The problem with local music

We were selling merch (basically CDs) last Sat for the B-Quartet show. It was nice to see the merch starting to move when the band finished their 2nd song.

The most interesting question we got was from a (tourist?) Mat Salleh was "Hey, where's the band from? They are damn excellent!"

"They are all local."

"Even the singer?"

"Yeah. They all are Singaporeans..."

"Wow! They are really good!"

"Yeah, I love 'em too... Wanna buy their CD?"

"Ermm... sure!"

Luckily, he bought. If not, I've roundhouse-kicked him in the face.
 
My bro MSR (Mourning Sound Records) bro releases and manages (I think) quite a few bands, Meza Virs, Bhelliom, Truth Be Known, etc.

You can check out his stable of artists here: www.mourningsound.com

Check out Rudra as well! \m/
 
i think using the word 'local' to describe 'local bands' can be complimentary. because you'd admire them more since they come from the same soil, with roughly the same environment and opportunities, but they are somehow more talented and achieving much more than you.

when comparing with bands overseas, i believe it is normal for the locals of a certain country to praise a homegrown band and be proud of the fact that they are a 'local band'. take for example, Silverchair (Australia) and Sigur Ros (Iceland).. people from their country give them a lot of respect and support not just because they are good, but because they are 'local'. there is a sense of attachment.

so in this case, i don't think using the word 'local' to describe our bands is an issue that can bog the scene down. instead, it gives us an opportunity to relate with them, to know of the difficulties they face when making music and struggling to be heard.. because being from the same country, we also face similar problems.. using the word 'local' can thus also inspire us because if they can perform well, make an album, enjoy doing what they do best, we can do it too.
 
bf0502tr said:
we have local metal bands? can name some? thx :)
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IRONFIST IRONFIST IRONFIST! Another good one is Absence of the sacred. They kinda sound like lamb of god.

blank said:
On a more positive note, I think Allura is a good band.
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I totally agree man. I'm not a fan of indie and alternative but they make pretty good songs and are really good live. I saw them at Singfest and there were only about 20 people watching. Cos of lovelovelovelovelovelovelovelove jason mraz
 
i have to say that in Singapore, internationally competent players/bands do exist, but why then is it that the local scene is not shining as it is suppose to be? to me it's because...

Firstly, Look at the big events i.e baybeats. These huge events are a great platform to showcase the bands to the mass audience. But then, look at the bands that are chosen to play. No doubt, some bands are decent but some are comepletely horrendous. So, how do these horrible bands get on the roster of a super huge music festival locally? no idea... is it contacts and connections? i dunno. My point is, the platforms do exist ie. lime sonic bang, baybeats... thing is, get the right bands out there: bands who are technically proficient, tight and truly love their craft, and not some band who looks cool, swear around or some crappy indie band who sounds like a handicapped version of muse, oasis or my chemical romance because it simply won't work, instead it'll be a mockery of music as a craft and the festival itself.

Secondly, support of fans/friends sometimes go to the wrong bands. I've been to gigs and see people (for certain bands i wont name, huge amount of fans) cheering and sometimes moshing to a band who are playing out of time, out of tune. It's sad how somehow, certain local crowds and bands throw musicianship out of music. This sort of support is negative because this band will be deluded and think that they are actually good, when in actual fact they're far from it. Hence, this band will nvr improve. So, this kind of band can be contented to be self-delusional and think you're some rockstar locally, just don't piss and moan and blame the world why u can't breakthrough internationally, because fact is, you're not good enuff.

Support the right bands, the platforms are already existing and this would most prob see a much improved local scene.
 
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There is no problem with local music.

There is only a problem in the perception of what local music is capable of, both by the public and by the musicians themselves.
 
roninriot said:
There is no problem with local music.

There is only a problem in the perception of what local music is capable of, both by the public and by the musicians themselves.
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In addition to what blank and MarkDrumsYou said, it is not surprising people have such bad impressions of local music, especially if they don't venture into it or explore the industry themselves.

What's been emphasized over and over again is that, for every ten local bands, only a couple are good enough and worthy of our support. And so, people end up with more disappointing occasions than appreciative ones when they listen to a band that doesn't meet the mark.

Also, not that it's a bad thing, but I think that there are too many local musicians that focus too much on their appearance or dressing or style, thinking that looks alone can appeal to people. That, with the stereotypical impression of local music, give people reasons to dismiss a band almost immediately.

I think besides gigs, something more accessible like internet radio that plays only local music would be a good platform as well. Or even mixtapes, because people tend to be more interested when there's a "theme" or "story" going on.
 
EugeneSmasher said:
I'd like to see the response, too. :cool:

I hold our indie rock scene in very high regard because they play great music and perform great shows. And they display more creativity and innovation than a good number of the world's most popular bands.

Other than indie rock, Ossuary has taught me that our metal scene isn't far behind, just not covered as much since metal, being extreme music, doesn't have as much widespread appeal as rock.
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Ossuary is good man,they had been around the scene for very long like say mid-1990s(correct me if I am wrong) and they were still active now.They sounded like a mix of Pantera,Anthrax and Slayer.Never seen them live before but heard of their tracks,awesome.Hope to go for one of their gig.I actually missed out on their gig at Deafcon 8 last year because I left early due to someting on.

For me,if i ever were to intro a song by a local band to some of my friends in my class,they would most probably says not nice.Haiz.Like for example I played Psychotherapy's Metal Madness to a friend of mine since he likes metal,so in return what I get from him was like,"Is the lead vocal singing opera,aiyo this band not nice,Avenged Sevenfold is better?"and another was I was playing This is Rock N Roll by BAD OBSESSION and in return,my friend said,"Wah local band can sing ah,not bad ah!",in a sarcastic manner.But one thing good I heard from them is that they said that local music,only Electrico is the band that could make it.Thats the ONLY good thing I heard from some of my friends in my class.

However,not everyone of my friends is like what I mentioned above,a few of my friends in my school loves local music too like my seniors from my course.They do follow me to gigs at times when they are free.
 
bf0502tr said:
we have local metal bands? can name some? thx :)
Click to expand...

Suicide Solution
Psychotherapy
Metal Gunz
Rudra
Bhelliom
Absence of The Sacred
Ossuary
Meza Virs
Oshiego
Sanity Obscure

These are the few metal bands that I can named,go myspace and search for them.Lazy to post the link here.
 
blank said:
On a more positive note, I think Allura is a good band.
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Allura is a good band,especially their style of music,Indie,Alternative,Rock infused with sounds of Jazz.Songs like Liberty with Wings sounded very jazzy towards the end of the song
 
i agree with TS

i don't give a damn whether music is local or 'foreign'. but it seems to me that local music got a bit more hype. people far too eager to support mediocre local bands.

there's another scenario which goes something like

ali: "this band sucks"
ming hua: "this is a local band"
rajoo: "no wonder"
pei hua: "eh don't anyhow say like that, local band very good ok, you all cannot appreciate. can sar pork or not?" (having not even listened to the song)

or maybe
ahmad: "what do you think of this song"
bala: "ok lah, not too bad"
ahmad: "this one local band"
bala: "WAH ACTUALLY DAMN GOOD SIAL"
 
do they still use that book nowadays?

i dunno what it was for man. not really teaching english. abit like moral education. but last time got moral education subject. no wonder standard of english so cockup

maths workbook also use those names
 
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