Esplanade Gig Singapore ( Part 2)

Alrighty. Ready for part 2 ? It's been a week now. So I'm just gonna finish the remaining part of it and get done with it. muahaha.

Day 2 at singapore. Seemed like everyone had their own plans planned out here. Some had to find potential buyers and sellers of guitar parts, some had to find loved ones, some went to give vocal training.

Me? Went with Mozad and Tony to look for the elusive Swee Lee music shop. Elusive? yea. We went round in circles searching for it.

Nah. This ain't Swee Lee. But turned out to be one of the many music shops located at City Hall. There were 9-10 music shops located there at the same area. Later got me real 'pek chek' ( frustrated) about it. I'll tell as we go on.

We looked and looked till finally we found Swee Lee. But it didn't have that many drum stuff . My expectations were like sky high before this. Anyways, they didn't even sell my brand of drumsticks there. Sighs.

Anyways, later everyone, and I meant EVerYone splitted up. Thank God for Mich, who managed to contact me tho I didn't handfon services. If not would have been alone, wandering the streets of Spore. Keke.








Boarded the MRT to Tampines to have lunch with Julia, our famous SIA air hostess now. Awesome lunch. Yum.

After that, Mich and Julia went on a shopping frenzy cos of the Singapore Sale. hehe. I had to head back for sound check.


sorry, I meant butt-check.
:p


The view from Esplanade. It's really a nice place to chill out. It's romantic, it's quiet. You see people jogging by, you see couples enjoying their moments, you see families having quiet quality outings.



Photo's taken by Mozad grinning away behind the camera. :P


The backstage photo. I like this pic a lot. Backstage is where we discuss our songs between breaks, talk about anything under the sun, make stupid jokes and talk about family and friends.


Anyway that was Day 2.

Next day we headed to church, together.


It was good. Looks familiar? Yea, the church was at a cinema itself. It's not an old broken down cinema. It's exactly like GSC at a shopping mall here. After service, they clean up, people walk in and catch their movie. Good eh?



Lunch with the pastors. Felt like a mission trip here.


After lunch we actually 2 hours to spare. Instead of catching forty winks, some of us hardcore-music-shop-finders decided to sniff out more music shops. and boy, did we found out more music shops at the city hall which we didn't notice the day before. sad thing was, they had 2 drum shops!! just selling drum stuff...and...and...it was cloSED!!!! :( :(




all in all, I'm so coming back here for drums. anyone going to singapore? try this plaza k? it's opposite city Hall. Swee Lee is not everything. Here, just the building alone they have like 7-8 music shops alone. Everywhere you turn there are guitars displayed oh-so-gloriously.

Last gig


This is Mozad's bass. Frankenstein bass, they call it. Cos he kinda custom made it himself.



wished I could take this notice back home.



Ok. This is the last of the pics.

We were all so drained towards the last set. 28-30 songs a day. 3 days. Almost 90 songs all in all.

I'm not big time. Just really priviledged and blessed to have this opportunity. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything else. I've learned so much. Enjoyed so much. Bonded with these really cool people.

How can I describe everything in a few words?

It's like going for a holiday in singapore, just that your holiday schedule includes jamming on stage with the best musicians in the country.

That's about it.

Have a nice day, y'all.

Ja.

Esplanade Gig Singapore ( Part 1)

I'm back. Lotsa stories. Lotsa lessons. To sum up in one word:

.....


Can't sum up. haha. Awesome is an understatement. Everyone's been asking how was it. I'll just let the photo's do the talking. Aight?


I decided to travel light. No snares. No cymbals. Only my cheapo Stagg, and the leftover sticks I'm using now which aren't broken. yet. hehe. Singapore maa..should have canggih manggih stuff rite?



Ok. We didn't stay at Waterloo Hotel. We stayed at Waterloo HoStel. One 'S' a lot different k?
But it was really fun la. 6 guys to a dorm. Like da good ol' dayz.



Traveling with Musos' (musicians) is quite a cool experience. hehe. Half of our 'luggage' consist of guitars, bags for pedals, cymbal bags. Yea. People do stare.






This is the banner at Esplanade. Broke into cold sweat when I saw it. Wah. They advertised d.. Found out Tempered Metal and Lied just played there a week before us.




This is our stage. The equipments, the sound, the amps, the instruments == number one.
Best sound I've ever had in my LIFE. Yes you heard me. You can hear everything crystal clear. Very professional sound engineer. Lurved it.

They gave me my favourite setting!! 2 floor toms . 18" and 20" Yamaha. I dunno what series. ( sorry, VJ, haha.) THey never put label. Zildjan K crashes. Schwweeeet.







This is Aleena. Band leader and main keyboardist. Oh ya. They provided Yamaha S90. Anyway, she's one heck of a keyboardist. clean playing, definite and really expressive in keys. Her band awareness is very good, she knows exactly what everyone is playing. Thumbs up!

Tony. Our rhythm guitarist. He's not just-any-camp-fire-strumming guitarist. hehe. He can play blues, nice rifts and clean, clear strumming when it comes to accoustic. Nice wah's and bluesy foundation in guitar play. *salute* One heck of a joker oso.


Guessed who turned up for the gig? heh. What a surprise. I didn't active my roaming. Had no idea she turned up. Spotted some gal sitting down. Thought to myself, hmm..looks vaguely like Mich. The moment she moved and swinged her hair. BINGO! I knew it! Haha. Thanks for coming all the way~ :) *excuse my erm..sweaty t shirt..was really hot kay...*



Mozad. One of the whackiest guy in the group. He made grooving so easy for me. He da man.


Meet Andrew. (Far right) Lead guitarist. Sessionist for Juwita, Siti Nurhaliza. One in a million.
Guitaring skills is top notch. So is his guitar knowledge. Nothing more to say. Damn keng chao.

Yea. I'm jakun kay. We don't get road signs like this back home.

Food is cheap here. Annnd interesting.


This is the 'mini pot.'


end of part 1. end of first day.

Stay tuned for more . ;)

Ja.

Walking among giants

Last sunday practice. Made my way to Akakarya. I think it was only last year that I saw a pamphlet about this famous jam/recording studio opened by Sheila Majid and her husband. That time, was really drooling at how professional jam studios can be, unlike the cheapo ones we can afford, where there's a stinking smell, the drums sounds like drums used for lion dances before, rusty guitars and amps that are never heard of before, and also sounded like never heard of before. haha. I meant that in a bad way.

Anyway, I met the musicians. Really felt incompetent and nervous. I was so unprepared. Didn't have the time on Saturday to prepare being at church and weddings. Sighs. One of em' is DUMC guitarist. Maybe some of you would know him.

Then, in stepped.......

Mozad.




This is him. The famous Mozad. The last time I saw him was at Infest, shredding and slapping away his bass along with David G. Tried my best to keep my cool. heh. To date, the most keng chao bassist I've ever played with is David. Now...
But, he's really a nice guy. After a few words, with his cheeky grins and laid back attitude, we had no problem gelling together.

anyway, the experience of playing with giants is undescribable.




The way pros conduct their jam sessions is a whole different experience itself.
and the music...oh, the music...the quality...
Half the time I was enjoying the music rather than concentrating on playing..haha..

We'll be doing 3 sets a night. 1 set consists of 7-8 songs. Honestly, I haven't done so many songs one shot before my whole life. most of em Juwita's songs, Liang's songs and covers. Most consists of slow songs, R & B and some funk. all of those which aren't my familiar territory. heh.

Anyway, lemme take you around Akakarya.


this is the waiting/lobby area. you can see a huge wall portrait of Sheila herself. The place is clean, with good air ventilation, with a TV to keep you company if you're waiting your turn.


Here is the corridor leading to further jam studios. There you go, another portrait of Sheila. There have posters by Mia, too.

The dance studio. Not really big, but funky enough tho.


Anyway, I've saved the best for last. I've been to quite a few jam studios before, but nothing beats their main studio here. RM 60 an hour. I'll explain why.My jaw dropped when I stepped into it.

First of all, it's huge. Like, really spacy and big. And I like their flooring a lot. Feels quite at home. They place carpets below instruments to protect from scratches. Superb lighting. The ambience was wonderful.
The equipment and the instruments..oh..


For starters, I don't know a lot about amps. But I remember the Marshall piece on top is the JCM 2000. Other 2 is Fender don't-know-what. Yea, yea I know I gotta learn more about this stuff. For keys, they have the almighty Yamaha S90. And one more which I didn't notice what brand too. Drums, they use Yamaha Maple custom series, complete with Zildjian A customs.
*salivate* They even have equipment for in-ear-monitors.

For every musician, they own their own amps facing them. Yes, even the lead singer, there's a chair for you, and an amp for you all by yourself. And lying next to the wall, there's the place for the backups. 3 chairs in parallel, with the music stands, and again, an amp.

The best ever studio for me to date. Probably local artists use this place 1,2 months for practice, then they head off for tours.

For me, I wouldn't count myself worthy of using this equipment. If you wanna use the place, just make sure you don't go in there and play Simple Plan or Metallica. Haha. worst, don't go in there, hold you guitar and ask your bandmates " Eh, wat song we wanna play?"

Anyways, I count myself so blessed. The timing for everything, the steps God put me into is perfect for everything. Been exposed to so many things. Been outside my normal circle of friends. Traveling with strangers-become-friends. Been doing things which I normally don't do.
Talking to big time investors, playing with big time musicians, running around in the rain early in the morning in malacca. Heh.

It's been wonderful time walking among giants.

I'll be back with updates from Singapore.

Pray that I won't screw up. :P

Ja.

Whut up

Ahh.. Wut happenin..wut happening..
Let's see....
since I came back.. hopped on the bandwagon to watch Spidey 3..

and attended Mr and Mrs Colin Pal's beautiful wedding..
I gotta say, it's one the most enjoyable wedding for me, most due to having seen all our tai kor and tai ka cheh..



and of course, I always say I'm so blessed to have so many hot looking girls as my friends..hehe..







Quality of the pics aren't really good, buthen whut can ya expect from using a camera phone rite??

Anyway few days after that, I whizzed down to malacca, to join D'Jungle People. Part time. Many a times I wuz thinking how can my drumming skills earn me some money. Finally it's all coming in. heh. Had to help out mainly with their Drum Circle, one of the programmes they run. Took my cajon, and went down for 3 days. These guys are professionals, so much so I don't dare to take any pics. After kena sue or something. Anyway, the funny thing was I had to wear some erm.. ' some white stuff' for the drum circle thingie. I felt like a freak. But after a while felt kinda good. hehe.


Speaking abt drumming bringing me to places, recently I received this sms from Agnel
'Hey dude, do you want to play for Juwita in Singapore?'

When I first read it , I thought he must be joking. But to cut the long story short, I contact Ju, and guess what, I'm goinngggg!!


Drumming for one of the biggest stars of our local music scene. Overwhelmed and super super nervous. * I better not screw up, I better not screw up* All expenses paid for.


Esplanade Outdoor Theatre.
Our venue.
I'm playing with the pros!! *knees shaking*
I'll be gone next weekend.
Practice begins this Sunday.
Can't wait.

Ja.

My Becoming

A few days at home, a few days away from my other 'home'.
Feels like eternity has passed.

It's hard. To choose. To decide.
I close my eyes, and I try to imagine. I fantasize. I dream.

..What would I become? ..

It's like watching television. Flipping thru the channels..

You see something, you like..
You see something else, you like it too..

Looking at my options..
I am a ambitious guy.
Sometimes it's good. sometimes it's not so good too.

Don't really know where I'm heading.
Don't really know what's gonna happen.
There's a lot of ' I wonders' ..and 'What If's'

I look to the left. I turn to my right.
I look at you. and you. and you.
And I think. Should I be like you?
Should I follow you?

and I think of you.
and you remind me of me.
a 'me', few years back..few months back..
maybe time will bring you becoming me.
the now of me..

Ah..
The long and windy road..
No one walks it but you alone..
Sometimes you hear your family, your friends cheering you on..
Sometimes you don't.

We always get to eat the same medicine we dish out to others..
*Value the people you de-value most, eh? *

I will not be proud enough to be humble.
Teach me, to feed on the pie of humility.

Hey You..
Where should I go?
You were always there, weren't You?
I'm so stupid. So, so stupid...
I gaze towards the skies.
dearly beloved, won't You shine Your light..
on this dark and narrow path I'm in..
heh..it's been a long time..huh..
that I'm stuck in this..

It's ok...
I've learnt patience..
It's ok..
I've tasted suffering. I've tasted loneliness.
It's ok..
I've tasted humiliation. I've tasted discouraging words.
It's ok..

Anxiety comes creeping in.
I'm anticipating. I feel it coming soon.
I'm getting restless.
I don't know where's all this taking me.
But it's the beginning, of my becoming...

Ja.

What Has Happened

It has been a while. So much has happened, I don't even know where to start.
It's ok, let's take it one at a time.

Dear friends, to announce, 3 weeks ago I've stopped working in my previous company. We'll just take it as that. As to how or why, I'd rather not announce it so publicly here. We can talk about it if you meet me face to face, and ask me about it. Don't worry, I won't get worked up . I'll give you a smile and tell you all about it.

Since that fateful day, somehow I've managed to attend 4 gigs in 2 weeks. First was to support our good friends PG 165 in KL Jam Asia. 2nd, was a Tribute to Incubus gig also held at the same place 2 days later. There, they had local bands playing Incubus covers as well as their own stuff. Bands and individuals that played there were: Rezza Salleh, Evol, Estranged and Neo Medicus.
All 4 bands were totally awesome. To date, it was the most enjoyable time I had there in Jam Asia. It was only me and deric. But it was ok. Opened my eyes to so many good bands around. And I had to chance to watch Estranged live.

Check out the Video below. Estranged doing Incubus' 'Anna Molly'.




What was surprising is to see Meliya ( I hope I spelled correctly) and Jimmy from Tempered Metal playing for Neo Medicus and Rezza Salleh. And guess who was Rezza's drummer? Mia Palencia's sessionist Stephanie. What a small world huh. :)

1 day after that, hopped on the bandwagon and made my way to Good Charlotte's concert. Most people I know will make a face and smirk about Good Charlotte. They go for Muse. Nah. Not for me. Sorry, I don't really go with the you guys. I like GC. I'd sleep at a Muse concert. :P Yea, smirk back at me.

Anyways thankfully I managed to source out to some friends, and obtain VIP passes. You know how powerful VIP passes are? No need to queue up at long lines. Just stroll in after everyone went in, and walk right in front of the stage which is reserved only for VIPs. Turning back we could thousands of people squashed like bugs right in front. Heh. How's the view from where we were?
Like this.






How many gigs I mentioned already? 3?

Oh ya, actually I went to 4 and half gigs. hehe. Was supposed to catch our 'sister band' Four Letter Story at Jam Asia again last Thursday. Had to teman mummy and aunty who came down KL, rushed there after everything only to find that they're already done. Suddenly another friend called me, telling me to come watch another gig just a few blocks away. It was at Groove Function.

The moment I stepped in, automatically I realized the music is of high quality. Sophisticated and really groovy jazz music. My ears tell me that this is no ordinary band of musicians. The lights were quite dim. I peered a lil' closer, and smacked my head....

It was...

Josie Thomas and band!!



The music!! The grooves!! Man...got me all grooved up..Just hearing John Thomas chopping and laying the beat..simply awesome..



That's the last of my gig' tour for past 2 weeks.

Anyways, I'm in a crucial stage of my life now. Standing at crossroads. Looking at road signs. And trying to decide which road I wanna take. It's critical and scary at the same time. Cos I know, I can't keep coming back to the crossroad. Trying to realise what I want. What I'm destined to be.

I'll leave that for another posting.

Till then, cheerioz.

Ja.