Friday, September 09, 2005
Life's never Fair
This article is taken from the Newpaper today. I totally agree with what this journalist wrote. Nothing against Kelly but it's soo TRUE.
Ohh and take note of the bold para, about the collaboration with other singers in their recording company. NOW tell me, is life fair or not?? HUR???!!
"THE dust has settled, the albums are next. Project Superstar winner Kelvin Tan is set to release an album with Singaporean label Play Music, while runner-up Kelly Poon has signed with international record company Universal Music Singapore.
Project Superstar's top two Kelvin Tan and Kelly Poon. But what can we expect? And more importantly, will the albums sell?
The New Paper spoke to industry pundits, TV viewers and the two men who will be responsible for marketing the Superstar winners - Play Music's marketing director, Mr James Kang, and Universal Music's marketing manager, Mr Andy Kwan - about what could work for and against the two...
Kelvin Tan, 24,the Stevie Wonder of Singapore
Ideal image: Humble boy-next-door who inspires people.
Greatest strength: Ability to touch people's hearts.
Worst weakness: His blindness.
Formerly a busker, Kelvin will undergo a makeover, but nothing too fanciful or flamboyant, said Mr Kang.
'We foresee something simple and representative of who he is, and we will capitalise on his unique ability to touch hearts.'
UFM's vice-president, Ms Anna Lim, agreed that Kelvin should 'just be himself'.
'He can't be an idol singer because of his disability, but he has the support of the masses,' she said.
'He can also work towards becoming Stevie Wonder, who is not only a great singer but also composes and plays the piano.'
But two Project Superstar viewers felt that Kelvin's disability could work against him.
Event manager Estelle Tan, 29, said: 'As a performer, he needs to come alive on stage to engage the audience, but he is restricted by his disability. He won't go far because he can't depend on sympathy votes forever.'
Added technical officer Ben Chang, 26: 'He can't dance or make eye contact, and his singing is only slightly above average.'
Musical style: Sentimental folk-pop.
Everyone we spoke to agreed that Ocean Au's breezy folk-pop style would suit Kelvin best, though You Weekly reporter Tina Tan warned that Kelvin should find his own niche instead of copying Ocean.
'The music scene is too small to vie for the same pie. Kelvin needs good pop songs for his debut, or else there may not be a second album.'
For that, Mr Kang claimed that he is roping in Singapore's best musicians to pen the most suitable songs for Kelvin, mainly sincere, earnest folk-pop tunes.
Covers of Kelvin's signature tunes performed during the contest, like Guang Liang's Fairytale, will also be included.
Marketing campaign: A five-figure advertising and promotions campaign spanning radio, TV and print.
'It will be nothing short of our investment for Ocean Au, Joi Chua and Nicholas Teo,' said Mr Kang.
'Although the whole of Singapore already knows who Kelvin is, good music should still be promoted.'
Star collaborations: 'Maybe we can have Kelvin do a duet with Jocie Kok, Cyndi Wang or Lena Park,' said Mr Kang. Jocie is a Play Music newbie, while the label promotes Cyndi's and Lena's albums.Going regional: There will be talks, but 'it depends on whether our regional partners have the foresight and confidence in our artiste', said Mr Kang.
The good news is, Play Music he has just worked with EMI Taiwan to launch Malaysian crooner Nicholas Teo successfully in Taiwan.
( Sorry wor, but can someone tell me who is LENA PARK and NICHOLAS TEO?)
Kelly Poon, 22,the Karen Mok of Singapore
Ideal image: Cosmopolitan with demure girl-next-door appeal.
Greatest strength: Versatility.
Worst weakness: No personality.
The girl-next-door singer may be a dime a dozen, but Mr Kwan said such an image is still the safest bet for a debut.
'We'll start with demure, then let her develop into someone mature and sophisticated,' he said.
'Like Karen Mok, she can be both very lady-like but also very wild.'
Industry pundits and TV viewers alike acknowledged that Kelly's versatility and showmanship make her the ideal next pop export.
Said Ms Tan: 'Kelly is very chatty and active on stage, and she has the stage charisma.'
But Kelly lacks a strong personality that would instantly set her apart from all the other sweetie-pies vying for attention.
Lianhe Wanbao reporter Tan Pin Yen said: 'If you close your eyes and listen to her talk, you'll wonder if she's Fann Wong.
'Maybe it's her air-stewardess training, but Kelly is too politically-correct.'
'To be an idol, she needs to be more vocal instead of always going by the book.'Musical style: Contemporary pop.
To show off her versatility, Kelly will do both sweet ballads and some fast songs, said Mr Kwan.
But MediaCorp's channel vice-president (Chinese broadcast), Mr Paul Chan, cautioned that she would face stiff competition in this popular genre.
'She can be Jolin Tsai or Elva Hsiao, both of whom can do ballads and fast numbers equally well,' he said.
'But, to fight it out with them, Kelly must first discover what is her own unique quality.'
Marketing campaign: Also a five-figure advertising and promotions campaign spanning radio, TV and print.
'It will be a no-holds-barred approach, since Kelly is our first local singer in three or four years,' said Mr Kwan.
Star collaborations: 'We won't discount the possibility of duets with Jacky Cheung, Eason Chan or Wilber Pan,' said Mr Kwan.
All three are Universal artistes.
Going regional: Since Kelly already has 'the whole package' to be a star, Mr Kwan said he will consult his Taiwan counterparts to see what is best for her "
Posted by :: Aska :: at 2:30:00 AM