HK: What’s the story behind The Yours?
Nic Wong: We’ve been playing together for nearly two years. Jack and I were friends before. Later on we found Ho through an internet chat room. We knew Azia through other friends and we knew he could play the bass. We’re called The Yours because all we want to do is make music for the audience. We can get up on stage and say, “We’re Yours.” Simple and direct.
The Yours stormed the main stage at October’s Rockit festival. They are guitar/vocalists Nic and Jack, bassist Azia and drummer Ho, and they’ve just released their debut EP. Natasha Stokes met up with Nic to talk fashion, noisy pop and them being ours.
The 2007 Hong Kong Arts Festival has plenty to celebrate. First, it’s the festival’s 35th anniversary and they’ll be celebrating with 163 arts events over 30 days. Second, it’s the centenary of drama in China (it all began with Ibsen) and third, it’s the ten year anniversary of the handover.
Early bird bookings are now open for the 2007 Hong Kong Arts Festival. Alexandra Carroll goes behind the scenes on some of the new works currently being created for their world premiere next March.
HK Magazine: So how long have you known Gloria Gaynor?
Alex Briley: We’ve known her since the start of the disco era. But when we actually met... I’m not sure, probably back in the 70s. It was all a bit of blur, but usually if we all sit down together one of the six of us should remember.
Alex Briley is the original military guy in the original manufactured boy band – the Village People. Briley and the Villagers come to Hong Kong next week along with Gloria Gaynor and Kool & the Gang for the “Disco World Fever Tour.” Alexandra Carroll heard his views on nostalgia, Boy Scouts and the war in Iraq.
HK Magazine: You recently curated a group exhibition – why did you initiate that project?
Simon Birch: I’m always complaining about the Hong Kong art scene so I did this to stop moaning and do something interesting. It was a risk and a bit of an experiment but that’s how things happen. Hopefully people will follow that example and there will be more art and more artists doing things. I mean, these are the things that make society more valuable – these things make life worth living.
A new solo exhibition by DJ turned curator and artist, Simon Birch, will be opening soon at 10 Chancery Lane Gallery. He spoke to HK Magazine about his latest curating effort, “Outside Context Problem,” and his take on the local art scene.
I was born into a big family with eight elder siblings. I am the youngest.
My mom passed away in 1998 but the very thought of her still empowers me.
I grew up in Wong Tai Sin, one of the poorer districts that reveals the darker side of Hong Kong's society. So drug addiction and crimes are not strange to me.
One time, I was waiting for the elevator when I heard a woman scream in the public washroom and saw a man run past me. Intuitively, I knew what had happened.
Andy Hui Chi-On is a Hong Kong pop singer and a movie actor. Recognized both for his onscreen performances and his musical talent, he has won numerous music awards, and was elected as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons in 2005. The finale of his TV show, "To Grow with Love" will air on Nov. 18 (Sat) at 8:30pm. He shares his wisdom with Jan Leung.
The history of Hong Kong transport has been a long and fascinating journey. To mark the closure of the Central Star Ferry pier and to remember other milestones in Hong Kong’s transportation history, the Conservancy Association Center for Heritage is holding a landmark exhibition on the history of Hong Kong travel.
On November 11, the Star Ferry will no longer run to the Central Star Ferry pier, putting the historical landmark one step closer to demolition. Rola Chan visits a new exhibition about the history of transportation in Hong Kong.
Ultimate idol:
Gwen Stefani
Listening to now:
“The Truth” by Handsome Boy Modeling School
Reading:
60 seconds interview questions
In your pocket now:
No pockets
Most hated band:
Sun Boys and F4
Stranded on a desert island with who?
My BF, of course!
Stupidest trend:
Emo kids on MySpace and Hello Kitty Lolitas in Mongkok
Lowina Korn is the vocalist of indie band Synfia.
It all started when I became a dancer in TVB in the mid-80s. But my family was so well-off that I decided to leave after a few years. Well, that’s a lie. I needed something that paid more at that point. That’s why I quit.
I began singing in nightclubs and lounges to make ends meet after I quit dancing.
Artists in Hong Kong are of a hybrid breed - it’s not possible for us to focus on just one form of the business. Everyone has to be an actor/singer/model/or whatever gets exposure.
Jordan Chan has been in show business for almost 20 years, gradually clawing his way to the top of the ladder. Now he’s among one of the most popular entertainers in Hong Kong, the so-called “role model of rebels.” He talks to Kentigern Wong about his career and problems with the media.
1. The Brunch Club (70 Peel St., SoHo, 2526-8861) “Midweek this place is nice and quiet. They have plenty of couches, a courtyard and magazines for you to buy. I took 'The Time Traveler’s Wife' here – I’ve never been so passionate about a book!”
2. Portobello (9 Staunton St., SoHo, 2523-8999) “I’m a chocolate fiend. Come here for a pot of tea and a slice of cake, kick back with your book and stay as long as you like.”
Bookworm Ellie Luk is the marketing officer for Dymocks, IFC Mall. She gives us her top five places for a good read.
Favorite Hong Kong noise:
Birds singing early in the morning.
Can we dance?
Hong Kong people tend to either overdo it or don’t dance/mosh at all.
On the local music scene:
Bizarre. Conservative. Cliquey. Commercialized. Hopeful.
In 20 years:
I will still be playing music. Or I’ll probably be dead. Who knows?
Never-fail crowd-pleaser:
“Break the Wall.” We spent a whole year working on it.
