Jim Lim (林倛玉)
Songwriter/Producer/Music Arranger/Singer. Ex member and co-producer of the local pop band 梦飞船，Dreamz FM. Artistes he has worked with include big names like 王力宏，张惠妹，孙燕姿，梁静茹，林俊杰，范文芳，阿杜，范逸臣，林忆莲，周华健，房租名 etc.
1) Why did you choose to become a “Songwriter/Producer/Music Arranger/Singer” and what do you love most about what you do?
I don’t think I chose this line… It’s the career that chose me. It’s a calling… There was strong parental pressure and peer pressure when I decided to step into music by doing freelance music arrangement while studying at 17, but I was determined…. If I hadn’t chosen music and became a normal white collar worker, I would have lived a regretful life. I love every aspect of music production, songwriting, music arrangement, vocal production, singing, backing vocal and strings scoring, mixing down the end product and mastering.
2) What is it like to work with the “big names” in the music industry?
It definitely helped to strengthen my portfolio. And generally, I had learned much from these experiences.
3) What is your mission in life?
Mission, I don’t really think much about such big things. I live my life following my heart. But if I’ve gotta have a mission in life, I guess it will have to do with the music scene in Singapore. Making it more vibrant, making it more recognized in Asia etc. And of course to write songs that will last for years and years to come, in other words, evergreen songs!
4) Which song is especially meaningful to you, and why?
Most of the songs I have written, are meaningful to me in different ways. Every song represents a certain moment of my life. But if I were to choose a few, I would say, ≪不值得≫ by 夢飛船, ≪代替≫, ≪同花順≫ by myself, and ≪安寧≫ by Stephanie Sun. Every one of these songs was written because of extremely unforgettable incidents…
5) What would your advice be for young people who aspire to be a singer/songwriter one day?
For aspiring songwriters/musicians/singers, whether you are young or old… We live our life only once… If you wanna do something and felt strongly bout it, then do it… Else the moment slips you by. Once you’ve decided to do it, do it with strong conviction. Be it you make it or you don’t, at least u have tried. That doesn’t just apply to music as a career, it’s for everything else too, at least for me.
Grace says: I had assumed that such a celebrated composer would not be an easy interviewee but boy, was I wrong. Jim is unassuming, humble and approachable. His answer to Question Number 5 reiterates what other interviewees strive to tell us – that we only live this once, so make it count, and follow your heart!
Look out for: The interview with Pamela Chong on 25th February, 2011.
