The little girl with a big voice

Zee Avi’s long curly black locks rest on her little shoulders as she sits in Conrad Hotel Singapore’s conference room and she smiles cheerfully in between questions fielded by various media. It is obvious that the 24-year-old Malaysian singer-songwriter is pretty relaxed despite having done interviews the whole day.

It didn’t used to be this hectic for the young star though and her tale of success is quite amazing. After posting a video on YouTube from the comforts of her bed in Kuala Lumpur and getting massive amounts of hits, Zee caught the eyes of talent scouts and record labels alike. One person who paid extra attention was singing surfer dude, Jack Johnson.

From then on, Zee has led a rather blessed life. She has been signed to Jack’s record label Brushfire records, her first single ‘Bitter Heart’ is a bonafide hit and she’s shared the stage with the likes of Incubus, Pearl Jam and M.I.A.

The girl is still incredibly humble though. Eventhough she has now played to seas of people, she tells us during an intimate chat, “I love the feeling of the energy in the audience you know? Right now I just love to play for anybody – I have no preference.”

How does it feel to be under Jack Johnson’s record label, Brushfire Records?

It’s an honour to be under the same label as him and they all are very talented musicians. Every musician I have met at Brushfire Records has their own significant sound and style.

What went into the making of your album and are you satisfied with the final outcome?

Yes, but I’d like to say that this debut album is just a taste of what’s going to come. I am very excited to be working on some newer stuff too and I hope people will like it.

Who is your biggest musical inspiration?

I don’t know where to start with that! Just singer-songwriters who write from the heart in general and a lot of old blues and musicians who write with raw quality. It’d take forever for me to just pick one person and you really can’t ask someone that [laughs].

What do you think of other singers who have become famous via YouTube and MySpace?

I think it’s good and I think everybody should take advantage of the modern opportunities that has been given to them today. YouTube is obviously a really good outlet for marketing, promoting and showcasing your work. I think people should really take advantage of that – it’s a completely different world. Millions of people go on it every day. YouTube will always be my home and it’s just nice to see that it has become such a useful tool for everybody.

What are your tips on being noticed on YouTube?

To just be true to what you do and no fancy stuff. There are a lot of videos these days where they put their volume on like 100 or something like that. I don’t know, for me, I just hit record and play. I think people appreciate the rawness of that too. There are so many talented songwriters and singers who do just that and I appreciate them highly.

At what point did it occur to you that this could be something really big for you?

When I got the record deal [laughs]! I didn’t think much of it at all and I didn’t even tell my friends about it until I got the record deal.

So will you still post music on YouTube even after selling records?

Yes, I still do actually!

You started out by posting videos of yourself just singing in your bedroom. Were you nervous the first time you performed in front of a large crowd?

Yes. Recently I’ve been performing in places that can be filled by ten thousand people and it is kind of daunting – I’m a nervous wreck before every show. But once you get up there, you realise that this is what you are here to do. I just get stuck in my own element and I love it. It’s a great feeling.

Would you rather perform in front of a really big crowd or an intimate one?

Before, my preference would be a really intimate crowd but then when the vibe is great in front of a bigger crowd, I love the feeling of the energy in the audience. Right now I just love to play for anybody, I have no preference. But I do get more nervous when I am in front of a smaller crowd.

Many non-American artistes find it quite hard to break into the American music market. What do you think is your appeal?

I think music is universal and a language on its own. I just think if you write it from a right place and your music comes from a right place, I think you will be recognisable and you will be appreciated by everybody.

Do you think it’s possible for other aspiring Malaysian artistes to make it in America? What advice would you give them?

I think it’s very possible but I think they just have to remember not to cater so much to the masses. I know for a fact that in Malaysia, the only way to be recognised is if you sing more Malay songs and for the life of me, I can’t! I can mix it up [laughs] but my advice to them is just to keep doing what they do. Don’t be afraid to be different, to be misunderstood and don’t change for the life of anybody.

What’s the one thing you miss most about Kuala Lumpur?

The mamak! Oh my god – The 24/7 food! I miss the whole ‘It’s 3 o’clock in the morning, I’m hungry, let’s go eat!’

In one of your songs you mentioned about a guy who reads the works of philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard. Do you think you could fall for a guy who has the same philosophical ideals as you do?

Definitely! That’s the only way I can connect with another person. It’s always nice that everybody has their own views and opinions but it would also be really delightful if we shared the same views on things. To each his own but you know, if we are on the same page then [it’d be] ‘Hey give me your number!’ [laughs]

Your songs seem to have a carefree kind of vibe and you sing about dropping everything and just going exploring. When do you think you will do that?

I have done that before! My hometown is Sarawak and it’s a beautiful place. As much as I am attached to the city, I am a nature girl at heart. I like being surrounded by elements of nature. At one point, I said to my friend, ‘I think I want to go back to Kuching for a few months.’ So I booked my ticket and entered my credit card details, thinking that it wouldn’t work, and I clicked ‘OK’. Next thing I know, I have an itinerary! My friend was like, ‘Dude, what did you just do?!’ and I was like ‘I think I’ve booked a one-way flight to Kuching!’ And so I went back and I absolutely loved it. I’m a private person and I like having time to reflect on things which is what I did when I was there. I did that alone and one day I hope to do that with someone. I’ll just say, ‘Quit your job and we are going to go somewhere where the postman can’t find us to send us bills [laughs].’

If Zee Avi was a movie, what would it be?

Oh, I like that! I’ve always thought my life was a romantic comedy but now I think it’s more of a dark comedy so I would say something like Being John Malkovich.

What are you hot for?

I’m hot for Gossip Girl. It’s the only thing that makes me feel like a girl. I love that show.