[INTERVIEW] Annette Lee Will Release EP to, “encourage anyone feeling like the tortoise to the hare in the race of life.”

HypnoticAsia had the honor of interviewing the Singaporean director, actress, and singer-songwriter, Annette Lee. She is best known for her work with the popular Singapore-based humor platform SGAG /Nubbad TV.

Last month, she released “Song For The Underdog” which is “Annette’s anthem for the kid who was never cool or smart enough.” This is the first single off her upcoming EP. The EP is accompanied by a web series by the name of “You Only Debut Once” and the 3-part web series is based off the true events of K-Pop idols, Beaunite.

Now, she releases another track off her upcoming EP, this time entitled, “Gold.”

Check out our interview with Annette below.

---

HYPNOTICASIA: Please introduce yourself to the HypnoticAsia readers!
Heyyy! I’m Annette Lee and I’m a singer and actress from Singapore. I also create videos on the platforms SGAG and Nubbad TV.

HYPNOTICASIA: From music to film-making to acting, is there one you prefer more than the other? If so, which one and why?
I’m mainly writer at heart, so I’d say songwriting and script-writing above all else. performing is still always a challenge for me.

I actually took a long time to overcome stage fright (I still get nervous performing on big stages), and I stumbled into acting when I was first creating videos on SGAG because I had to double-up roles behind and in front of the camera – I never planned on becoming an actress! Haha.

HYPNOTICASIA: In 2017, you released your 5-song debut EP. Tell us a little about that!
So I’ve always loved music, but I never thought it would be a viable career path, especially in Singapore where there isn’t a big music scene at all. So I studied filmmaking in college and ended up as a video content creator, while still writing music as a hobby.

One day, however, just to try my luck, I put together a bunch of originals and sent them to a producer I liked (Ed Cash). I figured he probably won’t reply to me anyway so why not haha.

But he replied to me the next day, said he liked the songs, and we soon made plans to get it produced with him and his brother Scott Cash in Nashville. So I’d say that was how I ended up recording my first EP!

HYPNOTICASIA: What was it like working with Grammy award-winning producers, Scott and Ed Cash?
It was such an amazing experience. They are so creative, and also such kind, humble, and funny humans.

Also, Scott, who was the main producer of the record, co-wrote one of the songs, ‘Remind Me’ with me. It was a really special moment when we finished it, and it turned out to be the best-performing song on my 1st EP reprises an acoustic version on the upcoming record.

HYPNOTICASIA: This year, you will be releasing a new record. What can we expect from the new album?
In general, I love writing about being human and the honest questions that come along with that.  

For this record in particular, I was pretty inspired by a lot of comedy films that I’d been consuming, and thinking about how they have the best underdog stories.

Because they’re not about cool warriors or superheroes, they’re often about someone full of flaws, fighting the tremendous odds stacked against them. In the end, they often win in the most fun and honest ways, and that fight is always so much more fun to watch than the fight of a character that’s close to perfect.

So I’d say this EP is both a fun and honest way of tackling themes of finding our footing in the world, and searching for victory despite our flaws.

HYPNOTICASIA: How is this album different than your previous album?
‘All Our Achilles Heels’ was themed around embracing our weaknesses – and through that learn to love honestly – in a world that celebrates strength.

I feel that while ‘Song For The Underdog’ continues that narrative, it pushes deeper by discussing the constant battles we have to fight after embracing our weaknesses and surrendering our pride.

HYPNOTICASIA: You have worked with producers Colton Price and Jerricho Scroggins for your sophomore EP that is dropping soon. What is the process like when working with them?
It was so much fun! So they worked on the production with different musicians before I went up to their studio in Nashville to get the vocals laid over the tracks. We recorded all the melodies for the different songs for a few days, then did harmonies for another couple of days. I especially liked doing the gang vocals where we grabbed everyone in the studio to sing together.

We had a subliminal ‘party track’ mixed beneath the track called ‘Gold’ as well, where everyone came into the studio and started cheering and laughing like we were in a party. It was super fun, and Colton and Jerricho were really talented and awesome producers.

HYPNOTICASIA: Where do you find your musical influences? How about for filmmaking/acting?
My musical influences usually fall back to things I grew up listening to. Growing up, I listened to a lot of Switchfoot, Coldplay, and Avril Lavigne, and even The Beatles and that really shaped a lot of how I approach music-writing. But in every new season I have a new artist or sound that I listen to a lot (usually current pop) and that influences my sound at that point of time too.

I also love variety when it comes to filmmaking and acting. I love watching comedies, but also animated movies, thrillers. I have so many favourite filmmakers, from Bong Joon Ho, to Amy Heckerling, to Richard Linklater. One of my greatest comedy inspirations has to be Chris Lilley, a mockumentary writer/actor who also acts as multiple characters in his shows.  

HYPNOTICASIA: Your films have been featured in multiple national and international film festivals. Tell us how you react after hearing your films will be featured.
My student short films, ‘Keep Mum’ and ‘Graduation’, screened at multiple local film festivals and got nominated for and/or won awards which was really cool and humbling for me, but it was probably getting news that i’ll be sponsored a trip to Hong Kong for an International film festival that ‘Graduation’ got into – that really took the cake!

It was definitely a dream come true back then, to have your short film recognized outside of your home country when I was still in school. And it was so eye-opening meeting filmmakers from so many other countries.

HYPNOTICASIA: You act in the web series, “You Only Debut Once,” what is that experience like?*
it was so much fun!! I love being on set, and it’s actually my favourite part of the filmmaking process because not only do I get to see words hit the screen, that’s also when I get to interact with the cast and crew, and there’s something magical about humans coming together to make something.  

HYPNOTICASIA: The three (3) pilot episodes were well-received by fans. How does that make you feel?
It makes me so happy to know that fans appreciate us putting together something for their entertainment. It’s a story I’m really proud of and want people to watch it and eventually be empowered and inspired by it.

HYPNOTICASIA: Since you have started in a K-POP inspired show, we are curious to know if you are a fan of K-POP. If so, who are some of your favorite artists?
I am definitely a fan of some Kpop music but I wouldn’t call myself a very hardcore fan haha. The very first kpop band i listened to was Big Bang, when I was 15. They pretty much my gateway into Kpop as I was a huge fan then and still am.

Recently, I’ve been listening to some Korean R&B/Hiphop such as Zion T and DPR Live. I enjoy listening to IU sometimes too.

HYPNOTICASIA: You have played many characters in your career, which would you say is your favorite character?
Impersonating Marie Kondo was definitely my favourite character to play. it was really fun learning her accent and I loved that everyone enjoyed my portrayal of her. It was also really fun playing Kandie Pok in the new web series You Only Debut Once too.  

HYPNOTICASIA: What’s it like being a part of the SGAGSG team?
It’s a lot of fun! I feel really blessed to work with such a talented team and who are also such great people. We have gone through some tough productions together and we always got each other’s backs, and I’m really thankful for that.

HYPNOTICASIA: If you had to introduce just one track of yours to someone who has never heard your music before, which song would you choose and why?
Ah it depends on that someone!  What is that person like? What kind of music does he/she usually listen to?? Hahaha ok I’m ruining the question but it’s just so tough. I’ll probably go with ’Remind Me’. It’s a really heartfelt and vulnerable song written in a dark time and I think it’ll connect with anyone who has gone through a painful period.

Fun Questions:

HYPNOTICASIA: Who is your all-time favorite artist?
I’m having the same problem as the previous question! Haha it’s so hard to pick just one thing when it comes to creative preferences – every artist is unique I can’t compare them! But if I had to pick, I’ll say Switchfoot, because my very first concert was to a Switchfoot concert and they’ll always have a special place in my heart.

HYPNOTICASIA: Starbucks or Boba?
Boba.

HYPNOTICASIA: The first thing I do when I wake up is…
Sit in bed for 5 minutes staring into space before getting up.

HYPNOTICASIA: The last thing I do before I sleep is…
Use my phone.

HYPNOTICASIA: Any advice you’d like to give to up and rising artists or filmmakers?
Always have a side passion project. I always say this to students: you can’t complain you’re not doing what you love, if you were never doing what you love in the first place.

When I was in school, I constantly had creative side projects that I worked on, many of which opened doors of opportunities for me. That wouldn’t have happened if I’d just done the bare minimum of whatever I was required to do at school. So if you’re a creative, don’t just do projects your teacher or boss told you to do. Have a side project, not because you need it for your grades, or for money – but simply because you’re passionate about it.

I quote Mia from La La Land: “People love what other people are passionate about”, so your passion projects are going to be what takes you places in future.