YouTube turns local unknowns into idols

Happenings Happenings RSS

YouTube turns local unknowns into idols

Brendan.

By Steven Patrick

'YouTube to YouLive' talent competition winners Epy & Ardiv will have their work cut out when they claim their full-performance prize on 12th July at the Laundry Bar in Mutiara Damansara, PJ.

After years of being "wedding singers" and playing at functions, they'll finally headline their own show. "We'll be playing original songs, but there'll be pop songs and some jazz songs, too," promised the ska and reggae duo.

Though the duo beat 500 other acts to win the RM5,000 prize money and the featured gig, two other acts gave them a real run at the finale last week.

First runner-up Brendan performed a quirky acoustic medley of Eminem's The Real Slim Shady, Gorillaz's Clint Eastwood, Adele's Rolling In The Deep and Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, before finishing with a tongue-cheek cover of the Spice Girls' Wannabe complete with pelvic thrusts on the thought-provoking "zig-a-zag-ah" bits.

"Along with my friends, we wanted to put something of ourselves into those songs and bring on the attitude," he told the appreciative crowd.

Fabian.

Second runner-up was Fabian, a serious singer-songwriter-type with a warm David Gray-like voice. He played a tuneful original titled She and a powerful acoustic version of Billie Jean.

The online-to-onstage competition was certainly successful in unearthing new, quirky and original talent, from quiet musician-types to rabble-raising bands. Fifty videos were selected from 500 entries through general voting, before the final 10 were shortlisted from a combination of public votes and the judges' decision.

All 10 acts were required to play live at the Laundry Bar, and the winner was determined by a 70/30-point ratio between the judges and the audience.

Meanwhile, for all you aspiring musos out there who are still waiting to be discovered, you haven't missed your chance. Laundry Bar owner Darrin Lee, one of the judges of the competition, said that the live music club's own online audition programme will be launching soon.

Once a month, Laundry Bar will feature acts selected through the programme to provide more opportunities to struggling musicians. The club has tied up with RedFM to create a weekly segment called Red Unsigned, hosted by Fiqrie as part of his The Edge On Red show, where selected YouTube users will be featured on the radio.

The chosen ones will also have the opportunity to perform live every last Thursday of the month at the club. You can find more details at facebook.com/laundrybar.

For part one of this story, go to: Ska duo wins 'YouTube to YouLive' clash

Published: 2nd July 2012