Audio Traffic Interview

Don and Adrian, both graduates of the Hong Kong International School, are also both of mixed ethnicity.  Don, a combination of Chinese, Filipino and Malaysian, and Adrian, who is Chinese and British, have been friends since primary school, building up their band over the course of 10 years.

"We started back in 1997!" Don exclaims.

Audiotraffic's previous name was Cry.  "Friends called us that because they said our singing sounds like we're crying", but they later changed their style and Cry was renamed Audiotraffic.  "I think the current name fits us" said Adrian, "unique sounds interlaced with each other".

Originally a four person band, other members would filter in an out, so that in the end it was really just the two of them.

Outside the band, Don works as an substitute English and Music teacher and Adrian provides English voiceover dialogue for narration or Japanese and Chinese movies.  While their part-time jobs provide a lot of freedom to pursue their interests, it also is hard on their incomes.

"We don't mind!" they chime in.  The two of them sing because it is what interests them, not because they want to be famous or rich.  Their goal is primarily to teach people about their music, and provide more musical choices.

Composition is a collaborative effort with both of them writing music and lyrics.  They both play guitar and one acts as the primary vocalist.  "After growing up we did a lot of cooperative music", singing the songs of other people, and then asking teachers in schools for chances to perform.

"After that we discussed the idea of creating music together, and then started writing our own music and singing it..."

"We just love music".  Their big wish is to spread music, and teach the younger generation to learn to appreciate what music has to offer.

They also give special thanks to the alivenotdead community which is providing a platform to help new bands spread their music.

What will they do in the future?  These two musicians say they have no desire to change their original intention, firmly stating "We've walked on this path for 10 years and will continue to do so in the future..."

Adrian

Don

阿Don和Adrian都是香港國際學校畢業的，都是混血兒﹔不過阿Don是中國和菲律賓、馬來西亞的混血，Adrian則是中英混血。

這兩個從小學就一起同學的玩伴，一起夾Band已經十年了！「我們從1997開始！」阿Don說。

「Audiotraffic」以前叫「Cry」。「朋友替我們起的，說我們唱得像哭！」但後來改變風格，於是：「『Cry』就轉為『Audiotraffic』了。」Adrian跟阿Don一起說。

「我覺得現在這個名字跟我們的音樂很貼切。」Adrian說：「一些另類的聲音，互相交織在一起。」

他們本來是四個人的組合，走一個來一個，再走一個來一個，走呀走，走剩他們兩個。

阿Don是個代課老師，教英文也教音樂﹔Adrian是配音員，替日語片或中文片配英文對白或旁白。因為是半工，所以時間自由，不過收入也就相應減少。

「我們都不介意！」兩個人都說。

他們都沒打算靠音樂發達，但純粹是興趣。不想從它得名利，只想有更多的人能因此認識到更多的音樂。

兩只吉他，一個主唱，從作曲到填詞到唱都是二人班。

「合作音樂是長大以後的事。」他們說，先是唱別人的歌，在學校跟老師爭取演出機會。之後開始互相講自己對音樂的意念，合拍，一起把意念化作實體，從構思到譜曲到填詞到夾唱……。

「我們只喜歡音樂，並不想拍電影上電視。」兩個都說。

他們最大的願望是：把音樂帶起來，讓年輕的一代先學會欣賞。

感謝Alivenotdead能給這樣一個空間，讓他們領出一條路，幫新樂隊新歌手走出來。

對於偶像式的「粉絲」追捧，兩個型男都不以為會動搖他們的初衷。「我們都十年走下來了！」他們說。很真金不敗地。