27 May 2006

HUI HIS OWN MAN (South China Morning Post)

Trying to make it in the cut-throat music business is tough enough without the shadow of your famous father looming larg e over your endeavours. But you don't have to tell Ryan Hui Wai-yan about that. The eldest son of “Canto-pop godfather” Sam hui koon-kit has been busy working on hid debut EP, Hoi Hew . “There's a bit of pressure because of my dad's history. But when I talked to him about it, he just told me to try my best. He knows I have my own style and musical goals,” said Hui

The EP, due for release on August 6, has five Cantonese numbers and one English song. One of the tracks on the acoustic and indie-rock infused disc features lyrics by his father. “[My dad] made comments about other songs, too. He's been really supportive. He just said: “Don't worry about anybody else. Just make sure you're happy and do a good job.”

“ I'm trying not to think about the pressure and just enjoy writing good music. Hopefully, people will like it,” said 29-year-old, who cites the Beatles, Coldplay and Green Day as influences.

To give more texture to his sound, all tracks were recorded with instruments instead of programming. The first single “Hoi Hew” (which literally means open your mind) features a 200-year-old cello, played by a member of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.

Hui hopes his music inspires people. “When I write song I want it to have a message to make people think,” said Hui, who co-produced with Ngai Sum. “My lyrics are more about society and how we can be better people.”

As well as his father, he asked Wyman Wong Wai-man and Li Chun-yat to help him with the lyric. “I usually write songs in English, then I find people to translate them into Chinese,” said Hui, who went to the US to study from the age of 13.

He formed punk band One Foot Forward, and toured the US before returning to Hong Kong. “Coming back from the States has been different, but really fun,” he said. “My music is a little bit mixed – it's not as commercial as it is here in Hong Kong. I try keep a balance, make it listenable and still have my own style.”