taught concerning the up-and-coming DJ/producers within the Chinese language dance/eleectronic music trade?
Why has the Netherlands develop into the worldwide heart of EDM, occupying such a significant place? Why are so many glorious Chinese language producers hardly ever seen or heard on European and American levels? Past their earlier begin, the extra important purpose lies of their high-frequency inner “communication, solidarity, and mentorship.” This spirit of mutual help and collaboration has profoundly impressed me. China is actually not missing in gifted EDM producers, however the query is: can we talk and collaborate extra incessantly and deeply with each other to collectively develop and strengthen the Chinese language EDM stage?
Due to this fact, turning into a “connector” has develop into completely very important to me. My purpose is to construct a bridge between the East and the West, serving to Chinese language sounds and Chinese language producers to face on the worldwide stage with higher confidence and stronger presence.
You might be additionally the label head of Cyanhill Music. How does it really feel so that you can be the chief of a file label, at the side of your musical manufacturing repertoire that you simply nonetheless conduct?
Sporting the twin hats of artist and label head is certainly a difficult but important step in my musical journey. As an artist, my focus is solely on excessive creativity, sound, and emotional expression. Nonetheless, as the pinnacle of Cyanhill Music, I need to suppose past simply my very own work and think about the longer term trajectory of Chinese language digital music as a complete. As an example, how will we construct a platform the place gifted artists are handled pretty, and their work can attain the utmost variety of listeners?
Essentially the most profound feeling I’ve is a way of mission. Cyanhill Music is not only about releasing music; it exists to raise and export the standard and affect of Chinese language digital music. I’ve a powerful committment to offering actually precious alternatives to extra Chinese language digital artists and making a considerable contribution to your complete Chinese language digital music group.
What’s subsequent for Cyanhill Music, in addition to for you particularly, within the subsequent few years in regard to musical releases, tasks, and perhaps even potential occasion collaborations?
Our plan for the subsequent few years could be very clear: to proceed main Chinese language digital music onto the world stage. On a private stage: I’ll proceed collaborating with high world artists and exploring a wider vary of musical genres. Sooner or later, I’d try and delve into extra instructions, not strictly restricted to digital music. For Cyanhill Music:
Our purpose is to determine the label because the premier export platform for Chinese language digital music. We are going to persistently scout and nurture gifted rising stars in China and supply them with a world stage. Our goal is to make “CHINA EDM” a well-liked alternative on dancefloors worldwide. We are going to proceed to push ahead with the CHINA EDM compilation undertaking, persistently introducing the perfect of Chinese language digital music to the world.
Which up-and-coming digital music artists from China ought to the broader worldwide viewers hold an eye fixed out for?
Please pay shut consideration to the upcoming CHINA EDM Vol. 2 compilation; it represents a model new theme.
The place do you see your self in 10 years?
Ten years from now, I envision my identification being extra diversified and deeply established. Firstly, I’ll nonetheless be a passionate music producer and DJ, with my work maturing to create a very distinctive “ZHANGYE” style. Secondly, I hope Cyanhill Music will evolve past only a label, turning into a cultural hub devoted to cultivating and exporting Chinese language musical expertise, efficiently pushing our artists to the worldwide forefront.
Most significantly, I hope to be acknowledged as one of many key figures driving Chinese language digital music to develop into an integral a part of world mainstream tradition. Once I look again on this journey a decade from now, I hope to see a extra affluent and extra assured Chinese language digital music trade, with myself standing on the bridge connecting the Jap and Western music worlds, frequently offering help and inspiration for the subsequent era of musicians.
