Cove's Take On Red Lantern Selections!

Yinky's right. This Red Lantern Selections thingy was REALLY too AWESOME and STRANGE, and certainly warrants a blogpost. Yes, even from yours truly. =)

First of all, I'd like to clarify that I wasn't peeved with my "gramps" - the dude (his name is chung-yi!) who came to tell me how proud he was of me. To clear things up, he merely clasped my face with his man-hands (which were surprisingly smooth) and hugged me. Nothing more =) It's not that I was shy/offended. For the record, I just don't really like people to touch my face lest it breaks out. Ah...Vanity! But please feel free to pat my head or give me a hug if you wanna show me affection. =) My "weak spots". But anyway, that was real sweet of him. Yinky, no fists required. Not this one anyway. =)

Back to the event! I think Yinky did an awesome job of summarizing it, but here's my take on things.

Initially, I had thought this event was gonna be some small scale audition attended only by fellow aspiring bands, a handful of friends, and perhaps some judges. Well, it really started off like that. Everything matched my expectations - small platform, oriental decor, a few bands sitting around waiting for their turn etc. The event even started early, though the sound people arrived late. No sound check. No warning. It was more ad-hoc that I had expected.

However, a few moments before Soul2Soul went up, expats (a big group of Aussie dudes and dudettes) just poured in from outta nowhere!! When Soul2Soul started playing, it was mayhem. Everyone loved it! And the place was buzzing with so much joy & enthusiasm. They were irresistible with their mean renditions of popular pop songs! I couldn't stop grooving along!

When it was our turn to go up, (we were last) we were wrecked by nerves, though funnily enough, we didn't show it to one another. Confessions only took place after our set and we admitted both our hands were shaking during the gig! LOL. Anyway, we took to the stage and did our usual set. (Love & Water, Mistakes, Dreamer, Fix You by Coldplay and Heart Convos) It was very fun talkin' to the audience, 1/5 of whom (mostly expats) I already kinda knew from talking to them prior to our set. They were so responsive and attentive. I loved how rowdy they were too sometimes. More alive than most of the crowds we've performed to - even though they were MUCH quieter than when Soul2Soul were belting out their tunes.

So imagine our shock when we received many positive comments after our set. It warmed my heart to hear that people really dug the originals. I was genuinely surprised to hear grown men (foreigners!) coming up to us and telling us how much they liked it & how beautiful it was etc. I was especially humbled when one guy said "you guys should do more originals rather than covers." to which I replied "why? Is it because we didn't do a good job?" He floored me with his matter-of-fact remark "no, it's because your originals are much better than the cover. Keep doing your originals. It's beautiful..Oh.. absolutely beautiful. the two of you work really well together" AHHHHHH!!!! At that point, I was ready to drop dead on the floor and felt more proud than ever of Cove Red and my AMAZING partner, Yinky. =)

Then yet another Aussie guy (can't remember all their names...Gingko nuts, i need you!) came up to us and told us how much he liked it and said if he were to own a pub, he would invite us to be his resident singers. Too bad he lives in Australia and is going back on Saturday. =)

I still can't believe we actually did a gig in a PUB! The funniest thing is that we did original songs that celebrate love, faith, relationships, dreams, failures-victories, and one with the word "PRAY"... I'm truly blown away!! Especially by the response we got - even though I sang with a bad flu, we played a few wrong chords and made some mistakes here and there. I know it's truly all Him and His presence at work. *hands up*

What an awesome night... I dunno if we'll be selected for the Red Lantern Showcase on 2nd May.. *fingers crossed* I sure hope so because this is what I believe Cove Red is about. Being unconventional and invading dark (or dim) places with bloody good songs!

Pumped,
Cove