T(H)REE New Musical Roots From Portugal, Hong Kong and Macau
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Bloom CN ABOUT
Bloom * Creative Network is a resourceful enterprise wishing to provide imaginative solutions and tools to create independent and better worlds. Bloom supplies creativity, noise, printed and visual beauty fool things and is involved in Macau and abroad.
••• Bloom presence on music scene in Macau: 2008-2009 -‐ Musical events and theme party p ro d u c t i o n , w i t h S t . Paul’s Corners in Macau. 2008. Live performance of the project The Box, from HK and UK, at Crea-‐ tive Albergue, St. Lazarus district. 2009-2010 - Collabora-‐ tion in the concerts at XL Creation -‐ Live Music As-‐ sociation: Macau Flash 2009, a David Valentim production; Global Battle of The Bands -‐ GBOB Ma- cau Final; Macau Un- derground VI, VII, VIII. • Organization of the Fin-‐ nish Choir Dominante concert at the St. Joseph Seminary Church.
SUBJECT
PRESS RELEASE
PRESENTATION AND PROMOTION OF PROJECT T(H)REE
LOCAL ENGLISH WRITTEN PRESS FROM HONG KONG AND MACAU • SPONSORS • THE PUBLIC
T(H)REE A musical project between Portugal, Hong Kong and Macau
T(H VOL )REE UM E1
T(H)REE is a musical project that brings together for the very first time, on the same record, modern musicians from Portugal, Macau and Hong Kong. Wishing to materialize and shape a truthful blend of cultures the idea also comes from the significant ambition to enhance local music creation beyond its borders, reaching distant domains, bringing the steer to extensive forms and new contacts as musical and cultural projects that otherwise would never take place. This project is also born under the structure of a pure and boundless dialogue, where the finest blend of creative processes, sounds and distinctive ways of making music flow in a world without space and distance, making technology the elemental connection and the convergence point. On this terms 33 musical projects gave a major step to compose 17 songs, connecting more than 70 musicians to execute an unstoppable task, without any physical contact. The final result is a surprise and an outlook reference for the music scene of the three territories involved. Presenting now the first glimpse of this endeavor, other crops will emerge from the same branches. T(H)REE gathers distinctive musicians side by side in the same ground, coming for head-to-head for the first time, on the lines of a compact disc. Conducted by the harmony of a simple song that swings back and forth until it achieving the final and solid state. These musicians of acclaimed international talent assigned their utmost tenacity to the foundation of what will become an unique and universal venture. A part of it can be heard at: myspace.com/projectothree. The purpose of this album is: 1. Promote and develop the modern music made in both sides of the world. 2. Create a musical relationship between them. 3. Develop the chance to bring Portuguese bands to Asia and Hong Kong and Macau artists to Europe. 4. This compilation intends to be the first others to follow. Project T(H)REE has everything to become successful and iconic, and its potential will generate new creations in the future. In that way, this project will be an incentive for the bands to develop their skills and try their best to be invited to following compilations. To achieve that goal, thirty bands and artists from both sides of the globe were invited to play in partnership. For every song, there is a Portuguese artist or band playing with musicians from Hong Kong or Macau. The result of those collaborations will allow an exploration of the existing cultural differences, and finally their union through music. The artists were chosen according to the following criteria: 1. Music quality 2. Importance in the local musical scene 3. Music Innovation 4. Flexibility and adeptness to work in a team
Project T(H)REE will count with the following bands in its first volume: 1. Unixx (HK) vs. Hipnótica (Portugal)
Unixx \inished the produc-‐ tion of their last record in November and a launching concert is expected. This will open way for a huge trip through the spotlights of radio channels and stages of Hong Kong.
The in\luences of Balla step through a range of different names as Roxy Music, Serge Gainsbourg, Jaques Brell, Tom Waits, Paolo Conte, Marvin Gaye, Leonard Co-‐ hen and Air.
Unixx are one of the finest examples of the rock made in Hong Kong. Deep lyrics and dreamful sounds are the main characteristics of their music, which has been attracting new fans since 2001. Hipnotica are considered the best jazz electronic band in Portugal. With four albums released and widely known in Europe due to the great quality of their music, Hipnotica is a must-listen for all those who want to know more about the new sounds of Portugal. LINKS: www.unixx.net • www.hipnotica.net • www.myspace.com/hipnoticapt
2. Modern
Children + S.T. (HK) vs. Balla (Portugal)
Modern Children are considered one of the best new bands in Hong Kong, and probably one of the most unique. All the members are multi instrumentalists and their music is between electronic and rock, with a very epic touch. Their violinist and beats maker is S.T., considered the best electronic performer in Hong Kong by Time Out magazine. Balla is the band of Armando Teixeira, one of the most influential producers and music makers in Portugal. He has played with the famous Rui Reininho, from one of the most charismatic Portuguese bands, G.N.R., and in projects like Da Weasel, Bizarra Locomotiva, Bulllet and now Balla. All successful and all very significant to the modern music made in Portugal. LINKS: www.modernchildren.net • www.st-saiho.com • www.myspace.com/ballaportugal
3. Innisfallen (HK) vs. Ölga (Portugal) Innisfallen are the power rock band with brit-rock influences. The quality of their music and their professionalism on stage made them earn lots of fans during the years and nowadays, they are one of the most famous rock bands in Hong Kong. Ölga is an experimental rock band from Portugal that through the years has found its way to become more mainstream without losing their character. Three albums released and critically acclaimed. Some of the members lived in Macau and their contribution for the compilation is certainly one of the most emotional. LINKS: www.innisfallen.net • www.olgamusic.com
The second album of Ölga came in 2009. Titled "La Résistance", this work is the result of the revival dream of a crossing moment. From a strong inspiration on the alternative and psychedelic rock of the 60‘s and 70‘s, outlives on the instrumental arrangements and vocal playful tones.
4. N1D (Macau) vs. Macacos
do Chinês (Portugal)
N1D is probably the top dubstep DJ in Macau and one of the best in Asia. To prove that statement, we just need to follow the party promoters all over Asia and see who doesn’t know his work. Every month he is invited to play in such different places like Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing or Tokyo, but he still doesn’t have the recognition he deserves in his hometown, Macau. Macacos do Chinês are a dubstep/hip-hop band from Portugal, that has released their first album this year. The critical acclaim was so big that they started to be known all over Europe and played together with artists like M.I.A. and Buraka Som Sistema. It is just a matter of time until they become huge stars in the hip-hop and dubstep musical scene. LINKS: http://www.myspace.com/n1d • www.myspace.com/macacosdochines
5. Gloria Tang (HK) vs. Norberto
Through time Gloria Tang’s career has been a general surprise on the press and audience of Hong Kong. The soft sound-‐waves and the melancholic purity are the keys for her high level stage.
Lobo (Portugal)
Gloria Tang is the singer of the indie band Goodmorningloria. Her music is influenced by the Bossa Nova and the lyrics are full of an innocent poetry. She is one of the most sweet voices in Hong Kong. Norberto Lobo is a guitar virtuoso and a artist that puts the Portuguese soul into his music. The sound of his guitar couldn’t be more magical and his performance is so intense and full of feeling, that he was invited to play in a movie that has opened in Cannes film festival 2009. LINKS: www.gloriatang.com • www.norbertolobo.com
6. Wilson Tsang (HK) vs.
Bernardo Devlin (Portugal)
Wilson Tsang is an experimental musician, and considered one of the best in Hong Kong. His piano songs are mysterious and go deeper and deeper every time we listen to them. Once based in Macau, where he spent his childhood, Wilson Tsang passion for the territory is huge and his contribution for the compilation will be certain one of its most touching moments. Bernardo Devlin is a Portuguese experimental musician, most famous by his work as the lead singer of Osso Exótico (which stands for “Exotic Bone”) , probably the best avantgarde band in Portugal for more than 20 years. He is a reference for all those who appreciate art in music. On the distinct badge of “al-‐ ternative band” of Macau, Evade are searching for a broad and enduring roll of listeners, bringing their in-‐ die \lavor as a revocation for the traditional canto-‐pop
LINKS: www.myspace.com/wilsontsang • www.bernardodevlin.com
7. Evade (Macau) vs. Kubik (Portugal) Evade is an electronic band from Macau which singularity has made them known in Hong Kong and also in Portugal. Beats with heart and an angelic voice make the Evade project one of the best things that have happened to Macau musical scene in a long, long time and with a promising future ahead. Kubik is an electronic performer whose work has been followed for many fans worldwide. The way he composes his songs is so unique that he has been invited to perform with major artists from Europe and North America, such as Mike Patton and Fantomas. LINKS: www.myspace.com/evademacau • www.myspace.com/metamorphosia
Victor Afonso comes from the hill town of Guarda, on the depths of Portugal. Play-‐ ing guitar, bass and drums since the mid 80's, he achieved his mastery on electronic music, In between soundtracks for \ilms, plays and video-‐art, "Oblique Mu-‐ sique" (2001) and “Meta-‐ morphosia” (2005) are the two Kubik records.
8. Fragile (HK) vs. Rocky
Marsiano (Portugal)
Fragile is a ground breaking post rock band from Hong Kong, that includes electronic music into their compositions. The melodies are their major concern and in the end their music is beautiful, intense, cinematic and very emotional. Rocky Marsiano is the alternative name of D-Mars, one of the most respected hiphop composers in Portugal. In this more personal project, he explores the power of the rhythm adding some jazzy tunes and sophisticated beats to his music. His two albums went straightly to the top of the best releases of the year. LINKS: www.myspace.com/hkfragile • www.myspace.com/rockymarsiano
9. A.O.S. (HK) vs. Erro! (Portugal)
A.O.S. is the acronym of Amoeba On Stage, something that could be a tiny living form in\iltrated on the ear or a galactic monster who looses all human posture.
A.O.S.is an experimental electronic project from Hong Kong. The music is intense, hypnotic and deep, but with a strange danceable touch. Commercial but alternative at the same time, A.O.S. is a new addiction in the Hong Kong musical scene. Erro! (Error!) is a João Palma electronic and experimental project. João has worked with the best alternative bands from the 80’s and 90’s in Portugal, and dedicated his life to music. The Portuguese musical roots can be listened in almost all of his compositions, no matter which style he is performing. He has released more than five albums and his work is being distributed by Cobra Records, one of the best labels in Portugal. LINKS: www.myspace.com/amoebaonstage • www.myspace.com/erromusic
10. Elf
Lai, Ling, Fox and Joe are False Alarm’s four vertexes, They played in September on Macau Flash 2009 leav-‐ ing a legion of followers on this side of the Pearl River. “Sex, Drugs & Rock ’n Roll” is their psalm.
Fatima (HK) vs. The Allstar Project (Portugal)
Elf Fatima is considered to be the band that introduced the post-rock style in Hong Kong. One of the most respected bands in the local musical scene, with several albums released, Elf Fatima songs are aggressive and touching at the same time, and their music is nothing but extraordinary. The Allstar Project are the parallel of Elf Fatima in Portugal. One of the major post-rock bands in Europe and invited to play in several countries, their music his full of rage and beauty at the same time. Plus, probably they are the only band in Europe that is the official sponsor of a football team! LINKS: www.elf-fatima.com • www.theallstarproject.com
11. False Alarm (HK) vs. F.e.v.e.r. (Portugal) With ten years of existence, False Alarm is probably the best known indie rock band in Hong Kong. The charisma of the singer Ling and the powerful performances that they have been giving all over the years, made them an unique case of success in the local musical scene. F.e.v.e.r. is an industrial band from Portugal and the only one that has international reputation on its genre. With four albums released and produced by an influent American musician, this band mixes perfectly danceable electronic music and aggressive rock tunes, which sometimes is just the perfect match. LINKS: www.myspace.com/falsealarmhk • www.fever.web.pt
Sometimes being Portu-‐ guese is to cry for the unfor-‐ tune tale of being it. On a higher version it \ights for everything that brings a good feelig about it. That must be the clue for the sep-‐ tics that bring the fact that A Naifa is not the precious stone of any Portugueseness.
12. Winnie
Lau (HK) vs. A Naifa (Portugal)
Winnie Lau is a violinist and pianist music composer that has been performing with bands like False Alarm and Pixeltoy all over the last years, and recently with My Little Airport. She mixes her traditional and classical roots with modern ways of composition. The result is impressive and breathtaking. A Naifa, the slang meaning for The Knife, is the only band that succeeded mixing Fado (traditional Portuguese music) with pop and electronic music. With a powerful singer and a group of veteran musicians, this is one of the most important bands in the local musical scene and a reference for all those who try to explore new approaches to world music. LINKS: www.myspace.com/falsealarmhk • www.mylittleairport.com • www.anaifa.com
13. Lobo (Macau) vs. O
“Capitão Bala” (Captain Bul-‐ let) is Monstro’s \irst hit. The video can be seen at the forest of his website. A vis-‐ ual creation made with the same hands that play the guitar.
Lobo (Wolf) is one of the most well known DJ’s in the musical landscape of Macau and a unanimously respected figure among Chinese and Portuguese communities. On the dawn of XXI century he was the leader of one of the most captivating bands in Macau S.A.R, the D.R., launching afterwards one solo album with good reviews in Hong Kong. Much more that a ordinary DJ, Lobo is a determined experimentalist searching for a more intellectual side on the electronic music world. O Monstro (The Monster) takes presence on the body and voice of António Conceição, a multifaceted composer who lived all is youth in Macau. An intimate unique project, O Monstro whispers his love songs and sings them into one’s ears with a tremendous dissemination. Launched on Summer of 2009 this acoustic project made its appearances through some chosen places in Portugal. “Canção Diário” (“Diary Song”) it’s the record of a musician who splits his days between the West and the East, a mixture that flows in his blood since his first breath. LINKS: www.myspace.com/mrpiksi • www.myspace.com/omonstro 14. A-Roller
A-Roller Control‘s dance fever is generated not only with knobs-‐and-‐dials, but also with live bass and keys. Even recalling for other in-‐ \luences they can manage to breathe a life of their own with a distinctive approach, helping to de\ine a city’s nascent underground scene.
Monstro (Portugal)
Control (HK) vs. [ch`os] (Portugal)
A-Roller Control is an electro-pop super band from Hong Kong. Among its members we can find Nerve and Alok, two of the most important electronic and experimental musicians in Hong Kong, owners of the influential Lona Records label. They are considered the next big thing in the local musical scene and only those who haven’t seen them in a live performance, can disagree with it. High quality, pure professionalism and innovative sound. [ch`os] is João Vasco, a portuguese electronic experimental musician based in Hong Kong. Invited to perform in many local music festivals, and widely respected in Hong Kong, João is a fine example of a talented portuguese artist that must be known in his home country. LINKS: www.myspace.com/arollercontrol • www.myspace.com/8chos
15. Joey
Chu (HK) vs. AbztraQt Sir Q (Portugal)
Joey Chu is a talented classic pianist that has been work with influential musicians like Wilson Tsang, Alok Leung and A-Roller Control. Her work goes from pop to experimentalism, and her voice has a rare beauty.
If they lived in New York they would be much more respected and would give abundant gigs on the down-‐ town’s circuit of the big city. But they lie in other country which sometimes abstracts destiny. Named AbztraQt Sir Q they have edited one of most inventive records of 2008, "Qorn Pop Garden"
AbztraQt is a avant-garde band from Portugal, unique but also somehow influenced by the Portuguese artistic music bands from the 80s and 90s, such as Mler If Dada and Pop Del’Arte among others. Their album was one of most iconic of the recent years and they became a reference of the new and original sounds of Portugal. LINKS: www.myspace.com/joeychuhk • www.meifumado.org/artists.php
16. DJ
Kawayama (HK) vs Tiago Guillul (Portugal)
Major star in Hong Kong, part of the famous ’People Mountain People Sea‘ group of artists, DJ Kawayama (Ho Shan from the famous band Pixeltoy) corresponds to his reputation. Intelligent and contagious electro-pop, with some influences of Japanese pop,
this is a groundbreaking DJ that truly represents a whole new generation of talented musicians in Hong Kong. Tiago Guillul is a serious case of success in Portugal. Owner of the remarkable Flor Caveira label, he is considered one of the most unique artists of the modern Portuguese music. Pastor on the day time and a rock ‘n roller outside church, Tiago Guillul creates a music style based on traditional roots, but with a total modern approach. Catchy tunes and a huge charisma, he is a star with a great future ahead. LINKS: www.pixeltoy.org • www.myspace.com/guillul • www.florcaveira.com One of the most surprising and inspired creators of present Portuguese music. Unfolded Rock'n'Roll, Afri-‐ can guitars, Gospel, electric folk and echos of revolution-‐ ary songs. •••
17. Faye
Choi (Macau)
Faye Choi, the vocalist of a local band, opens the campaign with an introduction inspired by a poem of Camilo Pessanha, the Portuguese poet who lived and died in Macau in early 20th Century. Intimately connected to a dramatic figure it leads us to a unity of past and future, allowing us to flow beyond the intangible borders of time and space. LINKS: www.myspace.com/evademacau ••• SCHEDULE
February | March: End of the recordings and studio song masterization. March: End of the graphic design and texts for the package of the album. April: Printing May: Release SPONSORSHIP
ALBUM PACKAGE
The album includes texts from Rui Dinis -‐ musical blog ‘A Trompa’ (Portugal); Eric Pierce -‐ Radio Dada and band vocalist -‐ and Yuen Chi-‐chung -‐ musical critic (Hong Kong) and António Falcão from Bloom * Creative Network (Macau). They will give their vision on local musical scenes (past, present and future). David Valentim, the mentor of the project, posts the rea-‐ sons and the motivations to create such a project. The design concept was made by a Hong Kong artist and will focus the Portuguese, Hong Kong and Macau roots.
The album will be released in Hong Kong and Macau in May and in Portugal, in September. The costs of this compilation will be supported by institutional or private sponsorship, and all the profits of the sales will go to social and cultural care associations: UNICEF in Hong Kong; ANIMA, Society for the Protection of Animals of Macau; and NA TERRA, Educational for Sustainable Development Association, based in Macau with roots to other continents, namely East-Timor and Portugal. CONCLUSION
It is time to promote and to be proud of our own roots and share them with the world, here and there, without looking at the past but facing the immense future and the new ways of joining everyone. Music is one of the most effective approaches to break boundaries and blend them. Portugal, Hong Kong and Macau have new voices and new ways of expression trough music. Those artists need to be heard, promoted and appreciated. The Project T(H)REE is a chance to motivate a whole new generation of musicians that are fighting everyday to share their passion, talent and vision to the world. This is a project that must be supported by all those who believe in the power of cultural relations. We are counting on your commitment.
T(H)REE Concept and Production: David Valentim • Graphic Design: Eddie Tsang • Cover: Hina Shimomura Texts: David Valentim, Rui Dinis, Eric Pierce, Yuen Chi-‐chung and António Falcão • Edition and Distribution: Bloom * Creative Network More info at: myspace.com/projectothree and T(H)REE Facebook Group. ••• Write to us, send us your suggestions and your support: root@bloomland.cn ••• Thank you!