No Jokes Here

April is here, 4 months in and I can already see the end of the year. 

This month is filled with events, public and private. Excited to be singing for the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards!!!! 

APRIL

5th

China House

Dasha Logan and friends

9:30pm

http://www.chinahouse.com.my/

19th

Mezze

Michael Veerapen featuring Dasha Logan

9:30pm 

http://www.mezze.my/

23rd 

The Social

Rozz featuring Dasha Logan for breast cancer awareness

6:30pm

https://www.facebook.com/thesocial.malaysia

29th 

No Black Tie 

10pm & cover charge applies

http://noblacktie.com.my/calendar/events/

30th

Mezze

International Jazz Day

http://www.mezze.my/

Is it March already?!?!

I am back! 

In all aspects of the word. 

The horse in this small rabbit is ready to kick up some dust and go from a slow trot to a full gallop!

I am back in Malaysia people. Are you ready? 

MARCH

7th & 8th
No Black Tie

Michael Veerapen trio featuring Dasha Logan

10:00 pm
http://noblacktie.com.my/

8th (Afternoon)

Publika (outdoor square)

Oh Chenta Ku featuring Dasha Logan

3pm onwards

15th 

Mezze

Michael Veerapen trio featuring Dasha Logan

9:30 pm

http://www.mezze.my/

No time to waste!!!!!!!!

Please be mine, 2014

Another year, another promise broken, another promise made. 

2014 is finally here! And believe it or not, I am excited as hell! Let's just say, the beginning of 2013 was enough for me to know it was not going to be a all-round good year, with too many sad memories tied to the already unlucky number. 

Whether it is the Chinese New Year or the Gregorian New Year, I believe this year is going to bring me better times, harder work and a clearer goal. NO MORE time to play or mess around or put my life in other peoples hands. It is far time to take control and do what I have to do for what is best for me. Why does it sound like I am singing the same old tune? Well, maybe I am. Maybe I have said this time and time again, how a new year is bringing on a new start and a new change. 

But this time is different, and it is because I can actually feel the fear that is creeping up inside telling me that this is going to be very difficult to do. But it has to be done. 

As my mother says: One day at a time. 

Song of the day : Who do we think we are by John Legend.

2 months.

Dear November,

So, I am not around this month, I am actually far away and I am hoping that if all goes well, I will have more to write about in months to come.

I have found myself hiding. Keeping to myself. Quiet. Keeping out of drama. But as I have been proven over and over again, drama tends to follow me wherever I go. Even with things that don't happen where I physically am. Because even when you leave things behind, there is always a way for it to come sneaking up on you.

I am torn. To take a risk and try something completely new. Or go on with this and hope for the best. Hoping for the best, always hoping for the best. 

How long is this supposed to take before I move on?!

I heard somewhere that when it happens, it happens so fast! I am 25, the only thing that is happening fast is the age 30, just around the corner. As much as I have heard, that would be the end of the road for me if I am not "there" yet. 

I have also been thinking about (is it obvious how much I over think) a team. Getting one together and carefully choosing who I want on it. People I can trust, people who know me well. Trust. Such a short word with such big meaning!!!!!

Things are going to change in 2014. 2 more months to decide.  

As a wise man quoted another wise man, "If a record takes more then a week to make, somebody's f*cking up", Steve Albini. 

Mad October

And here we are, not too far from Christmas and New Years and all that jazz happening all over again.

Here I sit in my living room watching Notting Hill, and all I can think about is... "soon"

and lovelylovelylovelylovelylovelylovelylovelylovely!!!! 


But for now! Here comes all the fun! So I am not going to bore you with the things swimming around in my head, for there is a lot! Here comes the list!

3rd 
Circus, Pavilion
Come check out me and my boys; Jimmy, David, Jack and Gabe do the songs you love and we love to perform. This month, every Thursday (nearly) we will be rocking that lovely stage in Circus and I will be singing my heart out to you guys who I will miss should I not see you for more then a month.

5&6th
No Black Tie with Denise Mininfield
I have been dying to work with this lady for years! Since the first time I had ever met her, Denise has been truly an inspiration and a teacher in so many ways. So come and watch me share the stage with this wonderful woman. And we are going to rock it out!

10th & 17th
Circus

19th
Publika
Very very lucky me, I will be singing in Publika with my good friend ROZZ and the Jose Thomas project for the second Publika Jazz Festival! It does feel like I am right where I was one year ago, but in a much better place, and with a lot of hope, and a little more faith in myself. I can not wait to perform this gig!!!!!!! I do hope I see you there.

22nd
No Black Tie

Working with this man and his team has been life changing. I know, I know, every time I write about my shows with Michael Veerapen and Daniel Foong and Steve Nanda, I mention how much these guys have influenced my life. I honestly love them all.

24th
Circus

And then it's blast off! For a little while.
Wish me luck!

"I am just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her"

Sappy Seppy

Where, oh where, did September come from? Out of no where, the lovely 9th month is here. The -ber is here! The sign that the end of the year is near, Christmas and New Years are drawing closer and soon, it will all begin again.

Will it? All over again? Or will next year be the year all my promises and promised dreams come true?

However, time has been good to me, and right until today, shows are still popping up around me. Right till the last minute, something is taking care of me, enabling me to be able to get the things I need (a working lap top) and also the things I want (like to be rid of the dark circles under my eyes with some Estee Lauder!).

Anyway, here is the September list! 

Date : 14th (Saturday!!)
Venue : Mezze
Time : 9:30 pm
Info : http://www.mezze.my/

There is a thing about Mezze. It is this place, this venue and this gig that has brought me extremely far in my piano lessons. If you have never read my blog before this, then maybe you are unsure of what I mean, but if you are a frequent reader, then you may understand that this is where all the magic began. And not too long from now, I will be something, someone, I have been waiting to be for a long time. A composer.

On the 15th, I'd like to give a massive shout out to one of my greatest friends of whom I have known since I was 9! Congratulations on the engagement to the man of your dreams, as you are of his! I can not wait to be part of this special day! Think Blue!

Date : 20th (Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday)
Venue : Circus
Time : 10:30 pm
Info: http://eatertainmentgroup.co/circus/

You know, there's just something about Circus. Something I consider freeing, exhilarating, exciting! And more then anything, all you beautiful people who come to watch the show! And don't forget to watch this space because once October comes around, Circus will be throwing you a curve ball so don't forget to keep your eyes open for more information! And also, got to love my boys.

Date : 27th and 28th (Friday and Saturday)
Venue : China House
Time : 9:30 pm

Info: http://www.chinahouse.com.my/


PENANG!!!!! Yes it is good to see you! I can not wait to back in your musical arms and hopefully, the rain will stop long enough for me to visit the beach and then rock the stage in China House with the amazing Jose Thomas and his crew. What is in store, you may wonder. Beats me! Once all the songs are decided (I say... a week before the show), then maybe I will be able to paint you a clearer picture, or maybe you could just drop by and prepare to be surprised!

Well, I guess that is all that I have in September, shows where I hope to see you at. One or two private shows around the place, making me a happy girl. =) Excited about the people who come and watch me sing, to be honest, private or public. You always give me hope for my future and who may or may not buy an album. who may or may not hire me for their wedding, who may or may not be a scout. So much to hope for and have faith in. I have faith, a whole lot, to the moon and back.

dasha

Let the Hunger Games Begin!

So... It's August. The last month before the -bers begin... 5 months till the new year begins... Are you where you hoped you would be by this time?

So yes, a lot has been running through my mind. Questions and doubts and fears. Doubts. Well, that's normal isn't it? Before big things happen? You just have to be brave and take a chance and hope for the best. And if it does not turn out the way you hoped, you start again and hope for the best, again.

ANYWAY, August. Let's call this the month of hope. And the song of the month will be One of These Days by the Foo Fighters. Yes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PkcfQtibmU

WELL let's get the shows on the road! First I'd like to say Raya is coming!! I am sure everyone is getting excited and the cookies are just tempting me like crazy! We even have a private cookie dealer! Damn them corn-flake cookies! So delicious!

First up though is something rather special.
Date: 3rd (Saturday)
Venue : Spice Setia (formerly known as PISA) Penang
Time : 7pm
Info: none.

JR stands for Joshua Ryan, a young boy from Saint Xavier's who was taken from us before his time a few years ago. His family and friends have come together every year and celebrated his life in full technicolor and this year, I am privileged to be part of it all. So here's something fun and helpful to do on the third. And more then anything, lets' party it up like Joshua would!

Exactly one week later
Date: 10th (Saturday)
Venue : Circus
Time : 9:30/9:45/9:35/9:50 pm (yeah it's a little undecided but 9:30 would be the best and safest time)
Info: http://circus.com.my/

Happy Raya everybody! I have missed Circus! It has been.. What... A month since I have been on that stage and how I miss it! Can not wait to get back up there with the boys and, well, do what we do!
Between sound check and the show, the band and I have time for dinner. Some of us may choose a liquid diet, some of us like something a little lighter. I would fully recommend anything on the menu, but I personally love the Olio and the Caesar salad.. And the steak fillet with mash potatoes and black pepper sauce. Mmmmmmmmm....
So if you would find yourself looking for a place to spend the weekend then... You. Me. Food. Drinks. Music.

Then comes the weekend after
Date : 16th &17th (Friday and Saturday)
Venue : Alexis, Great Eastern Mall, Ampang.
Time : 10pm
Info : http://www.alexis.com.my/html/content.php?id=397
info : https://www.facebook.com/events/337059769754786/

A few months ago, I tagged team with a very good friend of mine to pay tribute to the King of Rock and Roll. ELVIS! Catch ROZZ and I in Alexis to be transported back in time to the time of Graceland! No, we can not dance like him (trust me, I tried) and I don't know how to do that slinky, side smile of his, but the best I can do is sing his songs as best I can.

Then the weekend after that!
Date : 23rd & 24th (Sarterdaaay  and Sunnyday!!)
Venue : No Black Tie
Time : 10:30 pm
Info : http://noblacktie.com.my/

"Face the wall and sing", was one of the first things Uncle Mike had told me during our first practice sessions. "You need to feel the words you are singing.."
And thus began the journey I will not soon complete. For it's a long one, and would probably take the rest of my life. It is a journey I am happy to be on.
SO if you would like to see me put my lessons and learnings into practice, then do come by and watch me sing with the Michael Veerapen Trio. Jazz, the way it is meant to be.

As the year draws closer and closer to the end, it seems like things are soon going to be kicked into gear and the party is about to begin. Time to oil the gears and get this show on the road.

I will see you soon, and I promise that I will deliver, and you will be proud of me.

In the Midst of it All

Tribute to Motown this month!

So........... I know I skipped the whole month of June.
Let's just call that the sad month. Let's just leave it at that.

To be honest, I don't actually have a reason to why I have failed my duties as a blog holder. I just pushed it aside day after day, thinking that no one actually reads my blog. Then I remembered my few readers that actually DO read my blog and thought, I should write for them.

And it's finally July! 

So for the beginning of this month, make your way down to CIRCUS in PAVILION on the 5th of July to catch me performing live with my boys! Show starts at 9:30pm. Dont forget to ask if you can stand at the bar if there are no seats left. They may say it's full and ask you to come back later, but there's no harm asking if you could just listen from the bar, or say you dont mind waiting inside for a little while. Something always opens up. OR you could call earlier and make a reservation at +60 3-2141 6151..

Last weeks show in Circus was mind blasting and I am so happy I got some parts of the show recorded and finally have my original tune "Cleverly" on video with a live band, and not just any band, but my selected favourites!!! They made the song mind blasting and took it out of this world, placed it amongst the stars and finally placed it back slowly on the ground, at the feet of our audience. I LOVED IT!!! I hope everyone else did too. Don't know when I will be performing the song again, but I sure will the next time I have this bunch with me on stage! =) bravo guys.

ANYWAY 

The weekend after brings a whole lot of fun, and I am not just saying this to promote the show! Well, I am, but I am telling you! IT is going to be amazing! We are going to be doing a Tribut to Motown! When I say "we" I mean my dear friend ROZZ and the amazing miss Shareen Ramli. We will be taking the stage on the 12th and 13th with No Black Tie being our gracious host!
For more infomation (and all the information you need!) visit : http://noblacktie.com.my/2013/06/07/motown-tribute-rozz-dasha-logan-shareen-ramli-jose-thomas-band/

Then just 2 weeks after, on the 25th I'll be popping by No Black Tie once again with my favourite Jazz boys (..men/uncle/boss/dude/bro/whatever they let me call them at the time), the Michael Veerapen trio!!!!! Hahaha I do love working with them. As serious at the music can get, it is also a lot of fun and laughs. This is of course after they come back from their traveling all around the world! Sheesh! ;p
For more information: http://noblacktie.com.my/2013/06/28/dasha-logan-michael-veerapen-trio/

This is where I take a short break and head home to my home town, get more of the travel things in order and all the other details I am going to have to take care off before the big moves that are coming my way.
In the past one month, a lot has happened, peeps. Maybe it's being in the middle of my 25th year alive, or living in Kuala Lumpur for nearly 3 years now.. it feels like my final exams are coming up and I have not studied nearly as much as I should have, and I wish upon wishes that I had just started a few years earlier!!!

I also have a new respect for musicians. I always have been amazed by those who have the ability to listen to a song and just know what the chords are, look at a chart and know just where their fingers are to go on their instrument, who can just transpose the key of the song as they go along. It's crazy!!!
But now, when I see them do it, I just go a little stunned at how amazingly smooth they do it!

I can not even master the regular C major chord and it's fingering and all I keep thinking is 123-1234-123-12345! My brain is boggled! So.. to every single one of you musicians out there, my hats off to you.

I must be honest, I am tired. Things seem to be going no where. They seem to be... But I know... deep down... I have to keep going.
I have to.

dasha

What You Put Inside You

No!!!! Dont be gross! 

I am talking about food!!

sheesh....

I have never been the best cook, or a very interested one. I am not the kind of person who takes up cooking class or pays attention when mum is stirring something up in the kitchen (though I need to get cracking on writing down those recipes), but sometimes, when I get the urge to put some good food into my body, I do it.


It comes as no breaking news that after a show, or during a show, or sometimes before a show begins, I could be spotted with a glass of wine, or a glass of brandy to calm the nerves or to relieve the sinus attack that loves to run it's battle plan just before I get on stage. And usually, by the time I get home and into bed, I could probably be giggling a little bit too much and craving a bowl of Maggi Mee. Of course, without a second thought (I usually never say no supper, especially when there is Maggi Mee involved) the pot is on a fire and a packet is being ripped open! Anyone who knows me will know what I am talking about, and even if you dont know me, if you live in Malaysia, you know what I am talking about. I wonder how many packets of Curry Maggi Mee is opened everyday... Hmmm ok out of topic.


This of course leads to the morning after. With a heavy head, a dry mouth and hazy memories seeping in from the night before, the empty bowl and pot in the sink is enough to snap me to the most important moment of the night. I had maggi mee... and it was good.. and so bad for me (no matter what it says on the packaging!)!!

That's when I cook my favorite asparagus pasta. So simple, almost tasteless (unless I add in a dash of wine like I am supposed to but dont always have) but always the best cure for my hangover, not because it has any magical-hang-over cure, but just because I think it is doing me good. Just the thought is enough for me to justify doing it all over again next weekend! Yikes!

So anyway, I made myself a big bowl yesterday of this pasta. And as I shared it with a friend, all I could think about was how happy it made me to cook this dish and how healthy I was being (only for THAT meal of course, no need to ask me what I had for lunch today). Yes it was pasta, yes there was meat, yes there was wine. Some may have called the meal unhealthy! But I really dont care. The way I see it, if the food makes me feel like I am doing something good for my body, then it is good enough for me.


Even a glass of red wine is said to be good for the heart.. who am I to argue?



;) cheers! (-noun. A shout of encouragement, approval, encouragement etc.... usually following the clinking of glass containing alcohol!!!)

Months to Come

Dear everyone!

Yes I know I am 10 days late in updating my blog, I am so sorry! Been running around and sadly, I had to bury my old lap top, and put her to rest. It has been a sad few days.

BUT anyway, I am writing this as I am rushing out to a lunch. So I will make this short and sweet and as the days go by will probably try to redeem myself.

Anyway, a short list this month:

11th and 25th
Circus in Pavilion!
Will be performing with my favorite men, Jimmy, Gabe, David and new to the band, for the first time ever, Jack! I really can not wait.

17th and 18th
No Black Tie!
Come watch Michael Veerapen and myself bring down the house with some jazz tunes and a few surprises here and there. He has thought me so much about my signing and my voice and music. A whole different side of me pops up when I am on stage with this man and the band: Steve Nanda and Daniel Foong!

... And yup! That's about it for now! A few dates to look out for in June!

June 1st & 15
Circus at Pavilion!
I really can never get bored of this place!

7&8
Canteen @ China House!
Hello Penang! Yes I will be here with my band from Kuala Lumpur, to be more exact, with the amazing Micahel; Veerapen! The last time he was down and performing in China House, he packed the place with his tunes and blew everyone away! This time, I get to be part of that!

... And that's all I have in store for now in June... Let's just say, the gears are in motion for bigger things to come.

Love
dasha