3-1 另类音乐小子——科里·考克斯

Cory Cox -- An Alternative¹ Music Boy

 

Zhao Wei: Although you are the host of MTV English now, many of us get to know you from your program XFM on CRI. Could you please talk about your experience of being a DJ and your story with music?

 

Cory Cox: Well, you are right... It was back in 1999 that I first made it onto the airwaves of Chinese radio with a daily national program on China Radio International. For me, radio has always been my all time passion, and it was actually back in 2002 when I produced, co-hosted and launched a new conceptual radio program called XFM that things really started to happen for me. Within weeks of launching XFM, my co-host Mike D and I, would become “the ugliest guys on radio” -- a slogan and reputation that would follow us throughout our program. Mike and I tried our best to keep the program as entertaining as possible, while having as much fun as we could, and we even had the pleasure of interviewing the likes of big names such as Alanis Morrisette, Fat Boy Slim and Suede¹. As far as I know too, our interview with Suede was quite groundbreaking as they were the first ever foreign act to be interviewed live on Chinese radio.Even though our program mostly stuck to music from the US and UK, we also made it our goal to expose as much local rock and underground talent as possible. Sometime, for many of the bands we played, it was the first time their music was being broadcast outside of some punk's² dormitory. Although XFM is no longer on air, it will always be a part of who I am today, it really was so amazing. What is strange though is I have been on radio here since 1999 and it wasn't until I signed on with MTV last year that people actually began to recognize me on the street. It was great just being an anonymous²³ DJ, but as soon as you're on TV, my god, it is a whole different story... When I was on radio doing call in requests, I would talk to people from all walks of life, a crazed driver in Guangzhou, a punk student in Beijing, and even a teacher in Tibet, but all the while I was just the voice. But now I am on television, I am more than just some kid on the street... people actually recognize me now and it has taken some time getting used to. But I can’ t complain, working for MTV has turned out to be quite the experience for me.

 

Zhao: You are well known for your alternative style both in Hit FM and MTV English. Why do you choose such style?

 

Cory Cox: It is kind of strange, but I have gained a reputation for being a bit alternative and somehow people really feed off ⁴ of it. I can’t really say I have chosen this style, it is just the way I have always been. Some people love me, some people hate me, and it is actually the people that hate me that I find the most interesting... they are the ones that care the most... so I like to strike a chord³⁵ with the “haters.” I guess it is the whole honest aspect coming back, for example, if you write into me and say, “Yo Cory, you suck, I hate you!” I can guarantee that I will be reading your email out on air first. It keeps things interesting and less sugar coated than most shows out there. When I am on air I would rather read hate mail than song lyrics⁴ and constant praise and I think that is what the listener wants as well. Something interesting, something different.

 

Zhao: Do you believe that pop music is special for young people? Will you still be host for pop music programs when you get older?

 

Cory Cox: To be honest, I do believe pop music is somewhat special for young people and also reserved for those suffering from a midlife crisis⁵. I think there is nothing sadder than watching a grown man listen to Eminem or Snoop Dogg in his car. So I guess that answers both your questions. Yes and no. Yes, it is special for young people because they are the ones on top of the trends, they are the ones with constant access and desire to know what is hot and what is not. Will I still host pop music programs when I am older? Mostly likely not, I hope that I will always be involved in radio one way or another. But just like that 40-year-old listening to rap⁶ in his car, something about it just doesn’ t seem right and I don’ t think a 40-year-old pop radio host is any better.

 

Zhao: What's the emphasis of MTV English, helping⁷ people learn English or providing them an opportunity to relax with music video?

 

Cory Cox: I think a bit of both really. For the most part people just tune⁸ in for the videos and the short little 2-cent⁶ breaks from the VJs. Regardless, I think MTV English is the perfect way to pick up some new English or brush up your current vocabulary. Again, we try and keep things as fun and entertaining as possible, we have some pretty funny interviews, some cool cartoons and of course great videos, so one way or another you'll have something to watch and keep you entertained.

 

Zhao: Now more and more Chinese enjoy singing English songs. A contest named “Chinese people sing English songs” was held just two years ago. To what extent, you think, will singing English songs benefit English language learning?

 

Cory Cox: I think if you can find any interesting way to study any language such as singing, you are bound to benefit one way or another. I know when I was studying Chinese, I always felt like an idiot⁹, but always had fun singing Chinese songs. I don’ t think my language benefited so much from it, but I had fun doing it. When it comes to language, different things work for different people. I know some people that gain a lot from watching movies, and I actually find that works quite well, because unlike songs, you can see the words being used in context¹⁰ with television and movies. And sometimes with songs, it is hard to find a situation when some type of language is useful or readily¹¹ used.

 

注释：

1. alternative [C:l5tE:nEtiv] adj. 标新立异的，支持或反映出与正统相异的价值观的

2. punk [pQNk] n. 朋克摇滚乐师（或追随者）（以其服饰、发式古怪骇人为特征，如以别针刺穿耳垂作装饰等）

3. anonymous [E5nCnimEs] adj. 匿名的；无名的

4. feed off 以……作为食物（或能量等）的 来 源

5. strike a chord 引起回忆或感情；令人想起某人或某事

6. 2-cent 〈美俚〉two cents的随意性写法，意为小数目；细微的东西；几乎没有的东西

 

另类音乐小子——科里·考克斯

 

赵巍：虽然你现在主持《MTV学英语》节目，但很多人是从中国国际广播台的《X调频》节目认识你的。你能谈谈自己做音乐节目主持人以及你跟音乐打交道的经历吗？

科里·考克斯：哦，没错……那是在1999年，我第一次进入中国的广播行业，那是一个中国国际广播电台每日面向全国播出的节目。对我来说，广播一直都是我钟情的领域，实际上在2002年，我制作、参与主持并推广了一个新概念的广播节目，名为《X调频》，真是事遂人愿。《X调频》播出几个星期后，我和我的搭档迈克·D成了“广播里最丑的人”，这句话成了始终伴随我们节目颇有名声的广告语。我和迈克尽力使节目更有娱乐性，同时尽享其中的乐趣。我们甚至有幸能采访到一些大名鼎鼎的人物，如阿拉尼斯·莫里塞特、流线胖小子和山羊皮乐队。而且据我所知，我们对山羊皮乐队的采访是史无前例的，因为他们是中国广播电台第一次进行直播采访的外国对象。虽然我们的节目主要介绍美国和英国的音乐，但我们同时也力求更多地介绍本地的摇滚乐和先锋派的艺人。有时，对于我们介绍的很多乐队来说，这是他们的音乐第一次在一些朋克区之外的地方播放。虽然《X调频》已经不再播出了，但它将永远是我生命中的一部分，这段经历真是美不可言。然而奇怪的是，我从1999年开始在这里做广播节目，而直到去年与MTV签约后人们才开始能在街头认出我。只做一名默默无闻的广播节目主持人的感觉好极了，但你一到电视上以后，天哪，那就完全不同了……当我在广播中接听电话时，我可以同形形色色的人谈话，有广州的狂热司机，有北京的朋克学生，甚至还有西藏的教师，而我始终是以声音和他们打交道。可是现在，我在电视上就不仅仅是走在马路上的小孩子了，实际上人们现在会认出我，这需要慢慢去适应。但我不会抱怨，在MTV的工作对我来说已经成了难得的经历。

赵：无论主持《Hit调频》，还是《MTV学英语》，你的风格都是以另类前卫著称。为什么选择这种主持风格?

科里·考克斯：这是有点奇怪，不过我确实得到了有点另类的名声，而人们不知何故还真受用。实际上不能说是我选择了这种风格，这只不过是我一贯的风格。有些人喜欢我，有些人不喜欢我。而正是那些不喜欢我的人让我觉得最有趣……他们是最在乎我的人……所以我喜欢同那些讨厌我的人进行情感交流。我想这些带给我的全都是真诚的一面。比如，如果你给我写信说：“科里，你这个破烂货！我不喜欢你！”我可以保证我会第一时间在节目中念你的电子邮件。较少的糖衣包裹比金玉其外更能保持兴趣。当我播音时，我更希望能读到不喜欢我的信，而不是歌词或一再的赞赏，而且我认为这也是听众想听到的。一些有趣的东西，一些不一样的东西。

赵：你是否认为流行音乐是年轻人的专利？当你以后年龄大了，还希望主持这些流行音乐节目吗？

科里·考克斯：老实讲，我确实相信流行音乐在某种程度上是年轻人的专利，同样也是为那些正处于中年危机的人准备的。我想再没有比看到一个成年人在车里听埃米纳姆或是斯努普·多格的音乐更让人难过的事了。所以我想这回答了你的两个问题。一个是，一个否。是的，流行音乐是年轻人的专利，因为他们站在潮流的最前列，他们不断接受新事物，渴望知道哪些是最热门的，哪些不是。至于我年龄大了会不会继续主持流行音乐节目，很有可能不会。我希望我能以这种或那种方式一直在广播领域发展。但正如一个40岁的人在车里听说唱乐会有些不对劲一样，我想一个40岁的流行音乐主持人也好不到哪儿去。

赵：《MTV学英语》节目的重点是什么？帮助人们学英语，还是给大家提供一个欣赏音乐电视的放松机会？

科里·考克斯：我想两种都有一点。人们大都只是随便看看音乐电视，从音乐电视节目主持人那里得到一小会儿的放松休息。无论怎样，我想《MTV学英语》是一种极好的方式，让你学一些新的英语或是复习你已掌握的词汇。同样，我们也尽量使节目保持趣味性和娱乐性。我们有一些非常逗乐的采访，一些很酷的动画，当然还有非常棒的音乐电视，所以你总会有一些可看的东西让你感兴趣。

赵：现在越来越多的中国人喜爱唱英文歌，两年前还举办了“中国人唱外国歌曲大赛”。你认为学唱英文歌曲对学好英语有多大帮助？

科里·考克斯：我想如果你能找到任何一种有趣的方式学习某种语言，比如唱歌，那你肯定能从中获益。我在学中文的时候，总是觉得自己像个白痴，但我唱中文歌的时候总能乐在其中。我不认为我的语言学习从唱歌中得到了多大帮助，但我从中获得了乐趣。对于语言来说，不同的方式对不同的人有效。我知道有些人从看电影中颇有收获，我也确实觉得这种方式很奏效，因为它不像歌曲，你可以在电视和电影中看到剧情中用的台词。而有时歌词很难找到适合使用或可能使用的语境。

 

 

1 suede   

n.表面粗糙的软皮革

参考例句：

• I'm looking for a suede jacket.我想买一件皮制茄克。
• Her newly bought suede shoes look very fashionable.她新买的翻毛皮鞋看上去非常时尚。

2 anonymous   

adj.无名的；匿名的；无特色的

参考例句：

• Sending anonymous letters is a cowardly act.寄匿名信是懦夫的行为。
• The author wishes to remain anonymous.作者希望姓名不公开。

3 chord   

n.和弦，和音，弦，心弦

参考例句：

• Her speech struck a deep chord in my heart.她的话深深地拨动了我的心弦。
• This is a chord of a circle.这是个圆的弦。

4 lyrics   

n.歌词

参考例句：

• music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hart 由罗杰斯和哈特作词作曲
• The book contains lyrics and guitar tablatures for over 100 songs. 这本书有100多首歌的歌词和吉他奏法谱。

5 crisis   

n.危机，危急关头，决定性时刻，关键阶段

参考例句：

• He had proved that he could be relied on in a crisis.他已表明，在紧要关头他是可以信赖的。
• The topic today centers about the crisis in the Middle East.今天课题的中心是中东危机。

6 rap   

n.轻敲，拍击，责骂，厉声说出，说唱音乐，谈话，最少量；vi.轻敲，敲门，表演说唱音乐，畅谈；vt.抓，抢，拍击

参考例句：

• I heard a rap on the door.我听到有轻轻的敲门声。
• Today we are going to rap about relationships.今天我们要聊聊关系的问题。

7 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

8 tune   

n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整

参考例句：

• He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子，并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
• The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。

9 idiot   

n.白痴，傻子，笨蛋

参考例句：

• Only an idiot would make such a thoughtless remark.只有草包才会说出这样没有头脑的话来。
• You are behaving like a perfect idiot.你表现得像个十足的白痴。

10 context   

n.背景，环境，上下文，语境

参考例句：

• You can always tell the meaning of a word from its context.你常可以从上下文中猜出词义来。
• This sentence does not seem to connect with the context.这个句子似乎与上下文脱节。

11 readily   

adv.欣然地，容易地，很快地，立即

参考例句：

• I promise all costs will be readily returned.我保证所有的费用会迅速偿还。
• Most plastics do not readily conduct heat or electricity.大多数塑料不易传热或导电。