GROWING up in a family of eclectic musicians – from her father Dr Wan Zawawi who is a renowned anthropologist and folk singer-songwriter, to her older brothers Rendra and Hameer who are both pursuing music in the United States – has subconsciously influenced Malaysian singer-songwriter Kaisha, who is based in the United Kingdom.

She shares: “Growing up surrounded by live music really opened up my eyes to the possibility of it as a career, and I’ve got no one but my family to thank for it.”

Her debut EP, Something Else is a lush mirage of futuristic neo-soul and jazz-esque breakdowns replete with pop grooves.

Her melancholic tempos and nostalgic beats build a sentimental soundscape, and her lyricism pierces the hearts of many listeners.

Who were the first major artistic influences in your life?

“I’ve had so many artistic influences but the one who stands out the most and one I really resonate my writing with is Erykah Badu. She’s such an iconic soulstress legend!

“KAYTRANADA is also another one, his album 99.9% was the soundtrack of my life for a very long time.”

You moved to Brighton for university in 2015 and started pursuing music seriously – how has your practice evolved as a result?

“I’m definitely way more informed about the music industry as a whole than I was before. I’ve become more organised too, and I think I’ve gotten even more passionate about music.

“With all this, I just feel a lot more focused, knowing what I need to do to keep this momentum going.”

What’s the music scene like in Brighton?

“It’s a bit of everything, really. There’re a lot of rock and grunge bands that play in the gritty music venues, but on the flip side, there’s also a booming soul and jazz scene.

“And then you’ve got the big dance and house nights by the seafront too. Because Brighton hosts so many musicians, there’s just so much variety of everything.”

Our music preference has such a major influence on the way people see us. It’s also interesting to see how our music taste evolves, but our commitment to it doesn’t. How has your personal music taste, as well as your own music, evolved?

“It’s funny actually, I went through so many different phases of genres growing up, from post-hardcore, and K-pop to house and techno music, and now R&B, jazz and soul – genres that I’m super keen on and totally in love with!

“Though, all the previous genres I’ve been a fan of will always have a special place in my heart. Before I moved to the UK, I was set on making edgy electronic pop music like Little Dragon with Disclosure, but as time passed and the more I was exposed to the vibrant UK jazz scene in London and Brighton, the more I was taken in by it. Eventually, the idea of my music evolved to match my personal music taste too.”

Speaking of commitment, do you ever doubt yourself as a singer-songwriter?

“Yeah, always. Who doesn’t really? It used to be a lot more often, but now it’s just something that I’ve managed to tune out to a whisper in the back of my mind.”

Could you tell us the meaning behind the title of your debut EP Something Else, and about the process of making it?

“So before Kaisha, I was making electronic pop music for quite a while under a different artiste name. I wasn’t happy though; nothing I made felt quite right and anything I did make would feel a little wrong.

“The biggest red flag was when I realised I wouldn’t really listen to my own music, I felt like I should’ve been making something else. So naming the title of my debut EP Something Else under a new artiste name, Kaisha, was a way to honour my progression as an artiste.”

The tracklist on your debut EP opens with Shoulda Known and ends with Ready Set Go. Can you tell us a little about that progression?

“Shoulda Known is pretty easy listening and hooky with the chorus, so I thought that it’d be a great opener, followed by Tell Me felt like the most natural step.

“As things started to pick up at the end I wanted to move to more adventurous melodies like in Redlight, Break This Habit and lastly Ready Set Go.”

What can we expect next?

“I Just had a collaboration track with the brilliant Sam Wills that came out a few weeks ago titled Kitchen Sunset. It’s super mellow and smooth! I’m working on tonnes of collaborations at the moment so definitely more of that next, and I think maybe not long from now, people can expect to hear another single soon!”

AT 24 years of age, Rauf Yusuf is a man of many talents, mostly skewing towards music. Despite this, Rauf says that his father is the real musician in his family, as he was a drummer in a band during his youth. Rauf grew up listening to his father’s extensive collection of music.

“The musician part of me comes out during the weekends, singing and playing the guitar at local malls, train stations and city street corners,” he said, as weekdays are spent at his full-time day job in logistics.

The young musician is also an ardent outdoor sports enthusiast, and shares his talents through his eponymous YouTube channel and on Instagram (@jaibbx).

You’re a singer, songwriter, musician and beatboxer. How did each of these begin for you?

“My first experience singing in front of an audience was when I was 12 years old. I sang Suci dalam Debu by Iklim in front of my classmates. That song was played so often at home that I had memorised the lyrics, and singing felt so easy to me.

“When I entered secondary school at Victoria Institution, I took more interest in music. I joined the school’s music club and actively sang tenor in my school choir group. I joined the school singing competition and even represented the school in choir.

“A few years into doing my diploma in TESL at Kolej Universiti Poly-Tech MARA, I decided to not let my passion die out, so I joined Vocalism, the college’s music club. After a successful audition, I joined the choir team as a tenor and we performed at various different events held by the college.

“Another stepping stone in the growth of my passion was when I joined a band called The Five Live, where we performed at open mic [sessions] at Jalan Dalam and LiveLokasi.

“As for beatboxing, it started when 13-year-old me was left in awe after witnessing my cousin demonstrating a few cool beats using only his mouth. Soon after that, I taught myself how to beatbox through binge watching beatbox tutorials on Youtube, joining beatbox competitions and performing at a number of events.

“Although it has been 10 years since I started beatboxing, it never ceases to amaze me that the human mouth is able to produce such sounds.

After graduating, I decided to let my passion become my profession. So here I am, singing my heart out to local passersby on the weekends.

“I am aware that to some, it may not seem like the most proper profession, as we are earning from people’s generosity but to me, it is the best medicine for my soul as my heart is content with what I do.”

Do you have a particular genre that you’re more inclined towards writing/performing?

“Honestly, I never had a preference for genres when writing my songs. All I know is that I write some lines, strum and pluck through numerous chords to find a progression that fits the lines accordingly.

“Then, those two are arranged in a way that complements each other, and that’s pretty much it. I do receive comments saying that my music often sounds country-like, sometimes pop, the opinions vary at times.

“For the moment, I am still on a journey to discover my true genre of music.”

Do you have plans to release your own original songs any time soon?

“Yes, I am currently working on getting my first single out, and it is one of the few pieces that I am proud to have made. It will be available on all music streaming platforms, and I am very much looking forward to it. I’ll leave updates on my social media as to when exactly it will be released, so stay tuned!”

How has the pandemic impacted you?

“Everything has two sides to it, including this pandemic that we are going through. The downside of it is that I’m not able to be out and about, sharing my passion with the public, and not earning through busking. I am more of an outdoors person myself, and being stuck at home all the time really took some getting used to.

“But on the bright side, I have so much time to catch up on what I’ve been missing. Being fatigued from work has always kept me from practicing those new songs that I have always wanted to. So right now, I’ve been keeping myself occupied with practice and lessons.

“I also experienced my first ever livestream open mic performance, which was quite an eye opener since social distancing began.”

ON Nov 16 last year, Priyaa Simmi was crowned Mrs Malaysia World 2019. A week later, she flew to Las Vegas to compete in the Mrs World 2019 international pageant.

The 25-year-old beauty queen is a dynamic woman who runs a security company, a beauty spa, online boutique and a rehab centre for stroke patients.

When she walked into the room for our interview, she definitely turned several heads. Her beauty shone from the inside out.

What motivated you to join the pageant in the first place?

“Five years ago, I started an organisation called Persatuan Kebajikan Sai Malaysia with my father. The aim of the organisation is to help underprivileged women gain financial independence.

“We give them sewing machines for free. We provide tailoring courses and makeup courses.

“I believed that participating in this pageant would allow me to reach a wider [demographic] of women, give more exposure to our courses, and make my voice heard.

Why do you believe it is important for women to be financially independent?

“I have been advocating for financial independence for underprivileged women for years, because I believe it will eliminate a lot of self-esteem issues that women are facing currently, which includes inequality, gender discrimination, and domestic violence.

“When it is only the man who provides the family [with] financial support, the women of the family automatically feel undermined and weaker compared to the man.

“Hence, they feel that it is their duty to accept all threats, verbal and physical abuse, or the [abuse] thrown at them without even realising that they are the ones who are [turning] the houses into homes for the men and their family.

“However, when a woman brings her share to the table, then equality will conquer. I strongly believe that women are strong and powerful, both mentally and physically, that we are able to carry out responsibilities both outside and inside our homes.”

Did you expect to win?

“No. This is the first beauty pageant I joined. I received so much support and encouragement from my husband and family to join the pageant.

“When my name was mentioned, my eyes started to tear. I am so grateful and blessed that my family and friends were there to cheer for me and support me. Their presence helped me stay calm, and gave me the confidence to perform my best.”

How has the victory changed your life?

“I learned a lot about myself and the people around me. Before joining this pageant, I have always thought that everybody loves me – which is why when I’m asked who I hate, I won’t be able to think of anyone, as I’ve always had the tendency to just give love to everyone around me.

“Now, I realise that there are some who despise me, who will criticise me and find fault in my actions.

“This pageant has taught me to accept criticism positively, in a way which helps to build my confidence and [to have] a strong personality.”

Who are some of the role models in your life?

“For every girl, her father is her hero, and the love of her life. My father taught me to be financially independent. He never spoiled any of his children. He only paid us our allowance when we worked for it.

“My father-in-law also taught me the value of being financially independent. I can always turn to them for any advice.

“My husband appreciates who I am as a woman, and [supports] my passion to be financially independent.

“He appreciates my longing to do something for society and change [it] for the better. My husband never stood between me and my ambitions. Instead, he is the fuel for my courage, and my confidence that I can achieve my dreams.”

PRE-TEEN SKATER Sangeeta Retnakumar has been on a roll in the world of ice skating, recently bringing back five gold medals from the Ice Skating Institute (ISI) Asia Final Championship Series in Bangkok.

Representing Sunway Pyramid Ice Academy, 12-year-old Sangeeta attained gold in the Drama Sports FS4, Footwork F4, Freestyle 4, Open FS Silver and Solo Comp F4 events that took place at the Rink Ice Arena in the Thai capital’s Central Plaza Grand Rama 9.

She was one of 128 participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand who competed.

The SK Pusat Bandar Puchong Dua student had also competed in the previous two ISI Asia Championship Series, along with Skate Indonesia 2019, Skate Malaysia 2019, Skate Shenzhen 2018, Skate Asia 2018, Skate Malaysia 2018, Skate Bangkok 2017 and Skate Malaysia 2017.

In almost all of the competitions, Sangeeta has consistently clinched first place. Her father Retnakumar Annamalai said that the family is looking into eventually sending Sangeeta, the eldest of three children, to a skating academy overseas.

“In Malaysia, there are no ice skating academies,” he said. “Those that exist are in shopping malls. Under the Sports Ministry, there are no ice skating stadiums. If you want to join an academy, it has to be somewhere overseas. That costs a lot.”

theSun recently caught up with the bubbly ice skater at Sunway Pyramid Ice during one of her practice sessions for an interview.

How did you feel when you won five gold medals at the Ice Skating Institute (ISI) Asia Final Championship Series (in Bangkok)?

“Very happy. The championship was a little hard. I made new friends in Bangkok.”

When did you start ice skating?

“I started ice skating in 2015. I was seven years old. I found out about it through a brochure. My brother brought it from his kindergarten. It was a brochure for a holiday package in Sunway. After the one week of the holiday package, I liked skating so I continued doing it.”

Why choose ice skating over other sports, like badminton/squash?

“Other than skating, I am going for ballet and yoga. I liked skating over other sports because I like being challenged. I felt like skating is the hardest sport, which was why I kept doing it.”

What do you feel when you’re skating?

“When I skate alone in the morning, I don’t feel lonely. I feel like I am bonding with the rink. As for when I am competing, I do not play to win. I do it to give the audience my best performance.”

How often do you practise, and for how long?

“I practise on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but after school hours. On Sundays I practise in the morning. I normally spend between four to five hours. My coaches are Angeline Chan and Michelle Chak, where Angeline is the main coach.

“Other than practising on the rink, I am also doing yoga and ballet. Ballet gives me flexibility and grace, because figure skating requires a lot of grace, while yoga gives me the posture and strength.”

In total, how many medals do you have?

“I can’t count (laughs). But the most I have are gold and silver medals.”

What is your current goal?

“My current goal is to join the Malaysian Nationals sometime in April. I also want to join the Winter Olympics. That is my final goal.”

AT THE age of 25, Ariffa Maryam Yeop Abdul Mutalib can already see the bigger picture. Looking forward to the future, but with her roots steeped in heritage and culture, Maryam walks a path not travelled by many in her age group – promoting local batik and making it contemporary for the younger generation.

Maryam actually has a background in the culinary arts. Growing up as the youngest of seven siblings, she learned how to cook traditional food from her aunts, whom she declared “the best teachers she ever had”, while her restaurateur mother specalises in Negeri Sembilan cuisine.

In fact, Maryam once made traditional Malay kuih for her mother’s famous Aunty Aini’s Garden Cafe in Kg. Chelet, Nilai, which she was meant to take over.

However, Maryam found her calling to promote batik, and about two years ago she became an accessories designer and owner of the label MaryamBayam.

“Batik is something that won’t go out of style. It is timeless,” explained Maryam, who uses traditional batik material to create modern statement accessory pieces such as Batik Bow Hoop earrings which appeal to the youth.

“Batik can be fun, contemporary and anything you like. It is a way of self-expression. It is Malaysian identity.”

How did you get into designing accessories?

“I always loved wearing the headband. It was my first product in my whole collection. I thought: ‘Why do I need to buy if I can make it myself?’. I started learning how to make headbands from YouTube, as I knew how to sew since I was 12 years old. I went to a sewing class because I wanted to become a fashion designer at that time.

“I started to make headbands and my friends and family were interested in them. I had this idea to make headbands with batik material. It wasn’t common or [readily] available in the market. I thought it would be unique as [batik] is our identity.

“Initially, I did not plan to sell. It was only meant as a gift, but some of my friends said it would be really good if it was in the market.

“I don’t design batik at the moment. Currently, I am getting my batik supplied from Terengganu. All my batik material is made locally.”

What motivated you to create accessories instead of dresses using batik fabrics?

“The market is too saturated with clothing. Accessories like what I am doing are unique and hard to find. They have their own identity. It is a statement piece accessory, a niche market.”

How has the response been, especially from the younger generation?

“Alhamdulillah, It has been wonderful. I got so many good comments and people are grateful. You will be surprised that my main customers are Chinese, and they really appreciate what I am doing.”

Do you think the younger generation is not keen on batik?

“It is not that they are not keen, I think they are not exposed to it. We are so caught up with modern and Western [trends], and we are so ‘whitewashed’. We are so caught up with ‘in the now’, or whatever is trending that we don’t realise that we have something unique, and it is our heritage, our own culture.

“I guess a part of my mission for MaryamBayam is to promote local batik, it is contemporary and fun and attracts the younger generation through accessories.”

What is the difference between local batik and those from neighbouring countries?

“We have our own style. The abstract motifs are unique, funky and the colour combination is so attractive to my eyes.

“[Indonesian Batik] is mainly brown and black. They have pastels as well as red, but our batik has more floral motifs, which is made by the older generation. It has a vibrant colour, which is what really attracts me towards Malaysian batik.”

What is your next plan?

“I want to take MaryamBayam into retail, and I want to have my own store. I want to have different products that cater to everyone, including men, not just batik shirts, but batik ties, batik bow-ties and others.”