Live with Lizzy!- Synth + Vox
29-10-15
One of our fabulous critics, Laurella Jose, loves hearing live music and seeing local bands play. We've had the demand to cover the music scene in Hong Kong for years but didn't have a passionate, music lover with the skills to take it on. We present a new series to HKELD called, Live with Lizzy!
Lizzy will be talking to us weekly about music events she attends, Hong Kong's developing indie scene and bands she loves.
****
Synth + Vox was a night of alternative electronic music at the Hidden Agenda. Definitely a taste of local experimental underground music, the variety of artists showcased different strands of the loosely defined genre.
First up was Zebra Kills Horse, my personal favorite of the night. Based in Hong Kong and having played in a band prior to his newfound love for electronic music, Paul’s style is definitely the most earthy and raw of all the artists featured last Sunday. When people talk about electronic music, conversations usually involve the word futuristic however the experimental side of this genre usually brings up more primal, biological tones in music; a pulse. He contorted the most natural of sounds into music that simply overrode your senses. Zebra Kills Horse is music you should definitely listen to live, after work, easing into the weekend, before work, easing back into the grind. It cleanses the palate.
The Groove Thief, self-proclaimed “human segue of the night”, in all his self-deprecating glory was definitely the pick me up throughout the night working as the interlude between each artist. While some of the artists let out some pretty heavy stuff into the enclosed space that is the Hidden Agenda, The Groove Thief was the more uplifting strand in the electronic selection. Usually playing sound systems and outdoor settings, the dub and reggae selector bounced more reggae infused electronica and 80s mixes between sets. I had the chance to get to talk to The Groove Thief about the genre’s scene in Hong Kong, impressed by the less than impressive turn out, he gave me quite a bit of insight into the cult following. Part of the appeal of local experimental music is how niche the market is. Although it is a shame that it is the case, he would most gladly play for one person who thoroughly enjoys his music than a crowd of half assed listeners.
The next pair attracted quite the crowd starting out with a stark white deer headpiece on the dude mixing on stage. Deer, from Mexico City was a mesh of electronic and soulful Spanish vocals. The equipment was an art piece of its own. The jumble of cables added to the aesthetic of their sound – Dark and bass heavy. It was interesting to listen to a strong romantic voice juxtaposed with pronounced ethereal sounds.
Frontyr, another local band, I felt was the most accessible of all the artists. In the sense that their sound was the most influenced by pop and folk, with it gaining ground in the music industry. This is very much due to the fact that the band recently transitioned to electronic music from that genre. The band consists of three members, vocals, mixing and bass. Synth + Vox being their eighth show, I can definitely see a learning curve as they delve into the genre but they do have a lot of potential with the development of their sound and I’m actually quite interested in seeing where their music goes.
Ending the night was Dark on Tuesdays, touring from Norway, another set that very much impressed me. The duo was in sync, using rough sounds that reverberated through the ground, it’s very evident that their sound has been very well curated and developed. On a line of steady airy sounds, they come in with electric guitar riffs, notes and beats and ethereal sounds. It’s definitely something I personally lean towards and I have to admit they’re doing it well, very well indeed.
The night left me content. I’m very glad to see such talent in the local electronica scene. Synth + Vox is something I really hope develops.
Comments
No comment at the moment.