Rynn Lim Yu Zhong’s perseverance as a singer/songwriter has finally paid off. He may be one of the brightest up-and-coming Malaysian singer-songwriters based in Taiwan today, but seven years ago, Rynn Lim Yu Zhong had no idea that he could write songs or even sing, let alone become a superstar.

At the time, Lim was a meek 21-year-old studying microbiology in Universiti Malaya, and learning to play the guitar. Then, one night, he grudgingly accompanied a friend to a songwriters’ gathering, and it changed his life.

“I’d heard about these gatherings before, so when one of my friends asked me tag along, I decided to go and see what it was all about,” he recalled.

“At first, I was a little bored, until they brought out their guitars and started playing their songs.

“I was amazed that their songs were quite good although they were just students. This gave me the encouragement to try and write my own songs, and once I started, I became addicted to it. I just had to keep on writing songs.

“My first song was rubbish actually … I don’t even remember what it was. I’d never really thought my songs would sell, or that I would be a singer. In fact, I hardly ever sang at all before this. “I never thought of joining singing competitions, and didn’t even go to karaoke lounges.”

By and by, Lim sent some demos to Halo Music and he was offered a singing contract.

“At the time, Halo was still a small company, so it could not afford to release a lot of debut albums by new artistes in one year, like the major labels. I had to wait my turn.”

In the meantime, he wrote songs for other singers, and did production work.

“It was tough because the market was not so good. It was tough surviving on just behind-the-scenes jobs, but I didn’t mind, since I was still doing music and that was what I liked,” he said.

Six long years after he first signed up with Halo Music, Lim finally released his first album (aptly titled 1st) in 2005.

“At first, my only concern was to release the album. But once it was released, I was not used to everything else that followed,” he recalled.

“I’m a bit of an introvert and come from a family that has always kept a very low profile. “As I’d never entered any singing competitions before, I had no experience performing live. I felt awkward and didn’t know how to move or what to say.”

Lim has since has improved a lot and he now performs and talks like a pro. Having dabbled in acting and after winning several awards, including best newcomer at the PWH Music Awards last year, Lim’s popularity soared. His sophomore album, In the Rain, which was released in March has chalked up impressive sales. When quizzed about his popularity, Lim humbly admitted that he had never imagined that he would become so popular.

“I never thought about it that much at the time. I just wanted to do my best to release a good album. I don’t think I’m that popular yet, but I am very happy with the response I’ve got so far.”

Lim reckons that it’s a lot harder to be an artiste these days compared to before, when singers could just concentrate on singing and an album could sell more than 100,000 copies.

“Back then, singers would just record and release the album, and it would sell. They also didn’t have to deal with the problem of piracy.”

He added that today’s artistes are required to carry out promotional activities.

“On top of that, we need to perform in shows, appear in commercials so that we can maintain a certain level of visibility.”

Lim revealed that he been busy promoting his latest release.

“I’m just too busy to write songs these days. I’ve had people asking me to write songs for them, but regretfully, I’ve not had the time to do so,” he said.

“I’ve still got a long way to go. My main goal right now is to improve on what I already have, and to write better songs.”

In the Rain is available in record stores nationwide.

source : Mass Media

Related posts:

1. John Huang Jun Yuan: My First Album
With the exception of an elite few, the majority of singers in the Chinese...
2. Leila Tong Releases First Mandarin Album
Since signing with a manager in China in October, Leila Tong Ning released...
3. BoA Drops 6th Album in Korea & Japan
Twenty two-year-old singing machine BoA has released her 6th studio album...
4. Kim Yuna & Jaurim to Release 7th Album in April
Singer Kim Yuna, who recently gave birth to her first son, will release a...
5. Jamal Abdillah to Release Album
KUALA LUMPUR: Jamal Abdillah is making a new album, his seventh in his...
6. Taufik Batisah Trying His Luck In Malaysia
Singaporean singer Taufik Batisah aims to chart a long-term pop career...
7. Gackt to Release Gundam Album
On December 19, Gackt will release an album titled "0079-0088." It will...
8. Yana Gupta Don’t Want Ornamental Roles
Bollywood item girl Yana Gupta (born Jana Synková ), who has no projects...
9. Yana Gupta Debuts as Singer
Reliance ADA Group's Big Music & Home Video Monday released Punjabi...
10. Alan Tam Latest Mandarin Album ‘Zui Ai Xiao De Ren’ (Be A Joyous Man)
Ever-youthful Alan Tam returns with a Mandarin album, Be a Joyous...

Posted Music |