Chris Wong - On Our Radar Q&A: "'Self-work' would be an umbrella term that I would use to describe the EP as a whole"

Your debut EP, For Me, I Try, is coming out in September. What’s it about?
It’s about introspection. Looking inside yourself based on the experiences that you’ve had in the outside world. I think 'self-work' would be an umbrella term that I would use to describe the EP as a whole.

What was the inspiration behind shooting the music video for ‘Two Minds’ from your EP?
It was shot at a lake in Berlin on a very cold day in March! The concept for the visualiser was to be surrounded by mirrors, so when you look, you face the problem head-on.

 

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Can you tell us about ‘A Night of Hong Kong-Irish Music’? What’s it like collaborating with other Hong Kongese-Irish artists?
It’s something I’ve really wanted to try and do for a long time. Seeing that put to the forefront of arts and music culture within Ireland is great. I’m also going to be learning a song in Cantonese, which I don’t speak, so that will be interesting.

Are there any other artists you want to collaborate with in the future?
I love this question. There’s always a thousand answers. I would love to collaborate with an artist from New Zealand called Jordan Rakai. He’d be up there on my list!

You have a gig coming up in September for your EP launch – is there anything you do to prepare?
On the day of the gig, if I have the luxury of time, I always like to start off by either going for a swim in the sea, or doing some little form of exercise like getting out for a jog. I feel like that just helps get you set up for the day, and clear some of the anxiety or nerves around a big show.

How does your solo music differ from your music with Papa Romeo?
The solo stuff is interesting because it feels a lot more personal to me. The Papa Romeo stuff feels personal but in a different way. I think it’s a different offering when you have the pleasure of sharing the stage with four of your best friends.

For Me, I Try is out on September 12, with a release party that night in the Grand Social, Dublin. Chris Wong also plays an EP release show at London's Playhouse East on September 14.