We were lucky to catch up with Aizhou Liu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Aizhou, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I love music because it is a means of self-expression and my way of giving to the world. As a composer, I am a storyteller who collaborates with filmmakers and game developers. I want to help tell stories of the AAPI community and of social justice because I believe it is important to drive change through art. We need to drive important conversions about these topics to drive change. I also want my music to bring my Chinese culture to audiences worldwide.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a composer, singer-songwriter, and vocalist. I compose music in multiple genres and write lyrics in English and Mandarin. My work spans film, television, video games, and music itself. I am extremely lucky to have worked with companies including Disney and National Geographic, as well as many independent filmmakers. I collaborate with some of the greatest storytellers of my generation and feel very blessed every day.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Graduating from Berklee College of Music right in the middle of COVID was tough on my well-being and career development, similar to many others. With jobs and internships being canceled, I wasn’t sure whether I could have a career in music at all. I had many moments of doubt and thought of moving back home. However, with the help of my friends, my perspective shifted. I worked on meeting and forming meaningful connections with people I meet on Zoom. I thought of them as laying down the roots of a tree, building the foundation. By the end, some people became clients whereas others became lifelong friends.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

While winning an Emmy or Grammy would be great, but beyond that, what I am passionate about is storytelling and social change. Music and film can do so much more than just entertain. It can educate and accelerate change. It can make people have uncomfortable discussions about important topics. What I am passionate about, is being part of that change.

As an Asian composer in America, I want to tell the stories of my community: stories about our cultures and perseverant spirits. I want to partner with filmmakers to drive social change together. I am setting the tone both musically and culturally that folks like me have earned the seats at the table because we have interesting stories to share.

Additionally, as a composer with mixed Eastern and Western music backgrounds, I love experimenting and reinventing myself and making music that we haven’t heard yet. So much film music can sound the same and can be predictable, and as a composer of the younger generation, it is my mission to change the stereotype.    

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aizhoumusic.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/aizhoumusic
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aizhou-liu-1172a9146/

Image Credits
Béla Baptiste, Colby Blackwill