We were lucky to catch up with Yizhun Li recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Yizhun thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

Compared to many musicians, I started formal music education relatively late. Although I was exposed to a lot of music from a young age, thanks to my parents’ influence, I can’t help but wonder how things might have been different had I started my creative journey earlier. Perhaps I would have gained more technical experience, accumulated a larger body of work, and even met like-minded collaborators or formed a team sooner. The early accumulation of work and experience might have afforded me greater exposure and opportunities within the creative field.

However, I also realize that starting my creative path later has given my work a richer depth, shaped by life experiences and introspection. I now have a better understanding of my own interests, and I’ve learned to balance creativity with the challenges of everyday life. More importantly, I’ve been able to draw inspiration from my personal journey, creating works that are more mature and meaningful.

Yizhun, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

An interesting aspect of my journey is that, despite being exposed to music from a very young age, I officially began pursuing music creation and performance relatively late. Music was never initially a career goal for me. It was only through my exploration of art that self-expression and creative thinking gradually became my main interests, eventually evolving into my career. For me, creation is not just about technique; it’s a way of communicating with the world—a way of using an imperfect mirror, that is myself, to reflect society as a whole.

As a bass player and music creator, rhythm has always been essential in my work. Music is not merely the combination of melodies and lyrics; the rhythm, structure, and musicality itself are just as crucial. In addition to recording and producing music across various genres, I have also contributed to film scores, which has allowed me to blend more diverse elements into my musical language.

I often believe that music is a form of emotional release—it has the power to provide listeners with a sense of belonging and spiritual comfort in an instant. As a creator with a background in performance, this emotional connection and deep understanding of music provide endless inspiration for my work.

What sets me apart from many creators is my dedication to cross-disciplinary collaboration. With an academic background in visual communication, I don’t limit myself to the realm of music. I love integrating visual arts, dance, poetry, and other artistic forms into my projects, creating a multi-sensory experience for my audience. This fusion of different fields has become the core of my work and is the hallmark of the uniqueness and diversity in my creations.

One of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on was composing the score for the virtual reality short film See You Yesterday, which was selected for the VR section of the Cannes Film Festival. Additionally, I’ve created pop music that garnered over 4 million likes and comments on Chinese platforms, and some of my theme songs for television dramas have been widely appreciated by audiences.

I want people to understand that I’m not just a creator; I’m a storyteller. Through my art, I explore the world and delve into life’s mysteries, constantly seeking to bring fresh perspectives and deeper connections to my audience.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I’ve mentioned before that I started my musical journey later than most, and it wasn’t an easy road. After finishing my two-year study in Beijing, I faced numerous challenges. I had almost no social resources, no experience, and certainly no network to rely on. During that time, I lived in a tiny rental apartment, practicing my instrument in the cramped space, while juggling various music-related jobs just to scrape together enough money for the next month’s rent.

But then, I was presented with a golden opportunity: I was invited to participate in the recording of a music reality show, Let’s Band. The pressure was immense. Every contestant I faced was a top-tier musician, each one a champion of major music competitions, brand ambassadors, or artists who had already made their mark and won multiple awards in the industry.

In one of the interviews during the show, the host asked, “Given that you’re competing against so many champions, do you feel any pressure?” Without missing a beat, I confidently replied, “It’s okay. I will become a champion too.”

At the same time, while participating in the show, I also entered the China International Bass Competition. Balancing the recording schedule with the multiple rounds of auditions, semi-finals, and finals was no small feat. But in the end, my hard work paid off—I won the Creative Group Championship in the bass competition, and I also received high praise during the show.

Looking back, I believe my greatest strength is my resilience and high adversity quotient (AQ). I’ve always refused to let failure deter me, and more importantly, I’ve never lost my passion for what I do. It’s this mindset that has fueled my journey and allowed me to keep pushing forward, no matter the odds.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most valuable aspect of being an artist is the ability to express emotions and ideas through my work. Art creation is not just about showcasing technical skills or unique creativity; it’s about establishing a connection with the audience through emotion. I believe that every song and every melody is a form of emotional transmission, one that can resonate deeply with people and provide a sense of belonging or emotional release. To me, creation is a dialogue between my inner world and the external reality, a combination of self-expression and social observation.

The value of art lies not in how widely it is accepted, but in how it resonates with people’s emotions, how it touches the most genuine parts of their hearts. This is the driving force behind my constant pursuit of creation—I hope my work can touch, inspire, and leave a lasting impression on people’s lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://weibo.com/u/2603750422
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yizhun.li/profilecard/?igsh=YmM5ZWpsaGFtZm1r

Image Credits
Image source: Internet Some images are courtesy of photographers “Yiye Chen” and “Yajing Liu .”