Deep in Thoughts ...

What is considered a Good Song ?

What is considered a Good Album ?

停車場 (Unplugged Demo)

... drove up to a friend's restaurant at Labrador Park and saw a car parked at the darkest corner, there were 2 persons inside ... don't know what they're doing ???!!!


停車場
詞曲:葉敦鴻

車位101
我們的秘密
是你生存的意義

霸占了位子
又三心二意
是我 懦弱 無力

給了快樂卻沒勇氣
一輩子停泊這裡
原諒我對你狠心說要忘了你
我會記得
永遠記得

我們開始在停車場
玩翻了天在停車場
感動落淚在停車場
每次都是美麗收場

我們結束在停車場
吵了半天在停車場
傷心落淚
最后分手 痛了一場
在停車場
在停車場

Made in Singapore. All Rights Reserved 2007.

Melody In Songwriting - A Dream Comes True

So, what is so BIG deal about Funkie Monkies Pop Music School (FM PMS) "Melody in Songwriting" and "Lyrics Writing" and "Pop Singing" class ?

Yes, it's a BIG deal !!! Coz it is taught by Eric, Xiaohan, Jim and Yuxuan PERSONALLY !!! They are seniors who are very active in local music industry and yet is willing to share their experience personally in a class. My point is ... worth it to attend their classes.

Okie, melody writing classes just started a week ago and it's going to be a 6 months learning. Different students have different objectives in attending the class. Some came to see their idol, some came for exposure, some came for more tips, some came out of curiosity, some came to make friends, some came to seek opportunities ... etc etc etc .. no matter for wat reason, our class of students came because we have a dream, a dream to better our lifestyle in all/any aspects.

Have always wanted to attend a proper songwriting class and get some guidance. 10 years ago, nearly got into a school but was denied the enrolment coz not enuff student to form a class. When I got back to them again, the school has become so popular that I heard the teachers no more teaching themselves but students-graduated-teachers filled up the teaching post.

My point is ... I was really happy that at this age, I could still fulfill my dream 10 years back. Now, it is not only a dream, it is a goal to achieve some results out of the learning from all the masters. Though age is catching up, dreams shall continue and goal set is to be achieved.

JUST DO IT !!!

I hope everyone could think ... and help everyone ... to spread happiness

Have been thinking about my LIFE ...
The things that happened, the people that I have met ...
I have so many questions about who, what, when, why, how, which and where ...
LIFE is so amazing and funny ...
Just alone trying to think about LIFE ... one will realise that there is no end ...

Is it because of me or because of LIFE ?

PopGangster

once given a talk to a group of students from poly about gangsterism a couple of years back, mentioning that I do not like the idea of generalising gangsters and labelling of gangsters.
a foreigner lecturer then came up to me and share her views about a group of bike gangsters who went around the country helping people. They may appear to be rowdy and do not conform to rules (stupid rules), people do not like them for their gang-ho outlook and so-called arrogance. However, these gangsters are not those “la-sap” (dirty) gangsters who don’t talk sense and just show attitude. They convinced people with action and hence uphold their dignity and command respect from the people. These gangsters don’t play dirty but handle matter in a way of their class.

i strongly feel that in today’s context, gangsters should be given a new definition. And this is how the concept of PopGangster comes about. Understanding the dirty games and politics in various industry, it is good to have Gangsters to seek justifice. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying to break laws. When work needs to get right and people ain’t doing their part, just thinking to live by and take advantage of the system, we need justification ! And if law can’t deal with it, we need PopGangster. Haaaaa …

by the way, for friends who already knows ... u should know; for new friends who don't know, LEAF is aka PopGangster ...

any question ?

Some thoughts ... ...

It’s a blessing that to be able to challenge the norm and have a break-through. Not many people dare and not many would bother.

Rules of games in different field of work which are set and deemed correct are sometimes actually set to protect the organiser and employers’ S-O !!!

Sometimes feel stupid man … those people drawing tons of salary are just full of s*** !!! Layman fight so hard until half life … what’s the use?

Employers, especially those from helping relationships, dig out your passion, common sense and do the right work !!!

You decide ...

You blasted at me with furious bloody eyes, shouting right down from your feet to your diaphram penetrating deep into your lung and out from your mouth. You gave me a hard push. You said that your temper was at 80% and you would have punched me.

I just want to tell you. I can take the blast, I can take the push and I can even take the punch, AND you can even blame the world for what you have done. At the end of the day, it is your choice to decide how you want to live.

Oh yah, please always remember ... those who hurt others, hurt themselves more. So, be good !


Peace
Namaste

轉角有愛

人生最過癮的是在于它隱藏著的轉角。

每一個轉角可以是一個驚喜；每一個轉角也可以是一個驚險。是驚喜還是驚險，只有沖過去之后才會明白最重要的其實是兩者所給予的不同的人生體驗。

轉角過后就得繼續往前邁進，所經過的一切也許都已經不在視線之范圍。或者老早都已變模糊。所以有時候真的不需要去顧慮太多；或者根本就無法顧慮太多。

這是台灣偶像劇《轉角遇到愛》所給予我的啟示。

Fair ?

Met a young friend who was just discharge from prison. He was full of questions. One of the questions he asked me was,"Why is life so unfair?"

Then I asked if he was referring to the incident that he was the only one who has been caught for the rioting and he nodded.

Told him that I do not have an answer to his question. But I shared something with him.

--- "We are the results of who we were. We will be the results of who we are."

Fair or not fair, I guess we just have to learn to do our best and do our fair bit of good and move on.

25/09/2007 - The Launch

Yeah yeah yeah ... !!!

Have been looking for a good day to launch this blog !!!

Yup, TODAY is the day.

Why? No why? Just like that lor, just like the fact that today is 15th of Lunar Eigth month, the Lantern Festival or Mooncake Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival or whatever good name U give it. A day of full moon, a day of reunion, a day of love ... etc etc etc ... yah a day of good energy !!!

So friends out there, share the joy and thoughts of this blog with your friends. Keep the energy going, going and going. Drop me a line or 2 to share bits and pieces of your life experience. Let's learn to be a little nicer to ourself so to be nicer to every other people. And and ... may luck be with U people out there who are passionate with your Life.

Namaste.

(p/s: Oh yah, special thanks to UK Yi Dao Wu Shu Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe for sponsoring the YouTube Lion Dance. Ha!)

3 CHEERS for Adelyn !!!

Was reading the newspapers at a cafe. A 3-letters word caught my attention -- D.I.Y. I'm a D.I.Y myself and that's why I'm ultra-sensitive to this group of words. The small little column stated something which says D.I.Y music video. Oh, so I thought it is another local D.I.Y singer cutting an album, doing MVs for herself. For one moment, I thought it was Genie, but then the pix doesn't look like her. So I thought I shall click into the Stomp website to have a look.

Then, I saw the video from the link below. My heart was like drenched by tons of emo. Guys and Gals, don't give up your dreams and don't procrastinate. Really gotta treasure what you have and don't take things for granted.

http://diy.stomp.com.sg/video_details.php?id=246?id=246

Live a LIFE !

"We may be different but all of us stand on a common ground." --- this phrase, according to one of my colleagues, was used by a shop owner to persuade him buy a pair of shoes from the shop.

The recent earthquake that hit Indonesia; heavy rain that has caused massive flooding across countries in Africa; typhoon that slams China into bad shape. So what if we are in Singapore, so what if we are not one of the countries. We are ONE Earth; We are ONE World. Everything that goes, comes back after a round; Everything that comes, goes back the round. Hence, we should not take things for granted and always learn to be thankful for what we have. No one is different though we are different. No one will be spared when nature decides to take back what is supposed to belong to her. So guys and gals, we should be thankful for be able to live a life. Therefore, to learn to live a life, U'll be happier if you learn how to love and stop all the unnecessary fights. (wars lah, office politics lah, revenge lah, complaints lah, work and work and work n no social life and family life lah ... so on so on ... )

The reason is simple - because all of us stand on a common ground.

My colleague bought a pair of shoes for the teaching he got from the shopowner. What about U ?

Good luck.

Namaste.

Success is a bonus, Process is the Sweetest ...

Last week was a week of meetings with Aaron, the mastering engineer and Christopher, the CD Sales and Marketing person to talk about music business. Both of them were from Sonopress (www.sonopress.com) . Was working very hard to pass my driving test this week. The two unrelated events yet share one thing in common --- It teaches me that we got to Work hard, Persevere and Enjoy. Success will come its way for people who don't give up. It won't come easy but it will come by if you stand by.

Everything that happened happens for a reason. There are always 2 sides of everything. To work harder and wait longer could mean that you are more not cut for the job and you stand slimmer chance to succeed. However, it could, otherwise, mean you will learn more things, see more things, understand more things and enjoy more when success were to come by. Success is a bonus, Process is the sweetest.

For this, I wrote a lyrics 剛剛好(Just Nice).

Work Harder Car Driving; Work Harder Crazy Album !!!

Cheers !!!

剛剛好

剛剛好
曲：王志文 詞：葉敦鴻 （完成2007年9月14日）

“哭過后學會放下；受傷后學會看清楚 --- 世事總是帶有兩面，只要懂得面對，一切都可以是剛剛好。”

Verse 1
愛到了深處很難掏出
拼了命埋沒卻更辛苦
你選擇時間和淚滴 把回憶淹沒
讓一切模糊

Pre-Chorus
不必在乎天長地久
曾經擁有就足夠

Chorus
哭過后就該知道
放下過去的重要
眼淚不是讓你一直依賴的良藥
大聲說你的世界除了他
有太多答案 沒了他其實剛剛好

Verse 2
你受的委屈慘不忍睹
卻讓你學會看得清楚
誰為你祈福 為你祝福 你為誰付出
是愛的重複

《蟑螂兄弟的故事》story of the cockroach-brothers

I have sprayed on a cockroach !!!

My house is full of spider web and I let ants crawl freely under my eyes and I try to close my eyes to cockroaches. But today I have killed a cockroach !!! --> I don't normally ... coz life experiences have taught me to treasure other life-forms and live in harmony with them.

2 BIG cockroaches crawled out from nowhere and were playing hide-and-seek in my house. I was in a dilemma ... to spray or not to spray. And I was very unhappy with myself when I went ahead to spray insecticide on them. I told myself be gentle with the spraying and just use it to warn them to get out of my sight. But in the end one went into hiding and the other overturned. My very first instinct when I saw these 2 cockroaches ... they are brothers. It hurts to spray and it pains to see one overturn ... what have I done ... ? Alamak ... I have separated a pair of siblings ...

Whose fault is it?

The cockroach did not choose to be a cockroach. As a human, I have my intelligence to deal with these cockroaches other than spraying and killing them. But I resort to the shortcut. I have made my place a good place for these creatures to creep into and then yet I'm the one who determine their fate. Should I then not be too kind anymore so that I would not create any more of this mess? Maybe I shoud ... I should clean up the place where the ants are, have a spring cleaning and clear all the webs; maintaining a fresh clean environment and moving forward. But some may argue that we could just let the cockroaches exist so long as they do not cross boundary again.

I guess sometimes life is just that. Being too kind creates a bigger mess. Sometimes we must know when kindness is appropriate; if not, the kind one will likely end up being the cruel and evil one. The dark side will never tell what they are up to and their existence really challenges your conscience and value when you decided to fight them for a justice. I strongly believe every mankind exists to do good. But for some who do not understand the meaning of doing good, we shall forgive them with an open heart, guide them, warn them of the consequences. But if they choose to stubbornly continue their old ways, I think we should not do them wrong again.

I will write a song 《蟑螂兄弟的故事》, anyone want to pen the lyrics for me?

Oh yah yah ... the moral of the story is ...

"If the cockroaches want to play hide-and-seek in broad daylight and still survives, then they jolly well keep to their boundary and not stir shit."

X-Factor ... aXed people ... for $-Factor ... ha !!!

Am currently knocking on doors in the hope to get a label to distribute my CDs. Music friends and mentors have been telling me it is a tough job and it is all about money-making business. My chances are slim. Yah ... true lah ... afterall I'm a nobody. Sigh ... But still lah, I still believe that there is hope lah. Worst come to worst, I set up a label to give myself a chance and to give other people (like me) a chance.

U know, I have mamy friends out there who have been working very hard for their music dreams. These people can really sing well but maybe they don't have the X-Factor deemed by the commercial standards. Well, I always believe ordinary people can also accomplish BIG stuff in their own arena. As long as we are down-to-earth, our sincerity and passion is our best Attractive Factor.

So, the point of the above-said is ... if I were to own a label ... my label sure won't make money !!! But does it matter ...

At least ... not the least ... even if it's the least ... At least ...

Was not successful in passing the demo to Mr Aaron Kwok ... but at least I tried. Was very disappointed still. However from this episode, at least I knew there are people who care for me and believe in my music-making business. Thanks loads. But but, things actually ain't that bad though, at least I managed to get close to Mr Aaron (but I guessed he thought I was just another mad mad fan of him ... so he politely said sorry to my "gift"). At least I know, it isn't easy to be an artiste. The glamourous side on the stage comes with a price in the private. U are somehow not in control of what U are/should be doing sometimes. Everything U do, every pair of eyes is looking at you. At least I know, what is it meant by disappointment when Superstars told you about their stories about ganna rejected. At least, at least, ... at least I know I really tried ... At least, at least, .... at least I appreciate what I have ... even more ...

knock knock ... U there Mr Aaron Kwok

I was reminded by YOU that "... opportunity only knocks once ..." ! Appreciate ...

It is never easy to do an album part time, less said keeping to the discipline of writing one song per night (which I used to do). A bit of surprise really fuels good energy to revive the dying engine going.

Thank my boss-friend to provide such good chance to get to Aaron Kwok(though I don't know yet how it will turn up to be, because it is 2 days more but I'm an optimist). Sometime Life is Just Like That, we can't really worry too much but just have to do our best given our role. The rest of the puzzle will piece together in some way or another - U get it, u get it; U don't get it, at least u've tried ur best and as long as we persist, we will succeed one day!

Hello Mr Aaron Kwok, I've been working very hard to write something for you. Your voice is stuck to my head since the day 對你愛不完，because it is unique and a style of it own. Hope what I have written for you could catch your ears. If you are reading my blog, post a comment after u have listened to my songs, whether U like them not and tips are welcome.

However, if everything doesn't happen at all, at least I have tried. There's a will, There's a way !!! No worry.

By the way, wishing you success in your concert tour in Singapore 1st Sep 2007. Enjoy your stay in Singapore as well.

luck with no intention and effort equals nothing, vice versa ...

Just got a demo from Xiao Han Lao Shi to pen lyrics for the song. The demo was a duet sung in English. It was a demo well done, in terms of clarity of singing and the arrangement of the song. It was a song to unite every mankind,bringing them together wtih a purpose and hence, the lyrics need to be written in the direction of 大愛 (big love). The singing, with the decent arrangement, was enough to touch me at that moment while listening to the song. This song was tailored to try for Beijing Olympics 2008 theme song.

I can't help but compare it with my demo and there is really a great difference - mine sucks (in terms of quality). In any field of work today, almost everything is talking about packaging. It is a reality, a fact. Many friends were saying that to get a song publish involves a lot of luck. No doubt, you have to meet the right person, at the right time, with the right song. However, luck with no intention and effort equals nothing, vice versa. After being through 10 years of songwriting and got nothing publish, luck (of course) plays a part (in anything you do); and packaging as well. Sometimes, what are we really talking about when we talk about packaging? Maybe, packaging is yet another phase of hard work, but at a macro level. The result is quite proportion to the efforts and other resources pumped in.

Well, maybe I'm just another songwriter who is contented with a piece of unpolished simple melody that generates from deep inside me. This lazy songwriter finally decided to do something for himself today --- to launch my own album few months down the road. Luck or no Luck, the album is with an intention and done with great effort !!!

The album is for YOU !!!

DragonFly

Last year when I went on a trip to Taiwan, I was actively searching for a 民歌餐廳。The first one that I found was situated at 台北市敦化南路 and the second one is at 愚人碼頭。The second one is similar to those 民歌餐廳 in Singapore. The first one which I was very impressed is called 主婦之店 (http://www.zeelive.com.tw/). They have a full system which runs in the house to support the band and lines-up of professional singers to entertain the sardine-packed audiences. I was like, ... how I wish I could be singing in such a setting.

I have been a Mandarin pub singer for 8 years. Most of the time, performance was only with a piano/guitar/both. Until recently, more ideas have been injected such as adding in some pre-sequenced music bars to beef up the whole performance. A complete band performance is usually not possible in a Mandarin pub setting due the contstraints of space and system.

Was there at DragonFly on 23rd Aug 2007 to help out with <<881>>music performance. Was learning to be a good guitar technician under Eric Ng's guidance. Ha !!! Simple job but I think it helps him save time. Ok, back to the topic, so what's about Dragonfly? I must say I am a proud Singaporean to have DragonFly. Eric brought his Funkie Monkies band onto the stage and make a good great sounds to salute the DragonFly. With lines-up of pro good singers, the performance was awesome. With the system and space, DragonFly has a team of great technicians to support a successful gig.

At last I hear some hope, some hope that would provide professional singers a real platform to showcase their talents, some hope that would nurture a good performers. There is a Zee Live House in Taipei, in Singapore, we finally have our DragonFly !!!

<<881>>

Local movie production <<881>> ... no matter good or bad ... at least it has done something nice ... pulling many families together. I mean at least for me, I get to watch a movie in a cinema with my family after such long long long time. The last time I think was decades ago at Majestic cinema, Chinatown, when the tickets were still selling at $.150 and peanuts going for 50 cents. Time flies ...

<<881>> is a movie by Royston 陳子謙, telling story about 七月歌台and the life of her singers. It is a very local-favored musical. Royston, together with local top producer/songwriter/arranger Eric 黃韻仁, has "violated" the conventional way of presenting a musical-movie. The end product is (at least for me) a new fashion. Exactly like a fashion, there are questions which we shouldn't be asking too much when watching the movie. Coz like a fashion, it entails a spirit ... a never-say-die spirit to live your life and live your dreams. The story says it;the music says it;the whole production crew of <<881>>says it !!!

The movie has touched the heart of many young ones, which make them aware and even start to trace their roots. Hopefully, these young ones could understand a little more where their ancestors come from. We should also acknowledge how our ancestors, and even our parents, have been a great part in our life.

<<881>> - HUAT LAH !!!

3 plus 7 = SUCCESS !!!

Was msn-ing with Tristan 王志文 a few nights a go. Was chatting with his experience going on air fm933 with his music school, Funkie Monkies Pop Music School, as one of the top students (declared by Eric Huang Yun Ren 老師)。 The fm933 program is about songwriting and Tristan was there to share his experience and u know what, in less than a year with the school, he managed to sell a song to my superstar friend Joi 蔡淳佳，and could be 主打。So look out for Tristan's composition in Joi's latest album.

Love Tristan's melody, it always tested my singing ability, too bad the songs written are not tailored for me, I'm just helping him to sing his demos. (Tristan, save a few good songs for me if u could yah... Ha...)

Had a few chance to partner Tristan singing in a pub and it is in him to challenge himself the difficult songs. I guess this character is very much reflected in his songwriting. And have also partnered him in song composing, penning lyrics for his melody. U will never meet such serious writer like him. Every note counts - nice turn or not, flow or not, emotion getting high or not, arrangement ganna or not ... and he spend a lot of effort in getting his demo done. This, I salute him.

Honestly speaking, Tristan, u good lah. After the partnership of second song with you 《全怪我》, I was like ... wow this guy is damn hardworking man, 可塑性 machiam 高。 There is a chinese saying, “ 三分天注定；七分靠打拼”。You have shown it so well. Add oil yah !!!

Mr No Problem ...

A good friend whom I also look up to as mentor, Wu Yu, called 2 days ago. He was EXCITED about his lost homepage. I was like ... huh ... how can someone be so excited about loss of personal thing and somemore still so positive about it and looking forward to move on.

Wu Yu is indeed such as a person who does not take thing as it is in life. Good and bad, I will say. Bad - he will end up thinking too much, and not move on. Good - any little thing could be his inspiration, motivation and new doors to his life. But then, thinking too much is better than not thinking or reflecting on one's life. Nowadays, many of us are so busy earning a living that we almost forget to pause a little while to see what is happening to the original us.

Anyway, I always like Wu Yu's excitement. Coz it is a good demo of one's perseverence and passion for what he really likes. I have been pairing with Wu Yu for nearly a decade in writing songs. He has good ideas for lyrics which never fails to open up more spaces for me when I create the melody. For any melody I compose, he will make sure his lyrics bring out the beauty of the song.

Anyway again, that day he called and he said, "Yet, I lost my homepage ... haaaaa ..." I was like,"Silly Wu Yu, are you right in head?" He explained, he actually gained something from the loss, he was enlighten. It is time to to do something more. He proposed a homepage by US. I will, of course, be the music person; he will be the writing person; and some more and some more ... Then of course, I was my usual self lah when responding to him,"Oh okie ... No Problem..." though I really don't know how it is going to work out to be like. But then I guess that is what the total excitement is about...

In short, stay tune for our homepage and give your support yah !!! Haaaa ...

MASTER-ing

Went to seek Leonard Soosay's advice on mastering of my tracks some time ago. Leonard is very well-respected in the local English Rock Bands areana. Thanks to Wendy for introducing him.

He spent some time listening to few of my songs and he confirmed that the tracks need to be mastered badly. He then suggested that if I want a good mastering for the kind of songs in the album, Hong Kong and Taiwan is good. But the usual America contacts he use would be best. He took some time to explain to me what is so different about HK & Taiwan VS the America. It's tempting to want the best, if not the better. But I know I really don't have the budget to go international. Leonard, thanks a lot. Really hope that one day I could have a bigger budget to try the America. Things are getting exciting ... music is full of fun and challenges !!!

Decided then to be thick skin and approached the ever busy Eric Ng, the BIG HEAD in local Mandarin Pop. Understand that he is also working very tightly with his budget on the Original Sound Track of local movie production <881>. But understand that this BIG fella will not compromise his quality of work even with a tight budget. He will make sure everything is done swee-swee. So I'm pretty sure, he has a tip or a few to offer.

Caught him on the day of a workshop at Escape Youth Park last week ... yah I knew it's not the right time ... but really thanks a lot for sparing me your time. Thanks for the advice and the contact too. As I really have to learn to work within my means, that contact is really practical at this point of time.

Will be sending the cd to Aaron for mastering by tomorrow morning. He is a nice guy to talk to as well. Thanks for taking so many questions despite your busy schedule.

Thank you guys ! You are great !

Reminders

Love to take public transport because it gives me time and space on my own to think and sort things out.

A lot of travelling was done today - walking, taking bus, taking mrt. Throughout the journey, I kept blasting my 10 tracks from my mp3 over and over again. I wanted to remind myself

1)I have to send these tracks for mastering,
2) I have to start fixing venues for promotion tours,
3) I have to decide on the launch, I have to think about distribution,
4) I have to decide how many copies to press,
5) I have to finalise the CD cover/inlay/booklet,
6) I have to fix up the MVs,
7) I have to make an appointment with COMPASS,
8) I have to start talking to music people to get the necessary contacts,
9) I have to compile lists and lists of contacts for support,
10) I have to start taking care of myself, love myself more, keep a good diet and start exercising,
11) I have to keep writing songs,
12) I have to think about whether to set up an INDIE label,
13) I have to think about money, ...
etc ....

And yes, there is a lot to think about and to be done, but to fulfill a dream to do sincere music, it is worth it.

Thanks.

... everyone is asking about my music album.

I'm working on it... for U and for myself ! It's a long wait but THANKS for being there with me ... ...