Hi Bihzhu! Share more about yourself to our readers.
I’m a Penang-born-and-bred singer-songwriter, and a lover of Life!
Tell us your journey as a singer-songwriter! How did you first discover your passion for music?
I remember as a kid, I listened to a lot of my dad’s tapes of The Brothers Four and Peter, Paul, and Mary and singing along. One day my neighbour stopped me in the street and told me he liked my voice, and I was so embarrassed! I didn’t think anyone was listening.
I never thought much of my voice honestly, until college when I formed a pop-jazz band Rhapsody with my mate and my adventure started from there. Was in the reggae/dub band Layan Sound System for a bit, before becoming a full-fledged solo artiste in 2011.
Describe your singing style!
This is a toughie. I’m not sure if I have a style per se, rather, when I sing, I relax, declare myself a channel for Love and let the music come through as honestly and as purely as it can.
We’ve seen videos where you pick random words & make it into a song – what a talent! Tell us the creative process of that.
That’s a funny one. I loved this song ‘Our World’ by Soom T and the Dub Masters, and I wanted to cover it for a show. But I couldn’t understand 75% of what the vocalists was saying, and the band’s so obscure Google couldn’t help me out either. So I told my bandmates that I was going to just make up the words, and practiced by making them give me random words during rehearsal and it just happened from there.
Ever since then, every time I perform that song, I let the audience give me words, it doesn’t always succeed but I feel it keeps me sharp creatively, and it’s fun for the audience.
Recently, I did a Facebook Live video doing that because I was waiting for a show to start and I was bored! People seem to love it, so I might consider doing it more regularly.
Any inspiring advice to all budding singers out there?
Be patient. It takes a lot of hard work to be good at your craft, and if you’re willing to put in the time, sweat, and tears, then you will see the results, just not immediately.
I’ve been making music for 12 years and I still feel like I’m just starting out all the time! I like to say ‘The more I learn, the more I realise I don’t know anything!’ .
And most of all, be grateful for EVERYTHING that comes your way. That is the secret to happiness and success.
Photo by Robin Wong
We love your music! Share more about the inspiration behind your songs!
Oh thank you! I write only what I know, so what you hear is essentially little moments of my life, that stood out in my consciousness, and they begged to be told.
What is a typical day in your daily life?
I don’t really have a typical day. Sometimes I’ll be running around from morning till night with rehearsals, gigs, shoots. Or you’ll find me reading and Netflix-ing for a whole day. I try to do what feels right for me moment by moment, so it’s never boring!
Do you have any local idols that you look up to?
I think I’m a huge fan of Ray Rozells, he’s a veteran of the music scene, and the way he brings the stage to life every time he performs is inspiring. I’d like to be like him at his age.
Any life mottos?
I’ll share my favourite quote with you, something that I try to live by, it’s by the spiritual guru Harold Klemp:
“Creativity, bountifulness, and gratitude, go hand in hand.”
Who is your all time inspiration in life?
Honestly, I don’t have one. I think there is no perfect human out there, but there are many people whose actions have spoken of the depth of their character and I try to learn from all of them.
What is the ideal weekend for you?
A good meal with my loved ones, some relaxing in the water.
Tell us what makes you smile the most?
Love, love makes me smile – when humans show each other their humanity and share their love with each other and to each other – that always gets me.
Other than singing, will you venture to something else?
Currently, I’m also curating bands for venues and events, so that seems like a natural progression from my love for music.
