Surf's up for now laid-back Chang

At the first meeting between Taiwan singer-songwriter Chang Chen-yue and his record company about his new album, the pop star was expected to offer up songs typical of his previous works, with edgy lyrics and hip-hop influences.

But Chang has turned his back on his urban rocker image from his earlier albums and songs like I Want Money and First Taste of Love. Now Chang croons tenderly with his guitar on songs like Used Guitar: I love sunny days best, we can meet by the sea.

Full of breezy, folksy tunes, Chang's new album Ayal Komod displays not only his musical shift but also his new attitude toward life and the world around him.

With the new album, Chang also kicks off a tour, titled Bye Bye Blue Monday, which will come to Beijing on Dec 14.

"It all started with my ethnic identity," the 39-year-old says. As a Taiwan aborigine of the Amis people, Chang declares his ethnic pride with the album title, which he borrows from his aboriginal name: Ayal is his given name, and Komod is his father's name.

"I had never given a serious thought about my ethnic group identity until I had a motorbike accident a few years ago, which broke my legs," Chang says.

During a yearlong hiatus, he got the chance to re-acquaint himself with his hometown.

Born in a small fishing village of Hualien county, Chang says he was eager to leave the town where he grew up and chase his dreams in the bright lights of Taipei.

Since writing his first song in high school and founding his own band, Free Night, after serving in the army, Chang longed to be a full-time musician and perform in bars and clubs.

He recalls that the road from where he lived to Hualien railway station was muddy and bumpy. He said to himself that he didn't want to travel down that road forever.

While resting at home, however, he spent lots of time with his family and neighbors. He learned about the changes in his hometown and the culture of the Amis people. He enjoyed hiking and surfing, which inspired him to write new songs like I Live Beside the Sea and Take It Slow.

"Living in the city, we may make money and have many material objects, which may fill your house but not your heart," he says.

"My life at home reminds me of my soul, which belongs to the mountain and the sea," he says.

For the new album, he gave up loose pants and T-shirts and wore the traditional clothes of Amis people for photo shoots, with a feather on his head, short fur skirt and boots.

After winning a singing contest in Taiwan two decades ago, Chang made his debut in 1993 with the album I Just Like You, followed by hip-hop Secret Base, electronic Orange and later pop-rock Ok. He was part of super group Super Band from 2008 to 2010 with veterans Lo Ta-yu, Jonathan Lee and Wakin Chau, which led to what he describes as the most exhausting year of his life ever.

"We were constantly on the road or in the air. I couldn't focus on songwriting, which was really a bad thing for me," he says.

Now, Chang is getting used to a slower pace and embracing his new life goals after a 20-year music career. His way of celebrating that anniversary would be retirement.

"I want to open a small inn, a barbecue restaurant and an extreme sports park," he says of his plans after retirement.

He also runs his own fashion label, which he started two years ago. "Hopefully I will realize my plans in five to 10 years."

"I have a great relationship with my girlfriend of three years. She's not part of show business. I also have good ties with my family and I return home often," he adds.

What about music? "It's very convenient to share my music with fans as long as I have a computer. I have tried to release my songs through the Internet, which seemed to be a good way to communicate with fans. That's what I will do in the future," he says.

chennan@chinadaily.com.cn