|
1. Alright Ryan...we're starting with some
background questions...What exactly is your background if you don't mind
me asking! Hahaha...Did you grow up in Hong Kong or the States?
I was born in Hong Kong, lived here until I
was 14 (Form 3), and then I started going to High School in San Diego,
California. We used to visit my Grandma, uncles, and aunties out there
so the move wasn’t too hard.
2. Having a famous dad must've made for
an interesting childhood man!! Can you tell us something about it?
It was a trip but cool at the same time. I
remember after school I would go to the studio or movie location and
visit my dad. It was fun watching things happen and seeing the final
product as a CD or movie. It was funny too because every time he had a
show my friends and teachers would hit me up for tickets.
3. Did growing up in the entertainment
environment of Hong Kong turn you off that world? Or did it actually
inspire you to aspire to be a huge star like your dad?
When I was a kid hanging out with my dad and
playing at his concerts during 87-89 the music scene was very different
from today. He was doing a lot of Coliseum shows and bands like Beyond
and Tai Chi were still going strong. Actually, I think that environment
totally inspired me to play music. I started to play guitar when I was
ten and took some guitar lessons here and there. In the end I mostly
learned from the Glam Rockers like Scorpions, Poison, Steve Vai, Van
Halen, etc. I didn’t do it to become a huge star or anything like that.
Music was something that came naturally to me and it seemed like
something that I was fairly good at.
4. Since you’re so involved with music now,
something must’ve sparked a fire in you when you were young to want to
play music. Do you remember what that was?
I think watching my dad write songs at home,
play live, and jam with friends made me realize how amazing music can
be. One day I realized I wanted to learn how to play guitar so my dad
showed me some Beatles, Elvis, and Ventures songs and I was on my way.
5. Has that spark ever gone out? Because
for me it does go in and out depending on the environment and whatever
crap I have to deal with. There are times I think to myself what’s the
point of everything I do? Then that fire comes back reminding me why I
continue to choose to throw myself out there and keep going no matter
what the circumstance. Is this something you deal with every now and
then?
I’ve had times where you’re all excited
about a project and all of the sudden things change, members change, or
styles start to clash. Usually bands break up at that moment or you take
a step back and re-evaluate what you really want to do. When I go
through a dry spell I usually try to listen to as many different albums
& styles of music to get motivated about playing again. I also try to
break it up by focusing on my musicianship through taking guitar/vocal
lessons. It’s a good way to use up the extra time while figuring out
what to do next.
6. Now - I don't know if everyone else
knows, but you're actually a huge punk rock fan! Can you tell us how you
got into punk rock? What drew you to that sound and culture?
I first got into punk-rock during my
sophomore year in High school (92) when my friend asked me to play in a
talent show. I said no problem and he handed me Green Day’s second album
Kerplunk. At the time I was really into Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Metallica
so when I heard Green Day’s catchy melodies and power chords I was
hooked. I think it was the energy mixed with the “don’t care” attitude
that made it stand out. Also at the time I thought you had to do all
sorts of crazy guitar stuff to be good at songwriting. Punk taught me
about having my own style and just having a good time. After that talent
show I started listening to a lot of Face to Face, NOFX, Jawbreaker,
Lagwagon, Propagandhi, pretty much anything on Epitaph or Fat Wreck
Chords.
7. While living in the States what were
some bands that you watched that left a huge impact on you?
Watching shows every weekend really changed
my life. Since San Diego was usually the last stop for touring bands I
got to see everything from Punk-rock bands to Hardcore to Emo to Jazz.
But I think some of the most life changing shows for me would include
Green Day, Face to Face, Sunny Day Real Estate, Bjork, Jets to Brazil,
the Get up Kids, the Lemonheads, the Shins, MXPX, Elliot Smith, Death
Cab for Cutie, and At the Drive-In.
8. How about in Hong Kong? What bands or
shows do you remember from your childhood that really moved you?
One of the biggest shows for me was my dads
retirement show at the Coliseum because it was very emotional since he
was winding things up plus we were so drained from doing 40 sold-out
shows straight. Other shows that I thought were cool was seeing Beyond,
Softhard and Blue Jeans.
9. The first song on your myspace
(www.myspace.com/ryanhui) On Your Own has a very Smashing Pumpkins
"Disarm" type of feel with the beautiful violins, mixed with acoustic
guitar and vocals what types of music, bands, sounds, inspire you now to
write the songs that you do?
When I first started writing songs it was
all very simple power chord stuff or instrumental guitar bits. I started
learning from Face to Face and writing more melodic riffs and learned to
jam with my friends. After a while I stared a punk band with a few guys
that lasted for about 2 years and then started another one that lasted
3. It was great because we got to tour, do a lot of local shows, and
meet some really cool people. So after a while I wanted to try more
singer-songwriter stuff that was influenced by Elliot Smith, Bob Dylan,
Microphones, Dashboard Confessional stuff I was listening to. Plus all
my friends that could play drums were in other bands so I decided to do
a bunch of Coffee house shows. It was a cool period because some of my
songwriting friends and I were trying new ideas and had the opportunity
to play material for people live and raw. During this time was when I
tried to slow things down a bit and wrote some of the stuff that I’m
doing now. That’s why half of the stuff I do is punky while the other
half is more acoustic driven.
10. I remember you once telling me that
what you’re doing now is really trying to step out of your dads shadow
and coming out on your own to do stuff. Has it been easy to do this?
It’s been a challenge for sure but it’s been
fun. I think getting things done isn’t the hard part but it’s the
perception that people have about me. Because people know who my dad is,
they already have a pre-conceived idea of what they think is best for
me. So having people think they know me or know what’s best for me is
what I have to deal with everyday. It can be tough but I’m not out to be
the next Sam Hui, I’m just trying to make some cool music and have fun
along the way.
11. Do you fear that people will always
be comparing your popularity/success to your dads?
I don’t fear it because it will happen
regardless so all I can do is do my best and show people that I’m my own
person and have my own ideas. Obviously, it’s almost impossible to have
someone come into the HK music scene and have the same impact or success
that my dad had. I mean he was the first person to have a Cantonese song
on the radio, wrote music & lyrics to over 50 hits, released over 20
albums, did a ton of successful movies, and influenced a whole
generation. Someone told me the other day he was a HK miracle!
In the end I’m doing this because playing
music and song-writing is the most natural thing to me. In the future I
would love to be successful enough to keep doing albums and play as many
shows as possible. If I was huge cool, if I was playing clubs cool, as
long as I can support myself and my family I’m happy.
12. What is it like working with EMI a
major label in Hong Kong? All we hear is horror stories from various
people who have been involved with majors in the past do you actually
have to demo all your material for the bigshots at the label before
going ahead with releasing your record? Or do you have full freedom in
what you release?
Yeah, I’ve seen and heard horror stories
form all sorts of major labels not just in HK but also in the states.
From my experience indie labels can be just as bad! I think its all
about having good communication and the same goals.
In my case, Creep is my management company
while we have EMI helping us with distribution. I’m not signed to them
so we just have them help out with some promotions and publishing. So
all the music, packaging, and promotions have been decided and paid for
by us. I think this way works out best for me so I can have 100%
complete musical freedom. Plus we can avoid having people scream at me
saying it’s not commercial enough or not karaoke friendly which is the
worst thing.
13. I know from reading your blogs
(http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/ryan-hui) that you’re almost done with your
recording or are done already is everything set for its release date?
Yeah, we finally finished mastering the EP
yesterday! It’s been a long process since some of the songs were already
finished last year. Were happy its done and hope people will dig it. I
believe the official release date is August 10th.
14. Can you tell us something about the
theme of the record and/or meanings of any particular song that you
really hope hits home with the HK public?
The title of the EP is “Hoi Hew” which
translated to English is “awaken” or “open up”. It’s named after the
second single which talks about how things like family and friends are
the most important things, or should be. Society is so dependant on
having money, material objects, and status it’s crazy. I just want to
throw something else out there and not the usual k-style boy meets girl
stuff.
15. You know what I find amazing about
you is how approachable you are and that’s rare in this world of
Canto-pop dreams and aspirations where even complete nobodys pretend
they’re something bigger then what they really are (karaoke-kings and
queens). What helps keep you so grounded?
I think it’s my family and my friends.
They’re all very supportive of me and couldn’t care less about people
flashing cash or showing off their gear. Plus when I was in California
nobody knew who my dad was so there was no need to second guess people.
Just have fun and do your thing.
16. Its obvious that you are in
touch with Hong Kong’s underground music community through your myspace
page links, what do you find so special/unique about Hong Kong’s music
scene?
I love the HK underground scene because
these bands know what’s up and do their best. Its way harder out here
than it is in the rest of the world! In the US there are plenty of
places for bands to play, tons of labels, stations, and people who love
and support the scene. That’s why I respect a lot of the bands out here
because they’re going “against the grain” (just like Bad Religion…haha).
17. Your Top 5 records that you hope
people will check out and why
There are so many albums to check out I
wouldn’t know where to start. So Ill just name a few bands that really
influenced me and what I do.
Beatles-These guys set the blueprint and
showed how a band can grow and use its talents to the max. Plus the
Lennon/McCartney team was invincible!
Green Day-These guys were my first punk band
and were my introduction to what I will be playing for the rest of my
life. I recommend 1039 Smoothed Out for the good stuff.
Elliot Smith-His song writing is insane! So
beautiful and sad. You can literally hear his tortured soul in his
songs. He was a genius and I was fortunate enough to catch one of his
last shows before he passed away.
Radiohead-They demonstrated how you can
experiment with different styles of music but still maintain your own
identity. Plus they’re never scared to try new things.
NOFX-I’ve been into these guys since the
White Trash album and they just show how you can have the greatest punk
songs, the freshest ideas, the best production, and still have fun and
laugh at yourself and of course others.
18. Any last comments
Thanks for the time and if you’re into
music, art, or anything creative just keep doing your thing. Do it
because you love it and don’t let anyone change that. See you at the
shows!
|
How did I hear of Ryan? Interesting story...
My old old skateboarding friends Brian (8five2) and Aly have been
telling me about this dude named Ryan for A LONG LONG time! They were
ALWAYS like "Yo Riz - you have to meet Ryan! He's just like you! Super
into music and listens to stuff that you listen to! And he's Sam Hui's
son!" I was always wondering what someone related to Sam Hui was going
to be like! I knew he was a totally down-to-earth guy just because of
the way both Brian and Aly were describing him to me - and plus, these
dudes don't usually compliment THAT many people so already I knew Ryan
had to be alright! Hahaha...
So finally it happened...after months of not being at the right place at
the right time, I was in Trinity Records (the extreme metal store in
Mong Kok) and guess who walks in! Ryan! And guess what he had bought
from another store around the corner? Our CD "Under One Flag" in his
bag! Hahaha...
So we talked and right from the start I felt like I had already known
this guy for years...similar taste in music, similar attitude, not to
mention him being the all-round nice guy. Being the nice guy that
he is, I'm certain he has this effect on everyone he comes across!
Their are certain people that you meet in this music world that you wish
with all your heart that they succeed in everything they do. They're the
people who you meet and infect you with their passion, their love of
life, their excitement of not only their own projects but YOUR projects
as well! Ryan is easily one of those guys...
His new record's coming out in August...and I hope everyone reading this
will go out and pick it up! :-) |
