Hong Kong is a place brimming with talented and intriguing people from all over the world. In our 27 Questions column, we get up close and personal with these notable personalities, learning about their whims and aversions, pivotal life moments, and hopes and dreams — all in roughly the same duration of a casual speed date. Our next segment of 27 Questions brings us to Marz23, Taiwanese singer and vocalist of TRASH.
Marz23 is a man who is constantly redefining himself. Over the years, he’s been pushing boundaries and proving to everyone that he is more than just someone’s son or brother. Instead, he is his own person, with his own talents and creative endeavours.
He first took to the stage in 2009 as the vocalist, lead guitarist, and one of the founding members of his rock band TRASH under his stage name, Aye (阿夜). Since then, they’ve been rocking the industry, winning the Gongliao Honghaiyan Rock Festival in 2012 and receiving nominations from the Golden Melody Awards and Golden Music Indie Awards.
Still, there was more the artist wanted to share. In 2020, he reinvented himself and debuted as Marz23. This new identity allowed him to explore his inner self, coming together to form his first solo album, “23.” Bridging the gap between emo and hip-hop, he turned to emo rap, cheekily stating that he is “Not A Rapper (我不是饒舌歌手).” His second solo album, “not so far away (不遠處),” came out in 2023, further documenting his journey and struggles he faced.
His music, style, and candidness have charmed fans all over the world, including Hong Kong. For these dedicated fans, Monster Energy — Marz23’s favourite drink — is offering a select few from Hong Kong to win two free tickets and a flight to Taipei for a fan meeting with him on July 19. Fans simply have to buy two or four cans of Monster Energy and submit the receipt, name, and first four digits of their ID to +852 6768 7642 via WhatsApp before June 20 to enter the lucky draw.
We caught up with the singer while he was in town to perform at Spring Wave and busk in Mongkok. He shared with us some of his most memorable memories, guilty pleasures, and faith. Get to know a new side of him in this edition of 27 Questions with Marz23. Watch the entire interview below.
27 Questions: Marz23
Name: Marz23
Age: 32
Neighbourhood: Taipei, Taiwan
Occupation: Singer
1. What was the energy like at Spring Wave?
It was amazing because it’s been almost seven years since the last time we came to Hong Kong, so our fans were waiting for so long and yesterday, they all went crazy.
2. What is your impression of Hong Kong as a performer?
People in Hong Kong can understand many different languages, like English, Chinese, and Cantonese. I was kind of impressed.
3. What is your life motto?
堅持做熱愛的事、成為想成為的人
只要夠相信夠堅定、整個宇宙都會幫助你
(Keep doing what you love and become who you want to be
As long as you believe hard enough, the whole universe will help you)
4. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I’m a night person, but after the North America tour, I’m still in jetlag, so now I’m a morning person.
5. What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
Eating, because I have a tendency to gain weight easily.
View this post on Instagram
6. What is one song you currently have on repeat?
Recently, I would say TRASH’s new song, which is my band, but it’s not released yet. You guys can look forward to it.
(Stay tuned for “懦弱,” out on April 30!)
7. If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?
Maybe go back to Mars, because I’m not from Earth.
8. What is the top destination on your bucket list?
I want to live in a place with few people, surrounded by beautiful nature, for a period of time.
9. Which moment in your life would you most like to relive?
During the time before my father went into a coma, I wished I had more time to say goodbye to him. I also wanted to tell him not to worry about us, and that his son will achieve great things, inspire many people with music, and have an adorable grandchild.
10. What is your typical Sunday like?
I don’t have a fixed routine. I’m someone who does things based on my mood.
View this post on Instagram
11. What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done and why?
When I was young, I went on an adventure in a haunted house, and we actually experienced something very creepy there. Someone tapped my friend’s shoulder.
12. What is your biggest regret?
I have no regrets, I have lived my life to the fullest.
13. If you had the chance, would you turn back your life?
I think every moment just happens once, so I’d rather enjoy every moment.
14. What was the best gift you ever received?
Every moment of being alive. I feel that being born into this world is the greatest gift.
15. What is the best or worst career advice you’ve ever received?
When TRASH was working on our second album, “Start from Zero (歸零),” our producer Tony (lead singer of Monkey Pilot) took us away from Taipei to Hengchun, the southern part of Taiwan, for a retreat. That was the moment my life was completely rebooted and our album successfully received its first nomination for the Golden Melody Awards.
16. What energises you about your work?
Passion for music and life.
17. What is the hardest part about your job?
It could be having a dual identity. Sometimes, there can be confusion between roles. When the workload is heavy, it can also create a significant burden on my mental health.
18. What is something your fans don’t know about you?
I will talk to myself every day when I’m alone. I know it’s pretty weird, but, that’s me.
19. What was your first memory of Monster Energy?
I remember when I was in high school, I had a friend. His motorcycle had a lot of Monster stickers on it, so he introduced me to Monster, and it was cool. It looks like a cult or something.
20. Which Monster Energy flavour is your favourite?
I prefer the green one with cucumber. That one’s good.
21. What are you most looking forward to from your upcoming meet-and-greet with Monster Energy?
I’m really looking forward to singing with [my fans] face to face. I think the energy will be really strong.
View this post on Instagram
22. What is the most important thing you always bring with you on tour?
Faith and the message of the universe.
23. Do you have any favourite tattoos?
My chocolate chip cookie tattoo. I love eating chocolate chip cookies, and I used to have a shop where I sold cookies online.
24. How has your journey into fatherhood been?
I think… life is a miracle. Now I can relate to it, but I have to say, it’s hard to be a father. Being a dad is tough, but it forced me to be a better person. So overall, I think it’s really good for my life. Everything has changed, but it’s in a good way.
25. How do you balance your career with your family?
I’m still working on it. It’s a lot of… it’s a work in progress.
26. What is your proudest achievement so far?
Recently, I had a tour in North America, and I was pretty happy about that. For me, it was really challenging for everything, but I did it, and at every show, people were really happy.
27. Any Hong Kong artists you would like to work with in the future?
陳蕾 (Panther Chan). I like her music.
Video: Ryan Putranto
Images: Ryan Putranto / Monster Energy
Interviewer/Editor: Johanna Muliani
Venue: Eaton Hotel Hong Kong
Special thanks to Monster Energy. For more 27 Questions, click here.
Tags
Written by
Johanna Muliani
Editorial Assistant, Dining and Culture
An Indonesian enamoured with the sights of Hong Kong, Jo is a curious spirit who loves telling stories with a focus on Art, People, and F&B. After work, you'll find Jo knitting, dabbling in gaming, and looking for where to eat next.
