Ten minute tea with Afternoon Tea. Spend ten minutes with Afternoon Tea. In the time it takes to boil one kettle, and let one cup of tea steep, we will have your daily art + music fix covered. Take your afternoon tea break with our Afternoon Tea curators.
Today’s tea + soundtrack + visuals curated by Eunice Keitan.
Eunice Keitan is a Malaysian/Canadian singer-songwriter whose music reflects her diverse international background and eclectic influences. With a captivating blend of Neo-Soul and World Folk styles, Eunice creates a unique sonic landscape that is both soulful and innovative.
Her latest offering, “Cobalt Sea,” pushes the envelope a little further by combining South American and Southeast Asian soundscapes. It features both the marimba and gamelan while still remaining in the framework of the soul genre.
Listen to the powerful and rhythmic song, “Cobalt Sea,” now.
Watch the spirited music video where Eunice embodies a sea goddess:
At the end of last year, Eunice found herself burnt out, grappling with both mental and physical health challenges. She made the decision to spend several months in Colombia with some family seeking simplicity and a return to her true passion: creating and songwriting. During her stay, she took a Colombian folk percussion class, where she learned to play the tambora and marimba.
“Cobalt Sea” features a Bunde rhythm and chonta marimba from the Pacific region. Traditionally, the compositions and arrangements are meant to mimic the character of the sea with its swelling waves. She was struck by the cultural similarities between Colombia and many Southeast Asian communities, particularly the significance of oral traditions and the communal nature of daily life and music were shared features. Observing how music in both cultures were inspired by everyday life, ceremonies, the land, nature, and, in this case, the sea, she became curious about blending South American and Southeast Asian soundscapes.
“Ombak Biru,” a phrase heard in the song, means “Blue Waves,” in Indonesian and the song was partially inspired by an ancient Indonesian pantun.
I love a special tea blend called ‘The Hobbit’—a delightful mix of lapsang souchong, maple syrup, and milk oolong. My first encounter with it was at Bampot Tea, one of my favorite spots. Its sweet and smoky flavour makes it the perfect companion to the soulful tunes of Pura Fe, a remarkable artist from the Tuscarora tribe. I witnessed her perform solo years ago, armed only with her voice, a hand drum, and a loop pedal. Her authenticity and mastery of harmony left an indelible mark on me, inspiring me to experiment with the loop pedal myself. Her dedication to her people, evident in her spirit and heart, continues to be a wellspring of inspiration. One of my favourite songs that she performs is ‘Great Grandpa’s Banjo’
Last year, I embarked on an edgy project with a songwriter I deeply admire—Scarlett Flynn, half of the dynamic duo Wolfville, an ingenious wordsmith and award-winning songwriter. Collaborating on her solo project, we crafted a music video that is still really special to me. We shot the entire video in my modest 9×5 living room, a fact you’d never guess while watching it. The synergy between Scarlett’s concepts and my DIY attitude resulted in something really interesting. Sometimes when you’re constrained by budget, space, and equipment, it challenges you to think more creatively.
Scarlett’s song delves into the struggle against inner demons of addiction, setting the tone for a video that exudes darkness and eeriness—a perfect visual complement for a haunting October tea break.
Tea + Me 