i remember 8 years ago when i was in sec 4, art fadzil came down to my school to conduct a songwriting clinic. but i got to know of it too late and i was quite bummed that i missed it. but the person who brought him in was my teacher. and she said she could pass me his email.

i had written a few songs by then and i was quite excited to know that i could get in contact with him. so i had written these 2 malay songs right after a breakup. i thought they were quite good. haha! at the time i never really saw a future in music. i thought i'd just study and be an engineer or something. but i wanted his opinion on my songs. i had no expectations whatsoever. he's someone i look up to and i wanted to know his thoughts.

and so i sent him the songs. and he replied!!! he said that my songs had an indonesian feel to them and that i should never stop writing. "it's a noble thing" he said. it was really sort of like a bigger brother handing down some advice. he was encouraging in every way and gave me some links to music and copyright websites. i thought that was really cool of him.

i took his advice and never stopped writing. and now 8 years later, i find my name right underneath his in a promotional poster for Kaki5 Folk Akustika.

i can't help but feel grateful for the opportunity and wonder what the 8-years-ago me would've thought of this. i won't say that i've come a long way. because there's still so much to do.

but what i do know is that i'm headed in the right direction.

i'm getting there. insya'Allah.


Two nights of Malay Folk Music. At Esplanade Concourse. Admission is free Wednesday 22nd Oct. 08 7.15pm - 8.45pm Art Fazil Yunos Erksan Rowell Sakti
Thursday 23rd Oct. 08 7.15pm - 8.45pm Banjir Bromo Adha Tengku Adil


be there for some musical magic. :)

i felt that i didn't really have a good ramadhan. sure i fasted. but that's not even close to what ramadhan is all about. my mind was mostly on schoolwork and other worldly things. time zoomed by and it was raya before i knew it...

but somehow... something happened...

on the morning of raya, my mind felt clear. my heart felt clear. i felt so light and it felt like i finally understood something... i just don't know what that something is.

i still feel the same way now. in a way, i almost feel like a new person. i feel so contented... but i don't know what i'm contented about.

could it be that i've stopped stressing about my album because i've decided to do something about it?

could it be that i know exactly what i need to do for my school work?

could it be that i'm simply just happy and thankful for all my blessings?

could it be everything?

maybe... maybe not...

i think this syawal has not just cleared my mind, but it has also opened my heart. i feel at peace but still with a sense of purpose. i feel less burdened but i'm aiming for big things.

the israk mikraj comes in many different ways to different people. i feel this is one of mine. this could be my miracle of the holy month of ramadhan. Alhamdulillah.