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Monica Tong

Pop Classical at its finest in 2020 - Yuja Wang, the sensation. Music Press Asia
Editor's Pick

Playlist of the Week: A Classical Moment with Yuja Wang

World’s most famous classical pianist today — Yuja Wang — is literally, our most hyped artists in the classical music section. Jetlining from France to Venezuala, this youthful pianist has sky as the limit. Bracing sold out venues all over Europe and China since 2010, she now calls New York her home. Having been raised in a Chinese family: father, a music percussionist; mother, dancer. Wang is ineffably youthful and vibrant compadre in the music performance circle. We credit her thorough musical understanding of Russian romantics and great composers such…

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Locked out and locked in: "After 3 months in lockdown, I realized that nothing else is more important than health and love" - Monica Tong, Head of Editorial at Music Press Asia.

Pandemic Lifestyle: “Work Hard. And Live For Health’s Sake”

Starting with a question: Have you ever sat in or participated in a musical instrument practice session before? If yes, then how long did you fare before numbness kicks in or, distracted to ‘get on’ with other tasks of the day, left the practice earlier than intended? As a classically trained piano and violin player, I endured hours of practice…

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Is the live scene in music & entertainment in South Asia dead? Pictured: Taiwanese band Mayday's concert in Singapore was postponed 9 months after its initially scheduled performance. Music Press Asia

South-Asia Industry Focus: “Has the LIVE Industry Met Its Death, Yet?”

Is the question permeating in most discussions between the music creators and executives whenever I sit in a ZOOM-powered chatroom these days. Not only has it been the fundamental question for all underlying discussions in publishing and licensing, but, even, in the spheres of creativity loosely associated with live, is LIVE the big elephant in the room at this moment…

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Stephen Chow Hong Kong comedy icon plays Monkey King in Jeffery Lau's 1995 romance and fantasy-comedy film series A Chinese Odyssey. Music Press Asia.

Is The Chinese-Language Entertainment Provider Reforming Well in the 21st Century?

Obsession of a growing middle-class, Chinese familyEverything about entertainment began with the TV box: Barely into my teens our middle-class family, like any other, became obsessed with movie night; a weekly family affair where its members get together and contemplate the great ideals of practicing good behaviour while enjoying a film, of which we’d carefully chosen to watch and start…

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Music Editor: Why I've Decided To Cancel Spotify Premium'. Music Press Asia

Music Editor: ‘Why I’ve Cancelled Spotify Premium’

2.0 After work — Decreased appreciation of genuine work: There’s nothing more satisfying than setting a specific time just listening to a complete album or collection of works by one artist, and without ever treating it as background music in a sitting. Although I cannot dismiss the idea that this can be done via Spotify or any other music app, still,…

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Music Editor: Why I've Decided To Cancel Spotify Premium'. Music Press Asia

Music Editor: ‘Why I’ve Cancelled Spotify Premium’

As I gradually wind down for the day pondering the thought on how my weekend would actually unfold, I began to scroll through the music apps in my smartphone in an attempt to track down music that I deem sacred for listening only for the weekend. You see, over the last 15 years music has been an enveloping element in…

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Kanye West released ninth studio album 'Jesus Is King'. Photo credit Kent Nishimura / MCT.

Kanye West Departs From The Secular World, Goes Gospel

Kanye West has had a rigorous if not formidable number of years. Often seen as a provocateur more than anything else, West is also seen as a man who hasn’t shied away from his disposition about social issues and creative work of others. And his songs are his outlet to the world. However, there’s another rather surprising news that came…

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Music Press Asia: Disney/Pixar Toy Story 4. Why we can't do without Randy Newman?
Editor's Pick

What Is There Not To Like About Toy Story 4?

It would be hard to imagine another Toy Story production without Randy Newman. Having watched “Inside Out” and “Up”, I began to loath excitingly about the latest release of Toy Story. Loath may even sound too modest a word to describe because of the nature of all Pixar’s film: they remind us all of the child in us and that…

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Big Little Lies Season 2 returns to HBO
Editor's Pick

Big Little Lies: How A Star-Studded Cast and Moody Monterey Soundtrack Tackled Issue Of Domestic Violence & Its Aftermath

– Big Little Lies season 2 premiere episode featured songs including Joan Jett’s ‘Bad Reputation’ and Diana Ross’ ‘It’s My House’ – Michael Kiwanuka’s Cold Little Heart hit 60 million views on YouTube The Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning HBO series, Big Little Lies, returned to TV screens with season 2 this June, showcasing new cast Meryl Streep on top a…

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Capital of Viettnam, Ho Chi Minh city. Photo courtesy of vovworld.vn

Why Vietnam’s Music Scene Could Be Asia’s Biggest Boom in 2019, After China

Here’s a look at what makes Vietnam enticing to new investments: Economy re-diversion In Vietnam’s efforts to attract companies seeking for options amid the China – U.S. trade war, it is wielding a plethora of advantages over its rivals. A recent report by Natixis SA ranked Vietnam as No.1 among seven emerging Asian countries as manufacturing destinations. The report scouted…

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