1.So tell us about this track you produced involving your wife, Mathilda & 2 other musicians. I’m sure everyone loves to know about the idea of having a husband and wife combo.
Boy Radge: Ok,Jokkaneh Figureh is a fun song that we produced for a new duo artiste. One of the duo, Puvan had written the rap specially for tanned skinned beauties. We thought it was cute and different. We felt it was a song that would be enjoyed by the youngsters. At the same time, we both wanted to experiment with the song in every way. I did everything I wanted and felt like doing with the music, instrumentation and melody. Matilda coaxed me into adding some mediterranean feel in the song, so I added that in as well. As for the vocals, Matilda worked stringently on bringing the best out of their voices. She also co-wrote the song,added substance and made it more poetic. One day, she walked in to the recording booth to record an intro for the song. After that, just for fun, she crooned out an Arabic tune with an exotic tone. We loved it, and then she went a step further and recorded a tune that hit her whistle notes. This song is pretty much an experimental “over the top song.”
Matilda: As for being a married couple,we actually enjoy working together. We are the best and worst critics towards each other.We can be brutally honest when we’re at work and because of the bond we have, we really push each other’s limits to reap the best piece of work together. We have been working together since 1998, it’s been a long way, but thank God, it’s been good so far.
2.How do you describe your music to people?
Radge: Well, truthfully I don’t know how to describe it.As a musician and composer, I just make music that comes from my heart. But if I have to put them in words, I would say my music is experimental and commercial at the same time. In every piece of my work, I try to give the best of my skill and I try to make rich chord works as my identity.
Matilda: As a singer-songwriter, my music would be all about telling a story through my voice, words and melody. I would describe my music as melodious, message-giving and honest.
3.What image do you think your music conveys?
Radge & Matilda: We both believe and hope to convey clean, positive image in our music. Our music does not contain any elements of vulgarity, sex, booze, drugs, violence etc. Music is very influencial in the lives of young people today and as music-making citizens and maturing adults, we realize that we have a social responsibility for our younger generation. Besides,we want our own kids to be able to listen to all of our works someday.
4.What are your immediate music career goals?
Radge & Matilda: Our goal now is to make music that we personally love making. For years, we have been making music for our clients according to their specifications, it was all good. But it’s been a long road and we think it’s time now for us to do the things we love musically.
5.What are your long-term career goals as a musician?
Radge: I would like to continue composing and making quality music and getting appreciated for my works.
Matilda: I hope to continue writing good songs, singing and producing for selected artistes. I also hope to continue doing cartoon voice-acting, VOs and jingles. I enjoy them. Maybe in the future, I might consider conducting vocal workshops for talented young people. I might write a book, God willing.
6.How would you define the word “success”?
Radge & Matilda: For us, success would mean living a meaningful life. Yes, successful career and material wealth is good, but all those would become meaningless if we leave this world without making any difference in the lives of others.
7.What are your plans for 2010? Anything exciting your fans or us should be looking forward to (gigs, upcoming shows, new album, etc)?
Radge: We’re in the midst of recording Matilda’s gospel album at present. We plan to market it abroad as well. Soon after that, we plan to release her few new singles.
8.How has your music & lifestyle as a musician evolved since you got involved with VIMA 2010?
Radge & Matilda: Winning VIMA 2010 was a positive start for the new year. But the more awards you win, the higher the expectations get. So, we’re gonna continue challenging ourselves to make real good music. God willing.
9.What has been your biggest challenge in 2009? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
Radge & Matilda: Our most memorable challenge for last year was producing a theme song for Raaga Radio Awards 2009. We had to work with 9 THR deejays, each with different tonal quality and vocal capability. It was a big event and our song had to be top-notch. We were supposed to compose a song that would reflect the mission and motto of the radio station, but at the same time, it had to be young and urban. Writing corporate yet urban lyrics in tamil for a funk-pop music song was not a breeze at all. But we managed to come up with a good end product and the song received rave reviews.
10.What’s your ultimate direction for you/your band after the VIMA 2010? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
Radge: I started my public performances at the age of 13, so fame is probably not much of an issue for me. As for fortune, we plan to have kids in the future, so fortune will unceasingly remain in the list. Lol!
Matilda: Well, I have been in this field since I was 18. For a long time, I preferred working in the studio for clients and handling the studio business. But now that my album and singles are comin out, I plan to promote my work extensively.
11.Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering emotional support?
Radge & Matilda: We thank our Lord, Jesus Christ for always strengthening and leading us wonderfully. He keeps our feet firmly on the ground. At all times, we have felt His presence and existance. Besides that, we want to thank each other, it’s a blessing for both of us to be musically inclined, we lift and encourage each other all the time. Besides that, our fans are our best well-wishers. They keep us going. Last but not least, thanks to VIMA for it’s effort in encouraging, promoting and recognizing our creative works. Getting awarded for music and hard-work that comes from the soul is the best emotional support a musician can get.
12.Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering emotional support?
Radge & Matilda: We thank our Lord, Jesus Christ for always strengthening and leading us wonderfully. He keeps our feet firmly on the ground. At all times, we have felt His presence and existance. Besides that, we want to thank each other, it’s a blessing for both of us to be musically inclined, we lift and encourage each other all the time. Besides that, our fans are our best well-wishers. They keep us going. Last but not least, thanks to VIMA for it’s effort in encouraging, promoting and recognizing our creative works. Getting awarded for music and hard-work that comes from the soul is the best emotional support a musician can get.
Official Myspace website
The name ‘Boy Radge’ is synonymous with beautiful music & quality arrangements having been in the local music industry for quite some time.Hailing from Penang with 18 years of experience in performing and arranging music along with 9 years experience of being a recording engineer has indeed set Boy Radge apart from the rest.He received his formal education in playing the Organ at a tender age and moved on to performing live in public at the age of 13 with his band at various functions.Due to the enormous talent displayed by him and his band they were hailed as the top Indian band in Penang.Upon completing his secondary education he further pursued his interest in music and took up Sound Engineering,studying at the Fame School of Music Engineering and Recording Studio,it was not long before his talent was recognized and he was soon hired as a music arranger by Fame’s management. He soon climbed it’s ladder and became the Chief Recording Engineer there.During this period,he received much attention and appreciation overseas.His Gospel album production for KB Chan topped the charts at no 1. In the year 2004, he earned an award for best music arrangement in a Chinese Worldwide Music competition held in Taiwan. Before that, in the year 2002, he had already won an award in the Pesta Pulau Pinang for best perfomance in music. Charlene Joseph gets the opportunity to interview this husband and wife team on the music and future plans.
6.How would you define the word “success”?