Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love
Listen to the music of the moment people dance and sing,
we're just one big family.
It's your God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love love

So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and laughed
I guess what I'm saying is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons
It's what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue

I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

Well no no, well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love love
Listen to the music of the moment come and dance with me
ah, la one big family ([2nd time:] ah, la happy family)
It's your God-forsaken right to be loved love love love

I won't hesitate no more
Oh no more no more no more
It's your God-forsaken right to be loved, I'm sure
Theres no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

B.

Bestärkt in dieser Annahme wurde ich durch die Versicherung dieses Freundes, bei dem es sich überraschenderweise um eine Freundin handelt, dass wir Freunde wären und nicht etwa mehr. Diese Versicherung hätte ich nicht gebraucht, aber bitte – vielleicht musste sie es sich ja auch nur selbst sagen. Wer weiß. Sie wird sich schon etwas dabei gedacht haben; genauso wie der plötzliche Kontaktabbruch einen nachvollziehbaren Hintergrund haben wird. So würde sie es zumindest auslegen, aber dazu kommt es vermutlich nie. Wie bereits gesagt, reicht es mir sozusagen, mich fortwährend zu melden und sie denkt offenbar nicht einmal daran. Freunde, das? Ich glaube, wohl doch nicht.

14 Euro und die Kosten für die Fahrscheine hat es mich letztlich noch gekostet, um das zu bemerken. Etwa so viel also, wie ich für „We sing. We dance. We steal things.“ von Jason Mraz bezahlt hab. An was ich mich mehr erfreuen kann, ist wohl vorstellbar. Trotzdem schade, irgendwie. Es tut mir auch ein wenig leid für mich. Ich ginge sogar so weit, zu sagen, dass ich enttäuscht bin, und das mal nicht von mir selbst. Aber viel eher frage ich mich, warum ich überhaupt noch drüber nachdenke. Ihr ist es doch auch egal. Meine Beerdigung könnte morgen sein und es bliebe egal.

Insofern.
Gute Nacht.

If you didn't catch Jason when he was touring the U.S. earlier this year, AOL has his show at the Highline Ballroom available to watch at Popeater.com. It's not as good as being there (you have to watch commercials), but it's not bad (the view is up close and unobstructed). Also, he starts off with "Plane", which is my favorite song (most days) and he plays it all stripped down (musically stripped, not naked), which I think is the only real way to hear it.

Tickets for the Fall 2008 U.S. and Canadian tour are still available. Check Ticketmaster.com, or visit Jason's tour page for all the cities and dates. Tour page, tour page, tour page is all the rage. What is it for page? Yes, the information to the tours page.

I like to visit the page just to listen to Jason sing the "Information Jason" song. And I like the way he says "If you look close enough... really close", like he's on Sesame Street and teaching us about the pollen in a flower.

Anyway, I already got my tickets in a mad flurry of spending, but I'll save those details for another time. When the guilt has faded. And the credit card bill has been paid.

Taste past the tip of your tongue,
Lisa

I'm glad at least both TODAY and My Paper had the basic decency to write, "Jason Mraz ... had most of the revellers up on their feet", "Jason Mraz's fabulous live set would have been a better opener for Keys..." (Although I sorely disagree on him needing to open for anyone, even for Keys..because he clearly outperformed her. Star billing or the amount of Grammy awards don't mean everything), and "Jason Mraz got the crowd going..singing every word of his latest hit I'm Yours..."

Good job, Dzulkarnain Andra and Jill Alphonso. Just for mentioning Jason Mraz, I'm listing your names as a reward so that you will be indexed eternally on search machines. At least you are sharp enough to realise what actually went on, and I'm sure you'll have a sparkling journalistic career ahead.

Well you done done me and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks and now I'm trying to get back

Before the cool done run out I'll be giving it my bestest
And nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some

But I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love love

Listen to the music of the moment, dance and sing
We're just one big family
And it's our God-intended right to be loved loved loved loved loved

So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm sure
There's no need to complicate, our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

D-d-do do you, do you, d-d-do, do you want to come?
Scooch on over closer dear, I'll whisper in your ear
Oh yes love, love love love love love
Love you love, love you love

I've been spending way too long tricking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and I laughed

I guess what I be saying is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanities and just go with the seasons
It's what we aim to do, our name is our virtue

But I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours

Come on and open up your mind and see like me
(I won't hesitate)
Open up your plans and damn you're free
(No more, no more)
Look into your heart and you'll find that the sky is yours
(It cannot wait, I'm sure)

So please don't, there's no need
(There's no need to complicate)
There's no need to complicate
(Our time is short)
'Cause our time is short
(This is our fate)
This is, this is, this is our fate
I'm yours, I'm sayin' I'm yours

I got a little distracted last week, thanks to my friends and the distracting things they send me, but it didn't matter. I was Googling Robert Pattinson - one of the many things I would like to do to him (so English, so yummy) - and I came across more than one fangirl blog that had pictures of him alongside pictures of our Prophet Mraz. Usually the underwear photo, but others as well.

I also found a few sites that had Pattinson, Mraz AND David Tennant. I think this shows what good taste we all have, to recognize how different these three men are, and yet drool over appreciate them all equally. (Even Robert Pattinson likes Doctor Who.)

Then I get back to work on Monday morning and have an email from a coworker who I've chatted with a few times, but don't know particularly well. He said:

Hi Lisa,

I was over by your pod and I saw that you had a sticker of Jason Miraz. No big deal but one of my really good friends that I grew up with is in his music video, he's the one that looks like Jesus skating

Happy Monday!
 
Hells yeah it's a Happy Monday! I went over to his desk for more details and he pulled the I'm Yours video up on YouTube to show me. It's his friend's truck that Jason is riding in the back of - the truck he didn't even kow he was going to get into until he arrived in Hawaii, according to this VH1 interview - and his friend is seen in lots of the skateboarding shots. Like he said, the Jesus-looking one.

So there you go. Considering he's a singer that most people have never heard of (and whose name they can't spell), we're all just two or three degrees from Mraz at any time.

We are one big family,
Lisa

buone vacanze a tutti.

ciao,

guana.

singfest '08 was my most awaited event for august. well, not really. just next to my 4-day vacation to phil. but hey, it was really great. i wanted to make this post right after the concert, but decided not to, well not until i get some good photos to show how FABULOUS that day (or night) was!

first on the line up was stacie orrico. great performance, nice songs.

jamie scott and the town was next. i sincerely respect his music, but...i really didn't know this guy! he looked cute and all, his sound was great so i guess i would just start researching for him.

one republic followed. we all know this group from their hit apologize.

next was panic at the disco. i totally applauded them, not only for their great performance but also because even if their mic (gasped!) was down for one whole song, they still continued to sing. professional performers, these guys.

omg! jason mraz. are you kidding me?! this guy made me sooo thankful for levi's and citibank for giving me that ticket!

rick astley performed after mraz, yeah THE rick astley. of course, he's old. i was a toddler when i first heard him! so it was really a nice experience to be hearing this guy sing again.

(jaw dropped here) the pussycat dolls. my favorite dolls. great moves, but made me wonder why nicole's pitch sounded a bit higher than usual? hmm still my favorite dolls.

and of course, ms. alicia keys! wow...as in wow! wonderful singer, great performer, very talented.

photos courtesy of N. check this is you want to see more of his great photos!

Jason Mraz . What can I say about this kid? First time I heard his music was on our recent trip to Hawaii. The song was called: I'm Your's. The beat and melody reminded my girlfriend and I of the beauty of the isles. It just continued to emote the vibe that we felt when there. Our island hopping landed us in Kauai, where I bought the album. And I am so happy that I did!!!

At first, I thought that this guy was just another island boy trying to come up. But when I researched him further online, I found out that he has been around for a while. Remember Remedy???

"The remedy is the experience, It is a dangerous liaison
I say the comedy, is that it's serious... "

I faintly remember that song. That song was ok. But I like the route he has taken. Its a better sound for him, IMO. Or maybe it was because the Hawaiian vibe brings out the beauty of music more. At any rate, this album is good!

If you haven't picked up the album, pick it up at iTunes or your local music retailer. Feel the vibes, as "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things."

Notable tracks:
- Make it mine
- Lucky (!) -really enjoy this one w/ Colbie Caillat. Its "OUR" song! (^_^)
- Butterfly
- Live High

Well open up your mind and see like me/Open up your plans and damn you're free/Look into your heart and you'll find love love love love/Listen to the music of the moment, dance and sing/We're just one big family/And it's our God-intended right to be loved loved loved loved loved

The tickets went for $200! I'm dying to see him live!

Live High:

Geek in the Pink:

I'm Yours:

This year's Singfest was a roaring success. I have never been to Singfest in the past but it's pretty obvious this year's kicked some serious ass. The line-up for Sunday was absolutely mindblowing and the tickets sold out days before the concert day. Apparently more 10,000 attended Sunday's event, compared to last year's combined total of 9,000. The organisers probably woke up and realised that inviting respected (but passe) singers like Cyndi Lauper will not give them any profits. Don't get me wrong..I love Cyndi Lauper, but she will not be the one to bring in the money you know?

Waiting for the gates to open..

The main stage for the big acts..the local bands performed on another stage called the Legend's Stage..well..I wonder who they performed to.........the air? Life is cruel.

So this year's line-up obviously catered to the young...in order of appearance:

1. Stacie Orrico (Okay..)
2. Jamie Scott and the Town (Not a lot of people know them and it's quite a pity. Loved 'Standing in the Rain' and 'When Will I See Your Face Again'.)
3. One Republic (Clearly the teens' favourite. 'Stop and Stare' was great.)
4. Panic at the Disco (Totally oblivious to the fact that their microphones weren't working and went on singing like some insane drug addicts.)
5. Jason Mraz (AFTER 5 YEARS OF OBSESSION I FINALLY GOT TO SEE HIM!!!! HLIFHIDSHFDSFKDSKF#$(*#^$*#@$h#@$hlhf*#@^$*#@$*or#@)
6. Rick Astley (I'm pretty sure the organisers invited him because of the Rick Roll'D phenomenon on YouTube. No matter..I love retro music and he was great! What a smooth talker. Favourites were 'Together Forever' and of course 'Never Gonna Give You Up'. He actually did an acoustic version of 'Never' to tease the crowd but luckily he did the mambo version in the end. Other songs performed include 'She Wants To Dance With Me', 'Take Me To Your Heart', 'When I Fall In Love', 'Hold Me In Your Arms'.)
7. The Pussycat Dolls (I don't know if it was because I'm tired or what..but they were probably one of the acts that disinterested me the most. I loved 'Stickwitu' though. It's clear to all why Nicole Scherzinger is the girl getting all the attention..because the rest can't sing for nuts.)
8. Alicia Keys ('Superwoman' was great! Okay..I don't get this thing about encores. If it's an unplanned encore and you sing whatever the crowd wants, than it's okay. But if the artist already planned what she's going to sing for the encore, then what's the point of going backstage, make the crowd cheer, and then come back out again!? Just sing the damn song! Anyway as everybody predicted, she sang 'No One' after like 1.5 hour of snooze-inducing music. Greatttttt song to end the show. Actually Jason Mraz could've ended the show in my opinion. He got the best slot - the sun just went down before his performance and everybody was high and happy.)

Anyway I only went to Singfest because of ONE person, and that's JASON MRAZ. Once I saw his name on the line-up I purchased the $200 ticket without any hesistation. It's pretty obvious he has a humongous fanbase in Singapore. The forum threads in Singfest's website are all about him, and his t-shirts were the only ones that sold out at the merchandises booth. He's the only artist with fans holding signboards, and he's the only artist to have EVERYBODY stand up and sing along with him. EVERYBODY LOVED HIM. He's so giggly, cute, goofy..and he's just so INSANELY TALENTED. His little intro song was enough to warrant him the title of "Best Performer of Singfest'08". He's like the master of words and improvisations. He doesn't need no fancy stage set-up or dance moves..all he needs: his voice and his guitar (and of course Toca + the band). He was sooo good at interacting with the crowd and he made everybody happy so effortlessly. I was sooooo delighted at being finally able to see him live that I didn't bother photographing/videoing. What everybody said is true - he's golden live. He's the one person I truly wanted an encore from..and I wasn't the only one feeling that way.

Songlist:

1. The Remedy (I Won't Worry)
2. Make It Mine
3. Butterfly
4. Live High
5. Only Human
6. The Dynamo of Volition
7. I'm Yours
8. Geek in the Pink

The most interactive song had to be 'Dynamo' because of the little dance he invented for the chorus:

Good Job
Get 'em up way high
Gimme gimme that high five
Good time
Get 'em way down low
Gimme gimme that low dough
Good God
Bring 'em back again
Gimme gimme that high ten
You're the best definition of good intentions

I was sorely disappointed that he didn't sing 'You and I Both' as I was hoping for him to sing classics like 'I'll Do Anything' and 'Curbside Prophet'. The thing is, most people only go to such music festivals primarily for the artists they adore..so it's always wise to sing crowd favourites so that even those that aren't your fans will know what's going on. The moment he sang 'The Remedy (I Won't Worry)' and 'I'm Yours' the crowd just went insane, and I'm pretty sure not all 10,000 of them are Mraz fans, but everybody knew the words. The BEST thing was he mixed Oasis's 'Wonderwall' with 'The Remedy' and it just sounded DAMN GOOD. And he did that verse TWICE with Toca singing back-up. Gahhhhh he's sooooo awesome. The worst thing was Mraz didn't even bother introducing his songs..so it's pretty much a blur for people not familiar with his music. Singing unknown tracks just make people bored...and the best example of this is Alicia Keys..it's really not a good idea to sing sloooooww, boring, unknown jazzy songs at midnight because everybody's tired (the show started at 2pm) from the crazy Singapore weather.

Listen to EVERYONE sing along to 'I'm Yours' and 'The Remedy'. There are so many people on YouTube fawning over Mraz and saying he's hands down the best performer that day. I couldn't agree more.

Singfest was awesome, and if Jason Mraz comes again next year, I'll be sure to attend. And god damn it, MAKE HIM THE HEADLINING ACT. GIVE HIM A BIGGER POSTER SPOT. So many people left after Mraz performed, and even more left during Alicia Keys's slot.

On a side note, Jason Mraz's new album 'We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.' is out and it's mindblowingly awesome. Buy it. Buy his first two albums too ('Waiting for My Rocket to Come', 'MR A-Z'). Buy his live selections too. Buy everything from him.

Watch Mraz talk about his album on CNN.

Clay Aiken's new album, 'On My Way Here' is out too..errr hmmm sadly my craze over him seems to be dying down and this album isn't helping.

It's been quite a stressful start of the semester on my part. Come the first day of uni and I was already given a small assignment due the week after, or today if I want to be bitchy about it. On the other hand, university gradually sapped my energy levels - even sleeping 2-3 hours earlier didn't help. One week in and I've already named Thursday my least favourite day of the week -- three hour long nine 'o clock lecture on Digital photography (three fun-filled hours of jargon being tossed around the room), and another three hour long tutorial on Drawing (which really isn't any fun when you don't know what the fuck you're doing more than half of the time you're there). And regardless of all the growing pains that I've experienced in the last week, I'm feeling great to be back in class with my uni friends again. So, perhaps I can't quite complain.

And then there's the weekend, my three day weekend. It's sufficient enough to realise the spectacle that time really is. It's all about forcing myself to do some work, and laughing about everything that is random in the world with EJ. Baking cookies. Last minute assignment work. Sleeping. Not sleeping. I could be happier, but I think this will do for now.

Otherwise, apart from my last couple of labelled days, I've been inspired by alot of Jason Mraz's music. His lyrics are so simple, yet when looked at as a whole picture they tell the most beautiful story. All this Mraz-ing has been part of my preparation for his Sydney concert this Saturday - it's all too exciting.

I should go prepare for today's analogue photography tutorial now. Blogging this was my form of procrastination from my prescribed readings due tomorrow.

Toodles, a la noodles.

PS. I am growing a liking for the French language. I think I may need help :\ allons-y!

If you get a chance to see Jason Mraz, be sure to check him out. Hands down, he's one of the best live acts around.

Listening to his earlier songs reminded me why I like him. He makes me smile. And smiling feels good. 

There are plenty of tracks you can sink your teeth into and hum over and over again. I heart Mr. Curiosity, The Remedy, You and I Both, Bella Luna, and of course who doesn't love Geek in the Pink, made even that more famous by the American Idol contest, Chris Richardson. (But of course, Jason's the real rhythm and rhyme master). Mr. Mraz will be in flapping his chops in Sweden this September and Fattie just surprised me with tickets! Yah! 

Here are just a couple videos to get you in the mood.

Jason's current hit, I'm Yours

and one of my favorite songs, Life is Wonderful from his CD, Mr. A-Z:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHTsc9PU2A

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l74d1fmZbw

1. A Beautiful Mess
2. Butterfly
3. Coyotes
4. Details In The Fabric (Feat. James Morrison)
5. If It Kills Me
Check out other mp3 from
Jason Mraz's "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things"...

...and more mp3 by Jason Mraz

I got myself a pair of the weekend pass to this year's Singfest on Friday from eBay. My virgin purchase from the website.

I am kind of regretful for not spending any time at stage two which better known for the asian/local bands and DJs stage since the line up for the main stage was just unbelievable. I just want to see for myself these big names on one stage in Singapore.

And that once thing I think they should avoid at future Singfests is asian/local bands on one stage and experience internationals acts on another.

So, here goes my review. One of the earliest highlight would be that young New Found Glory fan whose hair covered half of his face came on stage and play the bass guitar and sing along with the band. Hardcore.

I am sure Mêlée scored some new fans after their performance. Their songs are melodious and Chris Cron can sing live and plays and piano brilliantly. Unfortunately I can't identify songs from their debut album but some tunes from Devils and Angels that they played were Can’t Hold On, She’s Gonna Find Me Here, You Got and their heavily played song on radio, Built to Last.

The low point of the two day festival was when Lostprophets shouted vulgarity towards Rick Astley. I know they have a bad rocker image and Ian Watkins might just being silly at that time but they certainly upset Rick’s fans.
When Rick came on stage the next day, he still got the charm and bras and underwears were thrown on stage. He looked like he had fun singing for everyone there. I was a little bit sour when audience were still sitting when the 80’s superstar came on stage after the Levi's fashion show. Nonetheless, Rick ended his show with a bang. Never Gonna Give You Up was that one song we all were waiting for.
I went with an open mind and listen to singers or band I hardly listen to and maybe leave with a slightly likeness towards them or their songs.

Simple Plan sampled Flo Rida's Low. Wicked. The last time I watched them when they had their gig at Suntec Conventional Hall some two years back and I still like their stage presence and the silly conversations thay have on stage.

Fran Healy is a perfectionist. He can't get the show to start if he thinks his guitar wasn’t properly tuned. I like that. Travis played for over one and a half hours. I love their older hits and they play every single one of them. Sing, Side, Why Does It Always Rain on Me and the current one Closer. By the way, they got a new album which will drop end September. Check it out!

It was all panic and tragedy and Panic at the Disco came on stage. The speakers died but the band kept on playing. I solute them for that. The show must go on! And I am sure they were relived when the sound return at the third song. Yeah, THIRD song!

OneRepublic’s super-famous break-up anthem, Apologize, was sing-along from start to end and the loudest after Jason Mraz’s I’m Yours.

Jason even sampled Oasis’ Wonderwall. Superwicked! He even belted out Geek in the Pink, Remedy and from We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things - Butterfly, Make It Mine, The Dynamo of Volition, Live High and Only Human. Oh, Jason’s good buddy, Toca Rivera lend his voice while playing the djembe drums during I'm Yours and that was astounding!

Throughout the show, some sit, stand, shake their booty to the songs that being played on stage but when the Pussycat Dolls came up, they dance and we watched. I know it is not easy to dance and sing and at the same time wear high heel boots. They got tired singing from all the dancing but never got tired dancing from singing. I don't have any pictures of them as I was pretty much occupied.

To closed and well received and outstanding Singfest, the kind people from Midas Promotions had call a superstar from across the universe to entertained us. Ms Alicia Keys performed her hits from As I Am and some from her older albums. Power, lah, the eleven times Grammy awards receiver really can sing and amazed us. I wanted to sing along with her songs. Her dominant vocals, backup singers and band are in a class of their own. A little setback was the little-little changes or extending of her songs wasn’t to my likings. I am sure I am alone on this cause the rest sure left Fort Canning wanting more from the Diva.

If Singfest could outdo itself next year, I would definitely be back at the park even if it is a three-day event. But please, go slow on the ticket price.