Moved by the music
At her recent solo showcase, Bihzhu stayed true to herself, doing things the 'heart' way.
TO her fans, it is no secret that Foo Bihzhu likes to do things the “heart” way.
From the moment the singer hit the stage at her recent
Heartsongs With Bihzhu, she was sleek, sophisticated and even sensual.
The showcase was part of The Gardens Theatre’s Music Festival 2016, which ran from May 25 to June 5.
The audience – though small in numbers – responded enthusiastically, their loud cheers and applause visibly moving Bihzhu throughout.
“I felt incredibly loved,” said Bihzhu in an interview afterwards. “It seemed like everyone came with an open heart, receptive to the stories I was telling, and willing to come on a journey with me, to where the music would take us.”
And it took us to many different places.
Penang- born Bihzhu, 32, performed covers and original material from her debut album. Titled Nightingale Tales, the album – which combines elements of jazz, soul, reggae and pop – sees her celebrating love, beauty and life’s most treasured moments.
In the hands of a less authentic artiste, the feelgood messages
might have come across as contrived. In Bihzhu's care, it was sincere magic. se n an ensemble by Fern Chua of Fern The New Batik, Bihzhu opened her show with Teksi. This was followed by Palpitations and Chinese folk song Xiao Bai Chuan, in which she surprised the audience by whipping out and playing harmonica. She also did her versions of Caetano Veloso’s Maria Bethania, The Dirty Projectors’ Stillness Is The Move, Laura Mvula’s That’s Alright and Lake Street Dive’s You Go Down Smooth.
Asked why she chose to perform obscure covers, Bihzhu replied: “It wasn’t something that I did intentionally; rather the songs spoke to me personally. Since the title of my show is
Heartsongs, I wanted to share with the audience beautiful music that moves me.”
The evening’s most humorous moment occurred during her cover of Soom T & The Dub Master’s O ur World.
“I tried to transcribe the original lyrics, but I couldn’t make out half of what they were,” explained Bihzhu.
“So I decided to challenge myself by getting the audience to give four word suggestions.”
And what were the words provided? Bazooka, rainbow, 1MDB and “Supercalifragilisticexpiali- docious"(from the 1964 Mary
, zhu skillfully weaved into the song.
“Well, I think it worked out,” she said with a laugh.
The mood that evening was filled with a light- hearted vibe. Its darkest moment, which saw Bihzhu recalling a molestation by a taxi driver when she was younger, ended with a positive outlook on how it inspired her favourite composition Tainted
Temples. Other original numbers were Mind- Go- Round, Lonesome and Bright Veins.
For the inevitable encore, Bihzhu performed Queen’s
Bohemian Rhapsody, ending the night on a high note – literally.
Asked for the most memorable feedback she received from the audience, Bihzhu – in typical Bihzhu style – picked the most heartfelt one.
“Someone in the audience said ‘ I haven’t been feeling good because I have some issues with anxiety, but your songs inspired me and made me feel better’.”
Kudos must go to Bihzhu’s backing musicians that night for keeping up with her pace and sharing her sense of humour. Nish Tham ( musical director and keyboard), Jude Macson Bensing ( guitar), Idris Koh Keng Hui ( bass) and Ryan Lee Bhaskaran ( drums) all sported heart lapel pins handmade by Bihzhu.
For the uninitiated, Bihzhu’s
nc ude Song of the Year winner at the 2013 Voice Independent Music Awards in Kuala Lumpur and Vox- Pop Winner in the Cabaret Song category at the United States- based 12th Independent Music Awards.
In July 2011, Bihzhu was selected as one of the featured artists in Julie’s Biscuit’s nationwide Share The Love campaign. Her contribution was the smile-inducing folk- pop gem, The H eart Way.
It was also chosen for a Penang Global Tourism advertisement featuring shoe couturier Datuk Jimmy Choo on the Asian Food Channel.
Having returned from a threecity tour of China, Bihzhu is now in the process of finishing her second album.
“I hope to finish production by this year, with a possible concert and tour in 2017.
“I know it’s taking longer than anticipated but I believe everything happens at the right place and the right time. And I want to make sure that I don’t rush it just to meet a deadline.”
After the Raya break, Bihzhu is scheduled to go on a short tour with DJ Renry Hollins as the live vocalist on his reggae sets.
“It’s quite exciting, because I have never MC- ed before and it’s a very demanding skill that requires spontaneity and crowd interaction.”