Whether we realise it or not, our lives are an entire universe of their own. A constellation of experiences and stories, good and bad, that make up your very own galaxy. In his latest release, Ben Hum gives us a peek into what goes in his.
With Milky Way, the Singaporean singer-songwriter sends a message of hope and strength as he navigates through some of his own personal hardships in his music. From growing past the pain to learning to trust again, Ben is baring his heart on his sleeve in hopes of helping his listeners get through their own battles.
"I hope to let my listeners know that all of us are created differently. All of us are equally strong and special in our own ways. We can choose and decide who we want to be and we can be the best version of ourselves. Do not let challenges knock us down, stand up and face the challenges. If I could find my source of strength through music, so can they," Ben Hum tells Bandwagon.
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Bandwagon recently caught up with Ben Hum to talk about the stories that inspired Milky Way, his return to the live stage, and the Sennheiser gear that helped him through it all.
Tell us more about yourself – how long have you been singing; how did you embark on this journey towards becoming a singer?
Hi, I’m Ben Hum! I’m a singer-songwriter and content creator here in Singapore. I started my music career in 2007 after joining Channel U's reality singing competition, Campus Superstar through a friend of mine. He brought me into the gigging scene and eventually it led to me meeting my current boss, Eric Ng from Funkie Monkies Entertainment.
Describe the type of music you make and what you strive to achieve through your music.
Recently, the music that I create are mainly pop and soft rock. I hope to spread positivity, happiness, and joy through my music!
How has the pandemic affected you as a full-time singer?
In the beginning, my main concerns during were that people might forget about me or stop listening to my music because everyone globally was affected by the pandemic. The good thing is that I’m quite an optimistic person. I told myself that I could take this opportunity to rest and improve myself as a singer, performer, and songwriter. Even though I had no concrete plans and was pretty lost, I knew I had a lot of time on hand and should make good use of it.
However, as time goes by, I think not being able to go out and do things really took a toll on my mental health and wellbeing. As much as I am a homebody and is comfortable being alone by myself most of the time, I think we need a balance between staying home and going outdoors. Not having an option to do so because many places are closed was pretty tough and I experienced burnout after a couple of months.
And of course, not forgetting that live gigs used to be a big part of my live pre-pandemic. I felt sad that all these were taken away from me. In retrospect, while it was a difficult period, it was also during the pandemic that I fell in love with music all over again. I’m grateful that my passion and love for music did not waver and that live music is finally back!
You recently released your EP, Milky Way, tell us more about it. How long did it take to make, from conceptualization to launch?
The conceptualization process took about two months. I remember speaking to my good friend and guitarist, Wilson Huang, about my ideas. After a few discussion, I presented them to my manager and my boss. The songwriting process took about 1.5 months and I did it with my producer and co-writer Joshua Goh from Funkie Monkies.
What was your inspiration behind the EP?
I was inspired by memories from my school days when I was often bullied and made fun of in class. I tried to stand up for myself but I was not physically or mentally strong enough compared to my peers. Thankfully, I survived this phase of my life and didn’t get beaten up badly! However, having gone through these episodes, I realised that it is my natural instinct to put up a strong front when I meet new people. This is my defense mechanism and what I do to protect myself. To be honest, it was really unhealthy because I didn't get to be myself.
You're telling stories that stem from a difficult moment in your life. Do you have any doubts about having something so personal and intimate out for the world to listen to? If so, how do you overcome that?
By sharing these tough moments in my life through my music, I hope that my listeners can get to see another side of me and understand me better as a person. I also hope that they can relate to my music and my stories, especially those who are going through different times, and know that they are not alone.
Which is your favourite song from the EP and why?
My favourite song would be '寄居蟹 Hermit Crab'. This song reminds me of my school days and I’m glad it made it to my EP.
Which mic did you use to record your EP? Tell us more about your experience using that mic.
The EP was recorded using the Neumann M149 Tube and the whole experience was great. As I have a thin voice, this microphone gives my voice more body and produces a warm sound.
You recently had your EP launch concert, how did it go? How long did you prepare for it and how did the changes in the safe distancing rules in Singapore affect it?
The concert went really well! I am super thankful because close to 240 people filled up the Esplanade's Recital Studio. My team took about two months to prepare for it. Due to sudden changes in restrictions and regulations, we were able to max out the capacity. However, it was a pity that I could not interact or take pictures with my fans and supporters. To those who were there, thank you so much for your support and understanding.
How did you feel finally being back onstage and finally singing live again after so long?
I was overwhelmed with emotions the entire night. I had to hold back my tears and focus on putting on a good show for my audience. It was so surreal and time flew by very quickly.
What mic did you use for your EP concert and why? What is your experience using Sennheiser mics?
I used Sennheiser Evolution Wireless Digital (EW-D) with Neumann KK205 Capsule. I have always been a fan of Sennheiser back from my gigging days as the microphones deliver clear and natural sound and are able to cut through better when I'm performing with my band.
I like how the Neumann microphones have so much depth and is able to add warmth to my vocals. They have a wide frequency range and extremely low self-voice which is ideal when it comes to vocal recording. I am always so fascinated by how great these mics are and can understand why they are a staple in recording studios. Neumann mics can always give me the sound that I prefer and love.
How long have you been using Sennheiser/Neumann Mics and why?
A friend introduced me to Sennheiser in 2016 and I’ve been using this brand ever since. I then started using Neumann mics during the pandemic.
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Since the start of your musical career, how has your music-making process evolved, both in the way you find inspiration and in choosing your gear?
When I first started, I would often write songs alone. However, over the years, I begin collaborating with friends in songwriting and found that it makes music a lot more fun and exciting. I would love to continue collaborating with more people in the industry.
My choice of gear for music recording would usually be something that is warm sounding yet affordable such as the Neumann TLM 103 Condenser Microphone. However, during my live performances, I prefer microphones that can help me cut through the mix. Some setups I typically use are: Sennheiser E945, E965, and also the Sennheiser EW-D with MM435 or KK205. I tend to switch between these microphones for different performance setup!
What can we expect from you for the rest of 2022?
I have just launched a live acoustic version of my EP in both audio and video formats and I’m finally doing live gigs again. I’m performing every Monday and Wednesday 8.30pm and Friday 9.30pm at Ichi in Clarke Quay (@ichi.1sg). I’ll definitely be making more music and performing more live shows in the upcoming months. Stay tuned.
Listen to Ben Hum's Milky Way here.
Presented by Sennheiser
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