Local Music in Singapore
Local Music in Singapore
Singapore’s music scene is known for its urban acts, being a platform for rock, punk and other genres. During the more successful period (1960-80s), Singapore has produced acts like Naomi & The Boys, The Quests, The Thunderbirds and The Trailers. Now, music acts such as Jack and Rai and The Great Spy Experiment are flourishing in the local scene. Has the local scene changed? Definitely. Is it as successful as before? Definitely not. Globalization has affected us a lot. Music is now universal. Music is now a global platform. Music is now available everywhere. Also, the media have influenced many to pursue music as an interest. This increased the musician count, but has the audience for local music increased as well? Sadly, no. In the 1960s-80s, local acts in Singapore were way more successful. This may be because Singaporeans were not exposed to a lot of foreign music. Their music was greatly appreciated by the locals. Today, local music rarely gets aired on radio, and what more, national television. International music hits flood the radio waves. The media here also overly celebrates foreign artistes. Some people are not even aware of the music scene here. Who is to be blamed for the lack of appreciation for local music today? Apparently, it is we, Singaporeans. In 2011, local singer, Inch Chua unleashed a rather controversial statement regarding the lack of support for local musicians. This was rather shocking as she was considered one of the most successful acts at that time, having being the first Singaporean solo artist to be invited to play at a major US music festival, South By Southwest, better known as SXSW which is a very incredible feat. The note she wrote was almost immediately circulated among musicians. In her note, she expresses her distaste with society, and how her profession (a musician) is not recognized as a job. She also mentions the government’s lack of support for such musicians, before announcing
Singapore’s music scene is known for its urban acts, being a platform for rock, punk and other genres. During the more successful period (1960-80s), Singapore has produced acts like Naomi & The Boys, The Quests, The Thunderbirds and The Trailers. Now, music acts such as Jack and Rai and The Great Spy Experiment are flourishing in the local scene. Has the local scene changed? Definitely. Is it as successful as before? Definitely not. Globalization has affected us a lot. Music is now universal. Music is now a global platform. Music is now available everywhere. Also, the media have influenced many to pursue music as an interest. This increased the musician count, but has the audience for local music increased as well? Sadly, no. In the 1960s-80s, local acts in Singapore were way more successful. This may be because Singaporeans were not exposed to a lot of foreign music. Their music was greatly appreciated by the locals. Today, local music rarely gets aired on radio, and what more, national television. International music hits flood the radio waves. The media here also overly celebrates foreign artistes. Some people are not even aware of the music scene here. Who is to be blamed for the lack of appreciation for local music today? Apparently, it is we, Singaporeans. In 2011, local singer, Inch Chua unleashed a rather controversial statement regarding the lack of support for local musicians. This was rather shocking as she was considered one of the most successful acts at that time, having being the first Singaporean solo artist to be invited to play at a major US music festival, South By Southwest, better known as SXSW which is a very incredible feat. The note she wrote was almost immediately circulated among musicians. In her note, she expresses her distaste with society, and how her profession (a musician) is not recognized as a job. She also mentions the government’s lack of support for such musicians, before announcing