Hong Kong rockers Nowhere Boys are going somewhere – just you wait
From Hong Kong-style martial arts, to their love for Cantopop band Supper Moment, the five-piece rock band Nowhere Boys share with YP their thoughts on their music and their next steps
(From left) Fisher Kan Ho-yui, Kenneth Ling Yue-cheung, Nate Wong and Van Chan Wi-rok shared with Hillary Lo (centre) their thoughts on music and more. Later this year, the five-piece rock band Nowhere Boys will be hitting their hometown in a big way – by holding a concert in Kowloon Bay in October. The band, who call themselves pioneers of cinematic rock, recently sat down with Young Post to talk about how the key to success in anything is to work hard, to chase after your dreams, and to always believe in yourself.
Of all of your songs, which is your favourite?
It’s always been Rhapsody because it’s fun to play. There are different parts to it, it’s really fast, and it expresses the process of being in a band and practicing everyday and working hard to reach our best. It’s one of our first songs but still one of our favourites.
Who is your role model band from Hong Kong?
Supper Moment. They have been [in the industry] for 10 years. Hopefully we’ll find the same amount of success they’ve found – or maybe we’ll be even better than them.
What was the best moment you have had together as a band?
When we funded our first record. We raised HK$100,000 for our band. Our fans gave us the money, and we had a concert and it was a really cool show.
What songs are you currently writing or what do you wish to write in the future?
Right now we’re making a series of three songs, the first is a Cantonese one that’s out now. It’s like Rhapsody, it’s about working hard to accomplish your dreams. The song’s music video has us practicing martial arts as we aim for perfection. Our songs are cinematic rock [and have elements of what you’d see in a movie], and they kind of tell a story. For this trio of songs, the cinematic theme is Hong Kong-style martial arts.
What are your goals for Nowhere Boys in the future?
For as many people as possible to hear our music, and for us to play our music and get better and better so that we can find more supporters and get more recognition.
Are your songs personal to you? What are they about?
Our songs are all personal, but they are done so that they sound like something from a movie. We want to make them fun for everyone to listen to, understand, and sing along to.
How do you think people will be affected by your music?
By inspiring young bands and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. We also want to inspire others to start a music career, and for more people to feel motivated by our music.
What are three things you’re proud of, and three improvements that you want to make in regards to your band?
We’re proud [of the fact] that our live shows are good, that our last single hit No. 2 on the commercial radio charts, and that, although a lot of Cantonese music is slow, our songs are fast and different [when compared] to everybody else. The improvements we want to make ... include everything – we want to improve our songwriting, marketing, our performances and more.
How much time and money does it take to create a full song, from start to music video?
It takes about two months, and about HK$20,000.
Are you hoping to have a concert in Hong Kong soon?
We are actually hoping to have a big concert in October in Music Fest in Emax, in Kowloon Bay. It will also be our next CD launch and our first big concert, [so we’re] expecting possibly 800 people.
Where do you see Nowhere Boys in 10 years’ time?
We hope to be something really big, at least [on par with] Supper Moment or better, because we don’t see why we won’t be able to get there as long as we persevere and work hard enough.
What is your advice for young people setting up their music careers?
Do it – don’t just think and talk about it. Write songs, produce music, host shows, and make an actual band. You’ll get there if you try hard enough. That’s the same for all bands.
Edited by Ginny Wong