Inspired by the discovery of a dusty box containing my grandmother's hard-earned certificates and diplomas
I’m Eunice Keitan, a Malaysian-Chinese/Canadian neo-soul-global fusion artist. In a powerful tribute to female strength and solidarity, I’m releasing a new single, "Shine," on March 7th, just ahead of International Women's Day (March 8th). This soulful anthemic track, featuring shared vocals with Chynna Lewis, celebrates the resilience and collective power of women breaking down systems of oppression.
"Shine" is deeply personal, inspired by the discovery of a dusty box containing my grandmother's hard-earned certificates and diplomas. In a place and time when women were denied education, she defied limitations, taking on gruelling work to put herself through school and then mastering a remarkable range of skills—hairdressing, tailoring, electrician, mechanic, plumber, multilingual scholar, humanities—while also raising five children and breaking barriers as the first woman in her area to drive.
Artwork: -
The single's artwork features a vintage photograph of my grandmother with her car, a symbol of her independence and determination. This personal story sparked a reflection on the progress made since the mid-20th century, as well as the ongoing challenges women face in male-dominated industries, especially in the music industry.
True to my signature style which incorporates soundscapes from my roots, “Shine” features the ethereal sounds of the yangqin, a traditional Chinese dulcimer, performed by Di Zhang. The track also showcases the talents of a mostly female lineup, including Alyssa Dupuis on bass, backing vocals from Aphrose and Kristin Fung, and post-production by Mariana Hutten.
As a testament to the power of sisterhood, the bridge soars with the powerful lyric “sister, do you know that we both can win, we’re stronger than the systems that we’re caught in”. It is a call to action for continued progress towards gender equality and the single will be available on all major streaming platforms on March 7th.
Thank you for listening
Artist bio:
Eunice Keitan is a Malaysian-Canadian singer-songwriter who seamlessly blends her diverse cultural heritage into her music. Drawing inspiration from her Canadian, Malaysian, and Chinese roots, she creates a rich sound that merges Neo-Soul with traditional Asian soundscapes.
Her work has garnered support from the Toronto Arts Council and Ontario Arts Council along with recognition from outlets such as CBC Music, BBC Radio, The Toronto Guardian, and Stereofox. Eunice's previous projects earned nominations for both a Toronto Independent Music Award and a VIMA (Vox international music award).
A dynamic force in the Canadian live music scene, Eunice is known for her dual roles as both a band leader and a solo loop pedal artist. She is actively engaged within various musical and cultural communities, enhanced by her involvement with the Small World Music incubator. With an extensive touring schedule, Eunice frequently performs across Canada and internationally, captivating audiences with her unique sound and innovative approach to music.
