TROUBADOURS

Yep, it's back. Our annual showcase of local singer songwriters, this year to be hosted by KL Performing Arts Centre for the second time. Sorry about the lateness of this post. We had a bit of a problem with confirming our list of performers. But we finally did it and here's the rest of the news!

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Troubadours Enterprise and KLPAC
are proud to present

KL SING SONG 2007
12 Malaysian Singer Songwriters in Concert

Featuring:
* Pete Teo
* Shanon Shah
* Mia Palencia
* Reza Salleh
* Melina William
* Azmyl Yunor
* Mei Chern
* Jerome Kugan
* Estrella
* Tan Sei Hon
* Mili'z
* Meor

emcee: Fahmi Fadzil

Venue: KL Performing Arts Centre, Pentas 2
Date: 20 and 21 July 2006
Time: 8:30pm – 11pm
Tickets: RM25 (Adults), RM20 (Students, Disabled)


Tickets available at KLPAC (03 - 40479 000) and The Actors Studio, Bangsar Shopping Complex (03 - 2094 9400). Or email tickets@klpac.com. No advance bookings.

Tickets also available directly through Troubadours Enterprise. Call Tan Sei Hon (012 - 285 0931) for more info.


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What will the performances be like? Who'll be performing on which night?

The performances will be held in a "round" format in an acoustic setting. (With professional stage lighting and sound!) Some of the artistes will be backed by one to three muso friends.

On Friday 20 July, the lineup will be: Mia Palencia, Reza Salleh, Melina William, Mei Chern, Jerome Kugan, and Mili'z.

On Saturday 21 July, the lineup will be: Pete Teo, Shanon Shah, Azmyl Yunor, Meor, Estrella, and Tan Sei Hon.


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Who are the singer songwriters?

Glad you ask...



PETE TEO
Pete Teo achieved cult fame in the Hong Kong alternative pop scene as one half of the duo Mid-Century. After disbanding the group, Teo returned to Malaysia, and gradually returned to making music industry as an independent solo artiste. Known for his intelligent and accomplished songwriting and performances, his debut solo album “Rustic Living for Urbanites” was released to critical acclaim, winning awards and backed by promotional performances in Japan, USA and Singapore. Teo is an avid supporter of the singer songwriter scene in KL, having founded a series of concerts called “The Songwriters Round” which featured many local singer songwriters. His latest album “Television” was released to critical acclaim and won three Anugerah Industri Muzik awards, including Best English Album.
Visit http://www.peteteo.com/

SHANON SHAH
Shanon Shah is a singer songwriter whose earnest and affecting songs have won him a loyal following among KL’s metropolitan crowd, which led to his winning the Mandarin Oriental Fan of the Arts Most Promising Artist Award at the 2nd Annual Boh Cameronian Arts Awards. His debut CD Dilanda Cinta was released in 2005 to critical acclaim. He won Best Male Vocalist at Anugerah Industri Muzik 2006. He is currently working on new material for his upcoming album, and on his first play. He also writes for The Sun, Kakiseni and supports and advocates various efforts to uphold human rights and women’s rights.

Visit http://www.myspace.com/shanonshah


MIA PALENCIA
A favourite of the local jazz circuit, Mia Palencia burst onto the scene as the velvet-smooth vocalist of the duo Double Take with guitarist Roger Wang, with whom she released an album of cover songs which gained nationwide FM radio play. The duo has toured extensively, playing in several countries around the region. She is also a talented singer songwriter in her own right, as was revealed during several solo appearances at “The Songwriters Round” and other notable concerts. A part time lecturer at ICOM, Palencia is currently working on original material for her debut album. She recently released her single called “Sayang.”
Visit http://www.miapalencia.com/


REZA SALLEH
Reza Salleh has been attracting a loyal following in the past few years in the Klang Valley for his smooth soulful voice and tuneful songs that are influenced by black American music. He also organises a number of shows, including the successful Moonshine at Laundry. He recently released an EP entitled “Smoke City” which has garnered a lot of radio play, and voted #1 on Fly FM’s Campur Chart.
Visit http://www.myspace.com/rezasalleh

MELINA WILLIAM
Renowned as the feisty, energetic and accomplished vocalist, guitarist and bassist of local rock band Tempered Mental, Melina William originally hails from Sarawak and has been gradually building a reputation as a talent to be reckoned with in the local music scene. Tempered Mental recently released their debut album, produced by Greg Henderson.
Visit http://www.myspace.com/temperedmentaltm


MEI CHERN
Known for her graceful and insightful songs, Mei Chern has been writing and performing ever since she returned from her studies overseas. Her single “Feels Like Falling” was Musiccanteen.com’s most downloaded song of 2004. Also active in the NGO scene, she wrote “Do You See Me Like You”, the theme song to Ong Ju Lin’s awardwinning documentary “Alice Lives Here.” She’s currently working on her debut full length album.
Visit http://www.myspace.com/meichern

AZMYL YUNOR
Azmyl Yunor’s music evokes the working class down-to-earth folkiness of American singer songwriter heroes such as Bob Dylan and Neil Young, but imbues it with his own brand of infectious humour and colour. A fiercely independent artiste, the multi-genre and multi-instrumental Yunor has performed and released recordings as a solo artiste on his own Rapidear label and as a member of The Maharajah Commission, Ben’s Bitches and Thunder Coffee Club. He has organised various gigs including the “Sapu-Sapu” series and Troubadours which featured various local talents. He is currently working on his full-length album as a follow up to his well-received 2005 EP “Tenets.”
Visit http://www.azmylyunor.com/


MEOR
The music of the mercurial Meor has been described as raw, edgy and sublime, drawing strongly from his readings of existential and Sufi thought. A top-rate guitarist, Meor has released several DIY recordings of his music including the critically acclaimed “Itu Padang… Aku Di Situ” (2003). Unpredictable as a performer, Meor never ceases to delight audiences with his songs, which range from soft ballads to energetic romps, all unified by his signature wavering voice and mystical musings. Meor has also organised various concerts featuring local talents, most notably “Artist Jam” at Central Market, KL. He recently released his latest album “Yang Terlintas Di Fikiran” which was produced by fellow singer songwriter Ariff Akhir.
Visit http://www.pestajiwa.net/

ESTRELLA
Although only formed in 2006, Estrella has been wowing local audiences with their heartfelt songs of youthful romance, showcasing vocalist Liyana’s sensual girl-next-door vibe, and guitarist Yoby’s simple sparkling melodies. Their song “Take It Slow” was featured on the TV program “Impian Ilyana”.
Visit http://www.myspace.com/estrellaband

TAN SEI HON
Visual artist by day, singer songwriter by night, Tan Sei Hon has been actively performing in various acoustic gigs around KL. Cynically charming, Sei Hon’s songs describe urban life and sexual politics in a humorous way. He also organises various music and visual arts events. One of his earlier songs, “City Of The Cats” was covered by Kuching-based band Evenstarr.
Visit http://myspace.com/tanseihon


JEROME KUGAN
Originally from Sabah, Jerome Kugan is a self taught poet musician who has been actively involved in the KL arts scene since 2000. At the 3rd Annual BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, he was awarded Mandarin Oriental Fan of the Arts Most Promising Artist Award and Best Original Music (Theatre) for “Ops Ophelia: A Fashion Opera” directed by Rohaizad Suhaidi. He also organises various music and spoken word events including Troubadours and Wayang Kata. His music incorporates acoustic and electronic elements, influenced by artistes such as Bjork and Depeche Mode. He’s currently working on his debut album and a collection of poems.
Visit http://myspace.com/jkugan


MILI'Z
Piano and vocal duo Michelle & Ling are among the latest wave of talents to emerge in the local music scene, only just formed earlier this year. But already they are accomplished performers with a clutch of winsome and heartfelt songs. KL Sing Song 2007 is their first major appearance.


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Do we have a little press release thingy?

Yes, we do.


PRESS RELEASE - Kuala Lumpur, 5 July

MALAYSIAN SINGER SONGWRITERS REACH OUT TO WIDER AUDIENCE AT KL SING SONG 2007

This 20 and 21 July, KL Sing Song 2007 will bring together some of Malaysia’s most talented and original singer songwriters for a two-night musical showcase at the KL Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC). The two-night showcase will feature live acoustic performances by twelve singer songwriters, including AIM winners Pete Teo and Shanon Shah, and critically acclaimed emerging talents such as Mia Palencia, Reza Salleh and Melina William (vocalist of rock band Tempered Mental).

Organised by Troubadours Enterprise, KL Sing Song is an annual event and this year’s instalment will be the third, held for the second time at KLPAC’s Pentas Dua auditorium. It’s also a part of the Ministry of Culture, Arts & Heritage’s list of events under the KL Arts Fest calendar which is happening throughout the month of July. Other singer songwriters set to perform KL Sing Song 2007 include Mei Chern, Estrella, Mili'z, Meor, and Troubadours Enterprise’s co-artistic directors and concert organisers Azmyl Yunor, Tan Sei Hon and Jerome Kugan.

According to the organisers, KL Sing Song 2007 is aimed at showcasing Malaysian singer songwriters who write and perform their own original material, as well as encouraging more public interest in local talents. “There are a lot of talented local singer songwriters with original material who deserve to be heard beyond smaller venues such as pubs and cafes. KL Sing Song 2007’s aim is to provide that platform for our local talents to reach out to a broader audience, in a more formal setting such as KLPAC,” says Jerome Kugan.

KL Sing Song 2007 is also a showcase of the diverse musical talents in the local music scene. “We select artistes whose music we feel represent diverse worldviews, various genres and performance styles. That’s why we put well-established veteran artistes like Pete Teo alongside new talents like Estrella and Mili'z, to make it interesting for the audience. So they can see and hear the rich musical diversity in the local independent music scene,” adds Tan Sei Hon.


Ceh wah.



We'll be putting up the poster image in the next couple of days! Look out for it!