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Band-it (Tips Pt.3)

In the past couple of months I have been to two amazing gigs called Mull; Debauch to Kuala Lumpur (Actor’s Studio Lot 10) and  the Northern Music Festival (Botanic Gardens, Penang). Watching the bands in action I really admire their passion and their ability to write and play their own music.  Some are veterans of the art of performance but many are still diamonds in the rough (Masih banyak yang perlu di buat untuk mengasah bakat yang sedia ada).  What I saw inspired me to do the 3^rd. Series of Band Tips on twitter.  These are the points that were put forward with slightly more elaboration. This is just from my humble point of view.

The Padangs

1)  Control your stage volume

 Sometimes when bands play live they love to play loud.  The more excited they get the louder and faster they play.  But if you play too loud you will not be able to hear yourself on stage and nothing the engineer does can help u or your vocalist if you are playing louder than your monitors.  So learn to balance yourself on stage not have a loudness competition.  The answer is NOT to play louder.

Pesawat

2)  Step out from behind

As someone who takes official pictures and camera angles for TV I always have a problem with avoiding things that are in the way.  Please learn to move the microphone stand out of your way when you aren't singing or not using it (to the back but don’t block the drummer) and if you are a musician playing a solo step forward, it helps camera pick-up (an others NOT involved learn to step back or join in don't block).  If not all the pictures and videos will have u blocked by things!

Tres Empre

3)  Big intros and anti-climaxes

So many bands do this.  Come on stage launch into some big movie soundtrack opening only to stop TOTALLY to say the bands name and the title of the next song, then pick-up again... ANTICLIMAX!  Either get someone to introduce you properly before you play  (seriously) or play the intro (I know a lot of bands do this to balance themselves/check lines) and segue straight into the next song THEN only stop and talk… watch the internationals they play 2-3 songs before even saying a word.

7 Collar T-Shirt

4) Encouraging crowd reaction

A lot of bands are throwing things into the audience as a habit to encourage crowd reaction, which is fine, but PLEASE don't throw your album into the crowd… that’s your target market, they will buy if you do a good job of performance.  Most Malaysian bands are already selling CDs at ridiculously affordable prices.  If you must throw something - picks, drumsticks, towels, posters, t-shirts are fine.  If they don’t buy your album you better think about  a) doing  better songs or b) performing better!

 

Rosevelt

5)  Special Effects not Defects

What ever you decide to do whether it’s spinning your guitar round your neck, playing guitar with teeth, behind your back, juggle drumsticks, hand confetti, it’s always planning to do something spectacular that the crowd will always remember.  BUT If you want to do something different in your set make sure it’s spectacular not a spectacle.  Practice the move and if you’re not confident don’t try it.

Kyoto Protocol

6)  Teamwork…AGAIN         

A band is a team.. you can't have good midfielders and no finishers.. so the musicians and the vocalist need to make sure they do their jobs equally well!   There are some bands where the music is very tight but have a mediocre vocalist or a fantastic vocalist but weak musician/s.  You are as strong as your weakest link… so whatever that link may be work on strengthening it!  No “tidak apa” attitude allowed.

An Honest Mistake

7) Colour me Concert

There is no right or wrong for concert attire but you don’t want to look lifeless/style-less.  Casual is fine but got to make sure you don’t look like you’re going to the pasar malam… fans look up to you, aspire to be you.  Try to wear a colour that complements your complexion… Do not wear solid white for the camera, it looks lifeless unless you’re on a big production stage and you’re wearing all white and singing like Lionel Ritchie…always where colours like blue, yellow, red or black.

Oh Chentaku

8)  Standing out

Sometimes when genres become a hit, currently/trendy or has a huge following it will spawn a number of bands with the same sound… before it was Rock n’ Roll to Glam Rock then Seattle Sound to now, metalcore.  The problem with this is that after a while all the bands begin to sound alike.. small technicalities do not make a difference to the general music fans' ear… melody, collaborations, different lead instruments, mixing genres do.  So you need to listen to others and learn to differentiate yourself… do something else that will make you standout.

Monoloque

9)  Naming the band

Names are important.. it’s branding for the artist whether solo or group.   A group has the difficult responsibility in finding a name that will project and promote the collective identity of the group and its music.  If you intend to aim for a international market then you need to think about a name that people can remember and pronounce if people can't even say your name properly you have a problem.

Tilu

10)  Arranging the set

When playing sets arranging your songs is the most important.  Don’t play the same set or songs over and over because you WILL have regulars in the crowd.  Try to plan something different every time you go out.  Think about rearranging hit songs, play acoustic versions or medley-ing songs. After working on individual songs then start practicing them as a set so that you can see the flow is and readjust as and when you think it pulls the mood down.

Again these are just humble observations.  I learn a lot from watching the bands, some of you do amazing things during your live performances - amazing arrangements,  crowd handling, gimmicks, singing ability, musicianship... there IS NOTHING like watching a band play live well... it's inspiring. 

P/S :  

Band-Aid (Pt 1) : http://jenntho.blogspot.com/2011/02/over-last-two-months-i-have-been.html

Band-Age (Pt.2) : http://jenntho.blogspot.com/2012/07/band-age-tips-pt2.html

Peace, Love and Respect.

Be Who You Are

 

I understand that everyone has their own opinions and that everyone has a right to feel the way they do, now if only we could just get everyone to understand this we would achieve world peace.  What I don’t get and find downright frustrating is how people want to force their points of view on others.  Be it opinions, religion, beliefs or decisions, people through the ages have insisted that they are  right.

Stop worrying about how people perceive you or what you think.  There are bound to be people who like you and dislike you.  What they feel shouldn’t matter, how you consider other people is all that matters not their consideration of you.  Respect is a two way street and everyone needs to understand this no matter what your lot in life.

Everything is debatable.  Sometimes people offer their opinion so that you may open your eyes and think or choose for yourself.  The opinions become guidance so to speak.  But you have a brain, you choose whether to believe or not, accept or not.  If you want to dispute or disagree it cannot be via emotional outbursts, profanity or blind accusations.  The only way you can get your point across and get people to see your point is by discussion and facts.

We're all imperfect human beings learning and growing all the time.  We all need to stop comparing ourselves to other people, falling prey to peer pressure or bullying.  You are who you are and no one should force you to think otherwise, that is why we’re called individuals.

Peace, Love and Respect.

Band-Age (Tips Pt.2)

Sometime ago I wrote Band Aid (Tips Pt.1) for bands.  After being involved with Versus and going down to a bunch of Gigs I've been inspired to write a few  more Tips and Tricks.  These are only my humble observations as a music and band appreciator for most of my life.  Hope you find them useful :)

1) Get a good promo kit done

A good band bio outlining your music and achievements (properly written) is important.   A picture paints a 1,000 words..so get a good promo picture taken.  It does not need a professional but a nice friend with a nice camera will get the job done

2)  Build an image/personality

Nothing kills good music more than NO personality. Artists say they are serious about their music and are not interest in glamour or fame but that does not mean you do not need an image/personality.

3)  Build a fanbase

You cannot go from zero to hero without support. If you release something and people don't even know you're alive it's pointless.  So work on building a fanbase in the right target market.

4)  Competition is good.

Once in a while competing helps to keeps you ON you toes, gives you a REALITY check and forces you to DO better.  When you compete it pushes you to do better.  Fed up of competitions then perform together with other bands and compete against each other.  Just because you’re on top now doesn’t mean you’ll be there forever.

5) In life you NEVER stop learning.

And neither do bands...technology changes so fast that you NEED to keep up whether it is in  performance or marketing.  Keeping up with the changes pays off.

6) Don’t fall into the Rockstar trap

If you have a group of 50 diehard fans DON'T FORGET you have another 500,000 (or 5,000,000) more to capture. Too many Artistes get carried away in believing that they have fans when actually it’s an entourage of hangers-on.

7) Stay together

When in a room full of artistes/celebrities always stick together if you want to be known as a band and not as individuals. Especially in a room where there are photographers you want to pictured together.

8)  Never-ending Perfection

If you think you’re perfect, you're not…When U have perfected the music/vocal, work on the way you look, work on audience interaction, work on fitness..there's always a lot to do

9)  Achieve Excellence

The difference between mediocre & excellence is sweating the small stuff (& big stuff) "the devil is in the details”.  When you’ve done all the obvious you pay attention to the smallest detail of how you look, practice in front of  mirror, what clothes you going to wear, how clean your equipment is, what you pack for a gig… down to the last detail.

 10) Don’t take your music for granted

Many bands have been performing the same songs for years but NEVER take it for granted…All the more reason u should NOT be making mistakes.  Some play the song with a bored look on their face, some make careless mistakes, sing harmonies out of tune. Fans and audience are smart they can pick-up  these things. Keep practicing and if you’re bored rearrange the popular songs or play different versions.

If Only… What if?...

 I hate good scriptwriters (I mean this in a good way) they are so able to take such normal everyday things that you experience, dramatize it, and then throw it back in your face. Movies, songs, books and comedy are all able to use current issues, events and human emotion to make you relate.  A true art.

I was watching an episode of Grey’s Anatomy (ok, so I am a fan!) which was an "if only" episode, a look at alternative lives for each of the characters in the series, if things had gone differently, what would life be…which got me thinking….

If only and what if’s are dangerous.  Reflecting on how things might have been, should have been, ought to be is a negative emotion.  I have seen many people go through depression, anger, disappointment, frustration and become trapped in those feelings, always repetitively questioning themselves and ruing their situation in life.  But being defeatist is half the battle lost. Pessimism, over-thinking and negativity are a never-ending cycle that begets more of the same.

Believe me you are NEVER alone.  Everyone suffers from seemingly impossible problems, wrong decisions, bad luck and adversity.  I have been through my fair share of problems, life has never been a bed of roses and I’m constantly learning, which I suspect will go on for a long as I live. 

The smile belies the truth but I have never regretted anything and when I’ve looked back those things have always happened for a good reason.  If asked if I would change anything in my life…I wouldn’t.  These are the experiences in life that mold and teach you.  They’re life’s pop quizzes and test that you take and move on. 

The closing monologue by Meredith Grey -  “Your life is a gift. Accept it. No matter how screwed up or painful it seems to be. Some things are going to work out as if they were destined to happen. As if they were just meant to be.” (Grey’s Anatomy Season 8, Episode 13 “If/Then”)

If Only, is only an excuse… it does not mean that the “then” would be positive.   There is no absolute certainty of that or anything else.  Life is always what YOU make it. It’s too short not to live SO keep moving forward…

Peace, Love and Respect

Music - A Lesson in Unity

Gig Triple Play a rockin' good time - Bunkface, Hujan & Nidji

The thought did cross my mind.  Would there be Indonesians throwing chairs at Malaysians or Malaysians shouting obscenities at Indonesians.  TV9’s Gig Triple Play over last Saturday was a combination of 3 Bands from 2 Countries on 1 Stage.  Nidji from Indonesia, Bunkface and Hujan from Malaysia.  Entrance was free but restricted by invitation to control the number of people in the hall but was broadcast live for those that could not get in.

But the scene was far from that of unrest and violence.  It was not only an amazing show of musical and performing talent but I walked away from the show with a feel good feeling in my heart and humming songs in my head.

Here were three band who were very comfortable with their musical direction, ability and image.  Confident about performing.  No qualms about singing each other’s song.  No insecurities.  Their only concern was doing the best for their fans who they had all worked hard in getting to come to the gig.  And that night you couldn’t tell the Bunkers from the Raingers to the Nidjiholics. 

For 2.5 hours all the fans sang each other’s song, they jumped around and a danced and just plain enjoyed themselves without a thought of what country, race or creed. And when the three bands closed the show together the musical bond of friendship between them was evident on their faces.

The Malaysian bands were gracious hosts respecting the ability of the awesome prowess of Nidji and the Indonesian band in return paid a shining tribute to the formidable talent of both Bunkface and Hujan.  

Giring, the lead singer of Nidji summed it up on stage in front of the audience, “Di pentas ini kami lupakan dari mana kami datang. Kami bukan dari Indonesia dan juga bukan Malaysia. Tiada perbezaan langsung, malah muzik telah menyatukan kami. Di atas pentas ini, kami lupakan semua itu.” (Translation : On this stage we forget where we come from.  We are not from Indonesia and also not from Malaysia.  There is no difference between us, music has united is.  On this stage, everything becomes insignificant.”)

Sudirman "Chow Kit Road" 100,000 Malaysians came in support

Yes, words of wisdom.  We in the entertainment business have always known that music has the ability to inspire and unite.  P. Ramlee did that.  Sudirman did that.  They have entertained Malaysians of all ages, race, creed. The fans of music (or film) in unison, watching one artiste, singing along, clapping or waving hands, laughing, crying and for the duration of the show all the differences are forgotten. 

Now if only governments and world leaders could be artistes.  Artistes NEVER things of themselves they perform for the crowd, uppermost in their minds is serving the people watching them and the only gratification is when the crowd (fans or not) walk away happy.  The medium is different but the means to an end is the same.  You cannot achieve unity if you have your own interest at heart…. When you serve others, to the best of your ability, they in return will serve you.

Peace, Love and Respect

1Malaysia starts with 1School

Why has it taken our country so long to figure out that we HAVE to get rid of segregation and the need for racial separation.  Is this a case of divide and conquer? Keeping everyone happy? Well it is NOT working.  Today we have more division than ever and a total mismanagement of affairs.

The first thing that the People In Power need to do is to be decisive in their decisions and STAND THEIR GROUND.. sure we will always have detractors and opposition but we have to choose what is best for OUR country.

Like as in all things, understanding comes with education.  If we want our children to respect each other, be cultured and well mannered, it needs to be taught at home and inculcated when they are born and then go to school not when they already have preconceived ideas and bad habits.  They need positive role models in their parents and teachers.

I have no problem with the medium of education.  If it is to be Bahasa Melayu then the English teachers must be skilled, not those who themselves struggle with tenses/vocabulary and visa-versa should English be chosen as the medium of education.  All other languages should be taught in school at least 3 times a week so that people may choose which language they wish to pick-up. 

We have to reach a time when the nationalistic spirit/pride runs on auto and comes without thought. Where colour, creed and race bear no significance and only passion and the desire to do the best you can for your country, your family and yourself is what we look to achieve.  It is no longer about tolerance or about living together because we are truly 1Malaysia.

There are so many things that will fall into place once we achieve this.  All things based on racial sentiment will no longer exist one cannot shake nationalistic spirit if there is no race involved.  Things will be based on meritocracy not on skin color and quotas.

It is an absolute NO BRAINER that it should be 1Sekolah 1Malaysia then only can our children live in unity and learn/respect each other as Malaysians… that is true integration. So what is there left to think about… what’s holding everyone back… a group of selfish people, a couple of nay sayers… that’s our problem it just takes a small group of fuddy-duddies to not endorse or fear the change and the People In Power listen.

Saya sokong sepenuhnya penghapusan sekolah vernakular.  Dengan kewujudan satu sistem persekolahan kita akan dapat mengatasi pengasingan kaum dan mencapai 1Malaysia yang sebenar.

My race : MALAYSIAN

Peace, Love and Respect

If you agree please show your support by signing the petition :
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/kempen-satu-sekolah-untuk-semua/


P/S :  The other can of worms that goes with this is that all FRONT liners... Teachers, Armed Forces, Doctors and Nurses need to be paid enough so that it becomes a respected career that they can live off not constantly think about doing something on the side, run to the private sector or worse migrate to another country just to make ends meet.

Don't be JUDGE-MENTAL

I work in the music business. I don't drink. I don't smoke. I don't party. I don’t do drugs. I don't sleep around. I make enough to be comfortable. So please don't stereotype anyone who works in our business… or for that matter DON’T stereotype anyone! Everyone still thinks I come from a business of Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll. "Ohhhhh.. you work in the music business. Are you a singer?" Yeah, sure...Do you really want to see me empty a room! or it's... "So do you know (insert singers name here), are they snobbish/bossy/like a diva". Too many times I have seen people quick to judge those around them…. When you don’t have anything nice to say, keep quiet, IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND DON'T JUDGE.

There are people from all backgrounds in my business. From Artistes, Sponsors, Sound System suppliers, Sound Engineers, Musical Instrument Suppliers, Crew, Cleaners, Video Operators, Cameramen, Caterers, Journalists and many, many others. They all come from different backgrounds. I don’t think of them by race, creed, sexual preference, background, color and language… these things NEVER EVER cross my mind. Sometimes the rich guy could be the most down to earth, humble, singlet/slipper wearing person and the poor guy could be a complete ass but again I judge not because upbringing and circumstance sometimes molds people to become who they are… I treat everyone with respect NO MATTER how they treat me or what their backgrounds are.

What I’m saying is just because someone smokes, swears, has tattoos, has long hair or drinks does NOT a bad person make. You may not condone certain things but you decide if you should follow or not. In my life I have seen much and been there but I was not the one participating, neither was I the one to pass judgment… I was there to be the best friend I could be… sometimes that’s all we can be. We were all young once in our lives… my vice before smoking, which I am NOT proud of but circumstance and a weak will pushed me there (but only there). My strong side kept me away from the rest and eventually helped me kick the smoking habit too.

In Malaysia we have been taught to be superficial. Long hair = drug addict, Tattoo = gangster, Music industry = drugs= AIDS (I've heard a minister say this) and our beliefs in God are by the way we dress and the way we act. We’re afraid to be influenced by this, that and the other. But let’s step back and think about it… in a more Western nation where it isn’t custom to cover heads (maybe because of the culture, NOT religion) it doesn't make them any less a Muslim. Or in an environment where people swear openly or have body art, it also doesn't make them any less religious/good/kind. It’s all about the circumstance, surroundings, up bringing and what is in our hearts and minds more than the appearance or what we see at first impression.

What give us the right to be holier-than-thou, or the right to judge others before you judge yourself…. I believe we will all be judged one day but not in this life. So let’s not get all mental about the people and things around us… you don't want people to judge you either!