Music has always been a universal language, but “Space Fantasia” takes this notion to stellar heights. This innovative track brings together electronic producer Doctor Victor from Iceland, Chinese singer-songwriter Nerissa Wang, and guzheng virtuoso Lucy Luan, crafting a soundscape that fuses the futuristic with the traditional.
A Fusion of Cultures
At the heart of “Space Fantasia” is a unique blend of cultures. Doctor Victor’s dynamic synth beats lay a foundation of modern electronica, while Nerissa Wang’s ethereal vocals drift above, reminiscent of a comet streaking across the night sky. Lucy Luan adds a celestial touch with her mastery of the guzheng, a traditional Chinese string instrument, bridging Earth’s ancient melodies with the vastness of space.
Echoes of the Past
Lucy Luan draws inspiration from “Flowing Water,” a classical guqin piece that was included in NASA’s Voyager Golden Record in 1977. Her reinterpretation adds a shimmering, meditative layer to the track, merging the old and the new, the East and the West, in a timeless harmony.
Despite the guzheng’s deep roots in tradition, Lucy Luan believes in its versatility. “I don’t see the guzheng as just an ancient instrument,” she says. “It can play traditional pieces, but I use it to explore other music styles. I’ve collaborated with musicians around the world. It can be old, new, even avant-garde. It can be anything.”
Poetry Among the Stars
What sets “Space Fantasia” apart is its storytelling. The song weaves in recitations of “Lan Ting Ji Xu” (Preface to Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion), a 1,700-year-old poem by renowned Chinese calligrapher Wang Xizhi. Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti shared part of this poem during her 2022 mission: “Looking up, I see the immensity of the cosmos; bowing my head, I look at the multitude of the world.” The song creates a cosmic dialogue between history and exploration.
A Personal Journey
For singer-songwriter Nerissa Wang, the journey has been personal. Influenced by songs like David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” and The Police’s “Walking on the Moon,” creating music about space exploration has always been a dream. “This project has been a journey in every sense of the word,” Wang reflects. “It’s about showing how interconnected we all are, through ancient poetry, space exploration, or the universal language of music.”
Connecting Worlds
The music video for “Space Fantasia” captures this global connection. It features Nerissa gazing out over the bustling cityscape of Beijing, Lucy playing the guzheng along the Yangtze River, and Doctor Victor wandering a deserted black beach in Iceland. The visuals mirror the song’s theme of bridging distances, both physical and cultural.
An Invitation to Dream
Now available on major streaming platforms, “Space Fantasia” is more than just a song; it’s an invitation to dream bigger. As Doctor Victor puts it, “When you blend the ancient with the futuristic, the earthly with the cosmic, you’re not just making music. You’re building a universe.”
“Space Fantasia” encourages listeners to transcend boundaries, reminding us of our small place in the universe and our limitless capacity to dream and connect.
