Here is a band who recently went on air on FM 100.3 to promote 摇滚木船 - Azure!
Describe the style of Azure. Tell us a bit about each of the members.
Azure is a Singapore based Chinese Pop/Rock band. We do quite a bit of rap rock songs.
Leon is the band leader/lead vox/ keyboardist of the band. Liang is the drummer, Aloysius the bassist and Ai Kiat the guitarist.
The word “Azure” simply means “blue”. Leon was brainstorming for a proper band name with previous guitarist Chan Min. Both of them decided on “Azure” as it goes with the Chinese band name of the band “天蓝乐团”.
We also perform for CLAP! as well as D&Ds once in awhile.
We were also guest performers for Xing Qing Rong Ji Regional Songwriting Compeition Grand finals for past 6 years, we definitely hope to perform again next year!
Tell us a bit of Azure’s history? How old is the band?
Later on he picked up keyboard and started to sing and play. Together with another guitarist, they formed a group and performed regularly at the café.
Later on in 2003, Leon formed a band with his friends from The Ark and NTU, and started to perform with a full band set up on every Wednesdays at The Ark. But the band disbanded in early 2005. Leon decided to form a new band in 2006. He found his band members from SOFT.com.sg.
After a few changes in band members, Azure was officially formed in the November 2006.
What are your influences?
Each of us has different influences. But looking at the songs we play nowadays, you can say Mayday, Jay Chou and Zhang Zheng Yue.
Which songs would you recommend to Play Guitar Singapore readers for an introduction to Azure’s music?
Leon: I’m currently in midst of writing new material for the band.
Liang:I’m currently waiting for the arrival of my baby gal.
Aloysius: Pursuing my degree, adjusting to my new job, preparing for a Yamaha showcase in early June, balancing up my english/japanese pop/jazz music sense with my other band, "Da Luce" while preparing for a Street Fest gig in mid June. Most importantly, preparing for Azure's upcoming gig in around mid June.
Ai Kiat: Trying to be a rock star.
Could you list the gear that you use live for your performance?
Leon: Roland AX Synth, TC Helicon Voicelive
Liang: Prefer Tama or Pearl Drumkits with Remo skins / cymbals: zildjian, sabian, paiste / pedal: Tama Iron Cobra
Aloysius:
a) Basses: Yamaha TRB1006 OR a black modded 5-string J-Bass. b) Pedals: MXR 80+ DI(if going to house speakers direct), Xotic RC Booster(only when needed to cut through mix) c) Tuner: Maestro MT-01 clip-on tuner. d) Cables: Canare custom from TYMusic
Ai Kiat: Suhr Modern and Digitech GSP 1101. I have always wish to just use guitar direct to amp, the weight of the pedals is killer!
Name one piece of musical gear that you cannot do without.
Leon: I can’t do without my Roland AX Synth. Previously was using the Roland AX7.
Liang:I can't do without my Promark sticks, they have a great feel and provides excellent stick control.
Aloysius: It would have to be my Yamaha TRB1006 bass.
Ai Kiat: My beautiful purple Suhr Modern.
Advice for budding musicians in Singapore?
Leon: Don’t give up your dreams! Not everyone can do music full time, but you can still do it after work!!! =P
Liang: practise, practise and more practise.
Aloysius: Just Do It! Impossible is nothing!
Ai Kiat: Life is short, know what you want and do it. Don't live to regret.
Do you guys have day-jobs?
Leon: Yes, in education field.
Liang: Yes, I work as a sales executive in a metal company
Aloysius: Yes, In the engineering field.
Ai Kiat: Yup, in retail sales industry.
Is it difficult, to balance your day-job with your passion for music? Having played in a few bands I know how difficult it is to get things together. How do you guys do it?
There are definitely difficulties here and there, especially when our schedules clash most of the time, it was not easy to fix jamming schedules…But if there’s a will, there is a way… we always try our best to accommodate each other…
If we can’t find a day to jam during weekdays, we will jam on weekends…or sometimes late nights…etc.
How is the compositional process like for you guys?
Azure’s originals were mostly written by Leon.
Usually Leon will record a rough demo using his keyboards, and send it to the rest before working out the arrangement together. The songs are usually written out of personal life experiences…
For Leon : What is your main primary compositional instrument?
Surprisingly, it’s keyboard, as Leon is a keyboardist.
But Leon is trying to compose using guitar recently…hopefully there will be new material soon…
Do you think that the internet is a good or bad thing for music? Your view on illegal music downloading?
Definitely there will be pros and cons. But that’s the trend now, we are not able to stop it. But for sure, Internet helps to spread news and music more efficiently and conveniently than few decades ago.
How useful are social networking sites like Facebook and Youtube when promoting your band? What social networking sites do you use?
They are very useful. Facebook allow us to update everyone about our upcoming gigs. Youtube let us share all our gigs videos with everyone who missed our gigs or would like to attend our upcoming gigs. It also allow gig organizers to check out our performances.
We use Facebook, Myspace and (used to use) Friendster.
Sorry if this sounds like a job interview question – where does the band see itself in five years time?
Like most indie bands, after a few years of gigging here and there, we hope to record a EP or album of our own.
And hopefully a mini concert of our own to share our music with everyone.
Which other local bands do you guys think have potential and would like Play Guitar Singapore readers to check out?
Check out all the other local Chinese bands like Ah5ive, Elyzia, LGF, Redpoll, Blackforest…etc
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