Archive for August, 2002

SONGWRITERS’ ROUND 3

Saturday, August 17th, 2002

Thursday 22nd August 9.00 P.M. @ NO BLACK TIE . RM20 per cover

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.

In the third concert of the series, we are proud to present to you:

Amir Yussof

Amir’s debut record ‘Some Of This Is Real’ won the best English Album Of The Year at the AIMS Awards in 1996. Other than being one of the most prominent performing singer songwriters in the scene, he has also written many songs for the likes of Zainal Abiddin, Sheila Majid and Zubir Ali. For those of you who’s lived on Mars for the last decade, Amir is the owner of a husky voice to die for, and a songwriter with musicality to match. He has just released a new record entitled ‘Aquarius’ – you can buy it at the Round. Check it out here then bring cash.

Mei Chern

I first got to know of Mei Chern when I received an email from her asking if she could play open mike at the July Round. I replied ‘of course!’ and she duly obliged with her trusty guitar on the night. When it was her turn to play, she sang a number which charmed us all – sensitive words with a sweet sweet melody that reminded me of Suzanne Vega. That was the first time she’d ever played her own material in public and this will be her first ever billed gig. Mei Chern was a psychology graduate in the UK, but at the Round, she’d be a sweet lady armed with vulnerable songs and an introspective voice.

Sherry

Sherry busks for a living and is a bit of a legend in that world. He switches from songs full of sardonic humour to those full of indignant rage and plays the guitar in a way that belies his musical roots in rock and blues. A man of few words but huge talent, he maintains a rock band, and is one of the most intelligent musicians I have had the pleasure to work with. He appeared in the July Round, and those of you who came by could not have failed to be impressed by his performance. He’s just become a father to little Aminah. Bowing to popular demand, I hereby bring back Sherry. Applaud loudly.

Jerome Kugan

Jerome Kugan is first and foremost a poet. The 27-year-old Sabahan’s introduction to music came through a desire to perform his poetry through melody. He began composing songs in 1996 while studying in Australia, at first a capella then later with collaborators, performing them mostly at poetry gigs. Since coming to KL, he has performed all over town, and recently produced an experimental poetry / music show entitled ‘Making Babies’ at NBT. A journalist by profession, Jerome’s music is intensely passionate and his vocal work is bravely edgy. A highly original artist who defies categorisation.

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 [erased]. 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:

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.]