Sounds & Sights of Silva - Vol. 4
Where have you been? 你在哪裡？
I logged into my writer's dashboard and realized it’s been six whole months since my last newsletter. The last time this corner of the internet heard from me, I was visiting Taipei's most beautiful temples and drinking high mountain tea. For all you know, I settled into the community up there and never made it back down Maokong.
Well, I eventually returned to the United States and now I write from Brooklyn, New York. Slightly different environment, to say the least.
Life moved fast in Taiwan (or was it that my time there was short?) and my return felt abrupt. I advanced in my Mandarin Chinese language ability, I discovered many locations all around Taiwan that revealed its deep history to me, and I learned a lot about myself in the process.
I miss the daily discoveries of walking through the “good streets” as we called them, neighborhood alleys neatly kept with flora, picturesque in a way that doesn’t make sense until you are standing in front of it and gazing with your own two eyes. I miss the convenient, affordable way of life – where you can enjoy travel and entertainment and friendship and family without the constant paranoia about your well-being.
But Zach remains the same through it all. As evidenced above, I browsed all the record shelves to be found in greater Taipei, and was back at some of my favorite shops in Chicago last weekend. I’ve grown within my own interests and capabilities in a truly transformative way, and that’s all you can ask for from an experience.
More thoughts to come - we’re just getting (re-)started.
Sunset Rollercoaster - “Little Balcony”
One of Taiwan’s most popular bands makes their way to New York City this week, and I’m excited to catch them twice. Sunset Rollercoaster has gripped the world of indie pop / chill wave as evidenced by their sold out worldwide tour; their laid-back sound and comforting lyrics, representative perhaps of Taiwanese culture and atmosphere.
Collage - “萬千花蕊慈母悲哀”
Collage is a Taiwanese rock group who uniquely sings in Taiwanese Hoklo, Amis, and Japanese (and more) as a way to connect with their heritage and understand the greater idea of Taiwanese identity. They won Best New Artist award at the 33rd Golden Melody Awards this past year in Taiwan, and their impact on the art community there already is immeasurable.
Sobs - “Air Guitar”
Singapore’s Sobs recently announced their long-awaited sophomore record and lead single of the same name, “Air Guitar”, due out in late October on Topshelf Records. It’s a sugary blast of fuzzy indie pop that is just as sweet with every listen.
Alvvays - “Easy On Your Own”
On the topic of fuzzed out indie pop, the masters have returned after another long wait (three albums in nine years) and really nailed it yet again. I mean, it doesn’t get much better than Alvvays, folks.
Pharaoh Sanders - “Love Is Everywhere”
It’s the truth. The late Pharaoh Sanders channeled the universe through his music and this song has an uplifting energy unlike anything you have ever heard before – and to think this album is 50 years old!
Follow the full playlist of Sounds of Silva featured tracks.
Listen to Zach’s radio show archive for Friend From A Big City on Deadbeat Radio. Listen through the most recent episode.