Odd One Out
But success hasn't come easy for the New Yorker. Leehom confesses to having turned a deaf ear to family members and friends in U.S., who are apparently quite cynical about his involvment in the Chinese music industry. "Apart from my mum, nobody in U.S. understands what I'm trying to do. They keep asking me as to why I bother doing what I do when there's no future in Asian music," comments Leehom in an interview in Kuala Lumpur recently.
Well, one can't really blame Leehom for feeling slightly 'left out' because he is surrounded by high achievers back home. Born into a family of doctors, the 22-year-old lad is the only in the family who is musically-inclined. Recalls the singer-composer, "My family members like Maths and chess. I like music instead. I remember when I was small, I used to compose songs for my friends and give them away as birthday presents. As to why I chose Chinese music, I think it's beautiful and there are a lot of things an aspiring musician can do in this particular area."
Perhaps with his newly-found fame and fortune, Leehom can now silence his critics. The up-and-coming artiste's handsome earnings has reportedly enabled him to build his dream state-of-the-art studio at his residence in New York, as well as engage the the service of an interpreter to assist him round-the-clock with his Chinese lyrics.
Leehom Wang has certainly been successful in wooing Chinese music lovers with his refreshing vibes and American-accented Mandarin. His latest album, Revolution [Gong Zhuan Zhi Zhuan] has chalked up more than 40,000 units in album sales in Taiwan upon released and in Malaysia, the album has already reached gold status[sales of more than 15,000 units]-an outstanding achievement for a new artiste, judging by the present economic slump.
Galaxie Magazine, 1998
Leehom's BiographyLeehom's Photo Gallery
Leehom's MusicLeehom's LinksArticles about LeehomUpdates
About MeSpecialsReviews: Movies and Music
My linksMain
The midi file that is playing is the courtesy of Robin's Chinese Midi Files Page. This is a song by Leehom and William So.
