echo Written by Wong Kit Yin, Nicole
“The most exciting thing we have ever done with this band is performing for SUNMUN’s social night. Actually it was also the most terrifying.”
–ImaginASiAN
On this episode of “Students on Campus”, Echo Media is proud to present our very first feature of “Echo Music Hall”—“ImaginASiAN”, a local Malaysian band created almost a year ago by four high school students. Although still unnoticed across the country, “ImaginASiAN” definitely caught some Sunway students’ attentions with their soulful voices and fresh faces. Deeply honoured for interviewing them, here is a background story on the band and what they think the future might hold for them.
Created by fellow member and lead vocalist of the band, Mellaney Goh, the whole concept behind this creative name, “ImaginASiAN”, sprung from the idea between the diversity of Asians as well as their creativities. Hence, the word combination, “Imagination” and “Asian”.
Having used to jam out during Form 2, both Mellaney and Jia Wen decided to audition for a “Talent Search”. It was then, third member, Paarisha joined. Phui Sian was recruited afterwards.
Each of them not only play different roles in the band, but they are also students to different courses in Sunway College:
Lee Phui Sian is currently studying Ausmat and he is the percussionist of the band;
Sak Jia Wen is currently studying A-Levels and she is the guitarist of the band;
Paarisha Emilie is currently studying Mufy and she is the pianist of the band;
Mellaney Goh is currently studying A-Levels and she is the lead vocalist of the band.
Easy to play and arrange to suit their personal style, “ImaginASiAN” enjoys playing mostly pop genre. However, the fun does not stop there, they also like to keep their options open by playing other variety of genres, preferably R&B, Country, Jazz and Oldies genres, as well.
“The most exciting thing we have ever done with this band is performing for SUNMUN’s social night. Actually it was also the most terrifying,” said the members of “ImaginASiAN”. With that being their first ever live performance, some of them suffered major anxiety and stage fright beforehand, but fortunately, they managed to calm themselves down and just let the present feeling and moment sink in.
With some of its members enrolling in different courses and in plans of pursuing different careers, the members of “ImaginASiAN” are already facing problems rehearsing with their fellow bandmates due to their busy schedules. I took this opportunity to ask what they think the future might hold for them. Will they still be alive and jamming for the next 10 to 20 years? Or will its flames of passion die out one by one? They simply replied, “We strongly believe in each other. Even if we were to disband, it would just be a temporary situation. We’ll just have to wait for our next time to jam again.”
“We strongly believe in each other. Even if we were to disband, it would just be a temporary situation. We’ll just have to wait for our next time to jam again.”
–ImaginASiAN
Away from all the seriousness, here are some fun Q&As between the members of “ImaginASiAN” and I:
Q: Who is the “leader” of this band?
A: Mellaney is the leader. She’s the one that scolds everyone when they goof around. Then, everyone will be like: “Yes, mother.”
Q: Who is the “thinker” of this band?
A: Jia Wen is the “thinker”. Her catchphrase is literally: “Let me think ah.”
Q: Who is the “funnest” in this band?
A: Phui Sian is the funnest. He’s literally the clown in the band. Also the sassiest creature you’ve probably ever met.
Q: Who is the most “serious” in this band?
A: A bit conflicted on the “Serious One” here. Mellany is definitely most serious when it comes to practices and rehearsals, but Paarisha is a very serious when it comes to the actual music itself. She takes the extra miles of making sure our music is on par with the songs.
Q: What are your personal favourite songs?
A: PS—Superman by Five for Fighting
JW—You Need Me, I Don’t Need You by Ed Sheeran
P—In the Arms of the Angel by Sarah McLachlan
M—Thinking of You by Katy Perry
Q: If you guys could sing only one song in your lifetime, what would it be?
A: PS—Not Over You by Gavin Degraw
JW—The A Team by Ed Sheeran
P—Pour Que Tu M’aimes Encore by Celine Dion
M—Thinking of You by Katy Perry
Q: Which artists do you guys admire or gain the most influence from?
A: PS—Boyce Avenue
JW—Ed Sheeran
P—SquidPhysics (YouTuber)
M—Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus
Want to know more about this lovely band and to be there for their next YouTube video, do not hesitate on clicking the links down below. And don’t forget to hit that “like” and “subscribe” button.
YouTube: ImaginASiAN
Facebook: ImaginASiANTheBand
Instagram: @theband_imaginasian
Email: imaginasian.15@gmail.com
