LAST night, I had the chance to see eight people vying for four places in the race to fill in the job description of Radio DJ. This was probably the most fun job interview I’ve ever been to (including my own, which weren’t fun at all).
Tag Archive for 'Rachel Liang'
SO anyway, I received the news that Rachel Liang, that dimunitive Taiwanese singer with the voice was back with a new album. Just for fun, I took the Chinese press release and Google Translated it. And this is what it looks like translated (just the headlines)…
Rachel happy dazzling results Back to Basics “Valentine x friend” was released two weeks of amazing momentum
Five records, Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone sit tight in the second place
Package under one three three Korean drama theme song is like a new generation of spokesmen
Red and let in 514 overseas brothers and sisters went to Hong Kong and Eric, Kay Tse singing the same stage
Casio 30 million contract to spend the new currency is the new State Street subway overwhelming Rachel
The first attempt to form mature extravagance Rachel: “I feel very special, like my mother.”
522,529 to start in the autograph album of three north-south into every corner of Taiwan will be happy
Yes, indeed.
That’s the kind of buzz this album has generated. Of course, some re-translating might be in order here. And using my rather pathetic skills in reading Mandarin, I’ve managed to decipher that…
Rachel Liang’s new album is called Valentine x Friend (or Back To Basics) and was released to great hubbab, and it raced up the charts in Taiwan. Rachel also went to Hong Kong and performed in a show that also featured Kay Tse and “King Brother” Eric.
Her Casio endorsement contract was also renewed to a tune of S$30 million (see first picture). And when she saw the ads looking so elegantly mature, she said it reminded her of her mother, whom she reckons as a special lady, before adding “I miss her”. Aw. Any hoot, she’s going to hit the road to promote the album with autograph sessions and showcases. So look out for that, I suppose.
Or just look at this…
Hey there,
Just received word about some other gigs popping up…
RACHEL LIANG WEN YIN (below). Jan 30, 6.30pm at the Lunar Asian Fusion Bar. This petite Taiwanese singer is best known for her ballads, but this time round she’ll be backed by the Lunar band, and they’ve promised this showcase will be a rockin’ show. Will it? Won’t it? Only one way to find out!
DELIVERANCE. Jan 29, 4pm onwards at the Arts House. A charity show featuring a whole bunch of Singapore’s top and up-and-coming Chinese rock and pop acts, including Elyzia, Bliss, CrackerJack, The Silent Killers, Blindfold Hero, Shotgun Start and more. All profits from this show go to the Children’s Cancer Foundation. Tickets: $14 at the door.
NOISE POP! VOL. 2. Jan 30, 5pm at Home Club. Organised by Chang Kang from local band TypeWriter, this gig has been described thusly: ”A-Go-Go to the foot stomping, hip twisting, heart breaking beat! Be fueled by the shimmering, hypnotic sounds of TypeWriter, Midnight Marvel, The Karl Maka, Quasimodo, Cheating Sons, Shelves, Moods and The Pinholes! Who knows, by the end of the night you might just fall in love all over again with your old favourites, or grow a brand new crush?! Ah, the dizzy days of a blossoming relationship between fan and band”. Generally, I guess if you like to catch some of Singapore’s indie acts in, er, action, then this is the gig to see. Tickets: $15 at the door, includes one (1) drink.
SO as it turned out, the 15th Singapore Hit Awards, or SHA, should have been renamed the S.H.E. awards, seeing as the babelicious Taiwanese trio picked up four – count ‘em, four – awards Friday night.
(Okay, they were pipped to the post by Mayday, who picked up FIVE – one for each member – but then my pun wouldn’t have worked as well.)
Anyway, babesome threesome, who were also in town to launch the Osim uKimono, picked up trophies for Best Group, Most Versatile Artist, Asia Media Award (Group) and Oustanding Regional Artiste (Taiwan).
- Too hot to handle (from left): Hebe, Ella and Selina of S.H.E.
Other big winners included Rachel Liang (below) and Tanya Chua (three each) and Lala Hsu, Jam Hsiao, Kelvin Tan and Jay Chou (two each).
As expected Rachel picked up a not only the Most Popular Newcomer and the Meritorious Newcomer awards, but in a surprise move, also picked up the Most Popular Female Artiste award.
- Rachel Liang belting it out
Tanya (below), on the other hand, was feted for her outstanding achievement to local music, and also picked up an award for Best Local Lyrics. It was, she said, gratifying for her because writing in Mandarin wasn’t her strongest suit.
However, if there was an award for Most Succint Artiste, it would have gone to Jam Hsiao.
- Jam Hsiao: Tall in height, short on words
The good-looking singer, who is known for his economical use of language, was the butt of many jibes. The show’s presenters joked that they were promised $50 for every word he uttered. And even then they couldn’t even make more than a couple of hundred.
Even when presenting the awards, Jam was tight-lipped. “Good evening. Here are the nominees,” he intoned before the video clips for the Meritorious Newcomer Awards started. And after: “The winner is Liang Wenyin… Lala Hsu… Huang Jing Lun… Zhang Yun Jing.” Don’t think about a career as a public speaker anytime soon, Jam.
There were a few interesting moments, particularly those involving Yes 933FM DJ Dennis Chew’s turn as Auntie Lucy, although admittedly, it always strikes me as psycho creepy whenever he does that.
Still, he had his arms full, literally, when S.H.E.’s Ella decided to jump him. We’re not sure who was more shocked, but we’re thinking it was co-presenter Michelle Chong.
And when JJ Lin (below) won the Best Local Artiste award, he sent back a text message to his fans, explaining his absence: He was in Los Angeles mixing his new album, which is expected to be out next month.
There were gaffs too. The video projections failed to live up to the occasion more than once, but overall, everybody – from fans to er, more fans, alike – had a good enough time. And maybe next year, we’ll hear Jam actually say something more than just sound bites.
Anyway, here’s the full list of winners…
Album Of The Year: Poetry Of The Day After Spring, Mayday
Best Album Producer: Jay Chou
Best Single Producer: Edward Chan, Charles Lee, Khalil Fong
Best Local Lyrics: Shi Nian, Tanya Chua
Best Local Composition: Ru Yan, Olivia Ong (below)
Best Local Artiste: JJ Lin
Best Male Vocalist: Jam Hsiao
Best Female Vocalist: A-mei
Best Group: S.H.E.
Best Band: Mayday
Best Composing Artiste: Sodagreen
Meritorious Newcomer: Rachel Liang, Lala Hsu, Huang Jin Lun, Zhang Yun Jing
- Zhang Yun Jing (left) and Rachel Liang
Most Popular Male Artiste: Jam Hsiao
Most Popular Female Artiste: Rachel Liang
Popular Group/Band: Mayday
Most Popular Newcomer: Rachel Liang
YES 933FM Pick of the Pops Award - Single of the Year: Heartbeat, Wang Lee Hom
YES 933FM Pick of the Pops Award - Artiste with Most Chart Hits: Mayday
Asia Media Award (Male Artiste): Jay Chou
Asia Media Award (Female Artiste): Tanya Chua
Asia Media Award (Band): Mayday (below)
Asia Media Award (Group): S.H.E.
Outstanding Regional Artiste Award (Mainland China): Zhou Bi Zhang
Outstanding Regional Artiste Award (Hong Kong): Eason Chan
Outstanding Regional Artiste Award (Taiwan): S.H.E.
Outstanding Regional Artiste Award (Malaysia): Fish Leong
Inspirational Award (Local Media’s Choice): Kelvin Tan (below)
Outstanding Local Music Achievement Award: Tanya Chua
Most Versatile Artiste of the Year Award: S.H.E.
Most Acclaimed Artiste of the Year Award: Fahrenheit
Courts MV Award: Kelvin Tan
i-weekly Dazzling Newcomer Award: Lala Hsu
(Thanks to Yes 933FM for the pictures.)
