Thursday 30th May 9.30 P.M. @ NO BLACK TIE . RM20 per head
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 hopes to be 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.
To kick-off the series, we are proud to present to you the following:
Julian Mokhtar
This man needs little introduction. Fresh from his second tour of Japan, Julian is a virtuoso guitarist of considerable repute. He has played in blues clubs around the world and alongside legends such as Buddy Guy and Joe Satriani. His debut solo album ‘About Time’ is a fine mix of delta blues, reggae, bluegrass, jazz and southern rock. Apart from being one of the most accomplished musicians in Kuala Lumpur, Julian is also a keen supporter of the arts. You can normally see him down at the ‘Titus Blues Avenue’, but this is your chance to see him at No Black Tie, where he’ll be playing original compositions.
Rabbit
This cat has a strange name. Rabbit is not a furry animal but an award-winning artist. He stole the Best New English Artist and Best English Album awards at the prestigious AIM 2001 Awards and is a popular media personality. Primarily known as an electronica musician, Rabbit’s musical wanderings extend all the way to acoustic performances and karaoke bars. We are told that he will be playing new songs never heard before elsewhere. “Depressing stuff,” he says solemnly to the producer. Apart from playing music, Rabbit will also be showing us how he hops around naked in his spare time.
Tan Sei Hon
I first saw this guy in one of Joe Kidd’s excellent ‘Unclogged’ gigs. Although largely unknown to wider audiences, Sei Hon is a charismatic performer and a talented songwriter, with songs touching upon politics, religion and an illusive thing called love. Only recently back to KL from studying in Sarawak, he is now a lecturer of art history and art theory at a local college. He spends most of his time painting, but performs music occasionally at indie gigs in town. We are very proud to introduce to you a fresh talent. Hopefully, Sei Hon will be one of many new songwriters to grace the Round in the future.
Pete Teo
Pete is the producer of the Round and the writer of this blurb. He is describing himself in the third person here because otherwise he would not sound very impressive at all. Having made two records in Hong Kong, he began playing ‘live’ in Kuala Lumpur not long ago, and has established a reputation as an average songwriter. Trying hard to boast his biography, he also reveals that he was invited to play at the ‘Global Media And Entertainment Summit’ in New York earlier this year. For some reason, that left him even more down and depressed than usual. He will be doing happy songs for a change. May be.
Open Mike: How 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 main 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 [erased]. Unfortunately, due to logistical limitations, the open mike is for acoustic solo performers only and we are not able to accept bands.
Contact Info & Road Directions:
27 Jln.Mesui Off Jln.Nagasari (behind the Istana Hotel), Bukit Bintang, KL. TEL: 03-21488110 Email: noblacktie@hotmail.com
[Make a left at the slip road right after the Istana Hotel on Jalan Raja Chulan if you are heading away from Shazhan Towers. Then the second right turn takes you to Jalan Mesui. Its the building with loads of plants growing all over it on the left.]