Gammarays in Kult Video for Artstage!!!

Art Stage Singapore from Kult 3D on Vimeo.

Music Live: Gotan Project and Batucada Sound Machine

I went to watch Gotan Project at the Esplanade Theatre last night. Awesome dance tunes filled the theatre together with the light melodies of the violin and jaunty accordion. The highlight of the evening were the electronics used - the tenorion as well as this wii-like thingy. I also loved the staging and lighting design. So inspired right now! And and and!!! The performance culminated in a 30-min (!!!) encore!!! Good, no? My only peeve? A dance outfit in the theatre?? Try a venue with no seats?



I went out to the outdoor theatre to catch the Batucada Sound Machine's 10pm set. Awesome awesome awesome!!!!!!!!! Everyone was dancing to their infectious repertoire of catchy rhythms, cute horn section and adorable rapper!!!

Rewind years back to when Cat Empire came to our sunny shores and performed at the same place. Total deja-vu there.

I'm leaving you with Tremblin from Batucada Sound Machine. Enjoy!!!

Who Is Willow Smith?

"I whip my hair back and forth, I whip my back and forth..." is the catchy refrain from Willow Smith's first single "Whip My Hair".

She's only 10 (born in 2000) and is one of the youngest solo recording artistes around.

As I was watching her music video, I couldn't help but think, she's so un-child-like. Her level of confidence in front of the camera is amazing. And also, that tiny tinge of doubt, as to whether this would be good for her, to be in the limelight so early on. But, one has to give the Smiths (Willow is the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith) the benefit of the doubt, as they seem to be rather good parents, not like say, the father of Lindsay Lohan.

Anywho, just watch and enjoy the hair-raising antics of Little Miss Willow.

Music of the Moment: Janita

This week I'm listening to the warm sultry vocals of Finnish born Janita, who is now based in the US. I've included music from her three albums: Haunted, Seasons of Life and I'll Be Fine.

Take a listen and become a fan.

Haunted from her newest album "Haunted"



Firefly from her 2001 album "I'll Be Fine"



I Only Want You from her 2005 album "Seasons of Life"

This Week's Music Bath

Infectious song. Especially love that husky voice. That must be why.

Cooler than Me by Mike Posner



My pick from the new album from the Scissor Sisters:

Fire with Fire



Sounds a little like last year's National Day song from Electrico huh? Imagine David running up Marina Barrage with this tune playing in the background and you get what I mean.

I couldn't end off this post without a disco track from them, could I?
Here's Any Which Way

yeah go crazy dancing...in front of your mirror and practice your moves for that song in the clubs.



As always, enjoy!

Music of the Moment: Elizabeth and the Catapult

I am absolutely enthralled by Elizabeth and the Catapults! I love their sound and the cutesy album art! Everytime I listen to them, I feel like I'm flying through fluffy clouds, and everything outside is clean, green and fresh.

Don't know what I mean? Then you absolutely HAVE to listen to their music!

My new favourite band!

Right Next To You



Complimentary



They are coming to Singapore!! Catch them on August 16th at the Youth Park!!
I'll be there. Once I find out what time they are actually playing!

Anyone wanna join me??

xx *i'm so filled with love and fluffiness now* aaahh~

This Week's Music Bath

Gil Scott-Heron's newest single/cover "Me and the Devil".

Its a compelling listen. Reminds me of Massive Attack and their dark sounds.



"Angel Dust". I love the groove on this one. They don't make soul and groove like that anymore.



Juliette Commagere. Front woman of Hello Stranger, backup for The Bird and the Bee amongst her other illustrious entries in her resume.

The Big Middle - a track from her latest solo album Queens Die Proudly.
Dreamy soundscape coupled with her lovely voice equals frequent play on my mp3 player.



I love these two songs by Hello Stranger.

Big Boots. Quirky and sassy lyrics settle in nicely with groovy rhythms and catchy riffs.



Her In These Lights. OMG...that half time chorus gets me all the time.



I'm so happy to have uncovered these gems this week! I get so tired of those radio drivel they play repeatedly. Give me something different anyday!

This week's Music Bath

This week I've included two vastly different pieces of music. Vitalic 's One Above One is a breath of fresh air in today's crowded dance music repertoire whilst Max Richter's beautiful instrumental On The Nature of Daylight must be listened to. It is strangely sad yet inspiring.

Hope you enjoy both pieces. Merry Christmas and spend the rest of the 2009 wisely.

Vitalic - One Above One



Max Richter - On The Nature of Daylight



xoxo

This week's music bath

I think I've found the next two songs that will be on my repeat list:

Here's Adam Lambert's soaring and gorgeous vocals in "Time for Miracles". What caught me and has since been holding me captive starts from the bridge of the song all the way to the end. I swear it gave me goosebumps.



Ke$ha's Tik Tok equals dance-anthem worthy in Phuture!

This week's music bath

Another winner from Miss Zhang. I think the guitar riff is the most catchy part of this song and is what makes the song all the more unforgettable. You?




Fiona Sit's 叮叮車 - Chinese jazz! So rare and so well done! And mainstream!!! OMG!



Warwick Avenue - Duffy. Soothing.



If you don't watch Singapore Idol, watch this. I love this song and Sylvia does a great job IMO. Dick's comments are damn funny!



Shut Up and Let Me Go - The Ting Tings. A bit of fun fantastic frivolity to end this post. I absolutely love this one!

This week's music bath

I thought I'd focus on an Asian theme this week, seeing as I've just started having these urges to go karaoke singing these past few weeks (all started with Soap's bro-in-law's pub opening conveniently giving me an excuse to sing and then Cindy had to go and tell me she was taking half day leave to sing. Thanks -_-).

But anyway, I digress. As usual.

So this one from Fish Leong is a never-fail in my karaoke list (coz the only songs to sing are the Chinese ones. The English mtvs are too damn corny to see, I end up getting distracted and not singing but laughing at the sheer corniness of it all). Again, I digress. Sorry.

Here's my all time favourite: 不想睡 by 梁靜茹, Fish Leong.



Next is the overplayed and over-sung 祝我生日快乐 by 温岚, Landy Wen. I really love this song with its moving melody and lyrics.

I've never sung it. -_-



My favourite Japanese band: Tokyo Jihen with their hit Marunouchi Sadistic.



So there you have it. These are three of the many songs that I hold really close to my heart :)
Enjoy!

This Week's Music Bath

Here are a few of my favourites from ambient/dance groups Air and Massive Attack.

I've loved Air ever since my JC days. This song was the first song I heard that got me hooked.



Alone in Kyoto. So relaxing and so nicely Asian. :D




Sing Sang Sung is their newest single, released August 25 2009



Massive Attack's Teardrop is always welcome on my late nights.



Milk Inc's catchy Tonight coupled with fireworks galore. I'm in awe of her voice.



Run by Milk Inc. The piano riff captures me. Simple yet so effective.

Day Three without Soap

Today Amran, Jim, Emily and me went to visit Feri, Penny and their newest addition to their family, Annabelle. She is so cute! Sweet, adorable, exceptionally tall, pastel bundle of joy with super long fingers and toes! I absolutely love her to bits.


Amran and I then went to Esplanade to give Serene and Barbara our support at their Mbira performance at the Concourse venue.


After their performance, we went for drinks at Makan Sutra nearby. Then a band started playing at the Waterfront Amphitheatre and the music sounded so good that I left to watch their set. Halfway through the set, I realized I had listened to their stuff before - on their Myspace.
The band was none other than In Each Hand A Cutlass or IEHAC for short and they play instrumental rock/ambient music.


The music sounded really tight, the compositions coherent. However, their showmanship was sadly lacking. The band had very or almost no interaction with their audience, but I guess one can forgive that on account of their competent musicianship. A bit of trivia for you. Ex-Electrico guitarist Daniel Sassoon is a member of the band.

Interested? Have a listen to their Myspace ----- here.

This week's music bath

Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

The Veronicas - Untouched

I love the strings intro to this song, and then the electric guitar comes and spoils the magic. Didn't really like the chorus - seems like they can't reach the high notes, but the "la-la-la" part is really cool. :D

Couldn't make a head or toe of the video though. Kinda doesn't seem like it fits with the music. A pity.



Paramore - Crush Crush Crush

A gem of a rock song. Frontwoman Hayley Williams is one of the best vocalist in her genre.



2ne1 - I Don't Care

A new breed of Korean singers who can actually pronounce English properly are up and coming. I Don't Care is a great non-cheesy RnB song with a catchy chorus to boot.

Another gem.



2ne1 - Take A Bow

2ne1's very competent cover of RnB princess Rihanna's Take A Bow. Their live band is damn good!

The Armenian Duduk

I was blown away by the evocative sounds emanating from this ancient Armenian wind instrument called the Duduk. Enjoy!

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.

?

I just had to post this for compelling reasons.

Farewell Now Playing

After almost two years (or more?), Now Playing is disbanding (?) for reasons that to me are the wrong reasons. I won't apologize for having higher standards. Neither will I apologize for only choosing to sing songs that are non-mainstream (which IMO, only the music from TJ/Ringo and a few other bands are). I won't apologize for turning down non TJ/Ringo songs not because I only like TJ but because we can't do it well. I won't apologize for only choosing TJ/Ringo songs because hey, you couldn't and wouldn't try out the songs from the other bands I chose because "we think its too difficult". For the record, we didn't only do TJ songs this time around.

And lastly, I won't appologize for getting angry if a) you didn't practice b) you were fooling around c) you couldn't keep time d) I hurt your ego. I always thought being ready and prepared was a pre-requisite before coming for jamming, but I guess I was wrong.

WTH. We are all adults here. So say it to my face like I always do to you guys, instead of having to concoct and engineer some sort of situation so that you make it look like I am not being kicked out of the band but that we're disbanding instead. What? Is this a children's game?

The only reason why you don't say it to my face is because you know I'm right. You want to go another direction? Fine by me. I won't kick up a fuss. Finding new directions are always good and help keep the music from going stale.

But if you wanna go behind my back and say the reason for throwing me out is because I only choose to do songs from TJ, then you're so wrong. Don't be afraid to say that you didn't wanna do those songs I sent to your emails because they were too tough. THAT is the real reason why we're doing mostly TJ/Ringo songs. NOT because I'm too strait-laced to try out other stuff.

I feel disappointed, but what's new. I feel betrayed. Then again, what's new.

Its being fun while it lasted, Now Playing. Time to press the stop button.

What is your sign?

I saw this today...and even though it was in Japanese, I understood it. This video touched me, I hope it does the same to you :)

Dreams come true _ a・I・shi・te・ru no sign _ PV
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