If you can sing or play an instrument, get out of the house and perform at open mics, says Alexander Bell
Singapore is awash with musical talent. Wherever you go, from town to the Quays, you can listen to live performers. Simple, acoustic guitar rhythms dominate the landscape, coupled with rock bands blasting Hoobastank, Guns N’ Roses and Simple Minds. Throw in innumerable dimly lit karaoke venues, and you have a community that simply loves to flex its vocal chords.
But another outlet is slowly gaining popularity – the open mic. This is where anyone can simply turn up, get on stage and perform. You just approach the bar, jot your name down and wait for your moment under the spotlight. Okay, so you’re not getting paid and groupies are harder to come by, but at least you can exercise your talent. And usually there are other resident musicians on hand to offer support, whether it’s pianists, guitarists, or even a full house band, so you’re not up there on your own – unless you want to be, of course.
A driving force behind the local scene is Jonathan How, founder and general manager of the
Singapore Art Café. Aside from hosting the GOT! (Gathering of Talents) Music Showcase on Wednesdays, How – along with singer/ guitarist Syltra Lee – runs the Friday Night Jam, which has been going for a year now. How tickles the ivories and provides backing for a variety of acts: ‘We once had a ten-year-old sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, and a regular jammer is Henry Foo, an elderly man with a penchant for The Beatles,’ says How. Classical and musical performances are common, with professional musicians dropping in to work on their latest projects. But, of course, the standard does vary. While not as terrible as the hilarious Singapore Idol auditions, duff notes do fill the air on occasion. However, the main theme of the Friday Night Jam is a love of music and a strong support network for those brave enough to express themselves. Bad or brilliant, a round of applause is guaranteed.
While the Art Café has the odd pre-pubescent kid on the bill and provides only acoustic fare,
Crazy Elephant offers a bit more of an edge and a lot more noise. Since 1994, the Blues/Rock Jam has been running every Sunday night at 10pm. The resident band, Blues Machine, gets the beat going, and musicians – ranging from vocalists and drummers to bass players, guitarists and saxophonists – are invited up to play. Manager Anita Lydia feels Crazy Elephant provides a unique opportunity for budding performers. ‘We get people from all walks of life [locals, expats, tourists], some of whom have their own bands, but for individuals, we also have the basic equipment set up. However, if you play the harmonica or sax, we’d definitely recommend bringing your own [for hygiene purposes],’ she says.
A much newer kid on the block is Wednesday nights (9pm) at
H.I.G.H. Club. Opened in August, it’s a true test of your talent, as no backing is provided. Generally, soloists or small bands try out their material. The vibe at the venue is pretty laid-back, with some electronic gaming on hand if you get nervous and need to relax.
If your preferred genre is jazz, then step into
Harry’s @ Boat Quay on a Sunday evening. Running for 13 years, the Jazz Jam sessions can go on until 1am. House band ChromaZone supply professional backing to anyone who wants to give jazz a go, whether as a vocalist or instrumentalist. Band-leader and organiser Rick Smith says the door is wide open to all. ‘We encourage anyone to try – students and pros, tourists and locals, wannabes and has-beens, young and old,’ he says. ‘And although the format is mostly jazz, we’ll try anything once.’ But keep in mind that the standard is pretty high, which attracts musicians with ability. However, novices also relish the opportunity to play with pros. ‘Sometimes you throw a few people together who have never played before and the magic just happens,’ says Smith. ‘It’s a mixture of the sublime to the ridiculous, but the energy is always positive. We’ve also had some quite famous folks. Wynton Marsalis, Terumasa Hino and Wess Anderson are just a few who have jammed with us.’
Not only are open mics great fun – once you get over the butterflies, of course – but they’re also good for business. Singapore venues are well aware of the financial benefits of the open-mic concept. Those brave enough to give it a go often bring along friends for support, which contributes not only to the bar takings, but also extra exposure to clientele that perhaps wouldn’t visit otherwise. And the singers/musicians themselves like and actually need a few drinks beforehand – some a lot more than others. Just remember, all musicians have to start somewhere. So even if you don’t have an inner Robbie Williams trying to escape, get out there and support the open mics – you could be listening to the next big thing.
by Alex Bell
http://www.timeout.com/sg/en/music/feature/sole-ambitions
