Musician KALA CHNG, from Bristol, UK will release her album in China after signing to a new record label based in Guangzhou, the sister city of her home.

The singer songwriter has linked up with Starsing in Guangzhou and is expecting her album Empress to be released and distributed in China this week.

Kala – who is also an Ambassador with the Bristol and West of England China Bureau - says the deal could be her biggest break yet.

“It took a couple of months to put the deal together and we had to await the Chinese government to sign off my lyrics. It’s a happy coincidence that Starsing are based in Bristol’s Sister City of Guangzhou. I love that Starsing are investing in CDs and a lyric book with Chinese and English translation.”

“The city is many times bigger than Bristol – and young people over there are massive music fans.”

Kala said the opportunity had come right out of the blue during recording sessions for her new set last year.

“Tony Salter from T-Bone Tunes (www.tbonetunes.co.uk) helped secure the deal. Having heard my Empress album he offered to put it in front of industry professionals at the #Midem18 conference.

"I have always been told I would be popular in China as my music is a Western twist on my Chinese heritage.”

Starsing launched in 1997 and has an impressive roster of homegrown talent alongside major Western artists including Taylor Swift and the Beatles..

KALA CHNG is the new performing name for Knowle West favourite Makala Cheung, Bristol’s half Chinese Singer/Songwriter/Producer who has been a prominent figure on the city’s music scene over the past decade.

Bristol West of England China Bureau Chief Executive Dianne Francombe said: “It really is a marvellous coincidence that Kala has signed to a record label in Guangzhou.

“By signing this deal Kala is joining some very talented women changing the direction of the music scene in China and especially in Guangzhou which has a growing number of venues to satisfy demand.

“I would like to see Kala showcase her talent and promote Guangzhou’s sister city Bristol at two of Guangzhou’s famous venues - the Tutu Union in the Sculpture Park and the Iron Age Space in University Town where 180,000 students study. Now that would be a great cultural hit!”

Dianne Francombe went on: “Kala has worked incredibly hard over the past decade to establish herself on the Bristol music scene. This is all down to her personality and attitude – clearly the Chinese trait of hard work and perseverance has paid off.  

“As a cultural ambassador her success is an inspiration to others.”