I had a great evening watching 5 rock acts on the "Live N Loud" concert. I think it's good that we have a rock festival circuit in Hong Kong. Singapore just had Singfest which I believe 12,000 people attended over 2 days (Sat & Sun). It's a shame we did not have Panic @ the Disco here which they played in Singapore.

Upon arriving, I was shocked to see how little people actually turned up for Jamie Scott (the first act) that I decided from going in and got myself some food. I may have missed after going through the net trying to find out who is this guy. I think he's a mix of James Blunt, Paolo Nutini & James Morrison except that he's not the first. Check his video out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d41TPgRdFPs

New Found Glory was already in their set when we settled down to our seat. They are kinda Simple Plan, Good Charlotte, Blink 182-like. However, their materials are less melodic compared to those other pop punk groups. I also did not like the way the lead vocalist dressed like he just got out of his house for a little walk. One of the guitarist was fat and not wearing clothes. It was not a good sight to look at but he kinda enjoys it. I certainly did not. 2 standout tracks from their set are "My friends over you" and "It's not my fault". Wasn't impressed with their cover version of Sixpence Non The Richer "Kiss me" and Goo Goo Dolls "Iris".  It was clear no one really knows their songs in HK which is a shame. Check this video out which I thought was kinda cute. (try ignoring the fat guy)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS0ecdawM4U

After that, I was beginning to warm up and look forward to Lostprophets performing. They actually comes from England and was initially a Linkin Park clone but over the years have change to a more straight ahead pop rock act similar to Breaking Benjamin or Story of the Year. The second lead singer who is also the keyboardist dyed his hair blonde. Lead singer was charismatic but vocals are a little inconsistent. He keeps throwing his mike and catching it back. Guess it is his trademark and now I know why he was not using a wireless mike. 2 songs also stand out from their set which is "Rooftop" and "Last train home". The video attached will give you an idea of the entire performance. Most of the other songs are forgettable. They were not immune to covers as they sang Rihanna's "Umbrella". Why? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ruNG0emUV8

By this time, the mosh pit has began to form and kids (mainly western) were body slamming in a circle and a couple of body surf going on. Kinda weird seeing a few local Chinese boys and girls got into it. Glad there weren't any fights but I bet there will be bruises the following day (Yup, been in one of those and will never do it again, too dangerous) 

Up next is One Republic. After Lostprophets, it was a pretty mellow affair. A cellist was a good gimmick although the sound from him never came out sounding different enough. Still, I like it. Teddy is a great songwriter having wrote one of the biggest hit this year for Leona Lewis (Bleeding love). I have got the album "Dreaming out loud" but only manage to give it one spin and then put 2 tracks into my I Tunes library and that's it. I am going to get the CD out and really give it a good listen after the performance. Vocals are better than I expected after seeing him on MAA a week ago on TV. "Stop & stare" got a crowd into them. Again, due to lack of materials he resorted to a cover (The Verve's "BIttersweet symphony") which got me thinking if he wants to copy Chris Martin who covered the song with Richard Ashcroft during Live Aid 2. There are a lot of similarities to Coldplay even in the lesser known tracks. Ah well, all's good I guess. When "Apologies" came on, the crowd was ready for a massive karoke sing a long. It shows how big the song is! (kinda weird not hearing TImbaland ad libbing) I know their version is different but still. When One Republic finished, it was 1130pm and you can see some actually starts to leave the venue. I thought to myself, if these guys are paying 780 dollars just to hear one song???? I have similar experience recently at James Blunt show. Man, this is crazy. Don't they know the headline act is still not on and most people are coming to see Simple Plan. Looking at my watch, I was fearing that the band has to cut short their set due to transportation issues. Last train at 1230pm. (Etchy posted some videos on You Tube. Check it out)

When Simple Plan came on at 1145, the wait was well worth it as the band launch straight to one of my favourite tracks from their third album "Take my hand" which got the fist pumping going on for the entire arena. It was all good. The band then launch single after single and good to see there are quite a few fans of SP in HK. It was a non stop dancing and singing for everyone. Suprised how the band attempt to speak a lot of "Cantonese" words rather than the standard thank yous. Quite funny.

Good to see the security guys handing out water cups to the kids upfront.  Alas, Simple Plan also resort to a couple of covers to `warm" the crowd which at that time was already `super hot'. They did a short rock version of Flo Rida's "Low" and Sean Kingston "Beautiful Girls"/ Ben E King "Stand by me" medley. The encore almost did not happen as kids were leaving hoping to be able to catch the last train. Thank goodness they came out quick enough. More dancing continued. Ending the night with "Perfect" says it all. Started of acoustically with just Pierre on stage and most part were sung by the crowd. It then launched into a full blown rock ballad finished was a great way to end a long evening. Here's something which I believe is taken from a camera video. A bit bad in quality but thoroughly enjoyable.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4xPqUFbgkI

I enjoyed all the acts reasonably well for me wanting to know more about them but was totally blown away by Simple Plan. Hope the local kids watching (there are many as I think most expats are on summer holidays) can be inspired to come up with a local pop rock band with strong melodies and we can see a new "Beyond"! A great evening nevertheless. Hope the next one will have a full house arena rather than half empty.

Apologies for taken so long to come up with another blog. Hectic week at work. Business this month was definitely on the up with a few hit songs and some good selling albums. Yes, despite the gloom and doom, some CDs still sells.

Thanks for all the great feedback on HK music scene blog.

One of the key point that came out from the blog was "what is mainstream music"? Best definition is popular music genre that has been accepted by the general population. Traditionally in Asia, it's all about pop ballad or slow rock etc. However over the last few years, R&B has definitely make a huge inroads into mainstream market. Rather than just vocal technique, it's emphasizes on singing from the heart/soul over a standard R&B arrangement. Melody is still strong like a traditional pop song but the 2 factors create almost a new song experience to what was in the market at the time.

In Japan, Utada change the landscape while in the Chinese market it was Jay Chou. In Korea, Wheesung create the major turning point. Yes, there are R&B artists before them but none of them made it into the mainstream to change consumer taste to this genre. Since, artist like Rain or Se7en, Lee Hom & David Tao, Ken Hirai & Chemistry cement the genre as a format in these markets. I only mention the 3 markets as they influence the rest of the Asian region including Singapore, Thailand, China and Malaysia. In Indonesia and Philippines where R&B has existed far earlier but it was also partly influence as well with acts like Marcell, Glenn Fredly, Nina, Kyla becoming houselhold names in their respective markets.

In the meantime, enjoy what I think is 3 landmark Asian R&B songs.artist that changed mainstream music in Asia.

1) Utada Hikaru - Automatic

The first single from the album that is the BIGGEST selling album of all time in Japan (over 9 million CDs sold!!!). She has then gone on to become the biggest act. She wrote all the songs herself.  When it first came out, it was not an obvious hit for even their record company who at that time was run by Masaaki Sato. He was brave enough to take the deal as his background in International music marketing for over 20 years tells him that the song is good enough for the Japanese market. Low expectation, take risk and hey presto..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3Rmbb4SEIM

2) Wheesung - A story I can't tell

Taken from his debut album "Like a movie". Korea at that time was completely swamped by boy band and girl groups such as HOT, Shinhwa, Finkl, SES etc. The album was released by a small production house called M-Boat. Park Kyung Jin was a little concern that he is not good looking enough that consumer will not accept him that he did not even has his face on the cover. The album has subtitles of various movies the songs int he albums are influenced by which I thought was interesting and confusing cuz I can't read Korean. This I believe is the 2nd single but the biggest hit and catapult the album to over 400,000 units in Korea. Some may argue Wheesung is not the first R&B singer and Park Jin Yong (JYP who discovered Rain) has done it far earlier but R&B was not a genre as JYP is still a lone ranger in the market. Glad Kyung Jin decides to put Wheesung face in the video as he went on to become the biggest R&B superstar in Korea. His new album is due this year which I believe would be his 6th album.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8COqqZdQEhI

3) Jay Chou - Valuable woman

When the album first came out, the media was writing stuff like great music but will sell less than 20,000 (which is nothing at that time in Taiwan) Media loved it, music industry people fans loved it but consumer a took a little time to respond to this `new' music genre. JR Yang and Jay stuck by their plan and built him organically and then released this video featuring Vivian Hsu. It worked and the next thing you know the album sold 300,000 units. I think the number is now a lot higher. He then gone on to become the biggest star in Asia. Oh yeah, he writes, sings, plays, produce and even directs all the videos himself which shows how big a talent he is.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvT4KidzLh8

Moral of the story, if the artist is good enough, the music is good enough even though it don't sound like anything else in the market at the time it WILL work and when it does, you create history!!!

What will be the new `mainstream music'? Love to hear your views. Maybe the next Utda, Jay & Wheesung will be discovered here on AnD?

Many thanks for those who commented on my previous blogs. I actually thought after replying to everyone, I should delete the replies. Guess that was a wrong move. Blog is not e-mail, my bad. Why am I blogging this topic today? Please bear with me as this is pretty long but i think is important.

This all started when I was listening to a local radio chart countdown on Saturday afternoon. It was a good way to really get an update on what's popular in Hong Kong and I will do so every possible chance I get. As I was listening, I suddenly realize that each song that was played was really awful and sound monotonous. Yes, there are many new acts which is a good sign but none of them are `special'. Not bad singers but just bad songs. Also, you don't really `feel' they are singing with passion or soul. Technically great but emotionally weak. Song production is really similar from one to another. As my colleague would say, it always starts with C. Is this what Hong Kong Music is becoming? I ask myself that Hong kong is such a cosmopolitan country and a melting pot of various cultures but why musically we are so behind?

Why, I ask is this happening?

1) KARAOKE

I really blame it on the guy who invented karaoke. Hong Kong is no longer a society that cherish uniqueness, adventure or curious for something new. Instead it's a society that longs for the same, similarity and safety. Everyone wants to be the next Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau, Sammi Cheng, Leo Ku or Eason Chan. No one really wants to be themselves anymore. I don't blame them cause when the craze started we all sang to the lyrics and watching the music videos of our idols lip synching and even think we are them for that 4 minutes. It was a fantastic experience and karaoke industry exploded. At one stage karaoke turnover was bigger than recorded music business in Asia!!!

All the unique and good HK artists nowadays in Hong Kong either grew up in International school or studied abroad. Eason grew up in UK. Khalil grew up in Hawaii. Nicholas and Edison from International schools and went abroad to further their studies.  They all are exposed to so many different music genre and karaoke was not a dominat in their life.

2) COVER VERSION

After the karaoke boom started, the Hong Kong music business is thriving and stars are created almost weekly. But Record Company (that's what they are called at that time) faces a huge problem. There are not enough songs to feed the machine. Solution? Do cover versions of other people songs. It doesn't matter where it's from as long it's usable and is `karaoke-friendly". This term was so widely use it almost becoming a music industry term. Write a `karaoke friendly' song!!!!! The good news is that Western or Japanese songs became huge hits as well by piggybacking on Cantonese versions of the songs. Anzen Tetai, Chage & Aska, Sandra, Pepsi & Shirley, Janet Jackson, Finzi Kontini (who you ask? they are the original singer of "Cha Cha Cha").

Suddenly it all stops when the broadcast authority said that they will no longer play cover version on radio to protect local musicians in particularly songwriters. But the supply of local good songs runs short of demand. Suddenly, second rated songs are OK's by A&R managers for singers to sing to continue feeding the machine. 

3) MEDIA

Commercial Radio has always been the cutting edge of music on radio and I applaud them for all their work of moving the industry forward. They always seem to be cooler and trendier than the other stations even till now. I enjoyed Chi Chung "Quote Zone" a lot as my only source for Western Music when I first arrived in Hong Kong. However, suddenly there is a disconnect between domestic music and Western music. Kids starting to lose interest in western trends and with the above 2 factors still feature strongly, slowly the new generation starts to get stale and setting low standards on the musical needs. Radio starts to program "safe music" to satisfy commercial needs. Record companies also feeding what the consumer wants rather than taking them forward. TVB also did the same and before long the whole market grew stale. Year end awards no longer shows the same excitement compared to the days of Alan Tam, Anita Mui, Leslie Cheung or Jacky Cheung anymore. The media tried very hard but as music was not progressing they give the same award to the same artists singing the same songs. Ballads rule or should I say "karaoke friendly songs".

4) SONG WRITERS

Songwriters facing the same issue of whether to satisfy commercial needs or creative needs. I actually spoke to some publishing company executive about whether this is a problem songwriters is aware of and the answer is a resounding yes! I said, would it make a difference if they write in Mandarin and then change it later to Cantonese as Mandarin as a language seemed to create better melodies. I also ask whether producer is over producing songs because the melody is to difficult to differentiate and again the answer is a resounding yes! This needs to change.

With all the above factors, slowly and surely the Cantonese music scene has come to a standstill. New artists don't need to sing from the heart anymore. Good vocal technique is adequate. The rest of the process will be taken care of by uber producers and super record execs.

The problem with all this is that the world around us has moved on. Look at Taiwan who at one time was not respected by Hong Kong entertainment industry and has now overtaken us and create Big Regional Superstars. It used to be the HK Heavenly Kings but instead of Leon, Andy, Jacky & Aaron, there are now Jay Chou, Lee Hom, Show & David Tao. Sammi, Miriam & Kelly are now replaced by Jolin, Yanzi & Angela. The scariest thing is that some of the Taiwanese stars are now struggling to hold on as well. Taiwan Idol TV shows are upsetting the balance with the likes of Jam, Yoga and Aska (at least their "English" names are creative) doing really well regionally. Is this the start of the 3rd coming?

I think there is definitely an opportunity for a new generation of superstars to emerge? What will the new superstars do? Sing well, dance well, write songs, produce songs or all of the above? Will there be a chance for Hong Kong artist to shine? Will the HK music scene change for the better? I really think it's possible but the change cannot be done by me alone.

Aspiring singers need to expose themselves to various music cultures and infuse their own creativity and created something unique but accessible by `normal' people. Pushing the boundary step by step. If you are not comfortable with Cantonese then sing in Mandarin? It doesn't need to be a ballad. It can be a rap, rock, jazz, soul, funk, nu-metal as long as it's good and you like it and most comfortable with. Good news is that there is a superstar in every genre of music there is.

Music companies need to think of artist career and be more market & consumer aware. "Karaoke friendly songs" are no longer the in term. If a song is a hit, it will be  a karaoke hit. Don't follow the market. lead them. I remember people sang to LMF karaoke and you will never see us telling MC Yan or Davy to write karaoke songs. They will just tell us to" F" ourselves. Sometimes artist needs time to grow and also understand their consumers.  

Media needs to start educating the consumer that there is a whole wide world of music out there. Be adventurous with the playlist but don't send them to the orbit with your knowledge. They have lost all Western music sense and consumer needs time to get back into it. Instead of programming Sigur Ros, try Coldplay or Keane. Instead of Method Man, Music Soulchild or Kayshia Cole, try introducing them to Chris Brown, Usher and Rihanna. Internet and You Tube has been a revolution as well for us not relying on been force feed by media and allow an ordinary person to experience new music themselves.  

I am proud my Hong Kong team has develop Hong Kong best hope in Khalil Fong as the best our chance for superstardom in the region.  Why? He is multi talented, writes his own songs and the man/boy has got serious amount of "soul". Great family support and upbringing (don't drink, don't smoke) and most of all a totally "unique" package. I do hope that he is not the only one and people like Eason, Janice, Kay & Justin will all continue to develop into something `unique' and `special' as well with their companies and rebuild the HK music scene into a dominant powerhouse again.

http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=MqxL_wnoDm4

Common, let's hear it for the HK music scene. Write to me with your ideas. Maybe, the people in AnD will spearhead a new revolution?

It really does feel good getting feedback on blogs. Was still contemplating on whether or not to write like most bloggers i.e. which restaurant I went, what movies I saw or which party I attended. I think I will suck writing about those stuff. Maybe one day but right now there is so much music I have inside which I love to share.

Electronic music has been pretty much been a very intergral part of my love for music. Although I start listening to Top 40 radio (the only format available) back in 1976 with Rod Stewart "First cut is the deepest", Abba's "Dancing Queen" & Bad Company "Rock steady" giving me the furthest memory back to how I first got started to listening to music. However, it really took a new meaning when I started to tune in to BBC World Service (Local radio could not satisfy my hunger anymore) that really took me to what I am.

I remember the first time I heard Human League "Being Boiled action", Tears for Fears "Mad world", Ultravox "Passing strangers" or Gary Numan / Tubeway Army "Are friends electric" really took me to a new dimensions. It is kinda dark and weird but wonderful as well. Depeche Mdoe then completely change me and that was it, I WAS TOTALLY HOOK TO ELECTRONIC/SYNTHESIZER MUSIC. Bands like Kraftwerk (yes, I know they came earlier), Visage, Yazoo, Heaven 17, Howard Jones, Landscape, Camouflage, Blancmange, Japan, New Order, Fad Gadget, OMD, Pet Shop Boys, Talk Talk & Thomas Dolby became my staple music diet. Trust me, there are probably only a handful of people in malaysia who listens to those stuff as they bare NOT on radio there. I have toi resort to piracy (cassettes) just to ensure I have the albums. I have since replaced most if not all of it into `legit' CDs.

http://http://youtube.com/watch?v=dq_wZbV9HrA&feature=related

Over the years the music slowly evolve with the New Wave acts slowly became just a phase in music history (too short) and taken over by grunge (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins etc.) and after that Hip Hop (Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Ice T etc.). Electronic music then slowly change it's course from mainstream UK pop to dance in the form of Trance and Rave. Acts like Orbital, Moby (yes, early Moby), KLF, The Shamen & Prodigy mix the bleeps with the beats and I was getting excited again. Yes, it was a whole lot of drugs and the beginning of the E culture in clubs in UK which last till today and became a global phenomenom. No, I wasn't into it cuz I was already high listening to the music in full volume!!!

The dance electronica beats just really takes you to another level and it really makes you drive faster (yes, I have a small local made Malaysian car at the time). Songs like "Move any mountain', "Go", "Instrument of darkness", "Insanity", "Charly", "Out of space", "What time is love" became my favourite songs.

Coming soon on part 2...Here come Fatboy Slimand the crazy videos, Moby went pop, Chemical Brothers and Daft Punk up the ante for Electronica. 

Alas, I got my first blog out of the way. Not sure if it's a masterpiece, but hey, everything gotta start from somewhere. It's interesting to be able to express oneself from writing a blog. Kinda cathartic. So what's next?

I was speaking and attending the recent Music Matters conference (some called it Music Mutters) where I got to know about this wonderful website. One of the most common topic that came out was how irrelevant record companies is for artist. Many artists (I believe Soler was one of them) saying record companies don't understand them and don't care. Edison said the same thing a couple years ago on the same convention about his record company is run by `old guys' who don't understand hip hop. Media lapped this up and start stereotyping record company executives as whoring, drinking, womanizing 50 year old types who don't listen to music at all. Suddenly we all start to look like Paco, Albert, Peter etc. Actually, I wouldn't mind being them as they ARE successful businessman. I also really don't blame them as they are entrepreneurs who take risks in business with a pure objective of making tons of money. Man, what's wrong with that? Isn't that what every artists and singers ultimately wants as well?

Therefore, the key lies on whether it's a good marriage or not between the artist and a record company. For every dissapointed act like Edison and Soler, there are many who are extremely satisfied with their company like Leo Ku, Hins Cheung & Hacken Lee. We don't hear about them as media loves a good (bad) story and controversy sells.

Record Companies are Dead? ABSOLUTELY!!!! If anyone looking for a deal and come across executive saying they are from a record company, run!!!!! They are dinosaurs and let's hope they are vegisauraus and not T-Rex. I definitely wouldn't called myself record executive. I'm a music executive. I know vinyl is back in vogue but what the hell are we selling nowadays. Everything is free. We can download any track we want, if we want for FREE. I may not endorse it but it's true and unavoidable. You want MP3, AAC, WMA files? You got it in 3 clicks with BAIDU. You want CDs, just put in a blank CD-R and you will get it in 3 minutes and you may even design your own artwork. Thinking back those days when I was young when I have to record songs I want from radio to a cassette. The finger is always at the record button all the time just in case I miss the song. How important was a deejay then to announce the song before they play it. Nowadays, it's way too easy and the excitement of getting music is GONE!

Music companies selling CDs or ringtones are all suffering including my company. None of the music assets are protected. The only thing that is pirate free is Mobile Ringback Tone (because the server is in the telephone company) and the artists themselves. You can't actually pirate `live' although Milli Vanilli did try. Look what happen, one of the poor sod committed suicide recently. Therefore, it is natural for anyone with any sense of commercialism to say we want a pie in everything you do. If you say no, it's simple, they don't sign you and you will be an independent/underground/niche artist or whatever you want to call it but small and possibly poor. So you get a lose lose situation.

So, before you commit to any `Music Company' that will take care of everything for you, I suggest the following procedure:

1) Get to know who are the power players in that company. Just because they are not as visible as Paco, doesn't mean they are not good. Some very good behind the scene low profile executives in some of the companies.

 2) Talk music with them. Don't just talk business terms but see if they understand you. Marriage is not all about money but about love. If you just want money, then stop complaining when they send you to do movies or modelling. If you want love, it has to be mutual. You will have happiness but you have a 50:50 chance of being prosperous as well.

3) Take your time. Some people talks well but do little. Get to know your `love one' more before getting married. Don't just listen to other people. Decide for yourself.

4) 360 deals (i.e. with management rights). Make sure before you sign the 360 deals, you are sure the company can deliver and ask for examples of success. Good news is that with major companies, they don't cheat you on management income and don't run away with your money. It's call company audit which must be done yearly.

So, if you use the same philosphy in marriage then you will make the right call. If you like `one night stand' or marrying to 'sugar dady' then be prepared for the consequences and stop complaining.

Therefore a "Record Contract IS like a Marriage Certficate"

So, if the big companies don't want you, what do you do? Coming soon...