Interview and review by Ginnie Liang
The indie music scene in Macau has recently been abuzz with the arrival of Wendy Wander, a band formed in 2018 by five college friends from Taiwan. The group’s contribution to the music scene was evident during their two-night live performances in Macau on May 13 and 14, where the audience was enthralled by their passion for indie music.
In an exclusive interview a fortnight ago in a local coffee shop during their stay in Macau, the band members told The Macau Post Daily about their approach to music-making that emphasises diversity and inclusivity and the way they listen to music.
Wendy Wander was initially hesitant about the reception they would receive in Macau, given the city’s reputation for having an aloof audience. However, their worries were quickly dispelled when they discovered that the audience was lively, active, engaged, and happy throughout the show. “Macau fans proved to be a welcome addition to our musical journey”, said Sam Yang, the lead vocalist of Wendy Wander.
Yang also shared his belief that music should not be limited to one style or framework. Instead, it should be diverse, evolving, and inclusive. Indie music, in his opinion, should convey a message of cultural transmission and communication, where all stories and emotions are valid, and everyone can give their own interpretation to the songs they listen to.
Wendy Wander encapsulates this belief in its creative process, as the band focuses on blending diverse elements to produce expressive, rather than just emotional music, Yang said, adding that their intention is for the audience to bring their own feelings and experiences to each song, prompting them to feel uniquely connected to the music. “That’s what we’re looking for because every song the audience listens to feels unique to the individual”, said Yang, the band’s frontman.
The group’s popularity is steadily growing, because of which Yang said they are continually re-defining their style, catering to different audiences while maintaining the “Wendy Wander” trademark sound.
Yang recognised that diversity is the key to musical success, “In the future, we hope to change our style for the next album to give audiences a more diverse and interesting musical experience, while still maintaining our Wendy Wander style,” said Yang.
Like many aspiring musicians, Wendy Wander has had to overcome several challenges, including earning a steady income to record their album. However, they have always had faith in their dreams and kept plugging away until they achieved them.
The band credits their success in part to the many people who have helped them along the way, including a sound recordist and producer and the director of one of their hit music videos, “I Want to be With You.” Their journey proves that with hard work, persistence, and a supportive network, anything is possible.
Indie music has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially with the prevalence of digital platforms such as Spotify and Soundcloud. These platforms offer young musicians’ opportunities to upload and showcase their work while providing accessibility to new audiences worldwide. Wendy Wander is an excellent example of how indie music offers a chance to include diverse voices and messages, creating unity through the universal language of music.
Wendy Wander is an indie band that embodies the values of diversity and inclusivity in their music, and the band’s progressive and interactive attitude towards their art cultivates an inclusive environment where different cultures and backgrounds can come together joyfully. “Wendy Wander will continue to surmount musical barriers and share unique insights through its performances,” said Yang.
Undated file photo provided by Wendy Wander
These photos provided by Wendy Wander show the performances on May 13 and May 14 at the Macau General Union of Neighbourhood Associations (Kai Fong) Service Centre on Avenida do General Castelo Branco.
Ray Xie
Jonathan Li
Jenny Yu
Will Wong
Sam Yang
