ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Multi-talented Malaysian singer Uriah See fell in love with music at a tender age. He started playing the piano at four, the violin at 10 and the guitar two years ago. Winner of the Astro Star Quest Chinese Singing Competition in 2014 and later, the TVB International Chinese New Talent Singing Championship in Hong Kong, the 23-year-old sits down with Going Places for a chat.
How and when did you first get into music?
I was four years old, the first few memories of me sitting by the piano, figuring out the sound of the keys. My mom is a piano teacher, so she taught me everything I had to learn about music. I am classically trained. I took up opera singing lessons at the age of six and learned to play the violin at 10. You went to South Korea earlier this year to undergo K-pop-style training. What was the experience like?
Your new image is very different from the past. What prompted this change?
I’ve always liked EDM – trap, future bass, K-pop – that kind of stuff. So I took the leap and tried it out. You not only sing but also act and host. Are they more challenging than singing?
I wouldn’t say so. I enjoy all of them just as much. What was the inspiration behind your new Now or Never single?
After being "stagnant" for about a year and a half, I poured all of my anxiety and frustration into this song, but in a positive manner. It’s a song about making things happen, and that the time is now. Otherwise, it’s never going to happen. It’s either you dream big or you go home.
goingplacesmagazine.com goingplacesmagazine.com || 77 77 || February January 2019 2019
All I can say is, all that you have heard about K-pop training is all true, from the vigorous training to the packed schedule of non-stop practice. Having said that, I did enjoy every moment of it.
You won Malaysia’s Astro Star Quest Chinese Singing Competition in 2014, then the TVB International Chinese New Talent Singing Championship in Hong Kong when you were just 19. How did things change for you after these wins?
Everything changed after that. Initially, I never had plans to be in the entertainment industry. Joining the competition was purely for fun. I was planning to further my studies, but after winning the competitions, I found myself in the entertainment industry. So in a way, it was quite a drastic change in direction for me. I needed some time to get used to the overnight change. Who are some of the artists, both local and international, that you’d like to work with in the future?
I’d definitely like to work with Ismail Izzani, Wang Leehom, and Adele! Who are your musical icons?
Adele, Justin Bieber and Michael Bublé. You are also into sports. Do you still make time for it, what with your busy schedule?
I used to play badminton for the Johor state team. I still do play regularly – 2-3 times a week. What are your plans for 2019? An album, perhaps?
Yes! My album will be released in the middle of 2019. There will also be a mini concert! Thereafter, I will be on tour in China and Taiwan.
Uriah See’s two singles – Now or Never and My Journey – are playing onboard this month. Find them under the Pop Asia genre in the Radio segment of your in-flight entertainment system.
Feb 2019_GPE_06.indd 77
16/01/2019 12:24 PM