Truth Revealed: Ling Kai's 'Honestly' Hits Stores

One year after more than a million enthusiastic Youtube viewers turned the song “Larkin Step” into an online sensation, homegrown singer/songwriter Ng Ling Kai's debut EP has hit the shelves of Sembawang Music Centre outlets across Singapore.

Marking an important milestone in the emerging career of the 22 year old artiste, the six track
EP titled “Honestly” is a remarkable testament to the long hours, hard work and frustrations over the years that Ling Kai has spent honing her skills and learning the trade from the ground up. The self-taught guitarist has shaped herself into a comfortable, engaging performer whose unique voice and accessible songs have cemented her place in the local independent music scene.

In late 2007, when she sat down in her bedroom, guitar in hand and performed “Larkin Step” in front of a webcam, Ling had no way of knowing what was around the corner when she uploaded the video to the popular viral video site Youtube under her username ling86. “The song was still a work in progress,” says Ling, “I intended to change, modify, and polish it further.” Not knowing where to go from there, Ling decided to upload it and see if there was response. She'd decided that “if just one person liked it, I might work on it more, and develop the song.”

“Larkin Step” was featured on Youtube's homepage in December 2007 and by then there was no stopping it. A million viewers ticked over. Hundreds of emails and messages flooded her inbox. Other users were covering the song. The comment section was flooded with both well wishers and misogynist racists. Unfortunately, on the 18th December, Ling's Youtube account was hacked by parties unknown, locking her out and making the video inaccessible to viewers. This was one of many Youtube accounts that were hacked that month, but Ling Kai's account was the last to be returned, in April 2008, after many months of frustration.

During this time, Ling Kai was approached by Matthew Hoffman of Lempicka Records, an independent Australian label. Having rejected offers from major labels earlier, Ling decided to take the plunge, saying at the time that Lempicka's approach was “refreshingly un-cronied, selfish or corporate."

With veteran musician Awi Rafael on board as producer, the EP was recorded over a six week period in July/August at Schtung Studio, Singapore and Lempicka Studio, Brisbane, Australia. Despite a brutal schedule and long hours, Ling managed to juggle work, university, lack of sleep and studio tedium while staying focused on making the best EP possible.

Including the wildly popular online hit “Larkin Step” the six tracks are an intriguing showcase of all the elements that has made Ling Kai's music so instantly appealing to audiences over the globe. The lone acoustic has been complimented by a full range of instruments – bass, piano, trumpet, drums and more – bringing Ling's music to a new level. Her compositions are enhanced by the additions, proving again and again the high quality of craftmenship that underlies her work.

With “Honestly” on sale at last, Ling Kai would be forgiven if she wanted to take a nice long vacation after the rollercoaster ride of the last twelve months. However, with the university semester finishing for the year, Ling is all set to get out and start promoting the EP. She'll be playing live at The PoW Bar on 4th December and at The Other Side cafe on 20th December. Details about an official launch for “Honestly” will be announced in the coming weeks.

Released by Lempicka Records, Ling Kai's debut EP “Honestly” is available now at all Sembawang Music Centre outlets or can be purchased in physical and digital formats at Ling's Official Website www.lingkaimusic.com.