Hailing from the industrial highrises of Tai Kok Tsui, Hong Kong’s music collective 南洋派對 N.Y.P.D. bridges post-punk and electronica to create a new hybrid sound. The collective consists of 5 members, who are graphic designers and tattoo artists by day, and musicians and DJs by night. The band’s name means “Drifters of South Asia” and pays homage to ‘80s canto blues artist Huan Du, whose singing style was first heard in the opium dens and brothels of Canton province. Bastardizing his sound with a kick of psychedelia, 南洋派對 N.Y.P.D. takes Huan’s free-spirited ethos to the underbellies of Hong Kong’s music scene. The crew’s latest offering is a self-titled album released on Yeti Out’s Silk Road Sounds imprint and distributed by Alpha Pup (home to Ross From Friends, Flying Lotus and Thundercat).
Duality is witnessed across the nine-track LP, from the pairing of opposite genres (folk versus blues) to the contrast of emotions in a narrative that follows lead singer Jon’s journey through the city of lights - his ode to avant garde auteur Wong Kar Wai. Jon’s lyrics are satirical, tinged with working class slang and reveal the frustration of a city in political and social turmoil. Yet there’s no denying his affinity for romance and adventure, as Kowloon dessert dates and meet-ups with his drug dealers all succumb to his storyboard.
The band’s hit single “Chicken Monster '' was debuted on Boiler Room’s 4:3 and consisted of an animated chicken exploding like a time bomb - a nod at the stress of Hongkongers, while “Mee & Gee” is a middle finger to the city’s disgusting consumer habits, taking direct shots at retail giants I.T. We catch up with lead singer Jon and bassist Chau in Kowloon’s dive bar BOUND to talk misconceptions about Hong Kong and creative inspirations /
What’s the meaning behind 南洋派對 N.Y.P.D.?
Chau: Nan Yang Pai Dui, which could mean South Drifter Crew or South Pacific Party.
Jon: Not Your Party Drugs?
How did the band start?
Jon: Chau and I got really into this old folk singer named Huan Du. It’s hard describing his style. You know those old Chinese guys that take their birds to the park and sing random shit, you ever wonder what that genre is? It’s this specific folk rhythm, and that’s what Huan Du created.
Chau: The sound existed for a while amongst brothels and opium dens but then it got lost when the government started raiding these venues in the 1930s. But if you dig deep enough in YouTube you can find clips that highlight this “Naam Yam” sound which translates to “South Sound” or canto blues. “Naam Yam” was often sung by blind people in brothels as to not reveal the customer's identity. Naturally, the lyrics were seedy and corrupt. Jon’s songwriting is very much a modern day version of this style.
After you guys teamed up, how did the rest of the band come together?
Jon: Well, we’re all friends and hang out anyway in the Tai Kok Tsui circle, and Chau co-runs BOUND where we’re always at. So it was just a natural process to bring on the homies when we needed to add drums, guitar and synth elements to the music. Originally the sound was more romantic and rockabilly due to myself, Chau and Allex’s music taste, there was a bohemian swing to it - then Jack (guitar) and Leo (drums) joined and the sound became heavier, more punk.
What are some of the core influenced of 南洋派對 N.Y.P.D.?
Jon: I’ve always been a fan of brit pop, Liam Gallagher, The Foals and left-field electronic sounds that stem from the likes of Primal Scream.
Chau: Same here, along with Dirty Beaches and icons like Teressa Teng. Undeniably, canto films by Leung Chiu Wai and Wong Gar Wai are also inspirations. The short lived Tai Kok Tsui scene circa around 2017 - 2018 also played a part in the band’s style, as that’s when we formed. We used to chill in Bedford Road studio after band practice in Mong Kok. BOUND just opened and XXX club was doing a lot of parties. There was a special neighbourhood energy. It was a pure and bliss time.
Jon: At the end of the day, we’re midnight people, up late at night, doing late night things, so our lyrics will reflect these adventures.
南洋派對 N.Y.P.D. is as much post-punk as it is dance music, how did you find yourself drawing inspiration from both worlds?
Jon: Sometimes I feel like going to rock shows is like going to class, it can get super boring. Everyone’s just standing there, waiting for something to happen. I think club culture is really important, it’s more inclusive. In Hong Kong, band kids hang out in band venues, and club kids hang out in clubs, both scenes don’t really cross over, but we’re band kids that love the club.
Chau: I feel sometimes, local scenes aren't supportive of different sounds. We’ve failed to find a home that suits this hybrid noise we’re making. This can be a challenge. Growing up in Hong Kong, singing in Chinese always felt cringe. It’s considered shameful, and above all people don’t know whether to sing in written Chinese or more colloquial spoken Chinese - this process can be very awkward. Jon’s style is half sing, half rap - a unique spoken word delivery.
Does this divide in scenes and style go beyond music?
Jon: There’s definitely a divide in Hong Kong between class systems too. Perhaps we don’t directly speak about this in our music but there are underlying messages in the narrative.
Tell us about the songs in the self-titled LP, how did you write the album?
Jon: A lot of it was written just from hanging out with friends, our daily commute around Hong Kong and singing about our real life experiences which we find funny. “Mee & Gee” was recorded at Aux with Jack in one take, while “BMUU” is about a late drug dealer.
Chau: “Gai Gai is a dessert spot we frequent in Jordan, while “Chicken Monster” talks about the scummiest of scums in society with no morals. Past romance and personal love stories make their way into the record too.
What are some things we might not know about Hong Kong?
Chau: The island side is “darker’ than the Kowloon side.
Jon : We still love Bruce Lee.
You can stream 南洋派對 N.Y.P.D.’s LP below:
https://open.spotify.com/album/7hX93IXWkleKTT1BPcgycJ?si=HZewBAOwQty277oPWc6GEA