solos, an American C-Pop idol, known for his captivating R&B musical style, has just released the cutest, most charming and delightful Christmas track of 2024, titled, "by the door." This new single showcases not only the artist's exceptional vocal talent but also his ability to create tracks that everyone can relate to. The song features a blend of festive melodies and heartfelt lyrics, a catchy chorus and engaging instrumentation.
K Fuse has the pleasure of speaking with solos on December 19 about his creative process, musical background, and Christmas traditions. Check out our full interview with solos below!
K Fuse: Good evening! My name is Britney, co-founder of K Fuse. How are you doing?
solos:
Hi, Britney. Thank you so much for having me. I am doing good. I was doing some music work right before this, but I'm excited to be here.
K Fuse: First and foremost, thank you for speaking with me and sharing your experiences with our readers, whom we affectionately call SoundLovers. While we've been following your work for some time, some of our readers may be encountering your music for the first time. Would you be kind enough to introduce yourself?
solos:
Hi, SoundLovers! My name is Solos. I'm 26 and an American C-Pop idol, which means I'm American-born Chinese, but I write half English, half Chinese music.
K Fuse: You've mentioned briefly what inspired you to become an idol on social media—which is, in fact, where we first discovered your "RENEGADE" cover. In discussing this, you also mentioned playing the piano and violin. Could you tell us how long you played those instruments, and what you found most rewarding about playing instrumental music while growing up?
solos:
Yes, of course. So, I started playing classical piano when I was five years old, and then I played up until the second year of high school. And violin, I also played since I was young. And then I quit in eighth grade to focus on piano. So, I kind of grew up with it. In the beginning, it was kind of just like my parents making me play. My mom actually plays piano, so she was my very first teacher. And so, yeah, I've been playing those instruments for a long time. And it's nice because starting with piano and violin, let's say, in a classical sense instead of a pop sense, it's nice because it gives me a technical foundation. So, physically, like how my hands move and things like that, it gives me a really good foundation for whatever I want to play in the future and also helps me learn how instruments kind of work together. For violin, for example, because playing in an orchestra, right, you can see where the violin fits in with the cellos, violas, et cetera. So having those foundational techniques helps a lot for sure.
K Fuse: Could you please tell me about your journey and transition from instrumental music to singing covers and original compositions?
solos:
So, like I just said, I play piano classical music. Early on in middle school, I was kind of already improvising on the piano. It wasn't a finished song, but I was just playing whatever, and I would upload it to Facebook for my friends to see. So even early on, I was already kind of composing things, you could say. And then I also did anime piano covers back then, so I was always learning classical music, but also doing music that I wanted to do early on.
But I really didn't start writing songs until I wrote a song or two here and there, but I didn't really, really start writing songs until college. Actually, towards the second to last year of college, it was more of a way for me to just put down my feelings into a nice song for myself and for my friends to hear. I didn't really expect to do more than that, but then Covid happened, and I graduated into Covid. I graduated in 2020, and I couldn't find a job at the time, and I was like, "you know, music is pretty fun." By that point, I had already written one or two songs, but I wanted to get better and thought that maybe since I can't leave the house right now and am still looking for a job, maybe I'll work on my music abilities. So that's kind of how it all started.
K Fuse: You made your debut on March 22nd with the mini album ‘Love Sick,’ featuring the title track, “Don't Waste My Time.” What message did you hope to convey to listeners with this album?
solos:
So "Waste My Time" in particular originated with just the lyrical idea, "oh, don't waste my time," but I wasn't really sure what to do with it. So there really was no backstory for it. So, I ended up talking to a friend, and she told me that she actually did have an experience getting cheated on, and I was like, oh, wait, that's perfect. I think a lot of songs about this topic are sad, which is fine. After talking to my friend and hearing her experience with being cheated on, I was like, "you know, maybe people should write, like, an angry song too, because why wouldn't you be angry, and why would you date a person if you're going to do that in the first place, right?" And I know people who go through that kind of experience also feel angry, too. So, I hope that for "Waste My Time" when people listen to it who have gone through something similar, they can relate to it.
K Fuse: Given that you've released rap, pop, and R&B tracks, I'm curious which genre you feel best encapsulates your overall sound. Why?
solos:
I think overall, like personally, when I listen to music, I listen to a lot of R&B and hip hop. So, I would say, R&B because R&B is smooth and cool. The chords they use are really interesting, and I have just found so many good R&B songs. I also feel the vibe that it gives is kind of the vibe I like -- which is a darker and smoother vibe than other genres.
K Fuse: Well just from an outside perspective, I feel like the R&B tracks fit you best.
solos:
That's good. I'm glad to hear that, because I like R&B the most, so hey, that's good.
K Fuse: Are there any other genres you're currently exploring or interested in exploring in the future?
solos:
So, I just mentioned hip-hop. I don't rap that much. There is some rap in Waste My Time. And then I did a track called, "BMD," which is also purely rap or mostly rap. I do want to improve my rapping skills. So, I have decided that I do want to do a rap album, but I haven't decided when -- but I have already started writing some songs that are mostly rap focused.
K Fuse: While most of your lyrics are English, you do incorporate Chinese into your songs. How do you choose when to use Chinese lyrics instead of English?
solos:
So, I mostly write in English since my English is better than my Chinese. But I do want to have a good mix of both. So usually, if I start with English, I'll switch to Chinese. After that, I keep alternating so I have about a 50/50 mix. For example, verse one could be all in English, so then verse two will be all in Chinese, or the first half of verse one will be in English and the second half of verse two in Chinese. Something like that, just to have a good mix of both.
But outside of that, the way I'll structure it is if there's something I want to say in particular or a specific meaning I want to get across, a lot of times it's obviously easier to say it in either Chinese or English. For example, there are a lot of things in Chinese, especially phrases with more nuance, that you can't really say in English, or it's just way harder or way lengthier to say in English. So for things like that, I'll definitely use Chinese. So whatever fits best, I guess, meaning-wise, and in general, just to have a good balance of both.
K Fuse: Can you walk us through your creative process for a new song?
solos:
Yeah, so I usually start with the beat first, not always, but 90% of the time I'll start with the music first. Sometimes I'll be in the shower and come up with a banger melody line. I'm like, okay, I need to put something under that. But usually, it's the music first. Then, as I'm making the music, it'll usually be some really cool guitar loop I found or some piano idea that I had. I'll put it down as I'm making it. I will usually start to come up with melody ideas as well. Sometimes those will translate really well, and sometimes not as well. Then when I have a lyric idea that fits with the melody that I have, that kind of decides the theme for me. But if not, once I finish the music, I'll try to come up with a theme. I'll think about what kind of setting or environment can I hear this playing in? Like, oh, this song reminds me of being at the beach or this song is like I'm at a bar talking to my friends. So, I usually try to imagine what kind of scenario that kind of music would fit, decide on a theme, and then write from there.
K Fuse: So, how do you deal with writer's block Say, if you get a melody that you like, and you get stuck when it comes to the lyrics??
solos:
It happens a lot. It does happen a lot. I would definitely say that writing lyrics is one of my weaker points right now, but I think it's getting better because I've done it a lot. Usually, when that happens, I will try to talk to other people or talk to my friends. I'll be like, "Hey, I've made this music. What do you think? Or what does it remind you of?" Usually, they'll give me some interesting ideas, or they'll say something -- like they'll send me a whole paragraph, but one specific sentence that would make me go, "Oh wait, that's a really good idea." So definitely, you know, people around me. I'll go on a walk because sometimes it's ear fatigue as well. Like if you're making the beat for a couple of hours, you've heard the same thing over and over again. It's good to just step away. So, there's definitely a lot of things to do to get around that.
K Fuse: Yes! We have a team member that I will actually call after a show, and share my thoughts with her, and she will sometimes come back with things that I missed in my draft, or she will rephrase to a much more concise or meaningful statement than what I have written.
solos:
Definitely. And I think because music especially is so subjective, it's like people will interpret your lyrics maybe not the same way you initially meant them. So it's always good to get other people's opinions on things.
K Fuse: What are you most looking forward to in the coming months, whether it's a new project or a personal achievement?
solos:
Yeah, so the hip hop album I mentioned earlier, I'm excited about that. I've already got two songs I'm working on for it. Outside of that, for next year, I want to do more live events. So that's something I'm looking forward to as well, like performing live or meet and greets, and thinks like that. I'm really looking forward to connecting more in person with the other duos.
K Fuse: So, we went to some fans for some questions. So here are some just for fun questions, what is on your wish list for Christmas?
solos:
Awesome! Oh, I honestly put really boring things on my wishlist. I think I put a new mouse pad and, like, a tray that I can bring to my desk to get food while working at my desk. I just like really boring things. But I think if I had to say something more interesting, I would say a new mic because the current microphone I'm using to record is an Audio Technica 2035. I've been using it since 2018. It's the first mic I ever bought, so I've had it for a long time, and I kind of do want to upgrade. So... probably a new mic, maybe the Mojave MA-200 or something like that.
K Fuse: Hey now! Those trays are time efficient, nothing boring about those **haha**
solos:
It is; it's less cleanup. I don't have to worry too much—just random stuff like that.
K Fuse: Seems like they are all centered around Christmas questions. Do you have any Christmas traditions that you're looking forward to next week?
solos:
That's okay. It is that time.
Christmas traditions? Usually, it's just hanging with family or friends. So, for family, we usually just have a meal and do a mini present opening session. Then, I think usually I leave -- because I have to do stuff. Other than that, just hanging with them, and having a Christmas party with friends is always good. Nothing crazy.
K Fuse: What are your top 3 New Year's Resolutions or goals for 2025?
solos:
Goals for 2025: I mentioned earlier more live events, such as tours and meet and greets, et cetera. I do want to collaborate with more artists next year because I think up until now, most of the songs I've released are just me. I think it'd be good to meet some other artists that are in the same space as I am. I actually recently got to know two other artists who are also kind of independent, kind of going for the indie route. It's exciting to see other people with the same goal as me as well. And third, if possible, I would like to move to LA, because right now I'm in Boston, but there aren't a lot of opportunities in this space, unfortunately. I don't want to say that's the only reason why I'm not bigger than I am now, but it's definitely stifling my growth to an extent, and I feel like I've done a lot online already. This kind of ties in with the more live events thing too, right? If I moved somewhere with more opportunities, I could do that as well.
K Fuse: So, you mentioned more collabs. Do you have any specific artists in mind that you would like to collaborate with?
solos:
Yes. I have like dream artists to collaborate with. I don't think I'm at a point where I can reach out to them yet, but for dream artists, I would say Gemini -- number one. He's a Korean R&B artist for those that don't know. I really like his voice, and he's my most recent, biggest inspiration. So, Gemini, and then there's Keshi who is my earliest inspiration. So definitely those two. Then I think working with other Chinese idols would be cool -- like Henry Lau, Lay, even or Jackson Wang, But Gemini, yeah, that would be like dream goal.
K Fuse: Before we wrap up, is there a message that you would like to leave for duos and our SoundLovers?
solos:
Yeah, all the duos and #SoundLovers. Thank you so much for listening to my music as well as today's interview with K-Fuse. Shout out to Brittany. You guys are the backbone of artists, especially smaller artists like me. So, all the support that you've given me is super important to me and it means a lot. And I hope that come 2025, I can keep giving you guys great music and content that you guys will enjoy. Speaking of support, if you do want to support me financially, we still have pre-orders open for the Desire physical albums. So, if you've been looking to get some physical merch, now would be a great chance because the pre-orders are still open until January 10th. And if you do order a physical album, there is a raffle for a fan call with me. So, if you want to talk to me, then make sure you go get an album. And yeah, I'm already working on the next EP, the next music, so I'm really excited for them too because I think, especially if you look back at my older songs until now, you can see my improvement as well. So, I already know the next music is going to be even better. So don't miss out and I hope you are looking forward to it.
K Fuse: Thank you for your time, again! We look forward to tomorrow's release and seeing what 2025 has in store for you!
solos:
Yeah, the one tomorrow is really, it's a really cute song. Like, you guys are not ready. It's so cute.
Thank you for having me, and take care!
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