Bandleader

Yo, I am Senaru! I am a drummer and percussionist. I have been playing drums for more than 6 years and percussion for more than 7 years. I love to play any kind of genre, as I like to challenge myself and learn more. I get my inspiration for drums from reggae and Sinhalese pop from Sri Lanka. And for percussion, I get inspiration from Latin and reggaeton music. I like to mix my percussion experience into my drumming as well.

My end goal is most likely to get into studio work like mixing and mastering. But at the same time I love to perform with my friends and bandmates. although i might not go into the performance side I would still to continue performing as a hobby (who knows what would happen hehehe).

When it comes to performing, my goal is to get better as much as in my instrument and get more experience when playing with different other people.

Backup Vocalist

Studio Booker

Kon'nichiwa! I'm Xiao You, a keyboardist and backup vocalist for band 3! I love to perform at gigs and competitions. I started my own band playing musicals from Wicked and Hamilton this year and left with champion in both APU and Sunway's Battle of the Band! I used to play Jrock a lot, but as time past and everyone comes and leaves, I met a new bunch of people this year to explore new genres of music with me, like indie, Neo soul and musicals!

Though I may look like I only play keyboard often, but I do sing as main vocalist in outside gigs. It's just that I think there's a higher demand of instrumentalist than vocalist, and I can't find enough keyboardist to play for me as well. And that's when I started learning to sing harmonies, playing and singing was a really a good skill coz I helped a lot of my other bands with one singer to elevate their song just because of the vocal harmonies :)

Music Director

Hellooo I'm Zac. I am the keyboardist for this band. I have been in love with music ever since I could remember. Before I join this course I never even know what is contemporary keyboard playing as I have only learnt Classical piano up to grade 2. But I am very happy to be able to stumble into this course and meet my wonderful friends, where we could grow our music knowledge together and make meaningful connections.

In my future endeavours, I wanna be a full-time music producer, maybe even try singing. I will work hard and keep on learning to improve myself and reach my goals!

Greetings, I am Adam, I am the guitarist for the band. I only started playing the guitar when I joined this course. Even though I was slow to music theory and live performance throughout the the beginning, I can see some improvements that I have made. I plan on further improving on this especially on soloing for this current semester. Main problem was playing with confidence, however now I'm focusing on to continuous playing without caring if I played incorrectly as long as I don't stop. By the end of the semester I hope to see huge improvements in my play styles especially by playing smoothly and confidently.

HIIII I'm Grace. I am the vocalist of this band. After joining CMAT, I started to love more genres of music other than pop and ballad. I realized that other genres like jazz, reggae and funk are also very good and fun to play. Recently, I also started to have acoustic gigs outside of the campus. I hope that I can be a better vocalist and a musician to reach more milestones. For me, reaching small milestones helps me to gain more confidence, and it is something that gives a dopamine boost for me to do more productive things.

I hope in this AM I can be better than my last AM's performance in terms of my breathing stability, intonation and vocal placement.

It shows the singer’s deep appreciation for the people (friends or family) who have always been there, through both the good and the tough times. The lyrics look back on those shared memories with warmth, and even though the singer has to leave to chase their dreams, there is this strong belief that the love they share will still stay the same, no matter the distance.

• The melody changes across the song, even verse 1 and verse 2 sounds totally different but they share the same chord progression

• The average interval used in verse is major 3rd, while pre-chorus has a few major 4th interval, while chorus has more bigger intervals like major 6th, minor 7th and minor 6th

• Many use of call-and-response

• Dynamics: Towards the second half of the song, more higher pitch harmonies were used to increase vocal intensity

• Electric Guitar: Plays subtle chordal textures that add rhythm and depth without overpowering the vocals.

• Bass Guitar: Provides a steady foundation with warm, rounded tones. It is lock in tightly with the drum's groove.

• Keyboards/Piano: Adds soft harmonic support with sustained chords and melodic fills that create a mellow atmosphere.

• Drums & Percussion: The side stick on the snare stands out, playing a syncopated rhythm throughout the song, especially during the verse and chorus, giving the groove a relaxed yet driving feel.

• Vocals: Ryan’s expressive lead vocals are supported by lush backup vocals, especially in the pre-chorus and chorus, creating emotional intensity and fullness.

Timbre (Sound Color)

• Overall Feel: The sound is warm, intimate, and heartfelt, evoking sincerity and emotional depth.

• Mix of Sounds: Combines acoustic elements like piano and guitar with soft rhythmic percussion, resulting in a soothing and soulful texture.

• Vocal Quality: Smooth, emotional, and slightly raw. The lead voice carries vulnerability, while layered backing vocals enrich the emotional tone of the song.

Time Signature: 4/4

Groove: Afrobeats, with syncopation and emphasis on off-beat side stick

There's a lot of syncopation happening with vocals and drums.

A key figure in the rise of French Afrobeats is MHD, who pioneered the “Afro Trap” genre by mixing African rhythms with trap beats and street rap. His viral series “Afro Trap” helped popularize the genre among French youth. Around the same time, artists like DJ Arafat (from Côte d’Ivoire) influenced the scene with Coupé-Décalé rhythms, which were widely embraced in Paris nightlife and among the diaspora.

Other artists like Aya Nakamura, of Malian descent, brought Afrobeats to the mainstream with international hits like “Djadja,” blending Afropop with French R&B. Naza, Vegedream, and Gradur also infused Afro rhythms with humor, danceable beats, and urban lyrics, contributing to the genre’s popularity. Meanwhile, Tayc and Dadju added a romantic, R&B-flavored twist to the style, often dubbed “Afrolov’.”

Today, French Afrobeats has become a commercial and cultural force across Europe and Africa. Artists frequently collaborate with international stars and dominate streaming platforms and social media, particularly through dance trends on TikTok. The genre reflects the multicultural identity of modern France and continues to shape the global Afrobeats movement.

• Electric Guitar: Uses a funky, rhythmic style to create an upbeat feel.

• Bass Guitar: Provides a bouncy groove that drives the rhythm. (Especially during the Prechorus part where the bass "walks" on every beat)

• Keyboards/Synths: Add warmth and fill out the chords with a smooth, gentle sound.

• Drums & Percussion: Keep a steady, danceable beat.

• Strings & Brass: Enhance the song with richer layers and retro accents.

• Vocals: The male and female voices blend together, adding emotion to the track.

Timbre (Sound Color)

• Overall Feel: The sound is warm and nostalgic, like 70s disco and funk.

• Mix of Sounds: Combines natural, organic sounds (like guitar, strings, and brass) with smooth electronic textures (from keyboards and synths).

• Vocal Quality: Smooth, which ties the entire sound together.

Between the 1950s and 1970s, Indonesian music began to change. Old styles like kroncong mixed with music from other countries, like rock and jazz. This mix created a new, exciting sound.

In the 1970s, a famous band called Koes Plus became very popular. They were one of the first pop and rock bands in Indonesia. Their songs were easy to remember and fun to sing. They also tried many different music styles.

Over time, Indonesian pop music grew into two types which are Children’s pop, which has simple words and teaches good lessons and Adult pop, which talks about things like love, the world, and people's lives.

In the 1980s, pop music became more modern. Singers like Chrisye and Vina Panduwinata made songs in the Indonesian language and talked about local stories and feelings.

The 1990s were a big time for pop music in Indonesia. Bands like Sheila on 7, Dewa 19, and Gigi made lots of love songs and became very famous.

In the 2000s, styles like pop-rock and pop Melayu (Malay-style pop) became popular. Bands like Peterpan and Ungu got more fans, helped by TV and the internet.

From the 2010s until today, new singers like Raisa, Tulus, and Pamungkas became stars. Pop music also got new influences from K-pop (Korean pop) and indie music. Now, Indonesian pop is full of fun, emotion, and is a big part of life in Indonesia.

Not long after, in 2015, HIVI! released another single called “Siapkah Kau ‘tuk Jatuh Cinta Lagi” under the Seven Music label. This song significantly boosted their popularity, as it was widely recognized by the public.

Three years later, HIVI! released another album titled Ceritera. In this album, they collaborated with guitarist Tohpati as the producer and explored a variety of genres, ranging from pop ballads to rock.

This song is actually meant to encourage people who often feel insecure about themselves—those who don’t feel confident enough to make changes because they feel different or not good enough. The song conveys the message that every person has their own strengths and weaknesses. There is definitely something special in each individual. That’s why we need to believe in ourselves—that we’re capable of facing each day and overcoming daily challenges. And most importantly, believe that we are valuable.

Translations:

You said I'm not the same
Not like I was at the start
I said maybe it’s just in your mind

• Something that someone said to their partner

• The lyrics shows that someone feels insecure and feels like their partner have changed

• Their partner reaffirm them saying that they think too much

Translations:

You said I don't care
Not like I did the first time
I said don't be doubtful all alone

• Someone is insecure about their partner being ignorant and not as good as before

• Their partners also reaffirm them again by telling them to not be doubtful

Translations:

Listen, you are the only one
Among all who’ve ever touched the depths of my soul
And there will never be another
One is enough—only you are the one and only

• In the chorus, the ones who were being doubted uses beautiful words to describe their love, mainly to reaffirm their doubtful love ones.

Translations:

Why, oh why
Is there so much doubt in your heart, my love?

• It is a very straightforward question asking them about why they are being doubtful, usually this kind of sentence shows that their partners love them so much that they don't understand why their lovers have so much doubt.

Translations:

You said you've changed
Used to be skinny, now like an elephant
I said every human changes

• Verse 2 indicates that the doubtful person feels insecure about gaining some weight, but their partner comfort and reaffirm them by saying "It's okay to gain weight, everyone changes"

Translations:

Humans are created in pairs
To love each other, to trust one another

• The Bridge part is a part where the writer wrote a good message about love and that we should love and trust one another

Time: 4/4

Genre: Disco Pop

This song follows a conventional pop Structure, which makes it easily to follow along, reinforces the song's core message, and creates space for emotional build-up

It follows a classic pop structure: intro – verse – pre-chorus – chorus – bridge – outro, keeping the momentum and emotional dynamics flowing throughout the song.

Career: Singer

Debut Year: 2014

Albums/Originals:

1.⁠ ⁠Merci - August 2022

2.⁠ ⁠⁠Secret Santa - December 2023

Awards/Achievements:

1.⁠ ⁠Dewan Dan Pustaka PALMA - Juara

2.⁠ ⁠⁠International Children’s Peace Prize - Finalist

3.⁠ ⁠⁠The Giving Sunwayian Award

4.⁠ ⁠⁠1.5M views on TikTok

Label:

1.⁠ ⁠Kenny Leonore Production - 2021 - 2023

Ryan composes and makes covers quite often. He usually works on songs and creates his own interpretations of them. When he feels overwhelmed, he finds comfort in sitting down to write. After performing for two and a half years in Malaysia, Ryan has learned to accept and love himself more through the eyes of his audience. He realized that by showing them all of his small cracks and emotions, they connect with him more deeply. This experience has helped him embrace his differences and scars, growing to love who he is as a person. As a result, his upcoming songs will focus more on himself and his emotions. If given the chance to try something totally new in his music, Ryan would explore Chinese and Korean Pop, though he is still working on mastering the languages.

0:00 - 0:30

• Padlet Organisation

• Meaning of band name

• French Afrobeats.

Yee Xiao You

• Artist 2 Background (Ryan Pynam)

• Interview with Artist 2 (Ryan Pynam)

• Lyrics & Music 2 Analysis (Merci)

• Compositional Techniques 2 (Merci)

Grace Chong

• Indo Pop

• Artist 1 Background (Hivi!)

• Lyrics 1 Analysis (Satu-satunya)

Adam Kamaruddin

• Rationale

Lee Min Zac

• Music 1 Analysis (Satu Satunya)

• Compositional Techniques 2 (Satu Satunya)

• Variation: Melody of verse 2 is different from verse 1, backup vocals harmony of chorus 2 is different from chorus 1

• Pre-chorus has lesser phrase, more rests whereas Chorus is busy with a lot of call and response and phrases happening right after one another

• It involves rising melodies and chord substitutions

3:12-3:47

1:10-1:56

1.22-1.58

The original lineup included:

• Ilham Aditama (vocals)

• Febrian Nindyo (guitar/vocals)

• Dalila Azkadiputri (Dea) (vocals)

• Ezra Mandira (guitar/vocals)

  
  

Line-up Changes

• Dea left the band in 2016 and was replaced by Neida Aleida.

• Ezra Mandira departed in 2023.

• In early 2025, Keisha Cinantya officially joined as the new vocalist, replacing Neida, who had stepped down the previous year.

• 2016: Nominated for Song of the Year with “Siapkah Kau Tuk Jatuh Cinta Lagi”

• 2016: Nominated for Band/Group/Duo of the Year .

Dahsyatnya Awards

• 2017: Nominated for Outstanding Song with “Pelangi” .

• 2017: Nominated for Outstanding Duo/Group

Still, music was always present in the background. At home, there would be music playing during Sunday chores, and occasionally he’d sing at family gatherings. But it wasn’t anything anyone paid much attention to, not him, not his family. It was just there.

Part of the reason music wasn’t seen as an option was because music education in Mauritius, where he’s from, is expensive. It’s viewed as a privilege. Coming from a lower-income household in a modest neighborhood, access to music lessons simply wasn’t realistic.

That all changed when he was about 10 years old. A South African pianist, a professional recorder player, came to his area and started an NGO. Her goal was to make music education accessible to kids like Ryan. She began by teaching the recorder, which was the most affordable instrument, and thanks to a sponsor, each student got one for free.

His mom was hesitant at first, but about a year later, Ryan joined. He started learning the recorder and eventually became part of the NGO’s choir. At the beginning, choir wasn’t compulsory, but over time, it became integrated into the program. Every weekday after school, from around 3:30 to 6 p.m., he’d go straight to the NGO centre for music sessions. It became a consistent part of his life, something he looked forward to, something that gave him a sense of direction.

One of the challenges of working in the music industry in Malaysia, to Ryan, is the grey area. As he started to get more renowned, people started to question him whether as an international full time student, is he allowed to perform even with a work VISA? This has still been a very problematic issue that he is currently trying to resolve as his long term plan is to stay in Malaysia and work for at least 5 more years.

He was stepping into a space where he could grow, be challenged, and be fully himself as a musician. Now he has graduated, ending with a FYP recital where he showcases some of his originals and arrangements of classics this August!

0.10-0.47s

I think I haven't master the expression wheel, I only incorporated pitch bend.

1.03 - 1.33