Album marries ancient Chinese songs with Western instruments

Veteran singer not yet over the hill

Surf's up for now laid-back Chang

"It was also like two martial arts masters communicating with their swords. The difference is that I used a pen and Chau used a guitar," Chang says.

But there were challenges, and both admitted having to move out of their comfort zones.

"There were definitely moments when I thought it would be impossible for me because I couldn't find the right word for a simple tune," Chang says.

Chau, too, calls the album "the hardest journey for him" because Chang's poetic approach meant that he had to rethink his work process completely.

"I had to understand the meaning first and then follow the format to compose melodies," Chau says.

After six years, Chau and Chang eventually found common ground.

"Now, I am a man from the ancient time, too, and we share a mutual interest in calligraphy," Chau says, laughing.