March 2019’s Feature – Zeeaura

Zeeaura, a singer-songwriter and music educator based in Singapore, uses music and words to share her experiences in a fast developing city where home is a competitive place to be. Rather than measuring success by financial stability and excellence in academics, she believes that art is a way to bring people together to create a stronger sense of community and serves as an alternative way of learning.

Her compositions has brought upon many opportunities to work with various organizations such as the National Arts Council (NAC), The Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS), The Esplanade Co Ltd, the Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF), The Artground, Mu Superfuture and other local entities supporting the arts.

Her belief in arts and arts education is constantly reaffirmed by experience while teaching at primary and secondary schools, pre-schools, community centres, privately and most memorably, the Singapore Prison and Girl’s Home.

COMPASS: Congrats on your win for the Best Song Award at SGSW 2018. What prompted you to join a Chinese songwriting competition and how did you get the inspiration for your song 猜不透?

Zeeaura: Thank youuuuuu! I was actually inspired by a song written by a friend, 儿戏, and he eventually helped me with the arrangement of 猜不透. I started composing the post chorus of the song first and it gradually shaped the song towards a darker side of life. hahaha. So I came up with the story of the song about betrayal. I have always enjoyed listening to Mandarin pop music as a child and teen. The open call was timely, so I joined it.

C: Was it a challenge for you to write the mandarin lyrics since you mainly write English songs and how did you overcome this challenge?

Z: Yes, definitely. I do speak in mandarin at home and whenever I need to but I haven’t practiced writing in it. At the initial stages of composing 猜不透 Bings and I were debating if 实现/现实 was the right term to use in the song. One describes a dream coming true and the other is defined as reality. It was really quite funny. I googled to check/find the right words and asked my friends for their opinions and suggestions about the lyrics I had (I was also secretly using it as a marketing tool, sorry friends 😏). It was really enjoyable to have attended the workshop by the renowned writer, 易家扬. He was so knowledgeable and creative about writing lyrics that I was inspired to practice a different approach to composition and also practicing writing in mandarin. I have a sound recording of his comments in case I have to google anything that I didn’t understand hahahaha. Thank you to the organisers of SGSW and also the support given by the Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism. I don’t mind attending more free lessons with 易家扬老师 and 李伟菘老师 😅😅😅

C: How do you think your musical style has evolved?

Z: I am not too sure about it cause I have not finished any new compositions yet, but I do write pretty freely without much consideration if the composition is “commercial”-ly written to the public’s likability. I only do so when I am paid to write in a specific way. Comparing this work to my past works, it is definitely more structured, like a popular song. None of my other works are also as dark sounding as 猜不透 is. (evil laughter) MWAHAHAHAHAHA *Zee’s aura turns dark* Maybe I should write a death metal song. About time.

C: Any local songwriters you have in mind whom you would love to collaborate with and why them?

Z: YES, everybody, come to me. Collaborations have always created the opportunity for me to know someone better! JJ lin ah. hahaha. I would really love to work with my past lecturer, Belinda Foo, she’s soooo talented, down to earth and communicates really well. I will try to lengthen the imaginary collaboration for as long as I can while tricking her into mentoring me. Other composers like Bang Wenfu, Dick Lee and Elaine Chan are also people I would like to collaborate with because musicals are magical to me and these writers are so versatile! During my secondary school days, I was part of the musical, “Sing to the Dawn”. The songs of the musical are compositions of Dick Lee and my school had engaged Bang Wenfu to be the music director of the show. It was the most inspiring days I had in school 😂. I was so drawn to Bang Wenfu’s talent and I was aspiring to be his assistant and I wouldn’t even mind that now!

C: What would you say to people who wish to carve out a path in the songwriting field?

Z: Be adventurous and that it is not gonna be easy competing with countless songwriters. But if you ever need help, do ask! I realise they are always willing and ready to help! Just a reminder to myself and everybody else, keep practicing! I don’t think there’s any other way around it.

Check out Zeeaura’s new single “Monkey Land” on all music streaming platforms. Her Music Video will be launched during mid/late March 2019!

Where to find Zeeaura:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Zeeaura/
Youtube: Zeeaura
Instagram: Zeeaura.music
Spotify: Zeeaura

Up-and-coming local acts will be featured in this space on a monthly basis.
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If you would like us to feature you or your band, write to us at: membership@compass.org.sg and should you or your band be selected for our monthly feature, we will contact you with the requirements. Selection will be at COMPASS’ discretion and all decisions made are final.

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