bA_XQyZ

nightlife
Edited
by Andrea Lo
andrea.lo@hkmagmedia.com
Twitter: @andreas_lo
UPCLOSE Sensi Lion
Formed in 2010, Sensi Lion is Hong
Kong’s only Cantonese reggae band. The
five-piece is performing at the Fringe
Club for the launch of “Giligulu: Vol. 1,”
a compilation album of Hong Kong’s
best indie music. Frontman Mouse
(second right) tells Andrea Lo about
being associated with Cantopop and
gives his thoughts on weed and reggae.
HK Magazine: So, what is Sensi Lion
Mouse: Sensi Lion was the rebirth of a suspended
project. We took it from where it was and headed in
a totally different direction. It’s a bit like cooking.
At some point, your tastes change and you want
to try something spicier.
HK: Your music is reggae sang in Cantonese.
What do you sing about
M: Well, we would prefer people to see us as
“Canto-laced reggae.” Cantonese is our mother
tongue—it’s our roots. We are telling people
about where we live and what’s happening around
us. It does make sense to tell these stories in the
local language.
HK: Do you associate yourselves with
Cantopop, or is there a stigma attached
M: We don’t mind people considering us as such,
as long as they get the messages conveyed in
our work. Our messages can be as simple as love,
equality and awakening. Some messages are not
possible to explain in words.
HK: Actor and singer Jaycee Chan was
recently arrested for marijuana possession.
What are your thoughts on weed
M: Of course, from a health perspective,
it is scientifically proven that [marijuana is]
even less harmful to humans than tobacco or
alcohol. Whether or not it is considered a drug
simply depends on how people are using it. Weed
is related to reggae music due to its Rastafarian
background. The Rasta man uses this herb as a
way to become closer to nature and Jah Rastafari
[Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie I, seen as
an incarnation of God by Rastafarians]. People
should use it with respect.
HK: What do you think needs to be done
to help reggae flourish in Hong Kong
M: The reggae and dub scene has been around
for some time. A few other artists and labels in
town, such as Heavy and Magnetic Soul, have
been working hard to drive reggae and dub culture.
Being part of the scene, we often collaborate and
share our efforts with them, rather than just doing
our own thing. We occasionally do collaborations
with artists from the mainland or overseas as well.
We are interested in making Hong Kong recognized
internationally as the cradle of reggae.
See Sensi Lion at the Giligulu Compilation
Launch Party, Sep 13, 9:30pm. Fringe Club,
2 Lower Albert Rd., Central, 2525-1032.
$160-180 at the door; $220 in advance with CD.
Snapline
Beijing post-punk group Snapline formed in
the summer of 2005. Check out their abrasive
noise-rock live in Hong Kong: the band’s known
for going all-out at their gigs, so this will be
worth the effort. They’re set to be performing
some new material at the gig: maybe a
Cantopop number Sep 7, 8:30pm. Hidden
Agenda, Unit 2A, Wing Fu Industrial Building,
15-17 Tai Yip St., Ngau Tau Kok. $140 from
snapline.ticketflap.com; $180 at the door.
The Stay Up
The Stay Up is guitarist and singer Ryan Hui,
son of the legendary Cantopop star and actor
Sam Hui. When your dad is the “God of Songs”
and was the first one to define an entire genre
of music, you can’t be that bad. Can you
Sep 10, 8pm. Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd.,
Central, 2525-1032. $200 at the door, including
a drink.
hk picks
Gigs
Photo: BFSH via Flickr
Ne-Yo in Macau
R&B god singer Ne-Yo is coming to Macau. He first broke into the music scene in early 2006 with
chart-topper “So Sick,” which, if you remember, was pretty much on repeat that winter. Known for his
slick, smooth urban beats, he’s sustained his popularity with energetic tunes, usually paired with a rapper
or DJ du jour. But purists know that Ne-Yo does sexy slow jams best. Sep 27, 10pm. Club Cubic, 2/F,
Hard Rock Hotel, City of Dreams, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, Macau, (+853) 6638-4999. $680 before Sep 14;
$880 thereafter from www.eventbrite.com.
Clubs
Back to School Party
Don your best school uniform costume for
this back to school party—it’s free to get in if
you have one on. The party goes on until late,
so thank god it’s not on a school night. Sep 5,
10pm. Ozone, 118/F, The Ritz-Carlton, 1 Austin
Rd. West, West Kowloon, 2263-2263. $150 at the
door, including a drink.
Cliché x Budweiser Storm Present:
Cliché All Stars
Shanghai is soon to host China’s largest
electronic music festival, Storm. But if you can’t
make it this year, check out this pre-festival
party right here in Hong Kong instead. Electronic
music record label Cliché is bringing its whole
team to XXX to spin. Sep 5, 10pm. XXX Gallery,
B/F, 353-363 Des Voeux Rd. West, Sai Ying
Pun. Free entry, register in advance at www.
eventbrite.com; otherwise $100 at the door.
Hummingbird
At Bassment’s regular bass music night (it’s not
called “Treblement,” after all) this month, check
out Steve Yau, Ray Dollars, Kenji and Steve
Ellul on the decks. It’s free, yo! Sep 6, 10pm.
Bassment, LG/F, 13 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central,
2815-0868. Free.
Afro Caribbean Night
Shake to soul, funk, reggae and salsa beats at
Club 18’s Afro Caribbean Night. What, you got
somewhere better to be Sep 6, 11pm. Club 18,
G/F, 18 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, 2796-8830.
$100 in advance; call to book. $150 at the door.
Nu-Mark of Jurassic 5
Longstanding LA alternative hip-hop crew
Jurassic 5 has a crew of six, one of whom is DJ
Nu-Mark. He’ll be spinning at hip-hop-friendly
Fly. Sep 6, 11pm. Fly, G/F, 24-30 Ice House St.,
Central, 2810-9902. Price TBA.
Arnold Fang & Storytellers
Singer and pianist Arnold Fang has been crafting
his upbeat, poppy tunes since 2000. Performing
under the name “Arnold Fang & Storytellers”
(even though it’s just him), he’ll showcase his
skills at the trumpet, as well as at traditional
Chinese instruments such as the erhu and dizi.
Poppily, presumably Sep 6, 8:30pm. Fooody,
Unit G03, Leader Industrial Centre, Fo Tan Rd.,
Fo Tan, 3586-0863. $160-210 in advance from
www.putyourself.in; $240 at the door. All ticket
prices include one drink.
GDJYB
Math-folk band GDJYB (short for gai dan jing
yuk beng, “egg and steamed minced pork”)
was formed almost two years ago, and recently
picked up momentum in the indie music scene.
The band is releasing its debut EP, “No Service
Charge,” and they’re inviting you to the gig for a
gai dan jing yuk beng “tasting.” The music The
meat Who knows Sep 6, 8pm. Hang Out, 1/F,
Youth Outreach Jockey Club, 2 Holy Cross Path,
Sai Wan Ho, 2622-2890. $128 from White Noise
Records (1/F, 720 Shanghai St., Prince Edward);
$148 at the door. $188 in advance for ticket and
a copy of EP.
Underground Reunion
To honor the 10th anniversary of The
Underground, disbanded local groups—
as well as musicians on hiatus—are coming
together for one night only. The lineup is
guitarist Benson Looi of Slash!Sakura!Slash!;
post-ambient art-rockers Endeavour; punk and
Britrock outfit The Train; as well as False Alarm
(pictured), the rock ‘n’ roll band whose members
also established Harbour Records. And of
course, The Underground’s founder Chris B—
the fairy godmother of Hong Kong’s indie music
scene—will also be performing with pop-rock
girl group, Guitars & Panties. Sep 20, 9:30pm.
Grappa’s Cellar, B/F, Jardine House, 1 Connaught
Place, Central, 2521-2322. $150 from
www.ticketflap.com; $200 at the door.
Get
Tickets!
Clockenflap
Tickets have just gone on sale
for Hong Kong’s best music festival.
The preliminary lineup Tenacious D, the
Vaccines, Chvrches, Ozomatli and Reggie Watts.
Nov 28-30, West Kowloon Cultural District. Early
bird tickets available through Sep, $440-$1,080
from www.ticketflap.com.
32 HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, September 5, 2014