MiG's posts with tag: mig ayesa
We have opened here in Bangkok and all is going well. We were not sure how the audiences would react with the language barrier and other factors, but we were relieved to see the delight and enthusiasm of the Thai people for our little show. I think we are going to be ok here in this crazy, amazing place for the short time we are here.
Have not have a chance to do much sightseeing as we have been busy with tech rehearsals all week, but I did manage to go to an island beach off the coast of Pattaya, just 2 hours out of Bangkok. Despite having engine trouble on the boat on the way back to the mainland, it was such a magnificent way to spend a day of your life.
The people of Thailand have been so kind, warm and welcoming. I am infatuated with the whole country.
I had neglected to tell you about something from my recent trip to London. I saw the English National Opera’s production of CANDIDE. Totally incredible! I must say, I am quite ignorant when it comes to opera, but the direction, design and choreography of this production was a visual spectacular: so clever, so moving, so powerful. I truly felt I was having a magical theatrical experience… it didn’t hurt that my wife Simone was on stage again, even more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.
Thank you to all those who sent their sympathy wishes about Stu Sobol. I am sure his family will be thankful for your thoughts and prayers. I have dedicated my performance in WE WILL ROCK YOU in Thailand in honour of his memory. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was one of his favourite songs of all time. Stu, this one’s for you.
Always love,
MiG
X
11 July, 2008
It is with a heavy heart that I bring you the news that my ex-manager Stu Sobol, passed away in his home a few days ago from complications with pneumonia. He leaves behind his wife and two children and a legacy in the music business, whose absence will surely be felt. At THE FIRM, Stu was instrumental in kicking off my career, as well as those of A Perfect Circle, Seether, Three Days Grace, Vanessa Carlton, Yellowcard, Hawthorne Heights, Ryan Star and Zach de la Rocha, among others. He was a very gentle and kind man with a larger than life heart who truly cared for his artists and treated me with love and respect. He took me under his wing and taught me many things about what it truly meant to be an artist.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, his freinds and to those closest to him at The Firm. He will be very sadly missed.
It was an honour and a privilege to know and work with him.
Always love,
MiG x
I am back at an airport writing this. This time I am at Heathrow, Terminal 4 about to board my Qantas flight to Bangkok. I had the most magical week in London. I know I keep saying how great every place I visit is, but London has really been showing off this time. I have forgotten how beautiful this city is. It is probably one of my favourite cities in the world, if not my absolute No.1 city. The architecture alone is breathtaking. Every street is a Kodak moment. The weather is a little dodgey but I did have a couple of sunny days which is pretty exciting in England. London was my home for several years and I will always have a soft spot for this crazy town. If only it wasn’t so expensive! Wow! Nice when you’re earning Pounds, but…wow! The gig yesterday at Warwick Castle was amazing. A capacity crowd of 7,000 people braved the rain and the traffic on the M40 to see us 4 singers, the English National Orchestra and the Queen Symphonic Rock band belt out 2 sets of awesome QUEEN songs. Our encore of DON’T STOP ME NOW was accompanied by a rainbow of fireworks over the historically picturesque town of Warwick. So great to see so many friends and fans out there. Even when it rained during the concert, nobody ran for cover. They simply just opened their umbrellas or put their anorak hoods over their heads. Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the heavy rain… Such a blessing to work with Mazz Murray, Rachael Wooding and Ricardo Afonso. Ricardo’s voice should be illegal. Oh. My. God!!! Thanks to Richard Sidwell and Pete Harrison for the gig. Such a pleasure! They just called my flight, so gotta fly (that kills me every time!). Bangkok, here I come! Always, MiG X
29 June, 2008
Am writing this from the departure lounge at JFK airport, on my way to London. I have just changed my socks as they were soaking wet! The Philippine-American Friendship Day Celebrations in Jersey City was spectacular! Spectacular in that the weather was outrageous! It started as such a hot and sunny day. Even though they forecasted rain, I thought that the weather guys got it wrong. It was a beautiful day. However, within what seemed seconds, the weather turned. As soon as I got out of my car in Jersey, a lightning bolt struck and the immediate thunder was deafening. Suddenly the heavens opened up and the rain came, thick and heavy. The wind blew down stalls and I struggled with the sound crew to keep the roof from flying away over the PA equipment. A man broke his arm in the ensuing storm, as a table flew on top of him. And as quickly as the storm started, it ended. The sun came out, and the crowd cheered. It took a while to dry the stage and reset the equipment, and just when it was time to re-start the festival, the wind came again and it looked like it was going to storm all over again. The officials decided to call it quits. I thought that it was such a shame to let people go home without a show, so I jumped on a table and rallied the group to sing WE WILL ROCK YOU with me! The feeling in the camp was great because it was as though we weren’t going to let anyone stop us having a good time. The organizers may think that today was a wash-out, but for me it was a great wet day out with friends and family, good food and good humour. My new moto (thanks Cuzzie!) is ‘DON’T FORGET TO LAUGH!’ and that was what we did today. It was a really great day. I have to say a big thank you to all of those who have welcomed me home. It has been a very long road, and I am only half way home. It has been wonderful re-uniting myself with my precious little dog, but am so looking forward to finally being with my wife after 2 months apart. Your constant love and support has kept me going through all these times and have made me feel that all this is worth it. May I also take this opportunity to thank everyone for the amazing gifts you gave to me while abroad as well as those waiting for me when I returned home. I was finally able to visit the Decca offices here in NY and they gave me those parcels that had been waiting for me while I was gone. So many amazing gifts! From those given to me at the various stage doors, to the beautiful gift that was crocheted for me here at home. THANK YOU! Thank you to all of you for being so thoughtful. You spoil me! Guess what? The flight is delayed. DON’T FORGET TO LAUGH!! Always love, MiG X
28 June, 2008
I have fallen in love with New York in the summer! It has been such a joy to walk my dog Powder in Central Park and watch her run around like there’s not a care in the world. I sometimes envy that. But I wouldn’t change my life for anything, as I am soon to be re-united with my wife Simmy, as I am flying to London on Sunday straight after the Philippine-American Friendship Day celebrations in New Jersey. I have not seen her since the beginning of May. This is a crazy life! I will be in London for but a week. I will be performing at Warwick Castle on 6 July with a 60 piece orchestra, 8 piece rock band and 3 other singers for the The Music Of QUEEN – A Rock And Symphonic Spectacular! I did a similar gig last August with the Bournemouth Symphony orchestra and it was one of my favourite gigs ever. I seem to be making quite a career out of the music of QUEEN, so thanks guys! This definitely beats working for a living. However, it is quite exhausting. I am not complaining, but it’s 3.24am here and I have just finished packing and cleaning the house for our new border. Poor Powder has no idea what’s going on. I must sleep now, so I’ll keep this brief. Just wanted to check in and say hi and howdy from the MiG Apple. Hope all is great in your side of the world. Always love, MiG X
 18 June, 2008
I have had such an amazing experience this weekend that will stay with me forever. Through the MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION, and with great support from the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong and all at WE WILL ROCK YOU, we were able to show some very special children what it would be like to perform on a professional stage, and to rock out in front of a live audience. These kids came on stage and we put them through their paces, teaching them ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘We Are The Champions’. These guys were awesome, learning the songs and movements so quickly. Then it was show time! Their parents were seated in the auditorium, and with full lights, full band, full sound, the curtain came up and we gave them a show of a lifetime! The kids rocked out with the cast of WWRY and proved that they were the true champions of the world. The smiles on their faces were all we needed. Music truly is the universal language and what kid doesn’t want to rock out?! It was such a beautiful day for everybody and I am so in awe of the MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION and the amazing work they do. Again, another lesson in putting things into perspective. So it was with renewed oomph that we took the stage at JJ’s on Monday night to earn money for the MAW Foundation. It was a cracker of a night. The place was packed and jumping to such an awesome crowd. Thank you to all those who came to support us and this wonderful cause. My thanks have to go out to all at the MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION, Club JJ’s, The Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, Lunchbox Productions, Universal Music and Tom Lee Music. I also have a huge debt of gratitude to the WWRY band (Ryno, Nick, Llewellyn, Etienne, Edwin and Matt) and my gorgeous Killer Queens on Bvs (Annie, Lucy and Megan). You have blessed me beyond comprehension. Less than a week left in Hong Kong. I am going to miss this wonderful city. I wish it would stop raining! Enough already!! I hope all is well in your world. Always love, MiG X
I find myself staring out of my hotel window at the spectacular view that is Hong Kong. I will never tire of this sight, and am trying to soak it in as much as I can. I have less than 2 weeks of it left. There is still so much I have not done here, but have tried to keep myself fresh for the show and for my duties. I am counting my many blessings and am so grateful for all the love I have felt and the good fortunes that have come my way. It is with this that I have a heavy heart with the news that my Yaya (nanny) Emilia has suffered a massive stroke in Manila and is fighting for her life in hospital. She has given her life in service of me and my family. She has been like my second mother, taking care of my brother and me in Australia for a year. She has shown nothing but love and affection to me and my family and she is truly one of the sweetest people to have ever walked this Earth. I do not know a life without her around. If I could just ask for her to be in your thoughts and prayers, I would be most grateful. I have been busy preparing for the gig at JJ’s on 16 June, and am very excited about playing in such a great venue for such a brilliant cause. The Make A Wish Foundation has been making dreams come true for thousands of kids for decades. There are no words that can give justice to the magic they do. Hope you and yours are well, happy and loved. Always, MiG X
The showcase gig at CLIQ last Wednesday for MUSIC MATTERS was a total blast! The WWRY band were tight and explosive. These young guys are the real deal. Enthusiastic and hyper-talented. They are a joy to play with and I am so privileged to be on stage with them. Everyone has been asking about the guys, so it was well worth dragging our asses off to the gig after an exhaustive show at the Lyric. I met a fantastic group of people from all over the world. It is a truly great event here in Hong Kong. My ears are still ringing from our hard core cover of I WANT TO BREAK FREE!
Went to Disneyland with some of the cast last Monday and had a ball. My cynicism I thought I might feel dissolved away as soon as we got on the Disney train to the park. They just do it so well! The shows in the park were awesome. Thank you for taking care of us.
Hong Kong is exhausting! The pace of this city is so like New York. Never ending and relentless. I barely have the time to do any sight-seeing during the week and it frustrates me because there is so much to see! I just may have to burn the candle at both ends for the next couple of weeks and get as much of Hong Kong as I can.
I am excited about the 16 June gig at JJ’s for the MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION. It’s such a great cause and the people at the Hyatt and at JJ’s have been incredible.
My CD is finally on sale at the venue’s merchandise stall, so if you are coming to see WE WILL ROCK YOU, make sure you come and visit me at the stage door after the show so I can sign it for you, ok?
It’s 2am, so I really must get to sleep, but I have not written in a while. That’s a good indication of how crazy it’s been here in Honkers. Non-stop!
Thanks for visiting me here…
Always,
MiG
xx
I am loving Hong Kong!! This place is unbelievable! All I have seen so far has blown me away. The city has developed even more since I was last year and Olympic fever has hit here big time. The huge Olympic rings that grace the harbour shore give no doubt that this is an Olympic city (equestrian events will be held here). It also gives gives no doubt that we are in China. The earthquake today in Central China’s Sichuan Province has rocked the world more than literally. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those men, women and children still unaccounted for. To suffer so much in that way is beyond me. I only wish the death toll is not as high as they predict. And I am shocked and angry at the stupidity of the frustrating situation in Myanmar. How can a government just sit there and deny its own people the means and supplies by which they can survive, and watch them die, just to protect their own selfish power?! This insanity has got to stop! I am shell shocked, and see how futile my own problems are. If ever we need a reality check… Bless you all and I pray you are all safe and happy. I hope all you mothers out there were spoiled rotten on Sunday. I am a big fan of mothers. I come from a long line of mothers. My mum is a mother. Always love, MiG X
I'm at the airport after almost getting car-sick in the taxi in horrific traffic out of New York. The lounge in Terminal 7 is an oasis of fountains and Sultana Bran. I have to board my Cathay Pacific flight in 10 minutes, so I have to rush.
Hong Kong, here I come! I love this city. It is the New York of Asia…or is that Shanghai?
It took me ages to pack and it's getting harder and harder to leave my beautiful family. I am looking forward to coming back to amazing NYC and making a life for myself and getting creative with writing and recording and auditioning and LIVING! Not to say I'm complaining. Travelling is always exciting. Just a little tired and emotional right now.
Gotta fly…
Always,
MiG
xx
Greetings from the MiG Apple. It's so great to be back home and actually see trees of green, red and pink buds blossoming all over the place. The changing of the seasons is so dramatic here! I love it. Spring is so in the air, and there is such beauty everywhere it brings a lump to my throat. I thought Central Park was beautiful in winter, but wow! Spring has become my official favourite season, especially since I have had no major hay fever attack yet. I might be just in denial, but maybe I might be getting over this crippling ailment I've had since I was a teeny tot, where your eyes swell up, and you sneeze for hours. Claratyne is doing the trick. Fingers crossed!
This new site I've put up must have caught people by surprise, but I hope you like it. It is so much more manageable than the previous site. I can edit it and control it completely by myself, adding everything I want to add and responding to those who want to get in touch with me. I guess there might be some improvements to be made, as I am new at this kinda thing. There are things I might have left out or added twice, but this is a work in progress as all sites should be. The beauty of this is that I can work on it straight away. It will hopefully be a source of entertainment and information as I move towards the next phase of my career.
I head off to Hong Kong this Friday for the continuing saga of WE WILL ROCK YOU. This next leg promises to be the biggest one yet. A big promise to fulfil if it is to compete with Singapore, Auckland and Seoul. After Hong Kong we end our tour in Bangkok. The final show of this International Tour will be 27 July, 2008. There might be a couple of dates in England in August, but apart from that, I will be furiously working on a new album. There is so much to do, so much to look forward to, and also so much to worry about!
So for the time being, I've added some songs in the audio page, videos in the video page, pictures all over the place and enough press and reading materials to keep you busy for a while.
The whole new forum is a much user friendly format so I hope you enjoy being there. I am new to the whole forum thing but I will be reading every entry as I am the sole moderator…still learning what that means.
I say hello to my beautiful loyal fans and welcome my new ones. I hope you enjoy the ride.
Always love,
MiG
xxx
There is a new dawn breaking in MiG land. A new land where all is welcome, where people can roam freely and speak their mind and listen and watch and read all that is MiG. The new MiG site is being born. Stay tuned to mig-music. com Coming very very soon… In the meantime, you can sign up for my new official forum!  Always love, MiG x
MiG and the WE WILL ROCK YOU band play ONE SUNSET AT A TIME (M.Ayesa/M.Scanlen) at The Pump Room in Singapore, 23 April, 2008. Import.flv (9.0 MB)
I can’t believe we are almost at the end of our time in the Lion City. It has been such a spectacular season in so many ways. The Singaporean public have embraced WE WILL ROCK YOU like nothing I’ve ever seen. The flags still fly proudly, lining the streets of this beautiful city, heralding our triumphant stay at The Esplanade. We have but four shows left, before we depart for our next destination of Hong Kong. I will never forget the warmth and enthusiasm of the Singaporean people. I have felt so welcome here, I cannot wait until I next return. I am yet to meet a rude Singaporean or one who I dislike. This is a beautiful country blessed with beautiful people. I am so thrilled that Singapore has also embraced my solo CD project. It has been selling at every good record store and hearing my songs on the radio has been a dream come true. The fact that MTV has picked up the video for SHE LOVED has thrilled me to no end. It is as though my career is only truly starting now, and I am so grateful for the love of the people who come to the show, listen to my music, watch my videos and greet me on the streets of Singapore with always a smile and a welcoming greeting. Thank you Singapore. You are a great way to fly. I will never forget my time with you. Let’s do this again!!
Always love, MiG x
The new video of SHE LOVED from MiG's debut CD. Song written by MiG Ayesa and Matthew Wilder. Produced by Gigi Malavasi (DOP). Import.flv (11.7 MB)
| Start: | Mar 28, '08 | | End: | Apr 27, '08 | | Location: | The Esplanade Theatre, Singapore City, Singapore |
MiG continues his triumphant return to the stage as ’Galileo Figaro’ in WE WILL ROCK YOU - the Musical Spectacular by QUEEN and BEN ELTON, guaranteed to blow your mind! Tues- Thurs 8:00PM Sat-Sun 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM
MTV-VJ Taya interviews MiG on the set of WE WILL ROCK YOU in Singapore, at the Esplanade Theatre. Import.flv (6.1 MB)
I find myself well into the Singapore season of WE WILL ROCK YOU and continue to be run off my feet with all that is happening here, and all that Singapore has to offer. I have done a lot of publicity for the show, and am also thrilled with the way Universal have really stepped up and decided to back my CD here. To see my CD in the ’New Releases’ of record stores again has raised my spirits and have given me hope. If I can do well in Singapore and the South East Asian region, I would be more than happy to keep coming back to tour, record, perform, whatever!
I recorded a ’live to tape’ unplugged hour for Harry’s ’Acoustic Lounge’ on Power 98 yesterday. It will be aired this Sunday at 4pm. I took along one of the guitarists from the WWRY band, Nick Kendell and we played a set of songs from the ’MiG’ CD, WE WILL ROCK YOU as well as a song that will definitely be on my next CD. It was so great to just play again, to sing my own songs. Nick is only 18 years old (!!) and played like a man with twice his experience. He is a monster talent. I am looking forward to taking the whole WWRY band to do more gigs around our touring destinations, as they are so itching to ’break free’ from their little band pod on the set!
The response to the show here has been nothing short of amazing. Banners of WWRY line the streets of the city, people stop me everywhere to meet me and the audiences erupt every night. I know this job has to end sometime, but I am loving it while I can.
It was awesome to have my family here for an impromptu reunion. Not only was my wife able to join me to celebrate our anniversary, but her Mum came to celebrate her 60th birthday, my Mum and Dad joined us after cruising down Vietnam from Hong Kong and a whole plethora of cousins and aunts and uncles flew in from New York, the Philippines and Jakarta just to join in, to see the show and make the most of the opportunity of being together in the one city. I was so busy with publicity, rehearsals and performances that the little time I had left to share with my relatives was a pure bonus. It has been a very special time in a very special place.
Always,
MiG
Tonight we open WE WILL ROCK YOU in Singapore. I am truly excited about playing to audiences here in the magnificent Esplanade Theatre. This building is incredible! It breathes, it moves, it thinks and tonight it's going to ROCK! Everything so far has gone super smooth here (knock on wood). The crew are well oiled and the cast are pumped. I feel in great health despite some jet-lagging, and am almost breathless with anticipation!
Singapore has impressed in ways that I did not even expect. I knew I loved Singapore, but now this love has grown to jaw-dropping awe, maybe even jealousy. How come everything here works so well, so modern, so clean yet they are also able to retain the important historical aspects of the city that has made it what it is today. The weather is humid and PERFECT! The people are so overwhelmingly beautiful in attitude and truly in every way. I am yet to find a kink in the armour...
Overture, light the lights, this is it, we'll hit the heights, and oh what heights we'll hit... On with the show this is it!!
Ya-ba-di, ya-ba-di, here we go again...
Always, MiG
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