By Localiiz
Branded | 1 December 2023
By Localiiz
branded | 14 November 2023
By Localiiz
Branded | 1 November 2023
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Contributed by: Mara MeasorLast night, I was watching a TV show called Parenthood. In the episode, one of the main characters’ daughter, Amber, is going to an open mic night to sing an original song for the first time. She is absolutely terrified and stays in her room practicing for days. She backs out, then reconsiders. Amber’s mother tries to encourage her but somehow makes everything worse, before her grandfather steps in for a pep talk. Finally, at the end of the episode, we find Amber singing sweetly at the cafe, as her family looks on lovingly.
I cried watching. I remember the irrational fears when I first started performing my original songs four years ago. I was convinced I would be exposed as a talentless fraud and a waste of everyone’s time the moment I stepped on stage and opened my mouth. But like Amber, I’ve been able to continue because I too feel like I have a beautiful family quietly backing me. This loving family goes beyond my own parents and siblings. Born and raised in the New Territories till I left at 18, I proudly consider myself a child of Hong Kong. I came to the US to study, and stayed here when opportunities opened up upon graduation. But New York City is a tough place for a singer-songwriter. Everyone around you seems to have twice your talent; even your neighbor the accountant is a master cellist who had toured the world at eighteen. So when I started performing at cafes and pubs around the city, I was a nervous wreck. I imagined everyone thinking, “What is she doing up there? That's a song?!” Yet I persevere with the challenging life of an artist here, partly because I like to believe I carry with me the support of my home city. About twice a year I fly back to Hong Kong and play a series of shows (at Clockenflap, RTHK, live music venues and cafes, etc.), and I love it every time. Because after almost every show I play, someone from the crowd will approach me to spur me on in my musical pursuits. Each time, unexpectedly, someone will walk up to me, tell me they believe in what I'm doing, and tell me not to give up. I like to think there’s a “let’s go Hong Kong!” spirit that leads these strangers on many occasions to give me their little you-can-do-it speeches. Their support follows me all the way back to New York each time.[button color="blue" size="medium" link="https://localiiz.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=c2964a434922598f5d8ee53ff&id=07d327a2e8" icon="" target="true"]Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter[/button]
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