'Olive Tree' still guides the journey
Veteran singer finds her influential song continues to steer young artists toward a creative, internal purpose, Xing Wen reports.
After the release of her debut album, Chyi went to the University of California, Los Angeles, to pursue a graduate degree in anthropology.
As she approached graduation, she wrote a thesis related to Taiwan folk music and decided to return to her hometown to continue her music career.
"Anthropology allowed me to encounter diverse cultures with respect, and to resist limiting myself creatively," she says.
Her academic background also made her realize the immense influence music can have on people.
"Anthropological research shows that the function and impact of music in culture are not random. For example, the ritual music of indigenous peoples and traditional Chinese temple music both have clear purposes and instrumental roles."
"Knowing this, I couldn't bring myself to use music casually. Music is also an expression of my values," she explains.
This conviction led her to infuse her songwriting with profound philosophical reflections on life. A prime example is her album Camel, Bird, Fish released in 1997 which contains her musings on love, happiness, and desire. Paired with her ethereal and melodious voice, the 12 songs on the album exude a transcendent and compassionate quality.
