앨범 소개

2023 Wendy Wander “Midnight Blue”

In 2023, Wendy Wander stepped beyond its comfort zone and ventured into the global market. After the Lunar New Year, it made history as the first Taiwanese band in 2023 to grace the stages of Hong Kong, selling out two 600-seat shows instantly. The overwhelming response led to the addition of a third show at the iconic "MacPherson Stadium" in July, where all 1500 tickets were snapped up within a day. In May, their performance in Macau drew in over 1000 fans, setting a new record for an independent Taiwanese band in the city.

Building on their success in Hong Kong and Macau, Wendy Wander embarked on its inaugural mainland China tour in June and July, covering 11 cities, including Shanghai, Nanjing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Changsha, Chongqing, Chengdu, Beijing, and Xiamen. This extensive tour presented a new and challenging experience, pushing the band members to enhance their performance abilities.

Expanding their reach to East Asia, Wendy Wander showcased their talent at the prestigious "Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival" in South Korea in August. Following this, they made their Japanese debut at "Emerge Fest Japan" in September. In November, they returned to South Korea for the Asian Pop Stage event alongside the Korean band Lacuna and participated in the Thailand Big Mountain Music Festival in December. Despite their hectic international schedule, Wendy Wander remained dedicated to crafting their new album. After a hiatus of three years, they are ready for the sophomore album, "Midnight Blue," on coming December 2.

The creative process began after completing their military service in December 2022. Wendy Wander engaged in songwriting sessions conducted in different phases. The first phase occurred when the band members lived together in Yilan for three weeks, akin to a songwriting camp. During this period, they worked on lyrics and melodies, shaping the direction of the new album's songs. From the outset, the band consciously chose to diverge from the style and atmosphere of their first album, embracing a more diverse approach without confining themselves to a specific genre.

The second phase unfolded during their tour in China. During their days off, the band members collaborated on arrangements in different hotels of cities — the overall vision for the second album started to take form. And the third phase occurred after their return in July, with the producer Chris joining to refine the final arrangements. Recording was completed in August and September, followed by post-production in October. "Midnight Blue" emerged from this nearly year-long production period, amidst intense live performances and overseas tours, marking a unique creative journey for the band.

With "Midnight Blue," Wendy Wander aims to convey several profound messages: the band's evolution, maturity, and their present essence.

Evolution: Departing from the dreamy and romantic pink impression associated with Wendy Wander , the band chose to embrace the contrasting hue of "blue." Every track in the album resonates with a distinctive nighttime ambiance, inspiring the album's title, "Midnight Blue." This title encapsulates both the musical atmosphere and the emotions they wish to convey.

Maturity: Three years have elapsed since their first album's release. The band members underwent significant transformations, navigating changes in roles, the challenges posed by the pandemic, military service, and the world's return to normalcy. Physically and mentally, they are no longer the same individuals who crafted their initial album. Their growth is evident in the mindset as professional musicians, technical proficiency, and production expertise.

Present Essence: Wendy Wander does not approach their music with predetermined objectives. Instead, they find inspiration in the unique intersection of each member's current aspirations. The band's creative process often involves spontaneous jam sessions in the rehearsal room, where songs come to life. "Midnight Blue" represents the amalgamation of their current thoughts and ideas. While their future musical endeavors might explore diverse styles, the album stands as a testament to the band's present authenticity, capturing the best version of themselves at this moment.

"Midnight Blue" is an eclectic album rooted in alternative pop, seamlessly blending diverse musical elements such as Synth Pop, electronic, rock, Disco, and Funk. The lyrical content maintains the poetic and cinematic style of their earlier works, delving into the theme of "love." Unlike their previous focus on youthful romance, this album explores the complexities of adult romantic relationships, delving into conflicts, separations, and ambiguities. While it might deviate from conventional notions of romance, these experiences mirror the intricacies of everyday life. Wendy Wander deliberately avoids pigeonholing their music to allow listeners the freedom to envision and interpret their own stories after experiencing the music.

The band members noted significant shifts in evolution in the production process. Previously, songs were crafted through jam sessions in the rehearsal room, fostering a sense of familiarity. However, for "Midnight Blue,” they employed computer music software for arrangements, leading to a sense of novelty during rehearsals. Adapting these electronically produced tracks for live performances required meticulous effort, akin to the distinction between handcrafting and machine production. Additionally, the band observed a shift from emotional dominance to rationality in their songwriting process. Their music, once saturated with emotion, now balances rationality and professionalism, resulting in a more streamlined and efficient creative process. This transformation was viewed not as inherently positive or negative but as a natural progression in their artistic journey.

Beyond changes in their creative process and mindset, the band members found a newfound appreciation for live performances after three years of experience. Despite external disturbances, which used to cause anxiety, they have learned to adapt and fully immerse themselves in their performances. This newfound confidence allows them to savor every moment on stage, reveling in the joy of creating a memorable experience for themselves and their audience.
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專輯製作人 Producer 陳硬核 Hardcore Chen
母帶後期製作人 Mastering Producer 陳硬核 Hardcore Chen
母帶後期工程師 Mastering Engineer 錢煒安 Zen Chien
母帶後期錄音室 Mastering Studio 112F Studio

發行 Published by 睦木文化股份有限公司 Neighborwood Culture Co.,Ltd
出品人 Publisher 林子靖 Gina Tzu Ching Lin, 鄭湘慈 Tracy Zheng
監製 Executive Producer 林子靖 Gina Tzu Ching Lin
A&R 與企劃統籌 A&R & Marketing Director 林子靖 Gina Tzu Ching Lin
藝人經紀統籌 Artist Management Director 鄭湘慈 Tracy Zheng
宣傳 Promotion 葉思麟 Rebecca Yeh, 林子靖 Gina Tzu Ching Lin, 鄭湘慈 Tracy Zheng

專輯設計 Album Design 見本生物 Sample Animal
平面攝影 Photographer Tim Wu
造型 Stylist 賴妍筑 Edie Lai
造型助理 Stylist Assistant 黃子櫻 TzeYing Ng
髮型 Hair Stylist 沈麥莉 Miley Shen
彩妝 Make-up Artist 蔣佳芸Angela Chiang
彩妝助理 Make-up Artist Assitant 蔡欣芳 Cynthia Tsai

音樂錄影帶導演 MV Dircetor
孟可 Koyen（愛到宇宙爆開）
Tim Wu（Midnight Blue）
蘇柏睿（不夜城）

特別感謝 Special Thanks
Katherine