ORDERING INFORMATION

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY"
DEBUT ALBUM

REGULAR EDITION
(1,000 available)
PRICE: $12

LIMITED AUTOGRAPHED EDITION
(50 available)
PRICE: $15

DELUXE AUTOGRAPHED & LIFE SIZE iLLUSION GROUP PHOTO
(10 available)
PRICE: $25

Shipping/Handling is $3 per first five copies, and $3 per additional five copies.  Shipping is via USPS Priority 2-3 day mail.  Shipping insurance is $1 more per five copies.

ORDER FORM

DEMOS:

Currently in Realmedia (*.rm) format.  You may need to download Realplayer and have it installed to play the song demo clips properly.

Thanks for dropping by to check out iLLUSION WORLD.

INTRODUCTION:
If you don't already know, iLLUSION is a Hmong-American band from San Jose, CA (originally Stockton, CA) that will be releasing its self-titled debut album called, "Happy Birthday".

Not surprisingly, "Happy Birthday" became an overnight sensation even before the album was released, which is due out December 23, 1998.  The demos alone surprised everyone when it topped the charts in September '98, after they were first introduced in Realplayer (*.rm) demo format on the Official iLLUSION WORLD Homepage.   People from around the country began flooding in orders, asking if and when "Happy Birthday" would be available, with cash offers of $20 or more for the single.  One girl even offered to buy seven copies to give out to her family and friends.

ALBUM:
Other hits available on iLLUSION's "Happy Birthday" album include: "Every Night", "I'm Sorry", "Hmo No", "Tug Nkeeg", "Get a Life", "Lisa", "Back in Heaven", "Hlub", "That's How I Came (to be Loving You)", "Dance with Me", "If I Could Find", "Falling for You", and "Watch Out, Look Out, Turn Around".

With a total of 14 songs, the band reinforces the good old saying: "You get what you pay", and at only $12 per copy (a few dollars more than the usual $10), you definitely get your money's worth as compared to the usual meager six-to-ten track albums.

HISTORY:
iLLUSION has come a long way from the old world of '80s Hmong music---bringing in a blend of R&B, POP-ROCK, COUNTRY, and ALTERNATIVE into one element, which they identify as "Modern Hmong-American Music".  Unlike previous bands like Sounders, KLS, Voltage, Loners, Forsure and the likes, iLLUSION employs a technique that has helped boost their popularity in the Hmong community: uniqueness and pure innovative talent.  Until recently, iLLUSION was unheard of, just a small band out there in a sea of millions.  But that has all changed, and here's why:

SECRET ARSENAL:
Surprisingly, the most influentual member of iLLUSION, I believe, would have to be jEph (lead singer/guitar, songwriter).  Born humbly as Meng Yang on December 27, 1979, jEph lO chAnnE (he prefers spelling it that way, don't know what gives) has become an icon of Modern Hmong-American Music, as we'd know it.

A freshman member at 18 years of age with no prior band or performance experience, who but only recently joined during the summer of '98, his spontaneousity, vivid humor, and pure talent has launched himself a career as iLLUSION's very own lead singer/guitarist, lead songwriter, and Assistant Manager.  Already, he's performed live on more than three occassions in which he's won the crowds admiration.   His philosophy for success is pure and simple.   When asked about his outlook towards life, he responds:

"Do what you want... who cares what people say?  If you feel it's the right thing for you, then go ahead and do it (if it doesn't violate anyone else's freedoms or the law).  I mean, I don't go around feeling intimidated when people say, 'Ooooh, your song sucks!'  I write what I feel, sing what I feel, and I do what I feel.  All my songs are original, and often they are about myself, my feelings, my life, and the people and things around me.

Don't let people pressure you into doing something you're uncomfortable with, or something that you know isn't your "cup of tea".  Usually, if anyone has anything against my songs or think that my songs suck, well good for him, that's his opinion and everyone's perfectly entitled an opinion---so long as it doesn't screw with my freedom of speech, freedom of not listening to his ugly mouth, and freedom to kick the crap out of him (j/k).

Actually, I don't mind criticism.  In fact, I thank people for their constructive criticisms, but for those of you who have chronic-bitch-n-bitch-n-bitch syndrome, I'd sure love to see YOU compose a BETTER SONG!!!  An ORIGINAL, for that fact.  Jesus couldn't have said it any better, 'Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone...'"  (jEph, 1998)

...a biblical illusion in itself.  As a singer/songwriter, jEph prides himself for being able to compose and perform "original" songs, which he calls the mother of all music, alluding to the all-too-familiar Saddam Hussein's immortalized "mother of all battles".   jEph believes a true artist is one that composes his own materials, not stealing it or buying it off someone else's hard earned work.

Yet as big as he is small, he defies the spotlight and chooses to live only as an "ordinary" boy.   jEph humbles himself to a level that is fit for a hero.  His integrity shows that he's no "ordinary" boy.  He refuses to accept full credit for his accomplishments of iLLUSION's debut album, when in fact it was his will and efforts that put the album in motion.   For example, on the credits given on the album, he thanks everyone for their help and generosity, particularly his fellow band members, but never once mentions his part in the making of the album when in fact, it was his contributions (and his alone) that brought the album to publication.  He had flown down from Portland, Oregon (where he lives) to San Jose, California since mid October 1998, and spent three months doing 12-hour shifts recording, composing, editing, and organizing the publication of the album while no one would lift a hand to help, with the exception of David at the mixing controls and Elijah designing the album cover.  Not only did he do most the slave work for the album, he also contributed 12 out of the 14 songs on the album, of which 5 songs are his original compositions and 7 songs a cooperative composition by him and other members, by far the most songs any other member contributed.  Asked if he has become disillusioned by the carefree attitude of his fellow band members towards their debut album, he laughs:

"This album really didn't come out the way I wanted it to.  It pisses me off, to be honest.  In fact, an experienced ear would know that it was a last minute effort (we even asked on the CD insert, 'So how do you like our last minute album?!').  This is what you get when you combine talent with laziness.  In any case, the returns gets split by effort, so it doesn't really matter to me anyhow---I'll get most the returns, but that seriously is no compensation for lost sound quality on the album, and so I'm still pissed off somewhat.

Seems I'm the only one putting in work and they're just here for the ride.  Suffice to say, I'm packing my bags---just in case." (jEph, 1998)

Well jEph, you deserve some credit and a big pat on the back for your efforts.  You more than deserve the recognition for your contributions to the success of iLLUSION.

THANK YOU jEph, FOR YOUR WONDERFUL MUSIC!

Let's all hope iLLUSION settles out for the best, so that we all may enjoy their albums and performances for many years to come.  Their debut album is selling at $12 a copy, plus $3 shipping/handling per 5 orders (total of $15 for one copy ) available direct off their homepage or through me.

GOOD LUCK iLLUSION!!!

You have our support and appreciation.