Administration

The Malaysian Pop artistes include:

1. Siti Nurhaliza
2. Azah Aziz
3. Restu
4. Feminin
5. Lidyawati
6. 3G
7. Noryn
8. Aida Rahim
9. Noraniza Idris

I’ve heard of Siti Nurhaliza. But who the hell are the remaining artistes?

The international Pop culture has a tremendous influencial impact on the Malaysian culture, especially in music and fashion. Please enlighten me on each of the above artistes’ hit single in the Malaysian hall of fame charts.

Many of us have grown up shutting our minds to Malaysian-made music, especially if it’s sung in the Malay language. A few exceptions include the beautifully harmonized a cappella ballad in Innuendo’s Belaian Jiwa, the lovely Hijau by Zainal Abidin and pop princess Sheila Majid’s Lagenda. But then we have to remember: No music is bad music; somebody, somewhere in the jungles of Malaysia must like it.

There have been a few sensational Malaysian pop classics played back-to-back with international pop music by Hitz.FM. Classic hits like Lo’s fucked-up-but-catchy Evening News and Too Phat’s Anak Ayam were repeatedly played over the airwaves to capture the market; but that’s about it. These hits are now almost forgotten (if worse, unheard) classic buried in the ruins of their Malaysian origin alongside with P. Ramlee’s Getaran Jiwa.

A few Malaysian-made indie groups are popping out here and there, killing audiences softly with their music in local cafes and nightscenes. They should be grateful to celebrity-bloggers like Kenny Sia, who promote their music to the local blogosphere. I only wish I could hear their music played at least once a while over the airwaves.

I have been gradually drifting away from the Pop music scene after The O.C. made their debut on Channel Ten. My opinion on Pop music now: they suck. Before James Blunt started taking off clothes in music videos, I thought he was one of the best indie pop vocals since Ben Jelen. Ben Jelen was just unfortunate that he didn’t make it big to the charts as his album was released in the advent of the Hip-Hop/R’nB era.

I only wish gig parties (which features indie emo groups like Jimmy Eat World and Copeland) could be held in little cities like Brisbane (and perhaps KL). If I haven’t came back, I would have flew down to Sydney to give my love and support to Jimmy Eat World (left), as they are appearing on tour with Green Day on December 14th this year.

Triple M and B105 FM, the two popular Brisbane radio stations, play a variety of local and international music to their listeners. Current Australian artistes aired over the airwaves include Missy Higgins, Ben Lee and Australian Idol’s Shannon Noll. Though they are all in the Australian local Pop scene, we have to admit that they are great songwriters and singers. It’s very unlike the Malaysian local music scene, where music is just noise or blah. Sometimes it’s just downright distasteful, resulting in Malaysians looking for better music abroad like Les Nubians.

Recently many Australian groups are beginning to bloom. I have been so fascinated with alternative rock/indie groups like Motor Ace, Youth Group (right) and Thirsty Merc. They are just great bands who sing well-written lyrics and are just great with their musical instruments. They write songs we can all relate to: the way music was originally intended.

I’m just also glad that Brisbane’s Powderfinger made a few successful hits across the globe. I read that they still perform locally in Brisbane clubs. Youth Group has also made a few debut singles in The O.C. and One Tree Hill, which are just fantastic. Bands like these actually enlightens the world that live music just ain’t only about rock, but sweet alternative classics like the remake of Alphaville’s 1984 Forever Young by Youth Group.

As I grow older, I guess I have to continue my quest to find bands that play good music, especially with songs I could relate to at that period in my life. Jimmy Eat World’s My Sundown is still a great reflection of my current self. Just hope there will be a day I could meet them in their gigs. Be it in Australia or the damn corporation we call the USA.