Zhou Shen performs a song in a gala. Photo: VCG

"Where are you from?"

"From the island of Taiwan."

When Chinese singer Zhou Shen asked this question to fans at his concert in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province, the audience erupted in cheers, and the moment instantly became a trending topic online. 

In the 11 years since his debut, Zhou has sung many beloved hits - from Big Fish, China in the Lights, to Little Happiness -  and has continued to bring his music onto the international stage. His concert tours span from China to overseas, with tickets hard to come by. What is it about Zhou's voice that makes it so captivating?

Recently, a People's Daily reporter sat down with Zhou to hear the stories behind his music.

People's Daily: What kind of music do you most want to present to everyone?

Zhou: Music that comes from the heart - that is the starting point for my creations. I would never create or perform a song that does not move me first. Especially after so many concerts, this has become even clearer to me. I see fans traveling from all over, from children as young as seven or eight years old, to elderly fans in their 70s and 80s, gathered together because of music. I often feel as if I am in "dialogue" with different versions of myself across time and space.

To me, I write my life diary through music. Each new page is shared with people who resonate with me, and that is such a joyful thing.

People's Daily: You once said you hope to always be a "newcomer singer," bringing freshness to your audience. How do you create this sense of novelty, and how do you reinforce your own musical identity in the process?

Zhou: Music is forever expanding our imagination, just like water filling the shape of its vessel. If your imagination is square, music is square; if your imagination is round, music is round. How wonderful that is. Music can contain stories from all over the world.

What I can do is to "rack my brains" to express my fullest understanding of music, and always maintain a sense of reverence when I step onto the stage - I am constantly thinking of how to face someone who is hearing me for the very first time.

Every time the whole audience sings along to China in the Lights or Like a Dream, I am deeply moved. Even if I sing it 10,000 times, I would still want to sing it 10,000 and one more times.

"Afraid you'll fly away, afraid you'll leave me behind"… When I sing Big Fish, I have never felt it is something I can perform "lightly." Each performance is a new emotional journey, carrying my feelings and stories with it. So when the opening notes play, I still feel nervous and can sense its extraordinary meaning to me.

Every song is a connection between me and music, a bond between myself and others' emotions. I cherish this deeply. Perhaps that is what gives "Zhou Shen" his unique identity.

People's Daily: Songs like China in the Lights and Big Fish have also been well received and widely spread overseas. What is the cross-border, heart-touching power of such music? How can pop music better tap into and utilize national culture and musical traditions?

Zhou: When I played Big Fish for my foreign teachers, they would say, "This is what Chinese music sounds like."

The humming at the end of Big Fish combines the bel canto technique with Chinese-style pronunciation and melody. At the time, I thought, "Being different" is truly attractive! When you sing with your own flavor, you naturally draw others in. On the contrary, if you try too hard to cater to others, you lose your own character.

The road of "Chinese style" is broad. More and more young people are breathing new life into traditional Chinese music and instruments - there's electric pipa, crossovers between ruan and guitar. The "raditional+ pop" fusion is never a simple addition of elements; it requires a seamless blend that can immerse listeners in the artistic conception of the Chinese style. I always listen to my own songs from the audience's perspective. For example, in Silver Linings, themed on the Forbidden City, I added a section of traditional opera singing. How does that feel? It's a bit like the sweeping stroke of an ink painting, like a poetic passage. People are willing to linger in that atmosphere. Listening to good music feels like that.

People's Daily: In the Internet age, everyone can be a singer. Some say we have entered the "seven-second chorus" era, where a song only needs to grab the listener's attention for a few seconds. With such a vast creative landscape, how do you view the core competitiveness of pop music?

Zhou: Nowadays, any song might be heard by people at any moment, via many different channels. The scene is more vibrant than ever.

Music has its functions and richness; it can't be judged by a single standard. By pitch? High, middle, or low notes are each beautiful in their own way. By style? Every style has its own flavor. The key is to master your own musical style and keep your unique flavor.

Recently, I was honored to join the faculty of the talent show Zhongguo Changjiang (lit: Chinese Singers) on China Central Television, helping search for voices that can represent our nation on stage. In this process, I felt a strong sense of mission. Those standing on stage were once just like me - eager to be heard.

The core competitiveness of pop music is always human. Superb skill, heartfelt lyrics and melodies, expressive performance, even fresh arrangements, and mixing - those "refreshing" sounds all come from people.

People's Daily: What are your hopes for your own future?

Zhou: I am a person from a mountain village who became a singer; so many stages have opened to me - something I never dared to dream of as a child. I can only describe myself as a "lucky ordinary person," fortunate to live in such a splendid era.

When opportunities arise, imagination alone won't do - you have to try more. Like picking a song: Only after singing the demo in the studio do you know how it will turn out.

I once asked my seniors, "How do you deal with stage nerves?" The answer was: "Just do what you are supposed to do, do the basics well." For me, that means singing well and cherishing every stage.

"Move toward the light, act for love." I believe that those who are earnest will always be heard. Wherever your sweat falls, that is where your stage will be.

The article was originally published in Chinese in the People's Daily on October 30.

Zhou Shen's tour concert held in Guiyang, Guizhou Province Photo: VCG