Who Is Hom, Shen-Hao?
Speaking of the name “Hom Shen Hao“, most people must be a little confused, but when the name “Touming Magazine” comes around, the adrenaline of deeply-rooted Taiwanese music fans will for sure be pumped by the indie rock’n’roll band from Northern Taiwan, and Hom, Shen-Hao is the leading vocal and guitarist of Touming Magazine.
If you ask me, which form do you prefer, Touming Magazine’s punk rage or Hom, Shen-Hao’s relative chilling Lo-fi solo? Tbh, it will be one of the lifetime dilemma haunting me for good, just because both of their music contains overloaded passion and message they want to convey.
Before jumping into today’s topic, there’s one interesting fact I would like to share first. At Touming Magazine’s performance, 90% of the audience probably are males; as for Hom. Shen-Hao’s solo performance, the scene will be completely in reverse. Interesting, isn’t it?
Let’s Talk About Touming Magazine
Only releasing 1 studio album and 1 EP by far, Touming Magazine is still lots of fans’ favorite Taiwanese indie band, including myself. Sadly that they’ve been on hiatus since 2016. Let’s all pray together for their comeback in the near future.
Don’t be too sad! Before we could all enjoy Touming Magazine’s dynamic live show, let’s listen to some of their awesome tracks for preparation.
Midnight Dinner
《Midnight Dinner》is one of my all time favorite tracks ever. It describes someone who couldn’t fall asleep at 3 o’clock in the midnight, so he/she starts to observe the surrounding and to feel the society, the world, the inner-self. There’s no accurate answer to every question, but at least the warm and fuzzy feeling while seeing you walking towards me brushes away all the yet unsolved life events. Another brand new day, another fresh start, maybe.
During a past interview, the band said that this album might sounds pretty DIY and lo-fi; however, I think that’s why fans are so crazy of them, the raw and truthful reflection in their music, their beats, their performance. There’s already so many existing refined and emotional-less commercial music, maybe we all seek for the simpleness and pureness, and Touming Magazine is the hidden gem we discover.
Now, back to Hom, Shen-Hao
Hom, Shen-Hao released his first debut album under his own record label in 2013. People are surprised of the genre-changing from this young musician. He explained in his former interview that he composes new music almost everyday, and he never set a frame of his composition. Once he compiles enough songs, he wanted to share with the audience, and that’s how《Light Coral》 was made.
Light Coral from Hom, Shen-Hao
Night Cruising from Hom, Shen-Hao
〈Night Cruising〉is the first release of《Light Coral》. The idea for this song is really simple, only because he personally likes to cruising around Taipei at night. Gathering all his fonds and thoughts towards quiet nights and feeling of being free together, that’s how Night Cruising comes alive. Do you feel the free spirit of night cruising in the song? Because I kinda do!
Quality of Sleep from Hom, Shen-Hao
〈Quality of Sleep〉is my favorite song form《Light Coral》album. He built a quiet and secret fantasy within his music. In his recreated world, no one ever really judges you, and if they do, just ignore and let it go.
“Be true to yourself, no matter how life treats you” is the main thought lingering in my mind every time after listening. Now matter how sucked life is, you can always escape and hide in your own recreational fantasy while needed.
Another reason why I love this song is the different layers created from the instrumental changing. A gloomy start with drums and piano using repeated melody to compose a stable foundation, and then adds up different instruments, such as guitar and synthesizer to encircle listeners within the dreamy atmosphere where you would never let your imagination down.
Second album 《Bored》released on 2014
In December 2014, Hom, Shen-Hao released his second album《Bored》 also under his own record label – Petit alp record, and it is the fifth album under his label within only one year. We can all tell that his passion on music never fades away, even thought the industry becomes tougher.
Although. from another interview, he confessed that finance is still the biggest issue for every independent label and musician, so, if you have time and passion towards independent music, wherever you are, please stand out and participate in any performances to show your support towards those musician. That’s also his motivation to consist in making good music.
Bored from Hom, Shen-Hao
“Bored” is absolutely my favorite song of this album, mainly because of its rap and lyrics. If you have tried to change the world in your own way, then you must hold the same feeling as Hom, Shen-Hao does. It’s hard to break through from the frame of the society built hundreds years ago, but you gotta try, you gotta walk on the thin ice to create your own contribution in order to change the world.
Hom, Shen-Hao is a productive and brilliant musician. He won’t be satisfied with how the world already is; instead, he’s cling to the edge of what-you-should-do-as-a-human/musician/citizen/whatever hoping to provide “something important” to things he cares via music.
The answer of innocence and pure heart is why people like him and his music collection. Stay tuned, x!