THE MUSIC ISSUE

SIDE
E
I’m Still Standing
Newbie Rocker: Hmmm. How do I make myself
stand out, then?
SIDE
D
I Want to be Free
Newbie Rocker: So we should be looking
at China and beyond, huh?
Nat B: Yes, I believe local acts can succeed internationally. Some
bands here went off to play at South by Southwest and events like
Clockenflap are a great platform to showcase our local talents.
Bands here are touring all over and making their own dreams happen.
Vincent Choi: Hong Kong metal band Evocation performed in the
Wacken Open Air music festival in Germany last year. It is all about
how determined you are to achieve it. Possibilities are everywhere.
Success comes to those who never stop trying!
John Prymmer: Bands looking to perform in other countries have to
look at the venues available. Again it all falls on promotion. Ask if you
are ready to take on an experience that you will have to fund yourself.
And are you willing to do this when you may not break even?
Adrian Fu: Very simple—don’t suck. Practice and kill at every gig.
Whether you’re performing to five people or 500, make sure you make
it an intimate, shared experience. Have a unique voice that reflects who
you are. Truly enjoy yourself. Your infectious obsession and passion
for your own music will differentiate you from run-of-the-mill, karaokefriendly
music.
Kashy Keegan: If you really want to be heard and stand out, the reality
is that one quarter of your time should be spent on making music and
the rest spent on getting yourself heard. Having good songs does not
guarantee success. You need connections and opportunities for your
music to be heard. Try to find a publisher who can help get your songs
placed in TV shows or films.
Arthur Urquiola: Carve out your own place in the culture that
surrounds you. Book your own shows, be a reliable worker and good
soldier to the venues and promoters. There will probably be people
shaking opportunities in front of you such as band competitions or
shows at shopping malls. If you can’t stomach being a promotional
tool don’t do it. Playing fewer shows and having each one feel special
minimizes the chance of burning out. That said, sometimes it’s fun to
say “yes” to something that’s totally weird and has the potential for the
unexpected. So be open to your punk rock band playing the Afrobeat
night or the LGBT dance party.
SIDE
F
Don't Stop Believin'
Newbie Rocker: Wow, I thought it was just about singing on a stage!
What’s the best piece of advice you can give me?
Nate Wong: You need a 45-minute set of good original music you
can nail live, and an EP that sounds good. When you have that, perform
as much as possible and produce and share content online. After that
you have to maneuver your own journey. We're all trying to fit the
music that we want to make into society. The opportunities are there
to be had.
Kashy Keegan: Exposure is the single most important factor. Getting a
break is only half of the battle—it’s knowing how to sustain it that’s the
difficult part. The music industry has always been difficult to crack, but
if you really want something bad enough you will find a way to make it
happen. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse to give up.
Nat B: Be creative, determined and consistent. Promote yourself, get
out and perform where you can and meet lots of people. Get on social
media and explore other bands. Don't limit yourself to Hong Kong
either. Meet people in other countries who love live music, places like
Manila or Beijing. We should be working together.
Adrian Fu: Go back to the basics. Be a virtuoso on your instrument.
Write well, and write often. Invest in home recording equipment.
Express yourself and find a unique voice. Expose yourself to the
community of fellow songwriters, session musicians, promoters,
marketers and so on. Interact with them, because you never know how
they might inspire you. Be smart with marketing and business strategy.
Spend not only to draw crowds, but also on the recording industry.
Chris B: Write songs, play music every day, work on your craft and get
yourself out there, playing. Be yourself and stay focused. Be confident
in yourself. Find your niche market—not everyone will like you and
that's OK. Play shows and think of how to make each better than the
last. Play each show like it's your last!
Arthur Urquiola: Respond to every email right after you get it. Make
the calls to make whatever awesome, insane or improbable idea you
have a reality. The worst that can happen is sometimes people on the
other end say no.
14 HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2015