For some reason, Singapore has the reputation of having a non-existent local music scene. I've heard people say it's sad, because we'll never be able to compete with worldwide mainstream media, but I find this hard to believe knowing a great number of talented local musicians.
I recently went to an event called OOOM@esplanade, which stands of Originals Only Open Mic. It's the first social regular open mic event in Singapore, and is held every first Sunday of the month at library@esplanade. From what I've seen, Singapore is not lacking musical talent at all.
Most of the musicians who were there that night played indie or alternative tunes, some playing covers and some playing originals. To be honest, I really didn't expect much from the other performers. By the end of the night, I was completely blown away! I didn't get bored at all. I actually went up to one of them because I loved their original song so much, I had to get his contacts as I needed to know that I'll be able to hear the song again!
The featured artiste this month is electro-pop musician, Eli T., who performed simplified versions of his songs Dancin' With Fire, and Fallen. I listened to his studio recordings and I really do prefer the stripped-down version. He only had a pedal that manipulated his voice and added layers, and a guitarist that had a pedal with a pre-recorded riff. Not everyone might like his music, but he is definitely very talented.
When I talk to local musicians, the first topic of concern they express is how annoying the public can get. Singaporeans complain about not having local talent to be proud of, but when some starts to shine, they tear them down almost instantly, calling people tryhards and wannabes. There are some really good local bands and singers out there that really do not get the attention and support that they deserve, and it's sad.
If you're a big music enthusiast, you should really check out local musicians by going to places like Timbre or The Pidgeonhole, or you can check them out at the comfort of your own home through Youtube. Singapore is full of talent. The public just has to stop focusing on things like Stomping embarrassing photos of people, and focus on supporting people who do deserve the attention.
Here are some local musicians you should check out and support:
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