‘Television’ won the biggest haul with 3 awards at the 2007 AIM Awards last Saturday night. As a result, one Sunday paper christened me ‘the newest hearthrob in Malaysian entertainment’. Bugger. I’ve been fielding piss-takes from friends about it all day. It is better than a kick in the teeth though. Chuckle.
For those overseas, the AIM is the annual music industry awards show in Malaysia. It’s kind of like the Grammy’s in the States except the AIM is not as glitzy and costume malfunction has never happened there [as far as I know]. The event is broadcasted ‘live’ nationwide in Malaysia and there is usually a media feeding frenzy before and after the event. It is basically the biggest music industry event in the country.
Last time I attended the AIM was in 2004. ‘Rustic Living’ was nominated for 4 awards and came away with 2 wins [Best Album Cover and Best Music Video]. This time, we were nominated for 3 awards and swept everything: namely, Best Album Cover, Best Music Video [WATCH], and sweetest of all - Best English Album [LISTEN]. When it was all done and dusted, ‘Television’ also emerged as the album with the largest haul of awards on the night. It’s strange to think that all this could happen to a non-mainstream indie record infused with Americana and reflections on our media-soaked existence…
Smirk-central.
Needless to say, the Best English Album award was the big one for me. I really don’t remember much of it though. I do remember that they got it wrong and began playing ‘Tom’ in the background even before Maya Karin [Malaysian actress] read out the result. I remember being hugged by Sean Ghazi as I stood up to go get my gong. I remember the TV camera in my face. So I waved into it. Then more TV camera converged as I approached the stage. Then I shook hands with Maya and Aleya the presenters. Then, gong safely in hand, I gave my acceptance speech thanking collaborators and fans. Then I was ushered backstage and told to stay around for the next award – Best Music Video. Almost immediately, we won again and I was ushered back onstage. They played another song from ‘Television’ this time – a slow one – but for the life of me I cannot remember which it was. Anyway, you won’t believe the adrenalin charge I had. It was pretty intense.
I wish I could say that these awards will make a major difference to my career - but they won’t. At least I don’t think they will. To my mind, I still need to get the music out the way I’ve always done. I still need to tour and play as much as I can. I still need to work hard and think smart. And I still need to work significantly outside the conventional infrastructure of a domestic industry in deep trouble. But it is super nice to win anyway - if only as acknowledgement to my many collaborators that we’ve done something good, and as a token of appreciation to those of you who have offered me support and encouragement over the years - all the way back to those No Black Tie days of hard drinking and even harder pissing about…
So. My thanks once again to all of you. It’s been fun. I need to go to bed now. It’s almost 8am. And I have to be up again in 3 hours. Oh. Wait a sec. Weird. Remember how they played ‘Tom’ when they announced the ‘Best English Album’ award? Well, it’s a song I wrote for Jairus Anthony - a fellow musician who passed away when I was making ‘Television’. How apt then - because it was Jairus who showed me how to speak with grace - and how to die without regret. So this one is for him too, my friend, whom I will meet at the end…
I still can’t remember the other song they played though.
Night you.
[Link to Japanese language page: 日本語]
[Watch ‘Lost In America’ music video: HERE]
[Preview ‘Television’: HERE]
- MORE PHOTOGRAPHS - [Click To Enlarge]
BEST ENGLISH ALBUM GOES TO…. I looked kinda shell shocked here. But I wasn’t really. Just happy and buzzed by it. The two beautiful ladies behind me presented the gong to me - they were Maya Karin [left] and Sharifah Aleya. Aleya looked so happy. Her sister Yana is the TV girl in the Lost In America video. Her other sister Nani played Minnie Mouse.
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH. They only gave us something like 90 seconds for the acceptance speech. So I had to make it fast. Thanked everyone I should but left the biggest acknowledgement to fans who love what I do enough to offer encouragement and support through the years. Award speeches can be very contrived things. But I meant that one.
Congrats PT!! Well deserved and about bloody time they acknowledged the most awesome songwriter in Malaysia.
Not, not you.
Me.
Haha.
Just joking. You da man.
Congratulations, Pete!
Whoooooooooo! I knew you’d do it! AIM has some credibility at last. hahaha!!! CONGRATS!!!
U da man!!!!!! Love you. Love your stuff. Congrats!!!
Well done P!! Well deserved!!!!
Congrats dude. Continued success. Let me know if/when you make it to NY.
Congratulations Pete. Once again…please come to NYC…I\’ll even volunteer to design your concert poster.
You rock mister! Congratulations!
Woooooooooooo!!!
Congrats man!! That’s how it’s done!!
: )
M
Dearest Pete,
Congratulations!!!
Cheers,
Mui
Hahahaha! I am sooo proud of you Pete. CONGRATZZZZ!!! You are sooooo talented and cute. Love you, HEARTHROB!!!!
u deserve some random writing award, too. enjoy ur blog as always.
Congratulations, Pete. Yo deserved it bro.
all the best,
the Go girls
Pete-san,
Congratulations! Wow, wow, wow.
Hi PETE!
Congratulations!!
We are very happy to hear the news ^ ^
See you soon in Tokyo.
YOKO&YUTAKA
Congratulations Pete!
Congrats!!!
Congratulations! Well deserved!
Sonia
Gosh that is great news! Congrats! Love your music Pete!!
Congratulations!
When are you gonna have your PJ/KL round of gigs? I can’t wait to be there.
KUDOS! Keep up the good work.
dear mr pete,
congratulation! keep on!
regards,
mui2
congratulations!!!
keep up ur work~
Greetings from Tokyo!
I read the news about your victory! Congratulation for the 3 awards!!!
The new hearthrob, eh? You do realise the significance of that, don’t ya? This means you can’t call yourself ugly anymore! Ha.
And the 3 wins only proved that you soooo clever…go drink more milk? Congrats, Genius!
I AIM SOOOOOOO PROUD OF YOU PETE!!!!!!! I TOLERATED ALL THE BORING STUFF BEFORE YOUR CATEGORIES AND JUMPED AROUND LIKE A BITCH IN HEAT WHEN YOU WON. FIRST WAS ‘BEST LOCAL ENGLISH ALBUM’. WHEN I HEARD THEM PLAY ‘TOM’ EVEN BEFORE THE RESULT WAS READ OUT, I KNEW YOU HAD WON. MY FAMILY THOUGHT I WAS GOING MAD MAD MAD. THEN I LISTEN TO YOUR SPEECH (FIRST TIME I HEARD YOUR NON-SINGING VOICE- NICE) AND SCREAMED WHEN YOU THANK YOUR FANS. THEN THEY SAID YOU WON FOR BEST VIDEO AND I SCREAMED AGAIN. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH PETE. YOU ARE THE BEST!!!
YOUR NUMBER 1 FAN.
Hi Pete,
I didnt get to watch the AIM, got your email… Just wanna wish you congratulations on those Awards!! keep it up!!
xoxoxo,
Izzy
Pete…
This is REESE from NYC…just wanted to say congrats!!! on your wins @ AIM Awards…that’s great brotha’… a friend of mine said he ran into you at Medem in France…hope all is well and I have to visit your site to get my copy of your CD…u can visit me @ www.exilerecords.com/reese I too, have a new CD “New Fire: Pain B4 Pleasure”…we’ll kick it soon…
Love Is Life…
REESE
Uncle Pete the hearthrob!! Hahahaha.
Ahem. Congrats anyway!!
HI Pete! Congratulations! Just FYI, I was rooting for you.
Hello Pete,
Back from Singapore today,I finally knew that you won three awards
at the AIM awards and am really glad:
Let me congratulate on this wonderful acheivement,
though belated,from the bottom of my heart!
And now,I am writing to you,listening to ‘Television’.
Looking forward to listening to your song live in June.
Keep well,
Yuka
Congrats Pete couldn’t happen to nicer people.
Just reward for the years spent pursuing quality creative output.
Congratulations! The more pressing issue is - are W.Ham going to make it?
Let me know when you are going to be playing next in London.
Kept meaning to send a well done message for the AIM haul… full deserved, much kudos to you, bro.
I feel so honoured to know Malaysia’s newest hearthrob. My knees are kinda weak just typing this
Awesome, awesome, awesome! Congrats dude…. much deserved! Love the new album.
g’day pete, heartiest congrats to your achievements! u deserve them for those lovely tunes u brought joys to all your fans, kampai/iceman
Congratulations. Unfortunately, I missed live broadcasting…
However, please reserve “best supporting role” award of MFF for me.
That’s Fucking Amazing!!!! Congrats bro!
congrats big time dude
Congratulations Pete-san! I look forward to seeing you in Tokyo in June. I love Television. It is a great album!
Hey Pete!
Got your email and caught it in the papers too….
So congrats on the big scoop at the awards night!
You deserve everythings thats coming to you!
Bought your CD at SXSW. Been playing it and loving it. So good to see a wonderful record recognised as such. Congrats!!!
Well done and a great record and congrats! Can’t wait for the next one.
as i said you before, its time for europe now. it must go well. couldnt be otherwise for the one thats so patient (smile). just a couple of years & ill come with my bike to listen to you in bercy palais in paris. wembley would do too, eurostar is quick now. smiles again & again, m.b.
Congrats Pete! You’re the best. Proud of you.
You are the best Mr Teo.
Congrats again!!!!
Congrats Pete. Well deserved!
GREAT JOB!
Congratulations again !
Wishes,
gu@n
CONGRATS PETE ! We are happy to have you on board
your friends at www.WeirdMusic.net
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