Korg Pa600SG Music Project Interview

Hi readers,

I mentioned that I will be bringing more interview/news for 
Singapore's First Musical Keyboard Korg Pa600SG Product Launch. 
Check out the interview below:

Korg Pa600SG music project Interview
Interviewer: AJ Chen (MusicArtLifeSG)
Interviewees: RP student graduates (Diploma in Sonic Arts Programme) 


1. How were u guys selected for this project?
-We weren't selected. It was a topic that was given for us to choose. So happen our team selected this Korg project.

2. How was your experience working with various project mates, musicians and partners (City Music, Korg, Republic Polytechnic) involved in the project?
-It was a very enriching experience to work with a great team and helpful facilitator in this project. Not forgetting market players such as City Music and first-hand interaction with local traditional musicians.Indeed, very eye opening.

3. What are the challenges faced in completing this project?
-Few challenges include language barrier, accommodating school timing among the members and also the timing with the musicians.

4. If there was one particular item you could change in this project, what would it be?
-One item eyy..hmmmm, I guess better school timetable that doesn't clash with this FYP project would help us manage the project better.

5. What funny/quirky observation would you share about yourself or your project mates?
-When we are stressed out we eat and just sing and dance to random songs to let it off. Our form of entertainment.

6. What plans (music/non-music related) do you guys have in near future? 
Feel free to share your music stuff if you like it to be featured in my music blog.
- For now all of us are walking different paths. At the moment,I'm the only one pursuing music related course at Lasalle.
my visual blog: http://ajmakenoise.tumblr.com

7. Who are the people you like to thank for this music project?
-Firstly to thank Republic Polytechnic for giving such an opportunity, awesome facilitator, Ting Hsiang, my team without them things would not have put into action and last but not least family and friends who have never doubted me :)

---------------------------------------- End of interview ---------------------------------------------------

In the meanwhile, I have been attending music events and meeting with a no. of related music professionals/lovers (DJs, musicians, music promoters, music companies, music startup etc...) 
to connect, understand and learn about valuable tips/insights about music industry/tradition/culture as a whole. 

In understanding and learning such music information, I hope MusicArtLifeSG can help to contribute to 
support/build/inspire musicians, music company start-ups, music industry/culture in its own small capacity. 

Yes I have been learning valuable lessons about life in this journey of discovery.

I look music as individual choices that people choose for themselves or society will choose for them. 

I believe that if you as a musician/music builder who is working really hard to hone your craft, 
learning to build your own brand identity and building good relationship with the music/art connectors 
(music bloggers, music promoters, photographers etc...), fans will come flocking to you.

When you reach that level, it doesn't matter if your music is from Singapore or a musician based in Singapore. 
Music transcends boundaries.



Spread love within yourself and others! :)

As much as I would like to contribute more, I can only do so much with limited time and resources.
If you like to help MusicArtLifeSG in your own way, I will be more than glad to talk to you. 

And if you like what you have read, subscribe to my blog via email, 
follow me on twitter or contact me for a coffee/tea session.

A sidenote: A Singapore traditional music association will be performing in Japan (Tokyo) on 30 June and Yokohama on 1 July 2016 nights. 

I will be posting the information this coming friday. 
Be sure to look out for it!

If you are in Japan or know music lovers who is in Japan, please help to share the information with them when I posted the information.

Btw if any of you are fellow Singaporean musicians based in overseas, I will also love to connect with you. :) 

Singapore's First Musical Keyboard Korg Pa600SG Product Launch

Hi folks it's me AJ!

I have not been blogging much. So here's my first blog post for 2016.

WARNING: Do not attempt to finish looking at the article at one go if you have short attention span!

In collaboration with Republic Polytechnic and Korg Inc, City Music Co. Pte Ltd held the product launch
for the latest Korg Pa600SG keyboard in Republic Polytechnic (RP) on 2 June 2016.

I had rsvped online to attend the event.

On the event day, the sky was pouring massive raindrops down onto our Northern side of Lion City.

While walking my way to RP with my umbrella, a mini-van slowed down and stopped besides me. 

"Where are you heading to?" the driver questioned after opening his van door.  

At first I was a bit surprised. 

I answered "Err I am heading to Republic Polytechnic for a music product launch." 

His reply was "Come let me give you a ride since I am on the way!" 

Wow I really didn't expect such a kind gesture to happen to me. 

I hopped into his mini-van and introduced myself as AJ.

He introduced himself as Mas a fellow Singaporean.

Apparently he was from C & P Rent A Car Pte Ltd driving to his next service job.

We had a good conversation during the ride.

Then he dropped me at the bus stop besides RP.

Too bad he doesn't have a name card. 

I thanked him for his kind gesture after alighting from his van.

This incident reminded me to be kind towards others though you take measures 

from being taken advantage of your kindness.

You never know when you will receive your next kind gesture from people. ;)

In RP, I went straight to Block W1, Level 1 and registered at the counter. 

First thing I noticed before I stepped into the entrance is: 

Korg PA600SG Product Launch Banner Standee

When I stepped into the room, it looks like a big hall.
Several Korg Pa600SG keyboards were placed at one corner for public to 
have their fingers playing the keyboards.
Check venue tour below!

I saw Rusdi (City Music staff) and began chit-chatting with him about the product launch.

After a while, my eyes caught a bunch of young adults standing at a table nearby.

I came up to them and introduced myself to them. 

Through my conversation with these young adults, I realised that they were RP student graduates 
(Diploma in Sonic Arts Programme) who completed the music project in sampling different sounds 
of traditional ethnic music instruments inspired by Singapore's own multi-racial society (Chinese, Malay, Indian) for Korg Pa600SG keyboard.

Me in centre with the RP music project student graduates
(On my left: Joey Lim, Norris Sufiqah Bte Suhaimi. On my right: Azurah Jan Che Onn Azahar, Mohamed Ifraq Bin Mohamed Basir) 

After the conversation, I also managed to speak with several RP staff.
Haha I even helped to take some photos of RP CCA Gamelan Ensemble 
"Gamelan Naga Kencana" for the staff.

RP Gamelan Ensemble "Gamelan Naga Kencana" 

Soon the product launch was about to start. I sat down and chit-chatted with two Chinese ladies besides me.
These ladies were teachers from a primary school who were involved with music in their own ways.
(Sorry ladies I cannot recall your names but we might meet again in future?)
They were pretty friendly :)

Shortly after the start of the launch, the emcee introduced "Mike Mayuni" keyboardist 
(Korg Pa600SG Product Consultant - Malay instruments) on stage. 
Check out the opening music performance by Mike Mayuni!



For Korg Pa600SG keyboard, Mike demonstrated different unique functions/styles/sounds
specifically for Singapore and Malaysia market.

Mike Mayuni's demonstration of Korg Pa600SG on stage

It's pretty impressive to see him playing the keyboard and switching to various 
Kung-Fu, Getai, Chinese Festival, Bollywood, Bhangra, Zapin, Joget, Inang, Zapin styles etc... .

The keyboard also features different ethnic instruments which you can look forward to use in 
Malay weddings, Chinese New Year/Chinese Shop Opening Ceremony/Getai, Bollywood movies/dance.
Listen to sound samples demos below:

Guitar Heroes! Stop your try-hard attempt to emulate these bad-ass sounds on your guitars 
and leave it to the Keyman!

And as always, don't try this at home folks ;)

What came next after the product demonstration was the appreciation ceremony to various partners,
musicians and organisations involved in one way or the other. Soon the ceremony ended.

 Ms Junny Pang (Korg International Sales Dept) presenting token of appreciation to
Mr Mike Chiang (Project Consultant - Chinese Instruments)

After the ceremony, the emcee introduced RP Gamelan Ensemble "Gamelan Naga Kencana"
to give a special music performance together with Mike Mayuni and Pa600SG keyboard on stage.



Then the music performance ended. 
It was time for light refreshments where I got the chance to speak with more people.

I managed to take some pictures together with RP students, 
the teacher in charge of the music project and some other people.
Towards the end of the event, I managed to talk to the teacher 
in charge of handling the music project with the students.

Me and teacher in charge of music project: Mr Ng Ting Hsiang (Lecturer "Sampling" - School of Technology for the Arts)

Overall the event was pretty good with a couple of contact cards, contact numbers given to me.

My thanks and appreciation for the hospitality given by

1) RP staff and students (Ms Tan Fong Ling, Lavanath Shanmugan - handling PA console for that event,
Mr Ng Ting Hsing, Mr Patrick Seng - Media, Mr Errol George and his social media team, RP music project student graduates and their fellow classmate who refused to let me know the link of POSB/DBS song lol...)

2) City Music Staff (Rusdi, Lim Si Wei, Mike Mayuni and the rest of the staff helping on that day)

3) Musicians/people (Mr Niranjan, Mr Gopala Krishna S/O Murugaya (George), the two lovely teachers etc)
who have shared their feelings/thoughts in one way or the other.

Btw City Music is still having promotion on Pa600SG keyboard with vouchers given out during the launch.
If you want to purchase the keyboard, present the voucher to them. It ends on 18 June 2016 extended to 9 July 2016.

Promotion Launch for Korg Pa600SG keyboard

For those who don't have the voucher and want the voucher, I have 1 in my hands.
Probably I can ask for you guys for more vouchers from City Music but I cannot guarantee you can get it.

And if you like what you have read, subscribe to my blog via email, 
follow me on twitter or contact me for a coffee/tea session.
More to come for interview/news in regards to Korg Pa600SG keyboard and music technology :)

SideNote: For an introvert like me, it's still rather nerve-wrecking for me to 
be speaking to strangers in music events.

To be honest, I am more of a listener than a talker.

But I figured out that I need to get out of my comfort zone to speak with people 
and build emotional connection with them.
That makes me grow as a man...
Haha I become statue man at times. I am just only human. :)

Of course if anyone comes up and chat with me, I would be more than happy to speak with you.

You might spot me enjoying and moving my body with music I feel in my heart.
So raise your hand and do a BIG KALLANG WAVE in front of me.
That will stand a HIGH CHANCE to catch my attention lol... :)

That's all folks!!! Till next time, I will speak to you again. :)

AJ - MusicArtLifeSG

Wonder II (28 May 2016)

Picture Credits to Matzo Art Gallery (organiser)

WONDER II Details 

WONDER II
is found at the intersection of art + music

Heartened by the warm reception at the first Wonder event on 2 April with AUSRA and Randolf, 
we have decided to start this music meets art series where we showcase a talented musician and artist.

For this second instalment, we present singer-songwriter Jean Tan and award winning artist, Namiko Chan. Expect an enjoyable afternoon of original songs while Namiko paints profiles as part of her Profiling 2016 project.





More details from organiser below:

Event Name: WONDER II

Date:  Saturday, 28 May  2016

Time: 4pm - 7pm 

Venue: BºNU Space, 333 Kreta Ayer Road #02-34 Singapore 080333. 

Organizer: Matzo Art Gallery

Tickets: $15 - $25 from wonder28may.peatix.com

Nearest MRT: Bugis 

Contact information: matzoartgallery@gmail.com

Website: www.matzoartgallery.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1743080355913859/

About Jean Tan

Jean has two personal albums, ‘Dance’ (2010) and ‘Passage’ (2012). Her music is a mosaic of folk, blues and old school jazz, often set to poetry. She is working on her third album, set to release later this year.

Jean has performed at the Sports Hub and Gardens by the Bay for 28th SEA Games - Singapore 2015, having written a song for the games called 'Colours'. She also opened for Michael W. Smith on his Singapore tour in 2013. She regularly performs at public spaces, art cafes, and events for social causes.

FB / twitter / Instagram : @jeantanmusic

www.youtube.com/jeantanmusic

About Namiko Chan

Namiko Chan Takahashi has been painting since she was 6 years old. She has garnered national and regional accolades during her art career. She holds a Master of Arts in Contemporary Practice, in addition to a law degree and a post-graduate Diploma in Education.

Namiko is one of a select few Singaporean artists to have trained at the prestigious Art Students League of New York (1999-2002). She studied under prominent artists such as Mary Beth McKenzie, Daniel Greene and Harvey Dinnerstein.

In 2006 Namiko won the UOB Painting of the Year award with a nude portrait entitled “Charisse”. A panel of international judges including Mr. Kwok Kian Chow 郭建超, (then Director of the Singapore Museum) noted that it was “a truly powerful work… with a masterly handling of colour, composition and tone”. It was unanimously selected as the grand prize winner out of 1,400 submissions by nearly 1,000 established and emerging artists.

Namiko’s work hangs in private and public collections including the Istana, the United Overseas Bank, Sentosa Golf Club and National Gallery of Singapore.

www.namikochan.com.sg

Organised by Matzo Art Gallery, supported by B.NU Space. 

Wonder - Intersection of Art and Music (2 April 16)

Picture Credits To Matzo Art Gallery

Check out this interesting event where the combination of art and sound creation comes alive. Once I will get the publicity release (in the midst of finalising) from Mazto Art Gallery, I will upload it on my site.

Deciphering C.C.C.D. Looping Interview with Randolf Arriola: http://musicartlifesg.blogspot.sg/2011/10/choice-of-davinci-code-or-cccd-code.html

Information below given by Mazto Art Gallery:

WONDER

is found at the intersection of art + music 

What would sound look like if it was painted?

This is what Randolf Arriola and AUSRA 

will attempt to answer.

Sat, 2 April 2016

7pm - 9pm

B°NU Space

$9*

Tickets: http://wonder2apr.peatix.com

*If you have successfully bidded for the painting, the ticket price will be deducted from the price of the work. 

Part of The Letter W, a showcase of woodcuts, mixed media and watercolors by Lee Ruixiang and ausra. till 14 April 2016.

About Randolf Arriorla

Randolf Arriola is a Singaporean singer-songwriter/guitarist with over 20 years of professional experience. Having performed as one of the four headline acts of the Y2K10 International Live Looping Festival in USA, he is now regarded as one of the finest solo live-looping artists in the world. 

Read more about Randolf in this interview by TODAY here: http://www.todayonline.com/blogs/poparazzi/unexpurgated-randolf-arriola

About AUSRA

AUSRA is a French-Lithuanian artist who has participated in over 40 exhibitions in France and Lithuania. Her works have been bought by municipalities, banks, private collections and individuals. At the same time, she created and restored stained glass works for schools, municipalities and old folks’ homes in France and Belgium. AUSRA has won many awards including Premier Prix “Salon des Arts” Brettville sur Ay 2011.

When she came to Singapore at the end of 2013, she started a new series called “Mon Singapour” (My Singapore).

Organised by Matzo Art Gallery , supported by B.NU Space.

Loop Academy X DubSpot Showcase Josh Bess and Max Wild (27 Feb 2016)

Poster Credits to Kyo and Loop Academy

Like electronic dance music?
Check out Dubspot Electronic Music School music instructors 
Josh Bess and Max Wild from USA playing dance music at Kyo. 
They will be playing only 1 set.

Date: 27 Feb 2016
Time: 10pm (1 set only - Do come early) 
Venue: Kyo (133 Cecil Street, Singapore 069535)
Entrance Fee: Free/Complimentary (RSVP via email: info@loopacademy.com) 
and state with the number of guests u are bringing 
Email Subject Head: MusicArtLifeSG with Josh Bess and Max Wild Showcase 

Still hesitating? Here's some dance tracks by Max Wild below:




This live electronic music set was made possible by Loop Electronic Music Academy. 
The academy brought Josh Bess and Max Wild to Singapore to conduct electronic
music production and performance workshops for interested dance music 
production/performance professionals or amateurs on February 2016. 

I will probably be doing some live coverage on this electronic music set at Kyo on 27 Feb 2016.
If you are there, share your experience with me! 

Hint to find me at Kyo: Look out for My DeepStyle High Top Sneakers on my foot:

If you want to give appreciation or encouragement in promoting music diversity 
or share news on any music-related stuff (story, technology, product, education, festivals, 
entrepreneurship, business, cause/awareness) in Singapore on MusicArtLifeSG site:

You can

1) Enter your email address in MusicArtLifeSG site on right top corner to subscribe 
2) Follow Us on Twitter (twitter.com/musicartlifesg)
3) Email Us: musicartlifesg@gmail.com (Send sms/whatapps to notify and faster respond if u have emailed to us)
4) Contact Us over some coffee and tea on music

Appreciate all the love given - AJ

Last but not least, check out Josh Bess playing some music below: