I need glam lessons!

I am a performer but I'm hopeless at the glam needed when I appear on stage. Sigh. I need lessons! I need to know how to artfully put up my hair so that it doesn't cover my face when I play and yet still look nice and cool, even on a balmy afternoon.

You may think this is sudden, but actually, I've been thinking about it for ages. I think what broke the camel's back was two of my hottest gigs in a row the past two days. Saturday was the greenhouse efffect/global warming at *scape at Youth Park. Only 15 mins and sweat was pouring down like I had been running for half an hour. Yes, that bad. And today, a wedding gig from 10am to 5pm at a non-airconditioned community centre hall in my organza kebaya. Organza...I tell you, is so bad for the heat! It kept the sweat against my skin the whole day without any reprieve and in the end I was felt so sticky I didn't even wanna change out and dirty my other clothes. I just jumped right into a cab and headed home. The feeling was just horrible!!!!

Frustrated. Irritated. Desperate.

drama, music ...all in a day's work

Today was the first two shows of the Gamma:rays FYI series at the Esplanade. I can safely say everyone had a ball of a time and I certainly hope the schools that came did! Well, I know for certain that SJI boys did and I'm really excited about this, because a boy from SJI added me on Facebook. At first, I was wondering who this person was till I saw his affiliation with SJI! I know, ultimate coolness right? This, on the day of the show itself, shows that we really caught and held their attention and made an impression!

Then, I decided to check on our myspace and our email, and guess what? This same guy who added me on Facebook emailed us! The gist of it was to find out where they could get our music. That he would take the time to find out how to get to us was another level of coolness! I'm so excited I can't wait to tell the guys tomorrow!

Then of course drama must happen. I mean why can't they let sleeping dogs lie. She's left and thats the end of the story right? But why must they keep dropping subtle hints about this and that. Asking about what support and what fun is just doing injustice to the time you spent in GA.

Oh and coming back with a reply - "Oh how should I know...I'm not in GA" says alot about you. Your mind obviously has been poisoned and you shouldn't only trust what you hear when it is one-sided. But then again, I'm confused. You bitched so much about her the last time and she did the same about you. Yet, you still take her side. Oh well, I guess birds of a feather fly together.

Anyway, I'm glad you're not in GA. And for your information, there IS support and fun in GA. When ppl like you are not around to cause drama.

Thanks for leaving. :)

Last Day of Mosaic!

I previously blogged that Phunkmob was one of the best gigs I've been to this year...and guess what? I have another one to add to the best gigs list of 2009!!!

The band is none other than.........

THE CONDORS from Japan!!!!



Action packed and entertaining from the first beat of the drum to their last footstep off the stage, I found myself alternating between laughing at the guys' antics and being in awe of their technical prowess.

And the best best thing?? It was free!

(photos by Dennis Kee)

Soap's favourite was the comic fat guy on the left!

My favourite Condor.

So we were relaxing at Harry's after the gig and who walks past but comic fat guy from The Condors!!!

And of course the rest of the guys follow, sweaty and half naked and I of course take a photo with them. But they were surprisingly shy, one of them insisting on covering his front before taking the photo. LOL.

Swordfish and then Concubine

The Singapore Theatre Festival has started! I'm in the middle of the Swordfish run. Its been a great learning experience especially from director Ivan Heng, from how he greets everyone with a big smile and a "How are you?" at every rehearsal to how he keeps thanking everyone at the end of each day or for redoing a scene for the umpteenth time. Also, he knows what he wants and is able to perform it to the actors skilfully, and that makes things alot easier for us as the accompanying musicians. The constant show of appreciation and concern is very uplifting and morale boosting. Its something that all directors should learn. Unfortunately, not all directors do that. Some are hesitant about what they want, some come late, some just don't offer thanks to others who help cover their asses. I can't think of how many times we've had to that. I hate this feeling of resentment. I don't want to, but there is just simply no choice but to have to feel that way. It has happened way too many times and i'm now too tired to even feel angry. Its like whenever something happens, a missed cue or a wrong cue, I just feel a momentary spark of anger, and then this slow burn and then nothing.

I feel that if one is to be a successful director, one needs to be skilled at what he is directing. You need to be able to convey what you want. Also, a director, in performing with the rest of your ensemble, has to be up there with them, at their level. If you put Ivan with the rest of the company to act in this show, i'm sure he'd be one of the better, if not the best actor in the cast. I mean, thats how you get people to respect you. You don't just preach and not do. Pull your weight, if not, just direct and don't perform. And learn from your mistakes and try not to do it again? But this is just a dream. It hasn't come true yet. I still get my hopes up that this time will be different, things will be better, but always, as always, my hopes are dashed. Disappointment sets in. I don't know for how long more I can take it.

Looking forward....

to performing in the Yogjakarta Gamelan Festival. GammaRays, our fusion gamelan group has been invited! We're leaving this Thursday and I'm feeling a little nervous, performing two of my works in front of gamelan aficionados and professionals. Wish us luck!

By the way, our MySpace is up! Do go check it out! here's the link: www.myspace.com/gammaraysgamelan

Lastly, I'll leave you with this pic, taken from IS Photography. Its inspiring, the jaunty walk of this little girl as she walks towards some place, it seems, with a purpose. I wish I'll always have the courage to walk like she does towards my own bliss.

A great start to a great week

Went to Harry's at Boat Quay last night with Shaun, Sherry and Soap. OMG, just realised that our names all start with S! Haha. Anyways, we were there to watch ChromaZone, a jazz quintet comprising of Christy Smith, Rick Smith, Eddie Layman and Nicholas Lee, together with singer Denise Mininfield. It was great music. Powerhouse vocals from Denise. Soap kept saying she scared him. Heh. You scare too easily Soap!



Halfway through the night, I got a call from Freddie, saying that we've got alternate Thursday slots at the Keppel Club, starting next Thursday. So come on down to the Keppel Club if you can! I think we've got three sets starting at 8.30pm.

Am listening to Joss Stone's album right now. I just love her voice. And her new image. :)

Check out "Treat Me Right" and "Under Pressure" on the album.

GIGS

RADICAL CONTEXT

When: 30th June 2007, Saturday. First set starts at 2.15pm

Where: Sentosa, Siloso Beach


NOW PLAYING

When: 1st July 2007, 3.30pm

Where: Cineleisure


RADICAL CONTEXT

When: 7th July 2007, Saturday. 3pm

Where: Orchard Library

PowerHouse!

Breakbeat Theory did their thang for Get Off Ya Thang at Esplanade's Powerhouse stage tonight after KoFlow's set. It was freaking hot, even with one measly fan blowing at me. And to think that I'll have to be on the same freaking stage in June! Argh, the thought just kills me. How to look glam?!?!

Ok ok, back to the gig. Goldhill sounded nice. So was Snare. But after that, it went downhill. Sigh. We need to arrange. Absolutely.

KoFlow mentioned that he wanted to study in Lasalle. He says its time for him to study. Hmm. A brave decision. If he ever gets down to it. Few would take up the challenge of a further education at this age, especially if one is active and successful in his/her field. I mean, would we have enough time to study and perform at the same time?

Some guy, a friend of Kin Ho's came down with 6-litres of home-brewed beer. Very fruity, a girl's beer. 8 guys polished it all off before our gig even started. Drinkers to the core! I didn't know that home-brewing of beer was done in Singapore! Imagine if you could sell beer out of your home! Damn cool...


I'm not gonna upload any pictures tonight coz i look damn disgusting and sweaty. On second thought, maybe I will..when i'm in the mood.

Oh and did i mention? I hate gamblers. I know this is off-tangent but i really needed to say it out. Now that i've said it, in the words of KoFlow, "Peace, out"

Gig Alert!

Come join Radical Context this Saturday, 21st April 2007 at the Earshot Cafe, Arts House at 8pm. Admission is free. Do get yourselves a beer, sit back and enjoy. See you there!

Recap of the Month

This month has been pretty productive, not to mention way out busy. But busy is good. Busy means more moolah.

So here's a recap of the month of March in Stan's life.

Did a two-week run of Under The Dragon Moon at Alliance Francaise. Good crowds, with many sold out shows. A lot of bloopers (as usual) with one actor falling off stage, Jon's ghostly tickling, my big fat red mole. Yup. The usual.

Watched Take 6! Okay, i have to admit. They ARE better than The Magnets. In fact, I could have sworn some of the acts are rather familiar. Hmm....some borrowing going on? Talking about The Magnets, Colin has left to sing backups for some singer of whose name eludes me at the moment. That's one less for the band. Wonder what they're up to now. Hmm.

Watched Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. My sexy trombonist and bass saxophonist. So full of life, vibrance and energy! And the glow-in-the-dark sticks and bangles were added fun - read: a meteor-like shower of those aforementioned thingies in the concert hall at the Esplanade. Yes, THE concert hall.

My gig with Now Playing at the concourse in the Esplanade. Went alright. But as usual, we could have played better, tighter, yadda yadda. The usual regrets after each performance. But! I'm glad we did not lose the crowd. They stayed. Oh yes they did.

My Telok Kurau Angklung group is getting better. Another thing to be thankful for, considering they're going for SYF in less than three weeks. These kids are real fun to teach. Gonna miss seeing them that often after April 26th. But that also means more time for myself and the shop which i most definitely welcome.

Its March the 31st. Phew. 31 days of almost non-stop working. Nothing feels better.

Mosaic Festival

14th March 2007 - the day Now Playing performed some Japanese funk and jazz to the Singaporean public via the concourse of Esplanade. Oh it was a scintillating experience - one which I hope to reprise again. Someday.

Now Playing is still here to stay!

Ahem, let me correct myself. That gig was not Now Playing's last. I'm proud to say that Now Playing has been invited to perform in Esplanade as part of the fringe festivities of the Mosaic Jazz Festival. Yaaay~~~ yes yes i'm going mad with joy.

As you might have noticed, my bloggings have seemed to have taken a downturn. This just means that I've a lot of catching up to do.

I've just come back from a very satisfying trip to KL last week with some very close and good friends. Experienced some of the very best music and talked to some of the very best musicians I've seen. I came back very inspired but also very sick. Too much vodka does not bode well for the body I'm afraid. But i'm pleased to say my appetite's back and well, my heart's not that much in pain anymore. I've resolved to channel all that into my music. Practice and practice till my fingers drop off and my voice runs dry. Kidding...see you soon guys.

What's up for you this holiday season??

Now Playing's Last Gig

Yup, its our last gig. And it'll be held this Saturday, 2nd Dec at Braddell Heights CC. Well, suffice to say, this will not be the end of Now Playing. A new lineup maybe? One will never know.

I've gone a long way with these guys. Without them I would never have discovered the world of Shiina Ringo and Tokyo Jihen.

At times, it hurts. But I've always been one to put on a smile and face the world. So, I'll be okay.