Getting some R N' R... Reflection and Realization

It’s Sunday and I’m chilling at home after watching 6 hours of metal at the Gegey Fest 2013 yesterday which was freakin’ A(wesome). Passionate bands and passionate fans are always an amazing mix of euphoria.  Ok so I never show it, I’m such a control freak that it takes A LOT to move me to any emotion… I may not look excited but I am, I may not look like I care but I do…. I’m just too much of a realist that nothing much moves me outwardly. 

I reflect the last couple of years since moving on after a 15 year stint with the Akademi and Anugerah Industri Muzik… but everything happens for a reason.  The reason came along in various packages, first in the form of Versus which is now thankfully into it’s second season.  This program is built for bands to showcase their creative ability and thanks to TV, radio and online support, get their music heard, gain fans and have fun along the way.  The formula is easy… passion, belief and great performances build fanbase… you can’t go wrong.  It is watching magic seeing these bands dig deep, challenge each other and themselves to produce some of the most mind blowing music creativity EVER.

Also the past 2 years I have gone back to being involved in concerts which is actually my favourite-st thing because the fans get to interact with the artsites/bands, see them and hear them in an environment where they can truly enjoy the music. Nothing like watching LIVE music, LIVE. 

It’s also been a revelation getting back on the ground and watching the acts.  What this does for me is affirms my faith in the talent that we have in this country.  We have an abundance of talent that is so diverse and almost all the scenes; be it metal, hip-hop, dance, indie are being held together or moved forward by one person or a small group of people with a strong belief in their genre.  We have to admire them and be thankful for without them there would be none.

Open Mic Sessions, Indie Gigs, Rockaway, Rock The World, Future Music Festival, Raise The Bar Festival, MYMC, Gegey Fest, Concerts, Paying Tours (if not album promo tours) are important to our ecosystem.  We need to support these events.. Fans need to support these events.. no support no events/venues.. pure and simple.

I have NEVER liked politics.  I like the age old joke that says it comes from two words Poli which means many and tics which are blood sucking insects. You always find some self serving person wanting to own the action and then you have those that are truly doing the work on the ground… quietly and thanklessly… but still going.  

There are a small group of “vigilantes” who I have been watching, sometimes working with, sometimes talking to, exchanging ideas on how we can move and improve the scene and all I can say to everyone is hang in there… the time WILL come.  The change is slow but there is no stopping it, it will happen.  So TOGETHER we must continue to fight the small battles to win the war.

There are a couple things that I would like to point out through my personal observation.  We all need to learn and work together no matter what genre cause our problems are the same and together we can make more things happen.

Sometimes we become too complacent hoping for free help, radio airplay, TV time, stage time, sponsors but those things don’t just land in our lap.  We have to fight for it, prove ourselves and sometime get up and fight/prove some more.  This is a game of perseverance… success in life NEVER comes easy.

Instead of complaining we need to get up AND DO SOMETHING.  Start your own scene, use all your resources (fans, contacts, friends…), get your music out there, play like you mean it, promote like your life depends on it... you have to try everything and anything!  You cannot just hope for someone to help you out, why should they!  YOU have to GIVE THEM REASON.  The passion separates the men from the boys it drives you harder, makes you think out of the box and shows who is going to go the distance.

The next observation is that we need to remember support is a two way street… between us and the sponsors, promoters, TV/Radio stations, online… (P/S :  Support and NOT taking advantage) When you finally get the opportunity to work TOGETHER with one of them you need to help promote (and sometimes help others to promote).  It not only shows your commitment but it’s also beneficial to you to outreach your fans.  When you can drive traffic, win over hearts YOU are doing that not only for the people you’re working with but you’re DOING IT FOR YOURSELVES.

Last piece of observation, which I will say proudly that most of our acts do,  always try to be on time and when you have a chance to hit the stage PERFORM like you have 500,000 people watching you all the time.  I say this cause you NEVER know who is in the audience watching… could be a BIG promoter, a sponsor, an international talent scout…. Eating dinner, having a meeting, hanging out… Being in the RIGHT place at the RIGHT time is only part of the puzzle to complete it is to be doing the RIGHT thing.

Thank you to those who keep fighting the fight… 
 Confucius says… "The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones."

Peace, Love and Respect