Saturday, September 27, 2014

Funkifize with the Fungkimunkees!

It has been 2 years since i last played with the Fungkimunkees.
The last we did a show today at Concourse and it was with the striped down setup.


Super stoked when i got their call again to Guest sing, 
this time with a full 8 piece band with horns section!!! 

I've played with the Chinese Orchestra, 
the Big Band, 
and this was definitely next on my list..
a funk band!!! 
Whoopie!!!

How d'yall like my outfit?
#likeaboss

With the amazing band of the night!! 
[L to R]
Benson Kong on Alto Sax, 
Pablo Calzado on Drums, 
Fraser on Guitar, 
Sultan on Bass, 
Ashley Howard on Trombone, 
Pablo Tani on Baritone Sax 
& Dan Wong on Trumpet!

Truth be told, 
i was only roped less than a week before the show. 
I had to learn 9 new songs, 
many rhythmically challenging (duh it's funk)
and i almost thought i wouldn't be able to handle it.
During which, i also managed to be down with contact dermatitis
and had rashes all over my face & body :(
But all turned out to be good!!
I hid my rashes well under those clothes..
And i'm darn thankful i still have my voice to deliver!



Oh yea, 
and i didn't manage to rehearse with the full band 
so i did what i could do and it was magical!
I loved the stage, 
the band setup, 
the music, 
the audience. 
It was perfect!



 Thank you Sultan for having me in mind!
It was such a blessing to have met you many years ago at Java Jazz :D 
FKMK rocks!


Show's over, 
Peace out! 

Monday, September 22, 2014

DT in Beijing, 13Sep

It has been a while! 
The last tour was in Jan and i almost forgot what it was like to be on the road again. 
We were back in Beijing a year after we were there, 
and it definitely felt different! 

We arrived a few years before showday for a refresher rehearsal!

Hello familiar work space.

Post-rehearsal Hai Di Lao!!! 
It was my first time trying it out. 
I've heard so much about the amazing standard, but the HDL at this branch wasn't that impressive.
The food was good though! 
We proceeded to have hdl over the next 3 nights -_-"
#overdose

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Moonlight Harmony with the Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra @ Esplanade Waterfront!

It was my first time performing alongside a 40-musician strong Chinese Orchestra
on the eve of Mid-Autumn Festival at the Esplanade Waterfront stage beneath the full moon,
and it was a really refreshing experience!!

Much love and thanks goes out to my secondary school days Conductor Quek Ling Kiong!
I used to play the er hu way back and he had always been my favourite conductor!
Little did i know that i would meet him 10 years later,
not playing, but singing for his orchestras!

Pre-show rehearsal at the Singapore Concert Hall


Having a slice of mooncake before performance! 

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Army Half Marathon 2014!

And the earliest gig award goes to.... ARMY HALF MARATHON 2014!!
Soundcheck was at 7am, 
performance at 8am. 

For those who don't know me, 
i am a night animal. 
I usually sleep at earliest 2am. 
I'm usually grumpy in the morning, 
and i just CANNOT look good every single day when i used to work in the corporate world. 

I'm glad i still look like a decent human at 7am in the morning. 
I was aware that the massive amount of people behind me woke up at 3am, 
and ran a good half marathon from 4am to 7am in the morning. 
Yes i was slightly, ashamed, of myself. 

Gosh just look at the amount of people. 
That was possibly the biggest crowd i've played to, 
apart from on tour with David Tao. 

Try X All Of Me - A Mashup Cover by Kexin, Clarence & Serena

Sometimes i get weary,
from the battles i'm fighting outside and within.

Sometimes i feel lost,
while searching for my true self amidst what everyone wants me to me.

Sometimes i get weighed down,
by expectations of how i should act, look, walk, talk, sing etc.

But you know you've found that someone, 
when you don't have to try,
cos all of him loves all of you, 
all your curves and all your edges, 
all your perfect imperfections :) 



Credits: 
Guitarist and Arranger: Clarence Yeo 
Percussionist: Serena Chen 
Videographer, Editor and Venue Provider: Jaex from Ideally Yours 
Sound Post-Production: Christopher Ang from B Cube Entertainment 



I feel so much for this video because of the amazing arrangement, 
& the instant chemistry on set with these 2 wonderful musicians friends!

Believe it or not, this video cover was our first time working together. 
Serena and Clarence have never met before, 
we jammed an hour before shoot and that's when the magic happened. 

Special mention also goes out to Jaex from Ideally Yours.
He's a really passionate videographer (and a great one too!!) and has always been 
greatly supportive of local music.
He actually bought equipment just so that we can record youtube videos in his studio.
Ideally Yours specializes in Wedding Photography, Videography and Bridal gown rental
so if you like what you saw in my youtube video,
hop on over to his website and check it out!! 
You'll be amazed by his works! 

Lastly, huge love to Christopher from B Cube Entertainment. 
B Cube Entertainment is one of the best sound provider in Singapore in my opinion
and has been my favourite provider for all my live gigs!! 
And of course the man behind all the goodness is Chris <3 
My youtube videos have never sounded so good before, 
and i gotta give it to him for the live sound enhancements!!
MUACKSSS

I really cannot thank them enough for their support, time and effort in making 
such a simple Youtube Video work. 
THANK YOU THANK YOU.
And if the video has resonated with you as an audience,
do share the love and joy :) 

MUACKS TO YOU!