Course Studied: BA (Hons) Music (Production)
Year of Graduation: 2022
Top Career Highlights:
- Achieving over 20k followers and 80 million total plays on China's Netease Cloud Music and TME Music platforms.
- Joining Chinese production team MMM, with production publishing copyright owned by Avex Group Entertainment.
- Learning production techniques from K-pop industry leader SM Entertainment, dedicated to advancing the Chinese idol groups industry.
Tianpei (Eric) Chen is an electronic music producer, arranger, and music production tutor based in Hangzhou, China.
Eric is dedicated to analysing the commercial music industry in China and finding ways to combine EDM production with the C-pop market. Seeking more chances to develop Chinese Idol groups.
Hello, Eric. We’d love to know where your musical journey began?
I started to learn to play the guitar during my primary school. In that specific period, Folk music was very popular in China. There would be many performance chances every year such as New Year Party. It’s hard to believe that I am used to singing a lot along with my playing in junior high.
After entering my senior high school, I fell in love with bands such as Linkin Park, Coldplay and Imagine Dragon. During Year 10, My classmate and I formed a band called Black Chronicle, we played a lot of pieces from the bands above. We also composed our own pieces as well. My production started with a PC and FL Studio. I was a self-taught bedroom producer, learning from YouTube.
What inspired you to pursue Music Production, particularly at Leeds Conservatoire?
My passion for Music Production started with bands music, such as Coldplay and Mayday, which inspired me to come up with ideas for my own pieces. However in the year 2017-2018, EDM had an explosion in the Chinese Market, Avicii is the producer who inspired me to pursue this career.
I felt that learning things on my own from websites was not enough, I wanted to learn music production in formal colleges or institutions. Then I found out Leeds Conservatoire (known then as Leeds College of Music) could offer Music Production courses, which was different from my impression of Producing music in the composition way. I felt the course was a real fit for me as a Pop&EDM trends producer. I applied to this course without any hesitation.
How has our Music Production course influenced your artistic abilities?
Before entering the course, I was only a bedroom producer, only focusing on my DAWs. There would be so many limitations on my learning and production process. Courses at Leeds Conservatoire expanded my knowledge in the field of Music Production. I got to know the whole industry professionally.
I could only do music arranging with basic synths productions on my computer before, and now I have more abilities in instrument recordings, field recordings, Sound designing and mixing. I also started to think about the philosophical meaning of music pieces. I think the course helped me a lot to become a standard producer in the industry.
What were your impressions of Leeds? Did you enjoy your time here?
I enjoyed my three years living in Leeds. Leeds for me is a city full of young energy and passion. I remember that there was a statistic showing that more than 50% of the city's population was formed by students. The overall urban life is very convenient, with various restaurants and shopping malls everywhere, and the variety of food is also very diverse.
The cost of living in Leeds is much cheaper than living in London, and Leeds is a very safe city. I also went through the global epidemic period in Leeds. I found that Leeds' medical system is also very developed. I received the vaccine conveniently just in the Merrion Center.
Looking back on your experience, do you have a favourite memory from your time at Leeds Conservatoire?
The most memorable experience for me was in the semester 2020-2021, when I met an amazing group of musicians in my Specialist group study 2 Music Production Course. It was the first time for me to collaborate with a production team. We did a lot of great projects together such as A Perfect Blue I&II.
I still remember the days we had discussions on our project idea and did all the recording preparations together. I have experienced the production process of a song or even an album, from the stage of rehearsal for recording, having effective communication with our musicians, getting all of our recording sessions done successfully, and finally mixing and mastering before publishing. I will not forget the pleasurable teamwork we did forever.
Why do you think it's beneficial for international students to study Music Production?
Firstly, in my opinion, studying abroad could widen our vision of the whole world. I could have many memorable life experiences brought by different cultures while going around the world. Secondly, music in my mind is the leading voice of different cultures. Every place in the world has its unique musical instruments and music styles.
We could not get to know them well if we only stay in our convenient environment forever. Music needs communication and collaboration between different generals. The fusion of music is happening and will going to be more in the future. International students will have initial advantages in this field. Then in a specific field in Music Production, in my point of view, the music industry in China still has a long way to go. I could learn more knowledge in the field of music production aboard.
What do you think sets Leeds Conservatoire apart as a choice for international students looking to study in the UK?
Leeds Conservatoire offers a wide range of course selections, every musician could find a field in which you would like to express your music idea. An inclusive and open stage is a necessity for all musicians, Leeds city also provides a lot of stages, such as Belgrave Music Hall for the students. Even though you don’t have a firm genre choice before you apply, you will always find your passion in a diverse musical atmosphere. I think Conservatoires have its advantages in the musical atmosphere than the Universities. You will have more chances to have 1v1 feedback sessions with tutors/supervisors.
Lastly, do you have any advice for prospective students who are currently in the process of applying?
For students who applying to the Conservatoire, welcome is what I firstly would like to say! Catch all the chance that you could improve your musical abilities. Find the field you want to discover more with your most unique musical idea. Please be confident about the music you are working on and keep digging further. Conservatoire would help students with real passions.
