It's all about me

Monday 15 December 2008

Starlight (Transient Vortex Remix) reaches No.1 on Hitz fm, thanks to YOU!!!


Thank you Thank you Thank you to all of you who have been voting and as a result have put Starlight Transient Vortex Remix to the No. 1 spot!!!

Let's keep voting and for those of you who havent not yet voted, PLEASE START!

Don't you think it would be great to have it as the Christmas no.1?! Especially as the track has such a great happy and celebratory vibe - perfect for the time of year :D

Just copy and paste this link onto your browser:

http://hitz.fm/charts/met10/default.asp

So get voting guys and dolls and once again, Thank you for all your support!

Be Safe and Happy Holidays!

love always,

M & B

Tuesday 25 November 2008

It is our God given gift - our voice - so SPEAK UP... Read and be inspired...

I, like many others, men and women alike, of all colour, race and creed - were nothing less than OUTRAGED by the front page news in the papers the other day regarding the opinions of a certain organised, ice-age minded group of M.E.N.... yes.... Yoga is to be banned - as it could lead muslims 'astray'

WHAT???

yes

WHAT???

yes

RIDICULOUS?

yes

LAUGHABLE??

definitely

A BIG LOAD OF CODSWALLOP - that's my 2 pennies' worth

This was the topic of conversation at my sunday lunch with a friend and my parents as well as at my weekly work meeting this morning.

So you can imagine my relief when I came home tonite to read this email:

====================================================================
A respected muslim woman comments on yoga fatwa

By dinobeano 9 Comments
Categories: Democracy
posted by din merican in Alor Setar, Kedah—november 23, 2008

I am shocked, aghast and dismayed at the fatwa on Yoga and the dressing of not so feminine clothes. What will they think of next? It seems to me these people have nothing better to do. Their posts are redundant and they have to do something to attract attention. Unfortunately the attention they attract is very negative and further destroys the liberal image of Islam Hadhari which the Prime Minister had tried to portray.

I have been practicing yoga since I was young and have never become a "lesbian" or joined the Hindu religion as alleged by these ignoramus! What an insult to Muslims and particularly women. Insulting women and belittling them seems to be the main target of these men! Stop it before people start calling you MORONS!

There are more important issues to focus and worry about such as the killing of innocent civilians, women and children under the false guise of 'jihad' The killing of innocent women who have been raped. Instead of punishing the rapists, the poor innocent victim is put to death for the 'shame'.

This is not ISLAMIC! Islam stopped the killing of innocent female infants! Read the Quran and know its meaning properly. Study what is the SUNNAH – THE WAY OF LIFE OF THE PROPHET ad follow it! Any level thinking person will know that they are way off track. No wonder the International media too has been has such a negative view of ISLAM by headlines such as 'Muslim terrorists' and the like. How is that we never see headlines like 'Christian terrorists'? As such they blame every negative incident on Islam whereas it is these ignorant and not so well informed people who are further enhancing the true meaning and purpose of Islam.

Stop it now before it is too late! JAKIM should be shut down immediately and safe good public funds which could be put to better use to assist the poor and needy. There are enough 'Muslim' organizations already looking after the Muslim interests without them messing it up and making more Muslims particularly women angrier. When the women march there will be no stopping them!

Hajjah Marina Yusoff
A Muslim Malay woman who loves her religion

Note: I personally like to know what the NGO, Sisters in Islam, has to say on this issue. Will all the so-called liberated and intelligent Muslim women in Kuala Lumpur speak up on this issue. Well, I think this fatwa is politically motivated and damaging to the image of our country. —Din Merican

====================================================================

Thank YOU Auntie Marina for publishing ur thoughts and opinions - I am more then definitely sure you've inspired other women, men, people to express their feelings and thoughts on the matter...

You inspired me to do so right here...

You have a voice.

USE IT

Tuesday 18 November 2008

Melissa on Hello on 2 (RTM2)

Yup yup...tmrw is a very important day... remember it always.

November 19th : WORLD DAY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE.

And with my chosen charities being Yayasan Nur Salam & Protect & Save the Children, I went along to RTM this morning (yup, 7.45am!!! mornings are not designed for musicians) to talk about the plight of these children both here in Malaysia and globally, who face abuse on a daily basis. Annie and Stefan were great hosts and we had many interesting callers (Tom & John)

Essentially the different forms of abuse are categorised as follows :-

I appeared on the breakfast show along with Madeleine Yong (Director of P.S. The Children) & Dr. Hartini Zainudin (Consultant for Yayasan Nur Salam / Chow Kit Kids).... My role / responsibility to help create more awareness on the top - make a taboo subject a little less taboo and more acceptable to discuss.

Ignorance leads to Fear.

Fear leads to continued Abuse.

We must help educate ppl about child abuse.... if you dont know enough about it the just simply google 'child abuse' - you will be drowned with number of websites and articles that come up. Once you've 'educated' yourself - ask yourself what YOU can do to help.

Even sharing the knowledge you have gained is HELPING the cause as you are spreading AWARENESS.....

Children ARE OUR FUTURE - the future of our NATION.

It is OUR responisibility to everything we can , pool ALL resources to :

PROTECT OUR CHILDREN
PREVENT more abuse from happening
COUNSEL and HEAL the VICTIMS
COUNSEL and REFORM the perpertrators

Monday 17 November 2008

Inspiring messages... :)

It's messages like these, left from me on my websites, that keep me going....

:)

Ms.N.I.
17.11.08 at 3:57pm
Hi,

Thank you for confirming me. I happened to love your song "starlight". It has brought so many good memories of certain someone. However, we had to split due to different beliefs.

Nonetheless, your song has captured the exact feelings how I had or felt at that point of time.

I believe that there is time and place for everyone. i had that time of my life. And you have helped me re-lived my memories with my "starlight" through your song.

Thank you again.



Oct 28 2008 9:04 PM
nice song.... proud to b malaysian... any new single???



Oct 11 2008 6:55 PM
u make me proud 2 be malaysian



Sep 15 2008 2:34 PM

cheers

Tuesday 14 October 2008

LOVE SURREAL Music Video .... How do ya like it?

The long-awaited 3rd music video is finally out!!!

Starlight (Transient Vortex Remix) on the Hitzfm MET10

Please cast your vote and help get this remix done by our boys TRANSIENT VORTEX, to No.1 !!

just copy and paste this link and vote (as many times as possible!)

http://www.hitz.fm/charts/met10/default.asp

If you havent heard this pumpin' remix, here are a few ways to stream the tune:

1. Tune in to hitzfm
2. Check out www.myspace.com/melissaindot and stream it from the music player
3. Check out www.reverbnation.com/melissaindot and stream it from the music player
4. Or listen to it right here on the Boogaloo blog - the music player on the right!

hugs,
M
x

Sunday 12 October 2008

Love Surreal / Hold On (Acoustic) Double Release - Tomorrow - Monday 13th October!!

[official Love Surreal Promo picture courtesy of Johan Indot (c)]

FINALLY!!!! For all you die-hard LOVE SURREAL fans, this song is officially out tmrw (Monday 13th Oct 2008) altho several radio stations have already been playing it (Thanks particularly to Traxx fm and the team for putting it on the airwaves!)

As a bonus, I'm also releasing an special edition acoustic version of 'Hold On', track 9 off the album Eclecticism - this version will be available for download FREE and EXCLUSIVELY from my website www.melissaindot.com SOON.

There are music videos to both songs - so look out for them on the usual channels - Hitz.tv, Channel V, Channel 8 and NTV7 :)

And of course feel free to give me some feedback right here on the blog.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and have a great week guys & dolls!

*MUAH*

Wednesday 8 October 2008

Possibly the Best Compilation Ever !! Copies signed by Me :)




Keep checking up on www.voize.my for ways to WIN copies of this limited edition compilation SIGNED by me :)

The compilation includes my new Starlight New York Lights Remix currently available only on this CD and via my website www.melissaindot.com for FREE


The Best Compilation ever of local bands

Review From Malay Mail

"This is one heck of an album. Featuring 30 songs from 25 different local artistes, it's a fantabulous clash of genres and sounds uncommon within the corridors of the Malaysian music industry. There's a bit of everything for everyone.

Silent Scream goes alt-rock with their anthem Let It Go, Melissa Indot's new Starlight remix explores thumping beats, Ad-Voc and Kraft infuse their suave hip-hop skills on Come My Lady & Shadow Boxin, Frequency Cannon brings experimental electro-rock to new levels, Poseidon and Paku rock the house with Journey Unfolds and Hanya, Klang Sqwad pull off an astonishing multilingual rap on F.r.e.e.d.o.m, while things go mellow on the acoustic contributions by Yuri Wong and Remy J. There's even the inclusion of the pro-peace dance-rock song entitled An-War (End-War).

There's just so much more happening here which needs a longer review to include all 30 tracks. The best thing of all is that it's free! Find out how you can acquire this limited edition MP3 CDby logging on to www.voize.my. Only 500 CDs in the market … so do hurry! This truly has to be the best local compilation ever! "

Who is your favourite Local Act? Poll 1




Thank you to all of you who voted for me in the first Poll and getting me to No.1 !!!

The 2nd Poll has now started so please keep your votes coming in - there is NO LIMIT to the number of votes per person or IP address :)

Simple go to www.voize.my

Thanks again!

Eclecticism at your finger-tips, now available through Amazon.com & iTunes Store!

The entire album can now be purchased through Amazon.com & iTunes as mp3s. You can also download individual songs as an mp3.

Just search my name and the rest is as easy as 1-2-3!

Alternatively, hit the link on the side toolbar...

Starlight New York Lights Remix / Eclecticism

Don't forget to go to www.melissaindot.com to get your free download of this remix available for a LIMITED PERIOD ONLY!

Monday 29 September 2008

A Raya Treat !! - FREE download of New Starlight REMIX

Most of you would have already heard my second single Starlight playing on radio and watched the video on the telly. If you love Starlight, then I've got something that you would definitely be interested in- the REMIXED version of Starlight that will be FREE for you to download exclusively off my main website!

This version is being debuted on the website on October 1, 2008 so be one of the first few to listen to it! This FREE download is for a LIMITED PERIOD only so hurry before you miss it. Just go to

www.melissaindot.com

and get the Starlight New York Lights Remix.

My absence in blogging certainly does NOT mean I've been resting on my laurels; I've got a couple of exciting things in store for you so watch this space!

The team and I would like to wish you all a Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!

Sunday 21 September 2008

yes i know

it's been friggin ages since I blogged... nearly 4 months in fact

sorry - I've just been a lazy g1t and havent been @r5ed...

am extremely excited bout my 'accidental' project

5 song EP - Eclecticism Remixes

You're gonna hear selected songs from the album but completely REVAMPED..

Starlight New York Lights is the first and will be available as a free download VERY SOON so watch this space

xxx

Tuesday 20 May 2008

My Speech at the Press Conference



Good Morning to you all, distinguished guests, members of the press and media, sponsors, volunteers and friends. Thank you so much for being here.

First and foremost I’d like to say a big Thank you to our the Honourable Datuk Dr. Ng Yen Yen, Minister for Women, Family and Community Development, for taking time out of her busy schedule to be here with us this morning. Thank you also to everyone involved in putting this Press Conference together.

I must say that this is all so ‘huge’ for me… and what I mean by ‘huge’ is that I had never intended for my run to create such a positive outcome. Here’s a little summary of what has brought me here to this podium before you.

Around the end of January this year, a couple of friends of mine urged me to join them in enrolling for the 10km category of the KL AmBank International Marathon. I cast them aside saying it was not really my thing and that I preferred to stay fit within the confines of my gym. Well they continued to encourage me and said it would be a good challenge for myself. Eventually I relented.

The next 8 weeks comprised watching my diet, keeping hydrated, getting lots of sleep and waking up at the crack of dawn to train – an incredibly painful and torturous process – more so because I really am NOT a morning person. Suffice to say that most people in the music industry are nocturnal – it’s just the nature of our business!

I decided that as I was investing so much of my personal time and commitment into this task, that I should use this to drive some sort of fund-raising. I’ve always looked up to the likes of Madonna, Richard Gear, Sting and Angelina Jolie for using their public profile as a platform to help create awareness and spread knowledge on various charities. Here was my chance to do the same. I have always wanted to do something for charity and have had these 2 childrens’ charities in mind – Protect & Save The Children and The Children of NurSalam ChowKit. Why? And excuse me for the cliché, but children are indeed our future. Children are precious, innocent, fragile and they represent us in the future. It imperative that we ensure that they are safe at all times. How they grow and develop directly affects how they turn out as adults, as our future leaders and the formation of our communities. With the fantastic press and media support I’ve had since the launch of my career in December 2007, I felt it was time to start putting my growing public profile to some good use!

My team and I handled this very much as a ‘side’ project, afterall most of my time was spent promoting my album as new artistes do, so you can imagine how overwhelmed we were when the pledges started pouring in. On a personal level, that’s when the pressure kicked in… The charities would see NONE of this money if I did not complete the race within the stated 90mins.

Before I knew it, race day had arrived and I found myself drawing closer to the finishing line and there lined up were some children holding up posters and banners, cheering me on. It was amazing. I can’t even begin to describe to you the feeling of accomplishment, joy and love I felt. It was simply inspiring.

Hand in hand with this, as the pledges poured in we were thinking of other ways that we could help increase awareness and publicity on the plight of these children and the cause that the charities support. I remembered an old song I had co-written many years ago called FORBIDDEN LOVE. The song was written as if from the mind of an abused child and the lyrics are absolutely perfect to help represent these charities. It not only illustrates how many abused children are not aware that what is happening to them is wrong but it illustrates how we all too often turn a blind eye to issues that seem taboo. We forget that in doing this we give up all hope of ever making this world we live in a better and safer place for those who represent our future – our children. Allow me to read out to you a few lines:-

“……”

In this highly technological age that we live in, the next obvious step was to shoot a video to add the visual side to the audio storytelling in order to create further awareness – this would mean hopefully telling the story over television and across the worldwide web. Once again we were lucky to find sponsors to do this.

Thank you for listening to my humble words today. I am incredibly proud to say that in total, to date we have received RM126,240 in donations. I am absolutely thrilled and delighted with this outcome – especially for these two amazing charities.

I cannot thank all the sponsors enough for all their support – I would love to name you all but there are over 40 names to mention ranging from private individuals, to companies in the entertainment sector, F&B sector, hospitality and insurance sectors, to the larger shipping and oil & gas corporations. You can find a list of these names in your Press Kit.

In closing, the one invaluable lesson I’ve learned from this entire experience – every little bit counts. Every little thought and idea – Nothing is too small. This was meant to be a small run that I set for myself as a personal challenge that could perhaps raise some money for charity… RM126,240 later I’m here talking to you. This small thought and idea of mine became so much bigger than I had ever dreamed. You don’t always have to wait to be lead, take the first step. Never underestimate your own abilities.

Thank you

Press Conference for PS the Children & Yayasan Salam Chow Kit Kids



Well today was a rather grown up and 'official' one for me as this morning I had to attend my very own and very FIRST Press Conference which was graced by the presence of our NEW Minister for Women, Family and Community Development - The Honourable Dtuk Dr. Ng Yen Yen.

To date, out of the RM138 or so THOUSAND we've received in pledges for my 10km run in the AmBank KL International Marathon (held on March 30th), we've received RM126,240 !!! Yup - that's a nice ole stash of cash innit...

So today was the day for me to hand over the GIANT (mock) cheques to my two chosen charities (I've ALWAYS wanted to hold a giant cheque, since the days of watching Blue Peter on BBC1 in the UK!).

Pretty damn cool i reckon.. i just cant bleedin well believe I don't have a photo of me holding them *aaaargh*

My two chosen charities are of course:

Protect & Save The Chilren (for sexually abused kids) and
Yayasan Salam Chow Kit Kids (for underprivileged & neglected kids)

Each of us spoke about the plight of these children; what each of these charities do to provide and protect these children; what the government's involvement is; how we tackle these very taboo subjects. I spoke about my run, my inspiration and also how overwhelmed I was to have raised all this money through something that initially was for my own gain (improved fitness!)

I also premiered the song FORBIDDEN LOVE (co-written by me) which I've dedicated to these two charities to use to help create more awareness regarding their work - together with a music video designed to reach out and appeal to the younger generation who being more media and technologically savvy, are likely to catch it on the music channels and the worldwideweb... we just need as much help and support as we can get to spread the word, song and video round... A link and embedding codes will be up VERY soon...

Dr Hartini Zainudin

Our Q&A session

THE END
(L-R, Datin Nariza Hajjar Hashim (Patron of PS the Children), Boogaloo, Datuk Dr. Ng Yen Yen, Dr. Hartini Zainudin (Chow Kit Kids)

Melissa Elliot

yeah... we share the same first name.. non other than Missy MisDemeanour Elliot

Xlive was great... really great - I thought it was well organised apart from the fact that the so-called VIP tix were a bit of a con... the only perk of the ticket were designated STANDING tables and free rides all night long *ahem*

Missy was good - just D4mn L8!!!!! She kept us waiting SO SO long.. rather rude I thought

The music highlight was definitely LapSap... those guys ROCK!!

Music = enjoyable
Organisation = passable
Weather = perfectly pleasant
Company = P.E.R.F.E.C.T.

All in all a wonderful night away from KL with me mates - luverly jubberly

muah-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.......

we so-the-colour-co-ordinated-one-mah-colour-colourful

Thursday 15 May 2008

zipadeedooodaaaazipadeeeedaaaaaaaayyyyy

eebi eebi dahdoo dahdooobidopoooka

ooola koolipeeedeemeyay

sharrrubeee moooobeeee eeebibi

boogaloo is in great spirits today.... feeling fuzzy wuzzy lovely jubbly

wibbly wobbly silly nilly

*small person*

i miss being this way... no formal reporting... just raw expression

hokey cokey pokey

so lucky - so blessed - so loved

and all this wonderful positivity is keeping those demons at bay... the ones that hide in the dark corners an
d crevices of my mind and inner self

Things on a personal level are about to be tried, tested and challenged.... I want to channel everything i have into positivity

I can't wait til I have the time to write again

A.I.M.
Birthday
Wonderful Gifts
Wonderful Friends
Unending Support Circle
Family Unconditional Love


*WATCH THIS SPACE*

Thursday 8 May 2008

Snapshots from AIMs

Approaching the 'blue' carpet with my super sister and Manager Marinna

Greeting the Press & Media
I'm at the AIMs!
The ever impressive Faizal Tahir opens

And the nominees for Best English Album are...
Nervously making my way to stage from my seat
Receiving my Award from Ben FlyFm
Attempting to make a speech ;)
Still stunned !!
With Faizal :) - such a lovely charming guy. I hope that we may do some work together in the future!

Tuesday 6 May 2008

Takashi Murakami @ The Brooklyn Museum of Art

I've decided that the exhibition by Takashi Murakami (more commercially known for his collaborative work with Louis Vuitton and the album cover design for Kanye West's Graduation) deserves its very OWN blog... I loved it.. I love the creation surreal animation that boggles and soothes the mind simultaneously... Of course you're not actually allowed to take photographs in there - Thank Goodness for we live in the era of mobile phones with in-built cameras !!


The Original Princess KS




check out his awesome website www.takashimurakami.com

Tuesday April 22nd 2008

My last days in the great NYC... :( and what an incredibly important days. Two HUGE meetings lined up as well as a listening session of a treatment done to STARLIGHT and PASS YOU BY to illustrate the ability of this Producer who wants to work on my next album - will I like what he's done?

First things first...

NiNaNo and I on our way to our 1st meeting with the inimitable RUSSELL SIMMONS

As we cross the Brooklyn bridge to Manhattan

Stay posted here for updates on that meeting... ;P

Our last meeting of the day was with the partners of dogmatic (check them out at www.dogmatic.com) An incredibly warm couple who then invited us to their stunning home on the western side of the Meat Packing District - a really cool, village-like area with lots of life, cafes, restaurants, bars. Their apartment faces the Hudson River and it was from there that we witnessed the most stunning New York Sunset

After the last few days, a night on the town was definitely in order...
Boogaloo & HouseDancer :)
My NYC Crew

Over and Out!

Monday April 21st 2008

Photo Blog only - Lots of sightseeing this day

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (can you believe it was closed the day I went - the guide books never mentioned that - aaargh)
The Guggenheim Museum which is famous for its exterior architecture - YES IT IS SCAFFOLDING YOU SEE SURROUNDING IT - Did we know about this before hand? - NO :s
Grand Central Station (Remember that scene with the baby's pram rolling down the steps in the movie 'The Untouchables' starring Kevin Costner?)
TIMES SQUARE (notice with the signature NY yellow taxi behind too)
MTV's TRL Screen in Times Square :)
Only in the US of A - 2 women campaigning for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) Although I couldn't quite work out the connection...
The famous Broadway
Dinner @ Republic after a day of sightseeing and meetings
My Sk8erb0i friend CHRIS I met @ Union Square