The Songwriters Round comes back after an absence of a year. We will have two rounds at Alexis Ampang in May. Round 22 on Friday the 18th and Round 23 on Saturday the 19th. Here is the blurb for Round 23. It is expected to be packed. Please book ahead to avoid disappointment!
SATURDAY 19TH MAY 2007 10.15PM @ ALEXIS, GREAT EASTERN MALL
Free Admissions
The Songwriters’ Round performance format was made famous at the legendary Blue Bird Cafe in Nashville. It subsequently spread outside of Nashville, and has now become a popular means of showcasing works of songwriters all over the world.
The idea behind the Songwriters’ Round is simple: four performers sit on stage at the same time and take turns to play. The performer is encouraged to chat a little about his or her work before s/he performs each song. After the song ends, the next performer would follow, and so on. Thus, round and round it goes, as original songs are performed in an environment that is more reminiscent of a chatty living room than a concert stage.
Planned as a series of concerts, the Songwriters’ Round is a platform for local or visiting songwriters to showcase their work. The selection criteria of the producer will not be based on reputation or genre, but only that the music performed should be good original compositions, and that people would have a good time listening to them.
In the 23rd concert of the Songwriters’ Round series, we are proud to present to you:
Reza Salleh
Armed with a low baritone voice, talent for writing affecting songs and formidable stage presence, there has never been doubt that Reza is one of the most promising singer songwriters in the scene. Lately, having been producing a popular grass root showcase at the Laundry Bar called ‘Moonshine’, he has also grown to be one of the most influential exponents of homegrown music. Reza has just released a 6 song EP and is working towards a full length record. Sexy and charismatic. One to watch. [Myspace Page]
Azmyl Yunor
Influenced musically by the likes of Dylan and Guthrie, Azmyl’s stories are infused with witty observations of Kuala Lumpur street life and ironic political statement. Long hailed by cogniscenti of the underground as a major talent, he is fiercely independent and not a little rebellious. Yet all this is belied by a geeky stage persona and tongue-in-cheek delivery that is more Gaucho Marx than Karl Marx. His is Americana by way of Kampong Baru. A unique blend of urban pastoral charm. Wonderful folky stuff. [Myspace Page]
Jerome Kugan
I don’t know how to describe Jerome’s music because I have never heard anything like it. He is at times Bjork, at times Pet Shop Boys, but always himself. His words are poetry and his tunes more like chants than melody. I’ve had the pleasure of hearing a bit of his [work-in-progress] full length record and will give you forewarning that it is looking to be pretty stunningly good. Jerome makes brave and challenging music. There should be more like him. Seriously good weird stuff. Very rare and very precious. [Myspace Page]
Pete Teo
Ya. It’s me. I figure its been a while since I played the Round so I might as well put my name down on both nights. Call it producer’s perk. Smirk. Besides, it’s the time of the year when the taxman cometh so I’ll need to swipe as much performance fees as I can to pacify the bugger. Anyway. My mum will be coming to show off her AIM Award winning son to her belly dancing friends. So you cheer real loud, okay? It’d make her happy for having sprogged such a well-liked puppy. And she gives me a bone when she’s happy. Woof. [Myspace Page].
Open Mike:
How would you like to perform your original songs at the Round? We welcome new, old, or otherwise non-professional songwriters, and will open the floor to those who wish to play after the featured acts are done. Please bring your own instruments if you can, and talk to me ahead of time on the night. You can also contact me in advance at me@peteteo.com. Unfortunately, due to logistic limitations, the open mike is for acoustic solo performers only and we are not able to accept bands.
Contact Info & Road Directions:
Alexis Bar & Bistro, Great Eastern Mall. Jalan Ampang. TEL: 03-4260-2288 Email: alexis@pd.jaring.my
[Drive along Jalan Ampang towards Ulu Klang. Great Eastern Mall is a 20-story structure located after the Jalan Jelatek intersection on the right. To get onto the right side of the road, you will have to make a u-turn under the flyover at the Jalan Ampang / Jalan Ulu Klang junction. There is a basement car park in the building. Alexis Bar & Bistro is on the ground floor.]