Ashin

This article is about MayDay's lead singer. For Solo singer formerly of Shin (band), see Shin (singer). For villages in Iran, see Ashin, Iran.
Ashin

"Ashin" Chen Hsin Hung at 2008 Taipei International Book Exhibition
Chinese name 陳信宏 (traditional)
Origin Republic of China (Taiwan)
Born 6 December 1975
Beitou, Taipei, Taiwan
Occupation Singer-songwriter
Genre(s) Mandopop, rock, Taiwanese Hokkienese rock
Label(s) Rock (1999–2008)
Universal Music Group (2009–present)
Years active 1999–present
Associated acts Mayday

Chen Hsin-hung (陳信宏), nicknamed Ashin (Chinese: 阿信; pinyin: Āxìn; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: A-sìn), was born on 6 December 1975, Beitou District, Taiwan. He is a singer/songwriter and author. He is the vocalist of the Taiwanese rock band Mayday. Ashin majored in art in college but started his career as a musician while in college. Mayday is one of the most successful Chinese rock bands and has greatly influenced the Taiwanese entertainment industry. Ashin is also the founder and designer of the clothing line StayReal and a shareholder of the music label B'in Music. He was elected as a board member of the Taiwan Public Television Service in 2013.

Biography

Early life

Ashin was born into a family of four, consisting of his parents, himself, and a younger brother. His family owned a record store, which inspired his passion for music. Ashin's childhood ambition was to become a singer, but his vocal range was too narrow. He claims that he was elected as the vocalist of Mayday as he was the worst instrumentalist, but he can play guitar and drums.

Education

Ashin attended a public elementary and middle school in Beitou District. After graduating from middle school, Ashin was accepted into one of the top high schools in Taiwan, The Affiliated Senior High School of National Taiwan Normal University, where he majored in visual arts. Ashin joined the guitar club in the high school and was promoted to the president of the guitar club a year after. It was in the guitar club that he met the other members of Mayday: Monster, Masa, and Stone. At the age of 19, he started composing. The first song, "Hao Ju Hao San", was published in Richie Jen's 2001 album "Fei Niao." After graduating from high school, Ashin attended Shih Chien University, where he majored in interior design. Mayday gains popularity while he was still in college.

Career

SoBand

In 1995, together with Monster and the former drummer of Mayday, Qian You-Da, Ashin formed SoBand. In the same year, Masa joined SoBand as the bassist. SoBand performed at major bars and restaurants. Ashin was both the lead vocalist and the guitarist. In 1997, Stone joined SoBand as a guitarist and the members decided to rename the band Mayday. They were later joined by drummer Ming and these five form the permanent members of Mayday. Ashin's role in the band is now the lead vocalist. Mayday is heavily influenced by The Beatles in terms of style and beliefs.

Mayday

Mayday first started off as an underground rock band. They sent demo tapes to then major record labels and was spotted by renowned producer Jonathan Lee (李宗盛) of Rock Records. Mayday released their first official album in 1999 and gain a steady group of followers. They released five albums under Rock Records. In 2006, Mayday and a former director of Rock Records, Chen Yong-Zhi(陳勇志), founded B'in Music Co. Ltd (相信音樂).

Composer/song writer

Ashin was the main composer and lyrictist of Mayday, it was only until the fifth album where the other members begin to contribute their own works. Ashin's works were highly sought after by other artist as well, he has composed a significant number of songs for artist like of Fish Leong (梁静茹), Rene Liu (劉若英), SHE and more.

Author

Ashin published his first book, Happy.Birth.Day, in 2006. It consists of the lyrics of 60 songs chosen by Ashin and his photography works.

In 2008, he published "Escape to Japan", a guidebook to unconventional travelling in Japan.

In 2012, he collaborated with Ninagawa Mika and published "Stairway to Heaven", a photo album.

Other Collaborations

In 2006, Ashin and his high school classmate No2good (不二良) were invited by BenQ to create the MusiQ dog tag MP3 player. The development process took 8 months with the help of top designers from China and Taiwan. In 2007, Ashin and No2good designed a symbolic lion figure toy named Jr.Q for BenQ. In the same year, Ashin and No2good unveiled clothing line StayReal in Taiwan.

Influences

Ashin's works are influence by his idols: The Beatles, Lo Ta-yu (羅大佑), Wu Bai(伍佰) and Mr. Children to name a few. He writes in Mandarin and Taiwanese Hokkien as his parents and grandparents are fluent in both languages.

Commercials

Books published

References

External links