To coincide with the release of the evocative and atmospheric modern single 22:22, we caught an interview with Chinese composer and artist CDA REVE, to find out more about his unique journey as both an artist and a lifelong dreamer and creative. Here’s the conversation in full.
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Hi REVE, such a pleasure to meet you! Heartfelt congratulations on your new single release! To begin, could you share which city you currently call home? And what creative projects have filled your days this past week?
Hi Rebecca, thank you for the warm wishes! I split my time between Beijing and London lately. This week, I’ve been immersed in crafting two new singles. Just yesterday, I wrapped up a studio recording session—they’ll be out in the world very soon!
What’s the story behind your new single “22:22”? Is this sound a glimpse of your signature style moving forward?
About two years ago, I noticed something uncanny: nearly every day at 22:22, I’d instinctively become aware of the time—often checking my phone to confirm it. It felt mystical, like a subconscious resonance… or perhaps a cosmic nudge. Then one night this past January, while lost in musical thoughts and revisiting this track, I glanced at the clock: 22:22. That synchronicity felt like a sign. I knew then it had to be the title of my debut single—a symbol of my artistic journey beginning.
While my sound varies quite a bit, 22:22 reflects a broad musical understanding. My influences are diverse—some tracks lean more toward a classical hip-hop vibe, while others explore soul, indie, pop, and beyond. That’s actually one of the things that excites me most: the freedom to create something hybrid, without feeling confined to any specific genre.
Have you received formal music training? And are the piano tones in the track acoustic or digitally crafted?
I’ve had some training—guitar, piano, vocals, music theory, and production basics—and I’m actively studying piano right now. The piano in this song started as a MIDI soundscape, but I treated it with processing to give it texture. At the time of the recording, I didn’t have access to a real piano, but working with the sound digitally allowed me to explore its emotional range in new ways.
Moving forward, I’m eager to work more directly with piano—I’m even interested in creating pieces built entirely around it in the future. I recently got a beautiful piano for my apartment in Beijing, which has already become a big source of inspiration. Years ago, I visited Mikhail Bulgakov’s apartment in Kyiv, now a kind of museum, and was struck by the image of two grand pianos in the living room—one black, one white. I now have a black one. Someday, I’d love to find a white one to match.
As both artist and producer, what’s your greatest ambition for the coming months—or even years?
Since I began writing music, I’ve created a large number of demos—most of which I never imagined sharing with anyone. But after some encouragement, I released my first song, and I’ll be putting out a few more in the coming months. After that, I plan to release my debut full-length album.
My artistic practice extends beyond music; I also work with visual arts from time to time, and I am very interested in game design. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some incredible artists, and I hope to continue exploring both collaborative and solo projects across music, music videos, visual imagery, and more.
Right now, my focus is on music—especially within the realm of hip-hop/pop etc—but in the future, I’d love to collaborate with classical composers as well.
How has studying mathematics and finance influenced or ignited your musical artistry?
Studying mathematics and finance has influenced my approach to music in unexpected but meaningful ways. Math has sharpened my sensitivity to patterns, structure, and symmetry—all elements that naturally exist in music. It has shaped my intuitive understanding of form, rhythm, and repetition.
At the same time, studying something so different from music has given me valuable insight into the world, human behaviour, and the dynamics of interaction. These perspectives continue to inspire my artistic work. They help me observe more deeply—both people and the world around me—and the stories I tell through my music reflect the full spectrum of life.
How do you choose the narrative themes woven into your music?
Both melody and lyrics are vital: lyrics are the flesh, melodies the soul. The themes of my music emerges naturally – most of my demos begin as improvisations, later refined. I treasure the emotion driving creation—it births stories, and stories provoke reflection. For me, it’s always about music that touches the soul.
What’s next on your creative horizon?
An album release—and selecting some of my demos to share with the world.
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Find CDA REVE on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube & X.
