Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Deen: I’m a full blood Kelantanese , born and raised in KL, spent 6 years in Australia. I decided to become a musician because I knew that it was a childhood passion of mine
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Deen: Well it’s easier to remember, it rhymes with James dean, I get bantered for it but it works
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Deen: I personally think it is stupid to the fact that there’s a lot of great musicians out there, had a lot of my friends broke their back to earn their day of leisure, spend a lot of money. But I do give free music away online, people won’t pay anymore.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Deen: Well don’t get pushed by people who says you can’t sing or whatever, Always keep in mind that you can do it, and get out there and always have that mindset that you can do it, be the person that said “I did that”, keep sending demos.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Deen: There’s never a perfect show in my opinion, but my biggest mistake is always being too lazy at shows, I will never do that again.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Deen: Well I am preparing for my European Tour, I did tour Australia during my last semester which was amazing, I did not know I was that good, the sensation of signing autographs was wonderful and the support I get from people there was great, made a lot of money to get myself a Rickenbacker”. After the tour, I regretted that I did not do it because I listened to the wrong people, and learnt that no decisions are better than not having one at all.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Deen: Bob Dylan and Alex Turner period. My songwriting process not to think, I vomit all the words out and sooner it will make sense.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Deen: I used to love reverbnation, but they are just fake websites who wants to make people look famous. I love soundcloud as it is good place to put demos and they genuinely want you to be star.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Deen: Katy Perry, Teenage Dreams hahaha
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Deen: I’ll give some to charity, honestly, I love doing that, I support cancer communities. I’ll buy a house I suppose, give it all to my family, without them, I am nothing.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Deen: I cannot tell you that sorry due to undisclosed reasons.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Deen: soundcloud, again. Because you get organic listeners there and I get loads of mails from there.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Deen: Bono, his song “in a little while” kept me believing that I could do it.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Deen: Well I am recording my new album; I’m performing yet again. I have agents to set up my European Tour
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Deen: Football, Acting
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Deen: U2, it was them who made me love music. I always ride around with my Walkman with it.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Deen: Well I do whatever I can to please my parents, as long as I stick to my performing policies, I know I can do it in music. I just know it.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2017?
Deen: comeback king, I always do that and I’ll do it again
