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.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
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 !!!
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 !!!
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 !!!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
<<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 !!!
<<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 !!!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
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 !!!
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 ...
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 ...
Friday, August 17, 2007
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 !
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 !
Thursday, August 16, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
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 ... ...
I'm working on it... for U and for myself ! It's a long wait but THANKS for being there with me ... ...
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