Singer-songwriter Fym Summer has released one of the best EPs of 2017 – the Luna EP. Read what Fym has to say about her journey so far…
How & when did you begin with music?
I picked up my first guitar when I was 12 and that’s when my love for guitar playing and songwriting with guitars grew as time goes. I first started to sing (horribly) around my adolescent years too when my dad played me CDs and records by Jeff Buckley, The Beatles and ABBA, Carole King…
Can you remember the first song that you ever wrote? What was it inspired by and what was it about?
I can’t remember the title of my first song ever written… “My Love”? “My Only Love”? Haha I can’t remember. All I remember is that it was really sappy and tasteless. I think it was inspired by a heartbreak when I was a child but I can’t exactly remember who broke my heart now either.
What was the writing and recording process for your new EP?
It was an arduous self searching process writing and recording Luna, but a very rewarding experience I must say. I harboured a lot of unrealistic expectations to do better than my debut EP, so I kinda added pressure on myself. I’m quite a perfectionist when it comes to this haha…
Why did you decide to keep the production very minimal?
Money constraints. And also, something about minimal and intimate productions that keep my recordings real. My producer who worked with me in this EP has worked with me on my first EP as well which is also pretty minimal, and we kind of work well together – he has a deep understanding of my musical demands, delivery and standards pretty well I must say, and doesn’t have an overly commercialised approach to music production which I really like.
How many songs have you written & how did you decide which songs to record for the EP?
I’ve written about 50 or 60 over songs I’d say… or more. Some are too horrible or too personal to see the light of day though. I usually decide the songs by my intuition – usually the ones with messages I feel compelled to share would be recorded.
What is “Me” about? Is it personal? Who do you want to be?
It’s about me haha… Yes it is personal, in fact I think almost all of my songs are very personal and autobiographical. As the lyrics of the song suggest, I am a dreamer, a writer, a singer, a dancer, a painter etc as these are my strongest identities that define and refine me in my life… but the possibilities are endless and I often struggle and become confused to find who I am and who I really want to be. So in the end I choose to just be me – be true to whoever I may wish to be and feel right to be.
What has been your biggest challenge so far in your musical journey? How did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge in my musical journey is lack of support, financially or spiritually. I feel that most people often don’t recognise talent; they need a certain brand or high profile tag to take notice. These are the biggest reasons that often impede my musical growth and doubt my own potential. I guess what made me overcome it is the pure and stubborn love for music, singing and songwriting and possibly… narcissism? Because I always have a lot in my mind and I believe people have to listen to my thoughts to see and love me for who I am, at least through my songs haha!
What do you think of the music scene in Singapore now?
I think the music scene here is thriving, but there are still a lot of unappreciated musicians around who struggle to find ways to breakthrough. Correct me if I am wrong, but I have observed for about 8 years in my musical journey that most musicians in Singapore stay in their cliques and do not wish to collaborate or stick around or help out with each other unless they deem that they are on par or above their musical standards, image or quality of music portfolios. I understand perfectly that it is human nature to socialise and form cliques with similar others, but I feel this kind of attitude is pretty much self interested and especially for musical artists, this has to be eradicated in order for the music scene to eventually grow into an inclusive, compassionate, creative and dynamic music industry ideally.
What do you hope to achieve with your music?
I hope my music manages to stir up some feelings in people’s hearts, and allows them to draw strength and inspiration that they’ve never been able to.
How do you intend to promote the Luna EP?
I have no concrete plans yet, but I may be planning to prepare an EP launch concert this year and hoping to donate part of my concert funds to people who may need it more in the world.
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