Archive for the ‘ROUNDS’ Category

SONGWRITERS’ ROUND 10

Monday, August 4th, 2003

THURSDAY 7TH AUGUST 9.00PM @ 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 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 Tenth concert of the Songwriters’ Round series, we are proud to present to you:

Mia Palencia

Mia played her own compositions in public for the first time at Round 8. I personally think she is even better singing her own compositions than the jazz standards upon which she justly made her name in the last 18 months – and that is truly saying something – because she is undeniably good at doing standards. Still, those of you who were at Round 8 would have witnessed the fact that Mia is not only one of a few world class singers in this country, but she is also an extremely talented songwriter in her own right. She songs are never saccharine, her tunes always easy on the ears, her words well-crafted and she delivers the whole package with the sort of mature aplomb that belies her tender years. After her debut at the Round, Mia wrote to me to say that she had the time of her life and wanted another chance to play the Round as soon as possible. Well, so here she is again – don’t say I don’t treat you well. Anyway, come hear THE VOICE before she gets so famous that we can’t afford her no more. She’s a really nice person too. Slobber.

Peter Hassan Brown

With 6 albums to his name, Peter has been making music for an awful long time. Other than being an experienced performer, he is perhaps best known to the local independent music scene as the selfless and always enthusiastic organiser of the grungy ‘Acoustic Jam’ series of gigs. If you’ve never been to these gigs – you should – even more so if you are interested to scout out our best musical talents when they are still unpolished and just starting out in the scene. Either way, you’d only have to ask any member of our youth / student music community to get a sense of how important ‘Acoustic Jam’ is as an incubator of local young musicians. Still, as a musician, Peter’s work addresses social and environmental issues, and his delivery is often so sincere and guileless it borders on being old fashion and uncool. In these cynical times of the plastic cool, I happen to think it is a good thing. Anyway, he has played open mike at the Round several times and we are proud to finally be able to present him on the bill. Clap loudly.

Edwin & Albert

Some time ago, I began receiving email from a stranger by the name of Albert. His letters are not only full of encouragement, but they were also fortified by an understanding of what it is like to go out on a limp for a dream. Then, just before Round 9, Albert wrote again to say his friend Edwin and he would love to be given the chance to play open mike. Naturally, I invited them. And I don’t believe I am exaggerating, but when they came on after a very patient wait, Edwin & Albert were frankly jaw-dropping. Two young guys playing acoustic guitar as tight as anything I’ve seen anywhere singing brilliant bubble gum pop harmony. It was like The Beach Boys in Mandarin. The room obviously felt the same way I did and exploded in cheers at 2am. Hell, they even demanded an encore when the boys were done – the first ever open mike encores at the Round. Anyway, I’ve been so eager to put them on the show that my teeth hurt. This two are certainly one of the best finds we’ve ever made – so don’t miss their debut. If you don’t find yourself tapping your feet when they do their stuff, I’d cut my *beep* off. Really.

Amir Yussof

Amir needs little introduction. Unless you’ve been dead for a decade, that is. Not only has he released three albums, Amir has written songs for some of the biggest stars in local music such as Zainal Abiddin and Sheila Majid. A previous AIM Award winner, he is also a voice-over talent and one of the most instantly recognizable faces in Malaysia. In a land where doing original English music is not unlike running constantly just to stand still, Amir has steadfastly held on to his principles and convictions, which are as numerous as they are deeply held. A man of many words and the owner of a thick thick voice to die for, Amir remains one of the most visible example of the vast pool of wonderful writing talents we have in this country. He has just re-mastered and re-released his debut record ‘Some Of This Is Real’ and shall be playing numbers from that album at Round 10. So, you good folks come down and catch a leading member of our scene. The ladies among you be prepared to get all weak-kneed. The guys? Well, you be nice, clap real loud and don’t be jealous. Hmph.

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.]