part III.

Right... next question, in your mind or imagination, fantasy, is there a perfect stage or show?

Josh: That has already came true, when Funeral (for a friend) came.

Shen: The previous year, all of us were very into Funeral For a Friend. We were speculating, imagine one day Funeral For a Friend came down to play and we opened for them. Everyone went “no lah! talk cock lah! won’t happen one!” And later in the year, it really did.

This just proves you have to talk cock more often.

Josh: I guess as a band that is a dream came true. Amongst all the bands that had influenced us musically, Funeral is the most common one.

Hafiz: It is the band we can all relate to most.

Josh: And draw inspiration from – the energy, drive of the songs. It’s not just about guitar wanking but it’s about the feel. Funeral stands for that.

Matt: I’m sure we each have our own ‘perfect show’ – perfect line up… who are we going to share the stage with… in a perfect ‘gig’. But as a collective, opening for Funeral For a Friend was it.

Was the equipment alright during the show?

Hafiz: It’s not really about the equipment…

Matt: Rock is more than equipment!

Rudi: It’s the vibe!

Shen: We did get to meet the band…

Matt: I spoke to Matt Davies for 2 minutes……

Hafiz: Matt cried.

Matt: No I didn’t!

Shen: It was the day before his (Matt’s) birthday so I guess that was the best birthday present ever.

In your opinion, what makes a local band in Singapore successful?

Rudi: I had been thinking about this for a long long time. It’s quite funny you mentioned. In general, there should be a unified effort sparked at a point and you know you’re going to head somewhere with the band. If it’s just going to be a couple of kakis jamming and you’re going to go on stage and look like what you are... So I guess what I'm trying to say is the band needs to have chemistry.

Chemistry makes the local band successful?

Rudi: Chemistry is one thing. It’s a conscious effort that all bases are covered. Guitar tuned properly… strings don’t break…

Matt: Success is quite subjective. Everyone has a different explanation of what success is.

In context of the local scene here?

Matt: Well I think one of the most important things of a successful local band is the connection with listeners. The listeners must be able to relate to you, at an emotional level. And even if the record is out, it doesn’t stop there. Your sincerity and passion must be shown at LIVE shows as well. I really cherish this connection between the crowd and us. Although I don’t speak to every single of them after gigs… post gig chats? I already see participation during the gigs. And I’m not even talking about moshing. I’m okay with moshing but sometimes they get a bit too violent… at the end of the day when I look at some of them when they sing back to me I can really feel the connection, that they know what the hell I’m talking about. That it feels like they understand and probably went through the same shit. And I’m really really glad for that.

Shen: Are there any more local qualities? Is that what you mean?

Hafiz: Personally it’s presentation. Presence on stage. How music is portrayed too. Anyone can write a song but it’s how it’s put across to the listeners.

Rudi: I can see a lot of bands skipping the basic building block of writing decent songs. A lot of bands are eager to go on stage to live their rock fantasies but to make a band work you have to get the basics honed down; good solid songs, tight melodies, making sure that the riff you’re playing is not another band’s riff….

Matt: A good example is The Fire Fight. I’m not being biased but they spent a year or more in their bedrooms, in the jamming studios writing stuff making sure this is what it’s gonna be, practice and practice… and their first show, BAM. Everyone was floored. That’s the way it should be.

Have us a peek into your recording process. Is it any different from recording the full-length album now from when you recorded your EP?

Rudi: While the EP was… here’s a couple of songs, let’s just string it together and get it out. As for the current album that we are recording, it is a conscious effort to write an album which would have the ideal structure… work on the nitty gritties that will make this album our favourite. We’ve drawn out song charts that you’ll only see in the band’s ‘making of’ DVDs… you know what I mean? We stress about parts, argue… which bar? Can I do this little nick, how long is one bar, how many counts… you need more examples?

Matt: Basically we sat down and decided that if we were to do an album we gotta take our time. No tight datelines… we will not be taking forever of course. So every song is very thought after. We are trying new things that have not been tried in the EP, things that are newly influenced. In music everyone is constantly growing and learning and moving forward. The EP was in 2005/6. this is AVA in 2008. It is not going to sound like what we did in 2005/6. There has to be progression. And I feel that there has been, in our new songs especially, they are definitely different.

Great. Last words?

Josh: I hope… through so many people we’re tried to reach, I hope that the enthusiasm shown towards our music is genuine, and that it really means something for them that we have these lyrics, this music… and not simply a mere ‘this is cool’ factor, to know a local band at this level and they act like it as well.

Rudi: Live shows are cool. But at the end of the day we hope the youths listening to our music and moshing are doing it for a real reason. Throwing punches in the pit… it’s not funny when done intentionally. We hope they really feel the connection and understand and see what goes on in the big picture.

Meanwhile, rock on, softies!

end.

reasons of posting this interview
-out of boredom
-i wish to inerview local band one day. lol mcm betul jer si sally nie.
-AVA is one of my favourite bands!

keep up the great progress man.