Transcript of interview with Sean (conducted by Amanda Lee), 2 August 2016, 2.30 pm, Jurong Regional Library.
Sean is a 52-year old male Chinese Singaporean who is a real estate salesman. He prefers listening to Chinese music over English music, but enjoys English pop music by The Corrs and Michael Learns To Rock as he likes slow music. He does not listen to Western classical music but thinks that younger Singaporeans should embrace and learn more about it. He enjoys Chinese pop music by artists like Faye Wong, Na Ying, and Jay Chou. He thinks that Chinese music is more meaningful and inspiring compared to English music. Sean does not listen to traditional Chinese music but thinks that it should be preserved and passed down to the future generations. However, he does not think that the younger generation of Chinese people can relate and feel a sense of belonging when they hear the music. Sean liked the contemporary intercultural experimental Chinese music sample but thinks that it might not represent Chinese identity fully because of the Western influence in the music. Sean thinks xinyao [Chinese pop songs composed and performed in Singapore mainly in the 1980s] is a good representation of Singapore as everyone knew the songs and how to sing it. He also thinks that xinyao songs were touching, and hopes that another period just like the xinyao period will materialize.
“So if can educate the younger generation to, to embrace the [Western] classical music, I mean that – that is – that is great, ya.”
“I like symphony orchestras, ya, I used to go for the concert and, er, younger time with my sister. Because my sister play – play piano so she used to bring me along, accompany her, so, you know. That’s where I pick up, er, and listen to, to, er, orchestras.”
“Like 70s, 80s, I do listen to, er, those [English oldies]. I mean that those musics are more meaningful – they have, you know, er, like I say, they have the meaningful in the – it’s like telling you a story.”
“That means, that, er, if I can – now is only I appreciate. If I can teach the younger generation [about Traditional Chinese music], you know, to play the instruments, that will be, you know, fantastic.”
“I think this is a good try, for, but I don’t think that [contemporary intercultural experimental music] – if you’re talking about Chinese, I don’t think it is actually a Chinese. But it is very close to the nature. I mean that, er, I would say that, er, there are people who would like to listen to this kind of music.”
“[X]inyao [a genre of popular Chinese music composed and listened to by Chinese Singaporeans from the late 1970s] is, I mean, when you talk about Singapore music, it’s xinyao.”
Click on the link below for the full transcript