MANILA, Philippines — For Taiwanese band The Chairs, music is all about creating art through life’s most mundane moments.
Since their debut as a band, members Jing (vocals, guitar), Zhong (vocals, guitar), and Benson (bass) have built a discography rich with mellow acoustic and introspective lyrics, delivered in a mix of English, Mandarin, and even Japanese.
Their sound of reflective, soothing, and serene music has been widely recognized in the indie music scene in Taiwan, eventually earning them the Best Vocal Group for their album Lovely Sunday at the 30th Golden Melody Awards in 2019.
What started as a small project in their youth then blossomed into a full-fledged career that has allowed them to share their heartfelt music on stages across the world in their adulthood.
A band raised from a stool
Every big thing has its own humble beginning. For the trio, this started at their high school guitar club, where they first shared their passion for music.
Their bond continued into college where they would often participate in university band competitions, performing their original songs.
“There were a lot of singing contests in many colleges. We [became] a team to participate in those contests,” Jing recalled.
These contests have been their inspiration to write original music and compose new tracks, gradually expanding their musical portfolio. But one thing was still missing: a name for their group.
In a moment as quirky as the name itself, The Chairs was born during the arrangement of their debut song, “The Golden Age Blues.” Because the group lacked a drummer, they used an IKEA stool as a percussion instrument.
In Jing’s words, “We needed a name for a singing contest, and someone just said, ‘The stool…The Chairs!’” and just like that, the band had a name.
Their kaleidoscope of music
People often describe their music as soft rock. But having diverse influences, it’s actually more of a melting pot of pop, ballad, and classics, resulting in a rich layer of sounds.
“I love The Beatles and old rock,” Jing shares. “Benson is into Japanese artists, and Zhong listens to a lot of Mandarin pop and all kinds of music. We try to put everything we like into our song.”
Amid this kaleidoscope of music, what remains notable about their songs is the pattern of simple, laid-back lyrics that offer a straightforward perspective on life.
Take “Maybe Maybe,” for example. This 2020 hit single delves deep into questioning the uncertainties of love but at the same time, is a journey of joy, doubt, and hope.
“We always write down little sentences in our phones when we think of anything, and these inspirations come from [anywhere]. It could be novels, it could be dramas, movies, and sometimes, it’s like [being] in a different state of your life,” the band explained.
Out of these fragments grows a whole narrative that is told in the sincerity of their songs, making it their trademark as artists.
This is why exploring their discography feels like you’re breezing through the different stages of life. In their debut album Cheers!Land in 2015, The Chairs introduced their signature sound through stories that captures their youth and growth.
This approach carried on to their succeeding albums, Lovely Sunday (2018), Real Love Is… (2020), and Shangri-La Is Calling (2022), and their latest release, The Great Escape Of Our Time (2023).
With these tracks, The Chairs’ creative process remains sincere, with meanings that transcend through its lyrics and are carried by immersive, soothing sounds that puts the listener at ease.
From Taiwan to the world
With their influence now expanding beyond Taiwan, The Chairs are slowly incorporating other cultures into their work to create art that more people can resonate with.
In one instance, Jing recalled how the vibes in Southeast Asia have recently inspired him to create tropical songs for their album.
“There’s one song, it’s called ‘I’ve Been Waiting For My Waves To Come’. That time we were in Hainan island where people like to surf, [get] drunk, and dive. People [there] have a really relaxing, vibrant vibe.” he shared.
And on top of it all, what matters most to the trio is the satisfaction of their listeners, where they hope the honest emotions poured into their songs evoke a sense of bliss and comfort.
“The most important [thing] is that we hope people enjoy the moment we play the vibe. So if we see [the] audience moving their bodies with our songs, it makes us remember that it’s the purpose [of making] music,” the band told Rappler.
Through Jing, Zhong, and Benson’s music, listeners can hopefully reconnect with their inner peace, wherever that may be. – Rappler.com
Kevin Lampayan is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Arts in Literary and Cultural Studies at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
Content shared from www.rappler.com.