At the Concourse IV : On the Willow Tree

 Dawn in front of many Christmas trees!

Dear friends,

Thank you for taking the time to come down to On the Willow Tree gig. I absolutely enjoyed myself. After 4 times at the concourse, this is probably the least nervous experience I've had, and the most relaxed. The songs from The Last Morning are matured performance wise and I look forward to revisiting a select few in future gigs. The new songs - On the Willow Tree and The Counting House were really fun to do, and my guest musician, Jer Ming was awesome in lending his multi-talented fingers and voice to the songs.

Thanks Jer Ming for the throat singing, the bodhran, jawharp, whistles, accordion, piano and whatever else you threw in. The mixture was delicious. Thanks also to Jerry Tan who supplied the photos.

I look forward to a lovely 2010 - my 2nd child is due in May and our 1st kid recently had her birthday in November 2009. The family always comes first in the scheme of life, and I hope the gigs reflect the kind of fun and inspiration that I get from them.

Thanks everyone for making the gig such a Christmas!
.......

ON THE WILLOW TREE


Concourse, Esplanade
18th December 2009
7:15pm, 8:15pm
Free

On the willow tree
we hung our harps like heads
because we did not ask you
because we did not ask you 

Featuring new songs from Dawn Fung and guest performer, Chen Jer Ming, On the Willow Tree is a very different take on the kind of folk tunes since The Last Morning album. The two sets of old and new songs will be weaved into a narrative of where life is headed before and after Christmas.

At The Concourse III : Sunday Bowed

"The gig had a very refreshing, childlike, innocent, poetic, fairytale-like, rustic, enchanted forest feel..." Yin Koh

Image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/25802865@N08/,
a photographer's gallery that I chanced upon.
Thanks mate! I bw-ed, though.

This gig marks the last time I'll be singing all the songs from The Last Morning album (after a series of gigs, I think it's time to move on). Thanks for the great response on "The Lord's Prayer". Many of you thought it was ready as a song, and I think so too, since great musicians like Jeffery and Ian are backing me up. Thanks to Avril, Lishan, Emily, Debbie and Shannan who helped me with the CD sales. I've already got feedback from some people who bought the CD, so thanks for the encouragement!



Concourse, Esplanade
2nd August 2009
5:15pm, 6:15pm, 7:15pm
Free

The Last Morning (Album Release)

limited edition
500 copies only

Featuring 10 original songs from singer-songwriter Dawn Fung,
the tracks are based on narratives of folk phrases and biblical imagery.
The Last Morning is a beginning of what immediately happens,
where flashbacks or recurring images are juxtaposed.
......

Silk notes flew onto her heels. A magnetic gesture (before sound and measured breaths) caused the singer to scratch that puffy tendon. "You must persist, my dear Breve. The shoreline is not getting any closer." The sister who said this tapped her shoe. Her love for negative similes was legendary because it created a distance between her hearer and the words which never meant anything more than what was suggested. No bantered words, no coloured walls, no abating storms abound in this kitchen. "Thank you," she began instantly as the evening came to a finish.

Divergences

June 4 2009
10 mins
Fost Gallery
featuring Beth and A Wedding Praise Song

As part of Namiko Takahashi Chan's exhibition opening, I was slightly nervous appearing after Agapella's cosy vocals. It was just one guitarlele and myself on Beth but the audience seemed to like the tune (I decided on the song last minute on the wooden platform, because the original choice didn't seem to suit the atmosphere). I think it was the jiggly pub vibe and the fact that my eyes were more focused on the ceiling, the floor and then two children that helped my performance vertigo.

Christopher Tan, one fraction of Agapella, joined me to harmonise on A Wedding Praise Song, set to the tune of Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow. Written for a friend during her wedding, I did this sans music. It's going to go through more drafts before I let it out for the next album.

Here's a photograph of one of Namiko's works in Divergences :

From Whats On : Singapore artist Namiko Chan Takahashi's solo exhibition comprises a series of double portraits which explore the relationship between parallel lives. -- PHOTO: FOST PTE LTD

At The Concourse II : Mother's Day Weekend

I just want to say thanks for being at the gig last weekend. Jeffery, Ian and I had a great time singing and making good music to a fantastic crowd, albeit jarring bells during the last set, but we knew it was worth it.













Ian's opening song, Somebody Special, is a moving conversation cum narrative of a father and daughter. It reminds me of Nichole Nordeman's Why, in terms of structure and sound. Ian's voice is clear and wonderful, so I expect to see him sing on TV someday, or write national songs that we can hum to easily.

Some of you came to speak with me after the sets and I'm appreciative that you could be with us in Singapore. I hope you had a wonderful time and continue to discover great music on your way to your destination.

You can go online at myspace.com/dawnfung to listen to some tracks from my upcoming album, The Last Morning. It will be out within the next 2 months.. Watch the space.

Pictures by David Ong.

...........

May 9 Sat, 10 Sun, 2009
5:15pm, 6:15pm, 7:15pm
Concourse @ Esplanade
Free

Half hour sets each with different songs. Featuring Ian Wong on guitar and Jeffery Foo on piano, I'll be singing songs from my album, The Last Morning, and two new ones at this gig. Looking forward to having fun with everyone who comes.

New songs featured : Jacob, Sunday Bowed

The Family Song

Kudos to the wonderful crowd!

The band and I thank you for a great gig, although the sound was a bit fuzzy, what with Ian's guitar metallic clangs and my guitarlele booms. Our collaboration has definitely matured, and the new songs (Bride and The Strangers) were well received. This is probably our last gig for the year together because Ian will be going to USA for his degree.

To see pictures of our gig, click here : Photos of The Family Song. All pictures taken by David Ong.

Other images :

At The Concourse I : The Last Morning

The Last Morning
by Dawn Fung
with Ng Jie Jie and Ian Wong
7:15pm, Thursday 19 July 07
Concourse @ Esplanade






Photos taken by Hensa

Press Release Download Here

"My return to song writing had started when Luciana from Brazil sang a lullaby that her mother made up. It outdazzled Fabio's mountainous Italian melodies and remained in my head as a Very Memorable Tune.

Four years after my return from Paris to Singapore and a very quiet writing career, Kimberly Creasman passed me a thick book of folk songs. As I fingered the old pages, I remembered again how lovely bedtime stories were - untouchable memories made stronger by associations of certain rhymes and phrases. In due time, sailors became soldiers ; Bo Peep and The Pied Piper met ; Scarborough Fair weaved with William Blake ; Humpty Dumpty fell into the eye of a storm ; Ecclesiastes made castles in the air ; and a song about The End Of The World because there ought to be.

These things were sung outside open windows, in the cabs and the MRT. Excerpts were sent to unsuspecting friends. The dreaming of their narratives until they formed like old letters meaning to be read."

Dawn Fung, April 2007

The Last Morning features original folk songs written by Dawn Fung on her guitarlele. The Last Morning is centred about an exploration of epic narratives. It journeys off the pages of folklore, nursery rhymes and familiar imageries weaving like a map. As the songs unfold, the remembrance of where that travel ends, begins.

Dawn collaborates with violinist Ng Jie Jie and guitarist Ian Wong. They have worked together on past gigs like Alabaster Jar 2 and The Doorkeeper. Ng Jie Jie's sensitive work adds a nostalgic element, reminiscent of folk music history. Ian Wong's accompaniment on guitar belies a tender harmony that can be described as simply essential. Alongside Dawn Fung's consistent guitarlele patterns, the music blends an unforgettable evening for the listener at rest.

Live Recording Listen Here

High Resolution Images (Click on Image and Download)

The Doorkeeper

Details
Date : Saturday 9th June 2007
Time : 8pm
Tickets : $12.00
Contact : 6392 3457
Venue : Pitch Black, 63 Haji Lane, Singapore 189256
Email : josh@pitchblack.com.sg
Website : www.pitchblack.com.sg

The Doorkeeper is a brief visit into the world of bedtime stories. Dawn Fung sings originally written folk songs with her guitarlele, previously featured in the wildly successful Alabaster Jar 2. She collaborates with violinist Ng Jie Jie and guitarist Ian Wong.

Alabaster Jar II

Details

Time : 8pm
Date : Friday, 27th April 2007
Venue : Playden, The Arts House
Tickets : $15
Enquiries : 6332 6919 (Arts House Box Office)
Website : tagseries.blogspot.com

The Articulate Gallery Series presents a contemplative evening of song by three talented, theatrically trained artistes - Kimberly Creasman, Dawn Fung, Lam Yishan. Featuring original music as well as beloved gospel, jazz and bossa nova classics inspired by personal and invented narratives.








Photos taken by James Creasman.
Video by Andy Silk.