Agree with this. Just want to add on to the last one, comparison is necessary why should local bands be judged on a local standard, doesn't make sense.
Why do they feel this way?
- Thread starter RRRyan
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Agree with this. Just want to add on to the last one, comparison is necessary why should local bands be judged on a local standard, doesn't make sense.
hecklerkoch
New member
Yes, I agree that Dhalif, though I don't know him personally, appear to be a humble man with not so humble talents.
And yes, though it is a touchy topic - the standard of spoken English here is abysmal.
I say it is a touchy topic because most Singaporeans think we need to be proud of Singlish, which I think is something that should not at all be used when interacting with foreigners, to prevent miscommunication.
If you want to argue about other countries' seemingly imperfect English, I say they are merely spoken with funny accents but mostly, they are used with good, if not perfect grammar.
Singlish is just a lazy invention to accommodate lazy people who place emphasis more on getting the point across as fast as possible without caring for the presentation and the rules. It is fine when used among local Singaporeans, but when the use is extended to foreigners, the result is almost laughable.
The simple problem is, the music scene in europe and america has such a long history already. And singapore being such a small country, has limited areas for the music scene to expand on, its not entirely impossible, but the only way to be big, is to actually bring our music into other nearby countries such as malaysia, the phillipines first. You cant really expect to conquer the western countries as there are far too many bands there that have already been signed to recording companies, and they just seem to have better ways of marketing their talents. From what i see, singapore music really needs a breath of fresh air, something new and innovative. I listen to bands like Oasis from the UK, and compare to them lets say a band like electrico from singapore. They are both very talented bands, but what makes Oasis so different from Electrico? I think the answer is quite obvious, its their style of life there that plays a big influence on them.
superpotato_30
New member
Awesome point.!
Thank you very much my man. Its really easy to see where the problem lies. The younger generation of singaporeans is being exposed to music talents from western countries. There wasnt such kind of technology last time such as the internet. Now with a simple click on youtube, you can search for thousands of bands from other countries. To be really honest, i think singapore has some really great talents that ought to be brought up. For one, i am a fan of the myspace local band, Slathe. And if you guys havent checked them out, you have to, cause they are great music. I know the next comment im going to make might be a little offensive to some music fans here in singapore, but its the 100% truth and you cant deny it. In singapore, its pretty obvious to see that the Indies scene is probably the big daddy of what most of the local bands are doing. I have nothing against Indie, but sometimes it gets a little boring. Its the truth. I mean i could do a survey along orchard road, and i can tell you that 9 out of 10 youngsters would prefer listening to music such as avenged sevenfold, than music by our local bands. Its a fact you cant deny no matter how much you try. So we really need a band that is daring enough to step up and try out something new. People say singaporeans are good at copying other countries, well lets show them that in the music scene, we too can be original and creative. I myself, as a guitarist have been constantly trying to write songs that are inspiring enough, such that when a random person listens to the song, he will go, "Oh wow, i didnt think local music could be this good". Its not difficult, its whether or not we want to do it. Music has to come from the passion, and without passion, you can never write good music no matter how much you practice.
~INDIES~
agreed. i feel that those originally .indie/underground musicians .who worked their way up from stratch.are the only ones who makes music(and respect)in the most 'honest' and 'real' way. not through some gimmicky commercialised telly competitons,etc. sure ,through that route,one gets quick fame and perhaps a more 'successful' music career. it's a more realisitic approach. but they can never be called 'true' musicians.
i believe that those who are really true to their music and passionate about it, will take the unconventional route of starting everything from the beginning themselves.without betraying the ethics of music itself.
agreed. i feel that those originally .indie/underground musicians .who worked their way up from stratch.are the only ones who makes music(and respect)in the most 'honest' and 'real' way. not through some gimmicky commercialised telly competitons,etc. sure ,through that route,one gets quick fame and perhaps a more 'successful' music career. it's a more realisitic approach. but they can never be called 'true' musicians.
i believe that those who are really true to their music and passionate about it, will take the unconventional route of starting everything from the beginning themselves.without betraying the ethics of music itself.
BrainFailure
New member
when i firstly came here i tried to check out the local bands so i caught lots of local shows,but most of them disappointed me,and bands in singapore lack of creativity and originality.
maybe because of the culture and the lifestyle here.
maybe because of the culture and the lifestyle here.
It will be hard, but like the saying goes, hard work will pay off, and even a genius can be beaten by a normal person with hard work. Its all in the mind and passion. Besides, if you want to succeed in music, then you should never, and i mean never ever think about fame, as that will only blind your path to success.
yup. i feel that it really depends how much pride ,one has in their music ethics. whether they wanna be a nicely packaged 'product' from some fancy record label. score in idol dramas to milk more cash, etc.simply, lost in their world of 'fame' and 'kiddo fan-dom'
or produce 'real' music. and get famous and really respected through the indies route. the hard way.
it really depends on the individual.
for me,i'm a performer for the underground local jap scene. i'm not 'famous' or whatever(and i don't wanna be as well). it's of my upmost interest to share the music of my prefered genre around. however limited that may be. i don't need to join crappy telly competitons to prove my worth or to 'gain exposure'. i'm glad to say i DO NOT GO AGAINST MY ETHICS TOWARDS MUSIC. (honestly, i have a distaste for those who does, but whatever. there need to have some 'scapegoats' to balance it out. there's a market for them as well.)
cheers~
or produce 'real' music. and get famous and really respected through the indies route. the hard way.
it really depends on the individual.
for me,i'm a performer for the underground local jap scene. i'm not 'famous' or whatever(and i don't wanna be as well). it's of my upmost interest to share the music of my prefered genre around. however limited that may be. i don't need to join crappy telly competitons to prove my worth or to 'gain exposure'. i'm glad to say i DO NOT GO AGAINST MY ETHICS TOWARDS MUSIC. (honestly, i have a distaste for those who does, but whatever. there need to have some 'scapegoats' to balance it out. there's a market for them as well.)
cheers~
Well honestly speaking, there are some bands out there that are really rubbish. No offence, but from what i can see, there are more talented bands out there that should be signed to recording companies. Take for example (And i mean no offence to anyone), the Jonas Brothers, they may write good music and stuff, but dont you think they are like so overrated? I mean just cause the 3 of them look good, and they have a large girl fan-base, doesnt mean that they should be over marketed. Did you know that a movie about the Jonas brothers will be coming out? I was seriously...shocked lol. I have seen myspace bands that are as good as maybe say bands like Metallica, but why are they unsigned? One simple reason, its because the society is made this way, looks are important. Just look at tokio hotel for example. They write good music and stuff, but they are really way to overrated.
well~ i believe that most ppl know that themselves. in their bottom of their hearts.whether they wanna be vocal about it or not. this's just one of the many ranting channels i guess.
in any case, i still appreciate good music in all forms.whether those musicians go through conventional routes or not. but i could never view those non-indie musicians. as 'honest' 'real' & 'truely respected' . towards themselves, their music ethics and their listeners.
cheers
in any case, i still appreciate good music in all forms.whether those musicians go through conventional routes or not. but i could never view those non-indie musicians. as 'honest' 'real' & 'truely respected' . towards themselves, their music ethics and their listeners.
cheers
VengeanceSpirit
New member
I just feel tat we Singaporeans are very "kiasu", scared to lose but also "kiasi", scared to die. Thats why in most cases, we never ever try to improve in certain areas. Like recent cases, there are rumours that Singapore funded the Table Tennis team the most and other sports like Bowling needs alot of "reasons" compared to the Table tennis, just to get more funding to get equipments and prepare for upcoming competitions. (I read this from Newpaper)
And also Soccer team in Singapore. Never get funded much as well. Zzz. Applying this to the music scene, we never seem to wan to embark and try to excel in areas that we couldnt do so. We only embark on tings like education that we do proudly in. ( Like show off those good good ones only)
Thats why right now everyone all chiong degree degree, then end up those who are not good in education have to try their luck in other areas that Singapore never do well in, like playing for S-league team ( to most, people tink its no future) or etc.
i hope u guys dun flame me for my personal comments. Thats what i feel as a Singaporean and someone who couldnt do anyting abt it.
And also Soccer team in Singapore. Never get funded much as well. Zzz. Applying this to the music scene, we never seem to wan to embark and try to excel in areas that we couldnt do so. We only embark on tings like education that we do proudly in. ( Like show off those good good ones only)
Thats why right now everyone all chiong degree degree, then end up those who are not good in education have to try their luck in other areas that Singapore never do well in, like playing for S-league team ( to most, people tink its no future) or etc.
i hope u guys dun flame me for my personal comments. Thats what i feel as a Singaporean and someone who couldnt do anyting abt it.
i think the point about our lifestyle and culture is a very poignant one. and the one about funding also.
our government want to try and create the facade of a being all rounded, fund this sport, fund that arts place. but always not giving enough to allow it to expand and grow. i mean if you wanna do something then do something den do your best la. but we cannot rely all on the government also. local gigs are so hard to come by. ones that pay even more rarely. i think the shyamraj thread is very relevant.
also, how many of us would actually give up our education or a well paying, stable job to play music for a living like they do overseas? how many of us would actually become a full time musician? i think also has to do with how little support the local scene has. i mean there are bands overseas who are not well known outside their countries but are still able to earn enough to support themselves.
blame the small scene here.. so damn saturated already.. and trashy american pop.
our government want to try and create the facade of a being all rounded, fund this sport, fund that arts place. but always not giving enough to allow it to expand and grow. i mean if you wanna do something then do something den do your best la. but we cannot rely all on the government also. local gigs are so hard to come by. ones that pay even more rarely. i think the shyamraj thread is very relevant.
also, how many of us would actually give up our education or a well paying, stable job to play music for a living like they do overseas? how many of us would actually become a full time musician? i think also has to do with how little support the local scene has. i mean there are bands overseas who are not well known outside their countries but are still able to earn enough to support themselves.
blame the small scene here.. so damn saturated already.. and trashy american pop.
Today while waiting at the hospital, I watched Will Smith's Chris Gartner on HBO. The nurse must be wondering what happened to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQlzz6jGCfI
What is your dream?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQlzz6jGCfI
What is your dream?
john_dzite
New member
Comparing local music to overseas music? Hmmmm... it got me quite curious and made me want to do something real bad.
Some easy survery. Choose randomly 10 songs mixed with local and oversea bands/artists. Approach different people in town let them listen and let them guess which song is local or oversea. I wonder what's the final outcome will be...
I think if they nailed most of the questions then that means local music is not that up to standard. If they got most of the questions quite messed up then we are still quite there.
Some easy survery. Choose randomly 10 songs mixed with local and oversea bands/artists. Approach different people in town let them listen and let them guess which song is local or oversea. I wonder what's the final outcome will be...
I think if they nailed most of the questions then that means local music is not that up to standard. If they got most of the questions quite messed up then we are still quite there.
I agree on the point with singaporeans being very kiasu and kiasi. Totally. I just feel that if you want to do something, you really got to fully put your heart and soul into it, and not feel worried or scared. The problem with most singaporeans is that, we are afraid of set-backs, the minute something happens, the whole island of a population of 4 million will know. Thats how small of a country we are. But good music doesnt only apply to the countries such as the UK and the USA. Music is a international language. What we need are people, whom are willing to actually be passionate about music, and dedicate their time and effort, even if the road ahead will be a long and rough one. I guess only very few singaporeans can actually do that. I mean the point is, most of us would rather get a stable job right? If local music is actually going to start being a big hit, somebody or someone has to actually step up and take the lead, but the big question is...WHO?
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