INDEPENDENT folk rock group Faye Faire (the 'e' is silent) has finally come up with its debut album 'In My Mind', which lead singer Alena Nadia describes as a "labour of love".
The album is poignant, for the band's co-founder is sadly gone.
She was the lovely I-Shan Esther Christie Lee Vengadesan, whom the band describes as her irreplaceable soul sister. I-Shan, who was one of Faye Faire's main songwriters alongside Alena, died at only 18 on June 16 last year, and all members of the band are still in grief over her loss.
SADLY MISSED
In a recent interview, drummer Isra Gomez, 21, said: "It still hurts to think about it. That was the day the music died.
"Now that we have released the album, the dream is to show the world our music and help carry on her legacy."
'In My Mind', in loving memory of I-Shan, was launched on Feb 16 at Fono, Kampung Attap, Kuala Lumpur.
Alena, 25, said: "The launch came with an emotional and intimate showcase of our band's music, a milestone on this mission of keeping I-Shan's memory alive through her songs.
"We played the album's seven songs including four which she wrote and composed."
MALAYSIAKINI JOURNALIST
Recounting the band's beginnings, journalist Alena said that she first met I-Shan in June 2022, through her father Martin Vengadesan, a veteran musician and journalist.
Alena was then strumming on her ukulele when a fashionable I-Shan emerged shouting "Oh my God, I know how to play this song!"
BONDED INSTANTLY
That song was 'Toothpaste Kisses' by British band The Maccabees, and they bonded instantly thanks to their common love of music from artistes such as Nick Drake, Elliott Smith, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead and The Beatles.
"Three months down the road, we decided to form a band, and were joined by I-Shan's childhood friend Isra on the drums and Azim Zain on bass guitar," said Alena, adding that she and I-Shan were the vocalists and guitarists.
HOME DEMOS
Alena and I-Shan recorded "home demos" of their original songs, coming up with "bags full of ideas" from the get-go.
"As for the name, I suggested Faye Faire which captured the imagery of the world I-Shan and I were conjuring with our songs. Both words mean fairy and the name would associate us with a vintage look and sound," said Alena.
SOCIAL CHANGE
While Alena and I-Shan shared a love for music from an earlier era, I-Shan was also a fan of contemporary artistes such as Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Cage The Elephant, and Car Seat Headrest.
"I've also got into more progressive rock bands like King Crimson, and also like Declan McKenna, Phoebe Bridgers, MGMT and Wolf Alice," said Alena, who enjoys songs about social change.
GREEN DAY
Alena learnt music during her kindergarten days.
She said: "Back then, I had music teachers who instilled a love of music. Later, I taught myself to play the guitar, ukulele and piano."
As for Azim, he fell in love with music when he was 13.
"I heard Green Day's American Idiot album back then. I used that to teach myself how to play drums and eventually guitar, and music soon became my passion."
GUIDING LIGHT
Isra said: "My father introduced me to the Foo Fighters when I was four, but I wanted nothing to do with them. However, I later listened to their greatest hits album and everything changed."
Martin played some role in guiding the group.
Alena said: "I-Shan and I sang on several songs from his band The Stalemate Factor's last album. He also made useful suggestions when either of us needed help, and suggested some groups for us to listen to."
PAUL MCCARTNEY
Alena, who excels in video-making and serves as her band's music video creative director, dreams of collaborating with Sir Paul McCartney of The Beatles as well as McKenna and the group boygenius.
"This year and next, we want to do more shows as part of a tour called Faye Faire And Friends, specially to promote our album," she said.
INDIE AWARDS
Faye Faire's single 'Siren' which was released last Dec 15 has been shortlisted in the Top 30 Rock category in Anugerah Lagu Indie and has topped the charts for one month on Rakita 107.9FM.
And on Feb 15, the band launched the music video for I'm Still Alive written by I-Shan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25i-XwNoySA).
Besides Alena, Azim and Isra, Faye Faire has two new members namely bassist Maira Zamri and guitarist Tanuja Kaur.
