Wowkie Da: The Meaning of New Year

Singer/songwriter Wowkie Da may be vocal about many things, but he has a holiday secret. “I never drink, but during Chinese New Year, I’ll raise a glass with everyone. I’ll nurse one drink for six hours, just sitting and sipping,” Wowkie tells Apple Music. When he’s not sitting and sipping, he can get a crowd on their feet. Having started out in his teens as the frontman of punk band Flowers, Wowkie has since moved from the Beijing underground into the pop mainstream. He’s now a TV personality, bringing his feisty rocker attitude with him to reality and variety shows. But Wowkie doesn’t forget his roots—especially not during the New Year, when the city’s festive temple fairs are in full swing. “At the fairs you’ll see the most real, most interesting and most traditional things that make people genuinely happy when they see them,” he says. “They also remind me not to forget that I’m a Beijinger, and that I should integrate folk arts and other traditional things into what I create, no matter if it’s making music or whatever else I’m doing.” Speaking of music, certain tracks always remind him of the New Year: “Everywhere on the streets you hear songs by the China Dolls, Andy Lau, and also Cai Guoqing’s ‘365 Blessings.’ Just playing those songs makes you feel like your next year is bright with good luck. They’re awesome.” Wowkie Da’s tunes fit perfectly with these holiday greats. His 2014 hit “Bei’er Shuang” (“Feelin’ Real Good” in English) landed him a spot on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala stage, securing the song’s place among Chinese New Year classics. “I think of ‘Bei’er Shuang’ as a Spring Gala song, because getting on this show seemed an impossible thing to me. But it was as if I was blessed that Spring Festival. I went on and actually sang a brand new song that I wrote, and it really fit the occasion.” Wowkie also revealed to Apple Music that he has another track lined up for the New Year. “It’s called ‘Sa Hua’ [‘Throwing Flowers’ in English] and it actually has the same meaning as “Bei’er Shuang,” he says. “It embodies my hope that everyone celebrates themselves, their relatives and friends.” But for now, he’s provided his listeners with a holiday playlist of his own music, festive Chinese songs and, of course, rock bangers from Green Day, Goldfinger and The Jesus and Mary Chain. “There is also a song called ‘Almost Gold’ by The Jesus and Mary Chain. I have never understood this song, but I think it is close to gold. The Spring Festival is actually this feeling.” He also includes Chinese rock and pop favourites with Dou Wei’s “Be Good, Boy” and “Hummingbird” by Wu Qing Feng. “‘Hummingbird’ is a kind of reminder for me, because sometimes I get so busy that I don’t know what I’m even doing. When I hear the lyric that goes: ‘What are we after? Why do we keep rushing?’—that really resonates with me.” There’s even some EDM in the mix, which for Wowkie is a holiday essential: “During the holidays, I think everyone should live every day like they’re dancing at the club. So get that cute disco ball going and wave your hands in the air. This EDM will get you pumped and feeling happy.” The quirky singer’s playlist focuses on happiness and relaxation, two themes he feels really capture the holiday: “[New Year] represents the end of a year’s work. It’s definitely the happiest and most relaxed time of year, when there’s no need to worry about the future or think about anything else.” Wowkie Da closes with his blessings and best wishes: “I wish you all happiness and health in the New Year! Avoid bad luck...better yet, don’t get anywhere near it. And if good fortune comes your way, have the wisdom to choose what makes you happy.”