Post by Inside Australian Idol on Jul 13, 2004 0:35:57 GMT 10
The guy from Simpang Lima
Malaysia-born Australian idol, Guy Sebastian, is in Kuala Lumpur on a promotional tour. Local satirist TV SMITH caught up with him and coaxed the humble 23-year-old from Klang, Selangor, to share some of his thoughts on a wide range of topics, from piracy to babes.
The boy from Klang can still tie a sarong! Wah, not bad...
WHAT do you personally feel about music piracy?
When I was in the Philippines, I saw a lot of people who love music but not all of them had enough money to spend, say 500 pesos (RM34.50), on a CD. Sometimes, I feel that, even though it is illegal, piracy provides a chance for people who are unfortunate enough not to have enough money to buy CDs legally to listen to your music. I guess if people are listening to it, enjoying the music, if they’re touched by it, that’s what matters. A record company might not be too happy, but, as an artiste, you think more people are listening to your music and that’s cool.
Did you come across any of your stuff pirated when you went shopping earlier, here in Kuala Lumpur?
I was in a shopping complex in the Bukit Bintang area, and I was staring at my own (pirated) album and this guy, the shopkeeper, looked at me and said “Oh no!” In the end he asked me to autograph a copy (laughs).
What’s with the Afro hairstyle?
Actually, it started as laziness; I was at uni, working a couple of jobs and trying to afford a studio. So I just couldn’t be bothered wasting money on a haircut. Since it has become my “thing”, they won’t let me cut it even though I can afford it now.
Which part of Klang were you from and do you have any recollections of it since you emigrated at an early age (five) in 1986?
I was from Simpang Lima and I can remember only the playground, stray dogs and nasi lemak.
After 18 years in Australia, do you now hate durians?
No, I love durians! And rambutans too (correctly pronounced).
Do you speak any Bahasa Malaysia now?
No, only a few words. Terima kasih, apa khabar, nasi lemak, satay (laughs).
You mentioned that you have your own home studio. Did you get to incorporate some of your original and earlier work into this current album?
My second single, All I Need Is You, is one of the songs I wrote about a year and a half before (Australian) Idol.
Speaking of which, who’s the babe in that music video?
She’s actually the director’s brother’s girlfriend. So she was taken, unfortunately (laughs).
What do you think of Malaysian women?
They’re hot, very good looking!
You may have noticed that there are now plenty of Malaysian women who dye or tint their hair; what do you think of this fad?
I don’t know, I’m not a huge fan of that. I think Asian women need to have black hair. I mean, maybe brown, but blonde? Something’s not right.
Tell me something about your upcoming second album.
It’s coming along really well. I got to write with Brian McKnight and a whole bunch of other people. There’s some really beautiful ballads in there and the up stuff is kind of 70s funk mixed with disco sounds. I think it’s cool and fresh.
Boleh cari makan sekarang?
Yeah, I’ve got my money now, but I’ll be a liar if I say money isn’t important. It’s not the reason why I do my music but the money never hurts (laughs).
Any advice for our Malaysian Idol aspirants?
Just always keep it about the music, stay focused and keep your feet grounded ‘cause it can all go in one second. At the same time, take risks – don’t do “safe” songs.
thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2004/7/11/features/8398277&sec=features
Malaysia-born Australian idol, Guy Sebastian, is in Kuala Lumpur on a promotional tour. Local satirist TV SMITH caught up with him and coaxed the humble 23-year-old from Klang, Selangor, to share some of his thoughts on a wide range of topics, from piracy to babes.
The boy from Klang can still tie a sarong! Wah, not bad...
WHAT do you personally feel about music piracy?
When I was in the Philippines, I saw a lot of people who love music but not all of them had enough money to spend, say 500 pesos (RM34.50), on a CD. Sometimes, I feel that, even though it is illegal, piracy provides a chance for people who are unfortunate enough not to have enough money to buy CDs legally to listen to your music. I guess if people are listening to it, enjoying the music, if they’re touched by it, that’s what matters. A record company might not be too happy, but, as an artiste, you think more people are listening to your music and that’s cool.
Did you come across any of your stuff pirated when you went shopping earlier, here in Kuala Lumpur?
I was in a shopping complex in the Bukit Bintang area, and I was staring at my own (pirated) album and this guy, the shopkeeper, looked at me and said “Oh no!” In the end he asked me to autograph a copy (laughs).
What’s with the Afro hairstyle?
Actually, it started as laziness; I was at uni, working a couple of jobs and trying to afford a studio. So I just couldn’t be bothered wasting money on a haircut. Since it has become my “thing”, they won’t let me cut it even though I can afford it now.
Which part of Klang were you from and do you have any recollections of it since you emigrated at an early age (five) in 1986?
I was from Simpang Lima and I can remember only the playground, stray dogs and nasi lemak.
After 18 years in Australia, do you now hate durians?
No, I love durians! And rambutans too (correctly pronounced).
Do you speak any Bahasa Malaysia now?
No, only a few words. Terima kasih, apa khabar, nasi lemak, satay (laughs).
You mentioned that you have your own home studio. Did you get to incorporate some of your original and earlier work into this current album?
My second single, All I Need Is You, is one of the songs I wrote about a year and a half before (Australian) Idol.
Speaking of which, who’s the babe in that music video?
She’s actually the director’s brother’s girlfriend. So she was taken, unfortunately (laughs).
What do you think of Malaysian women?
They’re hot, very good looking!
You may have noticed that there are now plenty of Malaysian women who dye or tint their hair; what do you think of this fad?
I don’t know, I’m not a huge fan of that. I think Asian women need to have black hair. I mean, maybe brown, but blonde? Something’s not right.
Tell me something about your upcoming second album.
It’s coming along really well. I got to write with Brian McKnight and a whole bunch of other people. There’s some really beautiful ballads in there and the up stuff is kind of 70s funk mixed with disco sounds. I think it’s cool and fresh.
Boleh cari makan sekarang?
Yeah, I’ve got my money now, but I’ll be a liar if I say money isn’t important. It’s not the reason why I do my music but the money never hurts (laughs).
Any advice for our Malaysian Idol aspirants?
Just always keep it about the music, stay focused and keep your feet grounded ‘cause it can all go in one second. At the same time, take risks – don’t do “safe” songs.
thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2004/7/11/features/8398277&sec=features
