KOWLOON BAND In-Love are getting a taste of pop stardom. Snippets in the local press have given the three-piece an idea of what publicity can do, and good reviews of their first release have spurred on the workaholic twentysomething outfit. The attention they're garnering follows two positive years for the fledgling band of Dickie Wong Ka-yong (guitar and musical arranger), Lu Shum (vocals and songwriter) and Daniel Shum Che-lok (no relation, on guitar). Their sound is a delicate fusion of acoustic pop and folk-style rhythms, with Shum's sweet melodies wrapped in acoustic guitar and subtle programming. 'I sing about myself, my experiences and my thoughts,' Lu Shum says. 'If I am confused about something, like the future or what will satisfy my heart, I'll put it in a song.' It may seem at odds with the name the trio chose, but love songs are not what the band stand for, she says. 'I want to deal with all aspects of life. I don't just want to write about love and relationships. I just really like the words [In-Love]. I think it sounds beautiful and romantic.' The band's repertoire draws on three languages, though most tracks are in Putonghua. 'My father and mother speak Putonghua, so I grew up with the language. Putonghua often sounds more beautiful and comfortable. If [our songs] were sung in Cantonese, they would just sound strange.' Although they only started making music together two years ago for an 'unplugged' band competition, the trio have known each other for 10 years. 'We knew that Lu had lots of songs, but no means of presenting them. So Daniel suggested this [song contest] would be a good platform to expose them to a wider audience,' Wong says. That performance at 2002's Tom Lee Soundbase Competition, which over the years has produced the likes of Whence He Came and Eman of AT17, surprised everyone, not least the band. In-Love took out two prizes, including the coveted best songwriting award and finished second overall. 'The contest gave us the confidence and belief that this is something we should continue to pursue,' Wong says. More shows followed at intimate venues across the city, along with the recording of a demo. Predictably, none of the major labels showed much interest. Undeterred, the band sent those songs to 89268 - an independent label well established in releasing and promoting local bands. 'They [89268] called us back in just one or two days,' Wong says. 'In the beginning, we were just looking for distribution, though after meeting and talking with the label, our relationship has grown.' One advantage of having a label is the opportunity to play more live shows, an important part of In-Love's agenda. Since their inception, the band have done an 'uncountable' number of shows - on average three or four a month - though sometimes up to four a week. 'Playing live is very important to us,' Wong says. 'I like the moment when we are playing. It's totally different to recording. Live, you have one chance - a mistake is a mistake. I love that excitement. It's a great feeling.' 'Sometimes it's hard if there is no reaction from the crowd,' Daniel Shum says. 'I feed off their reaction, so if they show no excitement, it is hard for me to get excited.' 'We all love audience reaction,' Wong adds, 'even if it's not positive. Then we'll talk about it together after the show and find out what went wrong, and how we can improve next time. It's a great learning experience for us.' Constant gigging is an indulgence the band grant themselves as it lies at the root of what they treasure most. 'Sometimes people say we play too much, but we do it because playing live is what we love more than anything,' Wong says. 'We always approach the show like we are playing the songs for the first time. It always keeps it exciting and fresh for us, and the crowd.' On the current tour, the band have been promoting their new EP Demitint. The title is a technical term borrowed from painters and designers for a shade that's neither too bright nor too dark. 'We used this word because it relates to our music,' Lu Shum says. 'We want to be expressing issues deep in our heart, though not in a style that is too heavy or depressing. So, even though the message is deep and sometimes dark, the expression and arrangement is light.' Released in April, the four-track EP has been receiving positive reviews from the local press. 'They say our sound is fresh,' Wong says, 'not typical of the Hong Kong sound. I'm not sure if that is a compliment, though we certainly like it.' 'It's just great that more styles are being accepted now,' Lu Shum says. 'Usually when people think of music here, they think of Canto-pop. And that's a bad thing,' says Wong. 'Canto-pop has its place, but people need to accept different styles for the scene to be truly healthy.' With a full-scale album due out before the end of the year and a prolific gigging schedule, In-Love are upbeat about the future. 'We are really happy to continue the way things are going,' Lu Shum says. 'Honestly, we are not doing this for money - if it comes then that's a bonus. We just love our music and playing, and just want to let people know about it and also to encourage others and give hope.' In-Love play Kubrick, tomorrow, 5.30pm, Prosperous Garden, 3 Public Square St, Yau Ma Tei. Inquiries: e-mail info@89268.com or go to www.inlove-enough.com . Demitint is out now on 89268 records
