The Asia-Europe Cultural Festival is a public arts festival that celebrates the artistic diversity of Asia and Europe and promotes dialogue and exchange amongst artists from the 2 regions. Following its successful main programme in Italy, the Festival is back in Singapore for the Closing Curtain events from 27 – 29 September 2024.

We speak with artist Kent Lee, a musician from Malaysia, about his artistic practice and his experience in creating a new soundtrack for Pyo Chit Lin (My Darling), a silent film from Myanmar restored by the Asian Film Archive in collaboration with Memory! Cinema Association. Kent will perform the new score live on 27 September to accompany the movie screening.

1. Briefly introduce yourself and your work as a musician. How would you describe your artistic practice and style as a composer, sound artist and music designer?

I enjoy telling stories through sound and music, and I often help others convey their stories using music or sound. For me, the power of sound is immense, and I am quite willing to explore different ways of expression. I particularly enjoy using elements from synthesizers, combined with acoustic instruments, which reflect both the realism and the illusion of our times.

1. Kent performing live music in an event in Singapore © Bernie Ng

2. Pyo Chit Lin (My Darling), a silent film, a Myanmar classic and one of the country’s earliest surviving colour films, will be screened in the framework of Asia-Europe Cultural Festival 2024 Closing Curtain on 27 September. The film will be accompanied by newly composed music, which you will perform live. How would you describe the creative process you underwent when composing new music to accompany the film? What were the considerations that you had in terms of its themes and the musical technicalities, and how did you integrate your own style or artistry in the final music score?

This was also my first time watching this silent film, and I could deeply feel the richness of that era. The original soundtrack of the film is also quite remarkable, so I had to explore various angles to contemplate how contemporary sounds could resonate with this film and its original music, and even blend seamlessly into the film itself.

2. Kent creating and recording a new soundtrack for Pyo Chit Lin © Carl Lim

3. In 2017 after Pyo Chit Lin was restored, traditional musicians from Myanmar re-recorded a soundtrack for the film. Could you share how you modified or incorporated some of its components into the new musical score? How did this traditional soundtrack influence your artistic work?

The original soundtrack of this film feels both familiar and foreign to me as a Malaysian musician. Many Southeast Asian instruments share common characteristics, possibly due to geographical and cultural history. As for the unfamiliar aspects, I find that traditional music arrangements have their own unique ecosystem, emotions, and formulas that are not easily interpreted using conventional Western music theory. At times, I chose to follow the original music’s structure and flow as a reference for my own composition.

4. Creating a soundtrack for an old film must be interesting, yet not quite easy.  Could you share the challenges that you encountered with this artistic work and how you addressed them? Were there difficulties employing contemporary music practices when creating soundtrack for a traditional film? 

As I mentioned earlier, traditional music has its own set of formulas and dynamics. Coupled with the fact that this is a film from the 1950s, reinterpreting it from a contemporary perspective is both fun and challenging. There are so many possibilities, but at the same time, I do not want this new attempt to "ruin" the film (laughs).

3. Kent has been collaborating with the Singaporean contemporary dance company T.H.E Dance Company since 2018. He was the sound artist of 'Searching Blue' performance held during the 'ArtScience Encounters' event in Singapore last August 2024. © Bernie Ng

5. In recent years, attempts to blend contemporary with traditional art have been very prevalent among artists not only in Asia and Europe, but worldwide. What is your perspective on these endeavors to mix old and new artistic practices? 

I think this trend actually aligns with human nature. Most people hope to see unique sparks and progress. While constant innovation is essential, traditional arts must also be valued, as they are fundamental building blocks of human culture. Most importantly, regardless of how we experiment, we should always remember the relationship between humanity, nature, and even the universe.

6. We are excited about what else you can bring to the realm of art after seeing your work on numerous artistic projects. Could you let us know about any upcoming cross-cultural projects you are working on or planning to participate in in the future?

In early October, I will have a handpan concert《Constant 如来藏》in Kuala Lumpur with FrhythmS Percussion, for which I am the arranger, arranging electronic music elements to combine with handpan, Borneo sape, bass, percussions, and other instruments. Next year, my art collective "Shaman Tearoom" will be preparing a new performance that combines tea ceremonies, healing ambient, and contemporary art with new sounds and visuals.

Cover image: Kent Lee recording a new soundtrack for Pyo Chit Lin © Carl Lim

The Asia-Europe Cultural Festival's Closing Curtain will take place from 27 to 29 September 2024 in Singapore, opening with the screening of Pyo Chit Lin (My Darling). Contemporary dance, music, film and a multidisciplinary exhibition will also be showcased over 28 and 29 September. 

Click here to book your tickets for the screening. 

Kent Lee is sound artist, composer, and award-winning music designer based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Known for his innovative approach to blending acoustic and electronic sounds, Kent’s work spans across dance, theatre, and multidisciplinary art, with performances both in Malaysia and internationally. He has received multiple accolades, including the Best Music & Sound Design awards at the 2019 BOH Cameronian Arts Awards and the 2024 ADA Drama Awards for The Brotherhood. Since 2018, Kent has been collaborating with the Singaporean contemporary dance company T.H.E Dance Company, contributing as a composer and sound designer to several acclaimed projects. Additionally, Kent is a cofounder of Shaman Tearoom, a collective integrating sound, music, tea ceremonies, and contemporary art, and is a partner in HaBa - the handpan and bass duo.