Music Spotlight: Mao Wang Zi – PAIN

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When I met you film making was your main passion, not music, why has creating music become so important to you?

Film making is still my passion, but it seems that with every new medium I start it enriches my art just a little more. With the music I make I still incorporate my passion for film in making the visuals for the music video. It would be like how a director also acts in his film. Rap became important to me initially as a way to vent if that makes sense. A lot of music has developed this way including the blues. I just had a lot to say, I guess.  My life came to a point where I just said; I want to get this off my chest. I still do, which is exactly why I’m going to keep going for a while. I’ll still make films but I just have a new canvas to work with. Music is important because it seriously does help and can influence and bring forth moods and tones of our inner selves. I remember when I was going through some hiccups in life, I found myself listening to other artists that had sad songs like Annette Hanshaw.  The fact that someone else felt these sorrows was a major relief to me. I hope I can also help people in this regard and/or enrich their lives in any way I can.

I love the video for your single, Pain. Was it a challenge being the director and starring in the video?

Yeah, it was challenging, but more so  in Taiwan.  When I filmed the first day in Utah, it was a breeze. I got to use my favorite cinematographer, Jason. We just have the connections directors dream of.  He reads me. I read him. And I trust that all his shots will be near perfect. However, in  Taiwan, we filmed the monster shots. It was tough because finding the foreign actors and a cinematographer that I felt could do as good was really hard. This shoot was also the most expensive. We needed costumes, a cool setting, torches, and the costumes. So although being in the videos is more challenging, it’s not all that hard if you can find great people that know what you want.

You don’t come across as someone that is into Hip Hop, who are your musical influences?

Haha! It’s true. I really don’t fit into the cliche type I suppose. What’s more important is that I be myself.  So I do suppose that’s why there are so many sub genres of hip hop.  I am definitely not gangster rap.  I just can’t see myself being anyway else. I would have to live with myself knowing  I have not been myself. That would suck.

I tend to go towards artists that bring out messages or stories like Lupe Fiasco. I love Wyclef’s stuff too. His music brought so many visuals to me. I won’t deny that I was influenced by Eminem. I’m also old school, so some of my favorites are Tribe Called Quest, Digable Planets, Das EFX, and the Pharcyde. There are a lot of underground guys I really appreciate too. I’m really influenced by guys like Johnny Cash, he’s rap isn’t he?

Why should we support your KickStarter project?

Well for most Kickstarter supporters, it’s about helping bringing someones creativity to life. That’s the beauty of it. What’s great about it is that through Kickstarter these aren’t handouts we’re asking for. The pledges are backed by rewards of your choice and there are options to support as little as $1. Of course, in the end it will depend on content and if the backers can see themselves enjoying the kind of music we’ll put out.  I’m a passionate guy. I love being creative. I love making art.

Support Mao Wang Zi’s KickStarter Project

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