Taiwanese artist Sauljaljui sings of sorrow and hope

台灣藝術家Sauljaljui演唱悲傷與希望

Golden Melody Award winner holds intimate show for fans


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Deep in a basement near National Taiwan Normal University, Paiwan musician Sauljaljui (戴曉君) held a solo concert for 70-plus fans and media just days before the Golden Melody Awards.

Sauljaljui sat on a stool in front of a giant projection of the moon, a stark setting for an artist known for wide-ranging collaborations with Indigenous musicians from Taiwan and abroad.

Her performance, arranged by Wind Music, generated buzz for Sauljaljui's four GMA nominations this year, two of which she would win: Best Arranger and Best Indigenous Album for "VAIVAIK."

Stakes were high this year, as the album was four years in the making and the third of her career, making her a mid-career artist in the fast-paced music industry that often celebrates youth. To complicate matters, she took on dual roles as artist and producer for the first time, working with fellow Indigenous singers such as Putad Pihay (妲菈・碧海) from indie band Outlet Drift and Malaysian singer-songwriter Alena Murang.

In the liner notes for the album, Sauljaljui described it as combining Paiwan language with diverse cultures from all over the world. Given the time and effort that went into the album, she was visibly anxious about the results of the award ceremony.

"People in my village told me I must go to Taipei and win an award this year. This would be a big honor for them. I have worked hard, and I want to do it for them."

Sauljaljui said many from her village have been supportive of her over the years. For example, a fashion designer worked for free to create her red carpet costume, which was inspired by the 100-pacer snake, an animal of special significance for the Paiwan, representing power, nobility, and being part of their creation story.

Often performing solo, performing on a two-string moon zither or yueqin (月琴), a two-stringed banjo-like instrument popular in Pingtung. Upon receiving the award for Best Indigenous Album, she said, "It's not an Indigenous instrument, but I can still take it around the world to make friends."

She then thanked her moon zither instructor for allowing her to share her music. Sauljaljui also thanked her deceased father by wearing a railway stationmaster hat and his constant insistence that she succeed in life, such as by becoming a civil servant.

Cultural exchange has always been a key component of her work. During her solo concert, she detailed her extended trip to Mauritius, where she spent weeks on the beach playing polyrhythmic music with Creole-speaking Indigenous musicians.

This experience led her to create the track on her new album, Dipin Kari Tang (Bread, Curry, Hedgehog), a dynamic fusion of different cultures. Sauljaljui said that many of these rhythms are not found in Taiwan.

And another trip abroad to Australia on a working holiday gave her another experience. Aside from counting her days by "watching the sun rise and fall," she had an unexpected experience.

She would venture into town, where she encountered many Indigenous people begging for food and money. "No one would give to them. As soon as I got away, I cried about how cruel people can be."

She said this experience led her to write the Mandarin song on her debut album, "A Lonely Glass of Wine." She encouraged everyone to "listen to a song when you are going through difficult times."

After the 90-minute concert, Sauljaljui took time to sign autographs and meet fans. Her warm spirit immediately filled the room, and she even led the audience in a sing-along, tapping out a rhythm on a percussive shaker.

And despite the pressure of multiple award nominations, Sauljaljui was in good spirits with a broad smile as she said, “I am just a folk musician. I play music simply because it calls out to me.”