Saer Ze (Malaysian Idol 2 Top 100)

[uptowndragon]

Was surfing last night and bumped into this:

Who is Saer Ze ?




Saer Ze is your 23-year-old female elektro-pop singer/songwriter originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Begun singing in the Yamaha School Choir at age 8, eventually forming her first R&B group with friends calling themselves 'Xaunte' at age 16. She later performed as a duo with sister Yasmeen or O`range69 by the name of Catapult, both of whom have started their own label "sassysupasta records" vowing to be an all-female records in the future.??

Saer Ze decided on going solo in 2002, at the same time self-releasing a demo EP entitled 'My Make-Believe' which has led her to be featured in Malaysia's Reggae Ambassador, Sasi the Don's album in a cheeky collaboration track "Smooching on the Dancefloor". She has since shared the stage with acts like Too Phat, Ruffedge, V.E., Jaclyn Victor, Dragon Red, Vince, Reefa, One Buck Short, MC Spyda, Vandal and Grassroots.

Having just completed sstudies in Recording Arts at SAE Byron Bay, Ze is now focusing on her music full-time. especially since 'SHAMELESS' debut album has now been released in September 2005.

The album, 'SHAMELESS' is a hopeful breakthrough for a greater journey ahead. Produced together by Ze with Ruben Debusschere of Belgium, this album also holds contribution from many musicians and talents from all around the world including Kenyan freestyler Tomimoto, Malaysian band One Buck Short's frontman Mooky and Mauritian DJ/Producer Bertrand Philibert. Singles 'Too Sexy' and 'Room for 2' have already been up in the radio charts and local college goers can look forward to promo tours happening around the corner!

In case you didn't know...

-Saer Ze won the Rap Attack contest on Hitz.fm in 1999 winning a trip to Melbourne and tickets to catch Beastie Boys live.

-Saer Ze was chosen as one of the 50 Gorgeous People on Female Magazine in 2003.

-Saer Ze was one of the four faces of McDonald's 'Ayam Goreng' advert in 2002.

-Saer Ze was on the Gardenia Squiggles ad in 2003 as 'Squiggle Shanti'.

-Saer Ze was on Z.A. New York's promotional ads in 2004.

-Saer Ze was a Miss Bee Dees' 2004 finalist.

-Saer Ze was a semi-finalist in Ballina's Idol in Australia, 2004.

-Saer Ze was crowned the Queen of Solid Gold in Byron Bay, Australia, 2004.

-Saer Ze was Malaysian Idol's Top 100 of 2005.


For more info and to sample her music:

www.saerze.com




Tell us what you think.

[uptowndragon]

Aliitle more on Saer Ze:


Saer Ze : Not Your Average Girl

(ShowTime!, New Sunday Times, April 17th 2005)


Singer and songwriter Saer Ze doesn’t just like making music, she likes making all kinds of it, discovers Foong Kah Chun.

Most musicians are happy being tied to a specific genre but not budding singer and songwriter Sarah Zainal, better known as Saer Ze. Over the last few years, she’s been doing shows in the scene, singing everything from rock to R&B. Her eclecticism doesn’t stop in just the different types of music she does; her demo tape had songs in Malay, English and Japanese.

“There’s so much diversity living in Kuala Lumpur. People of different races and cultures. Nowadays, you can find people from all over the world in Kl too. So how I make music tends to reflect how diverse we’ve become.” says Saer Ze.

That diversity is about to explode well beyond just little shows and a demo. She’s about to release a debut album in the coming months, tentatively called Shameless. “The title is supposed to be sarcastic, to make fun of some friends who jokingly called me that.”

Saer Ze’s music though, is no joke. The upcoming album was made while she was studying audio engineering in Australia. The eclecticism and cultural diversity exhibited before blossomed further during the recordings. There’s greater diversity this time compared to her demo too.

Of course, the album covers all sorts of music genres. This time, she explores drums ‘n bass, pop and even ethnic music.

I collaborated with people from all over the world while making the album, so this time, there’s all sorts of additional elements.” Saer Ze elaborates. This includes working with friends from Africa, Europe and of course, Australia.

It’s not just the music she does that reflects how diverse of a musician she can be. Her musical collaborations have been equally wide-ranging.

She did a duet with Sasi The Don on hit Smooching on The Dance Floor, singing in Japanese. She also worked with rap metal band Dragon Red for one of its songs.

“I have been told before to just stick to one music style, but I just cant do it,” she laments. “I also get really excited when I hear good music in different styles, it inspired me to want to do that too.”

You wouldn’t be too far off the tracks if you’re thinking Gwen Stefani or Pink when you think about Saer Ze’s musical approach. Just like those artistes, she dabbles in all sorts of music styles and pulls them off well. Her actual influences thought are rather surprising.

“I look to Mahathir, KRU and Madonna. They all did things their way, in spite of whatever anyone else said, and managed to leave a respectable mark.”