Chok Kerong & Vanessa Fernandez Releases ‘Don’t You Walk Away’
Photo credits: Ian Lim
Singaporean producer Chok Kerong and singer-songwriter Vanessa Fernandez have announced the release of ‘Don’t You Walk Away’, to be made available on all major digital streaming platforms on 26 January 2023, Thursday.
Opening with a choir of the overdubbed voices of Vanessa and her cousin, fellow veteran of the Singapore music scene, Alemay Fernandez, the song launches into an aggressive bare-bones groove for the opening lines: “You won’t pick up the phone…I know that you’re at home”. As the song powers forth, Chok weaves in the Rhodes electric piano, B-3 organ, clavinet and guitar, masterfully infusing funk, blues and soul into the production.
The chorus of ‘Don’t You Walk Away’, a demand that evolves into a plea, “is something that we’re all familiar with,” Chok says, “We’ve all experienced the unpleasant side of a close relationship, be it between parent and child, siblings, friends or romantic partners. Any one of us could be the person walking away in exasperation, or the person pushing the other away.”
Rapper Kim Olsen's guest appearance completes the picture, adding more rhythmic twists and turns: “Vibes on ten, was amazed how we blend, nowadays I’m noticing how you changed like a trend, I don’t understand.” Olsen explains, “Writing the rap lyrics flowed naturally for this song, and I wanted to tell a story that represents real emotions of disappointment, hurt and frustration which I feel everyone can relate to.”
‘SPIRAL’ LIVE AT THE ESPLANADE
Chok and Fernandez will be launching their collaborative album, Spiral, live on 17 February 2023, Friday at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre at the Esplanade. Having spent the last two decades developing their individual careers independently of each other, the duo decided that the time was right to collaborate, leveraging each other’s sensibilities as songwriters and performers. The result is Spiral, an eight-track album that serves as a meditation on life’s joys and sorrows. With its illuminative lyrics and seamless blend of hip-hop, classic soul, rock and gospel, the record is a testament to their effortless chemistry.
This performance is a rare chance to see the Australia-based Vanessa Fernandez (also known to many as Vandetta) in action. Fans of Chok Kerong can also look forward to something different from the Mosaic Associate Artist, whose previous concerts at Esplanade featured instrumental music with his various ensembles. Alongside the bright talents in the duo’s newly formed band as well as guest performers weish and Kim Olsen, Kerong and Vanessa are set to stun in this one-night-only concert at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade.
Concert Details:
Date: 17 February 2023, Friday
Time: 8PM
Venue: Singtel Waterfront Theatre at The Esplanade, 8 Raffles Ave., Singapore 039802
Price: $38
Tickets are available for purchase here.
