Afrah is one of those artistes whom you're lucky to see perform! She tends to perform at very intimate gigs such as “The Melomanic Sessions” but is an artiste who can captivate an audience within seconds of starting her performance. Check out her thoughts on why she prefers the smaller gigs and also her thoughts on music and her future.

How did music become a part of you?

Singing for me started only as I began to appreciate the concept of music. As a child, growing up didn’t really involve a significant musical influence until my older sister took up piano lessons. I remember always listening to her play when I was about 5, and going back to the piano when no one was around, attempting to play the same notations by ear – I did succeed in picking it up faster than one would expect. I hardly sang in school either. If ducks could sing, I promise you that is precisely what I sounded like when I was about 10. I remember being a nervous little brat in primary school who sang “Home on the Range” for the first time in public, with such unnecessary conviction. I remember being a Junior in Upper School who sang “Moon River” at the preliminaries of a singing competition who then had people ask me what on earth that was. I promise you, when I sang, it was not pretty. It was only when I started experimenting with the guitar at 16 that I felt compelled to hum along with the music I played. The humming soon turned into words, and the words soon turned into song, and that was when the singing happened. Even then, it was a close kept secret as I chose to never sing in school or public until only about a year later. Why I delayed this boggles my mind.

How would you define your style of singing?

When I first started singing, I often chose ‘big’ songs from the likes of Carrie Underwood, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey and later on, Adele. Picking powerhouse songs was a challenge and I liked it – I liked pushing my vocals because it made me feel strong and it helped me root my feet to the ground, on stage. Later on though, I found myself mellowing down. I started listening to softer songs that were vocally soothing and easy on the ears. As a singer, I try not to ‘put on’ a tone. I try to keep the singing as close as I can to my natural voice, that said however, I love experimenting with my songs vocally. I’ve sung in Malay (my native language) quite a bit, and I now find myself experimenting with adding an oriental quality to my singing.

Why do you only play for intimate gigs such as Melomanics and do not perfom to mass audiences despite being so good?

“Despite being so good”– Haha, flattery really must be the way to a girl’s heart! The Melomanic Sessions is just the perfect place to kick back and sing your heart out without the fear of being judged, booed, or laughed at. The audience is great and so appreciative of your art – the feeling of entertaining a Melo audience is nothing like I’ve ever felt! At first, it was hard to get used to, because prior to getting involved with Melo, I had guest performed at concerts for charity with Music Inc. – a show choir in Sri Lanka. I was used to the spotlight blinding me from ‘seeing’ my audience. Melo on the other hand is an entirely different set up. There is no blinding spotlight. No elevated stage on which you sing. You are on equal par with your audience. You ‘see’ your audience and it changes the way you sing completely. It’s a beautiful feeling.

Who are your biggest inspirations?

I remember being heavily influenced by country artists growing up. Faith Hill was a huge part of the kind of artistes I wanted to emulate. She was and is still a flawless performer. Powerhouse singers like her today are a rare thing to come by and it’s a pity!

What does music mean to you?

We all long for a chance to use our voice at the right platform, to strike a chord in changing the world, but we sometimes fail to realize the true power of music - the power of the stage over a conference hall; lyrics over words; song over speech. Music is my voice and instrument and I believe in changing the world, one note at a time.

If there is one thing you could to change the mindset of people in this country who think "musicians are those who have nothing else better to do", what would it be?

To them I would say, really invest yourself in the power of music and you will understand.

What does Melomanics mean to you?

Melomanics changed my perception of music. I opened myself up to more musical variety and experimentation having been exposed to the culture of “Melo”.

What's next for you musically?

Though I may choose to sing in the “spotlight” I run away from the “limelight”. I never intended to make a career out of music or earn money through music – music is something I do because I simply enjoy it, and I want to share that joy with the world, but I’ve also heard the saying “Never say Never”, so anything is possible. I see myself as a career oriented person and want to make a name for myself, earn my spot somewhere in the world, wherever it may be and whatever my destiny holds for me. To me, accomplishing things isn’t a matter of “listing them out” or “saying it out loud”. Suppose for whatever reason I am not able to achieve all the things I speak of, I will look back to this day and regret speaking of something I have not achieved. Hence, all that I hope to achieve stays in my head and heart and once I achieve them, the World will certainly know – I will make sure of that.

By Reihan Stephen