Dive into the ethereal soundscape of Wayne Wei’s debut EP, “Cloud Chaser.” In this exclusive interview, we unravel the intricacies of the creative process behind the EP, exploring the musical landscapes that inspired its conception and delving into the visual storytelling brought to life through two accompanying music videos released in the past few weeks.
Congratulations on the release of your debut EP, “Cloud Chaser”! Can you share the inspiration behind the title, and what it signifies for you as an artist?
The EP features four self-produced songs. Could you walk us through your creative process in bringing these tracks to life? How do you navigate the intricate balance between being the artist and the producer?
My writing process usually came first on an acoustic guitar or piano. Then the production and arrangement came second to finish the songs. Most of the songs on this EP were done in that way. However, the title song “Cloud Chaser” for me was almost a complete track without any melodies and lyrics being written beforehand. It was certainly the most challenging one for me as a writer to navigate back to the writing. I felt that I had gotten lost after producing the track, no words or melodies would come out of me. It took me the longest to really put myself back in where I first started making the track. At the end of the day, I think it is okay to take time to let the song sit for a little, then come back to it after your mind is clear.
Accompanying the EP, you’ve released two music videos in recent weeks. How do you approach visual storytelling, and how do these visuals complement the sonic atmosphere of “Cloud Chaser”?
I am a massive fan of the legendary director Wong Kar-Wai from Hong Kong. I surely took a page or two out of his book to make the music videos for this EP. His movies were my biggest influence growing up. While the subject love and toxic romance are constant themes in his movies, I thought the chaotic “chasing” theme in the songs would fit in the style of Wong Kar-Wai perfectly.
As a self-produced artist, what challenges did you face during the creation of “Cloud Chaser,” and how did you overcome them?
As a self-produced artist, I played and arranged most of the instruments on the recordings. However, the drum recordings on this EP were the most challenging for me. I think drums are one of the most important aspects in a song. It could completely change the course if it was not done right. Luckily I had the chance to work with great drummers. It was mainly about communicating with the session musician to let them understand what you want for the song and what the song truly needs.
With the EP now out in the world, what do you hope listeners take away from the musical journey you’ve crafted in “Cloud Chaser,”
I would love for the listeners to also let go of any emotional baggage or any self-loathing thoughts. And just let the music take you on a chaotic spiral like a merry-go-round. I hope we can all find something beautiful and worthwhile in a world that is often out of control.
Find out more about Wayne Wei here.