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An Asian Journal Magazine
Th e A s i an J o u rn al N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY F E b R uA RY 3, 2 0 1 7
On the PEP Front
People, Events, Places BoBBy T. yalong Just like keys and padlocks which are manufactured with precise duplicates, some singers, no matter how distinct their voices are, could limitlessly have exacting vocal replicas…even with almost similar physical features. take Karen Carpenter (as an example) of the Carpenters tandem. Karen’s vocal resonance was divergently rich and full bodied innately equipped with such distinct silkiness and smooth glottal transition…and that her unique tonal quality easily detached her from the rest of her contemporaries. After the duo’s short-lived 14-year career (1969 – 1983) and to this date nobody ever thought that someday, somebody could stand in equivalence with her exceptional soft rock, easy listening, and adult contemporary genres idiosyncratically associated
Shane Ericks clinches her singing passion with paramount perseverance to her. suddenly several vocal deadringers emerged aptly armed with their unprecedented assertion to take the enviable spot vacated by the American singer-drummer. Initially, we thought Filipino singing sensation of the 70s Claire Dela Fuente, who rose to fame via her signature song, “sayang,” was the closest to Karen’s voice but sounded dissimilarly when rendering a variety of ditties. then came a completely unknown Japanese Karen Carpenter avid fan, Keiko, who could effortlessly deliver and uncomplicatedly perform any recorded song of the deceased anorexic singer…and one would easily grow goose bumps upon hearing her closest-to-theoriginal rendition. Keiko, in a fair assessment, has achieved her goal to be noticed…thanks to the internet prop up. until one shane Ericks
Your Love Is Enough by Shane Ericks
Perfection at its best...the face, the talent, and the voice.
Shane Ericks sings accompanied by a pianist.
instantaneously became a Youtube sensation after her initial postings accumulated immeasurable volume of followers and notably growing integers of fans… indubitably, Karen Carpenter fanatics. When vocal coach authorities declared that the greatest voices are not just heard but deeply felt while reaching into one’s soul with soothing effect, they must be directly referring to Karen Carpenter voice-alike-soundalike… fast-rising astounding discovery shane Ericks. the hasty ascent and awareness of the moniker shane Ericks among music enthusiasts could have been understandably due to her very close vocal association with the original soulful icon. shane first saw the light of day on April 9 in Malolos, Bulacan (Philippines) and the sole child of Chinese-American Chi Li and Filipino sonia Galang. Innately endowed with adequate audacity and indisputable self-reliance, shane’s ultimate dream to conquer the world in the palms of her hands via her vocal prowess isn’t far from being realized. she was destined to sing and capture the hearts of whoever perceives the sound of her potent vocal capability. the Aries-influenced chanteuse innately possesses that distinct clarity of tone in a wide range of almost perfected control and effortless ability to generate such exquisitely comforting sound so flawlessly… so very Karen Carpenter! Daintily petite at 5’2” (but not
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The profile of a rising singer-songwriter who is Shane Ericks.
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really diminutive) and tips the scale at 124 lbs., the dark brown haired fast-rising singer-songwriter still attends school at Greenville technical school (south Carolina) taking up Commercial Music (Music therapy) but currently on a break from her classes due to the heavy turn-out of singing engagements and recording offers. “I want to grab these rare opportunities that piled up my door for if I bid them waiting they might not be available anymore when I need them. school will always be there and I can go back to where I left anytime,” the Wade Hampton High school alumna justifiably explained her point. “With the advent of the growing number of talents and aspiring singers, my probability to be on top might be jeopardized if I’ll take everything easy. I might as well snatch and get hold of any available prospect.” After having recorded, performed, and uploaded quite a number of songs and having attracted a huge following, the potentially loaded Karen Carpenter’s spitting doppelganger has nowhere to go but up and above. through her ever indefatigable business-road manager, scott tressler, a series of electronic communication questionnaires were sent to shane Ericks which were accordingly dealt with and effectually given due reciprocation. the following interacted correspondence eventually transpired between this writer and shane.
Shane Ericks
Shane Ericks poses with her business-road manager Scott Tressler.
Asian Journal (AJ): Who influenced you into singing? Or was this a personal choice? shane Ericks (sE): Yes, ultimately, it was a personal choice but definitely there were some people in my life growing up that helped me motivate my passion for it. My singing has been a humbling God-given ability…and I’m sure my family acknowledged that I had an inclination for singing even before I was aware of it. I was heavily influenced by some great singers that I grew up listening to: Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Karen Carpenter, sarah Geronimo, and shania twain. Also I was asked by the musical director of a huge church choir (who happened to be my Ninang) to be a part of it when I was barely 6…and that influenced me developed my singing even more. AJ: Did you undergo formal vocal training? If self-taught, how were you able to manage to be a pro? sE: Not really, although when I won the south Carolina’s “Best singer in the District and state” competitions in 2014-2015, a vocal coach worked with me only for a few sessions but I would say that I’ve been self-taught pretty much! I had constantly been involved in
singing from my childhood to my senior year in high school. I also did solo gigs here and there so that helped me a lot in perfecting my public performances. I rehearse untiringly during my personal time…in the car or even under the shower. An hour won’t pass without me singing. AJ: Who initially noticed that you sounded like Karen Carpenter? sE: It started with the people that saw the very first video of my Carpenters’ cover…and I wasn’t aware of it at all. Even famous celebrities who had personally worked with Karen Carpenter like Liberty De Vitto (Billy Joel’s drummer) straightforwardly attested to it. I’ve done many other covers by other artists and I’ve always just sung them the way I would personally sing them in my own style. Just last year in August when I found the hit song “You” by the Carpenters on Youtube I decide to make a cover of it purposely dedicated it to my lovely mom who already passed away. It was a song I was very much familiar with the melody but not the lyrics. I covered it like how I would with other songs…without the intention of imitating Karen. But Continued on Page 6
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