Back in 2009, Amber Liu arrived on the Okay-pop scene as one-fifth of lady group f(x). A tomboyish rapper, the California-born star spent the subsequent decade exploring her artistry each in and out of doors of the South Korean music scene. While the experimental pop crew hasn’t launched any new music collectively since 2016, every of the members has pursued a solo profession, and Amber has come into her personal as a Transpacific singer-songwriter based mostly out of each Seoul and Los Angeles.
Earlier this 12 months, she signed with Stateside representation and launched her Rogue Rouge mixtape, and now she’s embarking on her upcoming Gone Rogue tour in December. But earlier than touring, she first needed to launch two intensely intimate songs.
Out on Thursday, Amber’s “White Noise” and “Lost at Sea” had been written just a few years in the past and replicate on the hardships of each the star’s private {and professional} lives by way of a mellow model of emotive EDM. Billboard went by way of the brand new songs with Amber simply forward of their launch and mentioned their inspirations, the significance of her family and friends, #MeToo, and her evolving artistry.
“White Noise” and “Lost at Sea” have two totally different concepts behind them. Why did you determine to launch them as a paired set?
The producers on the tracks, Darren [Smith] and Sean [Alexander], I’ve been working with them for a few years now and I believe this was round that period of me making an attempt to simply strive new issues. And they had been very, very supportive of doing that. I simply thought that the EDM-inspired parts undoubtedly sound-wise paired very well. But additionally it’s the development of my story, I assume. I wrote each songs at related occasions, so I assumed that is the subsequent step of the story that I wish to present to folks.
What is that story of Amber that you just wish to be telling folks proper now?
I assume my complete factor for the time being is simply “evolution.” If I may simply put it into one phrase. It’s about my journey of the previous 10 years that I’ve been doing this for. I believe there’s a aspect that I actually wish to present to the followers that sort of simply reveals me rising up slightly bit. Or rather a lot. I don’t know. I don’t wish to drive anyone, like “I’M GROWN UP!” I believe that undoubtedly as I’ve gotten older my perspective modifications. My love of music has undoubtedly not modified, my love of the humanities has undoubtedly not modified. I assume I’m not the 15-year-old Amber I used to be 10, nicely now 11, years in the past. I do my taxes. I do my very own bookkeeping. I pay hire.
Your newest releases have come very far out of your earliest sound in f(x), the place you began out as a rapper. It actually has been, as you say, an evolution. So what a part of that development impressed “White Noise”?
I wrote “Lost at Sea” and “White Noise” round two to 3 years in the past, and I bear in mind at the moment — it was that section of my life the place I used to be simply so confused about every thing. Like what I used to be doing, why I’m doing issues, the place I have to be. Everything was at all times in a static, and I used to be like, “It’s like a white noise.” So that’s the title of the music. [Laughs] There’s that lyric that continuously repeats, “I’m telling you don’t lose your way home.” And I believe that was the little voice in my head saying, “Though you’re confused now, you’re trying to do everything and you can’t just figure it out. Don’t forget where you came from. Or don’t forget who you are in that process.” Did you see the music video by any likelihood?
Not but.
In the music video there are these bears that come out. Cute little teddy bears. That [first] bear is definitely my childhood bear. I’ve it nonetheless. That was given to me once I was born. The comic story with that bear is, I bear in mind once I first left for Korea I left the bear within the States. I left it there after which I believe, once I was in Korea as a result of it’s a overseas nation for me, it by no means felt like dwelling. And then once I went again to the States, I took the bear again to Korea. And I used to be like, “Okay, now this is home.” So I hoped that wherever this bear caught with me, it might really feel like dwelling. And that’s what it represents, hopefully determining the place this house is. Later on within the music video you see that I commerce it in for an additional bear. That symbolizes me, mainly, as a result of the business or folks in society need you to make sure issues you must be. This greater, made-up character. And that’s what I assumed I wanted to do. And I attempted. And, you understand, in the long run I couldn’t lose my first bear. And yea, that’s the inspiration behind it. The bear story.
Is the music speaking to little Amber, or speaking to individuals who you suppose are going by way of related conditions?
Both. Definitely it’s a story about me speaking to myself, however as I felt penning this music– Me and lots of my mates, I do know folks round me as nicely, all of us undergo this section, fixed phases of being confused, not understanding the hell what we’re doing. So not solely is that this music for me however for everybody, and it’s devoted to my mates. Definitely with everyone’s tales that I’ve been listening to for such a very long time, or when my mates vent to me about their issues. All that, all of their tales get built-in into my story as nicely.
You talked about how the theme of it’s discovering your approach dwelling, so just a few years because you’ve written “White Noise” how do you’re feeling about the place you’re at?
Looking again now, I undoubtedly really feel like my static has lessened. I really feel like, “Wow, I didn’t know anything back then.” In the method, within the span of two to 3 years, all of the issues that I discovered and all of the experiences that I used to be in a position to be aside of– I assume it simply provides me affirmation in my coronary heart that it’s going to at all times get higher if I work in the direction of it.
Changing issues up, “Lost at Sea” is sort of a darkish love music.
Yeah. [Laughs] Yes, it’s technically a love music. When you meet lots of people and also you date anyone otherwise you’re simply in a relationship with mates, lovers, enterprise or no matter it might be, there are folks which might be simply poisonous to you and also you don’t even comprehend it your self. I bear in mind on this particular relationship that I used to be having, in my perspective, I did every thing that I may. And there was preventing, no communication happening, however we nonetheless beloved one another, however then nothing would get higher. Because of that emptiness-slash-craziness, I simply felt like I used to be misplaced in the midst of the ocean, trigger waves will take you totally different locations however you by no means know the place you’re going. It’s simply this infinite ocean you retain being misplaced in. In the lyrics it talks about “I’m sorry I let us down,” [“‘Cause I let us down/ I let you down”] but I also blame so-and-so, that you’re like this [“‘Cause no matter what I do/ It don’t get by way of to you”]. It was like that complete psychological back-and-forth that I had. “I’m sorry that I did this. But wait, you’re wrong. But then- I don’t know.” It was that complete emotional instability that goes on within the relationship as nicely.
Both songs are fairly introspective and about private hardships, however had been written just a few years in the past. Is that the place you’re nonetheless at?
I’m nonetheless tying up some free ends. One of my targets at all times, once I write music, is that it’s not solely me sharing my story with the followers, it’s additionally a reminder to myself that, “Hey, I said this so that I need to grow from it.” With “White Noise,” it’s on the market. I’ve to remind myself that I’m going to be misplaced, however don’t lose your approach dwelling. “Lost at Sea,” I simply have to have the ability to determine an issue and have the ability to work by way of it or determine when relationships are — “Oh, this is going south.” Having these two issues in thoughts, I do know that I’m nonetheless in a “White Noise” section. I believe I’ll at all times be in a “White Noise” section. But it’s at all times extra clear. I’m at all times “Lost at Sea”; I’ve been in one other relationship the place I used to be in the identical factor. I hate having an issue and never having the ability to determine or having the ability to know what to do typically, I assume that’s the place I’m going. I must know every thing. But it’s getting higher as I be taught from my experiences or my errors. I shall be endlessly within the “White Noise” section. Yay.
You launched the songs proper after asserting your Gone Rouge tour. How does this tie in to that and your earlier Rogue Rouge mixtape?
Rogue Rouge, to me, was the beginning of me making an attempt to determine if considered one of my missions was doable, and that mission was that “mates in enterprise” factor. “Can I work with my friends and, hopefully with all the experiences I’ve had in the industry so far, could I test out my solutions to certain things?” Like delays, communication traces; it was all technical and logistics in that sense. And additionally, can I put out good music on the identical time, an awesome venture? So it was an enormous experiment between enterprise and artistic as a result of typically you’ll be able to’t have each. With me and my mates, we actually simply sort of got here collectively and simply mentioned –sorry– “Fuck it, let’s try.” I’ve infinite gratitude to my mates, I really like them a lot. They supported me alongside the best way, to have helped me to develop by way of that complete course of. And we made what we may, and we’re undoubtedly studying to make our content material at all times higher. That venture means every thing to me, only for the truth that I did it with my mates. And I wished to provide one thing again to the followers as nicely. That was the primary factor, giving again to my followers. I wished to provide one thing free. [We were] placing on the market what we love, what we do for the artwork. And we hoped everyone favored it.
With the response that I received, I used to be simply so glad as a result of it’s very totally different from what I used to be doing and I believe within the course of… Every 12 months once I write music, sounds slowly change and traits sort of change as nicely. I don’t know if I’m in a position to say this however I believe I’m, I really feel like possibly the followers and the common public didn’t actually perceive what was happening between my musical development in between. It in all probability sort of was a smack within the face like, “Here’s a bunch of music! It’s all different now.” But everyone was very supportive of it and that’s why I wished to make a tour round this mixtape.
This is my first solo tour generally and it’s going to be within the States. I simply wish to use this chance to, primary, placed on an awesome present for the followers but in addition to get to know them, be extra intimate with them, play with them. It’s been a very long time since I toured and I’m simply actually enthusiastic about touring as a result of it’s going to be enjoyable. I’m doing it with mates too. The choreographer is a homie, the band are homies, I’m touring with Justin Park which goes to be freaking superior. I’m simply actually excited. The complete crew is coming collectively, and we simply wish to placed on an excellent present for everyone.
You talked about that you just really feel folks could probably not know the place you’re at proper now musically, and also you’re additionally in a state of flux proper now between working in South Korea and the U.S.
Yea… So, sort of working back-and-forth is fascinating as a result of [laughs] there are these occasions I hate throughout the day as a result of if I’m in LA, it hits round seven or eight PM. I hate my life. That’s when all of Asia wakes up and everybody’s texting me. So I’m simply working later hours. And once I’m in Korea, I get texts actually early within the morning or get up actually early within the morning for convention calls. It’s an adjustment. It’s undoubtedly one thing that I can, [that] I’m in a position to deal with, I believe, as a result of simply being a Okay-pop idol for thus lengthy. I’m fairly certain everyone is aware of how late the hours are within the Okay-pop business. It’s simply extra now that I’m doing the logistic stuff, adulting very arduous. It’s good. We’re simply grinding proper now. It’s hectic nevertheless it’s enjoyable.
If somebody launched you as a Okay-pop idol proper now, what would your response be?
I’m not going to disclaim it as a result of it’s undoubtedly the place I began, the place I started my profession. An replace to that’s that I do different music as nicely. I’ve by no means been somebody to be so severe about titles. I do know my managers want a title, I do know my publicist wants a title, or one thing. But I’m simply Amber. Of course, my background will confuse lots of people as a result of I used to be born and raised within the States, I went to Korea, I spent 10 years in a Okay-pop group and doing solo work there and now I’m again within the States. I sort of set myself up for that since I do every thing. But when folks name me a “K-pop idol,” yea, if you wish to name me that go forward. But I’m simply Amber. I’m an artist. I communicate totally different languages. I assume if folks simply maintain it at that there’s actually no dangerous strategy to say what I do. I simply do lots of issues. That’s what I ought to say in interviews. “Hi, my name is Amber. I do a lot of things.”
Will you concentrate on English music or do you suppose you’ll launch music in different languages?
Oh, [I’m] undoubtedly going to launch music in different languages. I really feel like me rising up as a second-generation Chinese youngsters within the States– my mother doesn’t communicate English. I didn’t develop up talking Mandarin. I didn’t communicate it in any respect. I at all times had this disconnect with my mother due to the language barrier. It would at all times simply be actually easy Chinese. “Mom, can I eat?” “Can I go here?” “Can you drop me off?” And once I went to Korea– the final folks you wish to name are your mother and father whenever you’re in bother or having a tough time. I bear in mind 2012, 2011, or 2013– in that span– I used to be simply so out. My thoughts was simply executed. I used to be like, “I need to call my mom because I know she will understand.” My mother is the sweetest individual I’ve ever met. She won’t ever harm a fly. She’s been 150% supportive of every thing I’ve executed. She’s by no means mentioned “No” to something, she simply says, “If you want to do it, work hard and go do it.” My dad is extra like, “I worry about you.” My dad’s a complete dad. My mother’s 100%, “If it makes you happy, go do it.” So going again to that 2011-2013-ish of my life, I used to be like, “Let me call my mom.” I bear in mind speaking in my damaged Chinese to her for 2 hours at 5 within the morning. It simply made me notice how a lot language is so essential to folks and the way it connects folks.
I don’t wish to lose that reference to folks, and that complete expertise with my mother isn’t identical to, “Oh, just because I can speak it I’m going to sing in it.” There’s that connection that I’ve, language. I’ve met a few of my finest mates in Korea who solely communicate Korean. I’ve met a few of my finest mates who solely communicate Mandarin. There’s folks in Japan– I barely communicate any Japanese however I’m completely cool with them as a result of we simply speak physique language. I by no means wish to lose that connection. I’ve ambition to try to communicate each language in the entire world, that’s completely not doable for me. I’m going to strive. See what occurs.
Both songs are about inner turmoil, so should you don’t thoughts me asking, final October, you posted on Instagram about one of the vital tumultuous social phenomenons of our time, #MeToo. You wrote that you just wished so as to add your voice as nicely. Why was it so essential so that you can communicate up, and what does it imply for you coming from the Korean music world?
It’s how the #MeToo motion began. People don’t perceive that these items go on even in leisure. It’s one thing that I believe — it’s occurred to me earlier than, and it’s occurred to mates of mine. It’s unhappy to see that there are lots of people that undergo it. If everyone begins talking up about it, I simply hope that every time somebody thinks they will benefit from folks and abuse their energy, that karma’s going to come back again to you. That’s such a not Amber factor to say. I’m at all times about love. [But] should you’re going to make actually dangerous selections and do horrible issues to folks, I simply hope that you just be taught your lesson ultimately.
It’s simply actually… It’s one thing that I believe actually must be talked about. We’re all scared. People who’re victims are at all times scared. Again, those who aren’t affected by it or aren’t even concerned in it don’t know that it occurs. They suppose, “Oh yeah, 2018. This stuff doesn’t happen anymore.” It occurs day-after-day. It’s simply one thing that I believe folks should not assume that [it doesn’t exist]. People simply should do every thing that they will to get a job or get a job. To be actually trustworthy, I’m not the poster baby to speak about this in each approach. I simply should. There are issues which have occurred to me the place I’ve been extraordinarily uncomfortable, the place I’ve been in conditions the place I didn’t have a alternative, the place I assumed I didn’t have a alternative, the place I used to be pressured into sure issues. And that goes for my mates as nicely. However, in an business the place it’s all about enjoyable and leisure, a contented world, these items occur. You shouldn’t assume that simply because our complete — that business, or any business, that stuff doesn’t exist as a result of it does. And it’s sickening.
I believe folks wish to play it off like, “No, it doesn’t exist. It’s fine.” Like, no dude. We have to speak about this as a result of it occurs day-after-day. We can’t be oblivious to [it], and we now have to discover a resolution, hopefully by treating one another with respect and treating folks the best way we wish to be handled. Finding methods to speak about it, and in addition to seek out resolve to it’s what we have to work in the direction of. It’s going to take time, and I’m not saying, “We need to find a solution right now!” We want to speak about it, determine what the issue is, the place it’s coming from, and attempt to discover a resolution to repair [the power imbalance]. I believe that’s what we now have to try for. As a society, we evolve. Hopefully we will come to a compromise the place it’s for the betterment of society. That’s what I see it as.
