Living with Music Vol.15〜Arnold Fang(Hong Kong)English
Arnold Fang（Hong Kong）
Representative of “Sea Island & Ferry”
Hong Kong, May, 2020
Arnold Fang is a member of the Hong Kong-based chamber ensemble Sea Island & Ferry, which performed at the Sakurazaka ASYLUM festival in February 2019.
Last month, the band informed us of the release of their new album "Telescope" and consulted about sales in Japan. You can check out their music on YouTube and other sites, both the music and the visuals are of very high quality.
Perhaps it could be categorized as chamber music, but it's a very natural blend of classical, jazz and world music elements that seems to tell a story. I think it's very challenging music.
Hong Kong is said to have minimized the impact of COVID-19, in part because of the lessons learned from SARS. But that hasn't stopped the protests against the current politics, which have continued intermittently over the last year.
I asked him to talk to us about his musical activities under such difficult circumstances.
COVID-19, political turmoil, difficult situation continue in Hong Kong.
How does an artist make a living?
Q: Please tell us about your current surroundings situation. Basically this situation means about COVID -19, but now Hong Kong is another difficult situation with political issues. If you don’t mind, please let me know your view about this.
“Life in Hong Kong is slowly getting back to normal, you can see people in the streets especially during the weekends. But the number of COVID cases unfortunately has gone up again in the last few days, so the near-future is still uncertain.
In the case of Hong Kong, we are also facing changes in our political situation, so the protests that have stopped as a result of COVID are now resuming. I personally think the government should not use COVID as an excuse to clamp down on people getting together to express their views, but everyone should still take care when in public places and avoid getting infected.”
Q: I think Hong Kong lockdown is over. how do you feel now?
“We have not been fully locked down even during the epidemic, but restrictions on entertainment are not yet completely over. In particular, music performances with an indoor audience have not yet resumed, and I hope this will change soon. Anyhow, it is good at least that we are seeing an possible end to this, at least locally. “
“Sea Island & Ferry / 海島小輪” 2020
Q: In this time the music industry is taking a big hit in every country. Please tell us about your current work (musical activities).
“I am in a neo-chamber ensemble named Sea Island & Ferry, and we actually scheduled for our album to be released this spring. We went ahead with the release in May, after a few weeks of delay.
The situation of course means that we cannot perform offline or tour in other countries, but we coped by holding online performances and we promoted the album by visiting every local record store that carries our records. “
Q: During lockdown what did you do?
“I work with a non-profit organization (NPO) in addition to music so I worked from home almost every day. With my ensemble we were busy getting ready for the album release -- checking mixes, mastering, and working with our designer to get the packaging ready. Life went on -- everything was done remotely, except we still had our weekly rehearsal, because we need to get ready for playing our album live.”
Q: For the music and entertainment industry, what kind of support does the government give in your country? Also, are you happy with it?
“There was some financial support for those individuals who make a living by teaching musical instruments, and I think funding schemes for cultural activities are being rolled out. I don’t think the pool of resources is enough for everyone to receive a share, but it does exist.
Composers get a special distribution of royalty through the local copyright organization but this has nothing to do with the government.”
Q: What is the best approach that musicians and music professionals can take to your society right now?
“I think we still need to take a wait-and-see approach regarding performances, but nothing should stop us from making music at home, and reaching out to our audience through social media and online activities.
To recover production costs, we also try to sell tickets and albums to supporters of our online performance and I think we enjoyed some success there. :) “
Q: What do you think is the role of music and entertainment in the current situation?
“It’s hard for me to speak for everyone, but our music is of the calming type, so we thought it would be helpful for people who are having a hard time during lockdown, or are affected by other realities.
I think music and entertainment also helps divert some attention away from the news, which unfortunately is not helping people feel positive. It provides a place, at least for people to hideaway temporarily. “
Q: It's difficult to look ahead, but what are you planning now for this summer or autumn ?
“Yes. We hope to hold a concert in which we can perform new music from our album “Telescope.” We are also trying to get closer to community by doing some sort of pop-up performances in small spaces, such as bookstores. And of course, we hope to visit other countries to perform when travel is safe.
In terms of creating music, I think the epidemic opened up new ways of collaboration, and I hope these new ways of collaboration can continue after the virus has gone. “
Q: Do you have any ideas that you can share with your friends who live in overseas through music?
“I think at times of crisis, it is easy to forget about our neighbours and turn inwards in our actions. I believe music has the power to help us understand that we are together in all this, and we share the results of how we treat one another. It is important to understand how other musicians are dealing with this situation through their expressions during this time. “
“Sea Island & Ferry” Live streaming from Hong Kong ,May, 2020
Q: What do you think about live-streaming for music?
“For many, it may be seen as a substitute for physical performances, but I think if done creatively, live streaming can become its own art as well. Also, it provides a chance for audiences who are far away to be able to share the joy of seeing the performance, because it is not possible even without COVID to be able to tour every single country! Maybe after seeing the live stream performance, some overseas organizers will invite us to their country? You never know… “
Q: What's your favorite music right now?
“Hania Rani’s new album “Home” is my recent favourite. The song speaks for itself, what kind of place home is, especially when it is not safe to go outside.”
Q: In Hong Kong, before COVID-19, the demonstration lasted for a long time, and now the demonstration again. How do you feel about that?
“It has been unusual times in Hong Kong for almost a year now. The demonstrations (or rather, violence by the police) have had their effects on music as well -- one of the major festivals that we were going to play got cancelled.
But I think it is important that people be allowed to express their views, and we as musicians will stand with the people, seeking to add to their voice whenever possible. “
Q: Please leave a message.
“Like all of you, we cannot wait for this pandemic to be over, and I hope it does not take away any more lives. I wish I can share our music with more people in the world through face-to-face interactions, but meanwhile, do support our music by checking out our album on music platforms, or getting a physical copy. “
◎New Release
“Sea Island & Ferry”
「Telescope」tracks(CD)
1.Walk at Dawn 2.Cotton Tree 3.Fog 4.A Few Showers
5.12 Hours Behind 6.Tropic of No Return 7.Telescope 8.Imperfect
9.Spring & Autumn
Bio.
Arnold Fang（Hong Kong）
Composer and pianist from Sea Island & Ferry, a “neo-chamber” ensemble based in Hong Kong, formed in 2016.
http://www.facebook.com/arnoldstorytellers
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