Shuffled! Scott Tang
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Today’s Shuffler: Scott Tang
After copyrighting his first work at age 9 and working feverishly at the piano through his teenage years, Scott went on to major in music at U.C. Berkeley. Since relocating to Los Angeles, Scott has been forcefully involved with both established and emerging Asian-American entertainment groups such as MTV Chi, KSCI TV, ImaginAsian TV/Radio, and many more. He has co-organized a variety of shows in the Los Angeles area such as ChopRock, a showcase of Asian-American artists, the 3rd Annual Asian Hip Hop Summit in Koreatown, YellowHouse in Silverlake, the Komuzika open mic nights in downtown Chinatown, and FuseBox, a night of music and video, in collaboration with MTV World and the VC FilmFest. Recent TV appearances include KSCI’s Chinese talk show “L.A. Living,” the popular Pinoy TV show “Kababayan” and guest hosting the Top Ten Chi Countdown on MTV Chi.
Scott’s debut solo album, “Late Night Drives,” was released independently in July 2005. ChopBlock.com gave it four stars, recognizing that “there’s something overtly genuine about these songs, emanating the kind of enduring soul that many pop artists wish for just a small fraction of. “Late Night Drives” is sparkling contemporary pop music with a rare kind of purity and verve.” The album is full-fledged piano pop, and features Vietnamese pop sensation Trish Trang on background vocals, as well as a production team that has collectively worked with such artists as Fiona Apple, Black Eyed Peas, Rod Stewart, Madonna and Chaka Khan. The music video for “Freeway” premiered on MTV Chi’s Top Ten Chi Countdown, and has appeared on local and national TV and various Asian film festivals.
Scott’s second solo album, “Radiant,” was released in fall 2007 and is available on iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody and Napster. You can listen to tracks from both of his albums right here on our stream. And read BPR’s review by our very own blogger Van. For more info, go to www.scotttang.com or www.myspace.com/scotttang.
On to the shuffle…
“When I Get My Ears”
I Am Robot and Proud
As far as I know, this is an Asian guy and a bunch of electronic gear. I love this music in the morning when I’m driving. I’m a night owl, so in the morning, I want my music to handle me with kid gloves. His songs are like something out of another world; they’re childlike and completely sophisticated at the same time. They’re electronic, but totally melodic and accessible. Around halfway through the song, these gentle, processed vocals come in. What are they? Another language, or English in reverse? Who knows. But it’s amazing. If this album were a tape instead of tracks I bought on iTunes, I would’ve worn it out by now.
“Too Much Heaven”
Bee Gees
A beautiful girl once asked me, “Beatles or Bee Gees?” When I replied, “Bee Gees!” she went, “Me too!!” That story is kind of cheesy but awesome at the same time. Much like the Bee Gees.
“I’ll Dream of You Tonight”
Hem
This is my favorite band, so I have a ton of their songs on my iPod. Ever get into a band that sounds nothing like the other kind of music you like? That’s sort of what happened with me and this group. I heard about them because I was listening to NPR one afternoon while I was stuck in LA traffic in my old busted car (R.I.P.). The host was interviewing the songwriter for the group, Dan Messe. Dan was talking about how they had put so much of their money into the making of their first record that he had to take out a mortgage on his house. He explained that they were determined to create something that they could have for the rest of their lives, something that was totally perfect. When the host asked, “So is it perfect?” Dan went, “Not even close.” Then they played a track from the record, and my mind just blew wide open, like a supernova. I’ve been buying their records ever since. This particular track is from their latest album, which wasn’t my favorite. But this song is good. I think once when I was drunk, I was singing it until I fell asleep.
“I’m Glad There Is You”
Stan Getz
One of the most exquisite standards ever, played by one of the greatest jazz musicians ever. BTW, is there anything more annoying than looking up lyrics to a song online and finding them credited to the guy that covered the song, instead of the guy who wrote it? “I’m Glad There Is You” was not written by Jamie Cullum, gimme a break.
“Topanga” (Production Demo, minus vocals)
Scott Tang
There are a lot of my own songs on my iPod. Sue me. This is a demo for a song on the album I just released, “Radiant.” I had all the tracks on my iPod without the vocals so I could sing along with them in my car. Yes, I’m that guy. But when people pull up next to me, I try to do it ventriloquist-style, so they can’t see me singing. Listening to this track makes me realize how far I came from the inception of the song to the fully produced, mixed and mastered track. The bouncy bass and drum loops I used for the demo were eventually replaced by my live bassist and drummer, both of whom were high on the garlic sauce from the lebanese food we had for dinner. You can check out the final product on iTunes, if you wanna put it on your OWN iPod and sing along in the car like a karaoke star.
“Weekend In New England”
Barry Manilow
Uh. How did that get on there??
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I know how Barry Manilow got on there. Because Scott LOVES him some Barry. That’s how!
Don’t hate, now.
I haven’t been able to stop listening to his songs!
I bought both albums – Scott’s music is very invigorating, very motivating, and very genuine. The piano-driven sounds are beautiful!
I agree with Bonnie. Scott Tang’s music captures the beauty of life with a level of authenticity not often found these days. I love his story about the Bee Gees too.