The College of Communication at National Chengchi University hosted an EMI guest lecture titled “The Soundtrack of Our Lives: The Art of Music and How it Impacts Lives” on May 22 as part of the course “Popular Music and Mass Culture Studies”. The lecture featured renowned musician, producer, and multimedia creator POLO WL as the guest speaker. During the session, POLO WL shared insights into his creative journey, music production philosophy, and reflections on how music influences life experiences, emotions, and personal identity.
At the beginning of the lecture, POLO WL described music as a rare and powerful art form. He explained that music exists everywhere in daily life. Although people may not fully control music, music can profoundly affect emotions, attention, and psychological states, even transporting listeners into entirely different worlds. According to him, the greatest power of music lies in its ability to connect directly with human emotions and memories, transcending language and cultural boundaries.
During the lecture, POLO WL also discussed the therapeutic power of music. Using jazz legend Tony Bennett as an example, he explained that even after memory fades, melodies and lyrics can still reconnect people with emotions and personal memories. He emphasized that music provides individuals with a space to express emotions, release stress, and find comfort throughout different stages of life.
Drawing inspiration from music legends Michael Jackson and Mel Tormé, POLO WL further proposed the idea that “music is both a mirror and a window.” He explained that music can function like a mirror, reflecting people’s genuine emotions and psychological states in the present moment, while also acting as a window that offers new perspectives for self-reflection and introspection.
Addressing the rapidly growing influence of AI technology, POLO WL stated that he currently does not use AI in his music creation process. He argued that AI-generated music lacks the most essential element: humanity. “AI may be able to accurately replicate sounds, but it cannot program the complexity of human emotions,” he said. “Without stories and soul behind the notes, they are merely sounds, not music.” Referring to jazz master Thelonious Monk and his famous statement that “there are no wrong notes on the piano,” POLO WL emphasized that the essence of music lies in breaking boundaries and conveying emotions rather than pursuing textbook perfection.
When discussing music production and songwriting, POLO WL shared his four-step creative process: establishing a theme, recording all ideas, sculpting and refining the work, and finally presenting demos. He particularly stressed that technical skill is not the most important factor in today’s music industry. Instead, what matters most is the creator’s intention and the courage to fully express oneself honestly. He also pointed out that contemporary music releases increasingly need to connect with visual images, films, and everyday life scenarios. Only through the integration of music and storytelling can artists truly reach and move audiences in today’s information-saturated era.
During the Q&A session, one student asked how he copes emotionally when writing songs for people who have passed away. POLO WL responded that although the creative process can be emotionally difficult and filled with struggles, completing the song ultimately brings him a profound sense of peace. He described music as a form of therapy that allows him to express emotions beyond the limits of words.
At the end of the lecture, POLO WL offered encouragement to students interested in pursuing careers in the music industry. He remarked that blindly striving to become “the best” often only satisfies personal ego, while audiences are truly searching for unique perspectives and authenticity. “You cannot become the best, but you can become the only one,” he said. He encouraged students to invest time in self-improvement, explore different genres of music, and focus on their own life experiences and genuine emotions. By remaining completely honest with themselves, he believes creators can ultimately produce works that resonate deeply with others.
