HEAR FIRST 5. ASIAN MUSIC SPOTLIGHT WITH FABSABS

Written by : Fabsabs

Yo yo yo yo… FIRST WE DRINK. Summer is damn hot – you need something very refreshing – and spicy. Many people say they don’t like a Michelada (tomato juice x beer x spices). If that’s you, open your mind baby! You can blame me if you hate it!

Michelada 

Ingredients

Mexican beer (Sol, Corona etc)
Clamato juice (or tomato juice)
Freshly squeezed lime juice
Worcestershire sauce
Soy sauce (or Maggi sauce)
Hot sauce
Ice

Instructions

Cover rim of glass with Tajin seasoning (or celery salt with chili powder).

Garnish with lime slice.

Mix ingredients - 50/50 beer to juice, and dashes of the rest. Top with shedloads of ice.

DRINK!

What’s up Spitgan Gang? We are gearing up for August with new acts that rock!
Here is what I have been listening to of late.


You know a band is special when a few of your music friends message you simultaneously about them. Fresh off a triumphant live show, Lucid Express are stealing the hearts of indie lovers, in dire need of lightness in the dark. Formerly known as THUD, Lucid Express is part My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, Tame Impala, all with a dash of 2021 angst, dreamy ethereal soundscapes, with a hint of fuck you: https://lucidexpress.bandcamp.com/album/lucid-express.

Check out the great music of HEAR FIRST 4!

A brief but awesome album that has come across the radar is Goodbye Tragic Manga by Arches, which takes inspiration from the 90s indie and grunge music. Think a bit of Sonic Youth meets Smashing Pumpkins, Placebo and more. Good fun and joins the recent indie explosion that has happened in Hong Kong over the last couple of years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttbr9bDz0yc

You might have seen some of his shows or heard his remixes, and now you can enjoy the back catalogue of Fingergap's work in its entirety. Caution Wet Floor includes all of Fingergap's rare and hard to find remixes, which takes traditional Cantonese pop music, and mind bends into footwork. Enjoy the speedy, breath-taking rhythms and funky grooves, along with sped up Cantonese samples that lend a hyperactive character, yet still act as solid party jams. For fans of Cantopop, see if you can spot the influences and deconstructions as they unfold. Plenty of fun for the family: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Xfb5jOOyI/ https://fingergap.bandcamp.com/album/caution-wet-floor. 



And while we are at it, Hong Kong footwork and juke artist Kolak is another one to watch with his tight grooves, creativity and artist exploration. Learn more about him and other underground artists working in the drum n bass inspired 160bpm environment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ9lPSfddoE

Check out the great music of HEAR FIRST 3



The last few years have seen a major rise in interest in disco and Italo in particular, so Cubes by Bedroom Party fits right in that trend. Sitting comfortably on the dancefloor environment but also in the similar sub category with the likes of Future Islands, offering an indie slant on dance music, Bedroom Party are building buzz and will be one to watch going forward: https://bedroomparty.bandcamp.com/album/cubes

Photo by : Dion Leung 

Hong Kong is offering up way too much at the moment for you guys to listen to. R.I.D.D.E.M are shaping up to be one of the best live acts to ever emerge from the underground. Blending everything from surf jams to Dub reggae, Neo-soul, Trip Hop and Jazz funk, with clever covers to boot, R.I.D.D.E.M are showing the type of energy, talent and form that should be propelling them to international class status. Much of that has to do with the band’s tight vibes, the star power of front lady Reggie Yip, and the fact they just look like they are having a tonne of fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SvGjlkYQyY

If you are after similar types of chill vibes, you wouldn’t go amiss listening to Clave, who serve up smooth jazz grooves, funk and the type of atmosphere that most listeners don’t expect from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssFnB3vyPIs

Check out the great music of HEAR FIRST 2!

The galvanising force of Hong Kong’s indie scene at the moment is encapsulated by  Fds/4eva who combine on stage charisma, quirky hyper local marketing, catchy hooks, performance chops and pure energy. What makes Fds/4eva stand out is serious music (referencing the likes of Roberta Flack and Chick Corea) with a disregard for looking cool – the boys get their shirts off and wear bunny ears at live shows, and seem to absolutely not give a fuck while jamming out and delivering serious performances: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNeQgwo9Hn8

NOW! Let’s move away from Hong Kong for our last two artists. If you are like me, then you like some banging hard techno tunes. Think Dutch Techno, Gabber, Hard Style, Psy-Trance, Dubstep, Hardcore, Glitch, and then add in Dance Dance Revolution style stuff and Speed Metal for good measure. What do you get? This crazy masterpiece: U.U.F.O. by かめりあ( Camellia) https://cametek.bandcamp.com/album/u-u-f-o 

Photo of Vibratone

Well, I’m out! Before I go, listen to some Cambodian Reggae served up UK based DJ DSK, who presents tracks by Dub Addiction and Vibratone https://djdsk.bandcamp.com/album/cambodian-reggae-special

Check out the great music of HEAR FIRST 1!

SEE YA!