Symphony In Style: A music collaboration feat. Alena Murang, Rie Tsuji and Ashley Lau
For the first time ever, we gathered three talented musicians for a special project where different instruments, cultures and backgrounds connect through rhythm, time and a touch of shine.
“Music is the art of sounds in the movement of time.”
In an exclusive musical collaboration, Sape songstress Alena Murang, Keyboardist Rie Tsuji and DJ Ashley Lau join hands to create a unique musical track that doesn’t only fuse modern and traditional music — it’s a harmonious melody of culture and experience too.
Dressed in Chanel, they don the latest J12 watch and Coco Crush jewellery that are mixed and matched to express their individuality. Watch the trio shine bright as they perform this one-of-a-kind track.
Watch the performance below:
From performing at some of the biggest music festivals to collaborating with prolific personalities and brands to winning prestigious musical awards, these three musicians have undoubtedly made their own mark in both local and international scenes.
Alena has made strides as an award-winning Sape songstress (a traditional Dayak string instrument of Borneo origin), and she is the first woman to play the lute instrument professionally for various international music festivals, and even performed during Paris Fashion Week.
Rie, a Japanese keyboardist who is now based in Malaysia, has made headlines as part of Beyoncé's world tour entourage and has also recently worked on Search's recent Fantasia Bulan tour.
Content creator and tattooist Ashley has made a name for herself as a Music DJ who has performed at international music festivals including Good Vibes Festival. She has also collaborated regularly with an array of luxury fashion houses.
L'OFFICIEL also took the chance to speak to these three talented artists about female representation and the power of personalisation in the music industry.
Alena Murang, Sape Songstress
"It’s been an honour for me to be the first woman to professionally play the sape, a lute instrument from Borneo that was once taboo for women to even touch. The opportunity has given me a life beyond my dreams, performing in scores of cities and at many world music festivals all over the world. Being given the chance to reinterpret songs of oral tradition in the endangered languages of the Kelabit and Kenyah peoples of Ulu Baram is truly the ultimate privilege."
Rie Tsuji, Keyboardist
"There’s no denying that women have always faced challenges in scaling a music career. That said, the barriers to entry are opening up slowly but surely as a woman like myself is breaking the glass ceiling with perseverance and self-belief.
"I refuse to let any discouragements or incidents hinder my dreams and goals. I’m happy to see not only a growing number of female musicians performing but also rising up and taking on bigger roles."
Ashley Lau, Music DJ
"Today, female representation in the competitive world of music deejays is stronger than ever. Once a male-dominated field, the tide has changed — the powerful talent of females on the international stage cannot be denied nor dismissed.
"Their success would not have been sustained if it were just based on looks. I am proud of how these girls, us, are giving the guys a run for their money — we should not be labelled as female deejays, we are deejays."
CREDITS:
Creative Direction & Styling: Colin Sim
Photography: Eric Chow
Hair: Keith Ong
Makeup: PLIKA Makeup
Videography: Noah Chin
Music Direction: Yen Hue
Music Performance: Alena Murang, Rie Tsuji, Ashley Lau
