Spector. :S

 So there i was, all excited to catch Spector! with Kevin and Patrick! whheeee! The concert was sponsored by topman, and the guys from Spector were decked in collared shirts and blazers, very classy. SO I HAD NO IDEA WHO THEY WERE! (so shoot me, i live under a rock"-_-) but yes, their music, i was told, was indie electronic pop.. and here i was thinking Ellie Goulding mmchi mmchi bop-up-and-down kinda music! So, Spector is a 5 piece band from london, very old school looking, with hair slicked back, thick framed glasses, and described as a fuse between the Strokes, the killers and Frank Sinatra. To me, they sounded like Foster the People after the cold war. old. very old. i'd call it classic. if you're into geeky looking indie bands, this is it.

Okay, now begins the slam. because i feel the performance was a let down. If you detest angst, and are seriously peace loving, stop reading here. "-_- to read on bout how the concert wasen't that great, read on!

So one wierd thing was that, the lead singer Frederick Macpherson kept singing to himself, and combing, yes combing, his hair on stage the way you would during the hippy-belljar-bottom-jeans era. kind of odd to be combing your hair like "Grease" in the middle of a song duncha think? but his hair was melting. he was sweating. must be the thick jackets. His vocals weren't impressive either, and I could only make out two phrases out of the entire night. The first was "what you wanted was not what I wanted" from a song titled "what you wanted". It repeated over and over like Bieber's "baby baby baby oh". you really can't miss it. The second was "shimmy down yea shimmy shimmy down yeah" which turned out to be "Chevy thunder Chevy Chevy thunder" from a song called, you guessed it, "Chevy Thunder". Heard it on the radio and I was wondering how come i was listening to Gold90fm. nope. I wasen't. To me, their music didn't really have anything unique, other than it recreating old music. abit like they got stuck, time travelled or something.

His stage presence was terrible. he was just hopping to and fro by himself, sweating (which looked quite gross. WIPE IT DUDE! you're dripping. and singing to himself. he looked rather like he was acting and looking good on stage, which isin't a crime, especially not if you're a band travelling the world. pretty cool, but there was zero connection. if you think it's just cus i wasen't a hardcore fan, most of the crowd had their arms crossed, and no one was dancing even though the drums were banging off, at most, some people were swaying/bobbing. So I know it's not just me.

"hey guys. you are the best crowd ever, we love singapore. it's gota be the best place we've been to"
zero excitement in his tone. said it a couple of times, really slowly. LIE TO MY FACE WHY DONT YOU! and the cheering wasen't that loud. no one really screaming. which is surprising because everyone there looked ready to rockout! half the crowd looked more 'rockstar' than the band. a suit doesn't make you cool just because you are wearing it.

This guy was probably the saving grace, he was playing keys, a synthesizer, and a guitar (not simultaneously) and he was pretty good-looking. killed my boredom for some parts when the songs sounded like a broken record. 

Another distracting factor was the cool laser lights, though they were abit blinding when they were shining into my eyes. more for clubbing. Overall, I think the concert vibe was lacking, the mixing was kinda bad because it sounded pretty messy rather than clear, which isin't the venue's fault because other bands have had great sound coming out. not sure, but this band just didn't do it for me. Music that I couldn't hear properly, and zero stage presence was kind of. empty. and then it ended. and the venue emptied out pretty fast, no one called for an encore, which makes it the first concert this year I've been to that people haven't asked for an encore! yup. 40 minutes and it was over. did i mention they were late?

okay. done ranting. heard their youtubes and on radio, they arent that bad, but nothing spectacular. got me thinking. perhaps they represent an image that people can identify with? so that's good then. music is sometimes more than just the music and skill, and about an image, an identity. kind of like Kitty Brucknell who's in my opinion a Lady Gaga wannabe =) which is cool too.

Begin again - Taylor Swift cover

Hi guys! here's another cover i finally did after soooo long *blows dust off youtube account! WOAH finally plucked up enough guts to do it again, accompanied by my trusty pooch snoozing beside me all the way through. guess i always kept making mistakes in my playing and i never dared to put anything else up "-_- but i guess, the only way to get better is to keep going at something till it gets better! hahah =)

so here's a cover. i hope you like it! and constructive help is always appreciated! leave a comment/ msg!

and have a great weekend! =D

The awesome, James Morrison

Blown away by James Morrison I was!! *fake english accent. 

English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and my music idol. Needless to say, I think he's got amazing stage presence, which only complements his versatile voice even more. Born in poverty, he really rose up and made the most of his life, having several top hits, and having such meaningful, artistic songs. He even opened for Corrine Bailey Rae for awhile. He's more than just a preacher of messages through his songs, I think that he's living proof of what he sings about. Accomplishing great success and emerging despite his background to become the great musician he is today. As though his deeply soulful, raspy and husky voice wasen't enough to seal the deal. Wondering why his voice is so unique? James Morrison had whooping cough as a baby and almost died!

To me, his songs aren't just tunes, they're music, the way music was meant to be, the way music used to mean something. Soulful, jazzy, and full of emotion, his songs are easy to connect with. Some about love, some about loss, some about struggle. Everyone goes through that in some degree or other.

He came on set at the Esplanade with a full band, ready to go with a BANG! HERE I AM SINGAPOREEEE! vibe, swiftly leaping onto stage and starting his first song, with two vocalists, 2 keyboardists (one piano and one organ i presume), a bassist, an electric guitarist and a drummer. The drums had heavy beats of reggae, jazz and hip hop, while the singers and instrumentalists, 6 others, melded into a perfect symphony for each song, with James as a frontman of course, and acoustic guitarist, switching easily between the acoustic, classical, and 12 string guitar. Did i mention, he was moving non-stop across to and fro on the stage, as if his guitar weighed nothing more than a feather, and strumming crisp, neat strokes on his guitar with such ease. I basically just watched, enchanted by the easiness of his being on stage. His exuding confidence matched his hyper-happiness on stage, really bringing out the cheery, ecstatic tones of his songs.

My favourite song from his album "The Awakening" would be "In My Dreams" which he wrote when his father passed away. While it's got a poppy, blissful tune of dreaming, and being grateful to see someone again, even if just in the imagined facade of a dream,  where there is suspended disbelief and reality if forcefully, unwantedly forgotten, the melancholic reminiscence of missing someone shines through. How he put that emotion in words, in a song, baffles me. He really is pure genius. There's always someone you miss. People come and go =P

He sang continuously, like one song would end and the beat would merge into the next song, or he'd just burst into it, or do a slow solo of hums and scat-singing, with lots and lots of improvisations, soulful riffs only someone like him could sing perfectly. He really got into the groove, with his sassy attitude, getting the music pumping up loud and everyone up dancing (and some girls screaming) and made the crowd sway to his slower, more lamenting songs. Some of the many hits he sang included 'Up', 'Broken Strings', 'beautiful life', 'slave to the music' (that was a fun funky dance number ;) ) 'you give me something', 'i won't let you go', 'only night' and "you make it real". 

And he ended his performance with the song I like most, 'Wonderful World'. SO SWEET! 

-And I know it's a wonderful world, from the sky down to the sea-

-but i can only feel it when you're here, here with me-

and yes, his voice is amazing. I could rave on about it endlessly!

Another part I really liked was a soft beat on the rim of the snare drum by the drummer, and the shaker. Catchy, groovy enough to dance to, yet simple =) while James Morrison punched chords on his guitar, playing with palm mutes and different timbres. The reggae beat in "you give me something" was really happening! haha and hyphy-inducing, and got everyone moving to the beat, and they faded out, with the drummer focusing on the cymbals intently, as though thinking to himself "i'm a mouse.. quiet as a mouse  as the beat got softer and softer HAHA!

look everyone's dancing, in a full-house, sold-out concert (as if anyone is surprised. c'mon people. HAHA)

AND TO END IT OFF! James Morrison was soaking wet from dancing all night under the spotlight. Bouncing on stage from left to right, his sureness and mobility on stage, he flicked his hair as he head-banged to the pounding beats amongst soaring vocals, and yes, i was so upclose that I saw his beads of sweat flying out. how rockstar looking is he! and his keyboardist with a mini-afro was headbanging too, his afro-do bouncing too and fro, very hipster indeed HAHA! not to mention how he stripped his shirt at the end  the awesome encore, topping the night and ending the concert on a high note (>_<)"

taking a bow!

but yes, James Morrison delivered nothing but awesomeness in an amazing concert, good enough to get the crowd dancing (how often does that happen in Singapore)!! guess i'll see you 'in my dreams'!!! So thanks to GreenHorn for bringing JM in,  and thanks Kevin for sharing with me the chance to experience the dream HAHA and always supporting me with my dreams  =)

hip hat

To compare, James Morrison's concert was definitely more upbeat, louder, and crazier than the MTV session in March that was more intimate. but it's all amazing to watch. =)

COME BACK SOON JAMES MORRISON!! CELLE LOVES YOUR CONCERTS!

And here are some old photos from March..but forever in my memory *melts. *sighh =))

{it's a rollercoaster ride with your heart pumping, a billion thoughts running through your mind, and your body too paralysed to move/speak when you meet your inspiration.}

autographed album!

and again, thank you thank you Kevin, for without whom I would never had this dream come true. 

un-be-frickin-lievable =D

Ingrid Michaelson at the Esplanade

Can't believe Ingrid Michaelson finally finally came to Singapore =) Was looking forward to finally watching her show after a long day! And it definitely sparkled up my nights, with high notes, sombre cooing, and not to mention the tummy-tickling laughs she gave me from her witty jokes. Her confidence and comfort on stage made her a true star in her own skin, donning a curious looking outfit of stockings and boots, topped with a shirt that had a tail, and short shorts. " Those at the back, if you can't se, I'd just like to point out that I'm wearing shorts" she joked, just in case those at the back thought she was being skimpy! On the contrary. Her ukelele strumming came off strong, like a march,  filling the auditorium with a full sound of her memorable melodies. I felt as though I had just been whisked off into a box of sound =D  (pardon the blur photos, I really ought to get a proper camera :D)

Fun fact: Ingrid Michaelson has a degree in theatre, and used to be part of a comedy group. Shes a pro-comedian!

She performed songs from her old album and new one, perfectly hitting all the notes like a pro, keeping the hopeful vibe her music does by singing songs like "Do it now", "parachute" and "giving up. She also did one of my top favorites "corner of your heart", ending in a note that seemed to go on forever. DREAMY!

On stage with her was a brilliant set-up, backed by two talented female singer songwriters themselves, harmonising in perfect sync, and the guitars seemed to shadow each other, creating one same sound of perfect blending. Usually instruments can be heard singularly and separated, but they matched up so well! Donned in black and high heels, I definitely thought they were badass! =) Her two backups were Allie Moss, checkout a song here, and Bess Rogers, checkout a song here.

Living in New York, she narrated the story of how she'd take the train to Manhatten every morning to record her album and would b in a great mood, whilst others would look downright dreary and depressed, and recounted how one time, during winter and all bundled up in jackets, she was snuggled up with another girl in the subway because it was so crowded that they got squished up next to each other! and she was comfortably cuddling the other girl all the way. Finally when she reached her stop, she got off and wanted to say goodbye but the other girl had looked away. And so, in a time capsule, she shared a wonderful snuggle with a stranger.  In contrast, a snobby teenager had 'accidentally' (Ingrid insists it was on purpose) knocked Ingrid's coffee out her mitten and onto the snow and she just felt so sad, unable to do anything about it, and ending up lying in bed thinking of the bajillion things she could've said or done, imagining herself as a superhero and towering threateningly over! HAHA but anyway, so instead of being nasty, why can't everyone just be nice to one another? So that's the story behind her song, "blood brothers". I guess another thing about Ingrid that I love, is that her music always has that tone of hope, like tomorrow's always going to be better. Another chance to try. =)

Here's the youtube, which i loved too, she dresses up as Marilyn Manson and Lady Gaga. Rather cool.

-'Cause we're all blood brothers.-

Ingrid wooed the crowd with her jokes, then seemed to jump right into her sad song "Ghost" just by flipping her hair, which she says gets her into her sad mood. Her ability to focus after telling jokes was amazing, delivering her song with such strong emotional zest, and fully conveying the melancholic messages of that song, hitting all the notes, and holding the pauses and keeping the audience captive. Then hops back into jokes on how terrified she was that the bubblegum-police were going to throw her in jail for popping gum, and imagined us Singaporeans with bubblegum addictions, rushing home to stuff ourselves with gum and when finally, frothing and foaming at the mouth and satisfied, we'd pass out happily haha! She even did some improvising on creating her own Singaporean song, complete with snapping of tha fingers and that *swagger, ending off with "Don't tell mama what you did". I couldn't help but roar with laughter. 

Her husband Greg Laswell opened the show, playing both the guitar and the piano (what a talented, musical couple) although, according to Ingrid, she doesn't play the banjo in the corner while he does something else musical, they just, watch TV. here's a song by him, click here. He also sang a song called "how the day sounds", which was about how a day can just be amazing when you're with someone special. he's pretty funny too, doing a cover, he says was of someone covering his own song where the song was slowed down, and he thought it sounded so much better! haha! and he did a super emo, slow version of "girls just wana have fun" which sounded serious, yet the familiar tune just can't be taken that seriously, so it was good. =) super sweet together they even did a duet called "light in me", squeezing lovingly together to share a microphone!

She even foretold the future and notified us how she would pretend to go offstage and we'd clap for 30 seconds and shout for an encore before she'd come back onstage totally unprepared and totally shocked! So heads up, fifteen minutes later we roared again with laughter as she, Allie and Bess had fake-stunned-faces, saying how they were totally caught offguard and unpre- *starts strumming ukelele and dives into "be ok"!! HAHA a happy, cheerful song! finally ending (for real this time) with "the way I am".

I'm in such awe of her singing abilities, with such an amazing, soaring voice, as well as her songs. they're just so nice to listen to, and truly inspiring. And I wouldn't have gotten the opportunity if not for Kevin, so thanks Kevin! for the awesome seats! definitely chased my Monday blues away =)

Singing at the 'Face The Music' concert!!

Hello! a long overdue post.. i'm a little WOLS! So I played a short gig on the Friday of the first week of school!!! Singing at the NUS Exxonmobil Campus Concert for the 'Face The Music' one-day festival =)

and they said there was free beer. so I pictured this:

i watch too many movies lol. no funnels or kegs or barrels, but lots of cans. so, still pretty good. 

cold beer is always good. =)

Anyway, got to the University Cultural Centre (UCC) theatre in a huff because my soundcheck was at 2pm (which was supposed to be rescheduled but no one reads emails) which I didn't turn up for cus 

IM A BADASS ROCKSTAR!!!

I had a lecture. so they said it was okay, come at 4..

so I get there at 4pm, in my head is "run run run, faster than my bullet" by Foster the people HAHA and I do my soundcheck, which I was kind of nervous for. I WAS NERVOUS FOR AN EMPTY ROOM AND 6 SOUND AND LIGHTS PEOPLE. great. HAHA oh well. maybe it's an excited feeling that my brain translates as 'nervous'. adrenaline maybe? but anyway. im excited =)

I popped out for awhile to say hi to friends and get a free beer HAHA but i didn't drink it in the end because i didnt want to burp midway in my song into the mic. that would not be pleasant. BRAAA-AAAP Homer simpson style...

then i sit and wait for a couple of hours and BAM! show time! played super happy songs this time, i figured cus it's a FRIDAAYYYYY!!! whee!!

Anyhoos, played a couple of covers, "Call me maybe" and "Prima Donna", and a couple of my own songs. I even spotted a girl I didn't know bopping her head to my songs so that was MONDO COOL!

 take-a-picture-ure-ure-ure!!! *prances around. By far, most fun concert (in my head). and freaking cool lights though I couldn't see them from where I was standing, but the pictures looked kinda cool

and an extremely major factor in my performance, Kenneth Qua!!!! who played guitar for me (he's got amazing playing style) and is super fun to jam with. He definitely made me feel reassured, and his guitarring meant I could concentrate better on singing, and not have to multitask. I like playing the guitar but it gets confusing, and he did it waaaay better than me too. His tone and rhythm were easy for me to sync with, and it was super fun having him there with me. AWESOMEEES! I'm glad to have shared an awesome experience with an awesome fellow musician! and honored to have him there =)

Here are some pictures, courtesy of IamLocalised:

and here are some iphone pictures, cus we all know how much i love taking pictures! 

(see what i did there *haha) esp with friends! Thank you soooo much for coming down, be it from the engin faculty in NUS, or the engin faculty allll the way from NTU!!! and everywhere else. Thank you to everybody who came to watch too! I hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as I did!

 Dinner with my awesome friends!!

 AND THANK YOU FOR THA SUNFLOWERS!

They just brightened my night even more! thank you thank you everyone for taking time out of your busy schedules to come spend time with me! I super appreciated it =)

Thank you also to Kevin Mathews who is always there to support me, I wouldn't have gotten here without your guidance and constant belief in me!! and thanks also to Music and Movement for inviting me to perform! I had a blast performing, and making new friends with the fellow performers!!

Definitely a day to remember. =D TEEHEE!