Half-Trinidadian, half-Hong Kongese, UK-born, Australian-based musician, architect, and activist Stephen Choi (Duel Native) epitomizes our evolution as an interconnected global society. ‘Commodity’ is a song that aims to discuss the practices of this society, and help people realize the true meaning of value that we tend to forget within our fast-paced world. Combining alternative rock and indie-folk, the greatest strength of ‘Commodity’ is its sincere songwriting. With words that make you think closely at the way you view life around you, Duel Native encourages you to take a step back and denounce the materialism that often governs our lives.
There are two intersecting themes in the song and both revolve around identifying inherent value. The first is a reminder that not everything is a commodity, represented by the cover art, which captures Stephen’s native village surrounded by urban construction projects, threatening to erase its history and culture. Monetary value cannot replace the intrinsic value of certain items/objects belonging to us, even if others do not realize it. Drawing from this, ‘Commodity’ focuses on our self-perception. In the words of Duel Native, “This song is about realising our own value, which makes us re-think our deeper identity, represented in these objects. It’s also about the people we could call ‘mirrors’ in our lives – the people who help us to see ourselves more clearly.“
Duel Native’s message is an important one, and it is delivered with a gentle nudge. With wonderful production, expressive melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, ‘Commodity’ is a refreshing experience.