Every Saturday evening a tiny web-based radio station broadcasts two hours of rock and chat from Hong Kong’s unsigned bands and independent artists. Operating in the basement of Langham Place, Radio Dada aims to promote grassroots cultural events and alternative ideas. Its shows vary in theme from arts, culture and design to lifestyle, but Saturday night is always “Underground Battlefield”, giving voice to bands.

“We stream independent Hong Kong music,” Calvin Wong, volunteer DJ, told me. He works on the show with MC Yan from legendary hip-hoppers LMF, and music enthusiast Bun.

The team hosts bands that come to the studio “to talk about music and the creative process.” Space is limited and a full band set-up isn’t possible, but some groups have performed acoustic sets live on the show. “Live Fast, Die! unplugged was definitely interesting,” says Wong of one of the shoutiest punk bands around.

Originally, the radio station aimed to provide a hangout where people could relax and drink a coffee while listening to arts-based programs. Unfortunately they lost seating space to a restaurant, but the studio remains and the shows continue over the net.

Dozens of bands have turned up to talk about what they do and present their recordings. The website archives all the shows, giving instant access to anyone who wants to check out the works of Innisfallen, Violent Jokes and Summer Junkiez, to name just a small sample.
“We don’t usually have trouble filling up guest slots,” says Wong.

Other visitors have included Twisterella, Sexy Hammer and Shotgun Politics, as well as a handful of established session musicians and music industry professionals. 

“It’s good to have a media outlet for something you feel passionate about,” he says. “We are showing that good original music exists in Hong Kong [and] leaving a record for posterity.”

Tune in to Underground Battlefield on Saturdays from 5pm-7pm on www.radiodada.hk.