During his childhood in San Diego, Lien would visit his father at Dezadeash Lake, Yukon each summer, eventually moving there when he was 16. Lien taught himself to play piano when he was 10 years old, and later learned how to record and produce music in high school and afterwards. He also taught himself to score for contemporary, traditional folk, and classical musicians by asking friends for help and working long hours alone. As recording was an expensive undertaking for the independent Lien, he would work at various jobs in California or in the Yukon, until he saved enough money, and then record three songs at a time in San Diego studios. The first song he ever formally recorded was in a recording studio at San Diego Senior High School. The song, called "Kecia's Song," was inspired by the death of his friend and classmate, Kecia Cummings. After high school, he recorded three more songs at Hit Single recording studio, with a classic rock band "Down To Earth" for which he was lead singer and keyboardist. He later recorded his own solo material in San Diego recording studios, at Mix Masters recording studios, where he received a certificate in Advanced Engineering, and at Steve Vaus Productions where he met recording engineer Michael W. Harris. As Lien's recordings became more advanced, with numerous musicians and layers of diverse instrumentation, he eventually required more advanced studios with automation, such as Lyonshare and The Complex in Hollywood, California. Preferring his native San Diego to Los Angeles, he discovered Signature Sound recording studios in San Diego, California, which is owned by his friend and musician/producer Luis Arteaga whom he met earlier at Mix Masters, where he recorded most of his albums to date, with the exception of his Hybrid SACD "Arctic Refuge" which was recorded at Bryan Adams' Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Lien's first international release, "Bleeding Wolves," was released in southeast Asia by independent record distributor Wind Music of Taiwan. The non-pop album became a sensation, rapidly achieving multi-platinum status in Taiwan, and having sold millions of copies on the piracy market in China. He now has a fan base of millions in Taiwan and China, where he is known for his environmental music and his work with aboriginal and traditional cultures. His profile in Taiwan is such that he has received government appointments and is sought for commercial endorsements.
Activism
Matthew Lien is the President of the John Graham Defense Committee. Matthew Lien is a co-founder the Caribou Commons Project, a coalition of artists and activists working for the permanent protection of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Matthew Lien has also released two albums focusing on the same issue, including "Caribou Commons", and "Arctic Refuge".
Personal
In 2009, Lien married Ms. Liu Kuan-yu, a Taiwanese national from a well-connected family in Miaoli County. Daisy gave birth to a son on 24 May 2009. He was married three times previously. Matthew's father, Merle "The Flying Squirrel" Thorman Lien died on 2 September 2014. He was 83 years old.
Awards
2002 - West Coast Music Award - Best Yukon Artist: In So Many Words. 2004 - Golden Bell Award - Best Radio Production of a Commercial Advertisement. 2005 - Golden Melody Awards - Best Crossover Album: Journey of Water.
