The Star Online: Entertainment: Music
The Star Online: Entertainment: Music |
| Posted: 09 Oct 2012 03:44 AM PDT Fish Leong's latest album promises love and happiness. AFTER being on tour for the past couple of years, Fish Leong declared that she admires the laid-back European lifestyle and wishes to emulate it by taking things easy and enjoying life the way she has always wanted to. "I believe a more relaxed atmosphere makes for a healthier body and mind," she said during the recent press conference for her 12th and latest studio album entitled Love In Heart (Mandarin title Ai Jiu Jian Ren Xin). The Mandarin album was released in early August, just before Leong, 34, was named the most popular female singer in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan during China's prestigious 11th CCTV-MTV Music Awards. While she may not be ready to rest on her laurels yet, the Taiwan-based Malaysian songstress revealed that she has planned on taking a two-month break after she wraps her world tour concert later this month. What follows will be good news for fans – Leong has baby-making plans. The soft-spoken singer, who has been married for two and a half years, said she needed time to recuperate from her jet-setting lifestyle, which has taken its toll on her health. "I've been taking advice about consuming more Chinese herbal tonics and chicken soup, eating regular meals and keeping to a more nutritious diet," shared Leong, who also enjoys swimming and tennis matches with her husband Tony Chiu and her cousin Z-Chen. Commenting on her title track Ai Jiu Jian Ren Xin (meaning Love Will Be Revealed In Time), Leong explained, "Generally, you need to take time to truly get to know a person. Nowadays, people may get to know others online or through other digital means. It's all too instant, like making a bowl of instant noodles. And, that won't work; you need to spend time and effort to discover what really makes a person tick. "I just want to tell people not to be afraid. Do take more time to really get to know someone properly. He or she will be worth your while. This is true, whether for friendship or romance," she said. Design-wise, Leong explained that the Love In Heart album was conceptualised to be like a petite treasure box of sweet memories from a meaningful trip. She lifted the lid of the box and out popped half a dozen postcards of her travels just like an accordion. Picking up the bookmark which features a pair of lovebirds, she turned it over to read the message she has written to her fans. Loosely translated, it says: Embrace yourself. Happiness is heading your way. Smile. Love will be revealed in time. "It is a form of encouragement to everyone," mused Leong, as she went on to describe the classic look of the Parisian theme in the collage of visuals at the bottom of the box. Pointing to the pocket watch on the poster and the envelope wrapped around the 11-track CD, Leong added, "This motif of timepieces is symbolic of how time will tell of an enduring love." Although she loves listening to jazz music, Leong, who is fondly dubbed "Queen of Love Songs", admits she prefers to remain in her comfort zone and stick to what she does best. "This time around, we are not aiming to be different but reverting to simple love songs and familiar collaborations with old friends like Percy Phang and Yu Heng. I love to sing such songs and fans also prefer that I do not depart from my favoured genre," Leong shared about her latest album. > Fish Leong's Love In Heart is distributed by Universal Music and available in local record stores. |
| Spector-cular boys riding fast Posted: 09 Oct 2012 01:07 AM PDT "We definitely don't see competition with bands such as The Wanted, because we're just way above them," said lead singer Fred Macpherson of latest British indie sensation, Spector. One may think that the band's front man is pompous and arrogant, but in fact, he epitomises what the band stands for – honesty and candidness. If you meet the band members in person, you will agree that they are not cocky; simply confident and comfortable in their own world of musical wonder. "We're moderately ambitious to quite ambitious," said Macpherson. "We're happy with how things turn out, take things as they come and don't expect the unexpected. We just want to have fun, make small dreams and achieve them for now," he continued, summing up what the band is all about. The melodic and enchanting sounds produced by Spector have been vastly compared to bands such as The Killers, The Strokes, Pulp and even ol' blue eyes Frank Sinatra. In fact, at the meet the Press session at the Topman outlet in Suria KLCC, the band was asked if it had ever been compared to The Proclaimers. "That's the first time we've been compared to The Proclaimers," said bass player, Thomas Shickle, while the rest of the boys gasp in surprise. "No, we've never been compared to them. We've heard a lot of comments out there, comparing us to various different bands and we'll just play it safe and say, take a listen to our music and let it explain itself," the rest of the band continue together. Macpherson added that the boys have a great story about their car breaking down one day and how they had to walk "500 miles and then 500 more …," obviously quoting the lyrics of The Proclaimers' popular hit I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles). Watching them live, one can't help but believe that this band is destined for great heights and definitely stand tall on their own turf. It's hard to believe the band was only formed 18 months ago as it seems to have made its mark and grown a global fan base fairly quickly. For a new band, Spector is already being compared to rather huge music giants through the years. The band's debut album entitled Enjoy it While it Lasts offers singles such as Chevy Thunder, a song written about … well, a car. "I'm riding, I'm riding as fast as this car goes Chevy Thunder, Chevy, Chevy Thunder ..." go the lyrics. Other singles from the album include Never Fade Away, What You Wanted, Grey Shirt and Tie, Celestine, and Friday Night, Don't Ever Let it End. "There's no doubt that our music has always been inspirational. The songs range from British pop, the early 2000s garage rock to the synth-bands of the 1980s and the various sounds of indie pop. "Still, Spector is all about originality and a mix of various influences out there that were personally seen and experienced throughout our growing years in London," said Macpherson, talking about Spector's album. If you listen to any of the band's tracks you'll quickly realise the unique tunes it carries and how it brings a brilliant mixture of 1980s and 1990s music into the current sounds of the 2000s. A former MTV presenter and also vocalist of two other bands - Les Incompétents and Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man - Macpherson is the man behind the formation of Spector. Along with long-time friend, Christopher Burman who plays guitar, Macpherson went around London to find the right people to make up the rest of the band. "It had to be five people and it was important to get the chemistry right because that's where the spirit of the band lies. If we can get along there's no doubt we can play music together," said Macpherson. The rest of the band members are Thomas Shickle on bass, Jed Cullen on synthesiser and guitar and Danny Blandy on drums. Speaking to the band at the Topman outlet in Suria KLCC was quite a treat. Having just arrived after a six-hour flight from Britain, the boys were anything but jetlagged. Hyped up on coffee and excited to be in Malaysia for the first time, the band awed members of the media and answered questions by injecting humour in every way possible. Macpherson introduced his bandmates and joked about the roles they each played in the band. "I'm the main song writer and Chris here is the 2nd song writer who is also head of administration and management consultancy, Danny on the other hand is all about American football ...." At this point the entire band burst into hysterical giggles. Although they are old souls musically, the 20-something boys are rather child-like and certainly know how to please a crowd with their boyish charm. When asked what the band thought of Malaysia so far, Macpherson said, "Well, we've not been anywhere but here since we landed. So, all we've seen of Malaysia is this mall and the Topman store, so if that's what Malaysia's all about, then we're definitely loving it!" Jokes apart, what the band would really love to do is work with singer-songwriter Gary Barlow. "Maybe it's a little far-fetched, but we like the idea of working with Gary Barlow, as we look into our next album," said Macpherson, who writes all of Spector's songs. He admitted that the band would also one day like to work with songwriter, musician and producer Guy Chambers, theatre icon Andrew Lloyd Webber, former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, pop superstar Sir Elton John and the ageing swivel-hipped sex god Tom Jones. That's a tall order for a band which released its first album in August this year. But then, this isn't a band which intends to rest on its laurels. The band is already thinking of album No. 2. "Potentially, we'd like to come up with the second album perhaps next year as ideas are starting to bubble only now. There's a team of people working on it as we speak ..." revealed Macpherson, before clamming up on more details. Spector has performed across the London live circuit and played at the Reading And Leeds Festival - an annual music festival that takes place in Reading and Leeds in England. They have also toured with the likes of Kaiser Chiefs and Florence + the Machine. With so much talent, wit and good humour in the band, one might wonder why Spector's members aren't acting rather than singing. "We all failed acting," admitted Macpherson, who seems to be more comfortable cracking jokes. "I like the idea of acting though and personally I think musicians always end up wanting to be actors and actors wanting to be musicians. Being a musician is kind of like acting in a away. I can see myself doing a musical someday ..." Macpherson said, laughing again before breaking into a Grease song - "Tell me more … tell me more …." Seeing as Spector is an all-male group, fans might wonder if the boys would ever team up with a guest female vocalist. "As far as female singers are concerned we'd like to work with Tori Amos," comments drummer Blandy. "And then followed by Dame Judi Dench," Macpherson quips, before breaking into another song. "Isn't it rich … isn't it queer … losing my timing ...," he belts out from the classic Send in The Clowns, which has been performed by Dench. On a more serious note, Cullen added that the band would love to work with Holly Valance. "Perhaps try and bring her back into the music scene. She's got great talent, and she can sure dance," he said. Do the boys dance? And have they tried Korean singer Psy's "Gangnam Style" dance craze? The boys burst into laughter before Mcpherson said half-jokingly, "We're kind of working on it at the moment; we'll do a dance and a song maybe. Something different and perhaps work with Psy someday. Who knows?" Fans will have to wait and see if this idea comes to light, or if Mcpherson was just joking. Finally, the boys ended their media session by providing valuable grooming tips. Grooming tips? "You shouldn't over groom yourself," said Macpherson. "Take care of your feet, wash them and always keep your toes warm," added guitarist Burman. Cullen on the other hand believes that one shouldn't make too bold a statement when it comes to dressing up. "Don't do anything too evasive, clean your teeth at least twice a week and don't over pluck your eyebrows." One thing fans and the media can be sure of is to always expect the unexpected and never expect a straight answer from Spector. The band performed at the Stage Club in Avenue K, Kuala Lumpur, on Oct 6, 2012. It was the band's first performance in Malaysia. |
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