Music / New Song For Bristol
A New Song For Bristol – Boombox
“For me this song really is for and with the residents and creatives in the session, without their stories and sharing and input I would have never written it,” says KALA CHNG, who is premiering a new track as part of the New Song For Bristol series.
The third song to be released, Boombox, was written by KALA during the third lockdown and was inspired by the stories of south Bristol residents.
People from Filwood and Knowle West area shared their, experiences on the pandemic and their hopes for the future, and KALA wrote Boombox using their ideas.
is needed now More than ever
“They really inspired everything in the track, from the lyrics to the musical choices,” says KALA, who makes pop music with a Chinese twist.
“It was an intimate Zoom workshop conversation – because it was lockdown and the community centre was closed – where I felt deeply connected to everyone and what they had to share.
“As the song progressed, everyones feedback gave me confidence that the song represented them, which was really important to me.”
KALA CHNG performing at Knowle West Fest. Photo: Tanya Hazell
In November 2020, Bristol Beacon launched the New Song For Bristol project, a city-wide callout to the public to submit their experiences of life in Bristol over the course of the last year, through words and music.
The six songs created by residents and creatives are the product of the callout.
Boombox was written following the workshop and KALA shared drafts of the lyrics to the group via Facebook and WhatsApp chats, saying: “It took many mini sessions of writing and creating over a period of weeks and into months by the end.”
The final production and master of the song features KALA’s influence of Chinese pop and was co-produced remotely with Bristol producer Tom Wilding, making sure the song stayed true to the Zoom session.
The video was match-funded by Knowle West Alliance with Lottery funding, and KALA and the group “couldn’t be happier” with the result.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with the community and with Bristol Beacon on this, it’s been an amazing and learning experience,” KALA says.
“I also must thank the residents and creatives who took part in the sessions and shared so much so openly, and who’s cheerleading, feedback, input and video content and ideas throughout the process really kept it feeling special and gave me direction, inspiration, and I really felt part of a team.”
Bristol24/7 is exclusively debuting the six New Songs For Bristol.
Main photo: Chris Dean Photo
Read more: A New Song For Bristol – Only For Now
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