This Saturday, I visited the pop-up weekend bazaar that is Bijou Bazaar in upcoming boutique hotel Jeumpa D’ramo off Jalan Maarof. I wasn’t there for the shopping (though the chunky accessories and 2nd hand dresses ought to go down well with some local fashionistas), but to check out the listed Koko Kaina performance at 3pm.

For the few uninformed, Zee, better known as Koko Kaina, is a Malaysian with a dedicated international following on Youtube. First featured on Zzzzzzzzap’s Youtube account for her cover of Bob Dylan’s Blowing in the Wind (which she cites as the definitive American war-protest song), she earned a lot more subscribers, eventually leading to a frontpage feature on Youtube. Rumours have been rife about her being signed on to The White Stripes or Jack Johnson’s label, Brushfire Records.

This was only her second public performance (following her debut in The Attic), and I caught up with her there.

KK: I just realised that everytime I perform, it’s to 5000 people, but now it’s kinda weird, just people’s faces, and it’s not a webcam in my room. I still get the jitters.

She clarifies that the rumours of her being signed to the White Stripes' label are false, though she was discovered online by their manager, and is currently signed onto Jack Johnson’s label. She’s already been to LA once to begin recording her new album, and should return by the end of May to continue work on it.

KK: I kinda feel like it’s unfair for people who have been in the local gig circuit for a while. It was just a fun thing basically – I didn’t plan on it to be like this. I didn’t search for them (the record label), they found me.
Having just returned recently from London, Koko Kaina is looking forward to updating herself in the local music scene. She prefers to write simple songs in English, and the recurring theme seems to be that of physical and emotional distance, based on her personal experiences in a long distance relationship.

KK: I studied fashion, but it turns out I don’t have a passion for fashion. I find escapism in writing, and that’s how most of my songs are formed. One time I wrote a poem, and thought “maybe I can turn this into a song”.

Without a doubt, Koko Kaina was the crowd-puller in this event. Getting the most attention and cheers from the audience, a fair few were familiar with some of the tunes she played, and fans approached her for photographs after. She may not be a household name yet, but she’s the person carrying an audience’s expectations of having discovered her “while she was still a Youtube star”.

Those who will like to cast their bets on whether KokoKaina will make it big – check out her music on her Youtube account, or view a playlist of her performing at Bijou Bazaar.

For more information on Bijou Bazaar, visit their blog, or join their Facebook group.


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Lainie is a graphic designer who doesn't like writing about herself (despite much evidence to the contrary at  Artword Addict  and  the Cameronian Arts Awards blog).