Imagine what you will be doing in seven years. Are you getting your first job or just studying in another country?
When the Taiwan band Relax One was formed in 1998, they wanted to release their own albums. And now they have.
When the four group members came to the mainland to promote their first album I Want Relax One, they told Teens how they made their dream come true.
Guitarist Xiaomao set up his own music studio when he was only 17 after he graduated from Danjiang High School. This is the same high school from which other stars graduated, including Jay Chow and Monster from Mayday.
"It doesn't mean you are a loser simply because you don't like school," Xiaomao believed. He had a good time hanging around with music lovers. Then he met drummer A-kui, who was rather rebellious at that time.
Both A-kui's parents are high school teachers. Born in such a family meant few choices for him - going to a good university and finding a decent job seemed to be his future. A-kui was already on that road, being a top student in one of the top high schools in Taiwan.
"But I didn't want to be planned," said A-kui. He took up drumming. The reason that he didn't choose guitar or bass was simply that they were too costly.
"To learn to play drums, all you need is a pair of drumsticks," A-kui said with a smile. "My family didn't want me to do music so I didn't have the money to buy a guitar."
Xiaorenguo was A-kui's fellow student in Alethia University, majoring in information management. Being infected by A-kui's enthusiasm for music, he began playing bass.
They formed a band. Parents' objections, financial pressure and changing of band members - nothing stopped their dream.
And then lead vocalist Summer, who now writes all the songs, joined in 1998.
Summer loved singing when she was a kid. After graduating from Fu Jen University, she began her exploration of music.
Her voice and talent for writing songs were acknowledged before she joined the band. She had written songs for other singers, such as China Dolls. Some producers even tried to persuade her to develop a career on her own.
But Summer insisted on staying with the band. "We are like a family," Summer explained.
Questions from Teens' readers
Chen Ji, Anhui: How did you get the name Relax One?
Xiaomao: "Relax" is the name of my studio and shows our attitude to life. "One" means No 1 and four-in-one. It shows our determination to stay together as one and to be the best.
Li Zhengjun, Sichuan: What kind of music style do you play?
Summer: We started with rock 'n' roll, but now we've got our own rock style. We'll come to the mainland more often and I hope you'll see our performance live soon.
(21st Century January 18, 2006)
