SHHH... IT’S VANESSA AND GANG
Eclectic local band Vanessa s.y.t & Her Secrets hopes to make its mark by offering a variety of music styles, writes Bibi Nurshuhada Ramli
“We don’t wish to be a band that is known for just one type of music. We want to be diverse and uncommon.”
AJ, bassist
WHEN forming a band, searching for the perfect name for it is just as crucial as finding a musical identity. For members of the band Vanessa s.y.t & Her Secrets, one of their ideas for a band name came in the form of you char kuay or deep-fried crullers.
“We had a two-week gig in Genting Highlands last year and meal options were limited,” says vocalist Vanessa s.y.t in an interview.
“One of our favourites snacks there was the you char kuay, so we almost named our band that,” drummer Omar reveals, laughing.
“I wanted to add a little more pizzazz and changed it to the fancy Frenchsounding cha-quoi,” Vanessa adds in mirth. “But that idea was shot down quickly,” she says.
Bassist AJ explains: “Seriously speaking, when I was producing Vanessa’s EP about six years ago, we discussed about forming a band. It was her ‘secret desire’ to go on a mission to look for the right members.”
Vanessa adds: “As musicians, we had been harbouring this desire to produce original songs and hold our own concert
for so long.
“Unfortunately we kept it shelved since we have our own individual projects.”
However, come Dec 6 and 7, the big “secret” will be out when the band, which also includes pianist Dennis Law, holds its debut concert at The Gardens Theatre in Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur.
An intimate showcase of great music and vocals, Vanessa s.y.t & Her Secrets Live will feature 12 original songs and some Christmas numbers.
FORMATION
FROM pop and jazz to R&B and dance, Vanessa, 36, has wowed crowds for many year, including celebrities, both local or international.
AJ, 38, is more commercially known as the bassist of rap-rock band Pop Shuvit. His collaborations with different artistes has earned him the skills to produce and arrange music.
Classically-trained pianist Law, 28, has been in the Canto-pop music scene before joining the band. He was the musical director for numerous concerts and has played for several artistes from Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as worked on local musicals.
Part of the now-on-hiatus band Basement Syndicate, Omar, 26, has played sessionist for the past 10 years. He has also played for international artistes such as Leona Lewis and Michael Buble and performed at many global music events.
Vanessa s.y.t & Her Secrets was formed when long-time friends Vanessa and AJ, who had done a few gigs together prior, found great synergy in their performance with Law.
AJ then brought in Omar for their historic Genting gig. Despite not having any rehearsals, they performed without a glitch and exhibited strong chemistry.
“As a singer, it’s scary if the band doesn’t follow your cue. However, with these guys, they just understand me. They know when I’m about to start singing, or when I want to reach the high notes.”
For the upcoming concert, however, they will hold rehearsals. “This is a big thing for us!” says Vanessa.
AJ adds: “The original songs are still being tweaked as we speak, anyway.”
FINDING IDENTITY
The band’s music is pop-inclined but it also touches on other genres such as R&B, EDM, rock and hip-hop.
“We feel this is the right time to come up with music that’s different,” AJ says.
“We don’t wish to be a band that is known for just one type of music. We want to be diverse and uncommon.
“As long as our songs do not have bad messages, why not embrace them? Our songs are positive in nature. There are be no ‘I hate you’ or break-up songs from us,” Vanessa says jokingly.
She adds that while they can’t please everybody.
“Having said that, we also hope that as people “listen to us more and more”, they will like our sound.”
Vanessa adds that they “go crazy” when they produce new music. “We don’t hold back,” she says.
CHALLENGES
The band was hired to come up with The
Moment, the theme song for the Million Dollar Feet campaign, a search for Malaysia’s next football stars.
While they took two days to complete it, the members worked throughout the night in order to come up with something special. “That was our first time that we wrote a song together. We are proud of it. It doesn’t sound like a typical advertisement jingle.
“It actually encouraged us to come up with more original tunes,” Vanessa says.
Despite coming from different music backgrounds, writing songs has never been difficult for the band members. “While we have different ideas and preferences, at the end of the day, we easily come to an agreement,” says Law.
“The bigger challenge here is scheduling because we all have different work times,” Law explains.
Omar agrees. Laughing, he adds: “I go through such stress chasing these people and asking when they’re free.”
Vanessa, for example, has a day job and thus has to take leave in order to meet up with the band. “See the sacrifices I make?” she laments, feigning distress.
“We also do-lah!” AJ retorts.
NEXT UP
Vanessa s.y.t & Her Secrets hopes to release a few singles first before cutting its first album. An annual concert is also in the pipeline.
“We’re still pretty much an unknown band. That’s why we’re thankful for the support of our friends in the industry.”