10 Quick Ones with JASON KUI – October 2017

According to a recent press release: “Renowned Hong-Kong based fusion guitarist/composer JASON KUI – who combines modern metal, hard rock, funk and ballad influences while integrating rock lead techniques and compelling melodies – will release his diverse debut album, Absence of Words, for the first time outside of Hong Kong October 13, 2017 via Prosthetic Records.” We get Jason to answer our 10 Quick Ones about new music, his influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Sure, on the song, “Dance of Awakening (The Spirit)”, if you listen carefully, there are so many scenes and atmospheres in the songs. There is some jungle noise and a Shaman casting spells in the beginning of the song, so you will have some pictures in your mind before the song starts. Then more ethnic scenes you can imagine later on… Basically, the story is about 2 spirits are fighting. As you listen more times, you will discover more scenes and plots or action in it. I am planning to make an animation video as the MV of the song, so people can see the whole story clearly.  It’s an very interesting song. Unfortunately, not many people get it when they listen to it the first time. hahaha

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I realized that I like music especially guitar when I was in very young age, like 5 or 6. My father is not a musician, but he has always been a huge music lover, he played western music all the time at home. So I grew up listened to the legends like The Beatles, Eagles, The Carpenters, and Eric Clapton… After I watched a concert video of Van Halen, I realized that guitar and rock music was so fantastic, so I talked to my mom and started my guitar lesson, since then, I never stopped playing guitar.  That’s how I started.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

• Van Halen for sure, it has always been my favorite. Great rock and roll grooving vibe.
• Dream Theater, after a couple years of 80’s classic rock, I started to listened to something heavier.
• John Petrucci (guitarist of Dream Theater is my Main influence on guitar).
• Jamiroquai, other than rock and metal, I also like to listen to funk and dance music.
• Death Cab for Cutie, they are something that touch my heart and soul, both music and lyrics of theirs.
• John Mayer, he brings blues music into pop, and he is an amazing guitarist, I learned a lot by playing his songs.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

Hahaha, that is a tough question, I would say Taylor Swift. She is an amazing singer and song writer. She has many guitars in her previous music, and I love country/ pop music. Playing for her has been my dream, so I think collaborating with her would be awesome.

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

My music is guitar instrumental, which combines catchy melody with guitar techniques. So I think it is quite nice and easy for non-guitar player, because there are melodies for them to follow, very easy listening. Also, my music is quite diverse, from modern metal, funk to ballad… So it always sounds fresh.

6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

I get to travel a lot. When I was on tour with a local singer for the last couple years, we have done some many shows around the world. We’ve been to North America, Australia, far east Asia and China. On the off days, I got to walk around and experience the country and its culture. Actually that was how I got the majority of the inspiration for writing my album.

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Only me, because I do it as solo. hahahaha.

8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Maybe a painting artist, I like to draw when I have free time, I still do.  So that would probably be my dream job other than playing guitar.

9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

I became professional session musician when I was 23 years old.  Which means I have always been playing as an accompanist or backing up singers.
That is nothing wrong with it, but if I started my original solo music earlier, that would be more ideal.

10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I think it would be Michael Jackson’s Thriller. It’s one of the best records in the world.  And it has some many styles in it, like rock, funk, R&B, Disco… I would’ve learned a lot from the recording session.  Also, it is one of the best selling albums in the world, it might help my future career too.

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Category: Interviews