DUEL NATIVE
... is the name of half-Trinidadian, half-Hong Kongese environmental architect, social activist, and emerging artist, Stephen Choi.
In June, DUEL NATIVE launched debut single ‘Sacrosanct’ to much acclaim, including radio-play on multiple stations across Australia. The second single ‘Commodity’ is due for release on 23rd September, with debut EP ‘XI’ (the Roman numerals for ‘eleven’) to follow on 4th November.
This body of work follows on from Stephen’s previous project, London-based indie band, Greyhound Green, who enjoyed mainstream-radio play, media coverage on MTV Europe, and supported acts such as Alabama 3, Tjinder Singh (Cornershop), and The Libertines.
As well as a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Stephen is also a celebrated architect. He has worked exclusively on environmentally-progressive projects to help shape a better future, winning awards from the EU, multiple national prizes in Australia, and the AIA Leadership in Sustainability prize.
Supported by guitarist Leong Chan, percussionist Jarrod Wolfe, and violinist Erin Tidswell, DUEL NATIVE’s blend of alt-rock and indie-folk has been described as “both nostalgic and fresh”, “melancholic, as well as hopeful.” In addition to the recorded format, this music has also been adapted to live theatre. DUEL NATIVE is grateful and privileged to live and work on the stolen Aboriginal lands of the Kulin Nation in Australia.
Commodity
Manche Dinge im Leben sind zu wertvoll, um sie als "Ware" zu handeln oder zu sehen, seine eigenen Wert erkennen unter zu Hilfenahme des „perfekten Spiegels“, ein Spiegel in Form einer anderen Person, oder wenn das Beste nicht gut genug ist, das alles sind Themen die der Künstler hier verarbeitet. Die schwierige Thematik erfordert schwierige Lösungen, den Anstoß geben als ersten Schritt zu sehen, bedarf oft Überwindung. Musikalisch im Indie Folk/Pop zu Hause, wird vieles geboten, gute Leadvocals, der Part der Gitarre trägt ebenso wesentliches zum Charakter des Song bei, Bass und Drums sind zwar in der zweiten Reihe angesiedelt, aber ein wichtiges Zahnrad in dieser komplexen Maschine namens "Commodity". DUEL NATIVE und Commodity, das ist die Aufforderung nachzudenken, nicht zu bewerten, nicht immer ein Preisschild anzuheften. Ein Song mit Substanz und einer Forderung, diskret aber dennoch essentiell.
Q&A
DUEL NATIVE is...?
... my artist name - it originates from some meditations on the meaning to be "native" to somewhere, especially when, like me, you might not specifically "belong" anywhere. My mum was born in Trinidad and my dad, in Hong Kong. They met in England, where I grew up, and I've moved to Australia having visited fifty countries in my life so far. The idea of "duel" is a play on the word "dual", as in, "duality" - the complex notion that there are two sides to everything. To oversimplify, in certain cultures, particularly in those with a European history, we think of this duality as being black and white, kind of a "good versus evil", and yet, like in the Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang, perhaps we could see things more in a kind of "dance" rather than being in a fight. Sorry to go on. I like thinking a lot!
Who inspired you to make music in general?
When I reflect on it, I think music was initially an escape for me through a troubling adolescence. Our family often listened to music. My sisters and I loved singing; we made theatrical shows in our living room! I've also always been inspired by people who've made music that has mattered, that has actually lifted our culture - it could be Bob Marley, Lennon, Dylan, for example. I'm so inspired by music that can connect across time and space - I'm amazed by how I can feel close to someone who was alive when I wasn't, who was in a place that I've never even been to.
...and especially to the song "Commodity"?
Commodity is a song about re-considering the value of things. We're in a society that puts a price on everything - a home, a forest, a relationship... What about the things that are beyond value - like our true selves, like who we are? The song is a tribute to the people in our lives who help us recognise what we're truly worth. These people in our lives, that help us to see our value, they're like the clearest of mirrors. This song is for them.
What is your creative process like?
Usually meditative, usually in solitude to begin with. Quite often it's when I'm experiencing deep emotions, and mostly when I'm feeling melancholy! Sometimes I'm just messing about on a piano or a guitar. It's almost always music that comes first, lyrics kind of emerge from somewhere. Sometimes, I've been asleep, and dreamt of a song. When I wake up, I quickly record whatever I can remember into my phone. That has happened quite a number of times actually!
What is the most useful talent you have?
I'm not entirely sure what exactly "talent" is! My friends say I have some characteristics that are useful - I'm an empath, for example, which I think helps me consider multiple perspectives. I don't have a very strong long-term memory, but I do seem to be able to listen to a lot of content, then distil the important information in the short-term, and then synthesize it. I find that's helpful for managing complex projects (including music). It might also explain why I chose to become an architect when I'm not playing music (or maybe that was because I loved lego as a child).
What do you prefer, a live gig or a studio session?
A live gig. The audience is part of the show!
When do you decide that a song is ready for a release?
I used to think that a song was ready when it had no mistakes. I was wrong about that. Now I have come to know that a song is ready when it feels like the right time to release it, irrespective of how polished the performance or production. It's ready when it feels relevant, when it needs to be shared, when I'm in the headspace to let it out of my private world and into the public, and when I can support it having the best life it can.
If you could change anything in the past, what would it be?
Probably much of colonial history. Having said that, I may never have been born. On balance, I would still change it.
How do you feel the Internet (especially Social Media platforms) has impacted the music business?
Strangely enough, whilst the internet has changed almost everything about how music is shared and even made, the music business still seems to run on old models - there are still gatekeepers, there is still the desire for "celebrity", there is still a triopoly of sorts. The biggest shame for me is the impact of social media on peoples' attention spans. It's no wonder that the genius, timeless albums of decades ago are not really being made today. On the converse, the internet has allowed artists to "choose themselves" more than ever, rather than waiting to be chosen.
What’s next for you?
So many things! As well as releasing a debut EP in November and an album shortly after, I'm working on a couple of research projects that explore music and the music industry in the realms of the natural world and environmental impact. More on that later!
Photo credits:
Erin Tidswell
