Music 2023 - joan share new single ‘loner’

Acclaimed alt pop duo joan today announce their new single and accompanying visuals ‘loner’, the latest track to be lifted from their highly anticipated debut album superglue, out April 19thvia Photo Finish Records. 

 

‘loner’ discusses the poignant experience of feeling like you don’t fit in, and the isolation and sadness that can result. The emotional yet upbeat track also highlights how important it is to find your tribe and those feelings of acceptance and joy that result when you are comfortable in yourself and around others. 

 

Watch the video for ‘loner’
https://youtu.be/o4ucvKSPviQ

 

joan share, “We talk all the time with each other about how we never really fit in with any crowd in high  school, and we’re lucky to have found people that match with us and make us feel comfortable in our own skin. It’s a hard few years though, not having that  connection with anyone specific that *really* gets you. This song was brought out  from that emotion and experience.”

 

With fervent pop rock soundscapes under cathartic and infectious melodies, ‘loner’ is a captivating anthem dedicated to every misfit. The band further share, "You know when you go to a party or really anything with  crowds, and you have that sort of pit in your stomach because you don’t feel like  you belong and you really just don't want to be there? That’s what loner is about — being in those situations and knowing you’re better off just sticking to your own  corner and keeping to yourself. But, it’s also about someone walking into that  party that sees you and gets you and feels the same way you do and you’re  thinking, “i’d rather be alone, you’d rather be alone, should we alone together?”  and all the sudden the thought of being with someone doesn’t seem so bad.”

 

The single is the latest from their 12 track full length which is over three years in the making, following their beloved EPs portra, cloudy, hi  and bye. Entitled superglue, the album is an existential journey influenced by the duo’s recent transition into fatherhood. The duo will embark on a 20 date nationwide U.S. headlining tour beginning May 13th, to support their album, see below for full list of dates.

 

superglue tracklist

life, death & everything between

simple

loner

nervous

backseat driving

coffee shop

don't wanna be your friend

monsters

hi

feeling like dancing

falling in love

flowers

superglue

 

Pre-order superglue

The Little Rock, Arkansas based twosome is known for creating expansive pop music from inside their bedrooms in deepest Middle America. Their infectious blend of pop eras, DIY, self-sustaining aesthetic and deep connection with their fanbase has resulted in international success with over 150 million streams and sold out shows across the globe including headlining 15,000+ capacity venues in Asia. 


joan(Alan Benjamin Thomas and Steven Rutherford) have spent the past few years building their world, single by single, tour date by tour date; from their debut EP, 2019’s portra, to the much-loved cloudy & its sister EP partly cloudy, to 2021's hi & bye EPs. Their songs have been streamed over 120 million times, with well over a million listeners a month across streaming platforms.  

joan have enjoyed U.S. and international tours supporting the likes of Jeremy Zucker, COIN, Bloc Party and The Aces, as well as playing to fans across Asia with headline shows and festivals in the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong - they return to Asia for the biggest shows yet, includes dates at a basketball arena and a theme park. joan’s infectious blend of pop eras & styles belies their roots in Little Rock, Arkansas, but their sense of warmth and community from those around them at home gives their music a sense of belonging often missing from others’ and that extends to their fanbase, with whom they interact via a successful Patreon page and through free meet & greets at every show.

 2023 promises to be the band’s biggest yet, with the release of their debut album and worldwide touring & festivals. 

joan tour dates 

April 5 - Camden Assembly, London, UK  

May 13 - The Masquerade (Hell Stage): Atlanta, GA 

May 14 - The Basement East: Nashville, TN  

May 16 - Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 

May 17: The Lounge @ World Cafe: Philadelphia, PA 

May 19 - The Black Cat: Washington DC  

May 20 - The Sinclair: Boston, MA  

May 23 - The Velvet Underground, Toronto, ON  

May 25 - Subterranean: Chicago, IL 

May 31 - Parish: Austin, TX  

June 1 - Club Dada: Dallas, TX  

June 3 - Valley Bar: Phoenix, AZ 

June 4 - Voodoo Room @ HOB: San Diego, CA  

June 6 - Constellation Room: Santa Ana, CA  

June 7 - Teragram Ballroom: Los Angeles, CA  

June 8 - Popscene @ Rickshaw Shop: San Fransisco, CA  

June 10 - Polaris Hall: Portland, OR  

June 11 - Barboza: Seattle, WA  

June 13 - Soundwell: Salt Lake City, UT  

June 14 - Larimer Lounge: Denver, CO  

June 16 - Little Rock Music Hall: Little Rock, AR  

5 Places To Buy Yummy Buka Puasa Meals On ShopeeFood This Ramadan

With Ramadan just around the corner, ShopeeFood users can get their favourite buka puasa meals delivered right to their doorstep for better convenience during the fasting month. 

With discounts and free delivery, ShopeeFood users can spend more time enjoying a yummy meal to start and end of the day while spending less time in the kitchen or being stuck in traffic during rush hour. 

Kongsi Keriangan with your family and friends this Ramadan, and order from ShopeeFood today. 

ShopeeFood offers a variety of merchants to choose from and if you don’t know where to start, checkout these 5 popular restaurants on ShopeeFood to order your meals from:

1. Tiga Budak Gemok: This restaurant serves generous portions of Malaysian comfort food that are perfect for sharing with friends and family. Popular dishes include Nasi Ayam Kicap Biasa + Telur + Tempe and Siput Masak Lemak Cilipadi.

2. Pasta Panas: This popular pasta joint offers a unique and exciting dining experience with their spicy twist on classic pasta dishes. Try out their bestselling pasta dishes like Spicy Chili Mac and Salted Egg Pasta.

3. 4Fingers: This restaurant serves mouthwatering Korean-style fried chicken that is crispy, juicy, and addictive.Offering singular combos and family sets, 4Fingers is perfect whether you’re dining alone or with your loved ones.

4. Tealive: Tealive is a popular chain of bubble tea shops in Malaysia, known for their diverse range of delicious drinks made with fresh ingredients.

5. Sushi King: For sushi lovers, Sushi king provides a wide selection of fresh and delicious sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese dishes at affordable prices, making it a go-to spot for sushi lovers.

Don’t forget to checkout these special discount days as well and make the most of your fasting month food orders:

ShopeeFood Day : LINK

From 20 Mar - 22 Mar, kickstart the holy month of Ramadan right and enjoy great discounts and free delivery for buka puasa meals.

  

  ● Up To RM30 OFF (no minimum spend)

● Super Deals up to RM21 OFF

● Free Delivery

ShopeeFood PayDay Sale : LINK

From 25 Mar - 28 Mar, treat yourself and your loved ones to yummy meals without breaking the bank.

● Up To RM30 OFF (no minimum spend)

● Super Deals up to RM21 OFF

● Free Delivery

Music 2023 - Rema Holiday / Reason You

Global hitmaker Rema returns with ‘Holiday’ and ‘Reason You’, a double-sided single to mark his first solo release since dropping his debut album ‘Rave&Roses’ last year.

Both singles showcase a new, evolved sound for Rema with uptempo ‘Holiday’ reflecting on his struggles and the sacrifices he has made in his life - from Benin City to his debut EP in 2019 - highlighting his self-belief despite doubts, criticism and rejection. On the flip, Rema transports the listener through his enchanting, meditative vocals on ‘Reason You’, a song dedicated to one particular individual who has caught his eye.

Rema is best known worldwide for his hit single ‘Calm Down’, which hit No. 6 on The UK Offical Charts, and No. 1 on the Billboard Global (Excl. U.S) chart, and has become the best performing Afrobeats video on Youtube of all time.

 ‘Calm Down’ has received unwavering support across India and The UAE, it was the first No. 1 single on the debut MENA chart, and now Rema is the 65th most streamed artist on Spotify with over 37 million monthly listeners, the highest amount an artist from Africa has ever achieved. 

At the end of 2022, Rema’s sold-out worldwide tour proved why he has continued to be one of the most hyped artists in the global game. His two sold-out Brixton shows in London boasted surprise appearances from Skepta, Dave and Fireboy DML, to name a few, with Rema's high-energy performance impressing the harshest of critics.

  

Marking a year since his debut album dropped, Rema’s star has continued to shine brighter than ever, proving the immense impact Afrobeats has had on the world. Rema has grown up in front of everyone's eyes and has known the potential he held inside from day one. 

Now 22 years old, 2023 is a coming-of-age year for the Afrorave pioneer who will continue to grow, create and leave his Divine mark on music. For more information on Rema, please visit: 

https://instagram.com/heisrema?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

https://rema.lnk.to/Holiday_ReasonYouPR

Watch the videos here: 

https://youtu.be/LboPHhUyIbo

https://youtu.be/yv8DSBRyAzc

PGDM Annual Digital Awards 2022 awards promising industry players for their achievements

So yours truly was lucky to be given a chance to mingle with top business people in the small medium industries during the recent PGDM Annual Digital Awards 2022

The PGDM Annual Digital Awards 2022 was held  recently at Tenera Hotel Bangi, with the objective of giving acknowledgement and opportunities amongst the active PGDM - Pertubuhan Generasi Digital Malaysia consortium members especially for successful industry players who showed a lot of promise and have the potential for bigger achievements in their chosen industry in and out of the country…

PGDM also gave awards to international conglomerate companies as well as acknowledgments to agency bodies and government statutory bodies for their kind assistance and contributions towards the local community and country…

 

Until this moment, PGDM’s  strategic partners are as follows:

1. MAJLIS KEBUDAYAAN DAN WARISAN NUSANTARA.

2. UNITED NATION WORLD PEACE ASSOCIATION (UNWPA).

3. GOOGLE HQ USA.

4. BLUEQUARTZ GROUP (IN PARTNERSHIP OF GOOGLE CANADA).

5. PERBADANAN KEMAJUAN FILEM NASIONAL MALAYSIA (FINAS).

6. KOMITE PENGUSAHA MIKRO KECIL MENENGAH INDONESIA (KOPITU).

7. GABUNGAN PERUSAHAAN EKSPOR INDONESIA (GPEI) DKI JAKARTA.

8. PERSATUAN VETERAN RADIO TELEVISYEN MALAYSIA (PVRTM).

9. KADIS INTERNATIONAL GROUP.

10. UDDOKTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BANGLADESH.

11. BANGLADESH TEXTILES ASSOCIATION (BTA).

12. BANGLADESH ECONOMIC ZONE.

13. TURKISH CYPRIOT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (KTTO).

14. VIETNAM HALAL CENTER.

15. NEPAL-SWISS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSRIES.

16. MAGAYA EMPIRE GROUP.

17. YAYASAN SARI KARTIKA TUN GHAFAR.

18. PERTUBUHAN ALUMNI PENERIMA ZAKAT MALAYSIA.

19. PERSATUAN PENGUSAHA-PENGUSAHA AURA MANJUNG PERAK- MALAYSIA.

20. SWA TV BROAD CASTING & DIGITAL MEDIA (MALAYSIA).

21. MEATECH COLLEGE MALAYSIA.

22. PERTUBUHAN DRUG FREE MALAYSIA.

This are the list of 4 of the main PGDM ANNUAL DIGITAL AWARD recipients!!! They are deserving and just amazing and personally I am excited to see what the future is with these amazing people around!!!

Don’t get me wrong, as there were actually a lot more awards - 32 of them to be exact-  to a lot of equally deserving companies and the people behind it, and me going on and on about it will only make it long and draggy….

1st recipient is Mr V Devindran who is the CEO for BIGCORP-A BERHAD for being the “POPULAR DIGITAL AWARD YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR TALENT OF THE YEAR”

BiGCORP-A created a Health & Beauty 

product named Litna and has been providing quality products using natural herbs which are non toxic , free of chemicals , artificial ingredients & preservatives in Health & Beauty and offering the greatest gifts from nature to all, so that others can achieve radiant beauty as well as a healthy life….

2nd recipient is Dato SK who is the for CEO SIMEBAX HOLDINGS SDN BHD for winning the “POPULAR DIGITAL AWARD FOR INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS COMPANY”, a worldwide Logistics company specialising in providing transportation from Air Cargo forwarding to interstates trailer transport services. 

Then, there is Mr Shairul Abd Razak & Mr Izwan Kamal, both who are Malaysian Country Partners to PANDOSOFT SDN BHD which won the “POPULAR DIGITAL AWARD FOR INFLUENTIAL ENTREPRENEUR IN BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY”

These Onestop Multi Model Streaming Blockchain Platform Company is powered by community  that has demonstrated exceptional performance in this industry and have made a significant impact through the contributions to advancing the technology!!!

Mr Abdul Kadis bin Engkok who is the President for KADIS INTERNATIONAL BERHAD, “POPULAR DIGITAL AWARD FOR INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENT FINANCING” collected the 4th award for being an investment & finance company that work hand in hand with corporations , institutions & governments to provide the solutions for each of their needs.

Anyway other amazing and proud award winners included Worldwide Holding Berhad, Imar Maju Sdn Bhd, Agro Universal Resources Sdn Bhd, P.T Humitek Biomass Energi, Honorable Mohammad Ali Mia Bpm Ppm Bangladesh Assistant Inspector General Of Police (CID), Pertubuhan Alumni Penerima Zakat Malaysia, Google USA, Blue Quartz Group Canada and Malaysia, SWATV Malaysia, H.E Ambassador Francis Ndegwa Muhoro - Kenyan High Commissioner To Malaysia, H.E Dato Seri Marietta Arguido Reformado President United Nation World Peace Association (Unpa) Malaysia and the list continues

With over a total of 500,000 PGDM consortium association members consisting of small medium industry players from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan as well as Nepal, it was expected to get a significantly big impact from the Central Asia and South East Asia right from the start but this should noy be taken lightly as it signifies a huge market impact especially once opened to other countries’ participation 

The consortium association members will also be united under one eco-system platform with a completed E-Commerce which has been developed by a world famous Web Developer from Google USA and Google Canada under the supervision of Bluequartz Canada currently in stages in the coming 12 months… This will give the consortium association members an exclusive, efficient and effective opportunity to market their products exclusively, completed with with the benefits of the use of apps that has been prepared under a platform following current technologies 

This objective and effort will make Malaysia a ‘Popular Gateway Cloud Platform’ for digital economy growth in line with the Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s aspirations in promoting global digital economy….

 

PDGM also expressed their appreciation towards the readiness of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia or Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia (FINAS) for their efforts towards societal assistance  and will be launching the community  fund to assist those who are involved in the Malaysian film industry as well as the general society so that a better financial standing can be achieved to improve their livelihood….

PGDM is currently also drafting out a few programmes that is considered to be able to invigorate the spirit as well as business opportunities and feasible projects in the shape of exploring members “Strategic Partnership” network marketing opportunities such as an exhibition of their products and efforts at exhibitions that will be organised in Malaysia during the third quarter of next year and in Indonesia at the end of 2025 with the participation from the midst of consortium members as well as those who are relevant to them

 

Beside that, PGDM aspires and is looking forward to plan other programs such as seminars and international forums for the purpose of ‘Business Matching, Digital Economies, Human Resources Development, International Political Relationship, Awareness & Etiquette”towards the end of 2024

PGDM hopes that their digital economy activities and societal programs planned in the coming future to get the support and mentor support from the government, agencies and Malaysian government statutory bodies as well as from overseas including foundations, Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs), philanthropists as well as private companies 

 

PGDM is confident that with the assistance of their appointed ambassadors and as global representatives, the continuity of efforts is ensured as planned to make a MADANI Malaysia - MADANI is the Malay acronym for SCRIPT, which stands for sustainability, care and compassion, respect, innovation, prosperity, and trust.

Awareness and understanding of Erectile Dysfunction is high among Malaysians but more than half of respondents would not seek healthcare practitioners

Thanks to a kind invitation , yours truly git to learn some new things about erectile dysfunction, a problem some men face in life… it was definitely an interesting and fascinating topic and which could be treated …


So, A. Menarini Singapore Pte Ltd (Malaysia Branch) conducted an online survey on the general understanding and awareness of erectile dysfunction (ED) among Malaysians recently…

For those of you who are wondering what it is, ED is defined as the persistent inability to attain and maintain an erection sufficient to permit satisfactory sexual performance. In the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey, it was found that among sexually active Malaysian men aged 18 and above, 47.1% had probable mild ED and 31.6% had probable moderate to severe ED.

 

According to the survey conducted by A. Menarini, 87.9% of respondents understood the meaning of erectile dysfunction and identifed the common symptoms and causes of ED. However, the survey also revealed that 41.5% responded that it was somewhat unlikely for them to see a health practitioner despite struggling with ED. Thus, despite the general awareness and understanding about ED is there, many Malaysians are hesitant about seeking out professional help probably from embarrassment and helplessness..

 

“At A. Menarini, male health is a priority and understanding the sensitivities and taboo surrounding the topic of ED can be a difficult conversation to have not only with your partner, loved ones and your doctor. Findings from the online survey revealed that while Malaysians are aware of ED and how it manifests, there are still more conversations to have about understanding that ED is a treatable condition,” said Amelia Mok, General Manager, A. Menarini Singapore Pte Ltd (Malaysia Branch).

 

The Impact of ED on Patients and Loved Ones

Naturalness and spontaneity are parts of the drivers of sexual intercourse, and for ED patients, time-to-effect plays a big role in achieving successful intercourse. 3 For ED patients, spontaneity in sex can add to psychological concerns further reducing the ability to have successful intercourse. In this survey, 24.5% and 32.1% of respondents stated that ED takes a toll on their mental health and sometimes cause frustration respectively, thus affecting their quality of life. Similarly, for women with partners that struggle with ED, 55.7% of respondents revealed that their confidence and personal satisfaction are affected when intercourse is interrupted due to ED.

 

The male survey respondents cited the top three causes for their struggles with maintaining an erection as stress and anxiety (34%), exhaustion (32.1%), and other personal reasons (15.1%). From the point of view of the female respondents, the top three causes for their partner’s struggles with ED are stress and anxiety (71.4%), exhaustion (65.7%), and embarrassment or low self-esteem (31.4%).
In general, the survey findings have revealed that ED is a medical condition that takes a toll on not only the patient but also the loved ones.

Starting the conversation on erectile dysfunction can be challenging and Malaysian respondents of the A. Menarini surveys are however able to have conversations about sexual health with their partners, though most of these respondents are unlikely to see a health practitioner when struggling with ED. 

41.5% of male respondents and 44.3% of female respondents are able to have conversations with their partners regarding sexual health and intimacy.

Taking the next step to meet with a health practitioner, is the way forward to help patients struggling with ED and their loved ones to improve their quality of life. Malaysians are aware of ED but there are still great strides to be taken to help Malaysians understand that ED is a common issue and the importance of seeking out professional help to manage their struggles with ED. 

When the survey respondents were asked to identify the top three common erectile dysfunction treatments, Malaysians named oral drugs or pills (70.1%), testosterone therapy (52.3%), and traditional and herbal remedies (43%).

A. Menarini aims to raise awareness of men’s health, and with erectile dysfunction, it is not enough to just know about ED but to continue to drive the message that ED is almost always a treatable condition. It’s important to educate the public about the benefits of reaching out to health practitioners as ED is a common medical condition….