Post by uptowndragon on Sept 1, 2017 10:23:01 GMT 7
Jiwa [Soul] - Various Artistes (29/8/17)
What does it take to be a Malaysian?
Semangat terpendam di dalam jiwa kita. The spirit ingrained in our souls.
Kita yang membentuk negara kesayangan ini.
Sempena sambutan Hari Merdeka yang ke-60 tanah air Malaysia.
Congratulations to Malaysia for successfully hosting and winning the 29th SEA Games.
We are proud to be amongst all of you.
Featured Artist (in sequence of performance):
Nigesh Armon from Armon
Endee Ahmad
Aina Abdul
Chanelle Gabrielle Guerzo
Otam
Joshua Jarrett from SOAP
Maha Jeffery from TMJB
JJ Fernandez
Ian Tai from The Propositions
Psytrus
Pip The Turtle
Adam Lewis Yates
Special Thanks for lending their voices:
Kong Choong Hong
Students of the University of Illinois, Bussiness School (hosted by Cynthia Wong)
Composed by :
Psytrus
Pip The Turtle
Adam Lewis Yates
Lyrics by :
Nigesh Armon
Produced By:
Pulse Soundworks
How To Get Your Copy:
1. A Free download link will be up on 4th September, 2017
2) On digital platform (Spotify, iTunes etc.) from 16th September, 2017.
FB: web.facebook.com/pulsesoundworks
Watch the audio YouTube here:
The Story Of The Song, From The Perspective Of The Lyricist Nigesh Armon:
"Now before I go into the story bits, I will say all pieces of music that any of us get to leave our mark on is a labor of pure passion and love. This one is no different. All of us whom were involved in this project may have had different personal reasons, but the meaning of this song I believe rings true for all of us.
The birthing point of of this project was when the whole team at Pulse Soundworks knew early this year we were going to be involved in the SEAGames2017 in some way or another. As we were gearing up for it, our big big boss of Pulse Soundworks (though he shall not be named) gave Madan Theertha Pathy (aka Psytrus) and myself a challenge; gather some of the musicians of our scene and generation, create a song that represents us and lets try to pitch it as a possible theme song for the SEA Games. Its an outside chance, but we had the opportunity and ability to reach the right places if needed.
This was about the time Prthiv Ratnam (aka Pip, the Turtle), joined the Pulse Team and we were starting to set up our new studio at KD, which is now the brand spanking new Pulse Soundworks. So Pip, Madan and myself got to work on the song. We started listening to references like the X Ambassadors, Kanye West, Queen, Wheezer, Ella, Faizal Thair and so many more. The obvious; We definitely wanted this to be an anthem.
So Pip and Madan started on the music composition and I started on the lyrics. Every song I get to write is always an honor of mine and I knew when I started that this song had to have both the languages all Malaysians use to converse with each other over our multi-cultural divides; Malay and English. During this process Adam Lewis Yates jumped in to compose and lay in the bass line as well.
As we composed, wrote and arranged the song, our emotion and the meaning of this song started taking shape. Yes it is true. We did see it as a big ticket to put something in for a huge sporting event with a lot of visibility towards us. We would be liars if we said otherwise. But what became more evident is we wanted to make a song that is not only going to be used for this game and discarded, but something that will be a memory milestone of this generation of Malaysian music. Representing our Malaysian spirit for those of us walking the streets, working the halls, and living the moments in this country now. I remember the day when we had the record ready arrangement, we got into the studio and recorded the scratch vocal track to see if it all fits. The feeling we had was not the thought that this is gonna be a bonafide hit. The feeling was, this is true, this is real, this is a song representing who we feel we are in this place we call home.
We were coming into May 2017 at this point. The person officially commissioned to compose the official SEA Games song had not delivered anything, and out big big boss told us, "Its a good chance guys".
Came the next challenge of getting the artist who are gonna feature on the song. We did think of some big name veterans and did think of contacting some of them to come on the track. Again, we'd be liars if we said otherwise. Big name, big pull right? Nope. We reminded ourselves what this song was supposed to mean and knew from experience whomever who walks in the studio door are usually the right ones. I laid down, my raps on the first verse and the tandem rap verse. Pip, Madan, Adam and myself laid some of the backing vocals. Then came all the wonderful and talented musicians / artist who heard this songs story from us, believed in the message, came in to lend it not only their voice but also their heart. Endee Ahmad, Aina Abdul, Chanelle Gabrielle Guerzo, Otam Bin Abdul Rashid, Joshua Jarrett Ganesan, Maha Jeffery, Kong Choong Hoong, JJ Onair and Ian Tai. All legends to us.
Personally, it is one thing to write the lyrics for a song. But it is something else when you get to experience others, taking your lyrics, making it their own and delivering it as the words of their own in song. This is why I have the belief that words can have a small effect of moving a spec of dust, that can move a mountain.
Once we got all those layers, we needed one more element in this song. A crowd to chant the main hook of the song. This is where the beautiful Cynthiã Wõng comes in. We started working together via her Unleashing Your Genius: Monthly Poetry & Music series [ You definitely have to check it out when the next series is up next month]. She needed some help to host and give a talk to the Year 1 and 2 students from her old University of Illinois, Business School somewhere in late May. The whole Pulse team was excited to have them over, but we wanted to share more then our stories with them. We wanted to share the music and true spirit of this country with them when they came over. They may have been from America, but one of the real, true, albeit naive but innocent core tenant of Malaysia is inclusion. So we suggested and they agreed; We live recorded them doing the chant when they dropped by. Students and teachers, who were filling up the entire space of our new KD studio, joining in chanting on a song for Malaysia. Knowing that they are leaving a mark that will be remembered.
From there on, another one of the team from Pulse Soundworks, Gillian Yapjumped to start engineering, editing and mixing this song. Pip was adding in more musical elements into this song and partnering Madan in producing the complete picture of this song.
To this point, the experience and journey this song was bringing us on and me personally was something I truly appreciated. To say I never expected it would be obvious. Every new song is a new experience. Each one with its own lessons. Yeah we did submit the song for consideration way before the officially commissioned one was even ready for listening, reaching the SEA Games Committees ears with very positive feedback but ultimately not being selected for various (I shall not go there) reasons. But that was not the whole point of this song. We realized, it may have started with that, but that's not what this song stands for.
I am jaded citizen of this country. I have been for awhile. We all know the stories, the ill treatments, the problems, the unfairness and at times the blatant criminality of what this country can be. But under the black oily surface, which is hard to get through unscathed, lies clear waters. Waters which can truly reveal what this country and the people who make this country can be capable of. It also shows how welcoming and inclusive we can be to everyone; regardless a tourist, kids on a university trip or an international contingent coming over to compete in the games. It not about just being the champion in medals, honors and titles. Its about being a champion as a human being. It is about being a champion for our home. Rising together to make it a country.
For me, living this experience, I walk away being apart of the wonderful people whom have the honor of presenting this song to you that much more fuller with life and the spirit that makes Malaysia what it actually is.
I hope you find a similar if not better experience through the music and words of this song.
- Nigesh Armon"
TAGS: #JiwaSoul #KitaJuara #BangkitBersama #KL2017 #PulseSoundworks #Merdeka #Malaysia
What does it take to be a Malaysian?
Semangat terpendam di dalam jiwa kita. The spirit ingrained in our souls.
Kita yang membentuk negara kesayangan ini.
Sempena sambutan Hari Merdeka yang ke-60 tanah air Malaysia.
Congratulations to Malaysia for successfully hosting and winning the 29th SEA Games.
We are proud to be amongst all of you.
Featured Artist (in sequence of performance):
Nigesh Armon from Armon
Endee Ahmad
Aina Abdul
Chanelle Gabrielle Guerzo
Otam
Joshua Jarrett from SOAP
Maha Jeffery from TMJB
JJ Fernandez
Ian Tai from The Propositions
Psytrus
Pip The Turtle
Adam Lewis Yates
Special Thanks for lending their voices:
Kong Choong Hong
Students of the University of Illinois, Bussiness School (hosted by Cynthia Wong)
Composed by :
Psytrus
Pip The Turtle
Adam Lewis Yates
Lyrics by :
Nigesh Armon
Produced By:
Pulse Soundworks
How To Get Your Copy:
1. A Free download link will be up on 4th September, 2017
2) On digital platform (Spotify, iTunes etc.) from 16th September, 2017.
FB: web.facebook.com/pulsesoundworks
Watch the audio YouTube here:
The Story Of The Song, From The Perspective Of The Lyricist Nigesh Armon:
"Now before I go into the story bits, I will say all pieces of music that any of us get to leave our mark on is a labor of pure passion and love. This one is no different. All of us whom were involved in this project may have had different personal reasons, but the meaning of this song I believe rings true for all of us.
The birthing point of of this project was when the whole team at Pulse Soundworks knew early this year we were going to be involved in the SEAGames2017 in some way or another. As we were gearing up for it, our big big boss of Pulse Soundworks (though he shall not be named) gave Madan Theertha Pathy (aka Psytrus) and myself a challenge; gather some of the musicians of our scene and generation, create a song that represents us and lets try to pitch it as a possible theme song for the SEA Games. Its an outside chance, but we had the opportunity and ability to reach the right places if needed.
This was about the time Prthiv Ratnam (aka Pip, the Turtle), joined the Pulse Team and we were starting to set up our new studio at KD, which is now the brand spanking new Pulse Soundworks. So Pip, Madan and myself got to work on the song. We started listening to references like the X Ambassadors, Kanye West, Queen, Wheezer, Ella, Faizal Thair and so many more. The obvious; We definitely wanted this to be an anthem.
So Pip and Madan started on the music composition and I started on the lyrics. Every song I get to write is always an honor of mine and I knew when I started that this song had to have both the languages all Malaysians use to converse with each other over our multi-cultural divides; Malay and English. During this process Adam Lewis Yates jumped in to compose and lay in the bass line as well.
As we composed, wrote and arranged the song, our emotion and the meaning of this song started taking shape. Yes it is true. We did see it as a big ticket to put something in for a huge sporting event with a lot of visibility towards us. We would be liars if we said otherwise. But what became more evident is we wanted to make a song that is not only going to be used for this game and discarded, but something that will be a memory milestone of this generation of Malaysian music. Representing our Malaysian spirit for those of us walking the streets, working the halls, and living the moments in this country now. I remember the day when we had the record ready arrangement, we got into the studio and recorded the scratch vocal track to see if it all fits. The feeling we had was not the thought that this is gonna be a bonafide hit. The feeling was, this is true, this is real, this is a song representing who we feel we are in this place we call home.
We were coming into May 2017 at this point. The person officially commissioned to compose the official SEA Games song had not delivered anything, and out big big boss told us, "Its a good chance guys".
Came the next challenge of getting the artist who are gonna feature on the song. We did think of some big name veterans and did think of contacting some of them to come on the track. Again, we'd be liars if we said otherwise. Big name, big pull right? Nope. We reminded ourselves what this song was supposed to mean and knew from experience whomever who walks in the studio door are usually the right ones. I laid down, my raps on the first verse and the tandem rap verse. Pip, Madan, Adam and myself laid some of the backing vocals. Then came all the wonderful and talented musicians / artist who heard this songs story from us, believed in the message, came in to lend it not only their voice but also their heart. Endee Ahmad, Aina Abdul, Chanelle Gabrielle Guerzo, Otam Bin Abdul Rashid, Joshua Jarrett Ganesan, Maha Jeffery, Kong Choong Hoong, JJ Onair and Ian Tai. All legends to us.
Personally, it is one thing to write the lyrics for a song. But it is something else when you get to experience others, taking your lyrics, making it their own and delivering it as the words of their own in song. This is why I have the belief that words can have a small effect of moving a spec of dust, that can move a mountain.
Once we got all those layers, we needed one more element in this song. A crowd to chant the main hook of the song. This is where the beautiful Cynthiã Wõng comes in. We started working together via her Unleashing Your Genius: Monthly Poetry & Music series [ You definitely have to check it out when the next series is up next month]. She needed some help to host and give a talk to the Year 1 and 2 students from her old University of Illinois, Business School somewhere in late May. The whole Pulse team was excited to have them over, but we wanted to share more then our stories with them. We wanted to share the music and true spirit of this country with them when they came over. They may have been from America, but one of the real, true, albeit naive but innocent core tenant of Malaysia is inclusion. So we suggested and they agreed; We live recorded them doing the chant when they dropped by. Students and teachers, who were filling up the entire space of our new KD studio, joining in chanting on a song for Malaysia. Knowing that they are leaving a mark that will be remembered.
From there on, another one of the team from Pulse Soundworks, Gillian Yapjumped to start engineering, editing and mixing this song. Pip was adding in more musical elements into this song and partnering Madan in producing the complete picture of this song.
To this point, the experience and journey this song was bringing us on and me personally was something I truly appreciated. To say I never expected it would be obvious. Every new song is a new experience. Each one with its own lessons. Yeah we did submit the song for consideration way before the officially commissioned one was even ready for listening, reaching the SEA Games Committees ears with very positive feedback but ultimately not being selected for various (I shall not go there) reasons. But that was not the whole point of this song. We realized, it may have started with that, but that's not what this song stands for.
I am jaded citizen of this country. I have been for awhile. We all know the stories, the ill treatments, the problems, the unfairness and at times the blatant criminality of what this country can be. But under the black oily surface, which is hard to get through unscathed, lies clear waters. Waters which can truly reveal what this country and the people who make this country can be capable of. It also shows how welcoming and inclusive we can be to everyone; regardless a tourist, kids on a university trip or an international contingent coming over to compete in the games. It not about just being the champion in medals, honors and titles. Its about being a champion as a human being. It is about being a champion for our home. Rising together to make it a country.
For me, living this experience, I walk away being apart of the wonderful people whom have the honor of presenting this song to you that much more fuller with life and the spirit that makes Malaysia what it actually is.
I hope you find a similar if not better experience through the music and words of this song.
- Nigesh Armon"
TAGS: #JiwaSoul #KitaJuara #BangkitBersama #KL2017 #PulseSoundworks #Merdeka #Malaysia
