Support Original! Support Original!

This song is written by three 15-year-olds from Cedar Girls Secondary School, who won The Originals IP Champion Music Fiesta 2011, and it's my honour to cover it :)

It was inspired by the theme of "What it means to be Original" and why one should support Original.

The least I can do is to credit them -
Lidiya Hidihir, Sita Rajagopal and Cheng Hoi Ting -
and to help spread the word/ beautiful song they have written. 


Here's a message I received in my Facebook inbox a few days ago:

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Hi kewei,

I was shopping at HMV intending to find a suitable song for my wedding march in. I look through all the wedding albums but couldn't find any song that I like rather than the usual cannon d or my valentine. So I walked pass the display rack with your Fallen album on the rack. I looked at your album, thinking:" this girl, great voice, appear on 新光大道before, used to be the accapalla for ah mei and 陶喜喜. Finally album is out, proud Singaporean."

I picked up the headphones, not intending to find any songs suitable but just want to listen to your voice.. Then I listen till track 6 where you sang 'I'll stand by you'

I was mesmerize... Your clear bright voice with a unique feel singing: I'll stand by you.... I'll stand by you.....

I closed my eyes and fascinating that me and my husband walking into the ball room with your song in the background. The atmospher will be excellent! It's gonna be perfect!

I want to make sure my choice is right. So I asked my fiancé to listen. At first he was reluctant, not very sure who you are. He put on the headphone and I repeat track 6... He gave me a puzzled 'are you sure' look and I smiled back to ensure him.. 5 seconds into the song, he smiled at me and nod his head... We know we found the perfect song for our wedding march in...

We were about to buy your album then realize the song is too short for march in... We really liked your version of singing I'll stand by you. But we want a longer version. I search online, YouTube, blog everywhere for a longer version but couldn't find...

I really wish to play your voice on our first march in. Is there anyway I can buy or download the full version of that song..?

I can only get original album as there are copy right issue for hotel...

I seek your help and hope for your favorable reply...

*you made Singapore proud. Pls continue to share your beautiful voice..

Regards,
XXX

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My first response was,
I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.

I was very touched by her long message and sincere appreciation of my work,
and also honoured that she would choose it for one of the most important moments in her life,
as her march-in song for her wedding night.

But CD buying is no longer anyone's lifestyle nor habit.
Even to contemplate buying a CD seemed like a far stretch,
no matter how much you liked a certain track.
There was always somewhere you could download it from,
or you could satiate that bugging earworm on YouTube.

It seems silly to want to buck this trend of non-purchase
by screaming "Support Original! Support Original!"
because it's definitely not going to happen.

This lovely message also screamed loud and clear -
no matter how much I really love your track,
and actually want to use it for a specific purpose,
I'm probably not going to buy a $20 CD.

Not that she wasn't supportive,
she was already really sweet in dropping a long message,
and I'm thankful for that.
Buying a CD is really no longer something that most people do,
except me and all my musician/singer friends who buy each others' albums.

Having said that, i want to thank EVERY SINGLE PERSON who have bought my album.
Because you could have repeated my songs
off Youtube,
off www.taykewei.com,
off taykewei.blogspot.com
but you bought a piece of CD just to rip it back into file format,
because you  bothered to.

This is for YOU  

矛盾

車壞了。
又不了解發生了甚麼事，很擔心。
打電話求救，

一位uncle來幫我換電池。

一向來不喜歡讓陌生人開我的車（所以有時也會抗拒valet parking)

,看到他試駕，test gear，感覺有點心痛。

可是他是expert,只有他懂得怎麼救我的車。

就好像心愛的人生病了，被推進手術室。

醫生在心愛的人身上開刀，也讓我很心疼，

很想保護屬於自己的，不讓別人碰。 

但卻只有醫生才懂得該怎麼做。

好矛盾哦。

2011 Lookback

Perhaps this comes a little late,
but hey, punctuality has never been my strength :p



My 2010 had been an amazing year,
with the release of my debut album "Come Closer with... Kewei".


In 2011,
it brought me to places I've always dreamt of going to,
not just for vacation, but for work!

I promoted the album in Taiwan (超級偶像)



in Hong Kong (Asian Pop Music Festival)

Representing Singapore together with JJ Lin

                        Siwon from Super Junior!

and in the heart of Mongkok at Langham Place


on various stations

 

at a sell-out showcase at Backstage

Barry Tam on drums/guitar, Ram Cheung on guitar, Jan Ho on bass!

with spontaneous guest artistes Diya Tan, Jonathan Wong and producer Taz Chen Taizheng!

and even got the opportunity to be part of the Hong Kong Artistes 311 - Love Beyond Borders charity theme song recording for the Japanese tsunami tragedy.

This really opened my eyes to the amazing organisation of the Hong Kong entertainment industry, led by Jackie Chan, Alan Tam, Eric Tseng, in their effort to make a difference and to lend their influence to help those in need.

Also, had the chance to work with the awesome Kevin Ou on a beautiful charity fundraising photoshoot Because We Are One for the Japan 2011 disaster.

Played erhu and sang at The Singapore Entertainment Awards at the Singapore Indoor Stadium :)

This year also marked the end of my touring days with JJ Lin and Wang Leehom
T__T
Click on their names for past blogs on their world tours :)

This is really an end to an era in my life!
As blogged here, at the finale concert of Music Man Tour,
I travelled to so many cities, made so many friends from around the world,
toured with the best musicians, the most famous superstars,
and learnt so much about myself, about music, about what I wanted, about life.

I've been touring for about 6 years thus far,
and am now focusing on my own career as a solo artiste...
I'm also thankful for the fans of David Tao, Wang Leehom, JJ Lin and Amei for loving me in an 爱屋及乌 way :)


I also had the good fortune to meet Dick Lee and work with him as IPOS ambassadors :)

and later again at SingaPOP!

with some of the most talented and established artistes/producers, Kit Chan and Lee Weisong! :)


Somewhere along the way, I went to Maldives

 
and took Korean lessons :)

and then started prepping for the next album :)

i also tried Wednesday Wideos on Youtube, I lasted about 2 weeks LOL

at the launch of www.youtube.com.sg,
i wrote a song for them! :)




Also collaborated with the super cool Manhand from Malaysia in a song with Einein! :) 
ManHanD慢行 - 空杯子 feat.可為&盈盈




The year wrapped up with Singapore Hit Awards
where I performed with the 2 most talented and funny artistes Jim Lim and David Tan,
whom I toured with on Amei's tour and had a ball of a time with :)

and the Orchard Road Christmas Light up with the President! ^_^

and my first Countdown show with Channel 8! :)




Thank you for following me thus far,
for reading this blog in this times of fragmented attention spans,
when reading 140 characters or a few lines of status updates are the norm,
thank you for allowing me to write/sing for someone like you
when i could have been writing/singing to a void.

To quote myself in 2010 -
Thank you for listening to my songs,
for buying the album,
for your Youtube views,
Facebook likes and comments,
spreading the word about my music,
and for every single little thing you have done which ennobled my 2010, and 2011.