Draft:Faye Faire

In June 2022, Alena worked as a journalist at Malaysiakini{{Cite web |title=Malaysiakini {{!}} Alena Nadia |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/en/author/Alena%20Nadia |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=www.malaysiakini.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-03-16 |title=Two Malaysiakini journalists shortlisted for Said Zahari award |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/658905 |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=Malaysiakini}} and was introduced to I-Shan Esther through I-Shan's father Martin Vengadesan, a colleague at Malaysiakini.{{Cite web |last=Victor |first=Mark Mathen |title=Mourning loss and celebrating life |url=https://thesun.my/style-life/mourning-loss-and-celebrating-life-FA12560207 |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=thesun.my |language=en-MY}}{{Cite web |last=Company |first=eJeeban Web Design |date=2024-06-14 |title=Faye Faire: Celebrating The Life & Music Of I-Shan Esther |url=https://www.eksentrika.com/faye-faire-i-shan-esther/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Eksentrika: Arts Community • Artist Registry • Asian Arts Magazine |language=en}}

I-Shan is also the grandchild of former Malaysian ambassador to Italy Dato' Ramanathan Vengadesan.{{Cite web |title=Ahmad Zaharuddin to head biotechnology corp |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2005/04/29/ahmad-zaharuddin-to-head-biotechnology-corp |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=The Star |language=en}}

The duo soon realised they shared similar musical influences. In September 2022, Alena invited I-Shan to start a group to work on their own music. Azim Zain (from the Australian music project “Azim Zain & His Lovely Bones”){{Cite web |last=Lin |first=Sharona |title=Azim Zain and His Lovely Bones are back in the passenger seat |url=https://the-riotact.com/azim-zain-and-his-lovely-bones-are-back-in-the-passenger-seat/342036 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Riotact |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Welby |first=Augustus |date=2020-11-24 |title=Azim Zain and Eugénie were both transformed by Australia's independent music culture |url=https://beat.com.au/azim-zain-eugenie-turning-heads/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Beat Magazine |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |title=Premiere: Meet Azim Zain & His Lovely Bones, who stuns with You Just Hit The Jackpot, Tiger |url=http://pilerats.com/music/bands/premiere-meet-azim-zain-and-his-lovely-bones-you-just-hit-the-jackpot-tiger/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=PILERATS}} and Isra Gomez (who is also known for his student activism as the MUDA Segambut student bureau head){{Cite web |title=GE15: Malaysian youths think it is vital to go for ceramahs – here's why |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/people/2022/11/15/ge15-why-malaysian-youths-say-it039s-vital-to-go-for-ceramahs |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=The Star |language=en}} joined their band at the end of 2022.

File:Alena Nadia dan I-Shan Esther di Merdekarya.jpg

Despite having differing etymological roots, both words "Faye" and "Faire" can be interpreted to mean fairies (or "fairies"). In an interview with Free Malaysia Today, it is suggested that the group name is a tribute to their music's "female-fronted nature".

Organised by music collective Kumandang Zine, Faye Faire's debut performance was at BOXKL in Kuala Lumpur in March 2023. Faye Faire played four original songs "Ultraviolet", "Siren", "Telephone" and "Wailing Wall" - which would later form the basis of their debut album.{{Citation |title=Faye Faire - Telephone (Live at BOXKL, Kuala Lumpur) | date=11 April 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Hfe84OSAkY |access-date=2024-02-22 |language=en}} In the same month, they had independently released a demo tape for their original song, "[https://open.spotify.com/track/1TvHJZpNerPiiH1TcmQ5gj?si=df3b95e5b364467e Telephone]".

In May 2023, Faye Faire played with progressive rock and psychedelic rock band Martin Vengadesan & The Stalemate Factor at Merdekarya{{Cite web |title=Guide to getting into the groove |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2023/05/05/guide-to-getting-into-the-groove |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=The Star |language=en}} and Porkville{{Cite news |title=Faye Faire and Stalemate Factor (Live at Porkville) |url=https://allevents.in/petaling%20jaya/faye-faire-and-stalemate-factor-live-at-porkville/200024601814258 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=AllEvents.in |language=en}} in Petaling Jaya. Faye Faire performed their last show with I-Shan Esther at Merdekarya on 10 June 2023.{{Citation |title=I-Shan Esther's final show with Faye Faire | date=20 June 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIJen8C8JM0 |access-date=2024-02-22 |language=en}}

On June 16, 2023, at the age of 18, I-Shan Esther Christie Lee Vengadesan passed away.

File:Faye Faire album launch-2024 line-up.jpg

Mourning the loss of their bandmate, the group quickly made the difficult decision on whether to continue. They began finishing up recordings they had worked on with I-Shan - on an album which they had already been working on.

In an interview following the album's launch, Gomez commented, “We realized the best way we could appreciate her was by moving forward."

The band worked together with producer Ashwin Gobinath of Nadir Studios Malaysia{{Cite web |last=Augustin |first=Kerry-Ann |date=2017-09-24 |title=Sound of unity {{!}} New Straits Times |url=https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sunday-vibes/2017/09/283492/sound-unity |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=NST Online |language=en}} to produce the album over a period of six months. Working on the album was described as "bittersweet". On this, Alena said: “On some days, it felt like I-Shan had just missed a practice, or gone on a holiday. It just didn't quite sink in that she was gone."

The group has also talked about how their debut album is their attempt to give I-Shan a musical legacy: "She was so young. We wanted her to have a musical legacy which she deserved."

Their debut album ‘In My Mind’ comprises 10 tracks, with Alena and I-Shan writing five tracks each. The various songs touch on the struggles faced by indigenous groups in Malaysia, the ups and downs of friendships and love lives, as well as grief. Its album cover was designed by current bassist Maira Zamri (who also founded local magazine Saya Magazine).{{Cite web |last=Chin |first=Marissa |date=2020-11-22 |title=A Voice In The Millennial Crowd: saya.magazine |url=https://www.cultcreative.asia/post/lokal-makers-saya-magazine |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Cult Creative |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Toh |first=Terence |date=8 January 2021 |title=Discussing our identities |url=https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-star-malaysia-star2/20210108/281642487803405 |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2024-02-23 |work=The Star}}

Faye Faire currently comprises Alena, Gomez, Azim (now on lead guitar), Maira, and guitarist Tanuja Kaur.

1. Ultraviolet
2. Siren
3. No Name #1
4. You Know Me
5. A Home In The Sea
6. Wild #2
7. Wailing Wall
8. Telephone
9. Our Girl (Smile Because You Loved Her)
10. I'm Still Alive

"Ultraviolet", "No Name #1", "Telephone" and "I'm Still Alive"

Words and music by I-Shan Esther

"Siren", "You Know Me", "A Home In The Sea", "Wailing Wall" and "Our Girl (Smile Because You Loved Her)"

Words and music by Alena Nadia

"Wild #2"

Words by Alena Nadia and I-Shan Esther

Music by I-Shan Esther

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