I think she’s beautiful.

Never mind her voice cracked a couple times. Cos I heard her emotions as she sang the songs. I heard the songs that have playing on my iPod for the past few months. I heard the nuances in her voice which was absolutely heart wrenching.

Plus I bought tickets on the 5th row (Row E) and was seated where I could see her almost in front of me when she sat at the piano.

I know the songs on Happenstance so well that when the drummer started the intro for the first song and she hadn’t arrived on stage yet, I already knew they were gonna start with Letter Read. I cried when she sang Be Be Your Love cos the song means a lot to me. I had it on repeat for the longest time!

The concert started getting interesting when a guy in the crowd yelled, ‘Rachael, I love you!’ (it should’ve been me but I lost my voice over the week and was unable to yell) That prompted Rachael to say,

‘Can I get your phone number??’

She was so wickedly real. That sheepish, girly grin along with that sexy husky voice…. sigh.

Her sense of humour, her banter with the band, her banter with the crowd.

Her making fun of her cigarette smoking/banning campaign when her voice cracked. Her describing her voice cracking as ‘a boy going through puberty’.

Her saying that after her swearing a little, people might stop comparing her to Nora Jones.

Her being overwhelmed that Singapore knew the words to her songs.

Her promise to come back to do a full concert.

I eagerly await her next album and I HAVE TO go to that next concert! She is soooo worth missing a night of work.

I heart Rachael Yamagata.

Get a tattoo cos you want it to mean something to you for the rest of your life.

Or…

Remove it cos you just broke up with Winona and it ain’t forever after all…

Visit http://kustoms7tattoos.multiply.com for more info on tattoos or tattoo removal.

We think tattoos are cool. Only one member of The UnXpected has been inked.

Can you tell us who?

I have to say you guys really rocked tonight.

You don’t know how much positive energy we felt as you guys sang along, screamed, danced and rocked with us.

I am so grateful for a crowd as happening as y’all.

I am also grateful for the hardworking guys in The UnXpected.

I am also happy to announce that recording for my album Newfound Jealousy has been completed, the tracks mixed and will be sent for mastering in a matter of days. The hard work of the guys and girls behind the music,the strong support from management and the vision of the producers and arrangers have been the driving force for me to complete the album the best I could. Being the irritating self-critic that I am, as I listened to the tracks in Snakeweed Studio yesterday, I kept telling myself ‘this could have been better’, ‘I should have done it that way’, ‘how come I sound lidaaaaat?‘. :p

I gotta say, peeps. Recording is a whole different ball-game for me. I have been so used to performing live, being in the studio was the most humbling experience ever. I hope this will be a good beginning, that I can learn from this experience and to make the next one even better. Haha.

The cycle goes on. I need more inspiration! Tell me your stories!

The official launch will be on 7th April 2007 at Esplanade Outdoor Theatre. Details soon!

Next week I get to watch Rachael Yamagata in concert, it would be a year after opening for Jason Mraz back in 17th March 2006. This time I get to sit on the OTHER side of the concert hall…

Here is a story I would like to tell you..as I didn’t really go into details about my feelings on that day last year. I remember it like it was yesterday, as I walked towards Harry’s Bar just after a meal at Thai Express with Rene, Colin and Joan, I was filled with excitement and the size of the butterflies in my stomach was ridiculous. It was gonna be my first time ever as an opening act, and OMG I was opening for JASON MRAZ. I was going over the show in my head over and over again when I received a call that would reduce me to tears. It was Elaine, and she passed on the message that Papa Jack had passed away.

All the months of hoping for a cure had come to an end. All the memories of his stage presence, stage antics, smiles, words and his voice, came rushing back to me. I stood in the middle of the pathway and suddenly Mraz wasn’t so important anymore. I was sad that I was so far away from him when he left. I was angry that there was nothing to be done to save him.

I was lost.

Then I was forced to snap out of it.

The show must go on.

I did the show, in my heart I was dedicating the event to Papa Jack. He would have been so proud of me. I remember when I was starting out, when I was just another fat girl with a little dream to sing with a live band. How he would pull me up on stage to jam with his band, Isprikitik. I remember how we used to muck around and laugh out loud. I remember how proud he was of his three children. I remember how he inspired me to be as confident as I can when I am on stage.

I remember how he sounded so much like Freddy Mercury. I remember my favourite song that Papa Jack covered was Don’t Stop Me Now.

Today, when I sing that song I sing it in honour of two men. Freddy, and Papa Jack.

As I read a comment left by Kuya Mel, I am reminded this post received a lot of comments and wishes and to this day I am grateful for all the kind people who stopped by to leave their comments.

I’m happy to still be in touch with Elaine, Masha and Joey. It was so good to see you guys at Timbre last week.

I miss you Papa Jack…Rock on, wherever you are!