Music / Chinese
Makala Cheung: Inspiration from the Orient
Fresh out of a headline slot at Redfest, Bristol’s Makala Cheung is now focussing her efforts on her own event – Mini Moon Festival, which takes place at The Fleece on September 27. We grabbed a quick chat with her to find out more…
How was Redfest?
I used to be so scared about performing, and I do still get a little nervous at each gig, but I definitely let go of fear more at my headline slot at Redfest this year. I think it was like ‘wow I can’t believe I get to headline’ and I just let go and had fun! It was such a lovely festival, the crowd was lovely, the power on the sate from solar panels managed to last despite the grey skies! I’m so grateful to my band members, Jelli Records for running the stage, and all the hard work from everyone who makes these festivals happen.
Tell us about the Mini Moon Festival…
It all started when I decided to call my album Moon, and then release my album for Chinese Mooncake Festival, and I really wanted to do my own launch this year but I felt too weird just promoting myself and wanted to so something also for Chinese and Oriental culture in general in Bristol. So I decided on an event that was to promote artists with Oriental Heritage or who took inspiration from the Orient. It took two months and now I have a full lineup of live music from classical to dance, dance, an authentic Lion Dance, Kung Fu demos, food and activity stalls. It’s going to be on official Mooncake day Sept 27th and called Mini Moon Festival, and is at The Fleece. It starts at 2pm, ends at 9pm and tickets are £7 advance from Bristol Ticket Shop.
How would you describe your music in one sentence…
I’d describe my music as Electronic Pop with an Oriental twist (apparently it comes under ‘World Fusion’).
Who do you see as your musical peers?
That’s really hard, but I know names I hear a lot and acts I see as doing well, and who I respect like Genie Marie and Bee-Dee, then there’s artists I look up to and see as great examples for who how and where I want to be like Dr Meaker and Eva Lazarus, and then there’s my friends (often becoming my friends through working with them) who I also admire for the talent and/or work ethic like Frilla, Sazzey, Jay Unearthed, Phantom Trophies and my live band of course AJ Rousell and Greg Badman
What went into the new album?
I worked about a year and few months on the new album, and more of them this time started out as songs I wrote on the piano and then went into the studio to produce them electronically and add the layers/full production. There’s a lot of personal stuff in their and a lot of reflection on the world, and songs with a message. My music definitely took a shift (naturally) more towards Electronic and less Urban pop, but I still get influenced heavily by the music I grew up loving.I wrote a lot of the lyrics with strong feelings like passion, pain or hope and tried to ensure that came through in my vocal delivery and the music.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Well 5 years ago I wanted to be where I am now, and I’m feeling so happy and grateful and like ‘is this for real?’ but I still realise I have so much more I could do. I want to give something to the world, do more for others, make music that means something and fill my life with music, dance martial arts and wonderful people. I think as long as that’s true I will be happy, but of course I have dreams like being nominated for a Mercury Music Prize. I got the guts to apply this year, only to find that my release date was two days too late for this years submission! Gutted 🙁
What is your favourite thing about Bristol?
I love the people, the creativity and the gorgeous mix of beautiful greenery and nature, and glowing city lights, fountains, and water. I can’t imagine living anywhere else, though I wouldn’t mind a yearly trip to Hong Kong or Shaolin Temple in China.
What’s the biggest challenge for you as a Bristol musician?
Although its great to live in a musical city, so I go out at least once a week to get inspiration and show support for others, I do think it makes it harder to stand out and make a name for yourself because the city has so much choice!
Tell us something about you we won’t know?
Hmmm, I don’t know what to say haha, I think you probably already heard I do Kung Fu, and am married with a daughter; and what no-one believes when I tell them and that is I am a very shy person! People don’t believe me ‘cus I’m so chatty and I get up on stage! But I want people to know who have something personally to overcome that I don’t do these things because they come easy, they come really hard, but I try to be brave to be who I want to be and the more you do it the easier it gets!
More from Makala Cheung on her website: www.makalacheung.wordpress.com
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