Chapter 41: 041 Let’s Put It In Writing
Wang Heng was very helpless.
Pei Ningle is actually very easy to persuade in life, with very soft ears. On issues like when to repay money or how to rent a house, let alone sticking to her own opinion, she can’t even say for sure if she has a specific opinion, so naturally whatever Wang Heng says, she does.
But when it comes to questions about the music path and choices for the future, Pei Ningle has determination beyond the norm. Of course, a girl who just turned eighteen years old and dared to break with her family and run out alone definitely can’t be like ordinary people.
Wang Heng contemplated for a moment and suddenly thought of a question.
“What kind of song do you want to write?” he asked. “Or, in terms of classifications in the music market, what type do you like?”
Pei Ningle had obviously thought about this question many times. So when answering now, she had almost no hesitation at all.
“Folk, rock, electronic, ordinary pop style are all fine, even hip-hop rap has some I like. I don’t look at style, I look at theme. I like the theme of honest self-expression.”
“Honest self-expression?”
Pei Ningle nodded slightly: “Yes, I don’t like most pop love songs, themes like I love you but you don’t love me you love him, very melodramatic, very boring. I like songs with fresh ideas that express real feelings. For example, Leslie Cheung’s 《I》 is one of my favorites.”
Wang Heng: “……I am me, a fireworks of a different color?”
Pei Ningle: “Yes yes yes, that’s the one! Listening to the original singer of this song, it’s like seeing a sensitive and hesitant boy muttering to himself alone in front of a mirror late at night…… This is the most popular and mainstream one among the songs I like. You can check the ones I downloaded on my MP3, most of them you’ve probably never even heard of. There are Chinese, English, Japanese, German, French, post-rock without lyrics, West Coast rap, piano or guzheng solos, Dubstep…”
Wang Heng: “I see, got it.”
Pei Ningle came back to her senses and couldn’t help asking: “Do you understand what I mean? You don’t seem surprised at all by what I just said?”
Wang Heng spread his hands: “What’s there to be surprised about?”
To him, there really wasn’t anything worth making a fuss about, after all, what Pei Ningle was saying now was almost no different from her in the first playthrough.
Pei Ningle: “Alright then, what kind of persona do you think suits me?”
Wang Heng thought for a moment and said: “A maverick music genius.”
The young girl’s eyes lit up: “I like this one!”
Wang Heng added: “Disdainful of vulgar things like romance, hates melodramatic love songs, not interested in the ups and downs of the entertainment industry, only cares about music. Has absolute pitch, especially sensitive to melody, can sing ordinary pop songs after hearing them once, and guaranteed not off-key after twice.”
The young girl clenched her small fist: “Exactly exactly, that’s the one!”
Wang Heng: “Has a heavenly voice, masters many different musical instruments. Not only can write lyrics and compose herself, but can even handle the arrangement single-handedly.”
A trace of hesitation finally appeared in the young girl’s expression: “Isn’t that too exaggerated? For musical instruments, I only know electronic keyboard and guitar, and both are self-taught with average skill. I know even less about arrangement, that really requires attending a music academy and having a lot of experience…”
Wang Heng: “Musical instruments are secondary, the core is passion. Passion for music, but no intention of becoming famous as a star, just wants to play music freely and record every thought with notes.”
Pei Ningle finally couldn’t help refuting: “I do want to play music, but…… I also really want to be popular, being a star is great!”
Wang Heng smiled: “That’s the persona, it’s separate from your real thoughts.”
Pei Ningle expressed doubt: “Persona, and real appearance, can they be two different things?”
Wang Heng: “Persona is the image shown to fans, it doesn’t have to be your current state, it can be your ideal self. Then, just strive toward that ideal. You know, business bosses all know how to borrow money to grow the business. Persona is the same, as long as you can deliver on the boasts later, it’s not boasting.”
After saying that, he stepped forward and continued walking.
Pei Ningle silently followed behind, contemplating for a good while.
Finally, the young girl made up her mind: “You make sense! This persona works, so what should I do? How should I promote myself?”
Wang Heng said without looking back: “Revolve around the ‘music maniac girl’ persona and think of ways. For example, cover the songs you like most, film them into videos and post online. For video platforms, I recommend Bilibili, it’s full of young people and has great prospects for development.”
“Why covers?”
“Simple, because you have no fame, so no one listens to original music. And when doing covers, you must think of a gimmick, like ‘sang this song after drinking fake liquor’, ‘milk powder flavored cover’, ‘funny lyrics parody version’ and such.”
The young girl looked even more puzzled: “Why make it like that……”
Wang Heng glanced back at her: “Still don’t get it? This is the age of entertainment to death. You can be serious, but the premise is you must first make yourself look interesting enough, otherwise others won’t click on your title. Best is if you can play it up, play it super interestingly, then throw out a serious original work, that’s when fans will watch.”
After saying this, the two walked a good distance in silence until the doorway of the hotel where Pei Ningle lived.
Wang Heng: “Go back to your room and rest well. Tomorrow, rent a house first. That bar is pretty safe, you probably won’t need me to accompany you anymore, just go earn money yourself.”
After saying that, he turned to leave. But just as he took a step, he felt his clothes being pulled, and subconsciously turned his head back.
Pei Ningle tugged at the corner of his clothes and said softly: “Those, I have no problem with. Can you help me film videos?”
Wang Heng sighed: “You have to learn to do it yourself.”
Pei Ningle’s tone became even more downcast: “But I really don’t understand…… No, I mean, I think everything you said is right, but I really don’t know how to do it. I don’t know what Bilibili is, or how to film videos.”
Wang Heng looked at her speechlessly.
Pei Ningle sneaked a glance at him, then said weakly: “How about, you be my agent, and all the money I earn later we split equally?”
Speaking of this, he wasn’t sleepy anymore.
Wang Heng immediately perked up: “Can you put it in writing?”
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