The Star Online: Entertainment: Music
The Star Online: Entertainment: Music |
- Avril Lavigne concert update
- Bastille, Disclosure lead Brit nominations
- Joanne Yeoh's after a dream
| Posted: 09 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST The Canadian singer will play at Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur in March. CANADIAN pop punk princess Avril Lavigne is set to bring her tour to Kuala Lumpur. Come March 14, Lavigne will perform at Stadium Merdeka. The singer will be promoting her latest self-titled album which features hit singles Let Me Go and Here's To Never Growing Up. For those keeping track, this is Lavigne's third visit to Malaysia. She made her debut performance here in 2008, followed by another concert in 2012. Both concerts were attended by over 25,000 fans. Lavigne broke into the music scene as a 17-year-old with the release of her debut album Let Go in 2002. The album spawned some of Lavigne's signature hits like Complicated, Sk8er Boi and I'm With You. The singer was also notable for her tomboyish skater image. Now 29, Lavigne has stayed true to her unique persona. "I think it's always kind of been like that. Like when I came out, everyone was baring their midriff. I don't know, people can dress the way they want to dress, I dress how I want to dress," she said in a recent interview. Since Let Go, the singer has released three other albums and sold over 30 million copies worldwide. For her latest album, Lavigne collaborated with husband, Nickelback vocalist Chad Kroeger, and shock rocker Marilyn Manson. Tickets for Avril Lavigne Live in Kuala Lumpur 2014 are priced at RM88, RM168, RM358, RM388 and RM488. Call 03-8775 4666 for ticket details or log on to www.airasiaredtix.com. |
| Bastille, Disclosure lead Brit nominations Posted: 09 Jan 2014 07:50 PM PST Other nominees in the music awards include David Bowie and One Direction. Music acts Bastille and Disclosure led the nominations for Britain's top music awards on Thursday, up for four prizes each at the annual Brit Awards, and veteran singer David Bowie was put forward for two awards. The alternative rock band Bastille and electronic music duo Disclosure were both nominated as best British group and British breakthrough act of the year, while also competing for best single and best album. Bastille was recognised for the single Pompeii and album Bad Blood. Disclosure – made up of brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence – was put forward for its single White Noise and album Settle. "We're completely blown away by the four nominations! When we started the band we never thought we'd be recognised in such a way so the whole thing is an awesome surprise," Dan Smith from Bastille, which formed in 2010, said in a statement. But while the newcomers led the nominations, veteran singer Bowie, 67, reappeared on the list after a comeback last year when he released his first new material for a decade. He received nominations for best British male singer and best album for The Next Day. The winners of British pop's biggest night will be announced on Feb 19. — Reuters Complete list of nominees: Best Producer Ethan Johns Flood & Alan Moulder Paul Epworth British Breakthrough Act Bastille Disclosure Laura Mvula London Grammar Tom Odell Best British Female Solo Artiste Birdy Ellie Goulding Jessie J Laura Marling Laura Mvula Best British Group Arctic Monkeys Bastille Disclosure One Direction Rudimental Best British Male Solo Artiste David Bowie Jake Bugg James Blake John Newman Tom Odell Best British Single Bastille Calvin Harris Disclosure Ellie Goulding John Newman Naughty Boy Olly Murs One Direction Passenger Rudimental Critics' Choice Award Chlöe Howl Ella Eyre Sam Smith Best International Female Solo Artiste Janelle Monáe Katy Perry Lady Gaga Lorde Pink Best International Group Arcade Fire Daft Punk Haim Kings Of Leon Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Best International Male Solo Artiste Bruno Mars Drake Eminem John Grant Justin Timberlake MasterCard British Album of the Year Arctic Monkeys Bastille David Bowie Disclosure Rudimental |
| Joanne Yeoh's after a dream Posted: 09 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST Violinist Joanne Yeoh, known for her sassy live performances, is back with a second studio album. AH, the violin. There's just something about the instrument, its shape, its sound, and the music it makes, that just oozes class, energy, and sensuality. If you've ever caught one of Joanne Yeoh's performances, you'll know that she ticks all of these boxes, and then some. A familiar face at many events, clubs and gigs, the 36-year-old violinist's sassy and energetic live shows have drawn comparisons to well-known pop violinist Vanessa Mae. Yeoh reckons that is a stereotype that is a little outdated, she revealed during our interview at her home in Subang Jaya, Selangor. "It is common for people to stereotype me as just another Vanessa Mae. But she was popular ten years ago, and she's not doing anything new anymore!" she said. "These days, there are a lot of violinists doing this, and I think people are realising there are more styles to this kind of music." Yeoh recently released her second album, After A Dream, eight years after her first, 2005's Pulse of the Metropolis. "The first album was more of a chill out album, and out of the 10 songs, nine were originals written by Daniel Veerapen. This time, it's the other way round!" she said. After A Dream contains 10 songs, nine of which are cover versions of popular classic hits like Danny Boy and Dixie's Land, and one original song, Tango, written by Veerapen, who also produced and arranged the album. "People tend to relate better with songs that they know, especially when it comes to instrumental music. This album is like a crossover of classical and pop, with a bit of jazz, some R&B, and some world-fusion styles," she said. Yeoh first picked up the violin at the age of eight, after giving up ballet and the piano in favour of the instrument. However, it was only later that she began to consider music as a viable career. "I think it was around the time I was in Form Four or Form Five, when I had to start thinking about what to do with my life. At that point, I was already doing my Diploma in violin, so I thought, 'Well, music is easy for me, and it is something that I like', so I decided to continue with it. It felt like a natural progression for me." She later furthered her studies at UCSI University from 1995 to 1997 through a twinning program with the University of Middlesex, eventually obtaining her Degree in Music with First Class honours in 1999. After returning home, she played with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Asian Youth Symphony before landing a job in Universiti Putra Malaysia's (UPM) Music Department in 2000, which she now heads. "I really enjoy working in UPM. The environment is very conducive, and the management is very understanding as well. I have so many shows and sometimes I need to go out of the country, and they have been supportive of what I do," said the violinist, who completed her PhD studies with Britain's Heriot Watt University, focusing on music and consumer behaviour in 2009, and is also on the panel of examiners for Trinity College London. Speaking of shows, Yeoh owes this part of her musical career to two major names in showbiz – Vanessa Mae (of course), and Jacky Cheung. "Vanessa Mae sort of revolutionised everything (for violinists). Sure, there were others before her, but not as popular, probably because of the marketing," Yeoh explained. "Because of her, I suggested to my boss in UPM to get an electric violin for the department and he agreed, provided I held a concert with it." After that concert, Yeoh started getting offers from agents and event managers to perform. However, it was not until 2002 that this part of her career really started to blossom, thanks to one of the Heavenly Kings of Hong Kong entertainment, Jacky Cheung. The real breakthrough for Yeoh was joining Cheung's "Music Odyssey Tour" in 2002/03, which included shows in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, China, Taiwan, Brunei, the United States, Britain and Canada. "I was the solo violinist (at the tour), and I had some solo parts where I had to go out to the front of the stage and play next to him," she recalled. "I remember my first show – it was in Australia, and I was super excited. I had new clothes to wear, and I was really geared up for it!" Besides Cheung's tour, Yeoh also took part in Taiwanese musician David Tao's "Soul Power Tour" in 2003, as well as Alan Tam's Live in Genting concert in 2008. According to her, each of these stars had a different style and different way of interacting with the musicians. "Jacky is a perfectionist. He comes for every rehearsal, and he would rehearse the same songs and dance moves each time. If he makes a mistake during a concert, he wouldn't even come down for the after party," she said. "David is more of a musician's musician. One day, he would want a certain style, and the next, something different. He changes it all the time, because he is a true musician and knows exactly what he wants." And what about Alan Tam then? "He's definitely not a perfectionist! Alan is more into getting the 'feel' right. It doesn't matter if you play the wrong note, just get the 'feel' right!" she said with a laugh. More importantly, her involvement with these world-class performers taught her a great deal, including how to be more professional and how to work in a band. "A level of professionalism is expected, and no excuse are tolerated, no matter where you are. It could be so cold that you can't play, but you still have to do it," she said. "They also taught me to be humble. Humility is very important – the higher you get, the more humble you ought to be," she concluded. > After A Dream is available from Yeoh's online store http://store.joanneyeoh.com.my. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Music To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan