Interview with Power98's Super Mario

[Audrey Fenghuang]

Mario Lajarca Jr, better known as Super Mario is a prominent deejay and talented singer/songwriter. He supports local music and has broken-in tracks for Electrico, Ronin, Rafe, EIC, The Great Spy Experiment, Shirlyn Tan and B-Quartet among others.

With over 15 years of experience in broadcast work with radio stations across Asia, the host of Power98’s Your Daily Dose and Rock Revolution speaks to SOFT.COM.SG about music.



Audrey : Hi Mario! Tell us about your career and what you currently do at Power98 fm.

For the last 6 years, I have been doing creative stuff like imaging and branding. I am now Assistant Manager at Power98, and it is a multi-tasking job. I oversee the programming and train newer deejays. I collaborate with deejays in positioning themselves and give them guidance. I am also in charge of syndicated programmes like Ryan Seacrest’s American Top 40 and Powermixx. In addition, I direct, search for and spot different sound effects and music, and perform voice works where needed.

I am glad to say that my course of work has exposed me to different genres like pop, rock and classical and I appreciate them all! Working in Singapore has also given me a deep understanding of local music. Ever since 1997, when I joined 91.3 fm, I was exposed to a lot of local music and therefore recognized Singapore’s talent pool.

I was with 91.3fm till from 97 to 2002. I previously worked in Sri Lanka, then in 2002, I went to Dubai to work for Channel4FM. I have also lived in Manila, where I was doing jingles and performing as a musician. In Manila, if you establish yourself as a musician, there are many avenues to perform, and I spent a year being a full time musician.


Audrey: That’s an impressive background. Any memorable experiences you would like to share?

Well I have performed in Singapore too. While being a dj with 91.3fm I got to perform for some of their events, like the Millennium Countdown at Downtown East to an audience of over fifty thousand people. I sang pop rock covers, including a Backstreet Boys song! I was backed by a full band, dancers and even a choir, which I had never experienced before! It was a blast and a little cheesy too!


Audrey: Well Mario, do you still perform?

I still perform today as an independent singer/songwriter and as part of Power98.
I performed at Timbre, doing covers and originals last August. It was organized as a treat for listeners and I thank the people of Timbre and Power98 for being purveyors of local music.


Audrey: Power98 hosts the very popular band competition Powerjam. Tell us about the competition and its objectives.

All got stirred when we started Rock Revolution. Local music was playing on the radio, but there was no concrete plan for its development.

Powerjam was created 5 years ago to give local musicians a platform to showcase their music alongside international artists on the radio. It is a means to blend with international bands. For example, when a local song is played back to back with international pop hits, its cool y’know?

There has been progress in support so far. But in Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia, local bands have huge support from the public, and their music tops the charts, in terms of cd sales or downloads. I still dream of this happening more often in Singapore.

The time when Electrico was on a roll, I was thinking to myself ‘I really hope they don’t stop’. The fire has to continue so that people will hear it. I want to see more Electricos and Great Spy Experiments! A lot of bands are timid- don’t be a closet band! The industry is tough and listeners are unforgiving.


Audrey: So, what next for local music?

Well I am a little disappointed that when it comes to local music, many people think it is just rock. There is more to it than that and I hope that more genres are accepted. If you have decent music and good lyrics, we welcome you! I would love to see different genres, whether Electro or Drum and Bass and what not. However, on Power98, there is a limitation- the music needs lyrics.

Some listeners ask: Why not dedicate one full hour of local music? Well, I hope to have a program like that if the public really wanted it- I haven’t seen it yet. But it would be really nice to have that.

We have renowned film producers in Singapore- what about our music producers? They deserve credit. And they could train new musicians in trade secrets and such.
I heard Stefanie Sun is doing it. I hope she will do more, and that others will follow. We need more support to build a platform for newbies so that they can be discovered and be heard.

One day there will be a good compilation with a variety of great different bands.
I hope the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) would come up with a collection of local radio friendly, ‘hit’ songs.

We need support. Nickelback had support from the Canadian government. Australian law ensures sufficient local airplay. I hope our government pumps in more support for music. I feel there is great potential for our music to flourish in South East Asia and even in the west.


Audrey: Why radio friendly, ‘hit’ songs for this compilation?

The purists might be offended, but in reality this is how it goes. Even international bands have to cater to the masses in order to be understood and appreciated. Stone Temple Pilots really broke out with ‘Plush’ which was a mainstream hit. Coldplay, the Bravery and the Killers all have hit songs too. It got more people to check their other music out and appreciate all of it.

In the UK, dance music and adult contemporary music get more airplay, where originally electronica tracks are stripped down. And I respect them because that is the way they are understood by more people.


Audrey: Well said, Mario. To close, have you any tips for aspiring bands?

The trend right now is to go back to the basics. The piano, guitar and other acoustic instruments are the way to go. It helps to have gadgets- technology is a real boon. But in reality when you have a guitar alone you can write a simple song and still make it listenable and even great cause there is no need to be loud. That’s what makes musicians stand out.

Singaporean teenagers are relatively pampered and get expensive gears. My first guitar cost 20 bucks. Being able to create music on basic gear makes you appreciate the art of music making, and I truly hope that Singaporeans will appreciate that.

Music is not just about sound and effects. It should be an expression of your heart and vision,.It is an art. It is life. And it does not take a wise guy to understand music. When a song is done just for the sake of doing, listeners can tell.

I wish that songwriters would read poetry and brush-up on world or local literature. You may not realise it but you use history and whatever you have learnt over the course of your life in your writing It will empower your compositions and music. I think it would be great to study music. Robert Plant and Sheryl Crow are just two of many songwriters who studied music and they’re simply amazing!






Mario's Rock Revolution show is Singapore's top rock show on radio and airs every Sunday, 5 to 8 pm. Your Daily Dose airs weekdays, 2 to 5 pm.

Mario is currently working on a ‘one take’ album to be released later this year. Check Mario’s music out at MySpace.com - MARIO - - Acústica / Pop / Rock - www.myspace.com/marioocampolajarcajr

[kerplunk182]

Damn, i don't listen to radio:\

[soft]

Hi Audrey

Nice interview!

It is great to pick the mind of such influential music industry 'big boss'. Hee.. hee.. Mario has certainly created alot of opportunities for local musicians to shine.

[soulalt]

Good interview and I agree with many of Mario's sentiments.

Great job!

More...

[fgl]

yea - real nice chill dude..

KUDOS TO SUPER MARIO.... brothers...

[quiverpool]

Is SuperMario Filipino?

[zildjohn]

Is SuperMario Filipino?

Yes he's a Filipino, he was our guest last Rock n' Shoot event at the Arena...

I'm glad that he's been successful here in Singapore and also help promote local talents.

He's a cool guy to be with!

Nice interview =)

[aireydon]

hi i wonder wat i s mario's take on alternative music like metal and rock and gothic stuff.. theres a real lack of support for local music into this genre ....sometimes when people talk about "suppoting local music" is reali just aobut supporing radio frendly stuff.....

[dir]

well you can't exactly expect a mainstream dj to spin some death metal, can you? there are other avenues to promote that.
it's 'support the local scene anyway you can', I guess.

[Audrey Fenghuang]

well i wont speak for Mario but I can tell you this. as dir implies, there are several avenues to promote music. Radio is for the masses, but you will notice that Mario mentioned that alternative (and i use this term loosely) bands eg Stone Temple Pilots used this avenue to their benefit.

But honestly tho aireydon I wouldnt say there is a lack of support for alternative styles. It just so happens that we are a relatively small population, so compared to malaysia for example, its a little more difficult to sustain a less popular genre.

And I wouldnt say that supporting local music equates to supporting radio friendly stuff, if nothing else Id say that thats where it should start. And even with that said, we still have Aging Youth, Kitty Wu and countless other labels and promoters of the alternative.