interviews
-
Tian Long – the Hakka Singer
After a decade of challenges in the Malaysian music industry, graphic designer Tian Long had given up on making a living through music. Then he made a funny animated video about being a Hakka Chinese guy pleading with his girlfriend… Continue reading
-
Sophie Van Aerde
In 2008 Dr. Sophie Van Aerde arrived in Sabah from France. Two weeks later, I arrived in Sabah from England. We soon formed a violin-piano duo called Klasik Elastik. Here, Sophie talks about the French education programme which helped her… Continue reading
-
The Story of Kidz
A group of waist-high kids being adopted by a music mentor, to be tutored at his home? Seems unthinkable doesn’t it? Moses De Silva, a double bass player in Kota Kinabalu, was my translator in this interview. Warning: a bit… Continue reading
-
The man who brought Chinese orchestra to Sabah
My friend Yap Keng Vui translated all the conversations with Teo Seng Chong, and I have so much to thank him for. Teo Seng Chong arrived in Sabah in 1986 at the invitation of Tshung Tsin Secondary School (TTSS), to… Continue reading
-
Mary Funk, Artist & Illustrator
I first met my cousin Mary Funk-Butterworth (Instagram @maryfunkart) ten years ago in London. Then, she was an accountant. The following year, she completed a Masters in Children’s Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art, and took up pottery.… Continue reading
-
4AG – Chinese heavy metal
For Aggressive Gentlemen (4AG) is a Chinese heavy metal band. Actually it’s the only one in Kota Kinabalu. I was in Razz Ma Tazz nightclub with my husband Mike. 4AG were playing. I knew nothing about metal and it all… Continue reading
-
Richard Howell, Luthier
There is a song in the wood and we seek to unlock that song and give it form so that each player in their quest for the ‘perfect’ sound can deepen their musical journey. Richard Howell Richard Howell audio clip… Continue reading
-
Sabah holiday 2015. The Hakka Association in KK
Yap Keng Vui and Chua Chun Kiong brought me to meet curator Allen Lin at the newly-built Hakka Association building in Kota Kinabalu. Continue reading
Joanna Funk 