SINGER-songwriter Michael Lean a.k.a. Kael always sees Christmas as his favourite time of the year.
In fact, his fondest Christmas memories date back to his growing-up years in an orphanage.
Kael was abandoned by his troubled parents and lived on the streets of Kuala Lumpur for a year before being found and cared for by a kindly family.
When he was 9, the Klang-born singer ended up in an orphanage in Ampang, Selangor.
Kael, now 36, said: “In the home, I always put a wish list on a card and placed it under the Christmas tree.
“I once listed a Manchester United jersey, and later a Walkman and the albums of a certain singer from the West.”
Kael grew up loving the colourful and creative wrappings around traditional Christmas presents, and today he still sends friends such gifts.
“Working during Christmas is sometimes inevitable, but in order not to feel left out, I make sure that I am involved in a Christmas-themed project, where I can wish my co-workers a Happy Christmas and Happy New Year.”
LOVE, FORGIVENESS AND REFLECTION
A significant event in his life took place during the Christmas season.
“My mother died on Dec 21, 2016, and I visit her grave every year and talk to her. Even though my parents abandoned me, I always loved them and reconciled with them,” he said.
As Christmas also coincides with his mother’s death, Kael sees it as an opportunity for reflection on his life and career, and a chance to count his blessings.
“Since it is also the biggest year-end celebration, I take it as a time to make my resolutions for the new year and work on them.
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“It is always a time for me to reflect on how I lifted myself from despair and became a self-made man in showbiz.”
Kael always takes the opportunity during Christmas to express his gratitude to everyone who made him the man he is today.
“I met my mother three years before her death. We chatted, and I’ll always cherish that brief moment in time.”
WHITE CHRISTMAS
Kael often listens to Christmas songs, and his favourite is My Grown-Up Christmas List by Clay Aiken.
“I also like White Christmas by Bing Crosby as it is enchanting and makes me imagine sitting in a cottage by a fireplace in Switzerland and enjoying the sight of white snow outside,” he said.
“It is a very cosy feeling, and I experienced it there too.”
When asked about his projects for next year, Kael revealed that he will be off to his studio for a few months to write, compose and record some new songs.
“The year has taught me a lot to be more prepared in life. The lessons that I’ve learnt this year are the ‘new tools’ that I’ll be using to better myself and my career in the years to come.”
Kael will soon collaborate with a few artistes in a special concert, which he will produce.
“It will combine diverse Malaysian cultural elements, just what I like most. Diversity in music always promotes national unity and the spirit of Bangsa Malaysia,” he said.
GOOD FOOD AND GIFTS
The best Christmas gift he has ever received was a scented candle.
“I have collected many of them, and I still keep one which I received in 2017. These candles have different fragrances and they are therapeutic.”
Another special gift he received was a tea set, which is transparent and made of glass.
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As for his favourite meal during Christmas, Kael loves turkey with its various sauces that make it tasty.
“Turkey, which is best with cranberry sauce, is a symbol of Christmas everywhere.”
“My favourite holiday destination during Christmas is, of course, Penang. It is a very colourful place rich in history, culture, heritage and good food,” he said.
“Furthermore, my father is from Balik Pulau and my elder sister lives on the island too.”
HOPES AND DREAMS
If he has to work during Christmas next time, there is one type of entertainment project he hopes to produce.
“I would love to have a special Christmas party which doubles as a musical showcase that combines traditions from various Malaysian cultures in the spirit of Christmas, with a focus on East Malaysian culture, as Christmas is a big celebration in Borneo,” he said.
Kael loves multi-racial entertainment, which he believes has grown stronger over the last two decades.
“What I want out of such concerts is to promote warmth and understanding amongst Malaysian artistes and enable them to tell their amazing Christmas stories,” he said.
A celebrity who sings Christmas music whom Kael would love to collaborate with someday is Michael Bublé.
“Michael is a soulful crooner. We are both into soulful songs.
“As for Malaysians, it would be Jaclyn Victor and Elvira Arul, whom I have always admired as super singers,” said Kael.
If Kael were to act, he would love to work with Adrian Teh and Syafiq Yusof; their movies are truly Malaysian action movies.
“It may not necessarily be an action movie. It could be a biopic like the wonderful Soloz: Game Of Life.”
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
