[ Chinese ]

Link

* Chalaw's Blog: www.chalaw.blogspot.com

Listening / Program

Introduction

Passiwali, which literally means 'towards the east' in the Pangcah language, marks the creative debut of Chalaw. Here are the clean sounds of the acoustic guitar, driving percussion and moving vocal harmonies, which evoke the warm embrace and beauty of Chalaw's home by the Pacific Ocean. Passawali, which is also the name of Chalaw's band, combines traditional Pangcah sounds with Bossanova rhythms and rock sensibility, traversing an emotional spectrum from intense, deep expression to light-hearted joy. A young man who has always remained true to his Pangcah roots, Chalaw cultivated his passion for music at an early age. Raised in Hualien on Taiwan's east coast, he started playing guitar at the age of 6 and drums at the age of 11. Like many youth in Taiwan seeking new opportunities and excitement, Chalaw moved to Taipei City, working in various jobs.

After years of drifting through the ups and downs of life in the city, Chalaw returned to his hometown Ganshujiao in Hualien County, where he formed Passiwali with a group of musician friends. On this album, we hear simple and honest compositions -- whether songs of a gentle fisherman living a modest life, of the land and ocean, or on the state of affairs in society. But perhaps most importantly, this musical endeavor is a sincere call from Chalaw -- his offering of comfort and solace to the people of his tribal home. Befitting its name, the album 'Passiwali' represents the rising of a new sun, with sounds that bring us to a new wellspring of stories.

Artists Profile

Chalaw - Passiwali

Birth 1960 Coming From The Pangcah (Amis) Tribe Hualien.

Chalaw is a young Pangcah man passionate about music. Growing up near Hualien on Taiwan's east coast, he started playing the guitar at the age of 6, drums at the age of 11, and was working as a sound engineer by the age of 20 in taipei city. A love of music has always been a constant motivating force for Chalaw, but at the same time he has never forgotten that the blood of the Pangcah flows through his veins, and he retains a sense of duty as a Pangcah aboriginal. So, at age 36, determined to find a way to combine these two important influences in his life, Chalaw quit his job, and returned to his hometown of Ganshujiao in Hualien County to make music true to his life experiences. He picked up his guitar and composed songs based in part on a deep feeling for nature and the world around him. At the same time, he also examined the challenges in his own life and the tensions that exist between younger generations of Pangcah people and the traditional way of life of the Pangcah. Chalaw is not just a singer-songwriter – he is also a documentarian of sorts, using music to record and preserve the disappearing memories of his people.

Passwali, which means 'rising in the east' in the Pangcah language, marks Chalaw's creative debut. Here are the clean sounds of the acoustic guitar, driving percussion and moving vocal harmonies, which together evoke the mysterious beauty of the ocean off the coast of Hualien. Here too is the simple, joyful, intimate atmosphere of the Pangcah tribal village. With this album, Chalaw fuses traditional indigenous folk songs with Bossa Nova rhythms, traversing an emotional spectrum from intense, deep expression to light-hearted joy. The simple and alluring melodies of Passwali bring us to a wellspring of thoughts and meaning. 

Edition Extended