I am more excited than the Band!

Today is my son, Nick’s band ROSEVELT’s big day!! It is their first Album launch. The launch is held at Club Neverland, 1, Jalan Kia Peng, Kuala Lumpur from 3 – 6 pm. I can’t wait to be there! I want to share my joy with you all! Also, I want to thank those of you who had voted for them when they were competing to be selected to open the concert for their musical icon, INCUBUS in July. Your votes are all worth it! 

Rosevelt opened the concert for Incubus at Stadium Negara

After Nick finished his high school, he decided to pursue Performing Arts. I remembered I was not very glad about his choice because like most parents, I worried that he may not be able to earn a decent living if he was to become a performer, a musician or an artist in our country. It will be a hard and rocky road for him. It will be like living from hand to mouth. My Quay Lo on the contrary said that we should let him choose his own path and pursue a course that he likes and be supportive. He said if one does what he is passionate about, he will excel in it and most of all, he will be happy. I guess that’s true, Nick told me that he is happy even when he is doing his music full time as a singer songwriter and had to eat bread with water for weeks. He did that for a year before he got a day job.  It did not stop him for pursuing his dream. 

After Nick and his band mates formed the band ROSEVELT in 2009, they all worked very hard to produce this first Album and they did it!! These boys did it without financial help from their parents, they did it on their own. I am very proud of them. I hope their story can inspire other young people to pursue their dreams against all odds and like them, never let others tell you, you can’t do it!

A  BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO  ROSEVELT!! YOU GUYS RAWK!!

THE BAND

Extracted from ROSEVELT website: www.roseveltband.com

##The band climbs up, plugs in, tasting the buzz in the charged neon gloom.  And with an amplified whine, detonates the moshing masses with a rush of Rosevelt. Indeed, that night, all the world's a stage and the stage is theirs.

Opening for their musical icons in July 2011 is a long way from Rosevelt's humble college roots, back when Incubus was the spark that ignited a dream. Now with electrifying effects, frenzied beats, and mind-bending bass lines,wrapped up in intense vocal refrains, Rosevelt has made this recipe for rock

into their signature sound.

Alternative Rock, Hard Melodic Rock, whatever you call this assault on the auditory senses, those who have tasted it often developed a curious case of chronic headbanging.

Erupting from their public debut at Indie Youth Fest 2009, Rosevelt exploded among local music festivals, including Rock the World 2009 and 2010, YOUTH '10, Urbanscapes 2010, and Asian Music Festival 2011.

Their contagious energy has set aflame live venues such as Laundry, The Library, and Urbanattic, as well as events including Fly FM Campur Chart, Guinness St. Patrick's Festival 2010 and Arthur Thursdays 2011.

Debuted in June 2010, Rosevelt's single *Madicine* hit #1 at Cravecharts for eight weeks, #1 at Hitz.fm MET 10 for two weeks, #4 at TRAXXfm Upstage, and Top 25 at XFM Underground.

Nevertheless, while Rosevelt's hopes were in the heavens, their feet were firmly on the floor and they paid their dues as campus circuit darlings:

University of Nottingham Malaysia, Sunway University, Monash University, TAR College, HELP University College. In return was a nomination for *BestCollege Act* at the Voize Independent Music Awards 2010

That is how Rosevelt is perfectly embodied in a single word: grassroots. Since breaking into the local music industry, they have been a champion of all talents Malaysian and indie, from music mavens and duds designers to shutterbuffs and architects of art. Rosevelt is local like that.

With that same personal touch, Rosevelt shows are all about crowd connection. It was no strange sight for the band to be constantly touching base with their fans as they rocked Penang, Kelantan, KL, Selangor, Pahang, Malacca, even Singapore. At the core, their essence is a single idea: have

music, will travel!

Rosevelt is currently on the verge of their album debut set in December 2011, having self-produced a mini-album in 2010.##

TODAY IS THEIR BIG DAY!
Rosevelt's Album is sold at RM25.00 at nhttp://soundcloud.com/roseveltband/politicsormal price but at RM20.00 today at the launch. If any of you would like to have a copy, please let me know. I will have the copy signed by the band and mail it to you.

Click on the Album pic to listen to one of their songs - Politics

They also have their T-Shirts and Jackets on sale at the launch.

YOU ALL ARE THE WINNERS!

This is to update you all that ROSEVELT is selected to open the concert for INCUBUS on 23rd July 2011 at The Stadium Negara (National Stadium), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Just before the competition starts, this video clip was broadcast on the big screen with Mike from INCUBUS thanking the top five bands and their Malaysian fans.. COOL! Click on the picture to see the video.

See what CHILL OUT said about the win! Click on the photo to go to read the article.

I found his video clip of ROSEVELT performing one of their original songs "Moment" after the announcement that they are the winner to share with you. Click on the photo to go to the link:

YOU ALL ARE THE WINNERS! Here are some great shots of them during the performance today. These photos are taken by our good friend, a famous photographer, John Ishii. (Click to check out his other awesome photos) or find out more about him here.

I cannot thank you all enough for helping to make Nick and his band mates's dream come true!

ROSEVELT will launching their New Album in August 2011.

Check out teasers of their songs here.

LOTS OF LOVE

from

Quay Po

ROSEVELT is one step nearer to their DREAM because of YOU!!

This is not a food post but a post to express my GRATITUDE to my family, friends, my facebook friends, my bloggers friends, both my readers (active and silent) who have voted for ROSEVELT.  I would also like thank those who does not have a facebook account, but have send their well wishes to ROSEVELT. THANKS A GAZILLION!


My Quay Lo too would like to thank you all.
Quote:
"A big THANK YOU to all of you that continuously have supported Nick's band, Rosevelt, in the recent two rounds of on line voting. The result of the effort is that Rosevelt goes into the final round holding a strong first place position. Now Incubus themselves must decide which band wiill open their Kuala Lumpur concert on July 23rd. Go to the Curve today (Sunday) at 2:30 pm when the top five hammer it some great alternative indy rock at the Laundtry Bar. The final decision will be made on July 22nd and announced at a press conference with Incubus. Thank you, thank you, thank you. No matter what happens now the, the fans, family, and friends of Rosevelt have spoken loud and clear, and shown our support for all of their hard work. ROCK ON ROSEVELT! http://www.roseveltband.com/

Mothers will do anything for their children

Mothers will do anything for their children. They will always put them before themselves. They will sacrifice for them and ask nothing in return. Their children’s dream is their dream too. Now, my son, Nick’s band ROSEVELT is one of the top 5 bands competing to be the opening band for the famous rock band from USA, INCUBUS.  In order to get there, they need votes from people who has a facebook account and SMS votes from TUNETALK’s subscribers. TUNETALK is the organizer of the INCUBUS concert.  My only way to help them attain this dream is to appeal to family members and friends to vote for them.  Can I bribe those of you who have a facebook account to cast them a vote with these cookies? Please click on the picture below to go vote for them. I am sure Nick and his band mates will be very grateful to you because you can help them realise their dream with just one click. Thanks a Million!

Rosevelt came out as Rank No.1 for 1^st round of voting on the top 10 bands. Now they are Rank No.2 on this round Top 5 bands voting. This time is very crucial that they get to be rank no.1 to receive 6 points and the other 4 points will come from INCUBUS. Voting close at 12 mid-night on 16^th July 2011.

http://apps.facebook.com/tt_incubus/index.php?tttg=8

Linzer dough cookies

Dough recipe adapted from Chef Lejuene of The Academy of Pastry Arts Malaysia

The first time I ever tasted tarts with a linzer dough crust is at the tart class in The Academy of Pastry Arts Malaysia. Thanks to Chef Lejuenne for the introduction.  I have made cookies with this dough and it taste as awesome as the tarts.  They truly taste as good as they look!  This will be the second recipe from The Academy Pastry Arts of Malaysia I am sharing with you.  They are more to come so check back when you have the time.

Ingredients:

500 g all purpose flour

334 g butter

250 g icing sugar

84 g almond powder

17 g cinnamon powder

2 g baking powder

2 g vanilla essense

25 g milk

37 g whole egg

Method for dough:

Combine all the dry ingredients and sift. Put sifted mixture into the mixer and add butter.  Mix at medium speed till sandy in texture. Add eggs and knead for 1 minute. Divide the dough in half and shape into two rectangles about 1/2 inch (1.5 cm) thick. Wrap the two rectangles of dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm (at least one hour and up to several days).

Mehtod of making the cookies:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Remove one rectangle of dough from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough until it is about 1/4 inch (1 cm) thick. Using a 2 to 3 inch (5 to 7.5 cm) cookie cutter of any shape to cut out the dough. Place the cookies about 1 inch (2.54 cm) apart on the prepared baking sheet. Use a smaller cookie cutter (3/4 - 1 inch) (2.5 cm) to cut out the centers of half of the cookies on the baking sheet. Later you will be sandwiching two cookies together and there will be a small 'window ' in the top cookie to expose the jam underneath.

Reroll any scraps and cut out the cookies. Remove the other half of the dough from the refrigerator and roll and cut out the rest of the cookies. Bake the cookies for 12 - 14 minutes or until they are very lightly browned. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

While the cookies are cooling place the raspberry jam in a small saucepan and heat gently until it has thickened slightly. Strain if there are any lumps in the jam. Let cool.

To Assemble Cookies: 

Place the cookies with the cut-outs on a wire rack and lightly dust the tops with the icing sugar.

On the bottom surface of the full cookie (top of cookie will face out) spread with about a 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon of jam.  Place the cut-out cookie on top and gently sandwich them together, making sure not to smug the confectioners' sugar.  Using a small spoon, fill the cut-out with a little more jam.

Note: You can store the unassembled cookies in the refrigerator for several days in an airtight container. It is best, though, to assemble the cookies the same day as serving in order to keep the cookies crisp.

I give you wings and sky is your limit!

I believe that we do not let anyone tell us what we can’t do but do what we believe we can.  That is exactly what my son does. When he wanted to take a course in performing arts, many thought that it is not a good course to do because this is not a professional course and being an artists in our country means being financially unstable.  Many Asian parents are reluctant to support their kids to pursue the course and in their mind, it is a way to protect them from leading a hard life. I have to confess I was a bit worried too but my Quaylo said, we should support him.  He thinks that one can only excel and be happy doing what one is passionate about.  He said money is necessary but it is not everything. I agree with my Quaylo. We always tell Nick we do not wish for him to be rich or famous, our only wish is to see him happy and earn an honest living doing what he loves.  Unlike, his college mates,  Nick did not pursue his degree in performing arts overseas after he graduated from college.  He decided to make a name for himself in the music scene here in his own country. He started out as a Singer Songwriter and an actor. He acted in AIR CON, A Cameronian Award winning play written by Shannon Shah and directed y Jo Kukathas. He was selected for the lead role in a local controversial movie called "GADOH".  The soundtrack that he composed for a play called "THREE" was nominated for the Cameronian Award. He was also the youngest Music Director for the play "KAKI BLUE". Nick used to perform alone with his guitar and later collaborated with a violonist, Savy Ho and formed an acoustic band called The Snow Symphony.  

Together they performed at various places like The Apartment, Laundry Bar, Groove Junction, Cloth and Clef and many other places. By combining this two individuals, you get sounds of hard guitar strumming melancholic violin lines.  Here is an example of what it is.  If you are interested to listen to more of their songs, just click on the photo above. After Nick became the vocalist for Rosevelt, The Snow Symphony is at a halt.  I miss The Snow Symphony.

ROSEVELT was formed in June 2009. Although they are quite new to the local music scene, I think they have accomplished a lot.  Recently, they got 3^rd place in the National competition of Global of the Band.  They have performed in various locations locally and just came home from performing at The Esplanade Singapore.  With the support of family, friends and all their loyal fans, they are where they are today.  To those of you who have been on the journey with them and voted for them, you all will be happy to know that their song ‘MADICINE” is No.1 on local radio station, Hitz.fm MET10 (Malaysian English Songs Chart Top 10) for 2 weeks now.  Thanks a MILLION!  If you want to keep them there for a while do head over to www.hitz.fm or click on the photo below to continue to vote for them.

To celebrate this occassion, I have selected one of the dishes I made in the past to dedicate to them.  Yes, it is “Char siu chicken wings”. Why do I choose this one over all the others?  Well I thought I give them the wings so that they can fly and the sky is their limit! LOL!  Also, I served the wings in a glass to toast to their success and wish them many more to come!  I LOVE ROSEVELT!! CHEERS!


Oh if you want the recipe, just click on the photo.

Char siu chicken wings

A night to remember and an excellent meal

Last Saturday evening, I went to support my son, Nicholas’ band, ROSEVELT at the Global battle of the bands competition.  He is the vocalist in the band.  

The band was formed 2 years ago.  They are currently recording their first full album and they hope to launch it by this year.  All the songs were originals composed and arranged by Nick and guitarist, Josh.  I am so glad to announce that they were selected to compete in the National finals. I wish they will be selected as the National Champion and go on to represent Malaysia to compete in the Global Championship. 

Me and Nick at GBOB 

ROSEVELT website: http://www.roseveltband.com

I would like to share with you ROSEVELT's first music video:

Title of the song: Madicine 

Vocalist : Nick Davis

While I was waiting for the opening of the event, the drummer of the band introduced me to this little brasserie called D’Empire and I had an awesome meal there. I enjoyed the meal so much that I am still thinking about it today.  They are so delicious and I will definitely return with my Quay Lo to try other dishes in their menu. The prices are fair and affordable. For the locals, if you want to check this restaurant out, it is in SOHO KL.

Left: Escargot, Center: Chocolate truffle with vanilla ice cream, Right: Garlic prawns with Angel hair