SINGAPORE : Ask Alarice Thio seven years back where she would see herself in 2008, chances are she would not have replied ‘singer’.
“I actually didn’t know I could sing until I moved to Australia,” said the well-travelled singer/song-writer who lived her childhood in India,Dubai, Jakarta, Japan and Singapore.
Fast forward to today, the doe-eyed 22-year-old Australian-basedsinger, whose parents are Singaporeans, is making waves in Sydney andthe regions around for being able to bring a lush, intimate appeal to her vocal delivery.
Alarice said she only began to take notice of her talent when she was 14 or 15 years old, "I was singing the Pocahontas song ‘Just Around the River Band’ while canoeing in Kangaroo Valley and my friends told me I could sing."
And now the song bird is performing is in town with her fellow Sydney-based singer, Deb Fung as part of their Asian tour of Malaysia,Hong Kong and Singapore.
Best known for her acoustic pop-flavoured melodies, Deb has the ability to evoke soul-searching and thought-provoking moments with her honest and inspiring lyrics.
Music is no stranger to the 29-year-old singer/songwriter who has been performing and singing in church and school choirs since she was eight.
It was during her high school years that she started writing music and “just enjoyed being creative”.
Her tertiary years presented her with more opportunities to perform onstage and due to the sheer satisfaction garnered from making music, she decided to pursue it as her career.
That is not to say the girl does not get stage fright!
“I still get nervous every time though. It is usually during and after (the performance) that is enjoyable, before that is not fun,”shared Deb.
It is no surprise that the two ladies threw out names of fellow female acoustic singer/song-writers such as Jewel, Colbie Caillat and Marie Digby as their music inspirations.
“She has brilliant lyrics,” said Alarice of another singer/song-writer New-Zealander Brooke Fraser.
And that too is something listeners would say of both Alarice and Deb’s songs for their lyrics are written out of experiences.
“(This way), it is more real,” said Alarice.
More than just listening pleasure, penning down their own lyrics gives them a chance to share their personal causes.
“With music, there is amazing power in bringing out a communicative message,” shared Deb. “(I am) just trying to encourage people that they can make a difference when they come together.”
"I wrote a song particularly for one of the organisations that I amworking with which is doing a lot of AIDS and HIV work in Asia andChina. Both Alarice and I are working in Australia raising funds,raising awareness, and on the ground too in China," said Deb.
Writing their own music also helps healing, said Deb as shere called an incident where she was attacked in her own home three years ago, "(Writing music) helps the healing process as it helps to express what is really deep down... you can share much more in a song than in person."
So as Asians, was it tough trying to break into the music scene in Australia?
“In Australia, the independent scene is a really growing scene. The markets are so diverse and everbody likes a different genre of music.So it’s about finding a target audience and knowing how to reach them and where to play. I guess it really starts off with the friends that you have... I've got Australian friends and Asian-Chinese friends and so bringing them all together crosses that barrier,” said Deb.
For Alarice, her greatest worry is the stigma that is placed upon her just because she is Asian.
“But if you are good at your craft, you have a unique selling point,” she said.
Well, the dynamic duo definitely do not have to worry about that!
If you would like to have a moment of reflection while being serenaded by the beautiful vocals of the talented duo, head down to Timbre @ Old School at Mount Sophia on Wednesday. Deb and Alarice will be playing a set from 9pm onwards.
Aussie Aces Alarice and Deb Fung – two talented girls with Asian roots and anAustralian upbringing – will play catchy, carefree and energeticacoustic ‘fun girl power songs’ at Backstage this fortnight. They talkto bc on culture, music and who starts the fight.
On how cultural identity influences their music Deb: There’s a natural ease and connection that comes from us bothbeing of Asian descent and tackling the Australian industry. Throughgrowing up in so many countries, Alarice is quite ‘universal’ and has away of adapting very well into the culture she’s living in. Australiais an interesting place to develop as an artist, as it has so manycultures and groups. I feel that gives us freedom in the music wecreate as there is such a spread of musical tastes and genres. It meanswe don’t conform first to what the prevailing demand is – rather weeach make our music and see who takes to it. It will be interesting tosee how Hong Kong and China receive the music and how those countrieswill move and rub off on us too!
On two girls touring together – and who usually starts the fight Alarice: Deb usually starts it. Just kidding. I suppose it’s likespending a lot of time with your sibling; issues do come up and thereare times that we might disagree. But the best thing about working withDeb is that she is very mature and we’re able to iron out the problemslike civilized people. No catfights!
Deb: Ah yes… What relationship doesn’t have it’s up and downs! We havedefinitely had our moments and sometimes it does get complicated withme in a dual role as co-performer and her manager. So our quarrels havemainly been around resolving any conflicts of interest more than whowants to play lead and who wants to sing back up! We both appreciateeach other’s styles and strengths and I think, as long as we stayfocused on giving a great performance rather than who is this or that,we will avoid a lot of unnecessary quarreling. In the instance that wedo disagree though… hmm… I would generally let Alarice have the say,provided that she’s willing to take the fall if she’s wrong! Unless, ofcourse, I feel as manager her decision will be disastrous for hercareer or reputation!
On an Australian accent Alarice: Deb’s got a great Aussie accent because she was born and bredin Australia! I’ve lived in Australia for the past seven years so, yes,I’ve picked up the accent a bit, but people tell me I still retain my‘international’ accent – a cross between American, Aussie andSingaporean!
Deb: What do you mean? Australians don’t have an accent! Do they?
Catch the two girls on December 17 for their Monsoon Tour December 08at Backstage. The show starts at 9pm and – hooray – entry is free.
Life! Straits Times
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