Bevlyn Khoo

OK so I’ve been back for 1 week, so maybe it’s about time I share some photos and my voyage!

My Europe trip was packed, with great views + nice friends to catch up + random friendly people (+ horrifying incidents which I may share if I have time)… I was most pleased to catch up with some friends, and also to experience for myself the change from Spring to Summer (i’m curious cos it’s summer all-year round here), and of course La Fete De La Musique (Music festival)!

So I bunked in with a friend who lives very near to Notre Dame, so I walked by this area really often…it’s cool, but after some time, it became too busy and crowded for me cos there were simply too many tourists (the pot calling the kettle black haha).

On the first day there, I went to my favourite corner of Paris, Montmartre. On the way near Sacre Coeur, I saw this lovely couple performing and I was so thrilled. They even performed ‘La Vie En Rose’ without me requesting!

And I had a good time looking at the paintings and all sorts of creativity at Montmartre (and fighting off artists offering to paint portraits of me for free). Then I chanced upon this artist, and I like his work very much. It’s charming that he actually painted for all to see at that time:

Anyway, I was walking so much for the whole trip, there were times I just want to do what the bird did (above). My poooor feeeet!

On the 3rd day, I went to Versailles! I’d been to Paris on other occasions, and this time round, I made sure I do a visit there. I dedicated 1 whole day to it yet I could not finish touring because it’s simply humongous! This is really one of the days when I wish deep in my heart that someone can plonk me and my heavy bag on a cart. The scenery was really breath-taking though:

(Above) The castle at the back and the nicely designed and trimmed garden.

This fountain is not even the middle of the whole area…See how it stretches on and on…

(Above) I really love the flowers…a lot of heart and thought and efforts must have gone into making this so beautiful.. (Below) And these are cute huh! (yes I live in a concrete jungle, deal with my silliness)

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I wish I had more time to just sit there for the whole afternoon, or do some canoeing and picnic… (below)

This room is kinda cool with the harp and the antique piano (I’d want it minus the scary mirror and the curtains). I’d speak with the King later in my dreams

Anyway I just want to say that angels are disguised as old gentlemen in France. 2 stories to support my claim:

1) When I was on my way to Versailles on RER C, I didn’t know I had to change my train to another. I was happily shooting video inside the train, then suddenly an old gentleman called out to me “Versailles!?” “Il faut que vous changiez le train!” (It is necessary that you change the train). I just blindly followed him and be led to the connecting train. Imagine if I didn’t meet him….and he was so nice and friendly to me!

2) I decided to go to Pere Lachaise to visit the tomb of Edit Piaf, and I actually forgot to take a map at the entrance. Initially I thought “Hey i can do this! i have sorta memorised the tombs’ locations!” And I was soooo wrong. After 10-15mins, I realised I was totally lost. And just when I was about to drag my feet back to the entrance, an old man spoke to me from behind. To cut the long story short, he was so nice to offer to be my personal ‘tour guide’ so that I don’t go back to get a map. He took me to the tomb of Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde and some others. I realised I missed Stephane Grappelli’s one!

Tomb of Edith Piaf: I’m really happy I paid my respect to her….And this one is Oscar Wilde’s…with a lot of kisses and ‘i love you’ by his fans…

It’s funny because at the start of the conversation, he told me he lives ‘à coté’ (beside), and I imagined for a split second which tomb he’s ‘living’ next to. I’m crazy…

And ta-dah! Some of the albums I bought…hihi:

Will upload more photos sooooon!! This is probably only 1/3

So I’m back in Paris again, and this time round my visit coincides with the World Cup again. What with the buzz going on, my attention was really on meeting and catching up with FRIENDS, and, FOOD:

The food I had been dreaming for the last 4 yrs - Kebab

Maybe it’s just a kebab…but if you know any other kebabs which beat this, tell me! (btw the kebab is as big as my face)

And, my french friend Dim is so nice to bring me to a nice French restaurant, and the duck confit is to die for (in my opinion). Everything is just right and balanced (the skin, the meat, the juice, the fat):

And the dessert Ile Flottante (Floating island) as the name implies:

It was really a very enjoyable evening (minus the jetlag):

And another friend invited me to this nice restaurant called Bel Canto. What’s so interesting is, the waiters and waitresses break into song(s) in between your bites, and everyone stops talking/eating to look and listen at the performers. The waiters/performers we had that night are all professional singers (as opposed to some of the others who are music students), and the arias they did were simply breath-taking!!

Ok, more updates later! France vs Mexico tmr!

I only got to see and touch my own album when I met Dengli for dinner on Sat. Who would have thought that I’d have another album this year? I was prepared not to have another one after the EP album cos of financial reasons…While I know of people out there who bought the album, truth is, a substantial amount of people pirate it. So what’s the point of continuing to do DIY albums if I have to live off air?

So, to have the opportunity to continue my passion, I am most grateful. The best way to show support is to buy the authentic album! That is the best and most direct way to let my record label (and me) know that this album is a good idea.

And I’m honoured to have Caramel be my Official Wardrobe Stylist! They have gorgeous tea-dresses, elaborate evening dresses, and from Mel the funky stylist’s mouth, the spring-summer dresses are already here!  Check out the masterpieces at www.caramel.com.sg. I love the dresses to bits! Btw, the dresses I wore for the album’s photoshoot are also courtesy of Caramel.

My band and I did the opening gig for the fashion show week on 19 Mar 09. And this dress is designed by Mel!

Band: Fabian, Lin Hui, Shawn, Bevlyn, James (Brandon not in pic)

And thanks to those who have been asking…No promo activities for the moment..I’ll update if there’s any upcoming events here soon!

Music available for preview on my blog, MySpace, and Reverbnation.

I’ve finally finished recording!!!

An extremely tiring one, 6hrs, it was tough and at one point I even felt a sugar low. But it was comforting to see my producers had mountains of patience…

Anyway, now it’s play time! I’m gonna be a Tasmania for bah kwa, pineapple tarts, dark chocs, popcorns, movies and erm, more crabs?

Here’s something you all must watch:

Hafiz first sent me this cos he knew I’m into anything French…before I knew it, I couldn’t help watching other clips as well, cos Capucine is just TOO CUTE! These are the must watch:

Too Much Candy
Too Much Candy 2 (Bonus scenes)
Capucine meets Alex

And this is the most important, cos it’s for charity (yes she is that popular):
Capucine for Edurelief in Mongolia
Pls do contribute if you can, I’ve already bought 2 T-shirts and 1 mug!

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…..)

I nearly choked on myself when I came across this while surfing for an electronic French dictionary.
Master romance? The French? Like since when?

Sometimes I do wonder why I am so blessed with all that happened in 2008. It’s so far the best year of my life! I’ve always thought that I am a late bloomer, or it could be I never really allowed myself to be the living dead. Life is complicated, but I realised it can be as simple as you imagine it to be.

I launched my EP album, and I’m proud to say I did all the planning and management myself. It’s a herculean task, but I realised the limitless potential of a person - you are limited only by your own mind. I guess the Law Of Attraction works well for me so far (it wasn’t conscious for me most of the time, I just try to remove fear from my mind and stay positive). I am still amazed by all the opportunities that came my way, and I’m grateful to each and everyone who has helped  to take my music to another level. I’m really touched by people who went out of their way to help me out - favours are hard to repay, and I will definitely keep them in mind…

The shift of my work priorities is what makes me a really happy person this year - being able to say no to wedding bookings on certain dates, getting my cute and capable PA to help me out with admin (it’s a she, for the millionth-time - I will never get a male PA cos that would be so weird!), expanding our band members two-fold to know more talented musicians in Singapore, it’s simply awesome.

And, who would have thought I would be signed to the label of my dreams, and prepare another album at the end of the year? My story is just too surreal to be true, and it’s all thanks to Dean. And to sing with Aiza!? Who would have thought?

Looking back on the year, I’m glad my French has finally improved such that I can better understand movies/real people talking, and express myself slightly more spontaneously. I love my current class, and it’s hard to imagine what happens after the course ends in 2 mths. Hopefully the german house parties remain heh

I can finally dance waltz! Not fantastic but good enough to dance round and round the whole ballroom. Now I just need a more permanent partner ha.

I’m going into the recording booth next Mon, and I’m scared. But I’ll do my best, for sure. 2009 is gonna be exciting, with or without recession. Happy New Year!

Yesterday marked the start of a string of Xmas parties to come!

It was the first Xmas party for me at my Jap boss’s house. What greeted me when I first step into the house (other than the family of course), is a Yamaha Clavinova piano, along with a mic on a mic-stand, 2 electric guitars and 1 bass guitar and an amplifier. WOW! It’s like my dream house

And actually other than the family members, family photos and some japanese accent, there really was nothing japanese about the house. That, to me, is interesting.

It was also my first time meeting some of the staff in S2S, and I like the fact that it’s so family. I discovered many interesting facts about the boss, and it does put my mind even more at ease that I’ve made a very good choice of signing on to this label. And the dog Kty is a darling!

Merry Xmas everyone. Enjoy the sexy French accent by Phoebe at 3:30: