I want to be a Rockstar

Before I start the usual ramble, I would just like to wish everybody reading with interest towards our local music scene a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - 2009 came faster than expected. Talking about the New Year reminds me of resolutions... sangat sesuai dengan tajuk blog post ini don't you think?

"I want to be a Rockstar". Senang disebutkan, susah dibuatkan.

Or is it really that susah? Let's take a look at the changes of our music scene. Just a few years back, it was not easy to make it big; have that 'big break'. Sure, people did attend gigs, sure, people knew the words to some songs of some bands... but how many times did you hear about a big gig that people were saying "Oh we HAVE to go"? Big gigs happening perhaps every two weeks, every month? Not a lot.

And now? Every weekend, every flyer, it's an 'oh-my-god' for majority of people. Familiar bands like Couple, Bittersweet, Skudap Skudip are popping out in more than just one flyer per month. Familiar places like MCPA, No Black Tie, Giggers are offering gig spots. This entices, tempts, lures people into thinking 'damn I wish I was like them'. 

And that's where the problem kicks in, isn't it?

Put aside the fashion trends, the attitudes, and just look at the music fans in general. Kadang2, ada orang nak start band. Everywhere you turn, you see someone, you ask them "are you in a band?"

Out of 10, 7 says yes.

Of course, why not? You might be thinking - what's wrong with that? Nothing. Absolutely nothing is wrong with that. Our music scene is open to so many genres, so many tunes, and more and more of local songs are being submitted into the radio stations. And really, it is amazing, and impressing me that new bands nowadays actually do have a high possibility of hitting the big break, getting the fanbase, EP launches and all those things a band needs. 

Being in a band is just as normal as going to school or work everyday. Our scene is accepting new bands day by day, listening and placing them into categories of 'worth a listen' and 'forget about them'. And of course, starting a band is a great way to spend your time with friends, jamming, experimenting, building the friendship, the support. 

But this also calls for my concern. Being in a band nowadays is becoming just a little too overrated. Overexposed, talked about too much. It is a good thing that being in a band is getting easy nowadays, but in a way... it's bad. Think about it.

Do the majority of those in the newer bands (post-indie break) actually know what they want? Are their reasons for having a band genuine? Are they forming bands to create new, interesting music? Or is it just the mere 'I want to be a rockstar'? "I want to be famous, I want to gig around so everyone knows who I am".

Heck that's the reason why people go to gigs to watch, too! People make themselves seen in as many gigs as possible, take pictures with loads of bands, so people will know them. Yeah. Posers, kan?

I am not saying the new bands are posers. The passion for music, wanting to be in a band to make enjoyable music... I am not saying that's dying. I merely hope it won't. Really, really, hope so. I hope people who make bands now are serious with what they are doing, and appreciate - menghargaikan - the fact that our scene is accepting many many new people.

I hope the new bands won't be just those usual one-hit-wonders, who play for a few months, are loved for a while, and then disappear because they've become well known enough. No. NO. My only advice to the new upcoming bands... don't place the word 'fame' in your minds. Just play for music, play for the people, play for yourselves. Don't play to be famous. 

The most famous bands nowadays never spent much time thinking of fame when they started out. Being a rockstar is everyone's dreams at one point, tapi, in reality, you got to play by life's rules, too.

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With Love,

KL Mosher