The rock musician, art critic and sustainability expert reveals the songs that mean the most to her—from Bauhaus to Nina Simone
Even in a city as diverse as Hong Kong, it's rare to spot as true an individual as Diana d'Arenberg. The arts writer, who founded sustainability platform Plant Terra and arts and culture blog Post-Ism, is a devotee of the dark—from alternative fashion bedecked with black, studs and industrial jewellery to macabre home décor (hello animal taxidermy) to a taste in music that, while extraordinarily eclectic, leans decidedly heavy.
She is also a talented rock musician and charismatic lead singer, who has performed under various guises for many years. Last month, she released the post-punk single Better Days with her new band The Strixx.
It's a melancholic and understated track on which d'Arenberg's smoky, languid delivery and eerie synths conjure a cloud of noir that's shot through with bandmate Eamonn Fitzpatrick's piercing guitar. “Tell me that things get better”, the lyrics intone: a sentiment to rally behind in the current era.
The full album is due to follow later this year.