July 10, 2009

Zee Avi: From Small-Town Girl to Big-City Starlet

By Daryl Tan

Listening to Zee Avi over the airwaves, you'd be forgiven for perceiving the diminutive songbird as a decade older than she actually is. At just 23 years of age, the Malaysian native has somehow packaged introspective, sensitive and meaningful lyrics in the form of catchy pop tunes which would leave many listeners tapping their toes to the beat.

Born in Miri, a small town on the island of Borneo, Zee was all set on the path towards becoming a legal eagle, or a fashion designer. Nevertheless, music ran deep in her veins. Moving to Kuala Lumpur, she learnt to play the guitar, and often spent hours on end just practicing with her newfound love.

Intending to share her music with friends, the aspiring young lady began posting songs on YouTube. Little did she realize the consequences of these innocent, random uploads. After hearing her endearing vocals, which bear a husky timbre resembling that of accomplished singer Norah Jones, Ian Montone offered to release her music under the Monotone label. Zee hopped on a plane bound for Los Angeles, where her new life as a demure, cherubic performing artiste took flight.

Speaking to MTV Asia, Zee shared her sentiments on her star-struck musical journey thus far, and her excitement about her self-titled debut album.

So what's the story of how you got signed to Brushfire Records?

I got signed to Brushfire Records when Patrick Keeler, a drummer from the Raconteurs, just happened to be surfing around on Youtube one day and saw my video. He referred me to his manager, Ian Montone, and both of them got in touch with Brushfire Records. That's how it all happened.

The signing has been your first trip to the US, and you're working with great musicians, how has the experience been like so far?

It's been pretty crazy so far, I feel really blessed to have such an opportunity, and it's been nothing but great.

Describe your music to people who haven't heard it before.

It's really hard to place my music. It's been said that I play very indie, acoustic folk and jazz. I try not to label my music, but if people ask me, I'll say that, but I really play whatever comes naturally.

You have a pretty eclectic pool of musical influences. How did you arrive at your own unique sound?

Because I listen to a wide range of stuff, a wide range of genres, I guess in a way, they all play a part in helping you find the right sound. Obviously, if you listen to a lot of rock, you sway that way, if you listen to jazz, you sway that way, if you listen to blues, you sway that way. Usually, I just play whatever comes naturally to me, these are the things that give me inspiration as to how I should convey what I'm feeling at that time. But other than that, I just pick up my guitar, play my open chords, strum, pluck whatever, and play whatever comes naturally to me.

How would you describe your debut album?

My new album is going to have some songs that Youtube viewers would be familiar with, as well as some new songs. It's still going to have that pretty simple sound to it, but it's going to be more dynamic with the addition of instruments and everything.

Tell us about your first single "Bitter Heart".

My first single "Bitter Heart" was actually a half-written song that I finished on the spot and I just sorta played it to a couple of people over there and they really liked it. They said "You should record it." That's how it started, but basically, the concept is around girlfriends, housewives… whenever they're just waiting at home for their husbands to come back and they're cooking dinner; it's getting cold and they find out that their significant other is up to no good, so you know…"bitter heart".

Where do you get inspiration for your songwriting?

Anything that moves me, you know, whatever I hear, see or feel.

In terms of your list of influences, who has inspired you?

My list of influences are mostly derived from the 1920s era of jazz, vocal jazz mainly. Names such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day, Peggy Lee, and even The Rat Pack. I love big bands, swing music, as well as classical and classic rock.

What's next for you after this album?

I'll be touring around the States, which is another thing that I'm really excited about - to be able to travel around the States doing what I love.