Oh La La Hu Hu: Interview with Crowd Lu

When I visited Taiwan in early March last year, people were surprised that I was looking for your music because I don’t speak Mandarin. Why do you think people might have difficulties listening to music not in their language?

There’s absolutely no language or culture restriction in music. When I was young, I didn’t know any English, still I was able to get hold of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston’s albums and recite every word by heart. I believe music is something awfully instinctive and natural, filled with pure energy, sometimes even so much that you don’t need to understand lyrics. A few chords can suffice to make your day a happy one.

Why do you think music in Mandarin, compared to music in Japanese or (as of lately) in Korean seems a lot less popular and is a lot harder to find?

Probably because people within the Mandarin-speaking circle, the daily demand for music is low compared to the Korean or Japanese one. However, the nature of culture can change over time. I believe that one day Chinese music will surprise everyone internationally.

Night Market in Tainan.

I know you’re from Tainan — what are your Top 5 Most Fun places in the city.

Anping Fort (安平古堡), Chihkan Tower (赤崁樓), the Taiwan Confucian Temple (台灣孔廟), Guangziling Mud Hot Spring (關子嶺泥溫泉), and the Qigu Mangroves (七股紅樹林) are all fun!