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Accident to Artistry
Accidental Singer:
I initially only wanted to be a songwriter. I was working hard to pitch my demos to other singers or publishers, writing music in various styles. However, due to a twist of fate, I felt compelled to write a song about the "Kalimah Allah" issue in Malaysia. I uploaded the YouTube video and it was picked up by the news. I was interviewed the very next day, and the rest, they would say, is history. After a while, the media started calling me "The Accidental Singer" since it was unplanned.
Accidental Single:
The unexpected didn't stop there. The first song I recorded and released for my current album is "You Are My Land." The funny thing is, this song wasn't even considered at first because it was just a short piano demo of me singing and playing the keyboard alone in my room during an emotional turning point in my life. Then one day, someone heard me playing the demo and asked me about it. I told them it was just "one of those small ones," but recognizing it was more than that, they encouraged me to release it. Still unconvinced, I ignored their advice and moved on.
Later, when I was going through all my tracks with my music producer, Jeff Bova, for my upcoming album, we went through my demos. After playing all the completed ones for him, Jeff asked if I had any more. I almost said no, but then remembered I had a few short piano ones. I explained they weren't finished, so we might as well not listen to them. But Jeff insisted several times that I play them for him. Reluctantly, I did. One of those was "You Are My Land."
Jeff only had to hear the song once before announcing it was going to be the first song on my album. He said, "This is your song. This is your sound! The entire album should be built around this." He thought its melancholic, cinematic vibe tied in perfectly with who I was as an artist and the other tracks that had already been chosen. In the end, we ended up recording "You Are My Land" first and then forming the rest of the album around it. Totally unexpected!
Accidental Cover:
The unexpected didn't stop there. When it was time to shoot the cover for the single, we organized a photoshoot but didn't find any of the photos suitable. I was feeling so exasperated as time was running short for the release. On a whim, I decided to take one last look at the shots, and the photographer had made a quick sample retouching on a random photo he had picked. I thought, "That looks pretty good for the cover!" And that random photo ended up being the cover for the single.
Accidental Haircut:
And the surprises kept coming. I went to get a haircut prior to shooting the lyric video for "You Are My Land." I told the hairdresser I wanted a diagonal long haircut and to "do what he thinks will look best." He ended up cutting my hair into a short bob! That was totally unexpected, and that's how I ended up with a short diagonal bob for the "You Are My Land" lyric video shoot.
It just goes to show that sometimes the most meaningful and impactful things can come from the most unexpected places - a spontaneous moment of emotion captured in a simple piano demo, a random photo, an accidental haircut. If I had dismissed the advice of those around me and never revisited that unassuming recording, I would have missed the opportunity to create something truly special.
This experience has taught me to always keep an open mind, to trust my instincts, and to never underestimate the power of those "small" moments of inspiration. I loved these beautiful accidents, and I'm grateful I followed my heart and allowed these unexpected moments to shape the story of "You Are My Land" and my entire single. Sometimes the most beautiful things happen when you least expect them.
Accidental Singer:
I initially only wanted to be a songwriter. I was working hard to pitch my demos to other singers or publishers, writing music in various styles. However, due to a twist of fate, I felt compelled to write a song about the "Kalimah Allah" issue in Malaysia. I uploaded the YouTube video and it was picked up by the news. I was interviewed the very next day, and the rest, they would say, is history. After a while, the media started calling me "The Accidental Singer" since it was unplanned.
Accidental Single:
The unexpected didn't stop there. The first song I recorded and released for my current album is "You Are My Land." The funny thing is, this song wasn't even considered at first because it was just a short piano demo of me singing and playing the keyboard alone in my room during an emotional turning point in my life. Then one day, someone heard me playing the demo and asked me about it. I told them it was just "one of those small ones," but recognizing it was more than that, they encouraged me to release it. Still unconvinced, I ignored their advice and moved on.
Later, when I was going through all my tracks with my music producer, Jeff Bova, for my upcoming album, we went through my demos. After playing all the completed ones for him, Jeff asked if I had any more. I almost said no, but then remembered I had a few short piano ones. I explained they weren't finished, so we might as well not listen to them. But Jeff insisted several times that I play them for him. Reluctantly, I did. One of those was "You Are My Land."
Jeff only had to hear the song once before announcing it was going to be the first song on my album. He said, "This is your song. This is your sound! The entire album should be built around this." He thought its melancholic, cinematic vibe tied in perfectly with who I was as an artist and the other tracks that had already been chosen. In the end, we ended up recording "You Are My Land" first and then forming the rest of the album around it. Totally unexpected!
Accidental Cover:
The unexpected didn't stop there. When it was time to shoot the cover for the single, we organized a photoshoot but didn't find any of the photos suitable. I was feeling so exasperated as time was running short for the release. On a whim, I decided to take one last look at the shots, and the photographer had made a quick sample retouching on a random photo he had picked. I thought, "That looks pretty good for the cover!" And that random photo ended up being the cover for the single.
Accidental Haircut:
And the surprises kept coming. I went to get a haircut prior to shooting the lyric video for "You Are My Land." I told the hairdresser I wanted a diagonal long haircut and to "do what he thinks will look best." He ended up cutting my hair into a short bob! That was totally unexpected, and that's how I ended up with a short diagonal bob for the "You Are My Land" lyric video shoot.
It just goes to show that sometimes the most meaningful and impactful things can come from the most unexpected places - a spontaneous moment of emotion captured in a simple piano demo, a random photo, an accidental haircut. If I had dismissed the advice of those around me and never revisited that unassuming recording, I would have missed the opportunity to create something truly special.
This experience has taught me to always keep an open mind, to trust my instincts, and to never underestimate the power of those "small" moments of inspiration. I loved these beautiful accidents, and I'm grateful I followed my heart and allowed these unexpected moments to shape the story of "You Are My Land" and my entire single. Sometimes the most beautiful things happen when you least expect them.
I Don’t Have To Mask With Music
As an autistic person, I often face situations where I feel I am misunderstood.
This is why I sometimes feel that music is the only thing that truly understands me. With music, I am able to seek the emotional understanding I am seeking for.
When I am down, I would listen to Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto on repeat, following every note as the music went along as if my heart depended on it. I would feel like I understood every note, every word and every emotion in the piece.
The feeling of "being understood" by music is also what drove me to start songwriting and composing.
There is a deep feeling of fulfilment and connection that washes over me when a melody I hear that has been playing over and over again in my mind is finally turned to a piece of music.
Many times when I am heartbroken, I would turn to songwriting and spend hours listening back to the song I wrote, and finally feeling understood.
#Neurodivergent, #Aspie
As an autistic person, I often face situations where I feel I am misunderstood.
This is why I sometimes feel that music is the only thing that truly understands me. With music, I am able to seek the emotional understanding I am seeking for.
When I am down, I would listen to Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto on repeat, following every note as the music went along as if my heart depended on it. I would feel like I understood every note, every word and every emotion in the piece.
The feeling of "being understood" by music is also what drove me to start songwriting and composing.
There is a deep feeling of fulfilment and connection that washes over me when a melody I hear that has been playing over and over again in my mind is finally turned to a piece of music.
Many times when I am heartbroken, I would turn to songwriting and spend hours listening back to the song I wrote, and finally feeling understood.
#Aspie, #Neurodivergent, #Vulnerable
The Beauty of Differences
https://www.loyarburok.com/2013/01/06/katakanlah/
“The beauty of differences gives birth to the masterpieces of love, and through the masterpieces of love lies the freedom to both worlds.” - Amirah
When a friend informed me about the desecration of churches and mosques in Malaysia on January 7th, 2010, I felt extremely angry, disappointed, and worst of all, helpless. I had been reading about the Kalimah Allah issue for a few days while juggling my university assignments at graduate school overseas. The shock and anger from the news made me forget about the horrible freezing winter. As I started to think about my beloved Tanahair, I asked myself, “God, why?”
To me, Malaysia is like a beautiful hidden treasure in the deep sea. It has so much potential. It has so much richness and opportunity but is also filled with many “eggshells” that one must carefully tread around, especially about religion and race.
Growing up in Malaysia, I wondered why I did not feel at home despite living my entire life there. As a child, I was convinced that something was wrong with me. I could not talk to anyone about my thoughts. When I sought guidance from my teachers, I was scolded for asking certain questions and expressing certain opinions. However, as an adult at graduate school overseas, I discovered there are many people that shared my thoughts and ideas. The same questions I was discouraged from asking in Tanahair are commonly discussed as part of university courses where students were expected to answer by thinking critically. For the first time in my life, I felt I was normal. It was then I realized the answer; it was because I could not be myself in Malaysia.
As I learned more about the desecration of houses of worship in Tanahair, I felt a great urge to do something about it. I did not want to feel helpless anymore. I wanted to express my emotions and thoughts about the issue, although it was a difficult thing for me to do, as a quiet and private person. I thought of writing something but nothing sounded right. I felt like giving up many times. Yet I asked myself: why is this happening, what does this mean, do words define God, do words define who I am … are words how people define themselves?
As I thought about the Creator’s beautiful creations, I felt a sudden feeling of calmness. I started composing a song in Malay. In the song, I asked the questions that I felt were on the minds of the Malaysian people. After finishing it a few minutes later, I recorded it and wondered how I could share this song with other Malaysians. I did not have a Youtube account at that time and realizing that Youtube only accepted videos, I felt nervous at the thought that everybody would be able to see my face. I asked myself, “If expressing my thoughts and opinions on this issue would ruin my songwriting career, a career that I am trying so hard to do, a career that has barely started, would I still do this?” The answer was a resounding “Yes”. I went ahead and uploaded the video to share the song with my friends and family.
A few days later Bernama TV News called at 2:00 am to interview me about the song. To my surprise, many people supported the message of my song. I also found out from a friend that Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, the daughter of Malaysia’s ex-Prime Minister Tun Mahathir, mentioned the song in her article written for The Star newspaper. For the first time, I did not feel alone anymore knowing that many other Malaysians shared similar thoughts with me.
My aspiration for Malaysia is for all Malaysians to have freedom – freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the freedom as an adult to marry whomever they love. Most of all, I aspire for each Malaysian to have equal rights regardless of one’s race whether it is Indian, Kadazan, Chinese, Malay, Dayak, or mixed-parentage like me.
“We walk in the same sweet sunlight,
Sleep under the same bright stars,
Our wounds leave the same blood spilling,
Our wars leave the same cruel scars.” - Tell Me
"There comes a time when silence is betrayal." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." - Desmond Tutu
“The beauty of differences gives birth to the masterpieces of love, and through the masterpieces of love lies the freedom to both worlds.” - Amirah
When a friend informed me about the desecration of churches and mosques in Malaysia on January 7th, 2010, I felt extremely angry, disappointed, and worst of all, helpless. I had been reading about the Kalimah Allah issue for a few days while juggling my university assignments at graduate school overseas. The shock and anger from the news made me forget about the horrible freezing winter. As I started to think about my beloved Tanahair, I asked myself, “God, why?”
To me, Malaysia is like a beautiful hidden treasure in the deep sea. It has so much potential. It has so much richness and opportunity but is also filled with many “eggshells” that one must carefully tread around, especially about religion and race.
Growing up in Malaysia, I wondered why I did not feel at home despite living my entire life there. As a child, I was convinced that something was wrong with me. I could not talk to anyone about my thoughts. When I sought guidance from my teachers, I was scolded for asking certain questions and expressing certain opinions. However, as an adult at graduate school overseas, I discovered there are many people that shared my thoughts and ideas. The same questions I was discouraged from asking in Tanahair are commonly discussed as part of university courses where students were expected to answer by thinking critically. For the first time in my life, I felt I was normal. It was then I realized the answer; it was because I could not be myself in Malaysia.
As I learned more about the desecration of houses of worship in Tanahair, I felt a great urge to do something about it. I did not want to feel helpless anymore. I wanted to express my emotions and thoughts about the issue, although it was a difficult thing for me to do, as a quiet and private person. I thought of writing something but nothing sounded right. I felt like giving up many times. Yet I asked myself: why is this happening, what does this mean, do words define God, do words define who I am … are words how people define themselves?
As I thought about the Creator’s beautiful creations, I felt a sudden feeling of calmness. I started composing a song in Malay. In the song, I asked the questions that I felt were on the minds of the Malaysian people. After finishing it a few minutes later, I recorded it and wondered how I could share this song with other Malaysians. I did not have a Youtube account at that time and realizing that Youtube only accepted videos, I felt nervous at the thought that everybody would be able to see my face. I asked myself, “If expressing my thoughts and opinions on this issue would ruin my songwriting career, a career that I am trying so hard to do, a career that has barely started, would I still do this?” The answer was a resounding “Yes”. I went ahead and uploaded the video to share the song with my friends and family.
A few days later Bernama TV News called at 2:00 am to interview me about the song. To my surprise, many people supported the message of my song. I also found out from a friend that Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, the daughter of Malaysia’s ex-Prime Minister Tun Mahathir, mentioned the song in her article written for The Star newspaper. For the first time, I did not feel alone anymore knowing that many other Malaysians shared similar thoughts with me.
My aspiration for Malaysia is for all Malaysians to have freedom – freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the freedom as an adult to marry whomever they love. Most of all, I aspire for each Malaysian to have equal rights regardless of one’s race whether it is Indian, Kadazan, Chinese, Malay, Dayak, or mixed-parentage like me.
Read the full article here: https://www.loyarburok.com/2013/01/06/katakanlah/
#Unity
Interview: From Purpose to Impact
‘Never setting any boundary before her art...Amirah aligns purpose and impact in a greatly versatile way. Her calls for unity and peace come with perfect timing...”
Thank you for the thoughtful write-up and the opportunity to discuss my music. You captured the deep passion and purpose that inspires my artistic journey.
‘Never setting any boundary before her art...Amirah aligns purpose and impact in a greatly versatile way. Her calls for unity and peace come with perfect timing...”
Thank you for the thoughtful write-up and the opportunity to discuss my music. You captured the deep passion and purpose that inspires my artistic journey.
#3rdCulture #EastMeetsWest #Unity
My First Podcast Interview!
I had such a great time speaking to TL Mazumdar and being a guest on his podcast.
I had such a great time speaking to TL Mazumdar and being a guest on his podcast. It was a wonderful opportunity to share my artistic vision and passion for using music to bridge cultural divides.
#3rdCulture, #EastMeetsWest #Unity
How a Guitar Cover Reignited Memories of My Songwriting Journey
Listening to this guitar arrangement of a song I composed and wrote called "Alone Again" by Josh Hana evoked a lot of old memories…
Listening to this guitar arrangement of a song I composed and wrote called "Alone Again" by Josh Hana evoked a lot of old memories in my mind.
When I started my career as a singer-songwriter, I was still confused about which songs truly represented me as an artist, and which ones should be for other artists. It was tricky, since I had composed and written them all myself. They all sounded so different from each other, jumping between pop and world music. How could I know which one represented me and which one did not? I was at a loss. It took me many years of soul searching to figure it out.
When I listened to this guitar arrangement of my song "Alone Again", I felt super touched.
Thank you for the great arrangement and playing, Josh Hana!
PS. If you know of any artist who may be interested in this song, email management@amirah360.com for the full demo.
An Interview: A Message of Unity Through Music
If there was ever a time in our modern history when we need unity, it is now. In our politically, culturally, and physically divided world, it can be easy to retreat to our tribes, and often for good reason. But there is also plenty of space for messages about unity to remind us of the common good among us as human beings.
Malaysian musician Amirah is an artist who believes in the message of unity wholeheartedly and is using her talents to spread that message wherever she can. The award-winning singer/songwriter grew up in Malaysia and blends traditional Eastern sounds with more modern Western pop music, showing unity through the medium of music.
Both of her latest singles 'You Are My Land' and 'Tell Me' are cinematic in scope with luscious live strings and modern pop drums. Originally composed in Malay, her music explores faith, freedom, and the endless search for meaning for who we truly are as a people. Amirah's lyrics speak specifically to women of color who fight for their dreams, as she confidently creates her inspired music and stays loyal to her heritage.
We spoke with Amirah to go deeper into some of these themes and learn more about her music, her background, and her message.
Tell us about your journey into music – where did it all start for you?
I was a very introverted child growing up. I gravitated toward my grandfather's old piano, which he had bought for my mother when she expressed interest in learning to play. Eventually, my mother enrolled me in piano lessons, which I am eternally grateful for. I started composing small piano pieces as a child, and later picked up the cello, an instrument I have grown to deeply adore. Over time, I became a songwriter, composing songs for other artists and various projects.
One day, a song I had composed and sung myself, a piece calling for unity, caught the attention of the national news in Malaysia. Due to this unexpected turn of events, I was encouraged to start singing and performing my own original songs.
Growing up in an Indian and Malaysian family you have been influenced by cross-cultural influences. Can you tell us how that defined your sound and you as an artist?
I am very proud of my biracial heritage. Growing up in the melting pot of cultures that is Malaysia definitely shaped my sound and who I am as an artist. I was exposed to both Malay and Indian cultures at home, and I learned to deeply appreciate, understand and love them both. The music, language, dance, and fusion of foods in Malaysia are absolutely extraordinary. There is nowhere else I have seen where a person can experience such incredible diversity and blending of traditions in a single nation.
However, this richness of cultural influences also raised many questions for me regarding my own identity. How could I embrace both my modern sensibilities and my deep cultural roots? Why did I have to choose between them? This sparked my journey of experimenting and fusing traditional Eastern instruments into my cinematic pop music. It was a way for me to authentically express the full breadth of my artistic and personal identity.
You are also an activist who wants to give greater representation for women of color especially. What are some of the causes you are passionate about?
Here is the edited version of your response:
I am a feminist, and have been since I was a child, almost by default. I have always questioned everything. Being unfairly treated due to my gender damaged my self-esteem for a very long time. I remember telling a relative that I wanted to be a doctor, only to be told that if I did, I would be too old to get married and no man would want me. Some of my school teachers even told me I was too dark-skinned, which they equated with being ugly, and they asked me to stay away from the sun. I was also taught to be ashamed of my body as a woman. It was a very lonely experience, not having anyone to discuss these topics with, and never meeting anyone who shared a similar mindset as a child and teenager.
However, I have now grown to deeply love my beautiful skin color and my body. I look up to Zainah Anwar, a Malaysian female activist, whose articles I loved reading as a teenager. They gave me a glimpse of hope that there were other people out there who thought like me. I have always believed that men and women are equal, and that they deserve equal rights, opportunities and respect - at home, at work and in their communities.
Tell us about your latest singles “You Are My Land” and “Tell Me”. What are the messages behind them?
Here is the edited version of your response:
I was literally in tears when I composed "You Are My Land" on the piano. The song is an expression of my deep love for my country, Malaysia, and the pain I feel in watching it be torn apart by power, greed and corruption. I also thought about people from other countries who have had to flee their homelands due to war. With the worldwide pandemic and so many people being uprooted and displaced, I feel that the message of this song will resonate strongly. I have been very touched by the positive, heartfelt responses and comments I've received from people all around the world.
"Tell Me" is the English version of my song "Katakanlah", which poses the question of who we truly are. Are we defined by our name? Our face? With the urgent call for racial equality and unity, I believe it is critical for people to start asking these important questions. Why do we hurt others simply because of the color of their skin or their religious beliefs? When we hurt others, we only end up harming ourselves, and humanity and the planet pay a devastating price. During times of pain and division, it's important for us to realize that we are not alone. Sometimes, that realization alone can be the start of the healing process, allowing us to unite and work towards a better future.
How do you balance wanting to stay true to your heritage with the often narrow confines of the music industry and what is considered “pop music”?
Balancing my desire to stay true to my heritage with the often narrow confines of the music industry was an ongoing challenge. There was a time when I couldn't even listen to the radio for several years because of this conflict.
However, the rise of the internet has been a game-changer. More and more artists are now able to express our true creative visions musically without being pigeonholed into specific genres. Genre boundaries are becoming increasingly blurred, and alternative sounds are gaining greater acceptance.
The world is our audience now, not just a particular geographic location. I work incredibly hard to stay faithful to my own artistic vision and not let genre classifications dictate how my music should sound.
I understand the practical need for genres when it comes to music distribution and discovery. But those categories should not be allowed to influence the artistic creation process itself. I ask myself every day to ensure I am always serving the music first, and never shortchanging my creative vision.
Your lyrics explore faith, freedom, and the need to find meaning. Can you share more about this, and why it has become an important part of your music?
I've always had a curious mind since I was a child. I questioned everything, because freedom is extremely important to me. Personally, I've turned to songwriting as a means of expression during my loneliest, most isolated, and painful times - the times when I felt misunderstood and didn't belong. It is through the act of songwriting that I am able to express my pain, my struggles, and my deepest truths. Sometimes I feel that music is the only thing that truly understands me.
Who are some of your musical heroes, and why?
Some of my musical heroes include Jacqueline du Pré, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Anoushka Shankar, Yo-Yo Ma, and Tan Sri P. Ramlee. Each of them has endured immense personal challenges in their lives, some of them extremely tragic.
Ryuichi Sakamoto, in particular, is one of my favorite composers. I greatly admire how he endured and defeated throat cancer, never giving up on his "personal legend" and always striving for greatness.
I also have a deep admiration for cellist Yo-Yo Ma, for creating The Silk Road Ensemble as a means of spreading a message of unity through music. And I'm in awe of Anoushka Shankar's courageous collaborations and her work in breaking down barriers as a female sitarist.
We live in such a divided country, and world. How do you hope to unite people with your music?
I always remember what my cello teacher said - that music has the power to profoundly alter people's emotions. As musicians, we must remember that we hold a great responsibility when wielding that power. Do we want to create music that promotes harm and conflict? Or do we want to craft music that helps people feel connected and heal?
Music is incredibly powerful because it has the ability to transcend boundaries. There is at least one situation where you can find people with opposing beliefs come together in celebration - at a music concert. During a performance, people seem to forget their cultural and political identities, uniting instead in the magic and spirit of the music. Even if it's only for a night, that shared experience is so meaningful.
Through my music, I hope to pose important questions in people's minds. I want to help people realize that, at our core, we are all one and the same - we all want the same fundamental things in life. My goal is to use the unifying force of music to bridge divides and bring people together.
What can listeners look forward to next from you?
I am working on releasing a few more songs and completing my full album project. I plan to share a lot of behind-the-scenes content and updates with my audience as that creative process unfolds.
Alongside my music, I have also been designing my own East meets West clothing line, which I'm excited to be releasing soon. Additionally, I'm in the process of creating a miniseries of East meets West-themed videos that I hope will resonate with my fans.
People can check out my latest creative projects and releases on my website. I'm really looking forward to continuing to share my artistic vision and message of unity through this diverse array of mediums - music, fashion, and video content. My goal is to use every platform available to me to bridge cultural divides and bring people together.
If there was ever a time in our modern history when we need unity, it is now. In our politically, culturally, and physically divided world, it can be easy to retreat to our tribes, and often for good reason. But there is also plenty of space for messages about unity to remind us of the common good among us as human beings.
Malaysian musician Amirah is an artist who believes in the message of unity wholeheartedly and is using her talents to spread that message wherever she can. The award-winning singer/songwriter grew up in Malaysia and blends traditional Eastern sounds with more modern Western pop music, showing unity through the medium of music.
Both of her latest singles 'You Are My Land' and 'Tell Me' are cinematic in scope with luscious live strings and modern pop drums. Originally composed in Malay, her music explores faith, freedom, and the endless search for meaning for who we truly are as a people. Amirah's lyrics speak specifically to women of color who fight for their dreams, as she confidently creates her inspired music and stays loyal to her heritage.
We spoke with Amirah to go deeper into some of these themes and learn more about her music, her background, and her message.
Tell us about your journey into music – where did it all start for you?
I was a very introverted child growing up. I gravitated toward my grandfather's old piano, which he had bought for my mother when she expressed interest in learning to play. Eventually, my mother enrolled me in piano lessons, which I am eternally grateful for. I started composing small piano pieces as a child, and later picked up the cello, an instrument I have grown to deeply adore. Over time, I became a songwriter, composing songs for other artists and various projects.
One day, a song I had composed and sung myself, a piece calling for unity, caught the attention of the national news in Malaysia. Due to this unexpected turn of events, I was encouraged to start singing and performing my own original songs.
Growing up in an Indian and Malaysian family you have been influenced by cross-cultural influences. Can you tell us how that defined your sound and you as an artist?
I am very proud of my biracial heritage. Growing up in the melting pot of cultures that is Malaysia definitely shaped my sound and who I am as an artist. I was exposed to both Malay and Indian cultures at home, and I learned to deeply appreciate, understand and love them both. The music, language, dance, and fusion of foods in Malaysia are absolutely extraordinary. There is nowhere else I have seen where a person can experience such incredible diversity and blending of traditions in a single nation.
However, this richness of cultural influences also raised many questions for me regarding my own identity. How could I embrace both my modern sensibilities and my deep cultural roots? Why did I have to choose between them? This sparked my journey of experimenting and fusing traditional Eastern instruments into my cinematic pop music. It was a way for me to authentically express the full breadth of my artistic and personal identity.
You are also an activist who wants to give greater representation for women of color especially. What are some of the causes you are passionate about?
I am a feminist, and have been since I was a child, almost by default. I have always questioned everything. Being unfairly treated due to my gender damaged my self-esteem for a very long time. I remember telling a relative that I wanted to be a doctor, only to be told that if I did, I would be too old to get married and no man would want me. Some of my school teachers even told me I was too dark-skinned, which they equated with being ugly, and they asked me to stay away from the sun. I was also taught to be ashamed of my body as a woman. It was a very lonely experience, not having anyone to discuss these topics with, and never meeting anyone who shared a similar mindset as a child and teenager.
However, I have now grown to deeply love my beautiful skin color and my body. I look up to Zainah Anwar, a Malaysian female activist, whose articles I loved reading as a teenager. They gave me a glimpse of hope that there were other people out there who thought like me.
Tell us about your latest singles “You Are My Land” and “Tell Me”. What are the messages behind them?
I was literally in tears when I composed "You Are My Land" on the piano. The song is an expression of my deep love for my country, Malaysia, and the pain I feel in watching it be torn apart by power, greed and corruption. I also thought about people from other countries who have had to flee their homelands due to war. With the worldwide pandemic and so many people being uprooted and displaced, I feel that the message of this song will resonate strongly. I have been very touched by the positive, heartfelt responses and comments I've received from people all around the world.
"Tell Me" is the English version of my song "Katakanlah", which poses the question of who we truly are. Are we defined by our name? Our face? With the urgent call for racial equality and unity, I believe it is critical for people to start asking these important questions. Why do we hurt others simply because of the color of their skin or their religious beliefs? When we hurt others, we only end up harming ourselves, and humanity and the planet pay a devastating price. During times of pain and division, it's important for us to realize that we are not alone. Sometimes, that realization alone can be the start of the healing process, allowing us to unite and work towards a better future.
How do you balance wanting to stay true to your heritage with the often narrow confines of the music industry and what is considered “pop music”?
Balancing my desire to stay true to my heritage with the often narrow confines of the music industry has been an ongoing challenge, and one I grapple with in many ways. There was a time when I couldn't even listen to the radio for several years because of this conflict.
However, the rise of the internet has been a game-changer. More and more artists are now able to express our true creative visions musically without being pigeonholed into specific genres. Genre boundaries are becoming increasingly blurred, and alternative sounds are gaining greater acceptance.
The world is our audience now, not just a particular geographic location. I work incredibly hard to stay faithful to my own artistic vision and not let genre classifications dictate how my music should sound.
I understand the practical need for genres when it comes to music distribution and discovery. But those categories should not be allowed to influence the artistic creation process itself. I ask myself every day to ensure I am always serving the music first, and never shortchanging my creative vision.
Your lyrics explore faith, freedom, and the need to find meaning. Can you share more about this, and why it has become an important part of your music?
I've always had a curious mind since I was a child. I questioned everything, because freedom is extremely important to me. Personally, I've turned to songwriting as a means of expression during my loneliest, most isolated, and painful times - the times when I felt misunderstood and didn't belong. It is through the act of songwriting that I am able to express my pain, my struggles, and my deepest truths. Sometimes I feel that music is the only thing that truly understands me.
Who are some of your musical heroes, and why?
Some of my musical heroes include Jacqueline du Pré, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Anoushka Shankar, Yo-Yo Ma, and Tan Sri P. Ramlee. Each of them has endured immense personal challenges in their lives, some of them extremely tragic.
Ryuichi Sakamoto, in particular, is one of my favorite composers. I greatly admire how he endured and defeated throat cancer, never giving up on his "personal legend" and always striving for greatness.
I also have a deep admiration for cellist Yo-Yo Ma, for creating The Silk Road Ensemble as a means of spreading a message of unity through music. And I'm in awe of Anoushka Shankar's courageous collaborations and her work in breaking down barriers as a female sitarist.
None of these artists gave up on their dreams, even in the face of adversity. They have all inspired me with their resilience and dedication to their craft.
We live in such a divided country, and world. How do you hope to unite people with your music?
I always remember what my cello teacher said - that music has the power to profoundly alter people's emotions. As musicians, we must remember that we hold a great responsibility when wielding that power. Do we want to create music that promotes harm and conflict? Or do we want to craft music that helps people feel connected and heal?
Music is incredibly powerful because it has the ability to transcend boundaries. There is at least one situation where you can find people with opposing beliefs come together in celebration - at a music concert. During a performance, people seem to forget their cultural and political identities, uniting instead in the magic and spirit of the music. Even if it's only for a night, that shared experience is so meaningful.
Through my music, I hope to pose important questions in people's minds. I want to help them realize that, at our core, we are all the same - we all want the same fundamental things in life. My goal is to use the unifying force of music to bridge divides and bring people together.
What can listeners look forward to next from you?
I am working on releasing a few more songs and completing my full album project. I plan to share a lot of behind-the-scenes content and updates with my audience as that creative process unfolds.
Alongside my music, I have also been designing my own East meets West clothing line, which I'm excited to be releasing soon. Additionally, I'm in the process of creating a miniseries of East meets West-themed YouTube videos that I hope will resonate with my fans.
People can check out my latest creative projects and releases on my website. I'm really looking forward to continuing to share my artistic vision and message of unity through this diverse array of mediums - music, fashion, and video content.
My goal is to use every platform available to me to bridge cultural divides and bring people together.
#3rdCulture #EastMeetsWest #Unity
An Interview: Bridging Differences Through Songs
“Unity and equality shape my music as these values affect me greatly,” says singer of Malay-Indian parentage.
UNITY is a value close to singer-songwriter Amirah’s heart. It is even reflected in her music.
For this lass of Malay-Indian parentage, assimilation of different races comes naturally.
“As a child, I would hear my father play Hindi songs while my mother played her keroncong music,” she told The Sun in a recent email interview from Los Angeles where she is based.
Her first release, You Are My Land, tells of the pain she feels as Malaysia goes through political challenges. This was followed by Tell Me that questions Malaysians’ identity.
“Values such as unity and equality shape my music because these issues affect me greatly.
“Unity is the driving force in my life and it breaks my heart when I see people hurt or fight each other. Unfortunately, racial polarisation has reared its ugly head,” Amirah said.
“When we focus on our differences, we are divided,” she added.
“However, when we focus on our shared humanity, we see that we are all the same.”
To push her message of unity across, Amirah blends traditional Malaysian sounds with Western pop music.
Amirah began composing music on the piano at the tender age of 11. Her introduction to the gamelan during her teens set her on a path to fuse traditional Asian culture with Western modernity.
Gamelan is a traditional musical form that has its roots in the Malay archipelago.
“It is sad that this beautiful music has been forgotten by the young. It will be a great loss if we do not incorporate it into our culture,” she said.
Her sentiment for her culture and tradition, combined with personal identity issues she faced in the past, led her to embrace her roots.
“When I started writing songs, the big names in the local music scene then were Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Nadeera, Atilia Haron and Alif Satar,” she said.
Amirah attended the annual American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers conference that eventually led to an introduction to producer Jeff Bova.
“It was like the doors had finally opened for me. Jeff understood my musical concept instantly.
She moved to Los Angeles to record her first album.
The album was scheduled to be released late last year but it was delayed due to the rapid spread of Covid-19 in the United States.
But for Amirah, the delay was a blessing.
Being autistic, she has trouble functioning with background noises and large crowds.
“With the lockdown to curb the pandemic, there is less noise in my surroundings and there are no crowded places,” she said.
Amirah has come a long way. Just recently, the singer-songwriter reached the semi-finals in the International Songwriting Competition and is a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
She said those who would like to help her release songs that inspire people to unite, could sign up as a member of the Amirah’s Aliens.
“Unity and equality shape my music as these values affect me greatly,” says singer of Malay-Indian parentage.
UNITY is a value close to singer-songwriter Amirah’s heart. It is even reflected in her music.
For this lass of Malay-Indian parentage, assimilation of different races comes naturally.
“As a child, I would hear my father play Hindi songs while my mother played her keroncong music,” she told The Sun in a recent email interview from Los Angeles where she is based.
Her first release, You Are My Land, tells of the pain she feels as Malaysia goes through political challenges. This was followed by Tell Me that questions Malaysians’ identity.
“Values such as unity and equality shape my music because these issues affect me greatly.
“Unity is the driving force in my life and it breaks my heart when I see people hurt or fight each other. Unfortunately, racial polarisation has reared its ugly head,” Amirah said.
“When we focus on our differences, we are divided,” she added.
“However, when we focus on our shared humanity, we see that we are all the same.”
To push her message of unity across, Amirah blends traditional Malaysian sounds with Western pop music.
Amirah began composing music on the piano at the tender age of 11. Her introduction to the gamelan during her teens set her on a path to fuse traditional Asian culture with Western modernity.
Gamelan is a traditional musical form that has its roots in the Malay archipelago.
“It is sad that this beautiful music has been forgotten by the young. It will be a great loss if we do not incorporate it into our culture,” she said.
Her sentiment for her culture and tradition, combined with personal identity issues she faced in the past, led her to embrace her roots.
“When I started writing songs, the big names in the local music scene then were Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Nadeera, Atilia Haron and Alif Satar,” she said.
Amirah attended the annual American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers conference that eventually led to an introduction to producer Jeff Bova.
“It was like the doors had finally opened for me. Jeff understood my musical concept instantly.
She moved to Los Angeles to record her first album.
The album was scheduled to be released late last year but it was delayed due to the rapid spread of Covid-19 in the United States.
But for Amirah, the delay was a blessing.
Being autistic, she has trouble functioning with background noises and large crowds.
“With the lockdown to curb the pandemic, there is less noise in my surroundings and there are no crowded places,” she said.
Amirah has come a long way. Just recently, the singer-songwriter reached the semi-finals in the International Songwriting Competition and is a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
She said those who would like to help her release songs that inspire people to unite, could sign up as a member of the Amirah’s Aliens.
#3rdCulture #EastMeetsWest #Unity
Honored to Have My Music Recognized on the Global Stage
I wanted to share with you an exciting and humbling update: my song "Tell Me" was awarded Finalist in The John Lennon Songwriting Contest and "You Are My Land" was awarded Semi-Finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.
"Tell Me" made it to the top 4 in the Inspirational category. The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is a prestigious international annual contest created by Yoko Ono Lennon, and the ISC featured judges such as Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and Tom Waits, so I feel incredibly honored and blessed.
To celebrate this achievement, I treated myself to a delicious Nasi Bungkus - a traditional Malaysian rice dish. It was the perfect way to mark this special occasion.
I'm deeply grateful to everyone who has supported my music and encouraged me to keep composing and singing.
A heartfelt thank you to my amazing producer Jeff Bova, the legendary tabla player Satnam Ramgotra, as well as Dave Eggar, Amy Powers and Satoshi Naguchi. Your contributions have been invaluable.
These accolades serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving and celebrating our beautiful, hypnotic traditional instruments like the tabla, tanpura and gamelan. I'll always do my part to keep these cultural treasures alive through my music.
This recognition is a true honor, and it inspires me to continue using my art as a bridge between cultures, fostering greater understanding and unity.
I wanted to share with you an exciting and humbling update: my song "Tell Me" was awarded Finalist in The John Lennon Songwriting Contest and "You Are My Land" was awarded Semi-Finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.
"Tell Me" made it to the top 4 in the Inspirational category. The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is a prestigious international annual contest created by Yoko Ono Lennon, and the ISC featured judges such as Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and Tom Waits, so I feel incredibly honored and blessed.
To celebrate this achievement, I treated myself to a delicious Nasi Bungkus - a traditional Malaysian rice dish. It was the perfect way to mark this special occasion.
I'm deeply grateful to everyone who has supported my music and encouraged me to keep composing and singing.
A heartfelt thank you to my amazing producer Jeff Bova, the legendary tabla player Satnam Ramgotra, as well as Dave Eggar, Amy Powers and Satoshi Naguchi. Your contributions have been invaluable.
These accolades serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving and celebrating our beautiful, hypnotic traditional instruments like the tabla, tanpura and gamelan. I'll always do my part to keep these cultural treasures alive through my music.
This recognition is a true honor, and it inspires me to continue using my art as a bridge between cultures, fostering greater understanding and unity.
For those of you that have been following and supporting me from the beginning, you know how important the the message of unity is and always will be to me.
To my Aliens, I am forever grateful for your encouragement. You put the wind in my sails. I have taken these humble steps forward in my musical career because of you.
#3rdCulture #EastMeetsWest #Unity
Say Hello to My Chromatic Saron
Growing up in Malaysia, I was drawn to the gamelan. The gamelan is my favorite traditional instrument. I love the mesmerizing and hypnotic sound.
Now that making music is my career, I love incorporating the gamelan into my songs. So I wanted people to see what they were hearing. What is the gamelan saron? What are they hearing? I wanted them to know and see what the gamelan is. Maybe even fall in love with this beautiful and mesmerizing instrument, just as I have.
It was a dream come true when I had a custom gamelan saron made for me some time ago. It truly was a labor of love. This is a photo of my custom-built chromatic gamelan saron.
It was a long, drawn-out process. It took a while to find a builder. Once I found one, communication with him was difficult because of his remote location. The next challenge was shipping this heavy instrument to Malaysia. It took forever to arrive from Indonesia.
Before I received my gamelan saron, I used gamelan music samples rather than live gamelan instruments because of the challenges of matching the different tunings and modes with western music. This made it very challenging for me to include gamelan into my music.
I had to develop a solution because I had this vision of fusing traditional instruments in pop music, creating a world of East meets West, a representation of this hybrid and unity of unity, and East met West through music and did not want to compromise it. Since I love the sound of the gamelan, the gamelan saron was central to making this vision come true.
Eventually, my chromatic gamelan saron finally arrived at my home in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The next step was challenging too. I had to pack and transport this instrument halfway across the world to another country, all the way from Malaysia to the USA, and finally to Los Angeles. Talk about an East meets West journey!
My musical East meets West vision was finally coming true through the gift of this unique hybrid instrument. I was thrilled and grateful to be able to play, record, and include my chromatic gamelan saron into my song "You Are My Land." I had to keep pinching myself in the studio to remind myself that this was real.
Growing up in Malaysia, I was drawn to the gamelan. The gamelan is my favorite traditional instrument. I love the mesmerizing and hypnotic sound.
Now that music is my career, I've been on a mission to incorporate the gamelan into my songs, allowing others to experience its beauty.
It was a dream come true when I had a custom chromatic gamelan saron built for me some time ago. This was truly a labor of love, as the process was long and challenging. Finding the right builder, navigating communication barriers due to their remote location, and then shipping the heavy instrument all the way from Indonesia to Malaysia proved to be no easy feat.
Before I received my gamelan saron, I had to rely on recorded samples rather than live instruments, which made it difficult to seamlessly blend the gamelan's unique tunings and modes with my Western-influenced pop music. I've been called crazy many times! But I was determined to find a solution, as fusing traditional and contemporary sounds was central to my artistic vision.
When the custom-built saron finally arrived at my home in Kuala Lumpur, the journey was far from over. I then had to carefully transport this precious instrument halfway across the world, from Malaysia to Los Angeles. It was an East-meets-West odyssey, but one that was well worth the effort.
My musical dreams were finally coming to fruition as I was able to play, record, and incorporate my chromatic gamelan saron into my song "You Are My Land." It was a surreal experience, and I had to keep reminding myself that this was real. Despite the many challenges and naysayers along the way, I persevered, driven by my unwavering passion for this instrument and my vision of blending cultures through music.
I hope that by sharing the story of my gamelan saron, I can inspire others to embrace their unique artistic passions, no matter how unconventional they may seem. As Steve Jobs once said, "The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do." I may have been called "crazy" at times, but I'm proud to be a misfit, a rebel, and a changemaker in the world of music.
I invite you to listen to the captivating tones of my gamelan saron in "You Are My Land" and fall in love with this beautiful instrument, just as I have. I can't wait to share more of this East-meets-West fusion with you in my upcoming tracks.
"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… The ones who see things differently – they're not fond of rules. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the one thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things… Because the ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do. Think different." - Steve Jobs.
#EastMeetsWest
The Amirah Logo: A Backstory
I'm excited to share the story behind the design of my logo today. It's a tale that's deeply rooted in my fascination with Indonesian culture and the rich symbolism of the 'Kayon' - a captivating element found in the traditional shadow puppet art form known as 'Wayang Kulit'.
As many of you know, I've long been enamored with the mesmerizing sound of the Gamelan, the traditional ensemble music from Indonesia, and its influence can be heard throughout my work. But it was the 'Kayon' that truly captured my imagination from the very first moment I laid eyes on it.
The 'Kayon's' resemblance to the letter 'A' (my first initial) immediately piqued my interest, and the intricate details of its design, as well as the profound stories it represents, felt incredibly resonant with me. In fact, another name for the 'Kayon' is the 'Gunungan', which translates to 'The Tree of Life' - a concept that deeply resonates with my own love for nature and the interconnectedness of all things.
As I delved deeper into the significance of the 'Kayon' in Indonesian puppet art, I was struck by the way it symbolizes the cyclical nature of life. Used at the beginning and end of performances, the 'Kayon' reflects the belief that all of life, including its beginnings and endings, is part of an eternal, interconnected cycle. This idea of duality and the blending of opposites - the ancient and the futuristic, the Eastern and the Western - perfectly encapsulates the artistic vision I've always had for my music.
With this inspiration in hand, I began researching 'Kayon' designs, saving the ones that resonated with me and experimenting with sketches on paper. As a visual and kinesthetic person, I wanted to explore the design from multiple angles, fine-tuning the details until I had a shortlist of my favorites.
The next step was to bring my ideas to a few graphic designers, but I quickly found that translating an artist's vision into a cohesive logo design is no easy feat. Some of the initial designs were too cute, too feminine, or too corporate - missing the delicate balance of tradition and modernity that I was seeking.
At one point, I even considered giving up, until someone suggested I try 99designs, a platform that facilitates design contests. Though I was initially hesitant about the competitive approach, it ended up being the solution I needed. After a month of constant digital correspondence and sensory overload, I finally landed on the perfect logo design.
The journey was not without its challenges (and major sensory overload!), but the end result is a logo that I'm truly proud of - one that beautifully captures the essence of my artistic identity and the cultural duality that has always been a part of my creative expression.
I hope you've enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at the story of my logo. It's a tale that speaks to the power of cultural exchange, the importance of perseverance, and the magic that can happen when we're willing to step outside our comfort zones and embrace the unfamiliar.
Below are some of the images I went through before settling on the final one:
I'm excited to share the story behind the design of my logo today. It's a tale that's deeply rooted in my fascination with Indonesian culture and the rich symbolism of the 'Kayon' - a captivating element found in the traditional shadow puppet art form known as 'Wayang Kulit'.
As many of you know, I've long been enamored with the mesmerizing sound of the Gamelan, the traditional ensemble music from Indonesia, and its influence can be heard throughout my work. But it was the 'Kayon' that truly captured my imagination from the very first moment I laid eyes on it.
The 'Kayon's' resemblance to the letter 'A' (my first initial) immediately piqued my interest, and the intricate details of its design, as well as the profound stories it represents, felt incredibly resonant with me. In fact, another name for the 'Kayon' is the 'Gunungan', which translates to 'The Tree of Life' - a concept that deeply resonates with my own love for nature and the interconnectedness of all things.
As I delved deeper into the significance of the 'Kayon' in Indonesian puppet art, I was struck by the way it symbolizes the cyclical nature of life. Used at the beginning and end of performances, the 'Kayon' reflects the belief that all of life, including its beginnings and endings, is part of an eternal, interconnected cycle. This idea of duality and the blending of opposites - the ancient and the futuristic, the Eastern and the Western - perfectly encapsulates the artistic vision I've always had for my music.
With this inspiration in hand, I began researching 'Kayon' designs, saving the ones that resonated with me and experimenting with sketches on paper. As a visual and kinesthetic person, I wanted to explore the design from multiple angles, fine-tuning the details until I had a shortlist of my favorites.
The next step was to bring my ideas to a few graphic designers, but I quickly found that translating an artist's vision into a cohesive logo design is no easy feat. Some of the initial designs were too cute, too feminine, or too corporate - missing the delicate balance of tradition and modernity that I was seeking.
At one point, I even considered giving up, until someone suggested I try 99designs, a platform that facilitates design contests. Though I was initially hesitant about the competitive approach, it ended up being the solution I needed. After a month of constant digital correspondence and sensory overload, I finally landed on the perfect logo design.
The journey was not without its challenges (and major sensory overload!), but the end result is a logo that I'm truly proud of - one that beautifully captures the essence of my artistic identity and the cultural duality that has always been a part of my creative expression.
I hope you've enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at the story of my logo. It's a tale that speaks to the power of cultural exchange, the importance of perseverance, and the magic that can happen when we're willing to step outside our comfort zones and embrace the unfamiliar.
Below are some of the images I went through before settling on the final one:
#3rdCulture #EastMeetsWest #Minimalist
An Interview: Embracing Authenticity and Unity
Hi Amirah. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to interview with me. Please tell us about yourself?
Hi Sylvia. My name is Amirah, and I'm a singer-songwriter originally from Malaysia, currently based in Los Angeles. I'm passionate about fusing traditional instruments and Eastern influences into my modern, cinematic sound. At the heart of my music and creative vision is a deep desire to promote unity and bring people together through my art.
Hmmm, how interesting. I took a few minutes to listen to one of your songs, “You Are My Land’ and the tempo and words were just beautiful. You are very talented. What does success mean to you?
For me, success means being true to myself and fulfilling my calling to unite people through music. It's not about external measures, but about having the freedom to express my authentic self and make a positive impact.
How do you create work-life balance?
I tend to hyperfocus when I am working, so, for example, I have to tell myself that before the sun goes down, it's time to stop. The beautiful colors in the sky during the golden hour helps drag me away from work and go for a walk or hike. I've found that unplugging from digital devices on the weekends and immersing myself in nature, like going for hikes, is essential for me. My morning routine of meditation, journaling, affirmations, and exercise is also very important.
I like that. I think it’s important to disconnect and unwind. I like to sit and be quiet often. It helps to clear my mind. In what way do you give back to your community?
I'm passionate about inspiring unity through my music and voice. I'm also an Autism advocate, and I lead a bi-monthly Asperger's support group online, sharing my own experiences and challenges as an autistic, female singer-songwriter.
What steps do you think are necessary for an entrepreneur who wants to move her business/success to the next level?
Having a clear vision and a strong 'why' is crucial. It's also important to honestly assess your strengths and weaknesses to avoid burnout and stay focused on what matters most.
I agree. Knowing your why is extremely important. It keeps you focused on what matters. What challenges and opportunities do you see in the present economic environment?
Honestly, this has been one of the best times for me as an independent singer-songwriter. People are so much more open to working remotely. A huge benefit of this is that I don't have to live in the city, which is a life-saver for me, especially since I am an introvert. This suits me perfectly and I am enjoying it!
What books and resources would you recommend to other women in business?
“Lean In”by Sheryl Sandberg, “The Seven Day Weekend” by Ricardo Semler, and “The Effective Executive” by Peter F. Drucker.”
Yes, all of those are good books. What advice do you have for women who are just starting out?
Be true to yourself. Don't try to imitate others. Find a skilled vocal coach who can help you develop your unique voice without damaging it. Persevere, because the journey is worth it.
How do you stay connected in mind, body, and spirit?
My daily meditation routine is essential. Spending time alone and in silence is a necessity for me. If I don't allow myself this time, I cannot think clearly and my senses become overstimulated.
What is your favorite quote to live by?
“When love appears, religion disappears.” – Osho
What is your power word? Why this word?
Unity. It is the reason I am here on this planet, and it guides everything I do. I believe that bringing people together through my music is my true calling.
What is the most important lesson you learned after entering the music industry?
Be true to yourself. Don't try to imitate others. Find a skilled and experienced vocal coach who can help you develop your unique voice without damaging it. Persevere, because the journey is worth it.
What advice would you give to beginning singers?
Be true to yourself. Don't try to imitate others. Find a skilled vocal coach who can help you develop your unique voice without damaging it. Persevere, because the journey is worth it.
This has been awesome, so glad to meet you.
Likewise. Thanks again, Sylvia.
Hi Amirah. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to interview with me. Please tell us about yourself?
Hi Sylvia. My name is Amirah, and I'm a singer-songwriter originally from Malaysia, currently based in Los Angeles. I'm passionate about fusing traditional instruments and Eastern influences into my modern, cinematic sound. At the heart of my music and creative vision is a deep desire to promote unity and bring people together through my art.
Hmmm, how interesting. I took a few minutes to listen to one of your songs, “You Are My Land’ and the tempo and words were just beautiful. You are very talented. What does success mean to you?
For me, success means being true to myself and fulfilling my calling to unite people through music. It's not about external measures, but about having the freedom to express my authentic self and make a positive impact.
How do you create work-life balance?
I tend to hyperfocus when I'm working, so, for example, whenever I notice the sun setting, it's a good cue for me to stop working for the day. The beautiful colors in the sky during the golden hour helps drag me away from work and go for a walk or hike. I've found that unplugging from digital devices on the weekends and immersing myself in nature, like going for hikes, is essential for me. My morning routine of meditation, journaling, affirmations, and exercise is also very important.
I like that. I think it’s important to disconnect and unwind. I like to sit and be quiet often. It helps to clear my mind. In what way do you give back to your community?
I'm passionate about inspiring unity through my music and voice. I'm also an Autism advocate, and I lead a bi-monthly Asperger's support group online, sharing my own experiences and challenges as an autistic, female singer-songwriter.
What steps do you think are necessary for an entrepreneur who wants to move her business/success to the next level?
Having a clear vision and a strong 'why' is crucial. It's also important to honestly assess your strengths and weaknesses to avoid burnout and stay focused on what matters most.
I agree. Knowing your why is extremely important. It keeps you focused on what matters. What challenges and opportunities do you see in the present economic environment?
Honestly, this has been one of the best times for me as an independent singer-songwriter. People are so much more open to working remotely. A huge benefit of this is that I don't have to live in the city, which is a life-saver for me, especially since I am an introvert. This suits me perfectly and I am enjoying it!
What books and resources would you recommend to other women in business?
“Lean In”by Sheryl Sandberg, “The Seven Day Weekend” by Ricardo Semler, and “The Effective Executive” by Peter F. Drucker.”
How do you stay connected in mind, body, and spirit?
My daily meditation routine is essential. Spending time alone and in silence is a necessity for me. If I don't allow myself this time, I cannot think clearly and my senses become overstimulated.
What is your favorite quote to live by?
“When love appears, religion disappears.” – Osho
What is your power word? Why this word?
Unity. It is the reason I am here on this planet, and it guides everything I do. I believe that bringing people together through my music is my true calling.
What is the most important lesson you learned after entering the music industry?
Be true to yourself. Don't try to imitate others. Find a skilled and experienced vocal coach who can help you develop your unique voice without damaging it. Persevere, because the journey is worth it.
What advice would you give to beginning singers?
Be true to yourself. Don't try to imitate others. Find a skilled vocal coach who can help you develop your unique voice without damaging it. Persevere, because the journey is worth it.
This has been awesome, so glad to meet you.
Likewise. Thanks again, Sylvia.
#3rdCulture #EastMeetsWest #Unity
Overwhelmed by Gratitude
Thank you to all of my long-time supporters who have been continuously championing my music. You deserve so much appreciation and gratitude!
Lastly, I will never forget that it was you, my devoted supporters, who encouraged me to take the leap and sing my own original songs. Your belief in me gave me the confidence to share my authentic voice with the world. I am humbled and honored by your unwavering support.
This journey has been made infinitely more meaningful because of all of you. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
I wanted to share with you some of my favorite comments. I enjoyed replying to every single one:
"Wow wow wow! First of all, the voice... I felt it deep in my soul. Hair raising. Beautiful. Secondly, I love the lyrics. They could be about a person but also about our world, our earth and our relationship to it. Right now America seems to be losing its way and this song is a beautiful cry for help. Remember who we are as humans and we will have a better world. Can’t wait for the next release, Amirah! You’re Gifted." "Wow Amirah, this is amazing ... good job with this great song. I couldn’t stop my tears thinking about my country which is in trouble now ....."
"아름답고 순수한 영혼을 가진 아미라의 새 노래는 잊고 있던 나라의 소중함을 다시 일깨워주네요.특히 많은 개인들과 나라들이 고통받고 있는 이 시기에 이 노래가 많은 사람들에게 위로가 될것 같네요. 감동적인 노래를 만들어 준 아미라에게 감사드립니다."English translation below:"Amirah's new song with a beautiful and pure soul reminds us of the preciousness of a forgotten country. I think this song will be comforting to many people, especially at this time when many individuals and countries are suffering. Thank you to Amirah for making this impressive song"
Thank you to all of my long-time supporters who have been continuously championing my music. You deserve so much appreciation and gratitude!
Lastly, I will never forget that it was you, my devoted supporters, who encouraged me to take the leap and sing my own original songs. Your belief in me gave me the confidence to share my authentic voice with the world. I am humbled and honored by your unwavering support.
This journey has been made infinitely more meaningful because of all of you. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
I wanted to share with you some of my favorite comments. I enjoyed replying to every single one:
"Wow wow wow! First of all, the voice... I felt it deep in my soul. Hair raising. Beautiful. Secondly, I love the lyrics. They could be about a person but also about our world, our earth and our relationship to it. Right now America seems to be losing its way and this song is a beautiful cry for help.
Remember who we are as humans and we will have a better world. Can’t wait for the next release, Amirah! You’re Gifted."
"Wow Amirah, this is amazing ... good job with this great song. I couldn’t stop my tears thinking about my country which is in trouble now ....."
"아름답고 순수한 영혼을 가진 아미라의 새 노래는 잊고 있던 나라의 소중함을 다시 일깨워주네요.특히 많은 개인들과 나라들이 고통받고 있는 이 시기에 이 노래가 많은 사람들에게 위로가 될것 같네요. 감동적인 노래를 만들어 준 아미라에게 감사드립니다."
English translation below:
"Amirah's new song with a beautiful and pure soul reminds us of the preciousness of a forgotten country. I think this song will be comforting to many people, especially at this time when many individuals and countries are suffering. Thank you to Amirah for making this impressive song"
#Unity
I Won't Leave You
There was a special moment in the studio that I didn't quite understand at the time. I was recording a song with a fellow musician, Stolar, for my upcoming album. The song was based on a concept I had for a music video about a woman who saves a stranger's life.
As we were listening to the music and discussing the lyrics, Stolar asked how the concept related to me. I told him it didn't. But Stolar kept pressing, and suddenly I was overcome by a memory of when I tried to save a man's life. I burst into tears, repeating, "People are stupid, people are stupid..."
As an Aspie, processing and communicating these emotions is especially hard for me. I struggle to find the words to express how I feel, which is why music is so important. What I can't say in words, I can convey through my music.
The event I was remembering happened a few years earlier, when I was still living in Malaysia. I was driving through my neighborhood and spotted a man lying on the side of the road, barely conscious. I tried to get people to stop and help me move him into my car, but no one would. They either drove past or stopped, saw what was happening, and then quickly left. I was shocked by their unwillingness to help a dying person.
After finally getting some assistance from a family member, we rushed the man to the hospital. Sadly, he passed away there from a heart attack. I cried when I heard the news, even though I knew I'd done my best to try and save him.
Days later, as I listened back to the song we'd recorded, I still couldn't figure out why I was getting so upset over something that happened so long ago to a stranger. The emotions felt raw and confusing.
In therapy, I finally realized why this memory had such a profound impact on me. Watching people ignore a dying man had deeply disappointed me in humanity. If someone had just stopped to help that day, he might still be alive. That realization, even years later, was crushing.
After some time to process these feelings, I was able to find a sense of peace. I wished the man well, wherever he may be now. And I'm grateful that this song gave me a way to share this experience and start to heal.
There was a special moment in the studio that I didn't quite understand at the time. I was recording a song with a fellow musician, Stolar, for my upcoming album. The song was based on a concept I had for a music video about a woman who saves a stranger's life.
As we were listening to the music and discussing the lyrics, Stolar asked how the concept related to me. I told him it didn't. But Stolar kept pressing, and suddenly I was overcome by a memory of when I tried to save a man's life. I burst into tears, repeating, "People are stupid, people are stupid..."
As an Aspie, processing and communicating these emotions is especially hard for me. I struggle to find the words to express how I feel, which is why music is so important. What I can't say in words, I can convey through my music.
The event I was remembering happened a few years earlier, when I was still living in Malaysia. I was driving through my neighborhood and spotted a man lying on the side of the road, barely conscious. I tried to get people to stop and help me move him into my car, but no one would. They either drove past or stopped, saw what was happening, and then quickly left. I was shocked by their unwillingness to help a dying person.
After finally getting some assistance from a family member, we rushed the man to the hospital. Sadly, he passed away there from a heart attack. I cried when I heard the news, even though I knew I'd done my best to try and save him.
Days later, as I listened back to the song we'd recorded, I still couldn't figure out why I was getting so upset over something that happened so long ago to a stranger. The emotions felt raw and confusing.
In therapy, I finally realized why this memory had such a profound impact on me. Watching people ignore a dying man had deeply disappointed me in humanity. If someone had just stopped to help that day, he might still be alive. That realization, even years later, was crushing.
After some time to process these feelings, I was able to find a sense of peace. I wished the man well, wherever he may be now. And I'm grateful that this song gave me a way to share this experience and start to heal.
#Vulnerable
I Am Human
"Saya Manusia" which means "I Am Human" in English, first came to me in a dream. During this time, I was (and still am) deeply affected by the devastating war in Syria. I was also seriously considering quitting the music business as I was very ill at the time and just could not see how I could go on. Consequently, I refused to put any melody that came into my head down on paper, put all my notebooks away and begged the universe to release me from my calling.
No matter how much I tried to ignore it, the melody playing in my head refused to fade from my consciousness. It started haunting me every night before I went to sleep, keeping me up tossing and turning late into the night. Then it started haunting me during the day, too. Like a persistent ghost, it would not be ignored and refused to let me go. It got so bad that it started to seriously affect my daily activities because I couldn't focus on anything else. But still, I refused to commit the melody in my head to paper, hoping it would fade. Nevertheless, it persisted.
Finally, for my peace of mind, I gave in and wrote down the song. As soon as I did, the melody in my head stopped. I shivered when it happened, as I had experienced the very same thing right after I composed "Katakanlah." Like with "Katakanlah," I knew "Saya Manusia" did not come from me but through me. Getting the song down on paper was like an exorcism of sorts, a divine release.
"Saya Manusia" is about the intense feelings of sadness and frustration I feel about the war in Syria. When I composed this song, I felt the profound grief of a mother who has lost her only son in battle. Heartbroken and devastated, the woman cries out in anguish, cursing God for taking her beloved son away from her and begging Him to take her life as well. I feel this mother's pain as if it were my own. I feel her anguish and desperation at the loss of her son and understand why she begs God to take her, too.
I yearn for the day where there will be no more wars that tear families apart and leave mothers bereft of their children. May this song be a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of unimaginable sorrow.
"Saya Manusia" which means "I Am Human" in English, first came to me in a dream. During this time, I was (and still am) deeply affected by the devastating war in Syria. I was also seriously considering quitting the music business as I was very ill at the time and just could not see how I could go on. Consequently, I refused to put any melody that came into my head down on paper, put all my notebooks away and begged the universe to release me from my calling.
No matter how much I tried to ignore it, the melody playing in my head refused to fade from my consciousness. It started haunting me every night before I went to sleep, keeping me up tossing and turning late into the night. Then it started haunting me during the day, too. Like a persistent ghost, it would not be ignored and refused to let me go. It got so bad that it started to seriously affect my daily activities because I couldn't focus on anything else. But still, I refused to commit the melody in my head to paper, hoping it would fade. Nevertheless, it persisted.
Finally, for my peace of mind, I gave in and wrote down the song. As soon as I did, the melody in my head stopped. I shivered when it happened, as I had experienced the very same thing right after I composed "Katakanlah." Like with "Katakanlah," I knew "Saya Manusia" did not come from me but through me. Getting the song down on paper was like an exorcism of sorts, a divine release.
"Saya Manusia" is about the intense feelings of sadness and frustration I feel about the war in Syria. When I composed this song, I felt the profound grief of a mother who has lost her only son in battle. Heartbroken and devastated, the woman cries out in anguish, cursing God for taking her beloved son away from her and begging Him to take her life as well. I feel this mother's pain as if it were my own. I feel her anguish and desperation at the loss of her son and understand why she begs God to take her, too.
I yearn for the day where there will be no more wars that tear families apart and leave mothers bereft of their children. May this song be a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of unimaginable sorrow.
#Vulnerable