Monthly Archives: October 2008

Song: “Two Ladies” (dedicated to Tan Kheng Hua & Lim Yu-beng)

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This song was inspired after a jam session at the home of Singaporean theatrical talents, Tan Kheng Hua & Lim Yu-beng.
Tan Kheng Hua & Lim Yu-Beng
I’m not making this up, we really met them!

But first, the song: TWO LADIES Listen/ download at ARCHIVE.ORG

Why call the song “Two Ladies”?
Because it was inspired by a photo that Kheng Hua showed us, as she explained about the play. It’s a play “about the possibilities between two people in a budget hotel room“.

So ripe with innuendos, right? LOL

And one of those “two people” she showed in a series of photos was a set with two ladies.

Oh hey, I just found out that Kheng Hua has a blog!

Here’s the photo of the “two ladies”:


“Duet” by Eleanor Wong
Two old friends, a new song and loads of baggage to work out before they hit the right notes.
Starring Karen Lim and Serene Chen

I remember Kheng Hua saying the two ladies being good friends, living their own separate lives, only to find themselves at a point where they need to re-look at life. They aren’t lesbians or lovers.

OK, I must qualify that I can’t really remember verbatim what Kheng Hua explained about the play. I remember more about the feeling from looking at those photos AND hearing Adrian tentatively strum the basic Em/ D chords that evening. Those chords would eventually form the basis for the song.

Speaking of here’s a plug for their upcoming play (information provided by Kheng Hua):

“Do Not Disturb – Late Checkout, Please.”
Tickets at $35, available from Sistic from end October 2008.

Opens 18 Dec 2008, at Esplanade Theatre Studio.

Four New Stories About What Happens To Two People In A Budget Hotel Room!

Rated R(A)

Directed by Tan Kheng Hua and Produced by Tan Kheng Hua and Janice Koh

We dedicate the song “Two Ladies” to you, Kheng Hua and Yu-Beng. May your play have a good run!

p.s. I just realised there’s lots of “twos” in this post: “Kheng Hua and Yu-Beng”, “Two Ladies”, “Couples in a budget hotel”. To our friends reading this post — please don’t even try to picture Adrian and Ivan in a budget hotel room! That’ll be so uncool. lol
The Musicians ~ (L – R) Ivan Chew & Adrian Loo

Liz Clark

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What is it about this song that made me listen to it three five times (and still counting)???

Her slightly raspy singing? (i.e. sexy-raspy!)

That her vocals remind me a little of Sarah McLachlan?

The chord progression? (sounds like minor shifting to major and back and forth)

The bluesy-rock electric guitar, melding with another guitar with a warmer soft-distort-growl?

Hmm…

Check out Liz Clark at www.lizclarkmusic.com
Liz Clark

And hat-tip to Terence for his interview with Liz Clark.

~ Ivan

Ronald Jenkees

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Ronald Jenkees.
I’m impressed.
I’m a new fan.

(Hat-tip to Spacecake).

Another solid performance:

From his About Page:

I’m not a savant or anything remotely related. Lots of people make assumptions, but I’m normal. I make videos to (hopefully) entertain, share my music, and encourage others to play even if they’re just getting started. No matter where you plan to take your music, I think it’s time well spent. Whether you’re hammering out “Mary Had a Little Lamb” or something crazy complicated, music can and should be fun. It’s such a constructive use of your time, even if you are doing simple stuff.

OK, I’m not just impressed.

I’m inspired.

Thank you, Ronald Jenkees.

~ Ivan

The Caffeinated Writer

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When a stranger uses an original Starfish Stories music for his podcast, it’s a “Woot!”

When he says he wants to adopt it as his permanent Intro and Outro for his podcast, and actually follows up on it — double Woot!

I just love these lines (from his podcast #1):

We woke up from the sleepy hangover haze of the 1990s, straight into the screaming morning horror of September 11, 2001…

The city of Philadelphia felt like a sack of wet farts baked in summer time sizzle. But we bore the heat, ignored the smell and pressed on anyway. Because that was what needed to be done.

Thanks for using the music, Frank.

~ Ivan