For the Love of Rain

I cannot begin to describe my love for rain in words.

One minute I'm on the floor reading when it sounds like a drizzle has begun outside and I am automatically in a good mood. Then I hear it really start to pour and when the pitter patter of raindrops get really loud and constant I cannot contain myself and I rush to the window just to watch the rain come down in sheets. I press my face nearer to the window to catch a whiff of that lovely rain smell.

An introductory guide to VIXX (from my perspective)

VIXX. Voice, Value, Visual in Excelsis.

Whatever that means. If you think what the acronym stands for is weird, you have yet to find out what BEAST and MBLAQ stand for. Though BAP is pretty cool while the acronym sounds funny.

I've heard of them before as rookies but took no notice. The name VIXX is hardly impressive or intriguing.

I only looked them up after coming across a picture of them on Instagram. They were performing on stage, each member clad in a fitted suit, perfectly made up face and the it-never-gets-old sexy mic strapped to their cheek. What caught my attention, though, were the yellow contact lenses and black nailpolish.

I'm a sucker for guys in nailpolish and eyeliner; the talent was an added bonus.

Curiosity led me to the song in which they donned the outrageous -even for k-pop standards- getup, 'On and On', or 'I'm Ready to Get Hurt'.

S&M? Not quite. It's about the pain of love, of course, as most k-pop songs are about. And damn was that addictive. Though an avid k-popper, I need a few listens to a new song to really get into it but I loved 'On and On' from, well, the ONset. Heheh.

One thing led to another and as is the usual case when it comes to k-pop groups, -girls, y'all know what I'm talking bout'- I get to know the whole group and a little more.

VIXX in high fashion. Hyuk, Ken, N, Hongbin, Ravi, Leo.

ERAS

1. SUPERHERO

As a k-pop rookie group, this may not have been the best choice of debut song to grab the attention of the masses (dramatic, epic songs about heartbreak often fare better) but this is delightfully catchy. It's also good for easy listening, okay, easier listening.

2. ROCK YOUR BODY

Carrying on with another infectious dancey tune, Rock Your Body started to mark a signature style -or so we thought- for VIXX. It's a feel good song with a catchy melody but again, not the kind that usually pulls in the fans by the truckloads.

3. ON AND ON (I'M READY TO GET HURT)

Only towards the end of this era did I pay attention to VIXX. And as is common in K-pop, the bad boy/heartbroken/dramatic kind of music which is a trademark of this genre worked well in VIXX's favour. Like me, many other k-poppers started showing VIXX support. And if I'm not wrong, this is their most successful song to date. Eyeliner, coloured contacts, black nailpolish and suits did wonders for VIXX. Another nice song from this era is 'I Don't Wanna Be An Idol'.

4. HYDE

Learning from their new found success, their next comeback -which I eagerly anticipated- was along the lines of a boy being an emotional wreck for a girl and becomes a monster, hence Hyde from Dr Jekyll and Hyde. I was on the fence about Leo's shoulder length wig but towards the end the company came to their senses and removed the item from their performances and promotions completely. Song is good too, the MV a little freaky and dark but you get to see a different side of the group. An amazing ballad in this album is 'Love Letter' in which all members, even Ravi show off a little of their vocals. Leo is a real show stealer in this one for me. 'Light Up the Darkness' is really catchy too.

 5. JEKYLL

Well, no surprise here. Though the song they are coming back with currently as of early August is 'G.R.8.U.' or 'You're Impressive'. I actually really like this song and it's much lighter than Hyde and it waxes lyrical about a girl being, well, GR8 (great). And ooh, VIXX's bare collarbones.

MEMBERS

Leo, the devil-may-care bad boy who hardly ever cracks a smile or says a peep but has a soft spot for animals, plays football, plays the piano, sings like an angel, is a pretty fine dancer too. He beats up his members -with love- when they make fun of him or when he doesn't get what he wants.

First time I saw Leo on TV, VIXX were playing a game. I had no idea who they were but k-pop groups' antics tend to be funny so I watched and this guy caught my attention because while pretty much all k-pop stars are either bubbly and crazy or sweet and diplomatic; Leo looked like he couldn't give a damn. Looking either bored or disinterested half the time, I kinda fell for this socially awkward tough guy. My bias in VIXX.

Hyuk, the youngest in the group, constantly the object of the members' abuse, cheerful, sometimes absent and indifferent like Leo, a good kid. I can't tell you too much about this guy.

Hongbin, basically the face of the group. I think he's a decent dancer and has a nice voice too but most people and even the directors of their company/group peg him as just a pretty face. Seems pretty charming in videos. Very likeable.

Ken, the dork. He's that one friend who has a knack for comedy. Also a really good singer. Loves attention, trying -and succeeding the most among members- to make Leo laugh, and being known as the cute guy. Cute as in adorable. I'm talking Gwiyomi and Buing Buing.

Ravi, the necessary rapper in this k-pop group. Has a nice singing voice though. Has 'chocolate abs' whatever that means. Is nice, I suppose. Good dancer and helped with composing some of their songs.

N, the oldest which makes him -most of the time- the leader of the group. Something of a bully in my opinion honestly, but the members often get even. Always teased for being dark-skinned. He's a pretty funny guy too, an excellent dancer, has never really changed his hairstyle since debut except for the colour.

POPULARITY

Something totally irrelevant about VIXX which I find myself liking is how they're pretty similar in height, around 180cm. 

They're a talented bunch, with catchy songs and good looks to boot, but then again, nothing too different from the other existing boybands. Not to say they're not special, but if you think they're much, much better than all the other boybands, you're being a little biased without reason.

I think they definitely deserve more support than they're getting. They work really hard for performances and even variety shows. But of course, the company's popularity greatly affects how well you do in shows, rankings and fanbase. Debuting around the same time as EXO from SMENT, BAP from TSENT and BtoB from CUBE to name a few, this group while growing in popularity steadily, did not start out as well received as the others, especially EXO.

Nevertheless, people are beginning to recognise their talent so yay :) !

So here I conclude my beginner's guide to VIXX. Join us Starlights today ! :D




Oh yeah, and I made a cover of 'I Don't Wanna Be An Idol' :)
https://soundcloud.com/jessrockstah/vixx-i-dont-wanna-be-an-idol

Kids these days

If I had a penny every time someone said to me 'Wow you're so lucky you're so rich', 'I'm sure you always eat/buy this (something expensive)' or something along the lines of that, I'd be rich. Like really.

Before I get started, let me make it clear that I do not think it's a compliment. Because what I'm really hearing is 'wow you're so lucky you have parents that buy you everything; you must have it so much better than I do although you didn't do anything to get there and you probably can't settle for less because you're a spoiled brat'. You don't have to mean it, but with every time you make that face and make it seem that you're being nice about my financial status, you're not. And I'll bet I'm not the only one on the receiving end of this who feels this way.

Harsh? Well I've had people say to my face sentences that even contain the actual words 'spoiled', 'filthy rich' and 'lucky'. But not the 'God's got an eye out for you' kind of lucky, but the 'you didn't do half the things you should to get to where you are' lucky.

The thing is, you don't even know me, and how I spend the money I'm allowed. I'll bet you I spend less than half of my friends, wealthy or not. I hardly splurge on clothes or shoes. I make an exception for the occasional CD, good meal and concert but I try to be thrifty too.

And the adults. They just love pointing out how much you're better off now than they were during their adolescence. 'Back in my day...', you've heard it, 'You kids drive around all day in your sports cars...'. I understand you went through a whole lot more hardship than we did without technology, air-conditioning even, etc. and deserve better than we do. So do you instead suggest we live like you did? Even out the field, am I right?

You see some characters in movies like the dude from Confessions of a Shopaholic who want nothing to do with his wealthy parents in his career because the money and name his parents have will help him start off on higher ground, not from his own doing. Do you think it's silly?

Maybe you do. But I sympathise. I mean, how about you going to work with colleagues going at it behind your back all day that you didn't have to lift a finger while they're breaking their backs trying to get places although that's not the case? And how about people writing you off as someone who is always dependant on someone else's hard work to go the distance? And most of all how about you never knowing if the reason you become successful is due to your capabilities or your folks'?

I know not everyone's quick to judge like I'd said. But some people definitely do. And some have even come up to me to let me know they think so.

As a feminist, I preach equality between females and males and inevitably equality in every other aspect; race, religion and hey, why not judgement of character in terms of personality, intelligence and dedication instead of wealth hmm?

Thanks.

Malaysian + Indonesian EXOtics Korean + Mandarin mashup of Machine by EXO

I've not collaborated with many people when it comes to making music although I've gotten some requests, but when a fellow EXOtic wished to cover an EXO song I was super excited.

It was on my Korean + Mandarin cover of EXO's Mama that led DORKyungsoo to me and she was nice about my singing and soon I've listened to her covers and we've followed each other on tumblr. Long story short, although I have no idea what she looks like or sounds like except when singing (which is pretty much like an angel) we managed a cover.

Voila !

Machine by EXO (Cover by Jessrockstah + DORKyungsoo)

My Soundcloud (jessrockstah)

My tumblr (jessrockstah)

DORKyungsoo's tumblr

DORKyungsoo's Soundcloud

Here's a picture of Yixing for good measure ^ ^

Thanks for listening !

The Ah-mazing Bruno Mars (feat the one and only King of Pop, MJ)

I've heard tons of people say and I can see why; but I wouldn't agree. Do you think Bruno Mars is the new Michael Jackson? Or that when God took back MJ he gave us Bruno?

For me, they're both incredibly talented, no doubt about it.
I don't know if MJ wrote songs but I think it's safe to assume he did because he was such a big star with a conscience for the environment and the people in it. I love the fact that he did a song about Earth; I'm an environmental activist (well, I usually just nag at my friends to recycle and stuff). He could dance, sing and was just a really influential person.

Bruno Mars has probably only been around for a quarter (or less?) of the time MJ was and he's definitely making his mark. In the modern pop music industry, next to Adam Lambert (I LOVE Adam) no one else in my mind comes close in terms of vocal power and range. But what I really love about Bruno is his songwriting capabilities.

My favourite of his are 'Grenade', 'It Will Rain', 'Rest of My Life' and his new one for sure, 'When I Was Your Man'. The combination of his raw vocals and sweet, heartbreaking and relatable lyrics really hit the right spot especially at the climax of the songs, usually in the bridge. There's one other song that's off the record that I've been thinking of covering for some time to. Apparently wrote it for a female artiste but I came across his version of it on Youtube and it's pretty awesome. Check it ! 'Girl In the Window'

And based on the few videos of his I've watched, the guy's got a sense of humour too. And he's pretty cute, to top it all off.

I wished I'd attended his concert here in Malaysia a few years ago :/
But such a talent will be around for a long time and I'll be sure to redeem myself :)

Anyways, I loved 'When I Was Your Man' so much that even though I was conflicted in the beginning about covering it because of a technicality (Nope, last I checked, I was not a man), after I started playing it on the piano in hushed style, I HAD to do it :)

This is my second Bruno Mars cover. I did 'It Will Rain' before that. I think I can relate to his songs better so yeah. The lyrics are really genius.

I transposed it 2 semikeys higher to Bm

My cousin on the guitar for 'It Will Rain' :)
She's a whale :D

Maybe an MJ cover next :P

A Tribute to My Chemical Romance - the best damn band for me thus far

The first song I heard by My Chemical Romance was 'Helena', a song written for Gerard's deceased grandmother. It played frequently on radio and TV. While the melody was nice, the video interesting and  the lead singer pretty cute at that time, I did not pay anymore attention to MCR.

Then I was 15, and 'Welcome to the Black Parade' came on the radio. With its piano introduction, raw vocals and marching band sounding undertone, my interest was piqued. I went on to watch the music video repeatedly and then to buy their album 'the Black Parade'.

On the way home I played the CD in the car -not the best idea when my mum was driving, she called it the usual, 'garbage', 'noise'- and skimmed the lyrics and photographs. People in black, white, red, pale faced and morbid feeling was the theme.

At 12 I wore black baggy clothes and even baggier pants which my mother loathed,  while listening to Avril Lavigne and Linkin Park as was what was 'acceptable' then among my peers. They grew out of it in middle school and I felt pressured to do the same. I traded the black for brighter hues but secretly wished I could go back to it.

As I started listening to 'the Black Parade', watched their videos, paid attention to the lyrics, I learned that MCR was embracing the idea of death, mostly by cancer like it was a mystical, romantic thing. My mum threw out the lyrics that came along with the album for fear that I would be too much influenced by their 'bad vibe' and follow the footsteps of the girl from London who committed suicide after listening to MCR for a fortnight or so.

I brushed off that ridiculous piece of news while continuing to find peace in MCR's music while hundreds of the MCRmy took to the streets in a protest declaring that MCR's music was not a bad influence on children, at least not to the extent of causing them to kill themselves -it was the girl's mental state that led to such severe and unpredictable consequences.

I think I can attest to that. I never once in my life had any remotely suicidal thoughts. In fact, by dwelling so deep into just their music, I improved my piano playing skills to accompany my singing their songs. I went back to wearing black as I was comfortable in it, I was still a pretty cheerful person and most of all, because MCR considered themselves outcasts (awesome ones, all the same), I felt comfortable with who I was and peer pressure had nothing on me since then.

I attended their concert here in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at the end of 2009. 3rd December, my first ever rock concert. My two younger cousins came along, and we were chaperoned by my parents. They'd rather have their eardrums burst than have us go to a possible mosh pit on our own.

In the end, my parents had an amazing time and were yelling 'encore' at the end. The embarrassment I felt was overwhelmed by the fact that they could see why MCR was so important to my cousins and I.

After the concert, my craze for Gerard Way grew as did my cousin's for Mikey. We learnt a lot about the band's history thanks to suggested videos after suggested videos by YouTube.

We proceeded to buy 'Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge', 'The Black Parade is Dead' and 'Danger Days'. ' I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love' was not and is not available in music stores here so I listened to that online. Will get 'Conventional Weapons' as soon as I can.

When I heard of the band breaking up yesterday I felt my heart drop. I frantically searched the internet for news swatting this rumour away but alas, I was in for disappointment. As I rushed to my sister to say the words, 'MCR is breaking up', I felt my eyes well up with tears.

None fell, but the thought of me never getting to hear music uniquely theirs anymore tugged at my heart. I still harbour hopes that they'll be back together one day and I'll be jumping and squealing when I get the news.

Until then, here's what I have to say:

MCR, you've provided the most influential music in my life that helped me feel comfortable in the skin of that awkward person I was in high school.

Many of my friends shunned your music because it was 'emo', 'bad for the soul' or 'not popular'. I'm sorry they did not get to feel the brilliance you weaved into your songs.

Gee, you're a funny guy who's the center of attention on and off stage. I wish you well with your young family <3

Mikey, you awkwardly hot bassist, keep rocking on with those small nods you do when you play. Please don't ever fall down on stage again.

Frank, keep being that hot crazy guitarist spinnin' round on stage and looking badass.

Ray, you're the epitome of cool + talent when you're there harmonizing for Gerard and your fingers blazing up and down those frets. Rock on.

Bob, you were missed in Danger Days, but you're that cool underdog behind the drums.

Forever your Killjoy and in your MCRmy <3

Introducing: EXO

An introduction to EXO

It's been a little over a year now since I've begun dwelling in the depths of K-pop music, and almost a year since the 12 boys of EXO stole my heart.

Currently the latest group SMEnt (an entertainment company) dished out, EXO is made up of 8 Korean members and 4 Chinese members. They belong to 2 subgroups, EXO K (K for Korean) and EXO M (M for Mandarin).

Their debut album was a mini album called MAMA and it was released in both Korean and Mandarin


Three singles were released from MAMA, the first was 'What Is Love', followed by 'History' and then the album title track 'Mama'.

What Is Love - This song has a very unique sound that departs from the K-pop norm. It waxes lyrical about love and what it entails and is sung by the two lead vocalists of each group. The strong vocals and simple but incredibly exotic sounds of the song made me love it. The highest note in it is a freakin' F which even I wouldn't dare attempt if not after strenous warm-ups; Baekhyun (Lead vocalist #1 in EXO-K) and Chen (Lead vocalist #1 in EXO-M) seem to do so effortlessly.

History - The dance choreography is very catchy and complex. At first viewing, the shaky-hands-in-pockets seemed more silly than cool but after I learned the dance from slowed videos, I was happily shaking away :D

Mama - This song is really amazing, in my opinion. It's the first MV I actually downloaded after watching it countless of times on Youtube. The melody, storyline of the video and choreography is amazeballs. It exhibits each member's assigned 'powers' and boasts strong vocals and fluid movements from the boys. The only downside to the video is the introductory story. Funny stuff. The violin in this song gives it a dramatic feel in addition to their Gregorian chanting. In other words, this is the epitome of the drama and talent K-pop has to offer -I was then hooked on EXO.

There are 3 other songs which all deserve a listen -the songwriters of these 6 songs really know what they're doing.

Machine - A song about a girl whose heart is cold as ice. The melody is catchy and everything about it, from the feel to its instrumental timing is jizz. This is the one song EXO -unfortunately- has never performed live.

Two Moons - This song is designated to show off the rappers' talents with not much singing involved. SHINee's Key is also featured in its English rap section.

Angel - A beautiful song about love and its innocence. A nice song to sleep, study or walk alone while listening to.

EXO-K

Suho - Leader of EXO-K, 22, lead vocalist #3, Korean, looks like Siwon from Super Junior, cares for his juniors in EXO-K like a dad should.

Baek Hyun - Lead vocalist #1, 21, Korean, rocks eyeliner, has a good sense of humor, has nice-looking hands, very easily liked because of his easy-going personality.

Kai - Lead dancer #1, 19, Korean, obviously SMEnt's favorite, naturally attractive to non-k-poppers, has a finger on every pie; singing, dancing, modelling, rapping.

Sehun - Lead dancer #2, 19, Korean, the youngest in the whole of EXO, has an adorable lisp, conceals his sense of humor and the most babied member.

D.O. - Lead vocalist #2, 20, Korean, has huge eyes, deemed the mother of the group by fans, cooks, beatboxes, is very adorable.

Chanyeol - Rapper, 21, Korean, has model-worthy looks but laughs maniacally, the tallest in the group, has a deep voice, beatboxes, plays drums, guitar.

EXO-M

Kris - Leader of EXO-M, 23, Chinese+Canadian, Rapper #1, looks like an anime character, dances badly, lady killer, is super tall (187cm).

Lay - Lead dancer #1, 22, sings, plays guitar and piano, composes songs, Chinese, loves his mum, beatboxes.

Tao - Kung fu person, 20, dubbed Kung fu panda by fans, Chinese, raps, naturally looks like a bad boy with those distinctly Chinese eyes and killer smile, youngest in EXO-M.

Luhan - Lead vocalist #2, 22, Chinese, plays football, love ManU, lead dancer #2, easily likeable and has bromance relationships with everybody.

Chen - Lead vocalist #1, 20, Korean, is always smiling and laughing, dubbed the 'dancing machine' as a joke, as far as previous performances have gone, speaks bad English.

Xiumin - Vocalist and dancer, 23, most underestimated and under-roled member in the whole group, plays football, dubbed 'baozi' meaning steamed bun in Mandarin because of his adorable-ness.

My biases are Lay and Baekhyun, just in case you're wondering :)

Anyway, here is the link to my cover of Mama by EXO. Lemme know what you think :D

We Are One ! (Y)