Bios & promo — benchmark artistes

Cicada from Taiwan was formed in 2009 consists of violin, cello, piano and acoustic guitar. It's named after Cicada because people are aware of cicada's existence by their sound instead of forms. Cicada walked into the mountain from the ocean on their 10th year and released "Hiking in the Mist". In 2022, "Seeking the Sources of Streams" comprised moments of roaming the mountains.

The ensemble, inspired by the natural wonders of Taiwan, indie music and new age meditations, has made a guided, aural tour of the misty, rain soaked trails of Taiwan and has invited us all to come along. We are more like an indie band than a classical one, though all our string musicians were classically trained. As far as I know, the classical training in Taiwan is mature and focused on music theory and techniques. Cicada is situated in a rather unique genre in Taiwan. We tried to open up senses and remember the feelings. When we went back home, we'll play what we remembered from the body sensation. Composing music and being in the nature are part of the daily life for me. Switching the environment to be in the nature is a way to inspire my creativity.

Cicada revisited the land from memory, a journey over the past ten years, to explore the intersectionality of humans and nature. The past never leaves us. Our cherished memories, like a song, a forest, a wetland, and dolphins, linger and integrate, waiting for us to revisit them. Five songs were selected and reinterpreted songs from Coastland, Light Shining Through the Sea, and White Forest. Five songs were recorded live with a mature and polished style.