草書繪浮世

　　當初失落的那一段日子裡常常反覆聽幾首歌，其中一首就是棉花糖的「再見王子」。

　　長年在美國生活，我對電吉他和搖滾有一種喜好，因此每當我在電視節目之間穿插的MV片段或是音樂台播放的完整版聽到「再見王子」的旋律，都會忍不住從工作中探起頭，想知道稀少的搖滾曲風和陌生清新的嗓子究竟屬於哪個團體。幾次後，就深刻記住棉花糖這個名字。

　　真正領略歌詞的意境是上網搜尋以後的事了。有將近一個月的時間，我在youtube上面反覆聆聽，看著飛瀉的沙不停歇地，像時間一樣掩埋視線可及的一切事物；聽著主唱清純晶瑩的嗓音如喃喃自語又似泣聲吶喊，電吉他和鼓聲像是被迫早熟的靈魂們在背後哀傷地低吼；讀著敘述揮別和分離的歌詞，字裡行間流露了一種堅強面對的釋然。看久了，對於一些現今和過往，似乎也能釋懷了。

　　後來上網查棉花糖的資料，才知道棉花糖是一個二人樂團，由團長加吉他手聖哲和主唱小球組成，成軍已經三年左右，是文化局核准的街頭藝人。街頭是一種很直接殘酷的舞台，行人熙攘，車水馬龍，不管技巧、無論曲風，成功或失敗，由駐足聆聽的觀眾多寡當下決定。能夠日復一日面對這種殘酷考驗的人，都有莫大的勇氣和理想在背後支撐。

　　如今棉花糖已經發行第二張唱片，卻不忘當初的街頭生活，和當時以各種形式方式支持他們的人，我想，他們的成功並不是沒有來由的。

　　年輕的少年少女都有唐吉訶德的影子，手持著渺小意志的長矛，指向龐大不可測知的未來，勇敢戀愛，青春無敵。直到經歷某一次受傷，某一次失戀，某一次分手，他們在疼痛中慢慢長大，懂得世界其實並不如想像中甜美。

　　這是一個很重要的分歧點，他們可以選擇熄滅熱情，埋葬理想，披上偽裝的外衣，迎合他人的期許，然後庸碌一生；他們也可以選擇承受這份痛苦，然後鼓起勇氣，懷持那一份天真和堅持，不屈不撓面對日後接踵而至的任何考驗。

　　許多投入夢想並且咬牙奮鬥的故事，不斷在生活周遭開展。這些人繼承了心中小王子的意念，以自己的方式努力實踐理念。於是我，也放手一搏了。

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90DJJx_y3bE&feature=search

I had been listening to those same few songs over and over again, during those miserable days. In those songs, was “Farewell, Le Prince” by Katncandix2 (Kat ‘n Candi x2).

Rock music and electric guitars really grew on my back in the states, therefore whenever I hear clips of the MV “Farewell, Le Prince” broadcasted in between TV shows and commercials, or the complete versions on music channels, I could not help myself but to look up, searching for the name of this interesting band. After several times, I finally memorized the name, Katncandix2.

It was after I began searching on youtube did I truly appreciate the beauty of the lyrics as well. For about a month, I played “Farewell, Le Prince” MV over and over again, watching the sands ceaselessly pouring down upon the world, devouring everything in sight just as time devours our present; listening to the untainted, pure and innocent vocal whispers and screams, as if on the verge of tears, with a electric guitar and a drum roaring in the background like young and depressed souls with maturity forced upon them; and reading the lyrics about separation and farewell that somehow revealed a sense of relief that was founded upon courage and perseverance. After listened to the song for a while, I also grew relieved of certain things in life.

I checked Katncandix2’s information online and only then did I discover that it was a street band of two, one male band leader/producer/composer and one female vocal/writer. They were certified by the Department of Cultural Affairs three years ago and had been performing since. Street is a cruel and honest stage, amidst vehicles and pedestrians of their own agendas, the amount of audiences stopping by will be translated directly to your success and failure, despite your techniques and music genre. To be able to endure such brutal challenge day after day, they must possess enormous courage and ideal as their backbone.

Now that the second album is released, Katncandix2 has never forgotten about their origin, or the people who once supported them, in one form or the other, along the arduous path of street performers. Their success is definitely not groundless.

Young girls and boys all have a piece of Don Quixote in them, courageously wielding a spear of their puny will and point towards the enormous and predictable future; to fall in love bravely, feeling invincible to all the ill wills of the world. Until one day when they stumble upon the cruelties of the world, breaking up with a loved one, torn apart from once a sweet union, and do they finally grow up within the suffering and pain, realizing the world is not as perfect as they once thought.

This is a pivotal point in anyone’s life. They can either choose to extinguish their passions, bury their dreams, put on the facades, fulfill the expectations of those around them, and continue their lives under the roof of mediocrity; or they can choose to undertake this pain, and with all their might, and their innocence and determination, facing any challenges life would throw at them with unyielding spirits.

Tales of people who dedicate their lives to dreams and persevered unfolds around me incessantly. They have inherited the wills of Le Prince, accomplishing their dreams in their own ways. Therefore it is time for I, who was once confused and hesitant, to give my dream a shot.

* The official translation of the song title is “Goodbye Prince”, but since it is a reference to “Le Petit Prince”, therefore I decided to use “Farewell, Le Prince” as the title instead of the official one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90DJJx_y3bE&feature=search

Farewell, Le Prince

That summer, blazing and dazzling
Suddenly, no umbrellas were opened when rained
I lost sleep, it was my first love

You scent is gone
I still linger, the same voice in our hearts
Your smiling face, has been a while since

Few years gone by, we grew up a little
That prince in our heart, it’s time to depart

Farewell, Le Prince, your posture, as the guardian of love
Let the memories commemorate the truth of our first affection
The child who always speak forever, begins to mature
And with tears, watering the seeds of bliss

Farewell, Le Prince, our dreams are yet to dissipate
I will gather your courage and persevere
Running under the scorching sun, our fingers hook
Your city will have mine, genes of longing

And then we, went separate ways
Which sceneries are easily indulged?
Recently it rains a lot, but sun will come

Few years gone by, we grew up a little
That prince in our heart, it’s time to depart

Farewell, Le Prince, your posture, as the guardian of love
Let the memories commemorate the truth of our first affection
The child who always speak forever, begins to mature
And with tears, watering the seeds of bliss

Farewell, Le Prince, our dreams are yet to dissipate
I will gather your courage and persevere
Running under the scorching sun, our fingers hook
Your city will have mine, genes of longing

Embracing you, embracing you