Bevlyn Khoo

Hey guys! If you still want to get a copy of my EP album ‘Lonely Afternoon’ (limited stocks), it’s still available at 2 cool shops in Singapore!

You may purchase them @ Cat Socrates and Casual Poet Culture

If you’re into those Taiwan indie cafés (with all the cute notebooks and bags etc which you wish you could buy all at once), then these are the places to go. You can find them right here in Singapore!

I’ll like to thank the U-weekly team for always keeping me in mind. You guys rock! This article is out on this week (29 Jun 09)’s U-weekly magazine. If you wanna read more about other Singapore singers like Kit Chan, Tanya Chua, etc, go grab one!

Thanks to Tina for this wonderfully written review. I do actually feel the heart and love.

I was totally knocked out for Sun and Mon cos of sleep deprivation!

The reporting and rehearsal started at 1130am (I had to leave my french class halfway, so sad..). It was a whole day of waiting…and the truth is, I was hoping I could go off for 5 hrs and do something more constructive in between (like do up my demos or watch a great movie). Luckily the people I was hanging out with (Razzleplay, Yet Dunhong, Kewei) were FUN! We caught cheer chen doing her soundcheck and I went wild.

At the post-concert party, we met many superstars like Stephanie Sun, Cheer Chen, Aska Yang, Luo Zhi Xiang, JJ blah blah blah..it’s so surreal to see these people in real life. It’s exciting to see them, but at the same time I felt…bored haha. I mean, I have never like PR stuff :p

(Big photo above courtesy of Yan)

Thank you Singapore E-Awards once again for this wonderful award, and experience. What an amazing ride!

One funny msn conversation I had with Tien-yao when we reached home:

Ok, the truth is, Tien-yao NEVER gives me compliments. I am so touched :’)

I am more touched than anything, that the organiser bothers to set up an award for the indie (independent) scene. The truth is, they do not have to, because the general public will not kick up a fuss with or without this award since the attention is usually set on popstars with strong backings from major labels. Setting up an award for the local indie artistes hence, shows unprecedented ‘official’ appreciation for the local musicians who have been using their own resources to generate music to the general public.

I was more shocked than anything to learn that I have won this award. I am humbled because the other nominees and I, we have been through the same tedious paths of creating our own music, sourcing musicians/arrangers/producers, funding our records with hard-earned savings, finding our ways and delivering our own cds to cd stores, and basically doing our own marketing shamelessly (website/myspace/concert or performance venue spaces etc).

Honestly, when I first decided to do the EP album, going on hit charts or getting awards of any sort was not in my wildest dreams, I swear. My only hope…was that I wouldn’t be left with too many unsold CD pieces at the end of all attempts to put my music out there…

Can’t wait to attend the event this Sat! It’ll be at the Marina Bay Floating Platform Grandstand…looking forward to that! More details here.

I am so grateful…I don’t know what to do with all these blessings!

Here’s a quick note to thank EVERYONE who came all the way to Esplanade to show me support. I’m really very touched, just by seeing your face!

Thanks for the kind words, the encouragement, the feedback/suggestions, the handshakes, the hugs, the flowers. My way of returning all these,  is to work harder

And of course, my wonderful musicians who have put in so much efforts (esp. during the CNY period): Wah Yong, James, Shawn and Lim Hui. I couldn’t have presented what I would like to without you guys. And thanks to Dengli for taking photos for us (again!)

And this is by far the best comment I have so far:

今晚的表演非常的好！
以下是我个人的感想：

很高興看到意淋的進步。
听现场比 CD 还要过瘾。

新年歌最重要的是嘹亮的歌聲，
和热闹的气氛。
意淋唱的新年歌非常好聽，
声音嘹亮，音乐轻快。

唱金曲是很考功力的，
听众总会跟原唱者比较，
这些歌曲都唱得不错。

嗯，也许偶尔也需要失眠，
那么大家就有新歌听了

今晚，我带着满满的欢喜回家，
迫不及待的新专辑，以及演唱会。

加油！(by Flash)

I’m so touched.

Will post pictures soon! Recording resumes tmr (today)! (Pineapple tarts and bah kwa, wait for me…..)

Ok, finally back to writing more about the experience with my DIY album:

Doing DIY music is not easy, and the main difficulty is not coming up with the music, but to get your music out there. This is what we all commonly know as ‘marketing’, but a lot of musicians may not understand that.  Even if they believe their music to be very worthy of sharing, without the right channels to get it out there to the masses, it totally defeats the purpose (unless you just relish playing it to yourself and sharing it with a close bunch of friends).

The essence of DIY usually means there is no strong cashflow to pump into buying radio or TV advertisement for publicity, hence there leaves no space for a DIY musician to be humble or reserved about publicity. The basic channels you need are:

- Website

- MySpace
Or any streaming player, like IMEEM or to let people sample your music.

- Blog
If it’s difficult to come up with a website, starting with a simple blog like Blogger is good enough. A website is more organised, but a blog can keep your supporters (old or new) updated about your current activities and get to know you beyond your music.

- CDbaby
I’d recommend this website if you’re serious about selling your music beyond Singapore (in bigger countries, shipping can be easily arranged cross-state). There’s a fee and commission involved, so it’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons.

- Performances
And even if you have the above, it’s not enough to just have a web presence. It is also essential to arrange for performances so that people who support you can catch you in the act, and hopefully you’ll be able to get their friends (or passerbys) to like your music as well. Be thick-skin and contact free performance spaces like Arts House, UrbanClap!, which are constantly looking out for volunteer performers. Also, remember to tap into tertiary schools like NUS, NTU, Ngee Ann Poly, Republic Poly, etc. If you are able to secure an act with the school, they will do free publicity for you and your music using their school network. Sometimes you may even get lucky with student DJs who want to interview you and stream it over the school radio network! One thing though, please don’t expect to get paid.

If you need a holiday at the same time, and are adventurous, research on indie festivals around the world. (Example).

- Media (music reviews, contact DJs)
I was actually counting my blessing because I already got to know a few DJs well before I launched the album, and from experience, they’re usually more than happy to help out local musicians. Even if you do not know them personally, try asking around to see if your friends know any DJs or music reviewers for newspapers or magazines, and get them to help you pass the CDs to them. Try to get radio airplay, or radio interviews. Do not stinge on giving Cds away for this group of people! Also, the truth is, sometimes even if the music review does not turn out to be as excellent as you hope it would be, getting the exposure is probably worth more than anything (well unless they really thrash your music then erm, you may consider labelling your music ‘alternative’).

- Retailers
Be thick-skin and give retailers cold-calls to tell them you would like to sell your albums on consignment. Usually they’ll take 80-100 at any one time, but it’s a good start. If you’re lucky, you may even be roped in to perform at events they organise in malls! The funny thing that happened to me was, my friends sms or called me to tell me they actually shifted my cds to more prominent spots in the shop. Or requested for the sales assistants to do so, or played my CD in the stores while they were there. I was so touched…I mean…I wouldn’t be thick-skin enough to do it myself for sure! I guess that’s what friends are for? Haha.

You’ll noticed that it probably takes skin the thickness of an elephant to do the above. It wasn’t easy, and sometimes I even get bewildered responses from the other end, like I’m crazy or what. But the key to success is often one word - perseverance. Never allow yourself to be put down by people who do not understand what you’re doing. Simply put, they really do not understand what you’re doing.

Most music reviewers or DJs will need a media kit (i.e a photo of your album cover, a short writeup on yourself and your music, and basic information like your contact details, website etc). Take the time to do a good one. If you’re not good with writing, ask your friends for help. It is as good as your cover letter for a job interview.

Last but not least, if you need anything, just google. Everything is out there.
(And omg did you know googler is officially a verb used by the French!? Je google, Tu googles, Il google, Nous googlons, Vous googlez, Ils googlent. That is so funny!)

Bevlyn In Concert, originally uploaded by bevlynkhoo.

Yes, voila!

I actually had insomnia for a couple of nights after the concert ended. I guess it is very me to ruminate about things, the highs and lows. But all in all, everything went very well (actually as my close friends would have said, it was already a miracle I didn’t fall flat on my face from the trip over the monitor ).

And I really count my blessings of having such excellent musicians to help me out for the concert this time round. My applause for Tien-yao (who has stuck by me all through these months), Lim Hui (who agreed at once when I asked her), James (who flaunted his muscles on both bass and piano), Shawn (whose percussion made such a great difference to the songs), and Jason (who agreed to play bass 3-4 days before the concert haha). I LOVED the dinners and the backstage times, however short and random they were. You guys are adorable!

UCC is really a great place to perform at. The staff was friendly and helpful, and they really made everyone feel positive and good. Feels great!

And of course my special thanks to Vocare Media - Sam, Joyce, Fion and Dustin, for sponsoring videography for the concert. That, to me, is so so important.

The preparation - when I literally locked myself up at home a week before the day - was stressful, especially when I was crazily practising the guitar (actually at the same time training for my skin to be doubly-thick because of the stint).

But when the music from the full band came on during rehearsals, all the stress was gone. Just soaking in it was heaven. I had SO much stress, but I also had SO MUCH FUN.

And who would have thought my cute little friend Dengli would be my PA cum photographer on that day? She had to buy a clear file, wrapping paper (an idea which never manifested) and etc etc for me (cos I am always such a last min person), and take nice photos for the band (even damaging her shoes in the process), basically, she’s so good I want her for my PA now!

I was pleasantly surprised to see Swedish people among the audience (first row), and I heard from friends later on there were Indians and Myanmar among others. And it’s lovely to see my vocal teacher Thomas Manhart come to support woohoooo! If you want to learn good singing, this is the MAN.

Of course, it always warms my heart to see familiar faces - friends from NUS Chinese Society Geyao, from my days of singing in pubs, and all over the places that I’d been to - come down to NUS specially for the concert. And people whom I didn’t know come up to me to buy the albums and get autographs - thank you!

There are some asking about the next concert, hmm…if there is, it’s gonna be a ticketed one. I also hope to perform to you guys again! Will keep everyone informed

Cheers,
Bevlyn

I’m catching up on so many stuff I don’t have time to really sit down and blog about my take on the concert LOL.

But people have been contacting me, and telling me they have blogged about the concert. Thank you so much!! (”,)

Here are a few:

My NUS Chinese Society Geyao senior, Glenn, whom I’m really glad to see:

freezingcool.blogspot.com

A NUS student who requested for a minus one of When I’m 80 from me:

http://lifeindeath.blogspot.com/2008/08/blog-post_13.html

My lovely percussive friend Shawn who grooved it up for me on Wed:

http://turbochicken.blogspot.com/2008/08/bevlyn-in-concert-moments.html

And of course special guest, YET Dunhong:

http://mryet.blogspot.com/2008/07/guest-appearance-bevlyn-concert.html#links

http://mryet.blogspot.com/2008/08/no-problem-at-bevlyns-concert-part-2.html#links

I will blog about my thoughts on the concert tonight (if I can finish my French homework in time *sulk*)

It’s 4.18am! Yes, I’m still awake.

I chose this picture to blog, cos I think it reflects the pensive side in me right now.

Feeling the highs and lows of this roller-coaster ride. I thank you for coming to my concert. It was surreal, maybe that’s why I kept thinking time passed too fast during the performance.

It felt great to see so many familiar faces, supportive faces whom I kept seeing time after time for each of my performance; familiar faces I haven’t seen for the longest time; and of course lovely new faces

For those who came to the concert, I hope you like what you heard. For those who couldn’t make it, hope to see you next time (I don’t know when though ha).

For those hearing my music for the 1st time, thank you for giving me the opportunity to sing to you live.

For those who like what you heard, please spread my music to your friends! Best is, I think through emails, or your blog.

For those who didn’t really like what they heard, do give me feedback. I’ll do my best to improve on it.

Ok, for now, it’s sleep. And reply all the smses tmr! (”,)