Huayu98: Starting with mentoring pop divas

CBGB bar, New York.

The air is polluted.

This is the holy grail of American punk and underground music.

The walls were covered with countless band stickers and graffiti declarations.

The small stage floor was sticky, yet it served as an altar for the screams of many punk celebrities, from the Ramones to the Television Band.

The best booth with the best view is on the second floor of the bar.

Paul Toretto downed a large gulp of bourbon, but the harsh alcohol did little to alleviate his frustration.

The event manager was reporting: "It's the band with the lead singer being a Chinese guy, the band is called 'Li.' His female assistant is really capable, she bargained down to $1, and we paid $5000 upfront."

Paul scoffed, his gaze falling on the Chinese teenager standing by the stage. He had a good appearance, but his clean and refreshing appearance was unlike that of a typical punk musician in the industry.

"Does China have punk music? Leave me alone!" he muttered under his breath.

I already have enough worries.

The founder of Goldenvoice sold marijuana a few years ago to raise funds to start the company, but was imprisoned and later had to leave the company.

He has been struggling to keep the company afloat for the past few years, while the pure punk trend is gradually fading away in the tide of business.

He now harbors a plan that can change everything.

A crazy idea for transformation: Coachella Music Festival.

But this transformation requires real money, and the company's financial situation is currently very poor, so this plan could be enough to overwhelm everything.

Now, in order to keep the company running...

He could give a performance opportunity to some unknown, amateur band with $1.

"Just two songs!" He took the money and put it away, his voice weary.

"The lighting and sound are fine as long as they're adequate. Let him warm up the crowd, and clear the room immediately after he finishes singing."

He needs this money, even if it's just a drop in the bucket.

Natalie, dressed in the same punk style as when she picked Li Shuo up at the airport last time, waited by the stage with him.

She felt like an oddball, being the "little boss".

Compared to the flamboyant ripped fishnet stockings, studded leather jackets, and all sorts of weirdos around him, and the fluorescent-dyed mohawks, the air was filled with the smell of alcohol mixed with cheap marijuana.

Li Shuo stood there, looking as clean as a high school student photograph that had been mistakenly pasted into a violent abstract painting.

So why did he go to such lengths to participate in this performance?

I glanced at Li Shuo furtively; he was looking down slightly, adjusting the guitar strap.

Natalie recalled the gleaming, luxuriously decorated conference room at Time Warner headquarters yesterday.

With the backing of Time Warner, "Li Studio Global" was established simply by Li Shuo signing his name.

The first project to be negotiated was the horror independent film "The Blair Witch Project," which was officially named after the small boss.

It was agreed that after the final cut of the film was completed, Warner Bros. would send someone to a preview screening and coordinate with Gang Tyre law firm to discuss distribution matters.

This went so smoothly that it somewhat overturned her understanding as someone in the industry.

The subsequent musician auditions were also simple and direct!

Seeing how casually the drummer and bassist were chosen, they thought the same thing as Natalie: that this was just a casual affair with this rich Asian playboy.

However, after their first rehearsal at the hotel's rehearsal space, the two temporary musicians ended up like this...

Their eyes clearly showed that...they wanted to follow Li in the future!

Li Shuo also felt there would be a long-term demand for musicians, so he directly asked Natalie to draft a studio musician cooperation agreement for them.

They might even be asked to recruit and form an instrumental ensemble that would be entirely responsible for him.

It will be affiliated with "LiStudio Global" for easier future operations.

Are you crazy? ...Doesn't he know that this is very expensive?!

Luckily, she was smart... she arranged a temporary contract first... otherwise, his studio would be losing money now.

Natalie looked at the ever-growing to-do list in her notebook.

Strangely, she didn't feel that this conflicted with her initial idea of ​​a "short-term" job; on the contrary, she felt that it was "the way it should be."

It seems quite enjoyable to be by Li's side, handling these various tasks!

But... he mentioned that he would be returning to China after finishing things here... Why did she, who was usually very rational, feel so reluctant to see him go...?

Ok?

Natalie Portman, who will be attending Harvard next year, also realized that something was wrong with her...

Lost in thought, the performance manager who had collected half the deposit came over and somewhat perfunctorily told them that they would be the first to warm up the crowd.

Natalie is starting to feel a little stingy with the money again…

Li Shuo, on the other hand, was cheerful and didn't care.

Then, the audience watched as a handsome young man of Asian appearance went on stage to make some adjustments, and there was some discussion...

Li Shuo gave an introduction:

"Next up is the performance by the Li band, and I'm from China!"

The discussion among the audience was quite heated, with some even expressing dissatisfaction and booing!

Without looking at the audience, Li Shuo simply turned his head and gave a very slight nod to the drummer behind him.

next second!

His guitar swept out powerful chords with rhythmic patterns!

The drummer slammed his fist on the gong, the sharp sound like an alarm!

The deep, violent bass notes pounded into everyone's chests like fists!

"Don't wanna be an American idiot!"

Li Shuo's voice has a slightly distorted quality, singing with a clear, hoarse quality!

It's Green Day's "America Idiot"!

However, the reason Li Shuo thought of copying this song was because he had a deep impression of the song with a rhythm of 188 from playing "Audition Online" in his previous life!

For a moment, the entire CBGB seemed to fall silent for two seconds, as if making way for the first line of his song, before erupting in excitement!

This tastes so authentic!

The heads of those in the audience, with their dyed hair and dark circles under their eyes, all looked up in unison, their eyes wide.

The punk kids who had been booing the loudest earlier were now involuntarily swaying to the rhythm.

This melody is so catchy and so direct!

Paul Toretto, upstairs, forgot to put down his wine glass and just stared blankly at the boy below the stage who was screaming with all his might.

This song shattered his prejudice that "there is no punk in China"!

Isn't this the core of the punk spirit that he is most familiar with?

It's just put on a more melodic exterior.

But damn, it perfectly captures the current trend in the American market!

"One nation controlled by the media!"

The Information Age of Hysteria!

Calling out to idiot America!

During the interlude, Li Shuo suddenly jumped up and slammed his foot on the effects pedal as he landed, unleashing a sharp and distorted guitar solo. It wasn't about showing off his skills, but rather noise art that perfectly captured the emotion!

The crowd went completely wild, like boiling water, and the pogo (a unique jumping and collision characteristic of punk music) began, with sweat and beer foam flying into the air.

Li Shuo, who was singing on stage, seemed to be having a great time... It felt like he was cursing these American fools... and they were really into it.

Natalie stood backstage, looking at the seemingly radiant figure on stage, her heart racing.

She... immediately witnessed Li Shuo's extremely aggressive and captivating side.

My cheeks felt hot, and I couldn't take my eyes off it!

As the song ended, the resounding echoes still lingered in the air, and sweat had soaked the black hair on his forehead.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze sweeping across the roaring crowd below, where he spotted members of Blondie, the legendary new wave punk band that disbanded in 82 and had just reunited this year.

He smiled and then stood in front of the microphone again.

Then the light followed his right hand as he brushed the strings.

A melody with a cool, retro feel, completely different from the previous one, flows out.

The drumbeats transformed into clean, crisp rhythms, while the bass lines became lively and melodic.

She moves like she doesn't care.

Smooth as silk, cool as air…

Li Shuo opened his mouth, his voice low, carrying a hint of feigned profundity and detachment! A lazy yet dangerous singing style.

Blondie's lead singer, Debbie Haley, was in the audience with her arms crossed, looking at the introduction and saying, "Handsome young man from China, what do you feel when you hear this voice?"

The expression on her cold and aloof face turned somewhat strange.

This kid is imitating her style!?

At this point in the song, Li Shuo paused briefly to gather his thoughts, then raised his voice into the microphone, the sound carrying throughout the bar through the electrical current!

"Maria..."

You've gotta see her!

Go insane and out of your mind. (Be completely obsessed and infatuated.)

...Ave Maria (May you be blessed Maria)

A million and one candlelight.

That's right, this is Blondie's future number one single, "Maria"!

It is also the prototype of the popular theme song in the future Peninsula movie "200 Pounds Beauty".

Knowing in advance that they were one of the special guests tonight, Li Shuo immediately confirmed the song!

It's quite reasonable that he borrowed it by chance!

As the last note faded, he faced the frenzied encore from the audience!

Li Shuo put down his guitar, didn't say another word, and simply left the stage.

He's completed the first half of the persona he needed to create: a rich, punk-loving Chinese second-generation heir! Now it's time for the most important second half.