MAAD Sounds | 3/5

SINGAPORE — A subset of creative marketplace MAAD (Market Of Artists And Designers), MAAD Sounds, now a biannual event, has been a platform for indie bands to gain exposure and experience. And while bands do get a token for their troubles, the amount itself may not be significant as MAAD does not charge the public for entry. The recognition of the value of the music is.

“About 2 years ago, MAAD (asked) if I would be interested in organising a music section focusing on original homegrown music for MAAD,” visual artist-musician Andy Yang explained. “I called up Patrick Chng to help me out on (confirming) potential musicians and bands interested in playing at MAAD for the first two instalments of MAAD Sounds. So that was how it all started.”

Last Friday, four indie-rock bands — MONSTER CAT, Space Days, The Psalms and Ellipsis — thrilled a sizable crowd. Staged in a high-ceiling hall among designer furniture displays (with Please Do Not Sit signs), the environment provided a challenge for the sound engineers, but the bands definitely rose to the occasion and treated fans and casual bystanders to an eclectic palate of indie rock.

Talk of the town was the new line-up from MONSTER CAT, as crowd favourites such as Mannequins and Underwater were given the stripped-down treatment. Hentai Cat (the only founding band member on stage) was backed by Shaun Khiu (percussion), Ahmad Khaliq (electric guitar), Mai and Tok Xue Yi (both on vocals).

Considering the band’s previous insistence on designated stage names for its members, there was a curious relaxed atmosphere surrounding the new ensemble and its performance. As always, Hentai Cat was the focal point, his vocals and guitar playing deservedly earning the love and attention of the crowd. But this was a teaser for the expanded line-up surely.

As for the rest of the night, openers Space Days impressed with a robust evocation of late ’60s psychedelic rock, performing songs such as Knight and Morning Light.

To its credit, despite being scheduled late into the night, The Psalms managed to get the remaining audience on their feet before delivering its trademark careening soul-jazz-hard-core-metal hybrid with much aplomb.

Last but certainly not least, NAC Noise Award winners Ellipsis demonstrated its potential. Riding on the rising popularity of the ’90s shoegazing revival, the band has been steadily building a fan base with its mixture of dense guitar textures and ethereal melodies. Although it must be said, lead vocalist Zhengping’s falsettos were often inaudible.

There’s little doubt as to the value of MAAD Sounds, and Yang is already looking at expanding the event — and possibly turn it into a “mini festival with more bands and musicians, and music related activities at least once a year”, when they have enough funds and manpower, that is. KEVIN MATHEWS

3/5