What can we do to give Singapore bands more of an advantage in the worldwide music scene?

Question

Answers staff note: This is the real Electrico, Singapore's very own indie-rock band! To take part in the Y!ureka contest for a chance to win Dopod phones, register at http://yahoo.com.sg/answers

Answer 1

To make that a dream come true, we need the support of the whole nation!
We need the government to make us a music hub besides a financial hub, a bioscience hub, etc.
We need the population to support the local music scene.
We need the law to root our piracy problem.
We need to go beyond Taiwan to the west.
We need to host more international music events like MTV awards.
We need more opportunities for our local artist to enter the music scene.
We need a music school like the sports school that we have.
We need to let the world know about Singapore and its music scene.
And we need to do these together as a nation!!
So say we all......

Answer 2

I was once a band boy in the early 80...I knew how people like us feel for not given much chance in the Singapore Enterainment industry in those day.
I would think
1. Marketing our Local Band as a Product in the worldwide scene would be a good start Many Made in Singapore product are well market in the world...such Creative, why not a Local Band.

2. A Local Band performed in our National Day Parade (so far no local band have this chance). - As many of our Singaporean stationed outside S'pore and I believe our fellow Singaporean will share such wonderful performance with the local & get them regonised.

3. Singapore bands must created our own Culture & Style that are different from other band . I would like to see a band form that consist of all races of Singaporean.

Answer 3

Singapore has a lot of bands. Some a great but mostly are not. I'm not going to be a suck up just to win a Dopod and I'm going to say I've never heard your material. Reason being, I don't go to pubs, I listen to the radio instead and you can hardly hear local music on the local radio. A little bit ironic.

I think there are no magic formula in ensuring worldwide success. However, a good exposure like winning competition or your music playing on the radio locally first then worldwide or being the opening act for already famous bands, would really help. Being weird and unique works for Najib Ali. I guess Originality is a huge passport too.

Answer 4

In order to give Singapore bands any advantage in the music scene, I believe that the bands themselves have to create their own music identity. There is no need in making it a public relations event.

Sampling music that has already been done is a good way to start off but there must always be that X-factor that will make them stand out, be it their vocals, the way the band harmonizes, or fusing different musical instruments in their line-up.

Another good way that has already been done is to put up live gigs where bands can showcase their skills and talents. Supporting and encouraging different genres of music would push these aspiring musicians to be more adventurous and try.

Over the years, the Substation has been, and still is, home to these musicians. The government should have more places where these talents can mingle and exchange pointers, and not just consolidate them in a building along a street that has hardly any traffic, both human and vehicular.

Reality shows like the quest for the Superband on Channel U do wonders for the local music scene as these musicians have something to look upward to. Lush 99.5FM also has dedicated airtime for our local talents, which exposes them to a wider network of listeners, who tune in via the internet.

All these being said, it is usually the passion that one has for music that makes them musicians in the first place. There is that much that the government or organisers can do, the rest depends on how the musicians want us to hear them.

Answer 5

As Singapore have a small music industry , what I can do as a music lover is to support the albums that Singapore bands have been producing in Singapore market.Buy their original albums.Other than that, if ever by any chance Singapore bands make their appearances in concert I would be there at the concert to support their performance. Maybe since everyone in Singapore isgobally using the internet I could set up my own Singapore band website and at the same time related with the Singapore bands with their fans around the world.

Answer 6

The music industry in Singapore is not as good as other countries. Unlike other countries where every bands are appreciated and given the chance to go up, Singapore is different. Even Taufik, the first Singapore idol, only have one album. The Talentime solo winner, we didn't any album from him though he won the solo category. He only appears in TV series. What is this? Will all the musicians in Singapore become actors/actresses? Singapore should look out for more potential bands by going for some underground gigs, performances, etc. I mean, i believe there are MANY bands in Singapore. There are yet to be discovered by the Singapore industry because the industry is very inactive. However, some bands chose not to go up since they're more comfortable being unknown then be known. To go to international music scene, the only band i know would be The Suns. And i believe they got the band up in Australia. So, this shows that Singapore bands do have the potential it's just that Singapore don't really given the opportunity to shine.
Singapore should have more open concerts and gigs for any bands who are interested to play. It can just be a street entertainment. Moreover, to pay to play to the performance should never be the option. Music are meant for everyone to enjoy. We play for the people. I believe that's more than enough for us to give to them. I can see there are many performances where a band has to and at times even pay to perform. Seriously, organisors should be more generous rather than money minded for bands if they want the industry to go up. Money should never be option. It's the satisfaction of the whole event that will make it worthwhile. Better still, someone out there, watching the performance might be people from the music industry, both in Singapore and overseas. Hope that the industry will open up more and BELIEVE in their musicians.

Answer 7

Having used to run a regional website dedicated to local bands and the local music scene as well as organising local concerts with bands such as Plain Sunset, Concave Scream and hip-hop rappers like Chou Pi Jiang, I have no doubt that our local artists are on par with some of the region and indeed the world’s best. The diversity of our talent and originality of our music makes me feel that the only reason our local artists are not more popular world-wide is a lack of exposure.

But rather than simply just providing more exposure, I believe real advantage can be gained through education. We need to educate the community to dispel the myth that local music is sub-standard and show that our homegrown talent is on par with those of international artists. Once our community gives Singapore bands that opportunity they will embrace and support local music and local artists allowing the immense wealth of talent in Singapore to be cultivated and brought further to the worldwide stage.

Only when we, as a people can truly embrace and respect local artists and their work will it then transpire to a true advantage for Singapore bands to gain greater recognition and awareness in the worldwide music arena.

Answer 8

Hey Electrico, great to see you here.

Personally I think it is already a very encouraging thing to see more and more Indie bands mushrooming out of Singapore. I shan't say that it is a trend or short term fashion but it is going to go on long term because forming a band takes passion and passion burns on.

Apart from raw talent, the passion, energy in the band will define its style and uniqueness (yes every band is different in one way or another, just that they didn't show it out loud). It will then be displayed in their music and compositions. The lyrics will start to ooze substance. Listeners will be able to relate and they'll recommend the songs.

But I guess in oder to have an advantage worldwide, a good international record company which is committed to market the band with adequate resources would be important. Target them from their local offices. Sending demos would start the ball rolling.

I've got friends who go around pubs and clubs playing for not so high an amount, to not just gain exposure but also to network with like-minded people. You'll never know what kind of connections they have with record companies, so it is always great to mix out and network.

Then again, when you are good, no boundary can contain you. Just play.

~Cheers!

Answer 9

People worldwide are beginning to explore & discover music from different parts of the world via all sorts of medium. Music at its core, just have to be catchy & easy on the ear to be appreciated by anyone. Whatever genre or sub-genre doesn't really matters. Nobody can cater to the en masse unless its pop music. Singapore bands doesn't need any advantage over anyone else in reality. Local bands have to start ditching the old mentality & just make good music. The recognition will come eventually. I think its better to be known as "the great indie-rock band from Singapore" then another "Singapore indie-rock band".

Answer 10

There are several steps our local bands can take to boost their popularity, of which, I think the most important is to try and perform in as many local gigs as possible, at polytechnics, universities too, and pubs and clubs because this is where our local teens hang out.

Another thing Singapore bands can do is to go overseas first and sell themselves there. Once they're obtained a certain about of fan base and popularity, they can return to continue.

P.S: Electrico rocks btw. There are many local bands in Singapore's music scene today, but few with the substance and depth you guys possess. Anyhow, Singapore's music scene in general is vastly becoming something, its wonderful to see the potential we have.

Answer 11

What the local community can do to give Singapore bands more of an advantage in the worldwide music scene is to give more support to these budding talents.

Rather than just talking about giving these people more support, more efforts and support should be seen, by way of promoting these bands who show potential and have the talents.

Also musical coaches could be employed to give these bands lessons on how to improve themselve, without influencing the style of music and the creative aspect of the band.

More emphasis should also be placed on the band's talents, rather then its image, image can be developed after the band have established themselve.

One perfect example of a major mistake, is the on-going
Singapore Idol competition, which is being played on Channel 5 on Wednesday night, right now. Most of these "So-called" talents, are more pre-occupied with their image, rather than developing their talent as a singer. This is a major error on the part of the organizers, as "once the competition is over, most of the hype for these so called "talents" will simply die off and fade away, as organizers would not be bothered to promote or help developed these "talents".

I feel that there should be also more sponsorship from Music companies for these local bands, to increase their commitment level to actually achieve international success. Sponsorship of musical instruments, equipments, vocal lessons, etcs. These would help these Singapore bands to increase their motivational level and also commitment to achieve their goal, and this would be a step forward for us to penetrate into the worldwide music scene.