Eccentric multi-instrumental musician Jun Kung is picking up the mic again after putting aside his singing career for years. The 33-year-old, who is known for his lively performances, is staging a solo concert later this month and putting out a new album.
First signed with Universal, he released a mini album Here & Now in 1999 followed by No Where Man in 2001 and received recognition in the industry and among the public. But he hated his pop idol image and gave up singing to play drums for top Chinese singers such as Sandy Lam Yik-lin, Eason Chan Yik-shun and Khalil Fong Dai-tong on tour. He has also performed live with his bands Junk Unit, and Eugene and the Pows.
It's been such a long time since you last released an album or sang solo.
Yes, it's been 10 years since my last album. I had a major label, with the budget that I had, decided have it mixed and mastered in Italy. I was really proud of the last album. However, music is not made the way it used to be. You can do that, but it's a luxury. Music nowadays is like fast food. With technology, you don't really need a lot of skill to make an album. But one thing that hasn't changed is live performance. I guess that's what I'm known for, playing with other people, or my own jazz funk band Junk Unit, and my classic rock cover band Eugene and the Pows. We perform regularly all over the Central area and at a lot of corporate functions.
You are now under Daniel Wu's artist management company. What led to the collaboration?
I've known Daniel for more than 10 years. He's seen a lot of what I've done and how I've been consistently bettering myself as a musician. People have the misconception that I don't get along with managers or major labels. I would like to clarify that I'd always managed myself. Managers are there to manage your life.