18/06/2025

LYFE WEDNESDAY | JUNE 18, 2025

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Ties that bind

Kaaze on inspiration, spinning in Malaysia From page 24

Childhood inspirations Instead of a sporadic approach to his music, Kaaze, while still sonically evolving, has been very intentional with his storyline as a musician. “Dreamchild was mainly inspired by my childhood, growing up with rock music.” Professing his love for concepts, he explained Dreamchild is an artwork of him as a child and the sound he was making then. But Mick is a personal album dedicated to himself. “When I made that album, I took away everything that Kaaze likes to play and (use) just what Mick likes to listen to. I wanted to make an album that I could press play and just enjoy, like Mick’s music – that is why I named it Mick ,” he added. Mood boards to turntables A methodical artiste, who crafts his sound with intention, Kaaze revealed he starts with a mood board and a storyline. “I make a mood board for myself. I get a vision. It is like a book in my head – how I want it to come out, what is going to be the red line in the album.” For instance, with Dreamchild , the artiste commented he already had the title and artwork done before even making the first song. After creating a vision, he then explores different genres for the album such as rock for Dreamchild . Reconnecting with musical roots After Mick , Kaaze found himself in new territory. Diversifying his sound (yet again) with a heavy-leaning techno music, he admitted it was something people were not used to hearing from him. He shared: “Before I was Kaaze, I was making very underground industrial techno. So, I just wanted to find myself again and (went) a little bit back to my roots in a new modern way.” Over the past years, Kaaze stepped into a music time machine to connect to his musical roots. “The music I have done for the past one and a half years is a reflection on my past, going back to the roots. I am deep, deep down in the whole techno scene and the techno world. I am trying to see how much I can develop that sound into something new.” New era, new bangers Two years after his last album and following several collaborations last year, Kaaze invited fans back to his world via Reach Out, I’ll Be There. On his new music, Kaaze said: “It is originally a very old song from the 70s by (a group named) Four Tops.” It was new music on paper, but Kaaze mentioned the idea for the song was penned about six years ago. But he just could not get around it until last year. “It is a very heavy

track to bring the energy, then mellows it out a little to “find the sexiness and groove”. After people have had the chance to catch their breath, he then picks it up again towards an exhilarating climax. Sometimes, playing for different shows means changing the structure. For Kaaze? Adapting to different sets is his superpower. “I adapt to the type of show or festival. For some big festivals where you have 60 minutes and you need to squeeze in all your biggest songs, you might need to organise your tracks a little bit more.” However, when it comes down to it, it is important for Kaaze to end his set with the same type of hype. Mastering the crowd DJs not only have the pressure of showcasing an amazing set, but it is crucial that they possess good crowd control techniques. And for Kaaze, it is all in the persona and charisma. He said: “When you get up on stage, the crowd will instantly know how focused you are on them.” “I try to be out there. Making sure you look people in the eyes, look at their reactions and talk to the microphone from time to time.” He then said the crowning moment is really just his music and how he plays it. It is about figuring out the type of energy the crowd has and the direction the set needs to go in. “There are different ways to control, but the key is to be present with them. That they see you are with them.” On his favourite fan interaction, Kaaze simply said he loves it when the fans wear or bring along his merchandise, such as his flags. Return to Malaysia Kaaze is all geared up to bring the house down in Pitt Club KL on June 20. As Malaysian fans longingly wait for him to turn up the heat, Kaaze confided that the first time he performed here was “absolutely mental”. Grateful for the opportunity to perform in Malaysia again, he said: “I am happy they wanted me to come back so soon. I have a great relationship with Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia. “The fans are very loyal to me. I think it is probably one of my better shows in the whole of Asia, to be honest.” Teasing new music, Kaaze quipped his fans always know to expect fresh beats every time he plays a live show. “My fans know that every time I come back, there is always new music. Because I make a lot of new music. So, there is probably going to be new music that I am going to try.” On collaborations with local EDM artistes and incorporating ethnic influences in his music, Kaaze was open to the idea. “That is something interesting. That (ethnic influences) would be crazy good – that together with my new sound. I can already hear it.”

o ‘Empat Live in KL 2025’ concert set to be special moment for Ziana Zain, family

SINGER-COMPOSER Hael Husaini surprised his fans by announcing that he will be holding his first solo concert Konsert Hael Husaini & Repertoire on Aug 8. In a statement, the Rocketfuel Entertainment star said the concert, which will take place at Zepp Kuala Lumpur, promises to be a unique blend of art, fashion and emotion. Known for his powerful vocals, Hael revealed that the show will feature several prominent guest stars, including Dayang Nurfaizah, Nadeera, Wany Hasrita and Nabila Razali. “This concert will not only showcase a selection of my greatest hits over the years but will also feature new musical arrangements, cinematic visuals, guest performances and exclusive fashion displays reflecting my own aesthetic evolution. I want fans to not just listen to the songs but also experience my journey, feel my emotions and witness my creative side, from music and visuals to fashion,” he said. Hael added that he hopes fans leave the concert feeling inspired, fulfilled and proud to have been a part of the night. Since entering the music scene, Hael has made a name for himself as a two-time consecutive winner of Anugerah Juara Lagu with iconic songs such as Jampi and Haram (a duet with Dayang Nurfaizah). He has also helped shape the local music landscape with his creative touch as a songwriter for popular artistes. Among his most celebrated compositions is T HE upcoming ‘Empat Live in Kuala Lumpur 2025’ concert will unite siblings Ziana Zain and Anuar Zain, along with their niece Ernie Zakri and nephew-in-law Syamel, on one stage for the first time. Speaking about the concert, which will take place at Mega Star Arena in Bukit Bintang on Oct 18, Anuar said it is a tribute to their family’s artistic journey, while also establishing themselves as a brand in the local music industry. “‘ Empat ’ (four) is not just a number. It is a collaboration among four artistes from the same family. We hope it will become a legacy and a historic moment for us. We also hope it will be something people talk about for a long time,” he said at a press conference recently. To further excite fans, the four will also be releasing a new single in conjunction with the concert, centered around the theme of universal love and composed by Edry Abdul Halim. Anuar, who worked with Edry about 15 years ago on the hit song Sedetik Lebih , described him as a smart and experienced songwriter and composer. “When we met Edry, he gave us two song options. But one of them really captured our hearts. Without saying much, the four of us immediately agreed once we heard it,” he said. Anuar added that Edry understood the vocal characteristics of all four singers and crafted an arrangement that suited them well, which made the recording process smooth from start to finish. Organised by Anuar Zain Network in collaboration with Altus ProHouse, ‘Konsert Empat Live In Kuala Lumpur 2025’ is expected to be one of the most memorable music events of the year. Meanwhile, Ziana said the concert not only fulfills the dreams of loyal fans who have supported their artistic journeys but also marks a special moment for their family.

“We want this concert to be the most meaningful moment in their (fans’) lives and ours too. Hopefully, it becomes a beautiful story to be remembered even when we are no longer here,” she said, adding the concert is expected to feature over 20 songs which they will perform solo or as a duet or group. Ernie, who grew up watching her uncle and aunt performing on stage, described the concert as a dream come true. “When I was told the concert was going to happen, I felt a mix of emotions – touched, overwhelmed and proud. This is a major moment in my life,” she said. The concert will be directed by Jennifer Thompson while the music director is Lee Sze Wan. Only 15% of the tickets for the concert are now remaining since they went on sale on April 25, so fans best grab them while they are still available. – Bernama Available concert tickets are down to just 15%. – PIC FROM INSTAGRAM @ANWARZAIN

Hael Husaini’s first solo show set for Aug 8

techno-based song with a very catchy sample. But it is probably the hardest song I have released so far.” A song composed for festivals, Kaaze shared the hype around it is phenomenal. “It is going to be fun!”

Message to Malaysia To his loyal fans and fans-to-be, Kaaze warmly declared: “I love you guys and I love Malaysia. I love the people of Malaysia. I cannot wait to meet my Malaysian family at the show. And I hope I will be back every year in Malaysia.” With new music and a show in Kuala Lumpur, the Hot Tekno pioneer is ready to take Malaysian fans on yet another pulse-pounding, hypnotic musical journey.

Festival formula As it has been made clear, Kaaze is an intentional artiste with a storyline – nothing about him is random. So, obviously, his music festival sets all have a structure. “I have a structure, not in terms of what order I should play the songs, because I always try to wing it. But the ideal structure for my sets is to start with a high impact.”

Anta Permana , performed by Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza. The song went on to become a fan favourite in Malaysia and was also recognised internationally when it was chosen by British monarch King Charles III for his playlist in The King’s Music Room on Apple Music. Tickets for Konsert Hael Husaini & Repertoire range from RM258 to RM588. – Bernama The concert promises to be a unique blend of art, fashion and emotion. – PIC FROM INSTAGRAM @HAELHUSAINI

Kaaze will perform in KL on June 20.

He begins with a high-strung