August 02, 2008

Electrico: Saving The World With Rock 'n' Roll!

By Lennat Mak

Being a band in Singapore is never an easy thing. There's the whole issue about local media and audience not giving local bands the support they deserve but for Electrico, all you need is the correct working attitude and tenacity to give the best you can despite all odds.

Since the release of their 2004 debut album So Much More Inside, the band - David Tan , Desmond Goh , Amanda Ling , William Lim Jr and Daniel Sasson who left the band in May 2008 - has been slowly building their foothold in the local music scene with their blend of indie rock 'n' roll. And the hard work has definitely paid off in great folds. Today, Electrico is one of the most successful bands in Singapore, with three albums (2006's Hip City and their 2008 offering, We Satellites) and two MTV Asia Awards nominations for Favourite Artist Of Singapore under their belts.

MTV Asia caught up with the fearless foursome up on a hill at the MTV Asia Awards and found out more about their penchant for rock 'n' roll, huge billboards, and of course, the secret to staying forever young!

This is the second time the band received a nomination for the Favourite Artist Of Singapore award. How do you feel being the only band outfit to be nominated in the category?

David: I think it rocks. The band scene has always been very underground. To have recognition on such a level is not only good for us; it's good for the scene as well. We are happy to be the ambassadors of the local music scene. And we hope that at some point in time, we will win the award and the international one as well. Then we will take over the world. (Laughs)

You are collaborating with Stefanie Sun on the song "Save Our Souls" for the MTV Asia Awards performance. How did the collaboration come about?

David: Our first single "Save Our Souls" was written about a lot of the crappy stuff that has been going on around the world, especially in Asia with the cyclone and earthquakes. Stef was also doing a lot of humanitarian work as well. We approached her and sent her the song. She liked it a lot and we asked her to collaborate with us.

Desmond: She's one of the artists that we would like to collaborate with since we were young. (Laughs)

David: Yeah! And we are all Singaporeans. We get to share the stage with her and that's very exciting!

With collaboration, you will also be exposed to Stefanie's legion of fans. Ever thought of breaking into the Mandarin scene?

Desmond: If we can sing "Ti Aor Aor"! (Ed note: "Ti Aor Aor" is one of Stefanie Sun's hit songs.)

David: You know what? Part of our collaboration involves us rocking out to one of her songs.

So are you going to sing in Mandarin?

David: I'll be playing guitar. But I might be singing backup vocals. We will see how that goes. We are taking her song and giving it our touch. So hopefully, if Stef's fans like it, they will become our fans as well. And even if we sing in English, they will still throw us flowers and wave light sticks at us.

Desmond: Or give us Ginseng chicken soup!

Amanda: And bird's nest! (Laughs)

Huge promotional billboards for We Satellites have been spotted all over prime locations in Singapore. How does it feel seeing the band being blown up in huge proportions?

David: Very good actually! There was once my sister dared me to stand next to the billboard and see if anyone recognizes me. Of course I didn't do it. But the fact she said that, just shows how excited she was about it.

Desmond: I want to touch myself! (Laughs) Those billboards were placed in prominent locations where our target audience hangs out so it's good for us.

There are hordes of up and coming bands through the years but those that matter are still bands like Electrico, Force Vomit and Astreal that have been around years ago. Why do you think this happens?

Desmond: 'Coz we are old.

Amanda: I'm not! (Laughs)

David: I think it's just a different approach. The bands you mentioned care about the scene as a whole.

Desmond: I discovered one thing too. We aren't really trend followers. We are more of those who stick to our own sound, believe in what we do and persist all the way. Like Astreal and Force Vomit, they are all doing their own thing.

David: Last time, the local scene had a lot of variety in terms of sound. Now, most bands are mainly emo or post punk, where the sound is very similar. Thus, it's the bands that are not like that will tend to stand out more 'coz they are different.

Is that the secret of success for Electrico?

David: There's a lot to be said about your dedication and approach to being in a band. Different bands are in it for different reasons and their priorities are different. I suppose for us, we really try our best to better and push ourselves as far as we can, and work the industry the way it should be worked.

Here comes the Almost Famous question. It's apparent that passion for music is what drives the band. So, what do you love about music?

David: Music is life and it's just something that we can't live without.

William: It saves our souls!

Desmond: It's the refuge and the warmth that you will always have.

Does it keep you young too?

David: Exactly!

Desmond: See, you know it too! (Laughs)

Can rock 'n' roll save the world?

David: Rock 'n' roll has already saved the world in many ways!