Welcome to Troubaganger
Gig Diary { 2006 | 2005 } Doppelganger { Blogsite | Email } Troubadours { Blogsite | Email }

ABOUT TROUBAGANGER | WAYANG KATA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7 (6 was produced with another organiser, Moonshine)

WAYANG KATA VII
SPOKEN WORD WITH STEVEN CAMDEN aka POLAR BEAR

British Council and the Troubagangers bring you Wayang Kata VII - featuring one of Britain's foremost spoken word artists Steven Camden (aka Polarbear).

WAYANG KATA V
SPOKEN WORD WITH CHARLIE DARK

CHARLIE DARK - image (C) British Council

In the last episode of Wayang Kata, three poets won their way to the Singapore Writer’s Festival. This fifth instalment of the spoken word series welcomes them back on stage along with Charlie Dark and poets from Singapore! Music producer, club DJ and, yes, poet Charlie Dark is the latest in a line of British talents to come our way. Despite over fourteen years behind the decks, Charlie’s first love was the spoken word. He was one of the individuals responsible for starting the famous Speaker’s Corner jams and he continues to wow audiences with his apt observations and insights whenever he steps up to the microphone. With his flamboyant gestures and vocal gymnastics, Dark has made a dynamic impact on the UK poetry and performance scene. Before we bring on the poets, though, KL goes dark with Charlie and Blacktronica, a revolution in music and UK club culture. Featuring live performances, DJs, spoken word and more, this is not your average club night!

BLACKTRONICA
Saturday December 8, 2007
Heritage Mansion @ Heritage Avenue, Jalan Kamunting, Kuala Lumpur
9.00 p.m. till late. Free. Entrance only for 21 years and above only

Wayang Kata V
No Black Tie, 17 Jalan Mesui off Jalan Nagasari, Kuala Lumpur
8.30 p.m. RM10 at the door

Hosted by the dynamic duo Jerome Kugan and Jasmine Low (also known as Troubagangers), this is a night not to be missed. Charlie will also conduct workshops with local poets and teachers (but sorry guys, this we hear from BC is by invitation only). If you'd like more information on BC, email arts@britishcouncil.org.my

About the poets

Charlie Dark (UK) is a dynamic part of the United Kingdom’s poetry and performance scene as a writer, producer and DJ known for flamboyant gestures and vocal gymnastics. He is one third of the hip hop-inspired trio Attica Blues, and has toured around the globe (both independently and with the band) to points as far dispersed as Tokyo, New York and Berlin. He makes regular appearances on the literature and spoken word circuit, is an experienced tutor and workshop facilitator, and has been a Poet Coach for the London Teenage Poetry Slam for three years running.

Charlie is a renaissance man in the world of performance, fusing poetry, DJing and storytelling with casual ease. Despite over fourteen years behind the decks, Charlie’s first love was the spoken word. He was one of the individuals responsible for starting the famous Speaker’s Corner jams and he continues to wow audiences with his apt observations and insights whenever he steps up to the microphone.

He writes for style magazines such as I-D, The Face and Dazed and Confused, and has released two albums – Blueprint (Mo Wax, 1996) and Test, Don’t Test (Sony/Higher Ground, 2000) - as a member of Attica Blues.

Somewhere between 5 to 9 years of age, Bani Haykal (Singapore) began creating little Hollywoodesque game books about chaos and the unlikely chances of a protagonist to escape death. And in his little wormy brain, he is the narrator or that trailer voice you hear in movie previews for his books. Bani Haykal's works often channels random imaginations into picture frames, and almost always focuses on love and human behavior. His works are also projected through the band, b-quartet, where he sits in as the primary singer and songwriter. Haykal has performed his works at the Kuala Lumpur International Literary Festival 2007, The Singapore Arts Festival 2007 (Morpheus, Forward Moves) and The M1 Fringe Festival 2007 (Vermillion).

Divya KM Jiwa (Malaysia) tripped over and fell into the magic cauldron of Enid Blyton and Mahabharata at a very early age. Conquered by elves and flying discs, Divya's love of reading and writing stories and songs soon metamorphosed into a lifelong passion. A freelance journalist, occasional photographer and aspiring poet, author and songwriter, Divya is currently immersed in running an upcoming advertising agency and teaching the quirky rules of English and creative writing to kids.

Liyana Yusof aka Dizzy Firefly (Malaysia) is a first-year biotech student who is blinded by literature, powered by coffee, and easily distracted by photography and/or her imagination. She likes writing, the smell of old books, being submerged in swimming pools, neuroscience, medium-rare steak, touching cat fur, and empty train rides.

Ng Yi-Sheng (Singapore) is a full-time writer with specific interests in the fields of history, myth, sexuality, and censorship.   In addition to his work in fiction, playwriting, journalism and copywriting, he has published a poetry collection entitled "last boy" and the best-selling non-fiction work "SQ21: Singapore Queers in the 21st Century".  Yi Sheng has also won Poetry Slams in Singapore where he participates regularly in the spoken word scene.

Priya K. (Malaysia) is a closet dreamer, currently balancing her life as a slacker and law student. Among all the things she has done, she is most sorry about terrorizing Petaling Jaya by co-organising Project OMG! gigs. She prays to the Gods of Rock and writes to save her soul. She has no shining accolades or awards, but does have a pink feather boa.

want to perform? email us at openmickl@gmail.com

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Read the reviews: STAR MAG (Nov 4, 2007) . KAKISENI (Nov 7, 2007)

Troubaganger in collaboration with British Council present

WAYANG KATA IV
GETTING IT ACROSS!
8.30pm. Oct 24, 2007. RM10

Some say good things come in three’s but we beg to differ! Presenting the fourth edition of Wayang Kata – harder, better, faster, stronger!

Featuring an all-Malaysian line-up of poets that have attended our poetry workshops but here’s the twist: we’re going to have these wordsmiths battling it out for an opportunity to attend and perform at the Singapore Writers Festival in December. The poets will be assessed by a panel of guest judges but ultimately the audience gets to sway the final decision! If you’re thinking Poetry Idol, you’re getting warm…

Meet the Poets

Patricia Low Pek Wan is an English Literature/Performing Arts undergraduate at the University of Malaya, who writes her best poetry in the dark hours of the morning. Priya K. is a closet dreamer, currently balancing her life as a slacker and law student. She prays to the Gods of Rock and writes to save her soul. She has no shining accolades or awards, but does have a pink feather boa. Batsheba Zlikha Arsalan is 21 and quite tall. A self-described “Sadgiterrorist”, incorrigible masochist, struggling artist, and romanticist to the core, she is an obstinate believer in aesthetics and a follower of metrical writing. Divya KM Jiwa tripped over and fell into the magic cauldron of Enid Blyton and Mahabharata at a very early age. Conquered by elves and flying discs, Divya's love of reading and writing stories and songs soon metamorphosed into a lifelong passion. Liyana Yusof is a first-year biotech student who is blinded by literature, powered by coffee, and easily distracted by photography and/or her imagination. She likes writing, the smell of old books, being submerged in swimming pools, neuroscience, medium-rare steak, touching cat fur, and empty train rides. M SHANmughalingam is a writer with stories and poems published in anthologies in France, India, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK and the US, including the Fish International Short Story Prize and the Commonwealth Anthology of Poetry in London.

Back as emcees are Jerome Kugan and Jasmine Low also known as Troubagangers (the collaboration between Troubadours + Doppelganger - organisers of open mic gigs). The evening will also include special performances by our hosts, guest judges and new talent as well. Check out the competitors, note the dates and see you there!

www.troubadourskl.blogspot.com
www.doppelgangerkl.blogspot.com
www.britishcouncil.org.my

Date 24 October 2007
Venue No Black Tie, 17 Jalan Mesui
off Jalan Nagasari, KL
Time 8.30p.m.
Admission RM10 at the door

Are YOU an aspiring POET?
I was!
Come join us and kick start your performing career.
Email Jasmine at openmickl@gmail.com
and let's get talking!

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Troubaganger in collaboration with British Council present
WAYANG KATA III
AN EVENING OF SPOKEN WORD

Wayang Kata returns with a fresh line up to include
Jacob Sam-La Rose alongside several Malaysian writers and poets.
Jointly presented with the Troubagangers (the joint collaboration of
Jerome Kugan's Troubadours and Jasmine Low's Doppelganger Open Mic Gigs),
this event has grown in popularity with fans of spoken word
and newbies to the local poetry scene. Come and be converted!

Date 7 March 2007
Venue No Black Tie, 17 Jalan Mesui
off Jalan Nagasari, KL
Time 9.00p.m.
Admission RM5 at the door

POETS' PROFILES

JACOB SAM-LA ROSE
A former Poet-in-Residence at BBC London, he has taught
creative writing internationally, and has facilitated and taught
workshops and extended projects through institutions such as
the National Theatre, the Arvon Foundation, Spread the Word,
the Roundhouse, the Barbican, as well as a range of schools across England.  

Jacob is also the Artistic Director of an annual teenage
poetry SLAM project that works across London schools.
Check out Jacob’s website and note the dates below to catch him
performing alongside Malaysian poets!

Catalina Rembuyan is a freelance writer.
She is currently pursuing her Masters in English Literature
at the University of Malaya, where she works as a tutor.
Her favourite poet is John Keats and her favourite artiste is Britney Spears.

Fairul Nizam Ablah writes comic and animation scripts, was previously
editor of a manga/anime magazine and is in pre-production for
two comics. He scripted the animated series Bola Kampung,
which aired on RTM1 earlier this year. He would love
to get a novel published but he still doesn't know what he
wants to write about. His guilty pleasure is watching
sport genre movies. In his free time, he daydreams
about lying on the beach surrounded by hot babes.
 

Jerome Kugan really needs no introduction.
As magazine editor, singer songwriter and
one-third of Troubadours, have a listen and read more of his
accomplishments here > www.myspace.com/jkugan

{ Troubaganger Open Mic follows }
 

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Wednesday, 22 November 2006
WAYANG KATA II
AN EVENING OF SPOKEN WORD
 

Photo Courtesy: British Council

Acclaimed UK poet Malika Booker will be taking the stage with a number of Malaysian writers and poets to offer you a night of sublime poetry in Wayang Kata II: An Evening of Spoken Word, presented by Troubaganger and the British Council. The performances will be followed by an open mic session for all aspiring poets to let their own voices be heard.

Malika Booker is a writer and performer whose work spans literature, education and cross-arts. She is best known in the UK for her writing and performances of intimate and engaging monologues and poetry. For more information on Malika and the Malaysian poets, visit www.britishcouncil.org.my

No Black Tie
17 Jalan Mesui off Jalan Nagasari, KL
9:00 pm | RM5 at the door

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<<<<<<<<<<<<<  Gigs in 2006 >>>>>>>>>>>>>    

Note: Indie Scene Cafe is now closed and looking for a new venue.

Indie Scene Cafe - a space for independent singer songwriter, poets, musicians, cartoonists, filmmakers, artists etc. Our store is open anytime Wed-Sun from 12pm-7pm. Workshops every weekend. Call Jaz +017 623 0288 for details.

Open Mic ** EVERY FRIDAY ** 7-11pm ** Free Entry
Ground Floor, Picolo Galleria (in between Planet Hollywood and Lot 10)

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Doppelganger presents

5pm-3am
31 Dec 2006
Finale gig for 2006 +
Closing Party of Indie Scene Cafe
+ Mondo Carnaval NYE Countdown

Piccolo Galleria, Bukit Bintang KL
Details: openmickl@gmail.com

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Reportage on the final Troubaganger Gig at La Bodega KL

Kuala Lumpur, 3 Sept 2006
Tonight signified many things. One, we had Pete Teo and Lo play at Troubaganger for the first time! Two, about 25 singer songwriters and their friends, one singing waiter and a host of the coolest bar staff in Alor left the Bodega Tengkat Tong Shin outlet, sealing a 14-month fete de la musique. Thank you Rest. Manager Siew Siew and the crew! You guys have been simply great since the first day (June 5th)! To all the musicians who've performed in the space before, thank you and keep performing! We'll be back with more very soon...... watch this space. Get on our mailing list so you don't miss any gigs!

- Sunday, 3 September 2006-
THE TROUBAGANGER FINALE SHOW
La Bodega, 31 Tengkat Tong Shin
RM20 with a drink
Email: openmickl@gmail.com for details

- Wednesday, 30 August -
THE TROUBAGANGER MERDEKA SHOW
La Bodega Kuala Lumpur
Email: openmickl@gmail.com for details

<<<<<<<<<<<<<  Gigs in 2005 >>>>>>>>>>>>>    

Nov 20 Doppelganger & Troubadours present:

T h e  S o f a   S e s s i o n s
with performances by Justin Chan * The Gracecars web
Kevin broken scar * Lurks * Couple
Your hosts: Jaz & Jerome

Nov 13 Troubadours

Performances by 360. Head Rotation & Kohl.

Oct 16 Troubadours

Performances by: 
A u b u r n * S a r a  L o * R i z a l

Oct 2 Doppelganger

Performances by:
J a s e m a i n e   G a n also performances on the sofa by ADY, Faiey, Yuri of Frequency Cannon, Pang Khee Teik and Jaz.

Sep 18 Troubadours

Featuring performances by:
F U R N I T U R E
Fresh from playing to rapturous audience response at Baybeats Singapore, Malaysia's foremost dreampop pioneers will play a stripped-down set especially for Troubadours. Also look out for Furniture's instant classic "Twilight Chases The Sun" CD.

F E R N S
This Broken Body's leader Warren Chan takes some time out of the band's recording sessions to deliver some sweet acoustic tunes with his partner Abigail de Vries.

I Z Z Y
Catch the melodic and wistful sounds of one of KL's fastest rising singer songwriters, with her song "Pelangi"
currently colouring the local alternative radio charts.

Sept 4 Doppelganger

Feature artiste: Soft Touch
Performances by: Nell & Hannah, SkyJuiceCoffee, Jeremy Lim, Moe Masri

Aug 30 Troubaganger Merdeka Show

Featuring: Shanon Shah
Performances by: Reza Salleh, Jerome Kugan, Azmyl Yunor, Meor, Zalila Lee, Hanafi, Hannah & Nell
Readings by: Bernice Chauly, Pang Khee Teik and Jasmine Low

Aug 23 Troubadours
Featuring: Meor, Azmyl Yunor
Special guests: Euseng, Ariff Akhir & Sofa Sessions

Aug 7 Doppelganger
Feature Artiste: WARVE
Performances by Fergus Ong, Prozac Nation, Faiey

July 17 Troubadours
Performances by Shelley Leong, Tragicomedy, Zalila Lee and a host of others

July 3 Doppelganger
Performances by ADY, Jasemaine, Michael Chen, Izzy
Readings by Jaz, Beth Yahp & the talespinners: Eli, Helen, Mei Chern, Clarissa, Mark, Jacquie, Wai Quan, Ikhlas, Ju Lin, Jac, Yin San.

June 19 Troubadours
Performances by Lied, Soft Touch

June 5 Troubaganger Joint Launch
Performances by over 18 singers & songwriters

Announcement

Doppelganger & Troubadours take local music further at La Bodega KL

Kuala Lumpur, 12 May 2005 - Doppelganger organiser, Jasmine Low (co-organiser of Valhalla open mic nights in 2003/2004) has teamed up with Troubadours' organisers Azmyl Yunor, Tan Sei Hon and Jerome Kugan to hold two different fortnightly Sunday performance nights at the upstairs room of La Bodega's KL outlet on Tengkat Tong Shin in Bukit Bintang.

While Troubadours will continue to focus on singer songwriters performing mostly introspective original material, the new Doppelganger night will act as an "open stage" showcasing an eclectic range of performers which could include cabaret acts, poets, dancers, performance artists, singers, musicians and other 'uncategorisable' emerging talents looking for an outlet.

To celebrate this new partnership, a special kick-off Doppelganger/Troubadours event will be held on June 5th, 7pm onwards at La Bodega in Tengkat Tong Shin. Confirmed to appear at this event are talented singer songwriters Mei Chern and Reza, SaerZe and Prozac Nation.

Following the June 5 gig, Doppelganger will be held on the 1st Sunday, while Troubadours on 3rd Sunday of the month. The line-up for Troubadours on 19 June features Lied and Soft Touch, both promoting their recent CD releases.

Especially for Doppelganger and Troubadours nights, it's happy hour prices for customers all night long, plus a special RM20++ menu for two. The organisers would like to thank La Bodega for their support and encouragement.

presents

DOPPELGANGER & TROUBADOURS
Featuring Mei Chern, Reza, SaerZe & Prozac Nation.

Sunday, 5 Jun 2005
6-11pm (show begins 7pm)
La Bodega KL, 31, Tengkat Tong Shin, 50200 Kuala Lumpur.
Free entrance. Reservations: 03-2142 6368
Sponsored by LA BODEGA KL www.bodega.com.my

Artistes' Profile

Reza Salleh's music is a blend of dark melodies and baritone vocals with a tinge of blues and jazz. Influenced by bands like RATM, Soundgarden, Silverchair, and American black music, he has a penchant for writing emotion-driven tunes backed by rhythm-based guitar riffs. He has previously appeared in gigs such as Acoustic Jam, Unclogged, Songwriters' Round, Sapu-Sapu, and various other independent singer-songwriter gigs across KL.

Mei Chern writes and sings quiet, intimate songs with a raw and earthy voice. She distils her feelings and thoughts through songs that reflect her sensitive observations of everyday things. A Cambridge graduate in Experimental Psychology, she tries to balance her scientific endeavours with song writing.

SaerZe is a female singer/songwriter who began exploring with the performing arts at a tender age of 10. In 2002, SaerZe kicked off her solo debut and has released a demo (My Make-Believe, 2003). Later, she was featured together with Malaysia's Reggae Ambassador, Sasi the Don in a cheeky collaboration track titled "Smooching on the Dancefloor". Having recently
returned from a study stint (audio engineering) in Byron Bay, Australia, SaerZe's first single "Too Sexy" is out! Look out for her upcoming debut album. More online www.saerze.com

Prozac Nation comprises of Sam on acoustic rhythm and acoustic lead guitar, and Mils on vocals, and acoustic rhythm guitar. This new band's repertoire includes acoustic versions of songs made popular by Placebo and Coldplay.

Further details:

>> DOPPELGANGER (open mic. open stage):
Contact Jasmine Low / Jaz: openmickl@gmail.com

>> TROUBADOURS (singer songwriters):
Contact Jerome Kugan: jeromekugan@gmail.com

 

Music, songs, readings shows. By real people.