If Love Had A Song

There is magic in a Disney fairytale that no other animations can recreate. Although I have outgrown my days of watching Sailormoon (thank heavens), Captain Planet and Care Bears (the new version is no where near the original one), I remain to be a sucker for Disney's musical flicks.

This is my favourite song off Tangled, featuring the voices of Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi (who knew Chuck could sing?). This is the song that made me cry and secretly try to wipe away my tears in the cinema before anyone around me noticed. This is what love sounds like.

That Heartless Dude With A Lot Of Heart

Please allow me to gloat. I've been going to concerts since i was 12 and many of the times, i always look enviously at the reporters and photographers who get to attend press conferences, parade around town with their media tag and watch the concert upclose in a section closed off to the public. So imagine the happiness when i got a call from my editor telling me to not only attend the concert and press conference, but also to interview Kris Allen. I finally get my own media tag!



If you go hunting for Kris Allen press conference details on the Internet, i'm pretty sure you'll notice many of those who attended the conference will write about Kris and the Malaysian souvenir that he received: a keris. Kris' keris, get it?



Then came my time to interview the Idol himself. Ohmigosh. This is the friggin man i was watching on TV last year. The man i thought, like all other Idol winners, i would never get to see live. What you see on air is really what you get. While he's not the best celeb in terms of giving interesting interviews, he is funny and i think he doesn't even realise this. He's insanely humble and really lives up to his boy-next-door image.



Okay, this has got to be the most drama-free concert i've been to. Having a media tag does make a lot of difference! At first, we were ushered into a room with two televisions. My first thought: "Oh shit. Are they going to make us watch the concert from here?" Thank God, it was just a waiting area. And this waiting area is nothing like the long queues i am so used to waiting in. We were served food, champagne and wine. And when the time came, another door opened and we simply sashayed into the ballroom while the public is still kept waiting outside.

We had a section to ourselves at the front of the stage. A few selected lucky winners got to join us there too. Though i was so thankful for the front view, i know how it feels like to be a fan and forced to stand behind a bunch of media people who probably don't even care. But boy, was i happy that night. This is what i've been dreaming of on many occassions! Being in front also mean awesome-r pictures and video...









And Kris Allen has a cute band! This guitarist/keyboardist of his (the name's Cale - i did my research) is super hot. Kinda reminds me of Sylar from Heroes. And this time, even Ee Laine has to admit that my taste is good! See? I can spot a good thing when i see one!



Please let more opportunities like this come! STAR World, organise more concerts and invite me! Sigh, let's hope that my office comes up with an entertainment magazine soon so i can start writing about things that i really give a hoot about.

When Greatness Collide

Now i understand why MTV decided to forgo MAA for World Stage because if you were at the event, you would know how wicked it was!





Not only did Karen and I get free mosh pit tickets (last year's humiliation at the MAA audition paid off big time), we were pretty near the stage and we also bumped into the Rejects at Sunway Pyramid! Dang it! Why wasn't i this lucky when the Backstreet Boys were in town? So yeah, we asked for a photo with this fella...

...whom i later found out is Mike, AAR's guitarist. Stupid Malaysian bodyguard didn't allow us to do so or else i would now have a picture to stare at before i go to sleep. Why are most Mikes so insanely hot?

So anyhoo, i realised that all World Stage reviews start with Estranged's performance. Actually, they were not the first to hit the stage. It was some Malay dude who i'm guessing is a product of one of those reality singing competitions. That fella so ter-rer he even threw his bracelet to the crowd. Wonder if anyone kept it?

During Pixie Lott's performance of Mama Do, she did the famous clap from her videoclip but nobody knew what was going on. Heck, i think only Karen and I took note of it and joined in. Whatlah these people. It would have been awesome to see the entire crowd clapping together.



One of the best highlights for me was Hoobastank and their rock/electric version of Ghostbusters. So super awesome it got everyone singing along. And The Reason made me melt! I can't believe i'm only discovering 'em now! Karen met 'em and got their autograph during their trip here years ago. Jealous nyer.



Ladies and gentlemen, i am now officially an All-American Rejects convert. Tyson is one wacky freakshow that i cannot take my eyes off. Go watch his videos at the Reject's site. I'm hooked. He came out with blue glitter all over his arms and body and even climbed up the side railing! He's weird in an awesome way.



Found out that Digi is throwing an All American Rejects live in KL concert on October 10. Nothing is confirmed yet but lets hope it comes through. I want more dose of Tyson craziness, Mike hotness and AAR hits. This time, i'll go prepared with songs to sing-a-long to.

If you want in on the fun too, catch MTV World Stage on MTV (Channel 713) on August 28, Friday at 9pm. Spot Karen and I!

And oh, in case someone decides to sue me, all photos are all from MTV Asia.

Moonwalking In Heaven

As i was finishing my bowl of Maggi soup at the mamak, the Tamil radio announcer mentioned Michael Jackson along with a bunch of jibberish words i cannot understand. The first shocking thought that came to mind: He's dead. Why else would a Tamil radio station suddenly talk about the King of Pop?

It was a shocker when my guess was confirmed and it still is a shocker now. Thanks to my Dad and his endless love for music of his era, i grew up listening to MJ. I remember watching him, clad in his signature white cotton tee and black pants, doing his routines in 'Black or White', the first music video i've ever loved.

During the time when Michael was sporting his long, black, curly locks (which was exactly the same hairdo as my Aunt's), I remember a very young and confused me - young enough to think that only women have long hair - asking Dad:

Me: Pa, is Michael Jackson a girl or boy?
Dad: What is his name?
Me: Michael Jackson
Dad: What is my name?
Me: Michael
Dad: There's your answer

Fastforward a few years later and MJ looked like a different man altogether. Spooky, even. Then the molestation accuses came about and suddenly, people were talking about everything MJ-related except his music. Whether he did what they said he did, honestly, I don't give a hoot. It's a pity that most turned their attention towards the conflicts rather than focusing on the talent that this legend harboured within him.

He opened up a whole new ball game for the blacks and there is no denying how much his music has helped to change the world. One video that makes me tear every single time is 'Earth Song'. For a five-minute song, the melody, lyrics and music video pack such a powerful punch that you cannot help but to feel the pain of Mother Earth and the animals as we shamelessly deal them blows after blows of destruction.

Indeed, Michael Jackson is a legend, dead or alive. And i can only hope that people stop milking his death for their own gains and just celebrate the man whose music has given the world a sweet, sweet sound.

To Michael, may you rest in peace.

Oh crap, i think i'm starting to tear again.

The Vertical Lubangs

I can't remember who exactly it was but at the moment when i saw him/her playing the guitar and singing along, i knew i wanted to follow suit.

I've always loved singing and because most of the songs i played during my piano-learning days were classical pieces, i couldn't. Okay, maybe i could use my creativity to come up with lyrics to compliment the tunes of Fur Elise and Moonlight Sonata but well, it's just too damn hard.

So today, after putting the desire on hold for what seemed like a gazillion years, i told myself i am going to buy myself a guitar and learn how to play it.

With zero knowledge about guitars, i headed to the instrument store for a little Guitar 101. The owner proceeded to bombard my confused mind with gibberish about folk and classical guitars, nylon and metal strings, wide and smaller frets, pick-up and no pick-up...

As if battling with my predicament of whether to splurge over RM300 for an instrument i might or might not be good at was not enough, i now have to crack my brains and think of which guitar i want! So many decisions for one small clueless brain!

But in his defense, he did help me realise that what i need is a classical guitar with no pick-up.

To double confirm myself, i seeked the guidance of one former-tinted-spectacles-Sydney-boy and things became clearer. In order to tell a folk (which i found out, is also known as acoustic) guitar apart from a classical one, you can look at the head. The classical guitar (pictured right) has vertical holes in it...



So now you know.

Initiate Countdown

Less than 10 hours to go.

I've got the album on replay on my iTunes since yesterday night.

So stoked!

I can't wait to get myself some Mraz loving! And to drift away to music land when he belts out his songs with that voice of his. Ah, the taste of bliss...

The Rocket Is Coming

Ohmigosh. Let the countdown begin.

I am so stoked.

5 more days to go to THE day.

The day when i will get to watch Mr. A to Z do his thing live!

So psyched!

Click, Click, Click, Click, Click

After MAA, i went into a Click Five mode and was constantly listening to their songs on imeem and iTunes.

Then the phase went away.

Now, it's back.

No matter how many times i put Mary Jane, Empty (Original & Accoustic), Jenny, (Original & Accoustic) Say Goodnight and Reason Why on the replay loop, i never get tired of it! There's just something about their melodies and Kyle Patrick's voice that interest me so damn much.

Since Monday, i've probably already heard each song 10 times...and still counting...

Sucker For Ballads

Recently, i stumbled upon songs by one Olivia Lufkin and she is a singer you MUST listen to. I am so surprised she's not famous yet because this bilingual singer is fantastic!

Sweet Memories tops my list as the best of the best. Though i don't understand most of the lyrics (it's mostly Japanese), the melody and her mellow voice is enough to make my heart melt. So beautiful!



Is she awesome or is she awesome?

I Saw The Invisible Man

When i was still in high school, he told me that the hardest thing he ever had to do was to look me in the eyes and tell me that he doesn't love me. Of course, he told millions of other girls the same thing too.

And now after SO MANY years, i finally got my chance to meet him when an sms from Quattro told me that Jeff Timmons - my fave member from now-defunk 98 Degrees - will be in town for a show.

After all the hoohah i read and heard about Quattro, i was pretty excited to experience the vibe. And together with Karen, off we went to get a taste of the four seasons. But except for the interior design, appropriate cover charge, the ice room in the winter section and their VERY good music (R&B on Fridays, pop on Saturdays), i don't really see what the big deal is about.



There is NO dance floor and that is a humongous pooper for me! Where am i supposed to get jiggy with the beat? And where would all the hanky panky flirtatious moves happen?

Well, at least they have Jeff to make up for that flaw. The night kicked off pretty excitingly. While being blur and asking waitresses which section of the club Jeff's show will be, i noticed that the man himself was standing in front of my eyes, right behind Karen! We got so star-struck that we just looked at each other and let him walked off without even managing to say hi. Damn, i need better reflexes...



The show itself was okay but whoever who organised Jeff's performance definitely has more homework to do. I don't know why they even thought of alternating his performance with the usual club hits. So we basically saw him coming on stage for one song, then leaving for 15 minutes or so before returning for another song and leaving again. I think that basically eliminated the chances for him to really connect with the audience and build the mood that he wanted to set.



The sound system was not really good either. The music overpowered his voice leaving us with an almost lip-sync-ish performance. Sadly, the crowd was also not working in Jeff's favour. Most of them barely even knew who he was and many simply didn't care. It is such a pity because he's got an amazing voice and an even more amazing falsetto that can be put to good use. If only they would listen...



He really tried to work the crowd but not to much avail. This was the night when i realised that to be a celebrity ain't an easy job as well. He has the looks, the voice but unfortunately, not the luck. And when Lady Luck is not on your side, get ready for a bumpy ride.

What I ended up seeing after the show, was a rather pissed off (and i'm guessing disappointed) Jeff but all that was graciously put aside when we met. What a sweetheart...

Well, whatever it is, he's still got the voice and don't even get me started on his body! Who would have thought that after 10 years, i finally got to meet the man who once adorned my bedroom wall?