I don’t know if you’ve already read this – I’m assuming most, if not all of you, have – but one of my favourite singer-songwriters, Inch Chua, has vented her frustration at the unfortunate state of the Singapore music scene.
Here’s the letter reprinted from her FB page…
“This letter is probably not directed to any of my friends on Facebook, the very kind people on my Facebook fan page and anyone who has ever (legally) downloaded or supported my music or of any other local artist. But this is a letter, a letter from a ver…y heartbroken Singaporean artist to the general mass of people who just don’t care or are just too close-minded to see the big picture. Yes, you. It’s sad, because I don’t think I could have tried any harder with you, Singapore. When it comes to you, it has always been an uphill battle, where I’m swimming against the currents. Time to time, I’d always catch you make comments like, “I don’t like this band, they don’t play any songs I know” or “oh, this band is good, they don’t sound local”. Why? Why are we possibly the only country where “local” has so much negative connotations tagged with it. Why are we the only country where you’re only considered a GOOD, COMPETENT musician when you can play covers? Why are we the only bloody country where the press and media will have to INTENTIONALLY highlight that a local musician plays an “original composition”. Why?! Why am I not accepted in your working society? On a day to day basis I have to deal with a hefty amount of people judging me; assuming I’ve made some majorly bad decisions in my life to wind up a musician. Why can’t I be musician? I don’t need your definition of success to be placed upon me. I don’t need your approval to do what I know I should be doing. I don’t need you to tell me that there is no future in Singapore Music; I don’t need you to tell me that what I’m doing is a lost cause. Why?! Why do I have to try so hard to prove my worth about my contributions to society? Why is it that our independent music community has minimal government support? Why don’t I have someone to count on? So on this note; I’d like to announce that I’ve decided to move to another country to pursue my career. I’m not giving up on you Singapore, but rather it’s due to the fact that it’s the only choice I have, thanks to your pathetic need of validation from elsewhere before you see things clearly for yourself. I’m hurt and you know why. I’m angry because I’ve been hurt for a long time now. But no matter how heartbroken I am, I’m now more ready than ever to get out of the boat and walk on water. Yours Truly, A 100% A HOME-GROWN SINGAPOREAN ARTIST & PROUD OF IT.”
I say it’s unfortunate because she feels this way. I say unfortunate because it’s the truth (from a certain point of view). I say unfortunate because it’s pretty obvious we’re not ready. Unfortunate that you rushed to face him! That incomplete was your training! That not ready for the burden were you!
Okay, I digress.
But at any rate, I’ve always felt that local musicians should always go out to where their music can be received. And if that means going to the US, the UK, Europe (I suggest the Scandinavian countries), China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, The Philippines, Australia… by all means do so!
Stef Sun, Kit Chan, JJ Lin, Olivia Ong, even Dick Lee, relocated in order to make their musical mark. And it’s worked for them.
The world is your oyster. It’s your world, you can change it. But if you don’t want to change it, don’t complain. At any rate, a famous guy was quoted as saying, “No prophet is not accepted in his own hometown”. And musicians speak the soul. Also, musicians are meant to be troubadours, and troubadours never stayed in one place for long.
So… Good on you, Inch, go out there and may the force be with you! I’ll be more than happy to help. Just don’t forget to send a postcard – or whatever passes as a postcard these days - or two!
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