MUSIC
A Singer – Songwriter , Recording Artist , Actor and an Entertainment Producer from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, KAEL, formerly known for his stage name and pesona as Michael Leaner, a crooning Jazz – R&B singer who’s one of the sought after showtime performer in Malaysia. Having 12 years of experience from both stage and screen, he continues his journey into a new era of artistic exploration through his first EP in Malay language entitled ‘Lost in Love’ with the release of his latest single , BLAH3.
ACTING
Over the past three years, KAEL has acted for IFLIX on their first Malaysian Original Series, titled Cupid Co, where his English single ‘Take Our Time’ was featured as the original soundtrack for the series. KAEL, a versatile talent, has acted in numerous local Malay dramas for Malaysian Satellite Television Provider, ASTRO, such as Awak Suka Saya Tak, Jodoh-Jodoh Annisa , just to name a few, along with other namely figures such as Aaron Aziz, Emma Maembong, Izara Aishah, Alvin Chong and many more.
ALBUM
As a rightful musicial artist, KAEL released a debut EP entitled LOST IN LOVE in Bahasa Melayu, the local national language of Malaysia.
The sound of KAEL implement modern beats , with melancholic melodies infused with harmonies, influenced by the sound of 90’s. This EP intends to promote the subject of transparency towards one self in the matter of relationship and love. On the lyrical front of his songs are largely about Kael’s journey on experiencing the love he never had encounter when his own life has hardly been average since juggling with being a ‘street kid’, growing up in an orphanage, as well as choosing to make his passion into a career, a journey of building his life as a whole.
“I wanted it to be a story of how our lives are so much defined or affected by love in good or bad ways, commonly a phase we experience as human beings”.
- “To Be Human, Is To Love”.
On the singing approach, listeners may relate with a somber – melancholic vibe along with modern sounding instrumentations.
Kael’s music emphasises on wearing our emotions on our sleeves, conveying that even through pain, we can still stand or walk tall, by embracing those scars or hurt within, and turning it into something beautiful.
Having to be influenced mostly by genres such as Jazz, R&B, Rock and even Gospel, the album sets him apart for a new identity or sound, detached from any genres. “Sadness has to be overcomed, and it is okay to be heartbroken, because embracing our emotions, is the new cool thing”. Kael is known for his sleek vocal tonality, with an added touch of sensuality in his vocal expressions, his songs are defined as ‘a lil’ sophisticated, yet, what makes a man is when he is in tune with his emotions.
CAREER
Throughout his career, he has worked and collaborated with fellow iconic local names such as Amber Chia, Joanne Kam, Vince Chong, Dennis Lau, Keith Kee, Daniel Veerapen, Audi Mok and international renown artists such as Sheila Amzah and Sheila Majid. He kicked off pursuing music by starting a local indie alternative rock band named The Marquee performing for gigs and festivals while he was still pursuing music as a side job. From singing in weddings, doing live showcases in various venues, he juggled through his passion along with his day job as an Operations Executive in an entertainment agency. He then got promoted as Artist-Talent Manager where he was equipped or trained to handle managerial tasks or matters for artists-talents, while developing ways to grow the business. Juggling between the two, Michael then made the decision to partake on a solo musical journey under his own name where he started doing live shows exploring on the sound of Jazz & R&B. He found growth and success through the demand of him performing live, collaborating with various brands. Having also to be part of theatre performances and cabaret, he found an extension of himselves, adding value to his entire experience.
While actively performing he then started his own talent management company, specialises in entertainment curation, stage productions offering events management services. As a founder and producer of Magik Mike Productions, Michael has worked with several top names, Kenanga Investors Berhad, Eco World, HP, and Porsche, just to name a few, producing and staging their brand’s events with top-notched entertainment showcases and conceptualisation.
“I am passionate about creating an experience for people here to encouter, as music can be such wonderful thing to indulge in”.
Having a passion to connect, inspire, and empower through his skills, knowledge or experiences in various fields, in other words, wearing multiple hats, Michael aspire to elevate the standard of music – event productions and showcases here in Malaysia and also South East Asia, through the medium of establishing art, music and culture.
In 2017, Michael rebranded his stage name or pesona to KAEL for several purposes. “I want to re-create myself through my artistry, and make it an expression of life”. Also, this marks the birth of a new sound, the sound of Kael. Since the rebrand, Kael has been acting on TV dramas, commercials, short films and also getting in-out of studio making and baking music ; “Songs for you, Truths for me” (quoting James Morrison).
For all his successes thus far, Kael sees himself as a boy from the hood where he grew up in the streets, telling his story through his voice and music. For some audiences, fans or listeners, it may seem that Kael does many things at once, which he calls it ‘The Art of Multi-tasking’, always being challenged to be better and making his work a masterpiece. “My Life itself is The Work of Art”.
“It’s fine if we are wandering, because we are constantly going through adventures seeking for truths and deeper meaning to expand in life”.
BIO
Michael Lean Chien Er (born May 11, 1989) known by his stage name KAEL, born in Klang, grew up in Kuala Lumpur is of Chinese Peranakan Siamese bloodline. Kael is a counselling-psychology graduate who has experience working as a counselling worker in the field of peer to peer counselling, creative arts – youth development, intake assesment, corporate team dynamics and people management. His passion in arts and music grew as he channel his own life struggles into his work and music as a whole.
Inspired from his own life experiences as an ‘Abandoned Child’ or ‘The Boy In the Streets’, who later grew up in the orphanage, KAEL is an advocate for human empowerment through self help subjects attained from his counselling – psychology education. He is advocate for inner wellness, self-development and also the matter of body, mind and soul. KAEL has been very involved with humanitarian or charity work as to support the needy amongst society as well as to build awareness. “ Life is more than just about making money, it is about making this world a better place to be in ”. He wear different hats and have big dreams or goals, aspire to be a positive influence through his work.