Different islands, different sounds
The Hong Kong Arts Festival is bringing together three of Asia's most promising singer-songwriters in a show focused on individual perspectives.
Headlining the Our Songs event are Goodmorningloria, comprising singer Gloria Tang, arranger and producer Edmund Leung and visual artist Tam Shui. Gently fusing lullabies and electronica, Tang's songs are about the life of a typical twentysomething girl living in Hong Kong.
'I write about all the things around me,' says Tang. 'Things I see, things that happen, stories of friends. It's simple, silly music with a happy attitude.'
Leung agrees. 'It's a fun thing to do. We're producing music in the old-school style - one that's not market-oriented. The music has a positive element. Gloria's view tends to be more colourful, and we want to share that with the audience.'
After releasing an eponymous debut album in 2004, the group quickly became successful thanks to local radio support. A tour to Taiwan followed last year and the band's following has been growing since.
'Music is meant to be played live,' Leung says. 'That is its natural environment.'
Tang says she enjoys playing live more than recording. 'You can see and feel the reaction.'
For this performance, the trio will be joined by Kitty Ng Yuen-ching, who will switch between saxophone and clarinet. 'We believe that good music will always be heard,' says Leung. 'We hope to exploit that. It's our responsibility as musicians.'
Joining Goodmorningloria on the bill is Pau-dull (Chen Jian-nian) from Taiwan. Melding his own blend of American folk, blues and jazz with the sounds of his native Puyuma tribe, Pau-dull's music is rooted in tradition, but remains refreshingly original.
'The songs are all about the natural beauty of the ocean, mountains, wild creatures and about the simple, pure life of my family within the tribe,' says Pau-dull. 'I don't think too much about what to achieve. I just let the music flow.
'I'm writing songs and playing guitar for my friends, before, now and after. For me, sharing my thoughts and feelings towards life is my motivation for making music.' The singer says his full-time job as a policeman benefits his musical pursuits. 'Being a policeman on Orchid Island, I'm lucky to work and live in natural surroundings. I can take time to go fishing, diving, painting and write songs. This job gives me the perfect environment to enjoy life as well as to make music.'
Completing the Our Songs line-up is Japanese singer Keiichi Sokabe. Rising to prominence with retro 70s-style rockers Sunny Day Service, Sokabe has since gone solo, and his heart-felt compositions have been winning him new and old fans across Asia and beyond.
Our Songs, Feb 16-18, 7.45pm, City Hall, Central, $75, $110 (students), $150, $220 (adults). Inquiries: 2824 2430
