Entertainment: Music makes the world go round

2009/11/23

R. GOWRI

The Global Battle of the Bands is all about getting the talents of the world together through a universal medium — music. R. GOWRI finds out more. IT’S been described as a movement, not a competition, by no less than Bob Geldof, singer and creative force behind the colossal music fundraisers Band Aid, Live Aid and Live 8.

Geldof was referring to the Global Battle of the Bands (GBOB), founded in 2004 by Norwegian Tore Lande in Britain to engage bands around the world in a final to capture the title of Best Band In The World.

Each participating nation has its own heats which lead up to the national challenge. One winner is selected by a panel of judges to represent the country at the world challenge.

GBOB is also reputed as the biggest live music contest on the planet, with participation from more than 35 countries in recent years.

The ground rules make clear its aim: “to seek out and bring the best un-manufactured talent in the world to a global audience.” Pyrotechnics, confetti and other visual effects are not allowed; all bands must play live — pre-recorded sound material is not permitted; and all songs must be original.

“It’s all about reviving real musicianship, away from the manufactured glam and commercial getup of the mainstream,” says GBOB Malaysia National Director Issa Rodriguez. “It’s not about how good you look, how well you do cover songs, or how many votes you get because of reality TV. It’s the antithesis of American Idol. It’s about giving music back to the musicians.” Talent, under GBOB rules, is recognised irrespective of race, age, sex, looks, national origin and musical style.

“There is nothing to stop anyone from joining GBOB in any country,” Issa explained. “A band can register even if they do not originate from or live in the country running the GBOB national competition,” says Issa. “So we had a Brunei band pay its way to come to Malaysia this year because the competition is not yet there.” This year, GBOB Malaysia almost didn’t happen though as Issa was running out of personal resources and sponsors were few and far between.

“But I kept going because I know people will start believing this will be a good platform for Malaysian musicians to become known. It’s such a great reward to see a Malaysian band get to London. And when they’re there, they’re scared s***less, but at the same they’re so over the moon and proud of the fact they’re a representative of the country.

And there are other rewards apart from the monetary and band promotion deals.

“It’s so exciting to be at the GBOB World Final and be immersed in such incredible diversity of talent and music styles. There was a finalist from Japan,” Issa recalled, laughing, “a two-piece band that consisted of a girl and a bass player. She was beating the crap out of the drums and they were playing such incredible music, having won against all the other bands in Japan.

“And there was an accordion player from Belarus who was rapping at the same time; and a five-piece band from the US, made up of kids aged 10-12 years from the LA School of Rock. They placed first runner-up in 2007 at the World Final.

“So if you think you have seen it all as a band in Malaysia, wait until you get global exposure. Many of the performers tend to incorporate their distinctive cultural sounds and style of music and the fusion of modern and traditional is mind-blowing.” Issa’s perseverance and dedication to GBOB Malaysia has paid off. Lande himself has approached Issa and offered her the chance to host the GBOB World Final 2010 in Malaysia.

Does it scare her? Hardly, it seems. When she was first pitching for the GBOB licence in 2006, the founders responded pretty late in the day — in May 2007, with only a couple of months to spare for preparations for the inaugural GBOB 2007 Malaysia. But the gutsy lady went for it, dropping all her other commitments.

Now, she’s looking forward to the immense music cavalcade of bands — possibly more than 40 from countries around the world — ready to let loose their creative energy on Malaysian soil in 2010.

“I think, apart from all the talent due here next year, it’s an incredible boost for tourism. The grind would be getting enough partners for the World Final here next December,” says Issa. “The cost would include covering musicians and media coming in from all over the world.” But there’s already some light shining on the horizon.

Jason Lo, a man who wears many hats — as musician, producer, CEO of Tune Talk, owner of Fat Boys Records and organiser of the successful Rock the World series of concerts — has offered that the GBOB World Final 2010 coincide with the 10th anniversary of Rock The World next year. This means that excellent facilities will be readily available.

Lo feels it’s good for music entrepreneurs to not work in isolation but to collaborate in major music ventures in an aim for a common good.

“I am not a great believer in music competitions because I believe music lies in the eye of the beholder, so to speak, it’s about personal taste,” Lo said. “But having said that, every now and then a good music competition energises the music scene, reinforces standards. It’s good to have a platform like the GBOB for local musicians to compete nationally and internationally and experience that raw energy.” JD of the famed hip hop-rock band Pop Shuvit and a reputed music producer himself, also judged at this year’s national final and has offered winners a recording deal for next year, says Issa.

“Hopefully,” she adds, “with enough partners, we can make Malaysia a world hub for music.”

All geared up

MASUK Gear Jalan, they screamed in their song, and that’s exactly what punk rock band The Federated set out to do at Titanium Super Dance Club in Damansara, KL last week.

They engaged gear and shot to first place, beating 11 other bands for the Malaysia’s Best Band title at the Global Battle of the Bands Malaysia 2009.

The four-member band seared the stage with their technique and showmanship, winning RM50,000 in cash and kind, and also, the trip to London to compete in the GBOB World Final 2009 to be held in January next year.

There, awaiting The Best New Band In The World, is a band development package worth over US$100,000 (RM337,000), which includes a week in a top London recording studio with a producer, a 10-date United Kingdom tour and US10,000 in cash.

The Federated’s second song that Saturday night, Apa Khabar, was also ironically relevant, this being their third appearance at the GBOB competition; last year, they finished first runner-up.

“We are very excited,” Fauzi, lead vocalist and guitarist, told New Straits Times. “We persevered and now we’re going to London. We will be able to evaluate how Malaysia compares on an international level.

“Also, we’re hoping to revive the heyday of bands in the Malaysian music scene, we’re yearning for those days. Somehow, bands have disappeared into the background.” At the World Final at the London Scala club, the band will again perform two Malay numbers: Masuk Gear Jalan and Aku Punya Suka Lah.

GBOB recognises and welcomes compositions in any music genre and in any language, as long as they’re original. And so world music, literally, is celebrated, with more than 35 countries being represented.

First runner-up at the Malaysian challenge this year was Kyoto Protocol (alternative), a dark horse in the competition. Second runner-up was Hyper Act (rock).

The first three also won the Voize Music Package valued at more than RM5,000 from entertainment website voize.my. The package includes marketing, media and distribution support via mobile and digital platforms, including up to RM2,000 to record a song.

The Federated in top gear. - Picture by ROHANIS SHUKRI

Issa is looking forward to the GBOB World Final 2010, to be hosted by Malaysia.