We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ty Xiong a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ty, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Within music, there are many ways I keep my creativity alive. One of the ways I keep my creativity alive is by turning off all music from all of my electronic devices. As a professional composer and musician, I tend to get tired of listening to music and just want to listen to my own thoughts. When I am in my car, I usually have both my phone and radio off. I am literally using my own mental radio to create tunes in my head. If I am fascinated by a musical idea, I will remember it and take it to my piano once I get home and start developing that idea even further.
Another way to keep my creativity alive is by playing and analyzing piano repertoires or orchestral scores from my favorite composers. Doing this helps me step away from my own musical palate and learn how other composers created their unique sounds.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a composer and pianist. I am currently residing in Los Angeles, CA. What I love about being a composer is to be able to create music and make listeners say, “Daaaaaaamn!” What I love about being a pianist is that I can perform my own music. In today’s modern world, creatives are afraid of the expansion of A.I. taking over the creative industry. I want to show to my audience that I myself, can perform my own music without the need of computers. In my opinion, computers and A.I. are only a tool, not the musical instrument itself.
I have recently released, “Never Too Late – Atonement.” a collaboration song I have done with a fellow L.A. based Hip Hop artist and friend, Xwm Yaaj (Su Yang). “Never too late” is the title of Xwm Yaaj’s rap performance, and the subtitle, “Atonement,” is the title of my existing composition. The result of our musical collaboration turned into “Cinematic Hip-Hop.”
“Cinematic” refers to the drama within the instrumental itself and as if it can be heard in a film. One of the main reason why the music had a dramatic and emotional sound was because my piano performance had a combination of Baroque and Romantic era musical textures mixed with a modern sound. The biggest influence I drew from came from Bach, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff. “Hip Hop” refers to using elements of rap vocals and trap beats. While Xwm and I were discussing his lyrics, I wanted to let him know that the words he chooses should match the same level of intensity the instrumental had. I would tell him, “Be aggressive and heartbreaking! The piano playing is getting more dramatic and loud at the end. I want you to end with a bang! Just like a mic drop!”
I would like to also give big thanks to Chris Anthony for his contribution with the Rap/Trap remix.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The top 3 qualities I think were the most important for my journey has to be, do not ask for permission to be a artist, create your own opportunity, and stay away from being the same as your peers.
“Do not ask for permission to be a artist” refers to how people will never give you permission to be anything. Even if they think it is a dumb idea, it’s your responsibility to choose your own path.
“Create your own opportunities” refers to how I did not wait for an opportunity to come to me, but rather make opportunity come to me by making my own musical projects and connecting with others.
“Stay away from being the same” refers to how all artist should have their own artistic identity. We may be inspired by others but not copy one another.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
For any new collaborators, we must see the value in one another’s talents and how I can be a asset for you vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tyxiong.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ty_xiong_tzx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TZXiong/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TyXiongMusic
Image Credits
Tracy Hang
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