We’re back yet again with four more local acts. The last one for the year but certainly there’s more to come in 2009. If you have not been to one of Time Out KL’s music showcases, this you should give a go. The night’s line up includes guitar and violin duo, The Snow Symphony, pop jazz band, Rumi, alternative rock band, A Mantle In The Sea and blues rock vocalist, Prema Yin.

We had a small chat with the lovely Prema Yin recently, so here's Prema, up close and personal:

Who is Prema Yin?
Prema Yin is actually my name. Part of being a mix of Indian and Chinese I suppose. And no, Yin is not my mum’s surname.

So you’re a singer. How did that start?
Like everyone else, being an ex-Amazonian warrior fighting battles, I got fed up of the killing that I decided to do music instead. Make love, not war as I strongly believe! Yeah I know, I’m jabbering. Anyway, on a more serious note, I started singing when I was very little, according to my mum, at the age of three. Countless times of karaoke-ing sessions, and singing competitions, and a lucky break during the NTV7 Malaysian Topstar 2005, I started pursuing music more seriously. However I felt I wasn’t ready to come out with an album so I decided to hit the pub scene, gaining more experience as a singer and after three years I’m finally on the verge of completing my album. And I feel pretty darn good about it. Yeah!

Do you play any instruments?
Yeah, I do. The guitar and the piano.

Are you thinking about learning a new instrument?
Maybe when I’ve improved my guitar and piano playing I would like to learn how to play the harmonica. It is so awesome.

So do you have a favourite song?
Well, I have many, many favourite songs. I can’t pick one. However, I’m currently indulging in Chaka Khan’s ‘My Funny Valentine’. Her feel, her tone, her range is amaaaaazing! She is a living legend.

What about a favourite from your own songs?
I like them all! (Laughs) It’s my baby man, how can I choose?

What inspires you to write your songs?
My inspiration comes from things I’ve experienced, things other people have experienced, random thoughts, and so forth. I look at my songs as pages in my diary. It’s about things I feel or go through in my life. The thing is, people who have met me will realise that I’m a pretty reserved person, so writing songs for me is a great outlet.

A little bird told us that you’re currently studying accountancy. What’s that about?
It is choice I made during high school. I knew I liked accounts and numbers, so I decided to do that instead just to have a degree at hand. Still, music is what I love best.

If you had to, which would you give up?
Accountancy, hands down.

What’s next for Prema Yin?
Shows, shows and shows! We (me and my band) will be playing for the ‘Fringe’ at the Penang Jazz Festival this December 5 and 6. It’s a big honour for us to be playing there, and it is going to be a pretty interesting set as most of my songs will be jazzed out. So we are looking forward to it. Other than that, I’m looking forward to shooting a video and further work on my album. Do check out my website, or myspace if you would like to find out more about me and my band or contact us for shows.

- Brian Kwan

Catch Prema Yin at Time Out KL’s music showcase ‘On The Up’, at No Black Tie, Dec 17. Go here to print off your discount voucher to get in for RM10