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ASH NAIR

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A Day Before Tomorrow #1 on Hitz.Fm MET 10 Charts!
A Day Before Tomorrow #1 on Hitz.TV MET 10 Charts! ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------
By Izuan Shah - The Star

Ash Nair, better known as Ash from Malaysian Idol’s second season, tells IZUAN SHAH of his eagerness to shed his Idol image, share his new music and how life’s been since the show.

Despite the anticipation and knowledge that he could soon have fan expectations, recognition and the freedom to record his own songs after the Idol hullabaloo, Ash struggled to convey that he wanted more than to merely play the part of the pseudo-rocker for the masses.

Ash defied expectations by finishing in the last five of last season’s Malaysian Idol contest, charming audiences and renewing the faith of his fans during peak moments like Rock Week. However, he also wasn’t short of critics, having been known as the most opinionated Idol.

In the months that followed Daniel’s win, finalists went about regularly performing at public concerts, save for Ash, who opted to start work on a personal debut album and only singing at Idol events occasionally.

“I would have loved to play my own stuff on the show,” Ash says.

“The perception of artists that come through reality shows is that they are manufactured and they are not ‘real’. If there is any statement to my album, it would only be me saying, ‘Here I am, and I’m writing songs’.”

Selling the drama

Right now, his Idol exploits are the farthest thing from his mind. As it is, he’s got loads of good stuff planned.

First off, a surreal Salvador Dali-inspired music video is being shot for the moody single A Day Before Tomorrow, with the clip undergoing conception and initial filming stages with the talented designers at Hue Visualab (the company responsible for the groundbreaking AIM 2006-nominated videos for Ahli Fiqir and Love Me Butch).

Meanwhile steady progress is being made in the studio for the big album, with renowned producer Greg Henderson at the helm and Pop Shuvit’s JD and Rudy covering co-production/guitar and drum duties respectively.

A Day Before Tomorrow, already a standout on hip-hop/R&B-geared playlists with its brooding histrionics, driving rock and epic melodies.

“I wrote the song thinking about that one single moment that could change your life,” he says of Tomorrow’s lyrics.

Raised on rock

“I picked up a lot about rock bands, and the passion of being in one during my early years,” reflects Ash. “The first album that really hit home for me was Throwing Copper (the seminal 1994 album by Live). It was the sincerity with the message – they were very honest with their songs.

“I’m very happy that those bands were the bands that actually got me into music because I could have just as easily gotten into boy bands in my early teens, when you’re the most impressionable,” he adds.

At the Bukit Bintang Boys’ School in Petaling Jaya, a school revered for producing the best bands around (namely the Butterfingers, who would go on to become this generation’s highest-selling Malaysian English rock act ever), Ash often kept to himself, preferring to daydream during math class of what lay ahead for aspiring young rock singers with no connections in the local music industry.

“If it wasn’t for the music club (at school) and Gasoline(his first band), I would not be doing music right now. I discovered a totally different side of myself then and started wanting to write, more than just be happy singing cover songs,” notes Ash in retrospect.

“I felt like it was all a game (on Idol), but I hope this album is where my true voice can be explored and heard,” says Ash, expressing that his “voice” could also mean more than just his singing – such as the effort, imagination and craft put into the lyrical imagery, cover art and videos.

“I had to go back to my roots,” adds the singer.

The rock star versus the pop-rocker, the Idol vs the artiste ... these are the doppelgangers Ash must contend with until the album (Chameleon) is released and his work revealed, so that the music can finally speak for itself.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 9/28/2006
Band Website: ashnair.com - Under construction
Band Members:
Sounds Like:
Record Label: Life Records
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Check out this event: Premier of Ash Nairs Spankin NEW Video - Crazy

Hosted By: ASH NAIR When: Friday Dec 07, 2007 at 8:00 PMWhere: ASTRO Channel 705 MalaysiaDescription:ASH NAIR Click Here To View Event...
Posted by ASH NAIR on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 09:35:00 PST

Frogway The Musical

Dear friends,So far the run on Frogway has been fantastic. The energy from the audience has definitely been encouraging. Only a few more shows before we're done so to those that still can get tickets ...
Posted by ASH NAIR on Wed, 29 Aug 2007 09:57:00 PST

VOTE for "Crazy" on Hitz.FM Top 30 with Natalie

Hey!,"Crazy" the 2nd single of the upcoming album Chameleon has just started rotation on the Hitz.FM Top 30 charts. Please vote for the track to keep it climbing up the charts. Follow the steps below....
Posted by ASH NAIR on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 01:02:00 PST

New single "Crazy" premiering tonight 8pm on Hitz.Fm & XFresh

Hey peeps,I know its pretty late posting this but the premier of the 2nd single "Crazy" will be on tonight 8pm onwards on Hitz.Fm and Xfresh Fm. I will be on air tonight so stay tuned and call in if y...
Posted by ASH NAIR on Mon, 16 Jul 2007 03:51:00 PST

Frogway the Musical & Latest Updates

Hey all,I've been cast in a musical directed by Harith Iskandar called Frogway. Vince Chong of AF fame, Elaine Daly, Chelsea Ng and I are set to take the stage this coming August in a musical about a ...
Posted by ASH NAIR on Wed, 27 Jun 2007 05:17:00 PST

Multiple Grammy Award winning masterer working on 'Chameleon'

Updates!. The album is complete and will be mastered by the legend Arnie Acosta who has mastered the last 9 albums of rock legends U2, including Rattle and Hum and Grammy winning Joshua Tree, Achtung ...
Posted by ASH NAIR on Mon, 07 May 2007 11:19:00 PST

A Day Before Tomorrow FEATURED in UK's COMPUTER ARTS MAGAZINE

The January 07 issue of UK based Computer Arts Project is featuring the video for "A Day Before Tomorrow". The video is part of a full 5 page profile on Hue Visualabs, the genius team behind the A Day...
Posted by ASH NAIR on Mon, 12 Feb 2007 12:32:00 PST

Monnshine@Laundry 8th Feb

Last nights show was a blast. It was good feeling doing shows again with a live band as the laundry gig brought me closer to what i've been working to achieve as a musician and a performer. The respon...
Posted by ASH NAIR on Fri, 09 Feb 2007 03:52:00 PST

Top of the charts..

Was a pleasant surprise over the weekend seeing "A Day Before Tomorrow" reach No.#1 on both Hitz.Tv and Hitz.Fm. Thanks to everyone that voted to get it to the top. Much love,Ash Nair
Posted by ASH NAIR on Mon, 15 Jan 2007 09:12:00 PST

NEW Songs for a NEW Year!

Hey guys, I have uploaded a few new tracks from my upcoming release 'Chameleon' due out 2nd quarter this year. Do check it out and let me know what you think or feel.Much love.Peace,Ash...
Posted by ASH NAIR on Sat, 13 Jan 2007 03:33:00 PST