June 11, 2004

Catch CHi2 At The Singapore Street Fest!

By Lennat Mak

The name CHi2 may sound foreign to you. But chances are, you would already have heard their strings-based musical tinkerings with Moby, Uriah Heep, Anastacia, Goldfrapp, Lamb, Sixpence None The Richer, and the diverse list just goes on and on. You probably would have seen them as well, on a couple of MTV events, performing live along with Moby and KLF, and on the cover of Belle And Sebastian's Storytelling album dressed up as "Japanese goth/punks." Are you impressed with CHi2's powerful subliminal presence? Well, the good news is, the very presence is amongst us in Southeast Asia.

Brought in by the British Council for the closing of the Singapore Street Festival this weekend, CHi2 are Liz Chi Yen and Sarah Chi Shang Liew, a British-born-Chinese sister duo of Singaporean descent who plays a contemporary East-Meets-West fusion of electronic beats, electric violins, and traditional Chinese instruments like the Jinghu and Erhu. It sure does sound complicated, but wait till you see the girls live in action. Visually stunning with their vibrant and quirky dressing designed by their friend who operates in London's Spitalfields Market, the "double violin assault specialists (Singapore method)" also have a knack for spur-of-the-moment improvisations, an act that's fast becoming the trademark of their live shows.

"We're doing two half hour sets (each day). It will be quite varied and we'll give the Singaporean audiences a good sort of idea of our music. We do love improvisations, when we perform," said Liz when asked about the forthcoming street performances at Cineleisure and the Heeren Shops come this June 12 and 13 respectively.

"There might be some surprises," Sarah added mysteriously. "We don't want to give everything away!"

Although CHi2's music leans more towards the pop realm, both the sisters are classically trained with some imposing academic achievements. Liz studied at the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and City University, while Sarah did her music schooling at Purcell School of Music and Middlesex University.

"We grew up with music in our house. Our mum is a piano teacher, so we learnt at a young age," explained Sarah. "It's always part of our lives to be involved with different music things, playing with different people and we've evolved that way. It seemed natural for us to (pursue music academically), even though it's not something that most Asian families would encourage."

The girls' love for music branched out further to traditional Chinese music -- a love so strong that not only did it spark off their fusion creativity; it also made Sarah also took up Chinese Opera at the Academy of Traditional Chinese Opera in Beijing.

"We have incorporated a lot of cultural heritage in our music. I was really interested in the really traditional Beijing opera, when I was studying in the U.K. I had the opportunity to learn with some friends from China. So, that was really interesting, as I didn't know a lot better then that it's a dying art as well."

Of course, all the hardcore classical training paid off. The girls are now one of the most in-demand strings session musicians who toured with electronic maestro Moby for four years. Other than their undisputed musicianship, does being a British-born-Chinese help their career at the international level at all?

"I really don't think it's because we are British-born-Chinese. I think we've been really, really, really fortunate with really good opportunities presented themselves to us."

Liz continued, "And I don't think it's because we are of a certain race or that we are born in Britain. With a lot pop artists, especially working as backing musicians, it may work against you to look a bit different."

Different or not, after so many years of playing behind other artists, Liz and Sarah are currently working with different producers for their very own album with a multi-media tour in the plans. But right now, if you want to catch CHi2's explosive live performances and find out what the "double violin assault specialists (Singapore method)" is exactly, here's what Liz has to say with a hearty laugh. "You will have to come and see for yourself at the Street Festival!"

***

Don't miss CHi2's Singapore Street Festival appearances come this weekend at the following times:

Saturday 12 June
7.45 pm to 8.20 pm: Cathay Orchard Cineleisure (Stage C)
8.55 pm to 9.30 pm: Cathay Orchard Cineleisure (Stage C)

Sunday 13 June
4.30 pm to 5 pm: Heeren Marche (Stage B)
6.30 pm to 7 pm: Heeren Marche (Stage B)

For more information on CHi2, check out the girls' official website at: www.chi2.co.uk.