• Home

    Home


  • Articles

    Articles


  • Happenings

    Happenings


  • Eksentriks

    Eksentriks


  • Community

    Community

  • Home
  • Asian Arts Magazine  ▾
    • Arts
    • Culture
    • Films
    • Literature
    • Music
    • Performing Arts
    • Photography
    • Poems
    • Stories
  • Artist Registry
  • Arts Community
  • Happenings

  • Log In
  • Submit Stories & Poems
  • List Your Events
  • Get Featured
  • Donate

  • What Is Eksentrika?
  • Get In Touch With Us
  • FAQ
  • Join Our Monthly Newsletter
  • Eksentrika Facebook
  • Eksentrika Instagram
  • Eksentrika Twitter
  • Eksentrika Linkedin
  • Eksentrika Telegram
  • Home
  • Get Featured
  • Asian Arts Magazine
  • Artist Registry
Arts & Culture Malaysia | Eksentrika
Eksentrika Login
RJ Kevin on addressing self esteem issues through music
Qi Tyng Leong

Written by Qi Tyng Leong

RJ Kevin on addressing self esteem issues through music

Share this article via


RJ Kevin, singer and songwriter. Image by U Wang Studio

Before becoming a singer and songwriter, RJ Kevin worked as a pharmaceutical salesman for a year and a half.

Encouraged by his single mother, he learned how to play musical instruments through Youtube tutorials and picked up singing.

It was during this period of learning when the 25-year-old discovered that music and singing could be used as a catharsis.

Singing emotion Lu Jia Chen Photography
Photo by Lu Jia Chen Photography

“Composing helps me capture the feel-good memories and bottle them into songs I could listen to when I feel lost or sad,” he explained.

Turns out, it was music that helped the Ipoh born cope with depression earlier this year. He discovered that song writing is a powerful tool.

“It’s a healthy platform to channel emotions into melodies which people can better relate to,” he notes.

RJ Kevin with guitar U wang studio
Image by U Wang Studio

My first meeting with Kevin was when he was invited to perform at Gerakbudaya’s recently held Onde-Onde Open Mic.

He didn’t look nervous as the number of attendees grew and greeted guests with a smile. Later Kevin shared that he wasn’t as assured as he is right now while growing up, and it was music that helped him move pass anxiety and self-esteem issues stemming from body image.

The experience of performing live for people gradually assisted him in coming out from his self-imposed shell.

It didn’t happen overnight though. This one time I was a nervous wreck because I was to perform at my university talent show that I took off my glasses so that I could not see the crowd!”

What was even more hilarious was the fact that he was in an acoustic band called Virgin Boys. The bandmates would wear fake Afros as part of their outfit.

“It was embarrassing but fun!” Kevin quips.

Virgin Boys band caztelo
Performing with his band, Virgin Boys. Photo by Caztelo.

But a memory that validated his zeal to pursue music was during a SEGi music festival called ‘Local Wave’.

“I still remember getting goosebumps when the crowd sang along with my cover of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

A self-taught guitar, ukulele and cajón player, Kevin is now learning to use the BOSS RC30 loop pedal for voice looping and beatboxing.

He feels that aspiring musicians should be willing to experiment.

“Pick up any instrument. Practice persistently. Use music as a self-enriching tool where you grow to be a better you.

“Everybody has a different sound; that’s what makes each of us unique. Embrace your uniqueness and move forward.”

Local Wave 3

Speaking of uniqueness, Kevin’s process of creating music typically begins with an image of certain emotions he feels and then visualising the melodies in the form of colours.

Jokingly, I asked if he has synaesthesia, a question that he laughed in return and said no. “It’s just the way I write melodies based on colours, images and sensations.”

Once he has gotten these details down, he would quickly record some chords that fits the melody because if he didn’t, it would not sound the same again.

“If I wake up the next day with the same melody playing in my mind, I will then proceed to fill in the lyrics,” he explains.

Kevin believes that there is no perfect way of saying or expressing an emotion.

“So I’ll just write whatever that comes to my mind and which speaks the most to me.”

Mum by Emily Goh
Kevin with his mum who is a source of his strength.

His songs can be described as a cross between Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars. Other than looking up to musicians such as these two, Kevin also takes inspiration from Bon Iver, Coldplay and Twenty One Pilots.

“But most of the time, my inspiration comes from my own experiences such as falling in love on Penang Hill and making sand angels on Feringghi Beach with my loved one.”

RJ Kevin’s first project is the release of his latest EP next week called ‘Bittersweet’ which consist of four songs such as Thirsty, Please Don’t Go, Penang Hill and Ferringhi. Have a listen on Spotify. He is also in the process of composing new singles for 2018. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube to find out more!

Tags: RJ Kevin

Contribute to Us

We accept short stories, poems, opinion pieces, and essays on a complimentary basis.

SUBMIT

Other Stories You May Like

Over 50 Unique Artworks By 18 Talented Artists Are On Display In PJ

Over 50 Unique Artworks By 18 Talented Artists Are On Display In PJ

ZHAN Art | Space

Penang Artist Mandy Maung Gives Towel Art A Clever Batik Twist

Penang Artist Mandy Maung Gives Towel Art A Clever Batik Twist

Marco Ferrarese

Toy Artist Oodplex Celebrates Loneliness Through His First Solo Exhibition

Toy Artist Oodplex Celebrates Loneliness Through His First Solo Exhibition

ZHAN Art | Space

Prepare First Art Exhibition

2 Malaysian Artists Share 3 Tips To Prepare For An Art Exhibition

Catherine Leong

Stefano Chen

Stefano Chen Shares How A Malaysian Boy Turned Opera Tenor in Asia

Jennifer Rodrigo

Mak Yong Kelantan

How Mak Yong, Kelantan’s Traditional Art, Fans The Spirit Of Women Empowerment

Catherine Leong

About Eksentrika

Eksentrika is an arts community and an online Asian arts magazine with an artist registry. Join us to get inspired and find Asian artists here!

Quick Links

  • About Eksentrika
  • Contact Us
  • F.A.Q.

Join Our Newsletter

 


All Rights Reserved © 2021 Eksentrika | By eJeeban Web Design Company

  • Eksentrika Facebook
  • Eksentrika Instagram
  • Eksentrika Twitter
  • Eksentrika Linkedin
  • Eksentrika Telegram