KL SING SONG 2008

KL Sing Song 2009

2009-10-20T23:09:00.000-07:00

KL SING SONG 2009!
The 5th Annual Showcase of Malaysian Singer Songwriters Music Concert

Date: Fri 30 & Sat 31 Oct, 8.30pm & Sun 1 Nov, 3pm
Venue: The Annexe Gallery
Address: 2nd Floor, Central Market Annexe, Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel +603-2070 1137
www.annexegallery.com
Presented by Troubadours Enterprise
Admission: RM25 (Presale), RM30 (Door)
Passes available online at http://www.applause.org

Troubadours Enterprise is proud to present KL Sing Song, an annual showcase of the best of Malaysian singer songwriters. Now in its 5th year, KL Sing Song 2009 presents yet another smashing instalment of soulful and endearing songs of love, life and survival as written and performed by our very own modern troubadours. This year we’re featuring 19 singer songwriters performing in three concerts held over three days at our new venue, The Annexe Gallery, located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. This year’s list of stellar performers include Najwa, Nick Davis, Wani Ardy, Esam Salleh @ Slowjaxx, Ray Cheong, and Nik who will be performing in KL Sing Song for the first time. Also featured are KL Sing Song stalwarts Pete Teo, Meor, Liyana Fizi (from Estrella), and Karen Nunis Blackstone. We also welcome back to KL Sing Song our favourites Yuna, Melina William, Rendra Zawawi, Edwin & Albert, Paolo Delfino, Sharidir & Nizam P, Otam and special guest David Knight.

Passes for KL Sing Song 2009 will be available for sale online at http://www.applause.org.my starting 26 September 2009.

+ FRI 30 OCT, 8.30pm
Melina William, Rendra Zawawi, Paolo Delfino, Nick Davis, Izzy Mohamed, Wani Ardy

+SAT 31 OCT, 8.30pm
Pete Teo, Karen Nunis Blackstone, Liyana Fizi (from Estrella), Meor, Slowjaxx, Edwin & Albert

+SUN 1 NOV, 3pm
Yuna, Najwa, Otam, Sharidir & Nizam P, Nik, David Knight, Ray Cheong

Poster designed by Shahril Nizam

SINGER SONGWRITER BIOS
In alphabetical order

DAVID KNIGHT
David Knight has played widely within the San Francisco Bay Area, most notably during his run with the ambient/rock band Day One Symphony. He has also toured the east coast of the US, played shows in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and a solo tour in Kuala Lumpur in 2008. His current catalog includes the Day One Symphony EP 'A Vicious Circle' (2005), his own 'Collected Works (2005-08),' and the online EP 'Mandala.' David is also a member of Bay Area band Panthelion as a singer/guitarist/effects technician.
Visit: http://www.myspace.com/knightdavidl

EDWIN & ALBERT
"We're not a duo, not a band, not a group…we're cousins!" says Edwin, one half of, well, Edwin & Albert. They both have different taste for soft drinks and the brand of hair gel they use but they both share a love for The Beatles. Members of the same church, they've been performing on and off since 2005 and write mostly happy, catchy uplifting songs that smell of rainbows and morning dew. Music has always been a way of finding beauty and happiness in the midst of their chaotic lives and playing music and writing songs helps them to do just that.
Visit: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=40822552488

IZZY MOHAMED
Coming soon!

KAREN NUNIS BLACKSTONE
Karen Nunis Blackstone is a Malaysian singer songwriter, and visual artist currently based in Singapore. Her songs are a fusion of blues, jazz, folk and rock, with lyrics that explore her “East meets West” background. Karen has performed extensively locally and overseas, including Japan, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Los Angeles, and New York. She released her first album “Give Me Sanity” in 2000, followed by her second album “Dark Sun Big Rain” in 2008, which was nominated for Best English Album at the AIM 2009.
Visit http://www.myspace.com/karennunisblackstone

MEOR
Meor Aziddin Yusof is an independent Malay language folk singer-songwriter who has been performing since 1984 and has had a major label recording release Pesta Jiwa (2000) before deciding to take the independent route and continued his craft as a busker in Kuala Lumpur, notably in Kuala Lumpur's Central Market. He is the most prolific local independent singer-songwriter with six albums to date. His critically acclaimed album “Itu Padang... Aku Disitu” (2003) is considered a classic in the non-mainstream music scene.
Visit http://www.pestajiwa.net

NICK DAVIS
Nick Davis is an actor, singer songwriter and composer. He composed and performed music for Helena Foo's directorial debut "The Shape Of Things" and recently acted and composed music for "Lao Jiu, The Ninth Born" directed by Chee Sek Thim. He is recently worked on a new project composing for Helena Foo's "Three", a physical theatre piece and acted as the character William, a play written by Shanon Shah, and directed by Jo Kukathas and Zalfian Fuzi, AIRCOND. He currently produces an acoustic show called "This Is Acoustic" with singer songwriter Ian Chow at KLpac.
Visit: http://nickdavismusic.blogspot.com

LIYANA FIZI
Liyana Fizi, from the pop band Estrella, has been wowing local audiences with her heartfelt songs of youthful romance, showcasing her sensual girl-next-door vibe, melodic songwriting and chilled out bossa nova-ish groove. Their self-titled debut album was a huge hit and their songs “Stay” and "Ternyata" have topped almost every local music chart.
Visit: http://www.myspace.com/estrellaband

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

NAJWA
Coming soon!

NIK
Hailing from Pahang Darul Makmur , Nik bin Jidan is a full time music busker who also performs at indie shows and corporate gigs. He has released 2 EPs entitled ‘Garisan Abstrak’ and ‘javidnamah c4-llpk’. His songs deal with themes of love and humanity. Known for his aggressive strumming and loud, raspy vocals, Nik, a self taught musician, is a familiar face at Central Market where he sometimes busks as well as various popular spots in Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur.

OTAM
Having lived and busked in Calgary, Canada, for several years, Otam made a splash in local circuit with his chilled out acoustic jams, laid back songs and gruff vocals upon returning home. One of the most affable personalities amongst the acoustic performers in town, Otam is sure to wins hearts and new fans at his gigs.
Visit: http://www.myspace.com/otamandnovak

PAOLO DELFINO
Dirty sneakers, broken guitar picks, lush guitar playing and soulful sounds would aptly describe Philippines-born and Malaysia-bred, Paolo Delfino. With a style of music that incorporates strong melodies, acoustic textures and old-school soul mixed with pop sensibilities and a dash of retro vibes, Paolo is quickly garnering attention with his fresh sound and quirky songwriting. No self-indulgent 5 minute solos here, he’s on a mission to entertain and he aims to please. He released an EP in 2008 called “In Between The Odds & Evens”
Visit: http://www.myspace.com/paolodelfino

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” (2003) was released to critical acclaim, winning awards and backed by promotional performances in Japan, USA and Singapore. Teo also founded a series of concerts called “The Songwriters Round” which featured many local singer songwriters. He released his second album “Television” (2007) which won Best English Album at AIM 2008. He is very active in the film industry, appearing in films by James Lee and Ho Yuhang and contributing to film soundtracks including Yasmin Ahmad’s “Talentime”. Most recently he produced 15Malaysia, a short film project involving 15 Malaysian filmmakers and artistes.
Visit http://www.peteteo.com

RAY CHEONG
Ray Cheong has a voice as true as a bell, world-weary as a Charlie Chaplin smile, as broken as a heart. Hailing from Penang, Ray has performed both as a solo artiste and with his band on numerous stages including the “U-Countdown 2007 New Year’s Eve Concert” with famous Taiwan artistes, Project OMG, KL GP Couture and Cusine Festival, No Black Tie and more. Ray was winner of Digi Celebriteen Singing Competition 2006 and was featured as one of CLEO magazine’s 50 most eligible bachelors. His music is a funky blend of bluesy pop rock that has drawn comparisons with John Mayer and Ben Harper.
Visit http://amp.channelv.com/raycheong

RENDRA ZAWAWI
Rendra Zawawi is a soul-folk acoustic singer-songwriter known for his strong vocals and his honest yet dynamic songs. Rendra writes about everyday life - love, turmoils, environment, wars. His studies abroad in UK have given him unique influences on his music - both in melody compositions and lyrics. He has performed extensively locally and overseas, including Japan and Dublin. Rendra released an independant EP in the year 2005 which was recorded in Luncai Emas. In 2007 he released a CD-R of his new materials.
Visit: http://www.myspace.com/rendrazawawi

SHARIDIR & NIZAM P
Known to be one of the most talented buskers around, Sharidir or formerly known by his nickname Sherry, is a veteran independent folksinger-songwriter who writes distinctively unique songs, with equally unique and melodious vocal styling that is both strong and raw. With experience of busking overseas and performing songs in both English and Malay, he has been entertaining passersby in the streets of Central Market , KL for the past decade or more. His performances are also supported by fellow partner Nizam P on percussions.
Visit: http://www.the-wknd.com/index.php/sessions?task=videodirectlink&id=35

SLOWJAXX
Founding member of The Stoned Revivals, Esam Salleh dabbles in stripped down acoustic music on his solo project Slowjaxx, cheekily branding his form of music as “void deck rubber soul”. Born in Singapore, Esam moved to KL in 2006 and has performed and collaborated extensively with musicians and artists in both countries and overseas in Vietnam, Thailand, San Francisco and Haight Ashbury. Esam plans to invade Melbourne next.
Visit: http://www.myspace.com/thestonedrevivals

WANI ARDY
A pasisonate wordsmith, Wani Ardy personifies the bipolarities of modern twentysomething. Her campfire-esque singalongs are celebratory, intense and nurturing, the perfect soundtrack to growing up, getting lost and finding your way back home in the big city. She released a self-released EP in 2008 which has been making its rounds around town and winning new listeners.
Visit: http://www.myspace.com/waniardy

YUNA
Yunalis Zarai began writing songs when she was 14 years old, and started performing at 19 for small acoustic shows for cafes and events, and continued performing at numerous places around Malaysia for the past 3 years. Yuna’s meteoric rise into the local independent scene is largely thanks to the strong following she gained through her Myspace Music account. It is hard to resist the charm she enthuses in her music, causing her daily listenership that to rack up to a thousand or two; an astonishing feat by a local act.
Visit http://www.myspace.com/yunaroomrecords

KL SING SONG RETURNS

2008-06-19T20:19:00.000-07:00

Troubadours has been taking quite a long break... Azmyl's been busy recording his album, Sei Hon's been up to his neck with his day job at the National Art Gallery and Jerome's been busy promoting his album. But no worries, we're still alive. And we're returning to organising KL Sing Song 2008.

Mark the dates on your calendar: 18, 19 and 20 July!

KL Sing Song meets Poptopus

2007-07-13T03:41:00.000-07:00

Check out the new player on our site that the nice folks at Poptopus created especially for KL Sing Song 2007, featuring by some of the singer songwriters who'll be performing. :-)

They also created a profile about the event at www.popfolio.net/klsingsong where you can check out all you want about Poptopus and KL Sing Song 2007.

Enjoy!

KL SING SONG 2007

2007-07-06T00:44:00.003-07:00

BING BONG! DING DONG! IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER SING SONG!

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
* Michelle & Ling
* 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 Michelle & Ling.

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 his second album.

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 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://yat.ch/yunor/

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

MICHELLE & LING aka 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, Michelle & Ling, 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 Michelle & Ling, 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!

Meor's new cd OUT NOW!

2007-02-07T19:10:00.000-08:00

Walking the line

BY RIZAL JOHAN

Not many singer-songwriters can emulate openly-emotive statements like Meor's voice of heartbreak.

What life holds for you is anybody's guess but for Perak-born folk singer-songwriter Meor Yusof Aziddin, music is his life force and inspiration. Having actively written music and produced ragged recordings since the late 1980s, this soft-spoken artiste is a true pioneer and is regarded as one of the country's best Malay singer-songwriters. His music, often wedged between intense and openly-emotive statements, has found a keen new audience in his young fan base.

At last year's KL Sing Song festival at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, Meor received rapturous response. This, despite his being out of the live circuit for over a year.

An unfortunate incident in late 2005 proved to be a life-changing experience for Meor, who was then busking regularly at Central Market in KL. He was rounded up by the police on suspicion of drug use and although the results came out negative, Meor had to spend four days in the lock-up.Singer-songwriter Meor is targeting the mainstream audience with his fifth album, Yang Terlintas Di Fikiran."I graduated from the 'university of life' when that happened," recalled Meor, 39, in a recent interview. "After that, my family and I moved to Ipoh and I've been working in an engineering firm for a little over a year now."

Busking didn't seem like a good idea with the authorities clamping down on street musicians without a valid reason. Meor's love affair with music might have suffered a bit after his relocation to Ipoh, but that didn't stop a bunch of singer-songwriter friends in the Klang Valley from getting him back in the groove. The KL Sing Song fest appearance was his biggest show to date and he was also featured in the Voices From Next Door compilation.

According to Azmyl Yunor, a fellow singer-songwriter and co-founder of the Troubadours Enterprise, it was important for the live scene to continue having a voice as distinctive as Meor's.

"It would have been a tragedy if Meor had given up his music. Something had to be done. A few of us (singer-songwriters) got in touch with him and asked if he was interested in recording a new album," said Azmyl.

With the help of Troubadours Enterprise and recording support from Purple Sound Productions, Meor set aside time to nail down some new tracks.

His new album, Yang Terlintas Di Fikiran, his fifth independently-produced album, is a collection of songs penned over the last 10 years. This is the follow up to 2004's Aku Dan Bulan.

"Yes, I moved to another city after being thrown in jail but to me, it's just something that happens in life. I'm not complaining about it," said Meor, who still comes down to KL and busks whenever he gets the chance.

"I'm still busking but not as much as I used to. I think busking is very important. It's something practical in life. You get to know your environment and the people around better when you're a busker."

The new album was produced by his friend, musician Ariff Akhir (of The Sofa Sessions fame). Ariff decided to make a recording of the Meor's music after setting up his own post-production company, Purple Sounds.

"When I started it in the middle of last year, I had no intention of recording an album because what I have is not a studio. But I decided to record Meor's album and make it the flagship product for Purple Sounds," said Ariff.

As reported earlier, Meor took just two hours last July to record the basic tracks for the album – retaining his usual no-nonsense approach to keep his music spontaneous. It was Ariff's job to fill in the other musical parts – but Meor's raw compositions can be clearly identified on this CD.

"I'm targeting the mainstream audience with this album."It's for people who like to think. That is why the album is called Yang Terlintas Di Fikiran (loosely translated as 'what crosses the mind')," said Meor.

Meor's Yang Terlintas Di Fikiran is priced at RM25 and can be obtained through http://www.pestajiwa.net/ or http://www.purple-sound.com/

(source: http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2007/1/26/music/16523772&sec=music )

VOICES FROM NEXT DOOR

2006-07-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

Finally it's OUT! We present to you "VOICES FROM NEXT DOOR"

That's what the cover of the CD looks like. For those who don't know what it's all about, it's the compilation CD we've been working on for the past few months, featuring 24 songs by 24 solo singer songwriters and bands, most of who have played at our shows previously. We're so happy to finally get it yesterday from the CD printers. Yippee!

We previewed some of the tracks off it on the Sunday night Clash radio show on Red FM 104.9, with Daryl Goh and Zack Yusof the past two weekends. Those of you who heard it will know that it's choc-ful of goodies! Yes!

For now, it's available personally from the three Troubadours (Azmyl, Jerome and Sei Hon) for RM30 each. We'll update you when it'll be available in the stores - we're still sorting our distribution. If you don't know us, come to any of the Troubadours gigs. We'll be there!

The tracklisting for the CD is as such:

CD1

01. Broken Scar – Venus In September
02. Izzy Mohamed – Pelangi
03. Yuri – Red Dress
04. Sherry – Sighyoung
05. Jasemaine Gan – Syurga Di Bumi
06. Rizal Hefni – Some Time For Yourself
07. Fathulistiwa Soundscapes – Sendiri
08. Jerome Kugan – Song For The Service Industry
09. Meor – Hari-Hari Autistik
10. Warren Chan – I Won’t Forget
11. Rhapsody – So Scared
12. Ian Chow – It’s OK

CD2
13. Mei Chern – Do You See Me Like You
14. Tan Sei Hon – These Days
15. Zack Yusof – 24 Hours
16. Izuan Shah – Endless Summer
17. Azmyl Yunor – Flesh
18. Oddstar – Andai
19. Nightlife Camera – No Pretending
20. Estrella – Take It Slow
21. Imam – I Don’t Know What It Is
22. Ariff Akhir – When I Am King
23. Ida Lisa – Breakthrough
24. Reza Salleh – A Relic Is What I Live In

Also, please also look out for the official CD launch party... we haven't got a date yet for now... but soon!

photos from kl sing song

2006-07-22T00:20:00.000-07:00

KL Sing Song reviewed in The Star

2006-07-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

The Star Online > eCentral > Music

Tuesday July 18, 2006

TOAST OF THE TOWN

By DARYL GOH

The KL Sing Song 2006 Festival, which ended last weekend, held on to its ambitious two day schedule and received an impressive turnout considering the relatively unknown quantity on stage.

THERE were many moments that left an impression after the close of the KL Sing Song 2006 festival last weekend at the KLPac. But one particular image stood out. It was veteran Malay folk singer-songwriter Meor carting his guitar case and looking for a seat outside the arts centre grounds to soak in the excitement of what had transpired at the venue’s Pentas 2 hall on Saturday night. Despite a bad smoker’s cough, Meor was in an upbeat mood, cracking a half smile that clearly betrayed his contemplative musical outlook. His spirits seemed re-energised as he mentioned to those within earshot that he hopes to be back next year for the festival.

Giddy enthusiasm is not something you would associate with someone like Meor, a street busker and DIY musician, who has been plying his trade for nearly 20 years. His story has been one of constant struggles – a Nusantara artiste unwilling to compromise his art. A brush with the authorities last year after a street busking operation forced him to rethink his music career.

But when a good thing happens – you feel it.

The KL Sing Song festival was one of those things.

From left: Meor, Pete Teo and Mei Chern at the KL Sing Song 2006 festival.

Meor is considering music making again. And you can reflect on the success of this year’s KL Sing Song festival for reviving his confidence and reinstalling some faith in the homegrown singer-songwriter scene.

But he wasn’t the only one with a bounce in his walk. The other younger performers on the night like Broken Scar (or Kevin Teh to his mum) and the lovely ladies of Rhapsody were practically bouncing off the walls with enthusiasm backstage – and they looked like they could have gone on stage for a few more hours.

This script had a sickeningly drippy feel to it, but take nothing away from the two-day KL Sing Song festival, now in its second edition, that presented a persuasive case for the depth of a young music community and a devoted following that seemingly sprung up like mushrooms overnight.

A total of over 350 punters showed up for the festival across two evenings. Who would have thought Malaysians would dig an event filled with artistes without a catalogue of ring-tones to boast? Driven by word-of-mouth support, the KL Sing Song held on to its ambitious two-day schedule and received an impressive turnout considering the relatively unknown quantity on stage.

Well it wasn’t quite the warm settings of the wooded No Black Tie club in downtown Kuala Lumpur, but vibe-wise this singer-songwriter festival comes pretty close. Programmed by the Troubadours Enterprise, a local folk music collective, the festival featured 12 singer-songwriters that hailed from diverse backgrounds but surprisingly fitted the festival’s overall settings.

The coincidence of a purple patch for local singer-songwriters now and the emergence of new talent have produced riveting results for this music community that is barely five years old. The Malaysian acoustic folk circuit is freakily fashionable at the moment but most tellingly, it could eventually suffer from the trendy bandwagon jumper syndrome and scene politics that ruined other young music communities here (remember what happened to hip hop?).

But let’s not be pessimistic. Back in 2001, you could count the attendance on both hands at such acoustic shows – and some of those that followed such gigs as fans have made themselves vital voices in the current circuit (including the Troubadours gang).

At the KL Sing Song 2006, the selections were inspired ones with crowd-pullers Shelley Leong and Shanon Shah sharing the spotlight with returning favourites Meor and Pete Teo. These enduring veterans and homemade stars are the established names in bright lights.

But between both evenings, the unsung heroes also came to light and artistes like Mei Chern, Ariff Akhir, Reza Salleh, Broken Scar and Rhapsody made a case for themselves as more than just an impressive back-line of artistes. Also banish those thoughts of this circuit being an exclusive middle class preserve – Malay folk artiste Pak Pandir and the eccentric Fathul of Fathulistiwa Soundscapes were the unlikeliest of highlights at the festival and credit must be given to them for getting themselves engaged in the broader scene.

On Saturday night, the one voice that stole the show belonged to Mei Chern, a reclusive singer-songwriter who made quite an impact in the final set – sharing the stage with Meor and Teo. Singing with an unforced genuineness that warms and deepens every song, Mei is hardly a wallflower. Instead her turn of phrase was at once literary and confrontational, especially with the lyrical sketches of concern on Do You See Me Like You?, lifted from the Alice Lives Here documentary, leaving the audiences hushed at KLPac.

On this impressive performance, Mei’s reputation can only grow further.

To give the KL Sing Song a sense of occasion, the seemingly contrasting music of Meor and Teo came to prominence once again.

Collectively or individually, both of them mean an awful lot to acoustic folk fans here. Funnily, both men have been out of the scene for quite a bit – Meor on a self-imposed exile and Teo busy recording his new music. On stage for the first time in several months, the bare-footed troubadour Meor was a man comfortable in his own voice, delivering introspective tales of love and loss.

On the other hand, Teo had a nervy start but he has evidently amassed quite a following. The singalong session during his set was a sign that showbiz has crept into the singer-songwriter domain without anybody noticing. However, one of the most noticeable things about this bloke’s return was the uplift in his moods, a clear indication that Teo’s forthcoming album won’t alarmingly be all about heartbreaks and bad livers. Thankfully.

If anything, the most curious development at the KL Sing Song 2006 was the endorsement by the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry. With the streetwise savvy of the Troubadours and the government funding combined, the KL Sing Song series might have just paved a route for a hip and secure future for singer-songwriters out there.

2006-07-12T18:31:00.000-07:00

KL SING SONG 2006 - PERFORMANCE 1
14 July, 8:30pm
Pentas Dua @ KLPAC
featuring
Shanon Shah
Mia Palencia
Shelley Leong
Reza Salleh
Pak Pandir
Fathulistiwa Soundscapes
Tickets: RM25 Adult; RM15 Student, Elderly & Disabled (limited to 50 seats).

KL SING SONG 2006 - WORKSHOPS 1, 2, 3 & 4
15 July, 1pm to 5:30pm
Indicene @ KLPAC
Shelley Leong - "Singing With Style"
Shelley Leong and guitarist Az Samad share useful handy tips on performing with panache
Pak Pandir - "Lyrics & Creativity"
Pak Pandir talks about how to explore your environment through lyrics
Shanon Shah - "Make It Live"
Shanon Shah shares his experiences onstage and what it takes to be a live performer
Pete Teo - "The Indie Path"
Pete Teo talks about how to build a music career as a solo independent performer
Tickets: RM20 Adult & Student.

KL SING SONG 2006 - PERFORMANCE 2
15 July, 8:30pm
Pentas Dua @ KLPAC
featuring
Pete Teo
Mei Chern
Meor
Broken Scar
Rhapsody
Ariff Akhir
Tickets: RM25 Adult; RM15 Student, Elderly & Disabled (limited to 50 seats).

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.

KL SING SONG 2006 in The Star

2006-07-12T18:22:00.000-07:00

The Star Online > eCentral > Music

Thursday July 13, 2006

ALL ABOUT SONG

By N. RAMA LOHAN

Getting your music heard isn’t as easy as you might think, but on the local front, there exists endeavours that constantly put music above all else, like KL Sing Song 2006, a two-day event held at the KL Performing Arts Centre (KLPac), starting tomorrow. The show, organised by Troubadours Enterprise, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage and KLPac, takes off on its second voyage to once again bring music listeners quality entertainment.

Jerome Kugan, a member of Troubadours Enterprise, says that KL Sing Song 2006, a singer-songwriters performance and workshop, is a showcase of the best singer-songwriters in the Klang Valley and distinguished this year’s event from the previous; “The first one, a collaboration with International College of Music (ICOM), was more educational. The stable of artistes was sourced regionally with some of them coming from Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, but playing alongside local talent. This year, we are focusing purely on home-grown artistes.”

Though the show features singer-songwriters, Kugan feels that it’s meant to reach out to all who love music.

Troubadours main men (from left): Tan Sei Hon, Azmyl Yunor and Jerome Kugan.

“It’s for everyone, even if you don’t know the concept of singer-songwriters. Clearly, we’re giving preference to people who are not signed or have major contracts,” he said.

Artistes performing include Nusantara campaigners Pak Pandir and Meor, jazzers Rhapsody and Mia Palencia, songstress Shelley Leong, Pete Teo, Reza Salleh, Shanon Shah, Ariff Akhir, Mei Chern, Broken Scar and electronic purveyor Fathulistiwa Soundscapes.

Fellow organiser Tan Sei Hon reveals that the selection of artistes was based on certain criteria. “Obviously, they have to be local and have had to be around for a while, at least. We want to highlight local artistes doing original material and representing different genres. If you look at the acts, it’s even racially balanced. There’s a good variety.”

Diversity certainly plays a significant role among the acts and every artiste is expected to bring his own fare to the table.

“With people like Pak Pandir and Meor, you have intelligent and though-provoking lyrics. Many of these guys have worldviews coming through their music, which is so different from what is being peddled in the mainstream. Subject matters include personal experiences and social commentaries, too,” added Tan.

Musically, the performers will be running the entire gamut of popular music with flavours from the schools of electronica, rock, pop, folk, jazz. “Basically, we’ll have something for everyone,” he announced.

The auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage certainly lends a greater degree of credibility and prestige to the event.

Azmyl Yunor, another member of the organising committee divulges that it was fortune that provided the ministry’s support. “I guess we were lucky because our dates fell within the celebrations for the KL Festival.”

Apart from the performances, KL Sing Song 2006 will also feature workshops conducted by a variety of industry names. Clinicians include Shelley Leong, Az Samad, Pak Pandir, Shanon Shah and Pete Teo.

“These artistes were selected because they are more involved in the industry – they are independent musicians who did what they did on their own and broke themselves onto the scene, taking it as far as they’ve been able to,” explained Azmyl.

Response towards the show has been encouraging, though the World Cup has affected its promotion. “We hope people will come for the shows. We’re definitely trying to take this genre out to a wider audience and hopefully there will be greater appreciation for it. Audience participation is an important element with the clinics. We’re trying to sell music that’s not slick or ‘packaged’ in any particular fashion,” Tan concluded.

Ticket prices for the performances are RM25 for adults and, RM15 for students, the elderly and disabled (limited to 50 seats) while workshop admission is a flat rate of RM20.

Tickets can be purchased at KLPac’s box office counter or call 03-40479000 or e-mail troubadourskl@gmail.com for more details. Browse klsingsong.blogspot.com.

CHANGES TO PERFORMANCE LINEUP

2006-07-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

There's been a change to the line-up of performers on Friday 14 July. Shanon Shah will be playing on Friday 14 July, not 15 July. We're still waiting for confirmation on who will be playing in Shanon's original slot on Saturday. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

2006-07-10T10:28:00.001-07:00

2006-07-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

News about KL Sing Song, with Shelley Leong and Az Samad were featured in Star Two today. Read on... thank you very much to Daryl Goh and The Star for being so supportive. ;-)

The Star Online > eCentral > Music

Friday July 7, 2006

Gaining momentum

By DARYL GOH

Four years ago, singer-songwriter Shelley Leong couldn't even find a venue to play an acoustic gig, let alone dream of a network of acts and a dedicated crowd willing to invest their time in supporting the home town new acoustic pop/folk generation.

It is astounding how much the live circuit has changed in recent times, with an active list of musicians generating a wave of interest in live performances at either cafés, college halls, run-down pubs or classy jazz clubs and restaurants in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

“The live scene has become very diverse here. It used to be all about rock bands at gigs. And as much as we tried, it was a struggle for a solo artiste to just get on stage with a mere guitar and be accepted,” said Leong, who cut her teeth at noisy wine bars and cafés right up to the first Penang Island Jazz Festival and an AIM awards nomination.

Guitarist Az Samad and singer-songwriter Shelley Leong will be part of the KL Sing Song fest.

She speaks from experience and remains a keen advocate for crossover-type events.

“Realistically, the singer-songwriter genre in Malaysia is a fairly young movement, and it did have its teething problems. From gig promoters to entertainment outlets, nobody knew how to accommodate this sort of acts and there was no audience to talk about. There used to be a time when we were just booked to provide incidental music at loud and crowded clubs – and we had to fight above the noise to play our music,” she added

Leong, presently studying songwriting at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, United States, can afford to make insightful observations about the DIY singer-songwriter scene here since she was one of the pioneers to help raise its profile. Also, her debut album The Storyteller in 2004 is one of the few recordings that has been received warmly by the mainstream set.

And this storyteller has mapped out various possibilities to tell a good tale, it seems.

“As far as songwriting goes, it’s narrow to think of the idiom as just melodies to fit words or vice versa. It’s not just the lyric sheet and reorganising words. Some of the best songs come through spontaneously, maybe haphazardly, but you fall in love with them. The free form approach cannot be underestimated,” she explained.

At Berklee, Leong has also added Indian percussion and rhythmic world music styles into her course work and she blushingly revealed that she “taps her guitar more” during gigs.

Helping Leong with her music career has been fleet-fingered guitarist Az Samad, who has worked on her album, and has been a familiar fixture at her live shows. It’s hard to believe that both these artistes are now considered the veterans of the local new singer-songwriting community. Like Leong, the jazz-inclined Az is also based in Berklee, finishing up his BA in jazz composition and guitar performance. He released his debut Acoustic Gestures in 2004.

The duo left for the US nearly two years ago, but have been making trips back home regularly during their college breaks. They remain in touch with their fanbase and friends here through the Internet and regard the current scene as extremely fertile in terms of raw talent.

“It’s good to find musicians hanging around their peers and coming up with new music and stuff. It’s a busy scene now. It used to be hard to hook up with other singer-songwriters or find a venue a few years ago. We’ve gotten past that stage – and the improvements in the way shows are organised, the network of support and the more venues opening up, have been encouraging developments,” said Az, who alongside Leong is back home for the holidays.

Both will be a big part of the KL Sing Song festival on July 14 and 15 at the KLPac in Sentul West in Kuala Lumpur. They are slotted for workshops and performances for the event, now in its second instalment.

The main motivators behind the KL Sing Song 2006.

A festival for singer-songwriters is a big leap from the early days. During an interview earlier this week, both of them laughed heartily in recollecting the days when independent singer-songwriters were herded in small groups to makeshift shows at Starbucks outlets in shopping malls.

“Nobody knew what to make of us ... but we had to get our music heard and it didn’t matter if it was a café or not. Back then, there was no platform or opportunity to reach the masses, it wasn’t such an accessible circuit,” added Az, before rationalising that it was necessary for the scene to start somewhere.

“In terms of exposure, I think the (singer-songwriter) scene has gained a solid following and what matters now is how it progresses and evolves in terms of recordings and gigs,” he noted.

Leong does recall a list of early DIY type shows like the Acoustic Jam series, the Unclogged parties, the Songwriters’ Round and the Sapu Sapu gigs.

“It was people like Hassan Peter Brown and Pete Teo that took the first steps to give us some recognition and most importantly, directly inspired others to create their own scene,” she said.

At the same time, Leong interprets the influx of new blood in the movement as a distinct sign of maturity and confidence. She cited the Moonshine series, the Troubadours collective and the Doppelganger collaboration as crucial outlets in engaging the new talent available now.

Comparisons to the Boston open mike scene might be too far-fetched, but Az reckons that the weekly and monthly shows organised by the various collectives here have demonstrated a demand for a broad range of material that caters for the new acoustic crowd.

Az has had an experimental spirit to his guitar playing, and many would remember his time with the Dalcha Duo in Kuala Lumpur for uncommon tunings.

With new-found friend Loque (guitarist of the Butterfingers) based in Berklee now, Az is eager to talk about the live scene there.

“In Boston, you usually find about 40 artistes queuing up to play an open mike night. You get all sorts – the avant garde individuals, the new bohemian artistes and so forth. You’re bound to find at least five jaw-dropping names in a single night. In Kuala Lumpur, the scene is growing from just artistes with acoustic guitars, and it’s great to have some spoken word and poetry readings thrown into the mix,” he said.

It’s only a matter of time before a local singer-songwriter act makes that vital crossover step, and Leong feels that a solo name like Broken Scar is the sort of artiste to draw in the rock crowd while also introducing them to a completely new array of acoustic-style acts.

“Maybe, it’s not a financially-rewarding scene yet – but a lot of the basics are in place in terms of performing regularly, collaborative spirit and the grass-roots support is there. Airplay and an indie retail network is the next step, but that will take more time and effort,” she noted.

However, with the pro-active individuals pushing for changes and a steady momentum laid out, both of them reckoned the scene is in good hands.

And yes, they won’t be having any problems finding a gig whenever they are back from Boston again.

2006-06-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

KL SING SONG press conference

2006-06-26T07:51:00.000-07:00

There's going to be a press conference for KL Sing Song 2006 on June 29, 3pm, at KL Performing Arts Centre. There's going to be some little speeches (plus an awkward one from us) and a mini preview show for members of the press. You can come if you want. Bloggers are most welcome!

2006-06-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

An article on KL Sing Song 2006 came out in Star Two today. Hurray! Come on, people, snap up those tickets and avoid any last minute disappointment. Scroll down for the numbers to call. The URL for the original article online is here.

The Star Online > eCentral > Music

Monday June 26, 2006

TIME FOR SONG

Shanon Shah and Broken Scar are just two of the diverse picks for KL Sing Song 2006.

WHAT good would another year of coffee cafe or open mic club gigs be without the KL Sing Song festival? It’s time to make a bigger dent.

Despite only making the headlines recently, this annual celebration of Malaysian singer-songwriters on stage and in seminar rooms is vital in giving a voice to the independent music community and furthering its cause into the mainstream.

It might have had a low-key start last year, but the upcoming KL Sing Song 2006, presented by Troubadours Enterprise, with support from Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage and KL Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) is big news for the singer songwriter circuit.

It isn’t exactly Rock The World in size nor will it pack out stadiums, but the pro-active momentum and music spread from this vibrant singer songwriter scene is anything but dull. From folk, pop, rock, indie, piano-pop and jazz, the list of styles is healthy.

This home-grown singer-songwriter event features 12 top-drawer names across the workshop, seminar and stage schedules.

Names tapped for the fest are rather impressive and they include Shanon Shah (best male vocalist, AIM 2006), Meor, Pete Teo, Shelley Leong, Pak Pandir (winner of Juara Lagu, Irama Malaysia 1992), Mia Palencia, Mei Chern, Reza Salleh (founder of Moonshine concert series), Fathulistiwa Soundscapes, Broken Scar, Ariff Akhir and Rhapsody.

Two full gigs at KLPac’s Pentas 2, in Sentul West, KL, on July 14 and 15 are the highlights of the fest.

For the list of workshop, browse (klsingsong.blogspot.com). Ticketing details at (www.klpac.com).

KL SING SONG Preshow at Bangsar Shopping Centre

2006-06-22T02:57:00.000-07:00

KL SING SONG PRE-SHOW @ BANGSAR SHOPPING CENTRE
Sat 24 JUNE, 11-1PM ( & 7-8PM
FREE

Featuring The Sofa Sessions, Broken Scar, Azmyl Yunor, Tan Sei Hon and Jerome Kugan. More acts to be announced.

2006-06-13T04:11:00.000-07:00

KL SING SONG 2006 @ KLPAC

KL Sing Song is happening on 14 and 15 July, at KL Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC).

It's going to be a singer songwriter extravaganza, featuring no less than 12 Malaysian singer songwriters in performances and workshops.

Shanon Shah ~ Best Male Vocalist, AIM 2006
Pete Teo ~ Nominated for four AIM awards in 2004
Shelley Leong ~ Best New English Artist nominee, AIM 2004
Pak Pandir ~ Winner of Juara Lagu (Irama Malaysia) 1992
Mia Palencia ~ Best Solo Vocal nominee, Cameronian Arts Awards 2005
Mei Chern ~ Musicanteen.com's Most Downloaded Artiste 2005
Reza Salleh ~ Founder of Moonshine concert series
Meor ~ Legendary independent singer songwriter
Fathulistiwa Soundscapes ~ Local independent music pioneer
Broken Scar ~ Emerging fiery singer songwriter
Ariff Akhir ~ Charismatic leader of The Sofa Sessions
Rhapsody ~ Upcoming female duo with melodic jazzy songs

Bookmark this site and check always for more details. We'll be posting more info and bios and whatnot. Or you can visit Troubadours KL blogsite for other info and stuff.

****

Below is the Schedule and Ticketing details.

KL SING SONG 2006 - PERFORMANCE 1
14 July, 8:30pm
Pentas Dua @ KLPAC
featuring
Mia Palencia
Shelley Leong
Reza Salleh
Ariff Akhir
Pak Pandir
Fathulistiwa Soundscapes
Tickets: RM25 Adult; RM15 Student, Elderly & Disabled (limited to 50 seats).

KL SING SONG 2006 - WORKSHOPS 1, 2, 3 & 4
15 July, 1pm to 5:30pm
Indicene @ KLPAC
Shelley Leong - "Singing With Style"
Shelley Leong and guitarist Az Samad share useful handy tips on performing with panache
Pak Pandir - "Lyrics & Creativity"
Pak Pandir talks about how to explore your environment through lyrics
Shanon Shah - "Make It Live"
Shanon Shah shares his experiences onstage and what it takes to be a live performer
Pete Teo - "The Indie Path"
Pete Teo talks about how to build a music career as a solo independent performer
Tickets: RM20 Adult & Student.

KL SING SONG 2006 - PERFORMANCE 2
15 July, 8:30pm
Pentas Dua @ KLPAC
featuring
Pete Teo
Shanon Shah
Mei Chern
Meor
Broken Scar
Rhapsody
Tickets: RM25 Adult; RM15 Student, Elderly & Disabled (limited to 50 seats).

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.

Note: We'll be having preview shows for KL Sing Song at Bangsar Shopping Centre on 24 June. Look out for that! More info in the next coupla days...