[music] Songwriters' Round

Date: 18 Sept 2005, Sunday
Time: 9:30pm
Venue: Denise the Wine Shop (map)
Tickets: RM15, inclusive of first glass

Kuching's first ever Songwriters' Round is happening at Denise the Wine Shop, Ground Floor, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, on Sept 18 at 9:30pm.

This format of musical performance normally consists of 3 or 4 performers, and has the casual atmosphere of a person playing for his friends in his living room. The performer is also expected to talk about his/her song before singing.

Songwriters' Round is a concept made famous at the legendary Blue Bird Café in Nashville. It has taken off in various parts of the world, including Kuala Lumpur, as a popular means of showcasing the work of songwriters.

The line up of performers this weekend include Gary Leo, Rueben Maran and Owen Nicholas.

GARY LEO is the principle songwriter behind the popular local indie band Evenstarr. His songs have propelled Evenstarr towards both critical and commercial success in the local music scene. The band is now acknowledged as one of the most promising indie acts in Malaysia and Leo is revered as its mastermind.

Blessed with a sublime sense of melody, Gary's songs are packed with infectious hooks, catchy verses and soaring choruses, without ever having to sacrifice emotional qualities of the song, be it ecstatic joy or heartache or even rejoicing in the existance of a divine power. Gary writes in both Malay and English.

REUBEN MARAN is one of Malaysia's upcoming songwriters. Having grown up in Kuala Lumpur, Reuben recently moved to Kuching to take advantage of the peace and quiet to concentrate on writing material for his debut album. He has played in various bands like Dorian in KL.

His music is often dark and provoking. He contemplates life in his songs, often mixing its beauty and anguish while translating it into a piece of sonic revelry. As a very competent technical guitarist, Reuben creates memorable riffs and melodies which are sophisticated yet immediate accessible.

OWEN NICHOLAS is the singer-songwriter in its most basic sense. Equipped with no more than a guitar and pick, Owen has gigged in Kuching and London over the past year, picking up a solid following in the process.

His songs are the epitome of intimate songwriting, with a classic portrayal of vulnerability within a poetic context. The emotions that belie Owen's songs range from love to hate and from infatuation to disappointment. Often very passionate on stage, Owen is a throughly engaging performer.

This event is organised by Denise the Wine Shop and Owen Nicholas. Tickets are available at the door for RM15 each, inclusive of the first glass of wine.