Singer aka Drummer aka Soul Sister - Erin

Who says good things only come in big packages?


Meet Erin – Scarlett’s newest and youngest member. Don’t be deceived by her demure appearance, petite size and tender age. Erin has a voice that is larger-than-life, fills the room and resonates in the hearts. She caught our attention with her rendition of Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" at our gig for Action for AIDS in 2010 (how many people do you know sings Beyonce?) If that weren’t enough, she is a KILLER on the drums. K-I-L-L-E-R. A trained percussionist, Erin performed with the school band in her teens.

Oh, did I also say she plays the guitar?

Erin is a bundle of high energy - always positive and always smiling. She often reminds the old foggies that make up the rest of the band, how wonderful it is to be fresh (and slim and have luminous skin… sigh…). The old foggies, at times, make the mistake of adopting her as a younger sister; but Erin, with her talent and feisty personality, stands up on her own and puts us right back into place.

The youngest sister of Niki (our guitarist), Erin recently graduated from her studies in landscape architecture and is pursuing further education. She is also a keen photographer, frequently using her family and friends as willing objects. With her voice, her natural groove and accent tendencies, we are convinced that she was a Soul Mama in her past life.

Catch Erin TONIGHT, April 8 (Friday) at Concert for a Cause: Scarlett Rocks for aidha at TAB! 

Singer aka Ang Moh Lian - Melissa

Melissa started performing with Scarlett last year at our performance for Action for AIDS at Fort Canning Park. She is no stranger to the stage, having been a frequent singer at weddings and at church where she is an active member. Supported by her distinct and strong vocal process, she has a penchant for indie, folk and soft rock music.

Melissa is what we will call an all-rounder. Professionally, she is a program producer with Asia’s most prominent and well respected news channel (guess which one?). To bring educational and worldly programs to you and me, she has traveled to exotic destinations such as Uzbekistan (how many of you know someone who’s actually been there??), India, China and Japan. A keen athlete, Melissa is also a force to reckon with on the tennis courts. She brings to the courts her determination, focus, competitiveness and sportsmanship that has been honed over most of her life.

The most intriguing thing about Melissa is her split-personality. One moment, she is conversing in the most impeccable and proper American English; the next moment, she is propping up her leg and rambling in Hokkien (a form of Chinese dialect, preferred by a large majority of Straits Chinese and taxi drivers/gangsters/hawkers). This streak in nature has earned her the irrefutable title of “Ang Moh Lian” (not to be confused with “Ang Moh Liu Lian”, which is a local slang for Soursop, the fruit) - a Foreign Ah-Lian. Having come out of the closet (one disputes that she’s ever been in the closet), she is proud to inject a shot of “Ah-Lian-ness” into Scarlett.

(“Ang Moh” is a local slang reserved for foreigners, typically westerners; and an Ah-Lians are… typically ethnic Chinese girls with the tendency to dye their hair copper brown, invest in Jap street fashion, pose for pictures with a “peace sign” and speak Hokkien with a high pitched voice).

Watch Melissa bring on the grooves and the rock factor at Concert for a Cause: Scarlett Rocks for aidha at TAB on April 8, Friday!

Guitarist aka Saxophonist aka Wardrobe Designer - Niki

Niki (Real Name: Dominique) is one of the newer members of Scarlett. She started playing with the band about 2 years ago, bringing along with her years of training on the tenor sax and a quiet resilience. Coming from a very musically inclined family, talent flows and pulsates in Niki’s blood (perhaps to the beat of Stephane Pompougnac???). In fact, the family itself could probably form their own band. Aside from the saxophone, Niki also plays the keyboard and the guitar.

Enjoying the simple things in life, is somewhat Niki’s life motto. She is honest and down to earth, basically as one often puts it, what you see is what you get. This makes Niki great company - a fabulous person to just spend a lazy afternoon with on a beach, at a café or at a bookstore. She also makes the best audience for jokes – her easy nature disposes her to laugh at everything.

Creative and very artistic, Niki is a trained architect; her work includes private residences (even some belonging to royalty!). She’s the one who’s always sketching on the corners of workbooks and stray pieces of paper, coming up with fun ideas on how we can spruce up our performances, giving radical suggestions on what we should wear and what the theme of our nights should be (on that note, watch out for our outfits this Friday!). In her free time, she dives, rollerblades, indulges in art and craft weekends, drinks iced milk teas known locally as “teh peng” as she watches the world go by. At the moment, she’s wistfully dreaming of an opportunity to immerse herself into the crystal turquoise waters of the Maldives…

Her secret dream job? To be a marine biologist’s helper, documenting and photographing underwater life; while illustrating children’s books and keeping a jellyfish as a pet.

Percussionist aka Chica Caliente - Shyn Quek

Intelligent. Vivacious. Brave.

If you were asked to choose adjectives to describe Shyn Quek, these three words would inevitably be used. Shyn Quek embraces life with arms wide open and tackles life with nail-biting grit and fervour. Beneath her warm persona lie strong passions for social and economic issues, an affinity for drums and percussion instruments, an insatiable desire to travel the world and keen interest in languages.

Shyn Quek, our percussionist, was one of the band's earliest members - her first performance with Scarlett was at SMU's Patron's Day in 2003. Decked in her long wig and sci-fi sun glasses, she slapped on her bongos as if her life depended on it. In fact, that's how she does everything - always 100%. It wasn't long before "Shyn and her Bongos" became one entity, one union. Aside from her bongos, she also plays the congas and picks up interesting instruments during her travels, such as her exotic Darbuka (as seen in the pictures above).

Having worked for a government agency dealing with international economic affairs in the past, Shyn Quek is well versed in diplomacy and also speaks Russian and Spanish (much to the chagrin of her FB followers - who knows what she's talking about half the time?). With that experience under her belt, she is currently managing a private regional philanthropy fund.

How is she brave, you may ask? Much more comfortable in the driver's seat, Shyn Quek is not one to take things as they come. She grips life by its horns, and takes active action to change things to make her life better and to make the world a better place. This requires her to, at times, make unconventional decisions, which we know does not come easy to many of us. Her adventurous nature has also brought her to exciting destinations, such as Turkey, Bulgaria, Bolivia and India.

Watch Shyn Quek in action with her Bongos and Darbuka at Concert for a Cause: Scarlett Rocks for aidha @ TAB on April 8, Friday.

Groovy Bassist aka Resident Joker - Lydia

Lydia.

Wow, where do we start?

Lydia, one of the founders of the band, is the anchor of our sound. With an acute music sense, spot-on hearing and killer moves on the bass, Lydia could be a solo act. Her subtle notes seduce and command attention, like the dark, mysterious, good looking stranger at the corner of the bar. Her deep bass lines resonate and make one weak in the knees ("it's true," exclaims Shyn Yee, "it's orgasmic!") Lydia is also easily the most disciplined member of the band, usually whipping everyone into shape and making sure everyone goes to practice with proper preparation.

Also a budding song writer, Lydia has written several original songs for the band, such as the catchy bossa-styled "Addicted to You" (gets the audience hooked every time!); and a creator of very corny jokes (e.g. "can I capo your capo? hurr hurr hurr"). Her reflective and melancholic side serves as a strong inspiration in her song writing, and her jolly nature and attention to the little things in life provide her with material for her jokes. Equipped with that and her sincere and caring personality, friends and colleagues are drawn to her (not so much like moths to a flame, more like... bees to honey.)

Lydia dedicates her time to her profession in online marketing and her duties at church. Also with a strong passion for travel (seems to be a common interest among all the Scarlettes!), she finds every opportunity to sneak away for an adventure. It's a good thing then, that she has low stamina for shopping (for non-guitar related stuff, that is) - all her savings could be channeled into traveling!

Catch Lydia LIVE at Concert for a Cause: Scarlett Rocks for aidha @ TAB on April 8, Friday!
  

Concert for a Cause: Scarlett Rocks for aidha

SEE YOU THERE!

Saxophonist - Rapper - Musicologist - DJ-Shyn aka. Miss Multi-Talented

While Newton discovered gravity when hit by a falling apple, Shyn Yee discovered and conceptualized "Project Donate a Song" while having a foot massage (which has now evolved into "Scarlett Rocks for aidha")

One of the original founders of Scarlett, Shyn Yee made quite the impression rapping to Lady Marmalade, electrifying the 1000-strong crowd at SMU campus with her infectious groove, and soulful performance. She literally killed the crowd, and had them lapping up for more.

For that moment in the spotlight, Shyn Yee earned street cred as "The Rapper" of the 8 piece all girl band back in Singapore Management University. Street cred aside, it is her skills in picking and re-arranging songs, making them uniquely Scarlett, that has earned the role of band musicologist and creative inspiration throughout the years, constantly dreaming of new ideas to add fresh grooves to the band's style.

When she's not rapping or being the purveyor of Scarlett's musical taste, Shyn Yee is a well travelled, hotel management consultant, and has travelled to Bhutan, Bali, Maldives for WORK. She is also an amazing cook (she specializes in Greek & Thai cuisine, and is currently perfecting her Nonya recipes) and the official band photographer for this event (which explains why all of us have really nice pictures, except her).

Did we mention she's also a linguist? Shyn Yee speaks at least 6 languages, and considers poetry and scriptwriting, as her past-times. Not many of us know she won SMU's first 24-hour script-writing competition. Plus, she won it with her solo entry, while others were struggling in teams of 4.

An advocate of women empowerment, catch Shyn Yee live @ TAB on the 8th of April!

Guitarist aka Deep Soul aka Repertoir Master - Jein

Jein Yi was one of the founders of the band, when Scarlett was created about 8 years ago. A mild spoken girl (ah-hem), Jein Yi is constantly full of fresh ideas, on top of the latest technological fad (gadget interaction, she calls it), has nimble fingers on the guitar and a mean swing on the tennis courts. She has always been a stable force in the band, strumming laboriously in the background and nudging people along.

If you haven't met Jein Yi, you haven't experienced one of the most electrifying radiant smiles around. With her perfectly aligned sets of shiny pearlies, she also has a jolly and infectious laughter that comes deep from within. Do not, however, expect this smile or laugh on the tennis courts. On the court, she is focused, competitive and will whack your guts out and your wits about.

When not enjoying time with friends and family, playing tennis or buddying up with her guitar, Jein spends time as a media planning specialist, serving some of the most recognized international and local companies. She also cooks (makes AWESOME scones!), and claims to be the best food-taster around. "Not too salty," she said, "food shouldn't be too salty".

Catch her at Scarlett's Donate A Song Charity Gig @ TAB on April 8, 2011, Friday. She has been requested to sing and play a solo - can't wait! 

Keyboardist aka Lightning Fingers - Pearl

The key driver of our upcoming charity gig @ TAB is Pearlyn. Pearlyn is one of those annoyingly talented people who can pick up an instrument and play any song she can think of or any song she hears. Yes, any instrument, any song. And we're not talking those happy strum-alongs that most musicians are capable of. She plays the entire song, complete with improvisation.

Banker by day, Pearlyn works at an esteemed French bank in project financing with a focus in the oil and gas industry. She is young, capable, smart, works tremendously hard, and despite her tender age, has proven her worth in her workplace and earned the respect of colleagues and superiors. The demands of work aside, she has a deep passion for music, photography and travel.

Armed with her trusty companion - a Nikon D80, she has traveled to various parts of India, France, Japan, Mongolia, and other exotic corners of this beautiful earth. While many people her age invest in leather handbags, expensive shoes and other material gains, she diligently puts aside savings to enable her to travel.

Aside from the keyboard, Pearlyn plays the guitar, drums and accordion. Next up on the list, she says? The cello!

Watch out for Pearlyn at the Scarlett Donate A Song Charity Gig @ TAB on 8th April, Friday!

Starting 2011 with a Bang!

Hello dear friends!

2010 went by in a flash, and 2011 is well on its way and on track. We, the Scarlettes, are not resting on our laurels either. After two gigs at Oosh, Dempsey, we sat down and thought about how we wanted to start 2011 with a bang and with a good cause.

...and the Scarlette Donate-A-Song Charity Gig was born!

This is what we’re going to do:

Come April 8, Friday, we’ll be playing at TAB. We will be playing 3 sets starting from 9pm. In the first set, we will be playing songs that we like; in the second set, we will be playing songs that YOU like, and in the third set, we will play WITH you!

This is how it works:

We are now accepting songs and jam requests, for a donation. You can request for songs, with a donation attached, and we will play it for you. Alternatively, if you’d like to sing with us or play a song with us, we will rehearse and play it with you. It’s that simple! Release the inner superstar or rockstar in you! We are able to cover a wide variety of music genres, challenge us!

This is where the money goes to:

The money we will be collecting that night will go to Aidha (www.aidha.org). Registered in late 2006, aidha helps women in poverty and its formal mission is to enrich life choice through financial education. Through its training, aidha transforms the micro entrepreneur into a successful small business owner who generates sustainable income, creates employment, and powers economic growth.

So do join us for a fun evening of food, drinks and music – all for a charitable cause!

Place: TAB (442, Orchard Road, between Orchard Hotel and Delphi)

Time: 2100hrs – 0030 hrs

See you there!

Follow us on FB at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=164039450311400

Check out aidha at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/aidha/175675153513

Party Against Poverty, BluJaz

Some of the girls performed at BluJaz Cafe (11, Bali Lane, www.blujaz.net) on 22nd October, Friday for Party Against Poverty (http://www.partyagainstpoverty.org.uk/), and the set was very well received!

Here are some photos of the evening!

Erin's maiden public debut! (Erin is Niki's sister - she's amazing!)

In the background: Jein on the guitar and Pearlyn on the keyboard

The Gotangco Sisters (They are not twins!)

In the background: Mel G on the bass

Niki on the guitar, Shil on the cajon and Lyd on the mixer

A very happy and satisfied Scarlett!

(From Left: Pearl, Jein, Shil, Lyd, Niki, Mel G and Erin)

Scarlett and some of our friends

Thanks again to those who came by and sang along with us! See you at Fort Canning this Saturday!

Because We're Just Like That.

For the upcoming gig this Saturday at Fort Canning, we've been cracking our heads on the song list, and last night, we tried to put them together - we are thrilled!!! We've got a few fun songs lined up, which will hopefully get the audience bopping their heads and tapping their feet. The finale song will be kick ass!

Truth be told, we are a little nervous to play before Jack and Rai - those guys have been around for a while and have been a permanent fixture on the local music scene. And let's not forget the gig's at Fort Canning Green! *Gulp* Champagne will be needed before the performance to calm the nerves!!!

But we'll do fine. We put stuff together at the last minute, break the songs apart, put them together, put our own spin on it, whack one another on the head to buck up, build on one another's energies, and then deliver.

Because we're just like that.

We'd like to thank friends who have purchased the tickets to come watch us and enjoy the evening. More jamming tonight!!! We'll update with some practice pictures!

xxx

We're At It Again!!!

Yay!!! After a hiatus of 8 months, Scarlett is at it again!

This time, we're lending our support for "Loving the Paper Plates & The Silver Screen", presented by Action for AIDS (more details at www.afa.org.sg). It's going to be a night of live music, movie screening of "Penelope" and picnic under the stars!

What: Loving the Paper Plates & The Silver Screen
When: 30th October, 2010 (Saturday), from 1730hrs till late
Where: Fort Canning Green (HOLEY MOLEY!)



All proceeds go towards the welfare and education of women and girls in families affected by HIV and AIDS. So come join us, have a good time, and contribute to a good cause!

Jack & Rai will also be performing that night, so don't miss their electric performance as well.

We absolutely CANNOT WAIT to be there for Action for Aids, and we hope to see you there! Please come and say hi!

More about "Penelope":

Scarlett "Concert" Part I

19 Feb 2010



This is part one of the amazing performance delivered by Scarlett. The girls gave it their all... the sweat, toil and lots of creativity in preparation for this night! Give it up for Scarlett!

Full House @ Cafe des Amigos

Hello again!

We have finally recuperated from our high energy gig at Cafe des Amigos (also known as Bistro Amigos) at Funan the Digital Mall last Friday. What a blast!

Jan belting her heart out in the acoustic set!

Wait a minute... recuperated? Well, not exactly. Truth be told, we are devastated that it's over and suddenly there seems to be a void in our lives. No more band practices? No more Lyd whipping us into shape, no more 2am sessions, no more cans of green tea (for drinking and icing sore arms), no more "c'mon girls, focus!!!"...???

Don't be fooled by Lyd's beguiling smile... she is the real disciplinarian in the band!

It was a very memorable night through and through, and the band played more than 25 songs - covers and originals. What an amazing experience, it was! We thoroughly enjoyed performing for everyone, and watching people sing along, tap along and bob their heads along. There were several highlights in that evening, such as Shyn Quek unveiling the Darbuka in our own rendition of Sugarbabes' Overload, and Pearl playing Juliette Greco's Sous Le Ciel de Paris with a vintage accordion that she recently inherited from her Grandfather.

Pearl tinkering with the accordion during set up and while performing at the gig!

...and of course, one of the hot topics of the night - Shyn Quek and her bongos.

The most charming percussionist ever... Shyn Quek/ Banana!

What we forgot to mention before, is that 22-year-old Esther was a guest drummer (our regular, Annie, couldn't join us in this gig unfortunately!) and she had to pick up the whole repertoire within 3 weeks! Is that talent, or what?? Obviously, musical talent flows within the family - she's Lyd's baby sister! So in the few weeks leading up to last Friday, she had to manage her studies in English Literature, learning new songs, and "clicking" with 8 crazy friends of her sister (rather harrowing, we say!). Now it's back to school for Esther, but we're sure she'll be back!

Esther rushed to the gig after finishing classes at 7:30pm that night!

Esther wasn't the only one who came from school. Pat also had to rush from teaching kids in the day, to soothing us with her distinctive jazz vocals in the night.

Pat warming up before the gig

Led by Niki and Shyn, Madame Etoile and Monk also had a good time crooning to Alicia Keys' If I Ain't Got You, Summertime and Brazil. Niki, being the veteran, looked elegant with Madame Etoile, while Shyn was constantly red in the face. Her new year resolution? To perform with Monk without looking like she's going to explode!

Sneaky Niki with Madame Etoile, and Shyn with Monk looking like they're up to no good!

Since last Friday, we have been receiving tonnes of very useful feedback from our audience, and we'd like to say a very BIG GINORMOUS thank you. We can only get better with your feedback and really appreciate your opinions!

It's full house at Cafe des Amigos!

So here's a very big thank you once again, and do drop us a note to tell us what you thought, or if you'd like to watch us somewhere or play at your event! We're working on our next gig venue, and will give more news as soon as we can!

That's Jein beaming with joy - job well done, and no more falling asleep at Kopitiams at 2am!

First Set

Live High - Jason Mraz

Head Over Feet - Alanis Morisette

A Little More Sunshine - Original by Lyd

Addicted to You - Original by Lyd

Paparazzi - Lady Gaga

Bitter Heart - Zee Avi

Kiss Me - Sixpence None The Richer

Second Set

Sous Le Ciel de Paris - Juliette Greco

La Vie en Rose - Edith Piaf

Have You Seen the Sunrise - Original by Lyd

Loving You The Way I Do - Original by Annie

Beyond the Sea - Bobby Darin

Moon River - Audrey Hepburn

Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love) - Cole Porter

Summertime - Ella Fitzgerald

I Ain't Got You - Alicia Keys

Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli

Live High (with drums) - Jason Mraz

Third Set

Starlight - Muse

Carnival - The Cardigans

Overload - Sugarbabes

Aquarela do Brasil

Kiss - Prince

Sunday Morning - Maroon 5

I Can't Give You Anything - The Stylistics

September - Earth, Wind and Fire

Encore

Moondance -Van Morrison

Thank You, FF&Fs!

How do we begin... to thank all of Scarlett's FF&Fs (Family, Friends and Fans)?

Scarlett performed to a full house (first of its kind, we've been told!) at Cafe des Amigos at Funan the Digital Mall tonight, and we delivered 2 hours of live music over tables and tables of escargots (wonder how many snails were devoured tonight...hmm, that's a thought...), beef steaks, lamb chops and free flowing wine. According to the owner, the restaurant was fully booked for tonight even before Chinese New Year, and they had to turn down many inquiries despite having rearranged the table configurations and layout to maximize capacity.

We are loved!!!!

There was so much positive energy in the room, and we were surrounded by music-loving friends and a very appreciative audience. What have we done to deserve this?

Can't wait to see some of the pictures and videos taken tonight, and we will post them up as soon as we can. Right now, the eyelids weigh a ton and the body is threatening to shut down.

Once again, thank you very very much for being there for us, singing along, tapping along and clapping along.

We are terribly honoured.

... that Tonight's Gonna be a Good Night!

YAOZA!! So tonight is finally going to happen, after weeks of shortlisting songs, practising and repractising, camping ourselves in Pearl and Shil's living rooms and 3 long nights at BackBeats, Cafe des Amigos is finally happening. Tonight!

Last night we were relentless. We went through the entire song list despite being (1) tired (2) overfed from Chinese New Year (3) lethargic from work and (4) victims of sore throats and running noses. And Niki was still on her way back from Tokyo!!!

So at around 1:25am, on a Thursday night, we decided we couldn't play another note and sing another tune. Shyn Quek and Shyn spent the last ounces of their energy dancing to the band's rendition of Muse's Starlight (oops! let that out of the bag!! Teaser!) then we adjourned to the corner kopitiam for some drinks and some medical attention.

Now, that's how hard Lyd was working the bass.

A few more hours now!! Jein, Pearl and Lyd will be at the restaurant about 30 minutes from now to set up, while the rest of us will zip our way to the venue after work!!

Watch this space for videos and photos of the event!!!

Scarlett's rockin' tonight!!!

WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2:37am

We just got home not too long ago from our last rehearsal before tomorrow night's show (tonight). To say that we have the jitters is probably an understatement - we are exhausted... but the adrenalin is still pumping in our veins!

Waaahhh!! What Should We Wear?

One more day to our show at Cafe des Amigos! The girls will be getting together tonight for our last rehearsal prior to tomorrow, and we are nervous+excited+thrilled+jumping - one heady mix of adrenalin!!! It's going to be another nerve wrecking evening, not for the faint hearted!

And as girls (not the typical type, but still, wanting to look good), the question is also "what will Scarlett wear tomorrow?" We have done retro at our '80s music wedding gig at the Singapore Polo Club, we have done animal prints for ACRES' World Animal Day... What will the girls be up to at Cafe des Amigos?

We're unveiling a very exotic new instrument at the gig tomorrow as well, hailing all the way from Turkey! Shyn Quek has been romancing and muttering sweet nothings to it all week, expediting their love affair. We say some things can't be rushed, but we also believe in love at first sight; so expect some magical sparks!

Monk and Madame Etoile will also be at it again, singing their harmonious song of love and dependence. And have you heard Lyd's bass line? It's said to evoke waves of emotions, that always makes Shyn shiver with ecstasy and hysterical with delirium!

One more day!

And the Adventures Continue!

Hello friends and soon-to-be friends!

Finally, inspired by 2010 - A Year of Changes, and our upcoming first gig of the year, we have finally gotten down to creating this blog. We've been talking about it for AGES, but never got down to it. First we got our logo done, then a Facebook Page, and then an email address (scarlett.girlband@gmail.com)... and now, a blog!!! It's taken us some time, but better late than never!

Over the last years, we have jammed, fooled around, and had a good time at private dinners, weddings and charity events. Along the way, we have made friends who have given us much support and showered us with much love! We can't wait to share our joie de vivre and our passion for music with more friends and friends of friends.

First up this year, we'll be playing at Cafe des Amigos located in Funan the Digital Mall, on the 19th February, Friday starting from about 7:30pm. Last we heard, the restaurant is already fully booked and reservations are on waitlist, so we are thrriiilllleeedddd!!! Do come by and say hi if you can!

pssst... come find out what Sugarbabes' "Overload" and Pink Martini's "Brazil" have in common!

Big love,

Scarlett

Picture from Top Left (Clockwise)

Jein (Guitar), Jan (Vocals), Pat (Vocals), Shyn (Sax), Lyd (Bass), Annie (Drums), Pearl (Keyboard), Niki (Sax), Esther (Drums), Shyn Quek (Percussions)