Our recording sessions are just the tip of the iceberg. What goes into an album is nearly 2 years of hard work, writing songs, practicing, shortlisting from 15 songs to the final 11 songs that you will listen to. The i.gemz have been recording since February and sessions will still go on until end May 2009. These last 3 months have been the happiest and most exciting time for all i.gemmerz, I dare say.
Typically, all recording sessions fall under 2 categories: Lead Vocals or Backing Vocals. Lead means the main singer, the one who has to sing the main melody. Typically he has to sing the loudest. Choosing who sings what song depends on vocal range (if you can reach the highest note of the song) and if the song suits you. Somehow i.gemz have evolved in such a way that we instantly know if such and such a song is "Wee Fah" or such and such a song is most definately "Siew Chan". Sometimes between the 3 songwriters themselves, songs can be expressedly written for an intended singer. Most would wish to write for Sue Ann, I guess, but that's another story. It's too glamourous a tale to tell here.
So what goes on in a Backing Vocals session?
Backing Vocals are done on a separate day (as it allows more creative room when given time). With the Lead Vocals already in place, we can heighten the song by placing harmonies around it to decorate and make it more dynamic, etc. Fortunately for us, we have one of the best in the industry at our side: Greg Henderson, winner of numerous AIM, Juara Lagu awards (amongst many others). Most of the time we already have a preconceived idea of how and where to harmonise with the lead singer, but usually, we ask Greg for his opinions. "Eh Greg, what do you think huh?". Magically, layer by layer, he places the harmonies in. In our backing vocal team, we have "The Four".
"The Four" is chosen not because they have any special vocal qualities or because they are more skillful or anything, but because they have what Greg describes as a "voice without identity". Is this a compliment or an insult? Neither. It means that "The Four" have voices that can allow it to blend with other voices and at the same time sound good (or unintrusive) in the back ground.
At times all of the four will sing the various parts around the Lead, at times just one of us will suffice. Depends on Greg. In Greg we trust.
So who is "The Four", them invisible voices in the background? They are: Chia Sue Lynn, Goh Jing Pei, Khoo Nee Sern and Daniel Kwok in that specific order oddly.
