Tennyson King is a nomadic folk musician whose life and music permeate Hong Kong and Canada. That duality resonates throughout his music. Tennyson blends Western indie-folk with traditional Chinese instruments. Central to his sound is the zhongruan, a plucked Chinese guitar. Depending on the blend, Tennyson’s music can vary greatly, so I’ve included the music videos of the two extremes of his sound.
‘The Great Unknown’ is an uptempo indie-folk-pop track, with guitar hooks, warm vocals, and syrup for the soul. The track is inspired by a freediving experience in Australia that became a near-miss with death. King uses the experience to encourage others to endure the daily life struggles we all battle with. The slower, more overtly Chinese-themed ‘Big Mountain High’ takes similar themes and uses more traditional Chinese instruments in a Western song structure to uplift others. Regardless of genre or instrumentation, Tennyson King wants to use his music as a force for positive change, and that shines through with his lyrics and music videos.
I’m reminded somewhat of Alex Wong, Asgier, and perhaps an inverse emotion Sea Wolf. They all share that smooth indie-folk vibe, where quiet confidence and vulnerability make their music all the more enjoyable. Tennyson King is gearing up for his forthcoming album ‘100 Cities’. For more information about upcoming releases and tour dates, visit Tennyson King’s website.
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