We will rock you
By Maikel Liem
Photo by Yao Fan



三个年轻的小伙子Caleb, Shannon和Matt, 出生于大洋彼岸的美国, 成长在中国. 如果不是因为长着"洋面孔", 你根本无法将他们和老外联系起来, 因为他们都已融入了中国文化. Caleb曾经用帽子遮脸, 和的士司机神侃, 等到下车的时候才摘下帽子, 让司机吃了一惊, 因为他标准的普通话"蒙蔽"了司机. 对音乐的共同爱好, 让三位小伙子走到一起并成立 "Ethereal"乐队. 尽管年轻, 但是他们对音乐的理解却是不可小觑.

I was rather excited when I was given the chance to interview a group of young musicians who had been playing in Xiamen for a while now.

They are called Ethereal, and they're not just your average band. Lead vocalist and guitarist Caleb (17), bassist and backup vocalist Shannon (18) and drummer Matt (17) all have American parents and have lived in China almost their entire life. This has given them the unique experience of growing up in a completely different culture.

Culture shock?

I guess you are not surprised if you meet Chinese people in western countries who have lived there all their lives, but the other way around sounds like a different story altogether. Unusual as you might find it, Caleb thinks that it doesn't matter where you grow up because you'll always meet people you can relate to wherever you are. When asked whether they ever felt like an outsider or different, they all gave a definite "no" for an answer. In fact, China has become so much of a home for them that they all plan to have their future careers in China.

Caleb moved to China when he was only 3 years old and spent his childhood years in Longyan. Then later he moved to Hong Kong and Guangzhou and finally he came to Xiamen where he has been living for the past few years. Shannon and Matt are brothers and they are sons of perhaps Xiamen's most famous non-Chinese resident, Dr Bill Brown, who needs no further introduction for most Xiamenese. Both Shannon and Matt have lived their entire lives in Xiamen, but have been, like Caleb, to America quite a few times. They all agree that they feel a much stronger connection with China than with America. Caleb told me that he intensely enjoys socializing with Chinese people because to him they seem more relaxed. While Shannon and Matt note that they like the public transportation system in China much better than in America. And they feel less restricted in China in the sense that they can do what they like. Also, they have many friends from different age groups especially people who are older than they are. This, according to Caleb, is another thing they would have missed out on had they grown up in the US.

The three of them are fluent in English and Chinese, but because Caleb went to an all-Chinese school until the 4th grade (Matt and Shannon until 1st grade) his spoken and especially written Chinese is better.

Band facts

"Even if you don't like our music genre I can assure you our shows will definitely entertain you." This statement by Ethereal is one I could not agree with more. I didn't quite know what to expect when I was told that their music genre is called Christian Metal, but was quite eager to hear them in their band room at Shannon and Matt's house. I must admit I never was a big Metal fan but when these guys picked up their instruments and started to play I was definitely impressed. The fact that their average age is 17 doesn't stop them from playing with extreme professionalism and intensity. Not surprisingly they've already released a single called "Veiled".

Their musical journey started about two and a half years ago when they were sitting in the living room with their instruments. The three of them started to practice together but they never expected that they would perform almost every week in Xiamen. From bars to parks, Ethereal has played them all. Caleb admits that many of their gigs are impromptu but that is just the way they like it. And during every performance the crowd goes wild.

Their musical education started on the piano and they all enjoy listening to a wide variety of music. Matt and Shannon's father, Dr Bill Brown, has had a big influence on their love for music. The good doctor owns and plays many different instruments and has even built the band room for them to practice in.

When the group first started playing together they played slow songs then gradually their music became louder and louder. Their greatest inspiration is an American band called Living Sacrifice, mainly because their music is very technical and innovative.

Future plans

So what are Caleb, Shannon and Matt's plans for the future? Shannon and Caleb will graduate from high school this year and go to America to study and Matt will follow them next year. One thing is for sure: their majors will be music related. Shannon plans to study Musical Composition while Caleb will go for a combined business and music major. After graduating from university their plan is to go back to China and start a career in music. And one of Caleb's goals is to promote talented musicians in China, or as he puts it "musicians who are sincere about music".

So now you're probably wondering where you can see them perform. Now, here's your chance because Ethereal will play at the Xiamen University Stadium either late April or early May. If you're interested in the band or want to help in any way you can contact them on: eziyuedui@yahoo.com. Feel free to send them an email because the guys really want to get to know more people.

So if you have the time come and see them and be amazed, and if you don't have the time you'd better make some because these guys rock.

Vocabulary
ethereal 轻飘的, 灵气的
vocalist 歌唱者
bassist 贝司手
genre 风格
impromptu 即兴曲