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Farisha Ishak’s album marks first step to ‘world domination’

SINGAPORE — Singer Farisha Ishak takes to the stage tonight at Rentak Singapura, the concert featuring Malay pop artistes from Singapore, and she’s nervous.

Farisha Ishak is ready and willing to do what it takes to be a success. Photo: Hype Records

Farisha Ishak is ready and willing to do what it takes to be a success. Photo: Hype Records

SINGAPORE — Singer Farisha Ishak takes to the stage tonight at Rentak Singapura, the concert featuring Malay pop artistes from Singapore, and she’s nervous.

You can’t really tell that from talking to her, though. She’s animated, amicable and isn’t put off by the bad jokes this writer spouts. Rentak Singapura is her first big gig since she launched her debut album, Aligned, last week; and she’s included in a line-up that features the likes of Aisyah Aziz, DidiCazli, Siti Rusminah Jaafar, Audionauts and Taufik Batisah, among others. The annual local Malay music event — organised by MediaCorp’s Malay radio stations, the Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (Compass) and non-profit organisation Perkamus — supports artistes in Singapore’s Malay music industry.

“The line-up is really strong with all these great singers,” said Farisha. “I am excited — performing alongside all these people, to actually be selected for this event. Of course, it’s pressurising as well. I haven’t performed the Malay songs I’ll be doing before — it’s my first time — so I’m a bit nervous.”

But the singer is keen to show the public what has become of the girl who won last year’s TV singing competition, The Final 1. Containing nine songs, including three in Malay, Farisha’s album features songs written by Ken Lim, Taufik Batisah and Farisha herself, among others. “Both the show and the album release are big events in my life. Winning the show opened so many doors, but now the album, it’s like an announcement to the industry, like ‘I’m here — and this is my music’.”

Q: You brought a couple of your own compositions to the album (Life Is Beautiful and Stranded), but was it easy to work with Ken Lim, who’s better known as the mean judge on The Final 1?

A: Ken really is a nice guy!

Q: Are you just saying to stay on his good side?

A: No! Because I’m new to this, I really am willing to learn. I’m open to things that Ken suggests. If I don’t feel comfortable with something I’ll let you know. There will always be compromise — when you get two headstrong people with ideas, there will be a clash. So Ken and I always talk a lot about how we want the songs to be. It’s pressurising sometimes. Ken will make me do certain words or get a certain feel by doing it over and over again. But I’m still new so hopefully it will get better.

Q: Which are you favourite songs on the album?

A: I definitely like Aligned because it relates to me — the thing about taking risks. I think you do need to take risks in life. Of course you have to be smart about it — you don’t just jump in. I also feel that it can relate to others too. I also like Life Is Beautiful, it means a lot to me.

Q: Is it because you wrote that song?

A: It was me going through a dark period of my life — going through my A Levels — so there was a lot stress and it was when I didn’t believe in myself. I was at the bottom, so to speak, and it was negative because the stress made me not want to do anything about it. But it’s something to write about: You can’t just like, fade, you need to get back up. It’s not the end of life. It’s the same with heartbreak ...

Q: Wait, the song is really about the A-Levels? It isn’t about heartbreak?

A: No, it wasn’t heartbreak! But you can say it’s about that if you want. No, it’s just about making a choice to be happy. In life, there are little things we can appreciate, like smiling at someone on the train, for example, or just say hello to someone.

Q: That sort of behaviour will end up online, you know.

A: Er, yeah, you might end up online, but it’s your choice to make.

Q: Does your family or friends treat you different now that you’re a star?

A: Only some friends will joke and say, “ooh, superstar” to annoy me! But I haven’t changed. I am the same person. People recognise me on the street though.

Q: And you get mobbed.

A: No, I don’t get mobbed! But there was this one incident when I was walking with my friends at City Link and someone walked past me and I heard that person say, “Oh my god, it’s the Final One”. And I didn’t know how to react. Do I turn around and say, “uh huh, that’s right, I’m the Final One”? So I just smiled and walked off. I do get that often. No they don’t bow at my feet, I’m not the queen of the world. But people will ask for photos.

Q: So this whole being recognised in public thing…

A: When I go out, I try to put an extra effort to looking nice, and there was one time, this cute guy looked at me right and I don’t know if it was because I was attractive or because he recognised me from the show.

Q: Does it bug that you have to look your best whenever you go out? Like, you can’t just lame out any more because you’re in the public eye.

A: You have to try to look nice, at least. If you just want to lame out, then don’t go out! I think it’s always good to make an effort to look good.

Q: Do you think there are enough places for singers and musicians to perform here?

A: I think there are platforms and opportunities to perform. I think if you look for it, you’ll get it. I feel that if you’re hungry enough, you should go all the way to source for it, until you get it. And yes, I’m hungry. Are you? Have you eaten?

Q: So you’ve put your studies on hold for your music career…

A: Because I’m taking a break from school, my main focus is singing 24/7. I’m really serious about it. I’m going to do all I can.

Q: But how did your family take it? Did they really say, “Forget school, do music”?

A: My mum and my dad — my whole family really — is supportive of what I’m doing, as long as I’m happy. If you’re doing what you love, it’s a whole … it’s not really work, is it? I strongly believe that whole, “do what you love and love what you do” philosophy.

Q: So just how happy are you on the Happy-O-Meter?

A: Happy-O-Meter? Did you just make up that word?

Q: Yes. That’s my job. Okay, on a scale of one to 10…

A: I’m at 9.5 right now. Because not everything is perfect, so I’ve deducted 0.5 points off.

Q: Where do you want to be in five years’ time? Play sellout shows at the National Stadium? World domination?

A: I definitely want to try that! The plan is to establish myself in Singapore because it’s important to have a strong foothold in your home country. I’d like to go overseas. I think it’s every artiste’s dream to have their music spread to as far as it can. But I think it’s essential to have a strong foundation in Singapore first. Hopefully if things go well. That’s the first step in world domination – then you take the world by storm. And become more influential than Barack Obama.

I want the public to know me for my music. Because I feel my music is what I stand for. When I do write more songs in the future, I hope my lyrics will speak to them and influence them or impact them in some way. That’s the kind of artiste I want to me. I hope my music can go further – that’s my dream. Like (Malaysian pop singer) Yuna, she’s already there. She’s one step closer to world domination.

Aligned is available exclusively at CD-Rama. Rentak Singapura happens tonight, 8pm at Kallang Theatre. Tickets sold out.

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