We Speak Music
An-Ting 安婷, Daniel York Loh Share Soundtrack ‘every dollar is a soldier/with money you’re a dragon’
Former Kakilang Artistic Director An-Ting 安婷 and writer/performer Daniel York Loh have released the soundtrack to their award-winning multimedia work, every dollar is a soldier/with money you’re a dragon.
Juxtaposing the harsh experiences of the impoverished first Chinese settlers in London with the opulent world of privileged, but nevertheless bitter, émigré William Waldorf Astor, An-Ting 安婷 and Daniel York Loh create a powerful lament on the immigrant experience with spoken word and electronic music, taking in myriad reflections on the need for money and status and the right to call ‘home’ a land that can either reject or embrace you.
An-Ting’s score is a soaring combination of unique ‘Asia beats’, a lonesome tack piano, a jaunty waltz, and elegiac erhu and pipa melody which transports us effortlessly across entire continents, oceans, and winter prairies, into the dark holds of ships, the haunting magnificence of Astor’s very own Xanadu of Two Temple Place, smoke-drenched Victoriana London, even smokier opium dens and the burgeoning concrete mountain range of Manhattan across centuries and all the way to the present while acclaimed classical actor Daniel York Loh narrates his own epic text described by The Upcoming as ‘striking… his delivery of words portraying an array of emotions that perfectly complement the swell from the music…’
Originally commissioned as a live performance at Two Temple Place (the gothic London mansion William Waldorf Astor designed and had built for himself), but moved online as necessitated by the pandemic, every dollar is a soldier/with money you’re a dragon won the 2021 Arts Council Digital Culture Award (Storytelling) and was selected for the prestigious Horizon Showcase at Edinburgh Festival. It was performed live for the first time in Two Temple Place at the 2023 Kakilang Festival.
“As a concert pianist with a heritage rooted in East culture, the prospect of creating a project that harmoniously integrates traditions from both East and West is incredibly exciting. I embedded the distinctive sounds of Chinese instruments into a contemporary style, conveying a different musical expression” – An-Ting
“I wanted to write about migrant journeys. About loss and loneliness, about what we take with us and what we leave behind, and the legacy we want to impart to the next generation. And what we’ll do to ‘belong’” Daniel York Loh
Originally commissioned by Two Temple Place and Kakilang, every dollar is a soldier/with money you’re a dragon, is part gig-theatre, part spoken word rap, performed by writer and actor Daniel York Loh, set against a thrilling combination of electronic music composed by An-Ting 安婷 accompanied by classical Chinese instrumentation.
Ocean Flor’s “Never Let You Down” is more than just an electronic track; it’s a statement. The collaboration between Ralf Schmidt (Aera) and Jesse Trinidad delivers a song that brims with energy, emotion, and originality. This track beautifully marries genres, blending sleek German electronica with UK breakbeat and infusing it with the subtle rhythms of Southern Spain. It’s a bold, exciting release that highlights the duo’s range and deep emotional connection to the music they make.
The song’s creation was a testament to the duo’s deep bond and creative synergy. What started as a fleeting melody in Ralf’s mind quickly turned into a finished track after a seamless back-and-forth between him and Jesse. From the first moments of the track, listeners are transported into the duo’s world, where long drives between Gibraltar and Málaga and late-night studio sessions are woven into the very fabric of the song. The production is pristine, with each layer adding a new dimension to the sound.
However, what truly makes “Never Let You Down” stand out is its emotional core. The vocals, recorded in a single take, carry a raw and unfiltered vulnerability that immediately captivates the listener. The line “I’ll never let you down” isn’t just a lyric—it’s a promise, one that’s anchored in real-life emotion. Ralf’s decision to record the vocals while racing to care for his sick girlfriend adds a poignant depth to the track, making it feel intimate and genuine.
From a production standpoint, the track is a marvel. The transitions between sections are smooth, and the layering of synths, beats, and guitar creates a rich and immersive soundscape. The blend of electronic elements with live instruments like the guitar provides a beautiful contrast, highlighting the duo’s ability to create a sound that’s both organic and modern.
With “Never Let You Down,” Ocean Flor has created a track that’s both a reflection of their journey and an unforgettable listening experience. It’s a bold expression of their musical identity, full of passion, creativity, and authenticity. This single is sure to captivate both long-time fans and newcomers alike.
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