WITH HONG KONG'S leg of the World Battle of the Bands just over, and the Rockit Festival due in October, the local live music scene is looking healthy. And now local bands are looking beyond the border to reach a wider audience. Shenzhen's inaugural Hong Kong Underground Festival will take place on August 28 at the True Color Club, and will feature four of Hong Kong's finest - Monogel, Audiotraffic, Tai Tau Fat and False Alarm. 'We want to bring Hong Kong bands over so our own local bands can learn from them,' says organiser Lin Lifeng. 'There are many bands in Shenzhen, but they aren't technically as good and don't play with the same feeling as they do in Hong Kong.' Given Hongkongers' often-negative view of the local music scene, it's encouraging to hear an outsider's opinion. Lin has just ended his sixth visit to Hong Kong and he's full of praise. 'There are so many talented bands in Hong Kong, and so much variety,' he says. 'In this small place there are great record stores compared with China, and I can find any kind of music I want. Lots of bands from China come to Hong Kong to buy instruments because the shops are so much better.' Lin began organising the Underground Festival in June. He knows it will take time for it to catch on. 'Our venue can hold over 1,000 people, although we're expecting around 500 on the night,' he says. 'Even if we don't have a good turnout this time, we'll continue with the event because we think it's important for Shenzhen music. 'In China, most people just listen to pop music,' he says. 'We want to educate Chinese people in different styles and lead the way in new music.' The True Color Club is establishing itself as a venue that does just that for local music. This year it has played host to internationally renowned acts such as Paul Van Dyck, Luis Elliot and Four Tet. The idea for the Underground Festival was born at the Four Tet show in June. 'It was there that I was introduced to CM,' says Lin, referring to Leonard Lee Chau-man, who said he liked the venue and wanted to bring over his band, Monogel. 'I played in Shenzhen once before and it wasn't what I expected,' says Lee. 'I was impressed by the venue and the crowd, and thought, 'Wouldn't it be great to come here again'. At first, we just talked about bringing one band. Then, the idea matured towards a concert featuring several of Hong Kong's up and coming acts. The bands sent in demos to be approved by the musical director, and the line-up was chosen. For bands like us this means more exposure. We want more people to hear our music and share in our sound.' Monogel comprise members from several established acts: guitarist Charles Chan Tsz-chai (aka H from Tai Tau Fat), vocalist Law Wai-yip (from The Pullover), plus drummer Ng Wan-shing and Lee on bass (both from funk outfit Site Access). 'Each of us was looking to do something different,' says Lee. 'The Pullover have been going for 10 years, Tai Tau Fat for six and Site Access for almost eight. That's a long time to play one style.' The three bands shared practice space in a Ngau Tau Kok warehouse building. They'd often meet to discuss possible side projects. 'At first I was sceptical about whether it would actually happen and work,' says Lee. 'When we finally jammed together a few times, it was just amazing how smooth it was. The process seemed very fast turning ideas into full songs. Within a few months, we already had a set of original material.' The band then looked for opportunities to play live. This included entering the recent World Battle of the Bands competition, where they reached the final stage. 'I'd roughly categorise us as vintage rock - along the lines of The Strokes or The Vines,' says Lee. 'Along the way we add in other influences such as funk. It's always hard to categorise the sound, although we just try to make it fun and exciting for ourselves - especially in the song's arrangement.' The band also make a point of singing in their mother tongue. 'We sing in Cantonese, because we're all Cantonese,' says Lee. 'It's what we want to do. Law has always sung in English with The Pullover, so again it's challenging ourselves to do something different.' Monogel are keen to see where the project takes them. 'We haven't really talked about the development of the band,' says Lee. 'We'll record an album after the show, and hopefully have it done by October. We'll release it, then see what happens. 'If the show in Shenzhen goes well, we'd like to do a whole tour of southern China. More and more bands are reaching out beyond Hong Kong. We may not earn much money from it, but the experience of touring helps the band to grow personally and together.' Hong Kong Underground Festival - featuring Monogel, Audiotraffic, Tai Tau Fat and False Alarm, Aug 28, 9pm-2am, True Color Club, 3/F Gong Yuan Building, 1 Dong Yuan Rd, Fu Tian District, Shenzhen, free. Inquiries: (0755) 82274834 or go to www.truecolorclub.com