The Midnight Sessions EP

Alone.

In the dark and quiet, things get real.

The Midnight Sessions EP is an album that captures the going-ons of the heart and mind during those moments.

“The songs in The Midnight Sessions were all written and recorded during the hours past midnight. They chronicle some of my most vulnerable moments, and display some of the strongest emotions I have personally felt or witnessed others feel.”

Zee Ng, an 18-year-old guitarist and singer-songwriter, began his songwriting journey in 2012 when he realized that the songs on radio no longer resonated with him.

“Music is supposed to connect with the listener. But when all you hear is happy, poppy music with no depth, you are really missing the point of music.”

That’s how The Midnight Sessions was birthed. Zee stayed up through the nights, capturing every honest thought and emotion that came his way.

“These songs are heartfelt and personal to me. In the middle of the night, when regret finally kicks in, there’s no one to say sorry to because everyone is asleep. So, I express myself in the only way I know how to – through songs.”

This album is not for the faint of heart. Its haunting vocals and intricate layers of music give way to an ambience that will burrow deep into your heart.

Listen to this EP in its proper time and place, and I promise you’ll be overwhelmed by depths of emotion.

“If people are feeling sad, I want them to be able to find a song that they can relate to, something that will help them work through their thoughts and emotions.”

So, if you’re ready to do some heart talk and dive deep into layers of meaningful and honest music, here we go.

This is The Midnight Sessions EP by Zee Ng.

**Contact Zee Ng on Facebook to get your copy today.

Darren Ashley

Darren Ashley is a music composer and songwriter from Kuala Lumpur. His music is unlike anything else, with an unpredictable mix of extremely melodious tunes, superb vocals, unique beats and natural sounds.

Maybe this will give you a better picture.

Darren has traveled all over to places like Switzerland, Berlin, India and Shanghai to showcase his one-of-a-kind sound. When he’s back in town, he also plays together with local artists.

What is your musical upbringing?
Dad had a guitar so I started playing on it. I also picked up drums and played for a few bands during school years.

How did you start songwriting?
I think it was most probably to impress someone I had a crush on. I can’t remember which song it was that I wrote.

What do you think about music?
I like how music is so similar to food. I love how we use terms like fresh, warm, spicy, delicious and tasty to describe sounds. And all this depends heavily on a person’s taste. As wide as our world’s diversity of flavors, I think it’s essential to taste all sorts of sounds to expand our music world larger.

Fun Facts about Darren
– I aspire to be an amazing cook
– I have Japanese ancestors
– I speak Thai
– I’m a Marvel fan

For more of Darren, follow him on
Facebook
YouTube
SoundCloud

Chloe Soh

Chloe Soh is an aspiring singer-songwriter from Kuala Lumpur. At the age of three, Chloe’s passion for music began to bloom. Recalling the day her tiny fingers met the black and white piano keys for the very first time, she said:

“I fell in love with the fact that I could make sound.“

At age 11, she decided she wanted to do more than just play music. She wanted to make music – music that came from her own heart, soul and imagination.

“Ever since people started asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I was determined I was never going to sit in a cubicle from nine-to-five. I was obsessed about making something out of nothing, and I loved music. That’s how I started songwriting.“

Chloe started performing when she was 13, but only started dipping her feet into the local music scene waters a few years later. Since then, she’s participated in many competitions and open mics. Some of the places she’s been heard include KLPac and Merdekarya.

Who encourages/inspires you to do what you do?
Those crazy passionate people in the local art scene inspire me every day. It encourages me to know that most of them do what they do without having money or stability as their main concern.

On a more personal note, I had the courage to step towards a serious career in the music industry because I knew the Big Man up there’s got my back no matter what happens.

Things You Didn’t Know About Chloe Soh
– She can move her ears without touching them.
– She makes bath salts.
– She secretly enjoys watching football.
– She wrote a 200-page book when she was 15.
– She can do a cartwheel

Chloe is currently pursuing her Bachelor in Contemporary Music in USCI. Follow her and get to know her more on

SoundCloud
YouTube
Facebook
Musicians Cube
GigFairy

** Photo by Ta Mae Pearl

KissKillMary

KissKillMary is an indie rock band from Kuala Lumpur. Not sure what they’re all about? Don’t worry, they’ve summed it up for you.

“Think of KissKillMary as a hard blend of dance elements and indie rock. Something like adding whisky to Coke while having dark chocolate.”

KissKillMary was formed in 2011, and the band has been writing their own music and performing ever since. Over the years, they’ve been featured at places like IndiePG, No Black Tie and Laundry Bar.

How did you guys come together?
Richard and Adrian were colleagues, while Adrian and Beng had already played together for a long time. We had the band. The only trouble was getting our vocalist Jenn on board.

It took almost a year for Jenn to finally agree to jam with us, and she brought Sonny along (because jamming with three random guys isn’t sketchy at all). Halfway through, we felt something was missing. Sonny picked up the guitar to play with us, and the rest is history.

I’ll play it first and tell you what it is later – MILES DAVIS

That’s usually our starting point and inspiration for our songs. In fact, that was how “Repetition” was written. Beng started playing this catchy bass line, and the song just wrote itself.

Fun Facts about KissKillMary
– Beng came up with the name KissKillMary
– There is no Mary in the band
– Sonny and Richard are metal heads.
– Jenn is definitely not a metal head.

KissKillMary is currently working on coming up with their debut full-length album. Pledge to give to KissKillMary here for some cool and exclusive merchandise.

For more of KissKillMary, follow them on
Facebook
Soundcloud
YouTube

 

 

 

The Pamintuans

The Pamintuans are two brothers from Brunei, with Richmond Pamintuan as the guitarist and Mark Jay Pamintuan as the drummer. They often collaborate with other artists and musicians, one of them being talented singer-songwriter Adilah Affendy.

In 2014, The Pamintuans came up with two singles, both featuring Adilah. Take a listen to “Blue Yonder,” a beautiful song written together by Richmond and Adilah.

The Pamintuans are also part of a band called Jalapeños. The band has been featured at places like Merdekarya and Laundry Bar. In 2013, Jalapeños won the Passport to Fame band competition.

How did Jalapeños come together?
We came from Brunei and met the rest of the band while we were studying at ICOM (a music college in KL). The band members are from all over the place, with Jude Macson from Sabah, Herman Ramanado from KL and Joelle Benson from Indonesia. We’ve all become really close friends through playing together.

How did you start songwriting?
(Richmond) I’ve always enjoyed writing my own music, ever since I was young. I just threw in whatever I felt like writing. It could start off with something simple like a melody, and I would develop it from there. My dream is to become a songwriter and producer, and to share more music with the world.

Who are your biggest fans?
Our parents are our main source of inspiration and support. They are the reason that we can do what we love to do. Also, our friends and all the people we love are the ones who have brought us to where we are today.

Photo by Maricel Pamintuan

Fun Facts about The Pamintuans
– They grew up in Brunei.
– They like playing basketball.
– They BOTH play the piano, drums and bass.
– They are quarter Filipino, quarter Spanish and half Chinese (if not mistaken).

For more of The Pamintuans, follow them on
Facebook
YouTube

**Photos by Maricel Pamintuan

A.RON

A.RON is a rapper from Kuala Lumpur. More than just another rapper, A.RON desires to be a breath of fresh air in the music industry and a voice of change in his society.

A.RON makes it a point to write clean lyrics and isn’t ashamed to write about his worldview or the things he values. Off stage, his actual name is Aaron Lui Teng Wei, and he is currently pursuing a Degree in Mechatronics Engineering at UTAR.

How did you get into rap music?
I was exposed to rap music when I was 10, and I memorized All Rise by Blue when I turned 12. A couple of years later, I started writing my own lyrics for mini rap battles we used to have in high school.

Who has encouraged you along the way?
My friends and family. My friends, especially, have ferociously supported me by giving motivation and encouragement. One of them even bought me my very own Blue USB Microphone. Shout out to Kylie Ooi! Parents are supportive of what I do – as long as I don’t mess up my studies haha.

Where have you been heard?
I started off performing in school and in church. While I mostly do live shows, a good friend of mine Charisse Tay helped put together my first studio track “Da Truth (Intro)” in 2011.

Two years prior to that, I got the chance to perform in front of 2,000 people at the Made2Love concert. That’s when the stage started to truly become my second home. I’ve since performed at many other concerts and competitions.

Photo by Jonathan Cool

Empowering Story
There was a time when  I wasn’t really supported for what I did, and it got me down and out. I told my 15-year-old self that I would stop whatever I was doing and just be the ordinary kid.

The problem was – I couldn’t. Hip Hop had become so embedded in my system that I couldn’t fake it. I stuck with my passion and here I am today. Moral of the story: Don’t let go of your passion.

For more of A.RON, follow him on
Facebook
SoundCloud
YouTube
Instagram – @dadeft

**Photos by Jonathan Cool

Darren Teh

In the daytime, before the stage is set and the lights are lit, he finds himself in a classroom full of international students. When night falls, however, the scene changes.

Instead of a whiteboard marker, a guitar falls into his hands; instead of a classroom of students, he sees a wave of fans. The lights are lit, and the show begins.

“A teacher by day, a rock star by night.”

Darren Teh is the lead singer and songwriter for pop-punk band An Honest Mistake. During the day, he teaches English to international students at Lim Kok Wing University. At night, he becomes part of the local music scene, whether it is playing or organizing gigs.

As a band, An Honest Mistake has played in places like Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. In 2014, they received the VIMA 2014 Best Music Video Award for their song “Giddy Up Horsie! This Chase Ain’t Waiting For You.”

How did you start songwriting?
I just started putting sentences together. The first song I wrote was made up of random sentences that rhymed. It was called, “This Song is so Random, I Don’t Know Why.” Later on, I began writing on what I saw and heard every day. In other words, I began writing on life.

What is most important to you?
Doing what I love. You can do a lot of things and not enjoy it, but when you love what you do, you’ll pour your heart and soul into it. It’s also important to have positive people around you to support you and cheer you on.

Photo by Frenchie’s Photography

The Darren you never quite knew
Being “Dare”-ren, I’m quite the daredevil. When I was 5, I’d climb up the main pipe to the roof of my house. Then, I’d climb from roof to roof, making my neighbors think there was a robber on the roof.

As a kid, I used to stand on the swing and prepare to jump off right when it got to the peak to see how far I’d land. I still do lots of crazy things, even on stage. I swing my guitar a lot, do cartwheels, maybe I’ll do a backflip in the middle of a song one of these days.

Besides playing music, Darren also organizes gigs at Laundry Bar. One of his goals is to keep the music scene in Malaysia alive and kicking. For more on Darren and An Honest Mistake, follow:

An Honest Mistake’s Facebook
An Honest Mistake’s Twitter
An Honest Mistake’s Instagram
An Honest Mistake’s YouTube
An Honest Mistake’s Bandcamp

**Photo by Calvin Alexi (featured image)

 

Amrita Soon

Amrita Soon is a dreamer. She dreams of going places and meeting people; she dreams of playing her music and being heard. Don’t most of us have dreams like that too?

But more than just another dreamer, Amrita dares to chase after her dreams and see them become reality. At 19 years old, she has already been featured on Malaysian radio and TV (once she even sang with David Choi on 8TV’s YouTube Channel).

In 2014, Amrita raised her own funds to go to Nashville for a 62-day journey of musical discovery. She spent her time there getting to know other songwriters, attending music events, and performing at open mics at various places in the “Music City.”

At the end of 2014, Amrita released her “Clues” EP, partly as a thank you for those who helped send her to Nashville.

How did you start songwriting?
My English teacher in Primary 4 introduced us to poetry. We had to copy our favorite poems and then write our own. I haven’t stopped writing ever since. Later on, my dad taught me a few chords on the guitar, and that’s how I started writing songs.

Where have you been heard?
Playing at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville has to be one of the highlights so far. I also had the best time busking in front of Sungei Wang Plaza. This whole journey so far has been wonderful. I’m getting to learn from amazing artists and meet wonderful, inspiring people along the way.

In her About Me page, Amrita says, “not growing up is one of my priorities in life.” This story shows how much of a kid she still is.

“I had always wanted a pair of Heelys (shoes that have wheels in the back so you can glide around places and do tricks). So last year, I bought a pair for my little brother and I, using only coins and small change I had been saving up. We brought a bag full of coins to the shop, and it has been the best thing I have invested in so far.”

Since March 2013, Amrita has also been running Treehouse Open Mic – a platform for young songwriters to showcase their music. For more of Amrita and her music, check out:

Amrita’s Official Website
Amrita’s Facebook
Amrita’s YouTube
Amrita on iTunes

**Photo by Eugene Khoo

 

 

Natallie Ng

Natallie Ng is an aspiring singer-songwriter from Kuala Lumpur. In 2012, she was featured at Urbanscapes as one of the top 3 finalists for R.AGE Open Mic. Besides that, her music has been heard around familiar places like The Bee and Laundry Bar.

More recently, London has had the chance to hear her music too. Natallie is currently pursuing her Degree in Music there, and takes up gigs every now and then at places around London.

Natallie was drawn to music at an early age, and grew up learning the piano and violin. Now, whether she’s playing the piano or penning down her newest song, music still captures her heart the way it used to.

Besides being a solo artist, Natallie also collaborates with other artists like Derek Darker and Jumero.

What are your aspirations?
I hope to go far with my music, either as a singer-songwriter or a musician/secessionist. If not, I wouldn’t mind doing something with children and music, as long as it’s something I enjoy.

How did you start songwriting?
Being a closed person, I always jot down things on my mind. As time passed, sitting by the piano became my place of comfort, where I would write and sing my everyday thoughts and emotions.

“Sitting by the piano became my place of comfort, where I would write and sing my everyday thoughts and emotions.”

I hope to write music that captivates hearts. I want to write songs that relate to people and bring a smile to their faces because that’s what music is all about.

Interesting story
There was once when I went into a bar in London and I accidentally hugged a security guard when her gesture of her arms opened was actually for a body-check! Haha. It was really embarrassing.

For more of Natallie, follow her on
Facebook
Youtube
Twitter
Instagram

Jess Loh

Jess Loh is a singer-songwriter from Ipoh, Perak. She turns 24 this year, and currently studies Medicine at Monash University, Melbourne.

2013, the year that Jess started her medical degree, was the same year she started a YouTube channel. Since then, Jess has performed at Merdekarya and “The Rock Show” at Laundry Bar. She has also done busking gigs at the Abbotsford Market in Melbourne.

While she posts music on YouTube and Soundcloud quite often, Jess enjoys playing live the most.

“I definitely prefer performing live, because I love the energy from the crowd. Mistakes are also quickly forgotten (hopefully).”

Who inspires you to keep doing what you do?
My friends, who tirelessly watch my videos and show up to my gigs.
My parents, who provide for me so I can do music in my free time.
My sisters, who critique my songs.
And everyone that takes a moment to leave a nice comment on my videos or send me an encouraging message before a gig.

What are your aspirations?
Serve on the music team in church in Australia. Collaborate more. Do more gigs. And of course, graduate!

Next year, I plan to come out with an EP if everything goes well. You know what? I would really love to tour and play music all around the world. Now that would be cool.

A story totally unrelated to music but funny anyway
One time when I was 11, I had to stay back in school for marching practice. I wasn’t very happy, so I decided to stomp around the field.

Eventually, I felt my shoe insole curving up, and it started to bother me. As I removed my shoe, I  saw a yellow-greenish lump inside. Terrified, I dropped the shoe and called my friends over.

It was a frog, and the poor thing was flattened and quite dead. By then, the frog had been in my shoe for nearly 8 hours. We gave it a proper burial in the field beside the rain tree, with a stick cross marking its grave.

How the frog died? I’d like to think I stomped it to death, which is cruel enough, but my friends are certain that it died from the noxious fumes of my smelly feet.

For more of Jess Loh, check out her
Facebook
Soundcloud
YouTube

**Photo by Calvin Alexi