So What was born in the fall of 2005. So What features Shirley on bass and keyboard. Jan is the lead singer, and Rani: She bangs the gong. Each band member has been in several other local Hong Kong bands beforehand.
In forming So What but we wanted to create a new style of Hong Kong band: an indie band that plays western-chinese inspired pop rock and sings in Putongua....
As if the band didn't keep us busy enough, we've all got day jobs too - our skills range from teaching, marketing and selling... skills that sure come in handy when dealing with the admin/business side of rock n roll!!
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BIOGRAPHY
So What have something to say. Whether it’s anger at hypocritical American leadership (War Monkey) or the intensity of bereavement of a soul mate (Silent Tears), their message is loud and clear and they proud to share it. So What – Shu Wo “Mine”. Theirs. Hearts on sleeves.
Evolving from the three regular-gigging local pop’n rock combos, this line up features Shirley Choi on bass, keyboards and sometime kutsang, Jan Lee sings, also she’s a dab on the erhu, violin and guitar…and Rani: She bangs the gong.
Influences: “anything with a good tune really” says Shirley in her ‘quite English’ accent. Pushed for specifics, we are told Mozart, Chopin and Coldplay, U2, Nat King Cole, Depeche Mode and Sting. Get it on…. Next up it’s Jan with, Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Suzanne Vega, Stevie Wonder, Nick Drake, Sinead O’Connor and again U2. Rani? Beyond, Queen, Chick Corea, Dave Weckl, Peter Erskine….
We need to know whether this is just another girlie band. What about labels? “Indies or Brands?” comes the reply. We have our answer.
In fact this band is something else. A mix of classic professionalism, contemporary relevance, a can-do-got-done attitude - with a single release plus music video already aired on TV, and all that whilst remaining gig-less, having been formed for less than a corporate quarter.
“Make sure the bio makes clear we are unique”. OK…..So What are from Hong Kong, but uniquely they’re not Canto-pop, they’re Chinese but their music is a unique fusion of Chinese rock and Western pop. They are not out there to be cutesy pop starlets, they simply want to share their music and message “Its social awareness, the importance of doing what you love and of course, rock and roll!” Image and substance, quite unique, in fact.
What about a record deal? There is no answer, just blank, perhaps quizzical faces, turning to laughter.
So What will follow up with a new song and video whenever they have something to say. And a few things to say, they have.
Management contact: Matt Hutchison
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