Rachel Chan investigates the meaning of ‘Hui Se Di Dai‘ – who is nominated for Best Rock Group for VIMA 2010.
Cole Yew, guitarist of the band, answers our quizzical queries. How about this for Christmas?
What does Hui Se Di Dai mean? Why did you choose this name?
Hui Se Di Dai means ‘grey zone’.
We believe there’s this ‘grey area’ in everyday life, where contradictions occur in many aspects. There are in- betweens, such as cops taking bribes and being involved in illegal business. Is the cop in the ‘white’ area or the ‘black’ area?
Your music is fantastic lah. Why are you still underground? Is it because the market prefers pretty faces with lovey-dovey songs?
Thank you and yeah, the market likes cheesy entertaining stuff. People don’t dig much into the subtle meaning of music but rather for pure entertainment and leisure.
Other than that, I’d say the media is not encouraging, maybe because of the market or political preferences. Plus we’re singing in Chinese language in a country where some people don’t really appreciate or recognise us.
However, I must say in the underground scene, things are little bit different than the mainstream. We’ve got lots of support from everyone, any ethnicity. Music’s multicultural influences still exist in the scene which is totally cool. It’s the real Malaysian culture that’s always here far before any other political concept.
Who inspires your music? I feel a lot of emotion from the songs, even though I don’t understand Chinese.
Our inspirations mainly come from everyday life. It can be an incident that we read from the newspaper, magazines, any story or any thing that touches us. The song ‘Dan Dan De’ is a story of a sexual affair that happened to someone who’re close to us actually. Only true emotions can be made into a good song.
Where are you based? Penang, or do you travel around the country?
Yes we all live and are based in Penang but we will never hesitate to go beyond this island. We’re actually looking for gigs around the country. We are based here because we need day jobs to survive. Totally wouldn’t mind if we can perform all around the country without worrying about money!
Is there a big market for Chinese rock internationally? In Malaysia?
Chinese population here is huge but they have the worst taste in rock music. We do wish we can reach international market but first of all, we need a firm base at here first. At lease some recognition such as VIMA :)
How was your life like before Hui Se Di Dai, or the other bands you have been in? Before music?
Life before Hui Se Di Dai was sort of miserable. Meeting different people, trying to form a band with the right chemistry was as hard as finding your dream girl.
For me, until I’ve found Hui Se Di Dai, I’ve found my purpose.
Life before music? Felt like a zombie without a soul.
If you get the chance, will you go mainstream and tour internationally? Will you commercialise your art?
Definitely will. Touring internationally is like an ultimate dream!
We will try our very best to sell out our art. Selling it is not wrong as long as the creation of the art is pure and true.
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