Tennyson King Bridges Tradition and Identity on “Big Mountain High (大山高),” A Powerful Fusion of Chinese Instrumentation and Indie Folk
Toronto-based, Hong Kong-born songwriter Tennyson King shares “Big Mountain High (大山高),” a powerful and emotionally resonant new single that marks a defining moment in his artistic evolution. Blending traditional Chinese instrumentation with modern indie folk and singer-songwriter sensibilities, the track stands as a bold expression of identity, heritage, and creative confidence. It is the first single released from his forthcoming album 100 Cities.
“This was the first song I wrote with the intention of fusing traditional Chinese instruments with western folk music,” Tennyson explains. Inspired by the ancient guqin composition “High Mountains and Flowing Water,” he was struck by its emotional depth. “It made me feel sadness and a sense of power at the same time,” he says. “I knew I wanted to write something inspired by it.”
That emotional core is matched by the song’s ambitious sonic palette. Featuring contributions from Toronto-based traditional Chinese musicians Lina Cao (Guzheng), Amely Zhou (Erhu), andLipeng Wu (Dizi), alongside a striking Peking Opera performance from Taiwanese singer I-Shuo Lin, “Big Mountain High (大山高)” moves fluidly between cultures and eras. Produced by Dan Hosh, the track balances organic, expressive performances with a modern, expansive folk-pop sound.
“We wanted to take the traditional Chinese elements but keep a modern western folk pop style of production,” Tennyson explains. “Traditional Chinese music isn’t usually played to a metronome. The timing is more free because it’s about expression. We wanted to try and keep some of those elements and let the musicians play.”
“‘Big Mountain High (大山高)’ is a symbol of strength, confidence, and taking up space,” Tennyson says. “For the first time, I feel confident in who I am as a whole being with my culture and traditions, and am unafraid to take up space with my art.”