Writeup by Jocelle Koh
Translation provided by 那屋瓦Nanguaq

Introducing our new format ‘Liner Notes‘, where we dig deep with artists and creatives about the meaning behind their song lyrics; dredging up the subcultures and backstories that exist straight from the source. Many of the artists featured are more than just creators; they are bridges that have the ability and willingness to share their culture across languages. So lend them a listening ear, and you just might gain more than just a new song recommendation.

While her name might not sound familiar to you, her voice might. Introducing Natsuko 夏子, the voice of cult indie band Collage 珂拉琪 who have already racked up millions of streams on Streetvoice and YouTube with their startlingly refreshing brand of Taiwanese rock that echoes the voices of a new generation of the island’s youth.

However, the diversity of this up-and-coming artist doesn’t stop at the Taiwanese dialect and rock. Part Amis and part Hakka Taiwanese, Natsuko is inspired not only by heavy metal culture and Japanese rock, but also by Manga, EDM music, Chinese opera and her Indigenous folk heritage. This freewheeling spectrum of influences is best combined in new song ‘fu’is (Star Song)’ which is part of compilation album N1, a project helmed by Taiwanese Aboriginal powerhouse Abao 阿爆 who hopes to showcase Aboriginal music and its up-and-coming talent in new light.

Inspired by the atmosphere of flashing lights that appeared to her when she heard the demo, Natsuko then decided to write the song about the exhaustion of city life and the stars that accompany us on our way home that uniquely conveys this in the Amis language and Japanese.

“When I first heard the demo, it had an atmosphere like flashing lights that made me think of the city nightscape and highways, just like when you’re tired and on the way home, you’ll more easily be moved by sceneries and things around you. At this time the lights in the city become a starry sky of memories of where you come from.”

While the arrangement is avant-garde and exhilaratingly experimental, Natsuko instead hopes to convey a feeling of comfort in her lyrics to listeners.

“I hope this can be a heartwarming song for people to listen to when they’re on the way home from work. They can listen to music and unwind, and find a little comfort in the fact that: ‘Everything will be fine, you’re already doing amazing.'”

Yet even without knowing the content of the lyrics, “fu’is” continues to inspire and convey messages of joy and rhythm, no matter what our background. Quoting her favourite line of the song as “わからなくても誰でも踊れる If you don’t understand, then you can just dance”, it’s quite clear what this up and coming singer’s intention was here.

“I realised that even though listeners cannot understand the words, they can still be infected by the emotions in the music. This time it’s an electronic dance track, and I believe that any good EDM song will allow people to unconsciously dance, no matter their race or nationality. I think this is the most ideal form music should take.”

The stars that Natsuko refers to in this song have a double meaning too. While they refer to the nightscape around us, they also refer to an Aboriginal folk tale told to her about the meaning of stars in their culture. When asked about what it felt like composing lyrics in her mother tongue, Natsuko shared:

“When writing in my mother tongue I realised that the modern and the traditional are in fact not so far apart. When I was in university I learned that stars are important in Amis culture, they are like ones’ mother or ancestors, and will always watch over you. This can be linked to memories of our youth, like when I remember elders telling me ‘It’s okay (Nga’ayay to)’, these intuitively irrelevant things can be linked through personal experience. I feel this isn’t something hard, and encourage everyone to try it themselves.”

Exploring the fascinatingly diverse meanings that twinkle like hidden gems in this unique track, Natsuko gives us food for thought that are worth many listens on “fu’is”. Be sure to check out more of her songs, and the rest of the N1 compilation album when it releases on the 27th of March!

Translation

Amis/Japanese Original	Mandarin Translation	English Translation
Verse: Saca’ang sa manengneng ko fu’is Ira ko sowal ira: Nga’ayay to. Idahiay kiso. Manengneng no fu’is ko kiso Ira ko sowal ira: Nga’ayay to. Idahiay kiso. Chorus: Tengilen ko soni no fu’is どんな言葉選びにも関わらず わからなくても誰でも踊れる 泣かないで、ビートは続けていく 手を繋いで、僕が歌ってあげる	Verse: 抬頭就會看到星星  祂們說:  沒關係，你很棒  星星也會照看著你  祂們說:  沒關係，你很棒  Chorus: 聽星星的聲音  選擇什麼話語  不懂也可以跳舞  要哭，音樂還在放呢  牽起來，我來為你唱歌	Verse: Lift your head, look at the stars They are saying All is fine, you are wonderful The stars are also looking at you They are saying  All is fine, you are wonderful Chorus: Listen to the stars  To what they say If you don’t understand, then you can just dance Don’t cry, the music is still playing Come along, I will sing it for you