Fran Chen

Name, where are you from?
Fran Chen, Taipei, Taiwan.

What do you do?
I am a composer/singer.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
2013 Bjork concert in Taipei. The mood and lighting was magical and elating.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
I’ve always been fascinated by the way that clothing can erase the gender boundary. Also, clothing reflects a person’s subcultural identity, which has an impact on things they do. For instance, those who dress with a hippy look may have their parties in the mountains. Enthusiasts of gothic looks may spend time doing astrology and tarot reading. Those who have an oversized look have a strong passion for hip hop music. How each look reflects a lifestyle has always interested me.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
It was at Clockenflap in Hong Kong, an annual arts and music festival. Hong Kong is a highly populated region located in an aseismic zone, where very tall buildings are erected at high density. The performance venue was on a grassy area near the bay, between the ocean on one side and a busy city on the other. The partygoers were surrounded by skyscrapers as they revelled and immersed in the music. The entire experience was surreal!

If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
Jeff Buckley. I often wondered what music he would create if he hadn’t died young.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Cate Blanchett. I would be happy to be next to her doing nothing; even just walking down the street together would be great! She emits such a strong aura of positivity and perseverance. Maybe by immersing myself in this aura I can become a better person.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
There are too many of them, I couldn’t just name one.