hurt

“I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel. I focus on the pain. the only thing that’s real. the needle tears a hole, the old familiar sting. try to kill it all away. but I remember everything. what have I become? my sweetest friend. everyone I know, goes away in the end. and you could have it all - my empire of dirt. I will let you down. I will make you hurt.

I wear this crown of thorns, upon my liar’s chair. full of broken thoughts, I cannot repair. beneath the stains of time. the feelings disappear. you are someone else. I am still right here. what have I become? my sweetest friend. everyone I know goes away in the end. and you could have it all. my empire of dirt. I will let you down. I will make you hurt.

if I could start again, a million miles away. I would keep myself. I would find a way.”

JOHNNY CASH - Hurt

I've been busy with Christina Aguilera, really

If you've been wondering what the hell I've been up to, I've been busy with Christina, really.

This is a screenshot of her website. My website MSN Entertainment is on it!

Worked hardddd with MSN Singapore and Sony Music to bring you the exclusive video of Xtina's 'Not Myself Tonight.' Please click on my link thank you very much.

KL Sing Song Day Two

Loud night out or quiet night in? The phrase was playing in my head the whole of yesterday because I had to decide if I wanted to stalk All-American Rejects in the evening. I chose the later and rushed back from a friend's place to pick up Muscle Man. We braved the rain and traffic and made it in time at Central Market sans dinner.

Ah, such a quaint scene at Annexe. Unlike the previous years which was held at Klpac, Annexe proved to be intimate and warm, but the turnout was terribly poor. Could it be because of the rain? Malaysians actually celebrating Halloween? People flocking to Bukit Jalil for a free-for-all concert? A formula of all of the above?

Back to KL Sing Song. Yvonne played 'door bitch' and jokingly said she was contributing free slavery because of Azmyl and we chatted for a while before making our way into the gallery. As host Fahmi introduced the first set, musicians Slowjaxx, Edwin & Albert and Wani made their way up on stage.

Now, why have I not gotten into Slowjaxx any sooner? The combo of saxophone and Jeff's voice were enough to blow me away. I took a liking to 'Liberty' and another song, I can't quite remember, when he burst in with a flurry of finger nimbling artistry. Edwin & Alvert reminded me a lot of Michael & Victor, who are now popularly known as erm, Michael and Victor individually. Muscle Man actually liked their first opening track 'Monday Blues'; I can see why, they sounded a bit Jason Mraz-ish. Now, Wani came on next. Lecturer with UiTM in Creative Writing, her voice made me sit up and I paid attention to her like a dutiful student would do. I wouldn't say she has a great voice but it was soothing and her lyrics were poignant. 'Lampu Jalan' was one of them.

During the 15-minute break, Muscle Man and I had to go to the loo but they closed up Central Market and I had to brace the mamak's. Then we headed right back up and lingered around. He also wouldn't let me near the stalls, which were selling the artiste's cds because he knew I'd be erm, wasting my money on some good' ol quality stuff. Azmyl was there and er, is it me but his hair seems to have a life on its own? I giggled to myself. I still like you and Yvonne very much, okay?

Meor walked by and I waved at him. Introduced him to Muscle Man for a bit. And made small chat before we were ushered into the gallery again.

The second set was made up of veterans in the indie scene, namely, Pete Teo, Karen Nunis and Meor. Meor kickstarted the set with 'Hari-hari Autistik', which is another fave of mine. The song, which is based on his autistic son, tells a story of how the little one is living in his own world and the father often wonders what is he thinking about. It's really poignant and touching and of course, honest. Other songs he covered that night were 'Sofa Biru' and my all-time favourite which he sang during encore: 'Yang Terlintas Di Fikiran.'

During Karen's set, she was good at keeping the audience's attention as she conversed back and forth, making small chats. I liked that her set was bewitching and mesmerising. My fave song from her has to be 'Oh My World', and I believe she did say it was downloable. Will go search for it.

Pete was his usual confident self but you could tell he was still upset over the passing of his dear friend. He kept to a 'suicidal mode' so he said. I thought he was going to shed a tear during 'Blue', but he kept it strong and managed to finish it. I love 'Blue' and all its blue-ness. It's a tender, intimate song and the venue was perfect, for the song resonated wonderfully within the walls and the high ceiling. And yes, I was laughing at you, Pete, because you made that joke about your finger - how could anyone not laugh at that?

It ended about early 12am and I bid farewell to the familiar faces. Made my way to Tung Shin, where I gobbled down some beef noodles. I didn't regret missing AAR for this; the sombre weather and the pool of talented musicians reminded me how much I've missed catching gigs around town. Will get back on it soon as I'm planning to check out Lepaq cafe.

You're my own Papillon

This is for all the rock stars out there.

I officially heart The Editors' latest album 'In This Light And On This Evening'. The songs are explosive, metaphoric and atmospheric, of course. I also love how gloomy the lyrics are.



Make our escape, you're my own Papillon.
Will turns too fast, feel love before it's gone.
It kicks like a sleep twitch!
My papillon, feel love when it shone.
It kicks like a sleep twitch!

Darling, just don't put down your guns yet.
If there really was a God here,
He'd have raised a hand by now.
Now darling, you're born, get old and die here.
Well, that's quite enough for me.
We'll find our own way home somehow.

No sense of doubt or what you could achieve.
Well, I've found you out, I've seen the life you wish to leave,
But when it kicks like a sleep twitch,
You will choke, choke on the air you try to breathe.
It kicks like a sleep twitch!

Darling, now just don't put down your guns yet.
If there really was a God here,
He'd have raised a hand by now.
Darling, well, you're born, get old and die here.
Well, that's quite enough for me, dear.
We'll find our own way home somehow.

It kicks like a sleep twitch!
It kicks like a sleep twitch!

musik makes the people

First concert? Dang, it was Linkin Park in 2003. It was awesome because I passed out in the mosh pit and got flung over the barricades, landing on the greens. No guards came to my rescue and the first thing I saw when I regained consciousness was Chester's feet. I don't know why I didn't climb over the stage.

Last concert?Arthur's Day with Black Eyed Peas. I wasn't feeling it because of 1. sucky stage set-up 2. technical glitches 3. Fergie all clothed up 4. lack of ventilation 5. it was a fucking bad day for me

Favorite concerts? V Fest Gold Coast

What bands played it? AIR, Smashing Pumpkins, Roisin Murphy, Jesus and Mary Chain, Queens of Stone Age, CSS,

Dream concert (of 5 bands)? Urgh toughie. But I'm feeling Kings of Leon, The XX, Radiohead, Kasabian and Wolfmother at this very moment. If you ask me in my mellower mood, it would be Mew, Feist, Elbow, Doves and Hooverphonic.

Favorite band live: Mu-fucking-se. Er, Muse. Heh.

Band you really want to see live: Oasis 'cause I was broke then and had to miss their Singapore gig. But singer-songwriter has to be, of course, Jeff Buckley.

Band you’ve seen before but NEVER want to see live again: Black Eyed Peas, haha.

Band you’ve never seen and you never want to see them: Name all the poppy bands on radio now. Oh, Boys like Girls crap.

Show you got the worst post-concert depression from: Nadda.

How many times did you see that show/tour? Not applicable.

Most you’ve ever paid for a concert ticket: S$251 for Coldplay. Do not convert and let me know how much in RM.

Next concert? Possibly AAR, and hopefully Patrick Watson.

repost from: petitebisou

XX marks the spot

They're my latest obsession and I'll tell you why.

It didn't occur to me that I would have heard of the band The XX before, until I googled their video 'Crystalised' and realised I've heard a remix of it! So, yes, to your, question, sir, of why I've not heard of them before and my latter response was 'too many indie bands out there!' - I take it back.

The XX, a four-piece member band from London who debuted their album 'XX' not too recently in August, make cool pop-electronica-shoegazing tunes worthy of rounds of play. Out of the 11 tracks, what caught my attention are 'Intro' (which has hints of White Lies), 'VCR', 'Islands' and 'Shelter', which quickly became my favourites. And what makes this mature band stand out is the fact that the members are all in their twenties only! What was I doing in my twenties again?!

Upon closer inspection, the lyrics hint loudly at sex and interpersonal relationships (like in 'Shelter' where girl/boy duo Romy and Oliver cooed over lyrics like "Can I make it better/ With the lights turned on" and in 'Crystalised' where the characters lament over their relationship woes "So don't think that I'm pushing you away, When you're the one that I've kept closest.")

While bassist Oliver doesn't have the strongest voice to pull off the songs (you'll need someone like Gary Lightbody's falsetto), Romy's hush-hush purring kitten voice saves the album and makes everything OKAY.

red

Come as you are sweetheart, come as you are.
You know you've got nothing to prove
I'll put you to bed you can let it all go
You've been playing too rough lately

You burn too bright
You live too fast
This can't go on too long
You're a tragedy starting to happen
Just as you are. Perfect just as your are
I'll give you the time you deserve.
Don't make those promises
Don't tell me again.
That dust is gonna settle your nerves.

[music for the soul: red - elbow]