:: A Malaysian on Music, Gigs, Concerts. ::

I think I’m in love. One big regret I had for attending MTV’s World Stage in Sunway Pyramid late was missing Pixie Lott. This 18 year old songstress has a huge set of vocal pipes on her.

Her remake of King’s of Leon’s Use Somebody is utterly genius. She’s got so much natural soul in her, that she reminds me of Joss Stone, but BETTER. Why does a blond hair girl from Essex have so much soul. It’s unexplainable.

She’s hot, cute and has the voice of a black woman. Her debut album should be out 14 September 2009. Can’t WAIT.

Pixie Lott @ Youtube

Check it out if you can.

Date: 7 August 2009
Time: 8-10pm
Venue: 4th Floor Auditorium, Wisma Bentley Music, Mutiara Damansara

Featuring:

Love Me Butch, Dejavoodoospells, Pure Vibracion, The Otherside Orchestra, Jin Hackman, Melissa Indot, Happy Nightmare, Transient Vortex, Ferhad

MJ Tribute @ Homegrown

8 August 2009.
This looks promising. Not very huge headlining acts, but would make most worthy mention lists across the globe. So, go get your tickets and go!

International Headliners:
Dirty Vegas
Tocadisco
Mason
Vika Kova

Local Highlights:
Turn It Up boys
TAG
LapSap
Bunkface
Love Me Butch
Pesawat
and others

Can You Dig It?

On the 25th of July, I decided to give Hennessy Artistry a visit at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club. Since last year’s gig, which Flo Rida performed and he was pretty good, I expected roughly the same for this year, even with a lineup of Dominique Tsai, Fatman Scoop, Lil John, Ying Yang Twins, Homies (WTF?) DJ Camino, etc. Yep, what a bunch of 2nd rate artistes. I had some eagerness for Fatman Scoop and DJ Camino.

I reached the gig around 11pm or so and Dominique Tsai was wrapping up her set. She was kinda hot, and could kinda sing and dance, but that was about it. Then The Homies, some chinese rap trio came on and they were unmentionably poor. Next up, DJ Camino who whipped the crowd into a frenzy with some old school beats mixing and scratching but his set was a bit too rapid. Too many changeovers. Then Fatman Scoop came on, he was entertaining at first but soon after, he became the ego rapper that most of them are. He stopped rapping and played music he liked. Dude, you ain’t Kanye West. I absolutely hate this as people went there to see you perform your own songs. What’s with this wannabe DJ crap? Then the Yin Yang twins came on. I left after 10 minutes.

Despite the free booze, free entry, music etc, I left. I went for some nuggets, which goes to show what a pathetic little show the boys at Hennessy put up. Get your act together guys/girls.

Sharizan, the voice, the crooner. You’ve heard him on Litefm’s Sunday night Swing Time. I sorta remember him representing Malaysia on Asia Bagus back in 1993, but it’s his bubbly and fun personality that has gotten radio listeners, TV viewers to remember him more. With a voice suited for classic swing numbers and bop jazz tunes, Sharizan entertained for two days in Alexis Ampang over the last weekend (25 - 26 July).

I had the opportunity to check out his set on Friday night, whilst entertaining my tummy with Alexis’ wonderful food. It was a good way to end a tough week, and how else but with good music, entertainment, food and WINE. He split his set up into two different sets, performing classic swing tunes like Fly Me To The Moon, You Don’t Know Me, etc and turning it more pop culture with famous pop classics. Throughout his performance, he engaged the crowd with his wit and charm, breaking out into song wherever he could. He also dropped some clues onto his voice talent and the company he owns by demonstrating his impersonations, voice-over talent, etc.

As with most setups in Alexis, it was simple and precise, letting the musicians do their thing. His session musicians were great musicians. Their sound crisp. Most bands in Malaysia should take a note from Jazz musicians, improve your music playing or you will blend into the background.

Overall, it was a brilliant night. Thank you Sharizan.

Over the years, I may have been known as quite the Yasmin Ahmad critic. I never did appreciate her work quite as much as any fan that I knew. However, I must admit, she tried to be different and to make a difference. She tried to make a change and was the true purveyor of One Malaysia. Through her ads and films, she never held back on multi racial relationships and tried to convey that message wherever she could. That, was very respectable.

Condolences to her husband, family, friends and those who loved her for what she was, and what she was trying to be. It is a sad day for Malaysians.

Do check out her short film (potentially her last) on 15Malaysia.

I was cruising home at about slightly past midnight and I was listening to Fly FM, with Hunny Madu on. Asian Music Invasion segment I think. It’s been awhile since I have listened to Yuna, and Backpacking Around Europe came on. I guess, I forgot how good she is.

The lyrics are remarkably auto biographical and just tells a simple story. I guess I’ll listen to Yuna everytime I just need to escape the world for just a little, while driving. Driving can be therapeutic if there is no traffic and you listen to some ‘take a drive’ type of music. Yuna will definitely make my roadtrip OST. Just listen, take in the experience and let your mind run a little, whether they are memories or just fantasies. It doesn’t really matter. Listening to music should always be a surreal experience. This girl should get some international recognition.

Check Yuna out.

So recently, whilst I’m in the midst of doing a big move to my new place, I discovered an old cassette album called Megahits 1 and another CD called Megamix. For a gauge of how old the albums are (aside from the fact that Megahits 1 is on Cassette tape), one has Richard Marx and Vanilla Ice and the other has a remix of Lemontree. Good Lord.

Personally, I liked Smokey Robinson. No script, no piece of paper. All straight from the heart. The rest were alright but some of them READ. C’mon, you don’t read an eulogy. You speak from the heart.

I also felt Usher’s tears were just a bit over the top. Sorry, you didn’t convince me boy.

Capital fm memory trip. Radiohead - Creep, Smashing Pumpkins - 1979, Stereophonics - Dakota, Pearl Jam - Jeremy. What a way to end the night as I was driving home in the wee hours of the morning.

This is a four-song playlist that is superhuman-like. Radio stations in Malaysia should play songs like this all day long.