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.
In, Atlas, DiElle crafts not just an album, but a musical passport that invites listeners to journey alongside her. With each track, she unlocks new emotional terrains, exploring themes of love, vulnerability, self-discovery, and the transformative power of travel. Whether she’s reflecting on the solitary moments of introspection or celebrating the uncharted beauty of new experiences, Atlas, offers a lush, captivating soundtrack to the adventure of life itself.
What makes, Atlas, so compelling is DiElle’s ability to blend personal reflection with universal themes. Each song feels like an invitation to walk with her through various emotional landscapes—whether it’s the rush of independence in “Wings of the Wind” or the quiet power of healing in “Crossroads.” DiElle’s songwriting isn’t just about the details of her personal life; it’s about the universal truths that come with embarking on any journey. There’s a comforting sense of familiarity in her vulnerability, which makes it easy for listeners to connect with her words, even if their own path looks different from hers.
Atlas, feels like a warm embrace, with stripped-down arrangements that allow DiElle’s voice to shine front and centre. The delicate interplay of acoustic guitars, subtle percussion, and ambient instrumentation creates a sonic environment that feels both intimate and expansive. There’s a cinematic quality to the album, where each song feels like a scene in a film, one that transports the listener to a different place, both emotionally and physically. Whether it’s the reflective “Echoes of Me” or the anthemic, uplifting “The Long Way Home,” the album’s sound is carefully constructed to evoke a range of emotions, leaving listeners feeling like they’ve just experienced an emotional odyssey.
The standout track, “The Road,” is a perfect example of DiElle’s gift for blending simplicity with profound meaning. The song’s delicate acoustic guitar, combined with her soulful, vulnerable vocal delivery, feels like an open letter to anyone who’s ever found themselves at a crossroads. It’s a reminder that no matter how uncertain the journey ahead may seem, there is always growth to be found along the way.
As, Atlas, continues to gain momentum, it’s clear that DiElle has crafted something special. This isn’t just an album—it’s a deeply personal reflection on the power of travel, transformation, and the emotional journeys we all undertake. With, Atlas, DiElle proves that music is more than just sound; it’s the soundtrack to life’s most profound experiences. For anyone who’s ready to embark on their own journey, Atlas, is the perfect companion, offering both solace and inspiration with every note.
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