When local singer Charmaine Koh recorded Pause – a song about taking time off from the constant need to achieve more in life – in January, she had no idea just how relevant it would be in the coming months.
“Pause is a song of gratitude: gratitude to your surroundings, to the people around you and to yourself, ” the 16-year-old up-and-coming singer tells StarLifestyle.
Charmaine says the idea for the song came from the feeling that she wasn’t good enough to become the successful artiste she wants to be one day.
“Often when we’re chasing fiercely for what we want in life, we tend to forget that what we have in the present is more than enough and we should be thankful for that.”
But the song’s message has taken on a whole new meaning in light of the current Covid-19 pandemic.
The Kuala Lumpur-native was struck by the timing of Pause, which has been in the works since as early as last year, with recording taking place in Los Angeles in mid-January.
“As soon as we got back from the United States, Covid-19 struck the world and I told my producers we have to release it as soon as we can because it happened to coincide with what was happening with the world.”
Charmaine’s music journey began when, at just 12, she became the youngest Malaysian to win two world championship awards, three gold medals, one silver and a bronze at the World Championship Of Performing Arts (WCOPA) 2016 in Long Beach, California.
The teen has continued performing regularly since the win, singing covers at events and starring in musical theatre. Beginning in 2018, she began putting out her own music.
She talks about transitioning from singing solely covers to singing her own songs: “When I was still doing just covers of other people’s songs, there was only a certain amount to which I could relate to.
“Although there were songs that spoke a lot about my own experiences, still, I felt limited. But when I began telling my own story, it was so different. It felt pure.”
Not only did Charmaine walk away from WCOPA with a bagful of medals, she was introduced to Hollywood music The, who was a judge at the competition.
Williams has produced for artistes like Madonna, Janet Jackson, Destiny’s Child, Chris Brown and Jordin Sparks.
Besides her latest single Pause, Charmaine’s previous songs Ordinary Girl and Find Myself were also produced by Williams, with the help of another LA-based producer Christopher Roberts.
“I fly over to LA to record the songs and all the preparation before (the recording) is done remotely via online conference call, ” she shares about the creative process behind the songs.
“At the beginning of each project, I discuss the melodic and lyric concept of each song I want to make. The singles I’ve released so far are produced and written by (Williams and Roberts) based on my vision and story.
“But I’m going to release a track I’ve written at the end of the year.”
Charmaine also talks about juggling between being a musician and a secondary student. “I try to finish all of my assignments and revision in school, be it during lunch or break, so that I can come home and do the things I like to do.
“This has been instilled in me since I was a child. I remember doing homework or eating my meals in the car so I can perform for a show or head to a rehearsal. Multitasking has always been my thing!”
Naturally, the pandemic put a stop to some of the live performances she had planned. She was disappointed initially but eventually discovered a silver lining.
“Because I couldn’t perform live, I had more time to prepare for the release of Pause. I realised that this was the time to enhance my skills and focus on everything related to my music – promotions, social media, music-making, covers that I’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t because of schoolwork.
“Usually, I have to juggle between a lot of work from school and being an artiste but since online school made everything more flexible, I planned my everyday routine to make sure I’m constantly improving my artistry.”
Post-secondary school, she plans to improve her craft even further, with her sights set on music universities.
The determined singer says: “I hope to pursue a singing career full-time. It’s one of the things I’m definitely sure of.”
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