Interview - Wils
Wils welcome to Spill the Tea!
For anyone who hasn’t listened to your music before give us a brief introduction.
My music falls in the genre of pop, electronic, dance and rock. I love the feeling of being hopeful. No matter how tragic the lyrics sound, they’ll always be blended with hopeful, lifting melodies. I write songs based on experiences shared by friends, fantasies, personal experiences.
When did you first discover you wanted to make music?
When I was 15. There was a song writing competition from a record label that would sign the top contestant to a recording deal. There were thousands of candidates. I wanted to stand out so I started to learn how to compose during the competition. I eventually got to the top 5 and was sent to Taiwan for the final competition where I performed a song I composed on my own. I came in second but I was really happy to pick up music composition from the experience.
My record label dropped me after I came out to them.
Who were your music inspirations growing up?
We listened to a lot of pop music from the US in Singapore. My sister was the cooler sibling who always found new songs and shared them with me. She listened to a lot of Alternative rock. I loved Linkin Park, Coldplay, U2... I fell in love with the sound of plucked guitars and it encouraged me to learn how to play.
You are the first openly gay Chinese singer! How does that feel to have such a weight on your shoulders?
There are many gay people in entertainment in Asia, but many of them live completely different lives in front of the public then they do in their private lives . Unfortunately, it would jeopardize their careers if they were to come out. I really just want to be my authentic self and not live a lie, even if it means costing me my singing career.
Do you now feel any extra pressure on being a role model?
I don’t know, I don’t see myself as a role model... I’m too silly to take on that responsibility. But I guess if I really need to buck up and get serious to make other’s lives better, I’ll do it.
Why do you think you are the first and do you hope this inspires others to openly come out too?
Homosexuality is seen as wrong in many parts of Asian culture and many LGBTQIA kids grow up without a role model. The heavy censorship of homosexual characters in movies also contributes to the shame. Many LGBTQIA kids are fearful of sharing their true feelings with others because they worry they’ll be rejected by family, friends or if they’re an adult, they worry about being fired from their workplace. Those of us who can need to stand up for our brothers and sisters. They are hurting silently. It takes tremendous courage to come out but we have to, so that eventually, society will begin to see the LGBTQ community for what they are — normal.
You chose to come out through your music video for your single ‘Open Up Babe’ – What made you choose this platform to come out?
My record label dropped me after I came out to them. They also deleted my Instagram, Facebook and Twitter before I could come announce who I truly was. I wasn’t going to allow them to stop me from being authentic. I decided to do it my music video.
Were you happy with your fans response?
Yes!!! When my record label removed my social media, I was upset that I couldn’t connect with the fans. I had a really tight bond with them! After I released the song, many of them found me on my new platforms. I love them to pieces.
Last month your latest album dropped ‘Don’t Leave Too Soon’
– Describe the album in 5 words.
Emotional, silly, heart-wrenching, hopeful and energetic!
How long have you been working on the album?
A year and a half.... way too long! I had a hard time picking the ten songs, from the fifty I had recorded, to include in the album! Many silly ideas I had that didn’t make the cut.
What were your inspirations behind the album?
A friend of mine committed suicide last year. He was gay and always felt out of place, like he couldn’t fit in. Another friend lost his husband to colon cancer and my other close friend, a lesbian, lost her bestie to drugs. I wanted to dedicate this album to those who couldn’t find their breath on this planet. It hurts me so much to see people go. I wanted this album to encapsulate the feeling of trusting the universe and releasing the things that are the hardest to let go of.
What do you hope fans take from the album?
No matter how difficult things get, change is inevitable. Trust that the universe brings you things in order for you to experience and learn. Hold on to the preciousness of life. Love as fully as you can, even if it hurts.
If you could collaborate with any artists dead or alive who would it be and why?
I’d love to collaborate with Hayley Kiyoko. She’s such a down to earth, sweet, nice, wonderful soul. She’s a huge inspiration for the LGBTQIA community and I'd wish to laugh, be silly and collaborate something fun with her that could impact millions of LGBTQIA lives in Asia.
Do you have any planned tour dates coming up?
My shows in Taiwan, LA, San Francisco, Singapore, New york have all been cancelled due to coronavirus. It’s frustrating but I'm really grateful that I am alive. I hope that everyone will be safe and spend this time take care of the ones you love because life is so uncertain and it could come and go so quickly. Live everyday like it’s the last day of your life. I hope everyone comes out of this pandemic more loving, kind-hearted and caring, knowing that we all face the same battles.
Any last shout outs?
I am really grateful for all the supportive friends and family in my life that made this album a dream come true for me.
To listen to ‘Don’t Leave To Soon’ click here.
WILs Instagram click here.
Photography Credit
- Lester V