Lyrcist.

i've found an uber talented lyrcist. Jeslyn Chan Ee Ling.

i knew her for a decade but i never knew she could write so well. i always thought that she's only capable of singing my demos. Wahaha. Shall publish our latest work soon.

She wrote the lyrics for my new song. She writes in a simple yet firm manner. The way she conveys the message in the song is like.. WOW. And she can really rhyme the words. i heart!

i'm constantly looking for lyricists whom i can try working with. Do drop me a mail if you think you're up to it. =)

Break.

Despite having a number of incompleted stuff in hand, i decided to give myself a day break. Away from all the songs and arrangements. This much needed rest will enable me to inject more creative and mass-friendly ideas into my demos when i get back to work.

Was doing my new song when i sudddenly got a mood swing. Maybe i was too into it that it affected me? i let my "sometimes eccentric character" get the better of me. Thus, i deleted my that entire Sonar file. Definitely for the better. And i won't touch it again. For Friday only. i will do a better one on Saturday. Demoralised.

i will put on my thinking cap again on Saturday.

True Fact.

"The top producers and musicians were the most humble and unselfish guys. They share their knowledge with u, and didn’t look at u as competition.They regarded u as much needed new blood, to join them and make the Asian Pop Wall of Sound stronger then before."

- FM Director, Eric Ng

i agree with him totally. Nicole is a living example. Not like.... (no names mentioned) Haha.

My Music.

Sorry for the hiatus. Been really busy lately. Lots of songs to be recorded and arranged. And the arrangement is killing me. i really envy the Warner songwriters where they just have to write the melody and the arranger will arrange for them. Sigh.

From a positive perspective, i get to experience and learn alot of stuff. And every song that i write and arrange, brings me to a different level of musicality (erm.. how many storeys are there? Haha.) And it allows me to understand all the contemporary pop stuff that i'm doing zillion times better. i can feel and kinda see the improvement that i've made over these months. But it's all hard work yah? i'm definitely very much better than when i first started out. Argh.. My that groovy R & B number. it took me a god darn 3 weeks to arrange. But now i can easily arrange a decent ballad in a day. Wheee...

it's all part of my musical journey. i reap what i sow.

Eric Ng is uber inspirational. For people who's lost, Eric's the director of Funkie Monkies Pop Music School. As known to many, he's the man behind the songs featured in the local movie "881." Btw, i'm attracted to the songs that were featured in 881 though i'm no avid fan of Hokkien music. it just sounds interesting. i think i'm gonna buy the OST, then i can sing to you guys. Wahaha. Indeed, music is universal and has no boundaries. As a songwriter, it is important and enriching to be exposed to different music genres. Erm.. Anyway, back to Eric. He's an uber talented Producer/ Arranger/ Songwriter.. i aspire to be like him! Darn. it's uber embarrassing if he's knows about this. Haha. Because of him, i'm gonna churn out a new song before i turn in. =) Wait.. it's not because i like him or what-so-ever. Just that he inspires me. Get it?

i'll be back soon. With more zest. And of course cool pictures. Oh ya. My mummy got me a new PDA handphone. HTC Touch. Uber sleek and stylish. Just like me. Haha.

Our Nation's 42nd.

i was part of the historical moment yesterday. World's largest floating stage. it was my full-housed concert. All 27 000 fans turned up. i wished.

We were there pretty early. An hour before the time we're supposed to be seated. But.. it's already darn crowded.

Weather was humid. Sigh. Was surprised by the crowd over at One Fullerton. God.. They were there like eons before the parade starts. So so so packed. They are really patient man. To think my mum says she wants to watch the fireworks. How can she ever beat these kiasu Singaporeans?

Non ticket holders.

The emcees.
Dim Sum Dollies. My all time favourite local cabaret trio. They're darn talented. i heart their slapstick humour.

i reckon the whole concept of this year's celebration is to feature something that's uniquely Singapore. Many local talents were included in the lined-up. This year, all of the emcees were different from the previous years. Missing all that Gurmit, Michelle Chia, etc.. Erm. The new ones weren't really successful in getting the mood real high. The audience were not warmed up enough to shout and cheer. Basically, the spectators were divided into 3 sectors. Green, yellow and blue. And there was a dragonboat race. Apparently, we're obliged to support the team representing our sector. But there i was supporting the blue team, as the team is from Tampines Junior College. Haha. Boy, i was pretty embarrassed rooting for my alma mater in the sea of yellow team supporters. People were indeed looking at me. Of course, i just flashed my megawatt smile. Woohoo.

The Tang Quartet. They're real good. Totally mesmerized by their strings arrangements.

The marching contingent.


Singapore Flag. Soaring high.

Fighter jets display.
Erm.. Canons? i think. Haha.

The view was totally fantastic when the bridge was litted up with those pyrotechnics. Beautiful! And those agile commandos were doing some war related stunts underneath those sparks. Rappelling i think. As they are celebrating 40 years of National Service, we get to see the showcase of the latest land, air and sea assets. All the dynamic defence display. Woohoo. Was an eye-opener though i completed my National Service earlier this year. i don't get to see such stuff in camps la! Those little boys out there.. Your time will come.

Apaches and er.. Boats?
PossibiCity.
Our home-grown vocal prowess. She sang live for your info.

Of course, the highlight of the parade must be the fireworks AGAIN. Expected. Can you guys be more creative? Everytime also fireworks. Haha. But being the nice me. i've decided to capture those pretty pretty moments for your viewing pleasure. For those who missed it, good for you. Viewing fees of S$5/- please. Just to let you know, i'm no fan of fireworks. i don't like short-lived beauty. i go for eternal happiness. God!!! Haha.

Finale.

Erm.. in my opinion, NDP @ Marina Bay wasn't that spectacular. Too much pubilicity and hoohahs i guess. Probably due to the new location. i still prefer the old National Stadium. The festive atmosphere is very much higher. Everything is much more enclosed. Not so naked. But then again, it's not very easily accessible.

Headed to Marina Square after the celebration. Auntie Jeslyn was singing there. We went for supper at Bedok 85 afterwhich we had a "heart-to-heart" talk during our long walk home. Yes!We walked from Bedok, all the way to Tampines as we din have money to take cab home. Donations anyone? Of course not.. We just wanted to walk la for goodness sake.

Talked about our past, our childhood, our love lives.. Practically anything under the sun. Erm.. Moon i mean. But do stars sound better? Haha. And singing to the line of "i've walked the streets of Cairo and Bombay.."

anyone has tickets to NDP'08?

Uniquely Singapore.

i've always been an ardent fan of NDP. i like the idea of coming together as one to celebrate the nation's birthday. And for your info, i've been attending NDP for consecutively 17 years. Lest the year i enlisted. Darn it. Leaves a stupid chasm in my "collective memory of NDP."

This year, it's pretty hard to get the tix. Due to the fact that they've moved to the Marina Bay for the first time and the holding capacity is very much lower than the National Stadium.

Just when i thought it's all over. i finally get one tix to NDP 07! Yeah! All thanks to Cheryl. Muackz. it's a VIP Seat. Nothing can contain my happiness. Totally overwhelmed. Dun be jealous of me. Wahaha.

Happy Birthday, Singapore! There's no place i'd rather be.

TuessssDay.

Was just another mundane weekday. Was on my way home from music arrangement classes. Train was pretty packed as usual. Afterall, it's the hectic hours of knocking off. All rushing back to have dinner with their loved ones or to go back attending to irritating crying adolescent.

Was trying to recap what i've learnt earlier on whilst Corrine May's melodious vocals were ringing in my ears from my apple earphones. The train then came to a halt while it was in between Tanah Merah and Simei. And i thought nothing of it as this is "quite" always the case.

i did hear the ranting of the announcer through the PA system but i can't bear to leave Corrine for someone whose vocals is not even comparable to Cyndi Wang. Bitchy me. Yes! But Cyndi kinda sucks. Da Da Da.. Eeee.. Yucks.

Back to it. Obviously, i was oblivious to the surroundings. The hiatus came to an end. And service was resumed. When it reached Tampines, a kind soul actually told me that i'm supposed to alight at Tampines as the train will be stopping there. Argh.. Troublesome.

When i was at the platform, there was alot of commotion. Lots of civil servants were in sight. Police, SCDF, Firemen.. You name it they have it. It was like a belated "Total Defence Day" celebration! Haha.

An accident actually happened and i was taken aback. Kinda freaked out. The sight of everything. i do not know the details. Read the papers la, you nosey poker!

There was alot of people surrounding a lady who's crying profusely. Singaporeans ah.. Hai. Got the cheeks to crowd round her and watch her cry. Btw where's the persistent tissue uncle who pesters Maxwell's patrons every other minute? Get her some tissue pls.

Roads were packed with all these heavy vehicles.
i totally dislike the sound of sirens. Darn eerie.
Guessed this is the point where someone got knocked down. That's where it's cornered off too. Resticted.

One fire engine after another.

My heart still pumps quite quickly when i'm blogging. i hate witnessing such events. Till now, i cant believe such things actually happen. Especially when it's so near home. i thought it always happens at Clementi. Can they pls take some safety precautions to prevent such accidents from happening again? it's not the first few times already. Hai.

Life is very unpredictable. We should always treasure every moment for one will not know what will happen next. Do what you should and want to do. Life is too short for regrets. This might even be my last entry, you'll never know. Haha.

Retro Metro.

After weeks of rehearsals, the national day dinner performance is finally over. Was quite a memorable experience with some hiccups here and there. Bitchiness of some of the management which i can't really stand. Haha. In conclusion, it's still a positive exposure.

Stage.

Ee Ling, getting her make-up done.

i heart Renny's hair. Looks exactly like a wig. And it makes her look so so so uber auntie. i'm sure she'll remember for life. Haha.

i don't like the way they styled my hair and did the make-up for me. i had to re-style my hair. As for the make-up.. Argh.. Lousy make-up artist. They din use stage make-up for the girls. Everything was too bland. On the contrary, they made me look like a faggot. Haha. So fair la.. This is the worst make-up i ever had in all my experiences of doing shows!!!!

Ps: Pictures featured below not recommended for the faint-hearted. Parental Guidance is advised.

Argh.. Don't laugh at me! We're back to the 70s..

The 70s Quartet.

Cassanova.

Jeslyn. Mamasan look-a-like.

Auntie Renny. What's up with that hairstyle?

Cheryl, the big bird.
Auntie Renny and our bodyguards. We're artistes that night. We need bodyguards to protect us from our legions of screaming fans.

Look at our star treatment. We din even have proper tables and chairs for us to dine. Erm.. can i even use the word dine? Haha. We look so darn pathetic. We were practically squatting throughout our dinner time. Whereas, guests of that night get to eat their 10-course dinner. Goodness.

Oh ya. The grass patch just in front of our "dining area" is uber smelly. And our Jeslyn Mamasan commented that at last, she knows how Bangladesh workers feel when they're having their meals. She's a meanie!

Heaven treats us better than how the committee treats us. Haha. At least, he gave us some attractive view of the sky. But... First class view at a third class location. Crap.

We were there in the afternoon. Rehearsed and did our preparation. Finally, it's our turn to go on stage. At 10pm. Late.

Auntie Renny and Jeslyn Mamasan were 0.15678 cm close to being disfigured. They were standing in the wrong positions during our finale. They were standing just next to the pyrotechnics when it shot out. Thank God Jeslyn Mamasan was agile enough to step back swiftly. And our Auntie Renny can be blur enough to continue standing there. i was the one who pulled her back. Darn scary la. But then again, the pyro could have burnt those outbreaks away. And Auntie Renny can be pretty again. Haha. Just too Bad.

All in all, it's a pretty good performing experience. it's my first attempt performing to a crowd of 3000 guests.

Well. At least i did my part for the country, other than my National Service.