We'll Make Your Album

Hi everyone.

Sorry, it's been a while since I last wrote anything. Been busy both Professionally and personally.

But I am back, and just thought I would update you all on a feature in Time Out this month that I am in. It's called "We'll Make Your Album" that Time Out HK are holding in conunction with Diesel:U:Music and I am one of the judges along side Steve Wong Ka-Keung (Beyond), Anthony Wong Yiu-Ming (People Mountain, People Sea), and Wong Chi-Chung (Commercial Radio).

Bands were asked to submit 3 tracks and we (the judges) were asked to pick our top 3. I was surprised that in HK there were so many independant bands. It was a good sign.

Anyway.. to find out who won and to see more info please buy the lastest Time Out and support HK's independant bands.

Time Out Home Page

And the feature

Time Out Feature

Behind the scenes and interview Van Ness Wu

So... I am sure there are lots of people on this site waiting for this. Sorry it took so long, I have been so busy. But a good friend of mine put together this small video of the 3 days in the studio in June I did with Van Ness, there are photos, an interview with Van Ness, and a couple "behind the scenes" video clips.

I hope you all enjoy!

Kelvin Avon: Beijing's Soul Sister Tia Ray.... What a voice!

So... I just got back from 6 days in Beijing. It was my first time to go so I was looking forward to the trip. The main purpose of the trip was to work with an artist called Tia Ray... and wow... what a singer. A very, very talented young lady. It was a real pleasure to work with.

The day I arrived was also the AnD launch with Tom.com in Beijing and Tia was performing so I went down to say hi to all the AnD guys (Pat, Raffi, Steven) and also Terence, Daniel, Andrew, and Conroy. What a great bunch of guys... I gotta say, all the AnD people have made we so welcome in HK and also in Beijing.

Here are a couple of pics from the night

Me and the beautfil Tia Ray.. hey that's my hat!!!

Man.. this girl can SING!!

Aww... is that smile just for me?! lol

Backstage with Tia and MC Jin... OMG!!

Terence, Daniel, Andrew & Conroy talking after the performances

So.... the after party.... On a rootop in Beijing.. nice!

Hey Patrick... MGMT!!! You sang it to me all night..lol

Ah... finally got my hat back!!

Well... that was the first night. I was nursing a little hangover the next day and we had to get up early to go to the Forbidden City. I was looking forward to this as had read a lot about it. Tia come along and also the talented for Nick Wong who came up with me from HK to play keys on the tracks.

Me and Nick outside the FC

Taking a break in the Beijing Sun!

Why do I always look crap in photos?!

I'm so small!!!!

Tia getting ready before the evening studio session!!

FC baby!!

As much as so far it looks like I have been doing no work.. work was still to come. We spent 5 days in Universal Records Studio (Thanks!) but as we were working in the evening there was no A/C (they turn off the A/C in the building after 6pm)... So begin 5 evenings of profuse sweating alongside serious creativity.. I gotta say that ain't a great mix but we made 2 amazing tracks

Some photos of the sessions

Nick and Tia deep on songwriting!

Running the session!!

Seriously.. this girl can SING!!

Tia getting some help with the Mandarin lyrics

At the end of 5 days.. This is how hard I work with vocalists... Tia will probably kill me for putting this up... but I just had to! lol

Anyway... what a trip. Really enjoyed myself... got to see the sites and made some great music. I look forward to my next trip (except for the bumpy flight!!). And stay tuned for some GREAT new music from Tia... she really is one to watch over the next year!!

www.alivenotdead.com/tiaray

If only.... (I would be really short if I was in the NBA!)

Soon Tia.. Soon!!

I WANNA SING!!

Yes.. we climbed the Great Wall... and I didn't buy one of those tourist T-Shirts!

Got home to my beautiful daughter and put her in the chinese pyjama's I bought her!! So cute!

Van Ness Wu & Kelvin Avon Studio Session

Man... it's 2:45am... just finished 3 days in the studio with Mr Wu, and what a 3 days! I was looking forward to these sessions as I felt I had some really great ideas for Van Ness. We were joined by Him (a great lyricist) and Nick (a piano maestro).

Three day later and three amazing songs later... the creative vibe in the studio was incredible. I am pretty exhausted... late nights in the studio and early mornings getting up with my beautiful daughter!

I know there are loads of Van Ness fans out there so I will stop talking and load a few pics from the 3 days. Stay tuned over the next couple days as I will be loading 1 or 2 videos from the sessions as well. Again thanks to Jon@ThisMusicStudio for great hospitality and vibes!!

in the middle of recording

the man himself.. Mr Wu!

Robin Chi and Van Ness

Hard at work!! lol!

Myself, VN, and Jon (ThisMusicStudio)

VN with Nick

ahhh... I think it is buddy!....lol!!

VN just making a lyrical change

VN with Him deep in Mandarin lyrics!

Yes.. Music really does Matter!!

Just a quick note to say thanks to everyone at AnD for sorting out the artist pass's for the Music Matter's conference at the Grand Hyatt on  3-4 June. For those of you that didn't jump at this opportunity, you really missed out. Make sure you go next year!!!

I walked away from the conference with 2 great jobs, a new knowledge bank, and new music contacts from Japan, Korea, Sweden, USA, UK, and of course HK.

Highlights for me were the interview with MC Jin on the first day and Jamie Cullum on the second day. Both talented, creative and passionate artists who showed us all why we love music, it's not just the music, but the story behind the music and artist and how we connect with it.

I didn't even manage to get my camera out as I was busy networking and going to seminars so sorry no photos!! 

Big up Patrick Lee who was on the panel for one of the most interesting panels of the conference on Social Network Sites.... Hey buddy, you didn't look nervous at all.