Singer/songwriter Art Fazil turns back the clock 30 years to revisit his rebellious youth.
The bilingual singer found success in the music industry as a teenager, when his song, Orang Kota, was picked by the rock icon Ramli Sarip for his 1987 album, Perjalanan Hidup.
The Ang Mo Kio Pre-University student, who would rope in his classmates to perform in class, found himself launching his music career at the pinnacle of the local industry.
That inspired confidence in Art, who continued to write songs that would be featured in subsequent albums by Ramli Sarip, while chasing his own solo career.
Advertisement
Writing and singing in both Malay and English, Art cut his first English album, after being inspired by the likes of Zircon Lounge and Dick Lee.
The album, on the Pony Canyon label, did surprisingly well, with songs like Sometimes When I Feel Blue, Mama I Can’t Breathe and Anything For You.
Sometimes When I Feel Blue went on to win the COMPASS Music Award for Best Local English Song.
Infused with confidence at his debut success, Art turned down a second album offer from Pony Canyon and decided to hoof it to England, where he spent 15 years performing his own music to appreciative club and pub audiences.
When he returned, Art played music where his spirit led him. From loud Malay folk music to traditional Malay songs for children, Art has enjoyed a journey of abandon and musical wanderlust.
His idea of celebrating his first English album was well received by the Esplanade. Songs of a Rebellious Teen will see Art reunite with his original band, The Healers, and he will perform the album in its entirety on 6 October at 8pm at the Esplanade Recital Studio.
In this interview with SilverStreak TV, Art talks about his career, about growing older and about staying healthy and not becoming jaded with life.
He says he’s learnt about the art of growing older from Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, who recently turned 80.
Songs of a Rebellious Teen
When: 6 October 2023
What time: 8pm
Where: Esplanade Recital Studio
Tickets : $35 available at SISTIC
Limited concessions for students, PWDs, NSFs and seniors: $28
Website: https://www.esplanade.com/artfazil
