Back To Work

It’s been a bit of a rough transition back to Hong Kong. A few problems with some projects, some difficult transactions with local dealers and distributors and a rushed start to my latest BerkleeMusic course (Music Composition for Film and TV). It’s a long way from how I hoped the year would start.

In part that was behind the mood in last week’s post on assumptions. One thing I should clarify about that post was that the assumptions I mentioned were not simply ones between expats and locals, but often the assumptions expats make about each other. Maybe I’ll expand on that piece one day; but probably not till after I’ve left Hong Kong.

There are a few interesting things happening right now. I’m currently working on a sound installation project here in Hong Kong. It’s not the sort of work I normally undertake, but it’s great to doing something a little more hands-on; working with cables, speakers and such. Makes me realise how much I miss developing effects pedals and toying with guitar amplifiers.

In a couple of weeks I’ll be presenting at a music event for the Hong Kong Social Media Week. Again, not my usual sort of gig. But, I’m increasingly feeling that it is important, in this town, to encourage musicians to use the social media tools at their disposal a little better.

February is also the month for the RPM Challenge. What is the challenge?

“Record an album in February that’s 10 songs or 35 minutes long. Recording can only be done in the month of February – no prerecorded songs. All material must be previously unreleased, and we encourage you to write the material during February, too.”

I took the challenge in ’09, but didn’t manage to complete it. I wasted ’10 trying to get a collaborative project off the ground. This year I’m doing something very different (for me), a little crazy and hopefully a lot of fun. More details next week.

There’s no travel on the immediate horizon. I’d like to get out and photograph a different Asian location soon, maybe Thailand. And, I’ll probably be back in Australia before the middle of the year. But, I’m also getting itchy feet for a new destination, maybe something in South America, or a return trip to Africa.

So, although it has been a rocky start to 2011, things are starting to work themselves out.