"At least
tonight, it's just you and me and honestly, that's everything I need…"
I've known these artists since 2011 but I've only got to "fangirl" over them early this year. Sam Tsui looked like my former crush and I only knew him for his version of "Jar of Hearts" and "Just a Dream" (with Christina Grimmie). Kurt Schneider…, well, he's Kurt Schneider. He's not really that high profile person so I barely know him.
Until early this year a lot of my friends shared a video of the cover of "Counting Stars" by Alex Goot, Chrissy Constanza, and Kurt. I don't even know them back then and I haven't even heard the original song! But then I gave up and watched it and found everything; from the prod, music and direction; cool. Then here's the Let it Go/Let her Go mash-up of Sam Tsui which I also found very cleverly done. These vids on replay, a friend of mine pointed out Kurt to be her crush and told me that he's so great in instruments and has that adorable personality. Wondered, I stream over Kurt's channel during my free times and that's where the rabbit hole started.
Sam Tsui and Kurt Schneider were schoolmates and graduates of Yale University, who love music so much they started making music videos around 2009. Sam has that incredible vocal range that suits ballads and pop very well, while Kurt ,although has that mellow voice, he doesn't sing much but does the production, recording, direction, arrangement and acoustics. He's known for playing various instruments known to mankind (haha!). Well, that's very basic intro if you're not a fangirl of these two. But in my own terms, these tandem make me discover originals from their covers and find the latter very well done. They also make originals, which are also greatly (and mostly) written by Kurt and performed by Sam. As of now I love Kurt's one-take shots of Bruno Mars medley and Maroon 5 medley while I can't stop singing Sam Tsui's mashups, Summer Pop Medley, Michael Jackson medley, and originals: Make it Up, Shadow, Grey Area and Don't Want an Ending.
Now, I knew why my friend liked Kurt! And I do love him too!
Just this summer I promised that if ever they would schedule a concert here in the Philippines, I would surely go and watch these two perform. And behold, just few weeks after that realization of mine, they announced that they will have a two-night show here in June! The ticket prices were fine, even though we only have few weeks to save up. I got really excited and we all planned to watch.
I also included it to my birthday wish list! Well, look who greeted me! So adorable Kurt! :3
Even though I wasn't contacted to cover their press con, I am one of those people who's interested more about Kurt's stories and experiences behind the camera and on the song sheets. I'm the kind of person who appreciates the art in the production and hopes to give proper credit to them. On the other hand, I also want to ask Sam about his choice of songs and future developments on the genre. As of now I'm liking how their choice of songs fits the singer's range and personality. However, if you're not just fan but also a critic, you might find this very safe sometimes. Fortunately, they do mash-ups and medleys which are fresh and fun so, that's kudos!
But what I've heard from the press release, they said that "In the end of the day, we are just kids who love music", which I really find inspiring and humble. Only few artists give sincere love to their fans and as a fan, I do appreciate how they reach out. So really, what's the reason not to watch SamKurtMNL?
Well for us, studies! Haha! And we lack funds. In fact I just had my ticket by June 24 sponsored by my friend Irish, because she can't go. Well, I assured that she will be avenged… so I documented the concert well!
I attended the June 26 concert. And that was a rainy day and there was heavy traffic that made me arrive around 9pm! I thought I was already late for the concert but fortunately the concert just started around ten minutes later.
