Singapore creates little/none original music. Discuss...

[MMC Music]

Hello,

I'm not sure why this is the case but listening to live, original and good music in Singapore can be a mystical experience, mainly because it generally doesn't happen.

It's just strange. Every bar/cafe/restuarant that allows live music pretty much entertains a covers outfit - along the lines of a Jack & Rai. I can't think of many other cities in the world that has this and of course it makes life very difficult for the true artist's of Singapore that want a platform to perform and get some exposure etc.

Read this article and it spurred me on to post here....http : / / music - school - singapore .blogspot . com

At least they are offering some kind of platform to original artists!

What's the average opinion on this 'issue' in Singapore?

 

[theblueark]

There's plenty of gigs with live, original and (hopefully) good music. They just don't happen as much at bars/cafes/restaurants.

Commercial establishments need to make money for profit, pay their employees and cover the rent. So they need to pull in regular customers. 90% of the population likes to listen to music they can sing along to.

1+1=good live bands playing covers at such places.

Check out places like Esplanade free shows especially at the outdoor stage, and there are lots of adverts all the time on soft or elsewhere on local gigs.

 

[carboxymoron]

At least they are offering some kind of platform to original artists!

Did you just refer to yourself as "they"? The so-called article you linked to is just one giant advert where every link points to your school/company.

Anyway, to add to what blueark said, bars are where people want to sing drunkenly along to familiar songs with their friends. Play an original and people are gonna turn back to their drinks/chitchat for the next 5 minutes.

So you're looking in all the wrong places. Having attended at least 8 ticketed shows with local, original music (mostly album launches) and uncountable free ones in 2010 alone, I fail to understand the "issue".

 

[lordie]

catch no ball....where what no original? hur hur ur?

 

[Godspeed64]

Seems like a blatant advertisement to me!

 

[blank]

wow hey if you want to advertise with the "random-guy-whos-just-saying-this-company-is-great" tactic at least don't have your username named after your company.

 

[loldude333]

Firstly, its 'no original music', not 'none'. Secondly, i see where you are coming from, but i have to disagree. I was in New York city a few months back and had the opportunity to step into a coupla bars. What did i hear? 95% of the time, it was Justin Bieber, Madonna, Yellowcard, The Beatles, etc. Like the rest said, there isn't a dearth of local, original music, i think its just that Singapore being such small country, the number of original composers/songwriters here pale in comparison to overseas. Also, our culture here isn't exactly one that really encourages us to churn out piece after piece. Most people focus on studies or work. How are we to churn out high-quality music? I don't know.

 

[blueprintstudios]

MMC Music :
1) welcome to soft.com.sg

2) your so called 0 platform and cover bands "issue" is your own problem because you're actually spending money to sit in bars/cafes/restaurants and expecting the band to play ORIGINAL music? you may be a great music teacher but damn right substandard marketing tactics and strategy and have no idea that pubs engage "SPECIFICALLY COVER BANDS" to play the songs the patrons KNOW. and also that lame strategy that others have highlighted on trying to stir shit like stomp.com.sg and getting ppl to visit your site. Please stop being cheap and pay for ads on SOFT.com.sg the real corporate way. contact "soft" for quotations.

3)you missed out http://tinyurl.com/SBC20101023 and you can continue being enlightened at www.gigvideos.com , oh yes there are a few "issued" bands covering songs or young kids who just formed the band covering their idols. I'm pretty sure you're born genius without any influences of your own, you can correct me if I'm wrong.

-From mr.less-than-perfect-more-than-average opinion giver.

 

[lordie]

hahah this thread crack me up.. haaha

 

[theblueark]

"Singapore creates little/none original music. Discuss..."

Great discussion guys! I love all the discussion and back and forth input, especially from the thread starter.

Soft needs a zapping system lol, his rep power should starting going negative.

 

[lordie]

zap system is awesome lah..

 

[SicBarney]

MMC Dude,

May I take this opportunity to just say, you have just failed big time.

You should be a regular fail topic on failblog.org.

Yours Truly

A regular Meme.

 

[fgl]

ORG MUSIC - ALOT ...

but SG ppl in general dont support SG acts ... in general ....

my 2 cents

 

[expatguitarist]

Create the culture

Hi Guys,

I don't think covers has to be played for people to listen. If there is a culture of original music than people will listen. Presently there is not much of a culture for original music in Asia (comparatively speaking) but that does not mean this is the way it has to be. When I lived in DC there was a good original music culture. People would go out seeking something different musically. There were original music bars where bands would showcase new music. There it was easily to connect with the beat, melody, emotive expression of the musicians without knowing the song because people were used to listening to music with curiosity. Perhaps we need an artist bar in Singapore. The Esplanade is great but having a place where more people can showcase songs, poems, etc... would be ideal. *I've actually thought about opening an artist bar but my present job prohibits this. Just some thoughts.

 

[mockingbird]

What a lame-ass attempt at advertising!

Go get some marketing lessons!

 

[carboxymoron]

@expatguitarist Not quite an artist bar, but check out TAB. Relative newcomer, really nice restaurant/bar that's already brought in some great international acts and also supports local artists on a daily basis.

 

[expatguitarist]

thanks for the tip!

 

[fgl]

expatguitarist - were there any pay to play gigs in DC? I think (but not 100% sure) that the culture of bands having to PAY organizers to performer attheir gigs started in the states ... comments & thoughts?

 

[expatguitarist]

no pay and play

There were not any pay and play. In fact, if an organizer got involved that usually meant the band would get paid much better. I was in an original music band in DC. If we play small places as a headliner we would usually get a percentage of the bar and/or free drinks or a set amount of cash. If we opened, we would get free drinks and maybe just a little cash. Some of the more artist oriented bars (places where musicians would play to try out different or new music) would not pay and just give a few beers to the band. Generally, bars paid cover bands better unless the original music band had a following. Often, if the band had a following, the band would be booked on a weekend and a small cover charge would be applied at the door. In my opinion, it is ass backwards having to pay organizers to play. It should be the other way around.

 

[fgl]

EXPAT GUITARIST - thanks for the info ... wud u EVER pay to play or heaven forbid - pay to auditon?