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.”
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Drawing from the original story tied to the composition, Tennyson expands on a tale of deep human connection between a musician and a woodcutter whose bond transcends class and circumstance. When the woodcutter dies, the musician never plays again. For Tennyson, the story took on a more personal meaning. “It made me feel like I was finding my voice through my ancestors,” he shares. “The death of the woodcutter in this story reminded me of my father who passed and whom I never got to share any of my music with.”
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), and Lipeng 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.”
The official “Big Mountain High (大山高)” music video, filmed at 228 Peace Park in the heart of Taipei, Taiwan, is inspired by 70s Chinese kung fu movies that Tennyson has loved watching since he was a kid. It features three talented Taiwanese musicians that perform traditional Chinese instruments Guzheng, Erhu & Da Gu, who Tennyson performs with during concerts in Taiwan. The video combines many of his passions like Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and traditional Chinese instruments. It’s a real blend of East meets West both visually and sonically that makes Tennyson excited to share more of both his culture and himself.
“‘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.”