| ||
|
|
Jason Mraz keeps his promise made to Korean fans and returns to Seoul stage Aug. 1-2. His second concert for the year will be held at MelOn-AX, northeastern Seoul. / Courtesy of Private Curve
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz is coming back to Seoul next month for two concerts promoting his brand new album ``We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.''
It's been only four months since Mraz staged a concert here in March, but his fans have been clamoring for his return. He will give concerts Aug. 1-2 at the MelOn-AX, northeastern Seoul.
In an e-mail interview with The Korea Times, Mraz said his latest album is his favorite out of all his works. ``It's an upbeat, optimistic, danceable album with familiar melodies you can instantly sing-a-long to,'' he said.
``We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.'' his first album in nearly three years, shows how Mraz has matured as an artist. The album's title comes from words in a drawing by Scottish artist David Shrigley. Shrigley also drew the portrait of Mraz for the album cover.
Mraz said real life and people always inspired his albums. ``The album is about gratitude, awareness, peace and love. The songs are inspired by real people, life lessons, and moments of realization,'' he said.
In the album, he sang a duet ``Lucky'' with Colbie Caillat, one of today's hottest singer-songwriters. He described working with Caillat as a ``dream.'' He also named ``Lucky,'' a sweet up-tempo song, as his favorite track off the album.
Mraz also worked with his good friend and singer James Morrison on ``Details on the Fabric.'' Also included on the album is ``I'm Yours,'' which became a hit on the Internet last year; and ballads ``Love For A Child'' and ``Beautiful Mess.''
Mraz is known for writing witty and positive lyrics and composing cheerful melodies. Many of the songs from his latest album were created through a songwriting game he played with other artists including Texas-based songwriter Bob Schneider. Schneider gives a topic or phrase, which Mraz has to use in a song.
For example, ``Dynamo of Volition'' was the result of Mraz being asked to use the phrase ``blind man's bike'' in a song.
His songs are always incurably happy, unlike those by other singer-songwriters who write melancholic songs. The positive native of his songs are a reflection of Mraz's own sunny personality. ``I choose to be happy in this life experience. Therefore my own self-work carries over into the music I make,'' he said.
As someone who struggled as an artist before making it big in 2002 with the song ``The Remedy (I Won't Worry),'' Mraz offers some advice for young singers and songwriters who dream of success.
``Just play and be humble. Don't expect anyone to hand you a career. Just by sitting somewhere and being passionate about your own craft, you will catch the attention of the world,'' he said.
His concert in Seoul last March was a huge success, judging from the thousands of fans who came to see him. ``It was so fun! I was so happy that so many people came with their singing voices and their dancing shoes,'' Mraz said.
When asked about his upcoming concerts in Seoul, Mraz is not yet sure about which songs he will sing. ``I can't predict the future so I'm not sure what the song choice will be that night. But I can promise more dancing, hand clapping and audience participation than ever,'' he said.
Sing, dance and clap the night away with Mraz Aug. 1-2 at the MelOn-AX (Gwangnaru Subway Line 5, Exit 2). Tickets are 77,000 won. Call (02) 563-0595 or visit ticket.interpark.co.kr. For English ticket information, send e-mail to info@privatecurve.com.
cathy@koreatimes.co.kr
No comments:
Post a Comment