The Inquisition: Singer-songwriter Ellen Loo The singer-songwriter explains why music is more so much more important than stardom Text: Edmund Lee 48 HOURS: You performed in the Taipei premiere of Dream Illusion Bubble Shadowin March, and this multimedia dance show plays at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from September 19 to 21. How do you feel about your participation? ELLEN LOO: It gives me great satisfaction. There are so many restrictions imposed by pop music conventions — like the duration of each song — that I dont have to deal with when I perform with Zuni Icosahedron. I can do a song thats eight or 16 minutes long. We can improvise at every performance, we dont even have to stick to a score. Ive read that youre a fan of Radiohead - [ Interjects] Im a huge fan ... - and you really like the song Paranoid Android, which is noted for its theatrical arrangement. Is that an inspiration behind your part in this show? Yeah, but our work is not as aggressive — after all, Dream Illusion Bubble Shadow is inspired by a line in the Diamond Sutra: All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows. Our work is a dance performance with a soundtrack that consists of bits and pieces of noises and sound effects. I think what were doing is even more experimental than Paranoid Android. This is your third collaboration with Zuni. How have you evolved as a performer since 2004: A Hong Kong Odyssey? Im more interested in the directors ideas. I wasnt before; I just did what I was told. I often watch from the stands when Im not in a scene. I want to get the overall picture. Youve developed this image as a rock musician, even giving yourself the nickname Rockmui. Do you agree that shows like Dream Illusion Bubble Shadow set you apart from other Canto-pop stars? Yes, although thats not the only reason for me to take part. When I agreed to do this, I was first and foremost attracted by the fact that its a dance show. Id like to work on a greater variety of projects, such as the movie soundtrack for The Midnight After I did recently. Everyone in the Hong Kong showbiz — including former models Ella Koon Yun-na and Pakho Chau — has to be multitalented to survive. Nobody here is allowed to concentrate on singing alone. I guess you are different from others in that you dont always stay in the spotlight. Youve performed as a session guitarist at the concerts of quite a few other singers. Im content as long as its related to music. Theres the dilemma that, if you dont sing, few people here pay attention to you no matter how great a guitarist you are. Like Steve Vai? Well, doesnt it bother you that one must be known primarily as a singer in order to become a star in Hong Kong? I think its good enough as long as you personally believe that youre a star, though its true that there are way too few people who understand the importance of guitarists. I used to take that to heart when I picked my jobs but Ive realised it didnt work that way. So is it easier to work in Taiwan and the mainland, where theres less assumptions about what a pop star should do? Its a different type of problem I come across there. Theres an enjoyable side to it because theres the excitement from exploring a new market. So even when I played a Wuhan venue to a crowd of 29 people, it didnt really bother me because its part of an exploration process. Do you expect a different local reception for Dream Illusion Bubble Shadow to that you received in Taiwan? Im a bit worried that Ill be beaten up by my Hong Kong audiences if they come with the wrong expectations and presume that I will be singing. I wont make a sound throughout the whole performance; Ill only play the guitar. Well, I just really hate it when an audience doesnt read up about the performance they are going to see. [ Laughs] Im so mean.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 06:17:24 +0000
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