Dorothy
Acoustic college-rock five-piece Dorothy were formed by guitarists Kong Wai and Jone, percussionist Siu Keung and vocalists Doll and Fai on Djembe in August 2006. The group took home the Best Original Song award at the Soundbase Festival 2007.
What does the name Dorothy mean?
Dorothy means “a gift from God”. We all think music is a gift from God, because through playing and writing music we can all enjoy ourselves and express our emotions – good or bad. Music can eventually bring out a positive message. Our vocalist Doll cannot play any instruments and doesn’t know any music theory, yet she writes all the songs for the group. That is kind of like a miracle! And that is why we named the band that way.
How was the band formed?
Doll wrote some songs with lyrics and melodies, yet no arrangements. So she invited friends who play different kinds of music to jam with her – and they played at the Soundbase Festival 2007 a few months later. Our first song, Simple, won Best Original Song – this is the second miracle of the band! Cheer Chen would be our major musical influence.
What is the song Simple about?
It says love can be a very simple thing – whether for your family, friends or lovers. It takes action to establish a relationship, but these days people are unwilling to give because they are afraid to lose. The song is acoustic guitar based, and the music is enriched with the use of djembe, maracas and a triangle.
Favourite unplugged album of the band?
Jone: Eric Clapton’s Unplugged
Kong Wai: Staind’s MTV Unplugged
Siu Keung: The Very Best of MTV Unplugged, Vol 2,
Fai: Nirvana’s Unplugged In New York,
Doll: Live Unplugged by Jeremy Camp

Kenneth Tsang
An excellent painter and photographer, 26-year-old Kenneth Tsang is also known as the vocalist and guitarist of local indie quintet Modern Children. But from time to time, he misses days playing in cafés near his former Texas college campus…
Did you start your own music career playing solo or in a band?
I started playing locally in a band [Midnight Apart] first as a teenager. When I went to study in the States, I couldn’t find a band to join. So I started writing songs and recording in my bedroom. I missed the live aspect of music, so I started playing solo in cafés and coffee shops around campus.
What are the differences between your solo music and Modern Children?
Modern Children always aim to create something fun and epic at the same time. Some of my own stuff is like a stripped-down version of Modern Children. And the songs are more personal and emotional. Most of my songs are inspired by memories of living in different places – they kind of serve as a travelogue. And sometimes, Bible scriptures inspire me to write as well.
Can you introduce a few songs in the coming set?
Got Lost is a song about wandering around in Tokyo. I may also play a song called Human For a Day – it’s about a robot that gets a chance to become a human for a day.
What is your favourite unplugged album?
Anthology 3 [Disc 1] by The Beatles. It is basically acoustic demos for the White Album. It’s raw and lovely.
You have played in bands in Hong Kong, Japan and the US – did you spot any major difference in the three scenes?
In the States, bands always look out for each other and support each other on tour. Plus, you do a national tour in a van. In Japan, indie bands’ are very professional. [The bands] are perfectionists! On stage, they are crazy punk rockers! But offstage, they are the nicest people I ever met.

The Loach
Koya Hisakazu is one of the busiest men in the HK indie scene – apart from running the Mark-1 Music Centre he also plays in various bands. Blues free-jam trio The Loach is one of them – with Koya on percussion and double bass, Oi on acoustic guitar and Morino on harp, the Japanese trio will be offering the most unexpected set you have seen at bc unplugged – the guys won’t decide what to play until they get their feet on the stage.
Koya, you play in a few bands and they all sound quite different. So how was this acoustic blues band born?
I mostly prefer primitive and emotional music and I think acoustic music best captures the essence of this, especially old blues played in unplugged format. We, Mr Loach, originally played electric blues, but then I suggested forming an acoustic band when we were drinking one night. Acoustic sound is more primitive, but more direct. It is really naked sound, so we can communicate with audiences clearly. So here we are – now an acoustic jam band.
Can you name your favourite unplugged/acoustic blues albums?
Lightnin’ Hopkins’ The Complete Aladdin Recordings. A lot of mistunes, messing up of the sequence, but his music can move all listeners. His music has everything.
Who is the best live musician you have seen and why?
Bob Marley, Neil Young and Ian Dury. They have nothing to hide in their concerts. I can feel their real voice, music and mind through the music.
Many local bands have recorded CDs at Mark-1 Music Centre. Are there any memorable moments you can tell us?
Every time is unique. All bands have given me a lot of memories, and I learn something more.