At the Beijinger, we are always eager to highlight the activities of local artists, and today we are focusing on the recent project by Poetry x Music. Established in 2018 by poet Anthony Tao and classical guitarist and composer Liane Halton, Poetry x Music is an experimental partnership that seeks to merge poetry and music, transcending the conventional limits of both art forms.
Their newest project, All of Those Times, is their third full album, following Here to Stay (2020) and The Last Tribe on Earth (2019). Like their previous works, All of Those Times interweaves Tao's poetry with Halton's original compositions, creating a collection that is profoundly emotional. It examines the complete cycle of a relationship and is partially influenced by the intensity of the Covid years, traversing an entire range of human emotions while balancing dramatic tension with quieter moments of reflection and beauty.
Recently presented at the 2025 Macau Literary Festival, All of Those Times is now available both as an album and as a physical book featuring artwork by Norwegian artist Johanna Søvik. We spoke with Tao and Halton about collaboration, experimentation, and the narratives behind this project.
First, what prompted you to release All of Those Times as a physical book as well as an album?
Halton: We deliberated over this for quite some time, considering practicality since we know that many people no longer use CDs and might not even have a tape player. At one point, we even thought about releasing it on USB. Ultimately, we decided on a book with a QR code for downloading the music. A book really complements the medium of poetry, and the QR code makes accessing the music easier.
Tao: We also wanted to highlight the artwork of our friend Johanna Søvik, a Norwegian mixed media and digital artist based in Beijing. We've always appreciated the energy in her paintings and how they seem to narrate a story. She kindly allowed us to feature her work, which we also included in our album video. [You can view the English version on YouTube here or the Chinese version on Bilibili here.]
Were the poems initially written to be performed by Poetry x Music, or did that concept evolve later?
Halton: Anthony had already outlined some of these poems, while others were developed alongside the music during our collaboration. Our process typically begins with brainstorming, where we sift through a lot of his material and eventually latch onto pieces that open up further avenues for exploration and development.
Interestingly, "There Was a Time," the opening track, was the last piece we worked on; its true form and meaning emerged only as we were piecing it together. Our complete artistic intent became clear during the creative process, as we worked on the poems and music simultaneously.
Tao: "The Other Side" was particularly special as it was completely collaborative; both the poem and music emerged together while we were in Kangding [in western Sichuan]. Music influences poems beautifully, as its structure invites us to consider how words fit within that framework—not in a confining way but in a manner that fosters natural feedback and resonates with themes of time and memory.
Why was it crucial to release both a Chinese and English version of the book and album?
Halton: The work is deeply rooted in China, reflecting the stories and the environment in which we created it. Having a translation allows us to share these stories with a broader audience.
Tao: Liane and I have been collaborating since 2017, and from the outset, we've expressed a desire to continue pushing the boundaries of this poetry and music experiment until we reach its limit. This project represents our latest effort to challenge ourselves and explore new possibilities.
All of Those Times examines the full arc of a relationship along with broader themes of human experience and "fully lived lives." You reference the idiom 喜怒哀樂 xǐ-nù-āi-lè (happiness, anger, sorrow, and joy). What led you to choose these themes, and what resonates with you about this idiom?
Halton: This work was created during Covid, a time of significant uncertainty, where human relationships and the full spectrum of human experience were intensified for everyone. On some level, we were channeling this, recognizing that being human means confronting this spectrum directly and using art to highlight and share these universal experiences with others.
Tao: The album draws from a wealth of lived experiences, and its final form captures the wide range of emotional responses to those experiences. I find the music impressive in this regard, reflecting desperation, fury, and longing, yet able to transition into moments of introspection, understanding, and forgiveness.
How did your collaboration influence the final product?
Tao: Liane is exceptional. Besides being an outstanding guitarist, she is a remarkable composer, which will be evident to all listeners. However, if you listen closely, you'll uncover subtleties conveyed through notes and
Beijing is a vibrant city! Stay updated with our weekend summary of the latest news.
We spoke with the Poetry x Music duo Anthony Tao and Liane Halton to find out more about their newest project.
Beijing is an exciting city! Stay updated with our weekend summary of the most recent news.
We spoke with the Poetry x Music duo Anthony Tao and Liane Halton to discover more about their recent project.
We spoke with the Poetry x Music duo, Anthony Tao and Liane Halton, to find out more about their newest project.