I sold one of my paintings to Jude Tan a while back, one of the many kind facilitators of Korn Ferry Academy. I entitled this piece “7 Electro Black Jelly Fishes”.
Here’s how Jude interpreted it:
“My interpretation of the painting: there are many people that go through your life - some brush past you like on the train, some stay a while for a phase of your life like colleagues, and others make an impact on you that makes you who you are. I keep getting drawn into the center of the painting and I feel that it’s those close connections - family, loved ones, friends, that come together to shape who I am. And I’m glad I made a new one today.”
Thank you, Jude. I hope this painting brings you good luck, good health and peace.
We are celebrating “The Lonely Space Monkey Pt. 1” 1st anniversary. A huge shout out and thanks to all our friends and fans who took precious time to listen and purchase the 6 songs which Rex and I put together from January to June 2020.
Please consider purchasing the compilation album or stream for free to support us; Rex, the guest artiste Kohld and I would be greatly for your support. Thank you.
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
The 6th and final song of “The Lonely Space Money Pt. 1” Compilation is a traditional Lunar New Year Classic 恭喜恭喜. Gong Xi Gong Xi or literally translate to “Congratulations”, is a song written in 1945 by Chen Gexin. There is a poignant history to this song and it’s one of the few Lunar New Year song written in a minor key. For further reading, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gong_Xi_Gong_Xi
Rex was reluctant to take on this project at first, as he is not particularly fond of doing covers. There is also a cost in putting up covers on streaming platform which we haven’t quite recovered yet. However, I believe in this song and I believe in Rex so much, that I really insist in putting this song out.
The arrangement and style used in ESP’s rendition of 恭喜恭喜 is Melodic Black Metal style. Rex is a big fan and admirer of Dark Funeral for Sweden Amongst other great bands. I can feel a hint of Dark Funeral, especially the music break at around the 3 minutes mark.
When we launch this song in 2020, the world is right in the heart of the Pandemic. This song is meant to be an encouragement to all, especially to the frontlines who are still working tirelessly till today. The second stanza of the song really took it home:
冬天已到尽头
真是好的消息
温暖的春风
就要吹醒大地
It is loosely translated as “The winter is coming to an end, and it’s indeed a wonderful news. The warmth of the Spring-wind, will soon awaken the earth.” Nothing is forever, and tough times don’t last. Humanity always prevails, life will be back as it was as long as we stay united.
I was in the mood to pick up my Black Hello Kitty Acoustic Guitar (The same guitar used in the recording) to do a “live version” of My Engineering Can’t Replace your Blackened Heart on YouTube. It’s just one of those spur of the moments...that like when you are in love, I just had to do it that night in April 2021 and it’s never been a better time to reshare while we are celebrating first anniversary of “The Lonely Space Monkey Pt. 1” Compilation album.
This is the fifth and final original composition in “The Lonely Space Monkey Pt. 1” compilation. I am also really proud To have written the melody, lyrics, played all of the acoustic guitar parts, plus arrangement for this one for the first time. Rex took the back seat and provided some low groovy basslines for this song.
To add that special “something” to this easy going unplugged ESP song, I have invited Kohld Haveneson from Laang once again to provide electric guitars and engineering of this song. Kohld’s creamy space-like guitar tone in this track would be his signature for all other ESP’s future release. You can find Laang at https://laang.bandcamp.com/
The intention of this track is showcase my ability as a singer-song writer (my main instrument is the acoustic guitar when I am stage, and I was never a strong electric guitarist) and at the same time giving our fans who are used to our Thrash Metal genre, and different perspective of what ESP can do. This song also helped bridged the distance between my listeners who are familiar with my unplugged materials with ESP. I really liked how the song turned out.
The Fall of The Giant was launched exactly on year ago today on the 4th of July 2020 and it is included as the fourth song in “The Lonely Space Monkey Pt. 1” compilation album.
While the launch date has nothing to do with USA’s Independence Day, but we had the honor of having an America-Based Guitar Wizard - Kohld Haveneson (originally from Keelung, Taiwan) in the track. He is the maestro behind, One-Man-Atmospheric-Blackgaze Band - Laang.
Kohld provided guitar works in an epic guitar battle with Rex “The Sex” Viperon for this track at the last portion of the song; depicting the final battle between Hanuman and Thotsakhan. You can find Laang at https://laang.bandcamp.com/
I did some extensive reading on Ramayana and through my research I found out who the good and bad guys were, the details of the battle, who died, who prevailed, and put in words and rhymes.
I enjoyed the process of producing of The Fall of the Giant tremendously for various reason: Firstly, I am born in the year of the monkey. Secondly, epic tales like Journey to the West and Ramayana are etched in my mind since I was a child. I always fantasise being the Monkey God, the Protagonist, the Hero. Lastly, I paid tribute to all of our Thai friends and fans by drawing “Thotsakan” as the cover art, in traditional Thai style. Khob Khun Mak Mak Krub, I am grateful for all your support.
This is probably our least comedic song in the compilation. The only (comedic) element I can think off, would probably in the hook, where Thotsakan was questioned in his dying breath, “How could you totally be defeated by a monkey?”
Then again, he’s not just any monkey. He’s Hanuman - God of Wisdom, Strength, Courage, Devotion and Self-Discipline.
