Thanks Thor !
1. Higher element of commercial songwriting
2. High profile marketing
3. Charisma, fan base, personality and luck
I concur with Thor 100%. The period we all call scene has matured and its about time we start using the term industry. While outreach activities and platforms continue to play its role, we can now spare some time thinking about making Singapore music a viable and exportable industry. Thanks to this thread.
Having spoken to some industry people at the Michael Bolten reception last night, I gathered that they do have hopes in our English music but are not convinced that our bands possess the attributes that attracts real investments. Songwriting is the key element. Local Chinese language songwriters and composers mastered the art of understanding human needs and deliver the products that meets the needs. And one of those things is to leverage on Singapore's very own unique multi-racila, multi cultural heritage as can be heard in SS's songs. Within the global Chinese listening market, our standard fared highly.
What about the English songs. Our shortcoming is ours is a very young English speaking society comparing to the US and Europe.They certainly have a longer history. We are also not a homogeneous English speaking society and our expression of feelings lacks ease. Our listeners are also too familiar with the western artistes that even when our local "songwriters" that may not really be song writers pen thier songs, they mimick the westerners. What do you get? You only get to sound like XXX at most.
I guess our bands can and will still pursue purity in being true to the western genre they listened to, but when it comes to making a living, locally and exporting, a lot more thought, convictions and committments are needed. that is what probably Tomhess meant by providing the things that we have and the west have not.
We have great advantage, according to Tomhess again, and I do agree. Andrew Lum who did the fusion of different Asian instruments and had them mixed down in New York found its way into the hearts of western listeners, as well as local funding. His music was listened to by media moguls from all over the world at both Media Asia and Ad Asia just. Rudra's music found followers in the US even though you may not call them a commercial success in Singapore.
High profile marketing is a mere process when you have a marketable product. We do have personality attractions. Levan and David Tan are wonderful examples of personalities that attracts though their styles are miles apart. Sometime I wonder what would Ronin or Electrico be without them. On the contrary, Levan and David wil still be themselves for all you care about changing back up musicians...no offence nor prejudices. Just hypothetical thinking. But this may be the much needed answer in the form of a radical transfromation from a scene to an industry. As a member of the industry, as an investor, I would go for a sure win with lesser elements of risks and promoting the frontman that will ultimately create fortune for the backups may be my best bet.
I hope I have posted some thought provking ideas that will lead to more serious discussions. Sorry have to go for meeting.
