Music Spotlight: Amber Liu
In our latest Music Spotlight, weβre highlighting Taiwanese-American singer, rapper, songwriter, and member of South Korean girl group f(x), Amber Liu.
Amber is currently on her first solo tour, titled Gone Rogue, after releasing and directing the video for her new single Countdown. We caught up with the singer following her visit to BUILD Series to discuss her tour, Asian representation in the media, and what the word βidolβ means to her.
Favorite moment so far from your first solo tour?
Shaking my butt. Shake That Brass is just shake that ass and Iβm actually doing it. The crowdβs enjoying it and Iβm very happy that theyβre enjoying it because Iβm just acting incredibly dumb.
If there was one thing you could change about the music world today, what would it be?
I hate how fast paced it is. Maybe itβs due to the competition of everybody doing music? Songs back then would be on the charts for a lot longer, but now everythingβs just very fast paced. People just want more and also people listen to it differently. I know that there are a lot of people that still listen to music and try to feel it, but a lot of people just hear music now, which is okay, but an art form is an art form. Thereβs always intention behind songs that are written. Looking back into those intentions is very important.
Whatβs one piece of advice you would give teenage Amber?
Donβt listen to unnecessary things and donβt worry about unnecessary things. People can be really crappy, but just go with your ambitions and your feelings and your intuition.
This year was huge for Asian representation in mediaβwhat are your thoughts about it going into 2019?
It can only get better, right? I think can people can guess the seeds that are being planted right now, so I think itβs just the right time for everybody to plant their seeds, and then the seeds that are planted right now can start blossoming. Weβve been here for awhile, weβve been here doing our thing. Thereβs Jackie Chan, thereβs Lucy Liu. Now itβs our turn for our generation to take that and to see where we can take it, too.
What are your thoughts on the term βidolβ and how does it relate to the kind of music youβre making now?
Iβve always been very uncomfortable with the word βidolβ because itβs a strong word. For people to idolize me, itβs flattering but also very uncomfortable because I started off when I was 16. Why would you idolize a 16-year-old? Iβm out of my mind, Iβm stupid, Iβm immature, and I am still stupid and immature. Just to have that title put on you, itβs very pressuring and Iβve never liked that word. But I understand that itβs perceived in a different way when itβs used onto music artists in Asia. I think itβs limiting. K-pop idols now, weβre different. Everybodyβs writing their own music, doing their own thing. Having that idol title actually constricts us from being taken seriously. You have people like Zico, Big Bang, the list goes on and on. Thereβs so many idols right now doing their own thing and people still just want to treat us like weβre just kids that are doing music and listening to our labels. There are K-pop idols out there that are serious about their own music, who write everything from their heart and present that to their fans.
I donβt know if it relates to the music Iβm doing now. I guess Iβm just another one of those idols out there right now that just want to do their own music and do my own thing. If people want to call me an idol, go ahead. Itβs where I started, Iβm not going to deny it, but for it to relate to the things Iβm doing now? Maybe not so much. The industry is evolving and the good is coming. Theyβre going to listen to the songs for what they are, and look for meaning and intention and emotion.
Want more of Amber? Check out her music and follow along with the conversation here.
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