"The music will not vanish," said Zhang Yadong, a renowned Chinese music producer, in an exclusive interview with CGTN, expressing his strong belief in the power of today's young musicians.

China's new popular variety show "The Big Band," debuted in May, is bringing some incredibly talented Chinese rock bands into the mainstream. 

As one of the judges, or "Super Fans," Zhang has grabbed the spotlight for his professional and incisive remarks on the show.

Zhang, who started his career as a music producer in the early 1990s, has composed, recorded and produced several hit songs and albums for notable Chinese singers and indie bands, including Faye Wong, Pu Shu and rock band Underground Baby, hence his nickname "Golden Producer."

"Bands are far beyond noisy"

Even for a music producer like Zhang, it is a rare opportunity to spend so much time with bands from various genres at once. The clash of different styles and opinions can generate a lot of inspiration for the bands, helping them to explore new possibilities, he said.

Even today, the format of band music is not considered part of the mainstream Chinese music industry as people tend to stereotype it as loud and noisy.

However, Zhang rejected this categorization, saying that their diverse styles go beyond being "noisy." As an example, Zhang mentioned Click#15, a band on the show, noting that they were a funk band with more focus on beats, body movements, and fancy styles and skills.

"Many new bands that have sprung up in recent years have evolved a more integrated style, such as British band Alt-J, combining their music with many new elements to bring new auditory experiences for the audience, and break the limitations of traditional patterns and styles," he told CGTN.

Zhang once said on the show that the influence of the prestigious Chinese pianist Lang Lang has been more effective than the past decade of efforts in popularizing the piano business in China, emphasizing the importance of a superstar who can push the entire industry forward.

Although Zhang acknowledged the importance of having a unique style and innovative music, he emphasized the necessity of hard work. He said he respects talent, but he doesn't think it is reliable. "Music is my profession, which cannot rely on talent," he said. "I have to work hard to keep myself sharp all the time, because relying on talent makes me feel like I’m waiting for luck."

Importance of copyright protection

According to a 2018 report by the Communication University of China, nearly 30 percent of Chinese musicians earn nothing from their music and 70 percent have to find part-time jobs.

"The cost is quite high for today's music producers, who need the support of expensive equipment," said Zhang, stressing that royalties are crucial for survival. "It is convenient for users to download unauthorized content, but musicians may lose their motivation to create new content because their efforts seem to have gone in vain."

Music copyrights have been strengthened as numerous policies to crack down on pirated music on the internet have come into effect. Zhang agrees that these measures are helpful, and that record companies should not sign unequal contracts with musicians by taking advantage of their desire to be famous. 

"It's unfair that people who sell the music earn more than the people who create it," he said, hoping for a fair and transparent platform that details the process of dealing with copyright issues.

Changes in Chinese popular music

Decades have passed since Zhang came to Beijing to pursue his dream. Chinese popular music, meanwhile, has continued to transform and develop.

Many people say that Chinese popular music is dead, but Zhang believes that the music will never die. 

He observed that a number of songs have hit the market in recent years, so the variation in quality is inevitable.

But if more people express their love for music, the industry will continue to grow. Zhang said today's young musicians are more stressed due to fiercer competition. However, he thinks they are hopeful and should not be underestimated.

"I believe the changes are from quantity to quality," said Zhang. "I hope more people can write songs and fall in love with music."

Gaining traffic through innovation is great

The definition of good music differs from person to person, which is abstract and personal. In Zhang's opinion, there are two kinds of good music: One that has been passed down for generations and retains the purity of the genre, another, innovative and unique. He admires musicians who can incorporate their unique insights into music and innovate with their skills because they demonstrate the diversity and vastness of music.

Zhang said music is both emotional and rational, but he believes more in the power of reason.

To a certain extent, today, it is about how many people listen to a song, not the quality, that reflects how successful the song is. But Zhang doesn't feel such a pursuit is bad for music. "The key point is you need to get the traffic because of your uniqueness, not because you are imitating someone popular," he said. 

Zhang, who hasn't played with a band for many years, claimed that he's a slow and calm person who finds it easier to work alone. "It is easier to do something alone today because communication costs time. But when several people get together, it can result in a spark," he said. 

"I really want to start a band again with my old friends in the future," said Zhang, adding that "being together with them makes me feel very relaxed and happy."