INTERVIEW: EDWARD NG
Edward has been an electronic dance DJ for 10 years. Shedding light on the realism of being a local DJ, the music industry and on the majority of Singaporeans today, Edward’s views are strong, rather skeptical, but hopeful. Through this interview alone, he has taught me the importance of unity within each community and all the communities put together, for music was meant to unite. With disagreements among each community over the superiority of either genre or style, it is stressed that friendly competition is encouraged, not hate; for only with unity can we appreciate our local talent.
Image source: Edward’s Facebook
How did you start out?
I started out moving sound systems and doing dinner and dance gigs, family day outings and product launches, stuff like that. I had to play after the set up, and after playing I had to do the tear downs. Very basic stuff.
Many think the life of a DJ is rather glamorous, but realistically, how’s it like?
Realistically in Singapore it’s a job. It’s a job that you entertain people; it’s a job that you play music…
The kind of music that you like?
There is an opportunity to insert something that you like, and something that the crowd might like. There is that opportunity, but the chances are very slim. An example of the Singaporean audience is like giving sweets to a little boy. If you give them plenty of sweets, they will be very happy. But if you give them a cup of coffee afterwards, they won’t like the coffee. So how do you find a track that is in between what they can accept and what you like? It’s not easy. You have to give them enough sweets before you can throw that track unto the floor and say “I think you might like this, let’s check it out”. But you have to do it in a way that it flows with the music.
So in your 10 years that you have been doing this, have you ever had that chance?
Plenty of times I have tried tracks that are not played on the radio, and thing is you cannot allow it to play for too long. When that happens you have to be smart about it.
I’m sure a lot of people prefer commercial music, but why is it that no one wants to give them the time of day to listen to the music that they like? After all it is the music that the DJs like to listen to that shapes them into that style.
First of all, electronic music or EDM is intelligent; it’s got a certain groove and a lot of time and attention is needed to listen to that kind of music, and basically Singaporeans do not have the luxury of extra time to do so. A regular person works 9-5, goes back home for dinner, probably has to work OT at home on his laptop or take care of the kids, spend time with the family- so that leaves them with no chance or time to care about the music they listen to. They do not bother about wondering if there is other music out there that they have not listened to, and this thought has not yet come to their heads as their focus is on making money and trying to survive here in Singapore. The expense of living here is very high; to own a car or house you have to take a loan from the bank, and everyone is working hard to pay off that loan.
The people you’re referring to are those of the working class, middle-aged population right? How about the younger generation?
The younger ones go to school with everything provided for from education to allowance, most do not work. Many are too pampered and spoilt for choice and would rather follow trends and what other people like. There is that mindset that if you do not like the same music as the majority, you are seen as uncool or weird. Furthermore, their parents do not bother about music as well, so why should they even take the step to explore music?
But I’m sure there are some people who appreciate such underground music…
Yes, there are, probably those into the arts and design or those who are studying that form of art. I haven’t been to school for a very long time so I wouldn’t be able to tell if these people will go into something different from what the radio is playing.
And some of these people are rather influential on the younger generation of today. Wouldn’t you say that there is hope?
I wouldn’t say there isn’t hope because there is, but then again these people will only go clubbing to certain places in Singapore. There is hope, but how many people can they influence? It takes everybody’s effort to make the electronic dance scene work, or bloom for that matter. In Indonesia, everyone is supporting their local DJs and if SG does not bother to support their local DJs or artists, then there is really no hope.
Do you think the clubs are able to influence these people?
The reason people go to clubs is to drink, dance and have fun; no one really bothers paying attention to the music.
Is that why ‘party music’ is popular today?
Yes, many don’t really listen to the music unless the energy level of the music is high when they enter the club. Even so, there are also many things to distract them with such as lighting, décor, beautiful people in the place, smoke and noise. Unless those people are musicians or DJs, they would tune in to the music.
Would you say the only place to enjoy such music is in the comfort of your own home, online, or a lounge?
It’s more on personal time. Like I said, this kind of music needs a lot of time to be able to appreciate, it requires a lot of time looking for nice tunes. There is an abundance of nice tunes available online. Personally I take a lot of time to look for a great tune, but for others it may take longer for I already know what to look out for. The difficulty is present and in addition to that, their focus is devoted to their family and on putting food on the table.
Why would you say that? How about the people who listen to music in their leisure time? Why can’t they tune in to such music then?
I don’t think they even have the time to do so. After a long day they are probably tired and would not have the time, or even leave the music to play while they sleep for fear of waking their parents, etc.
I’m sure there are other people who are not as busy and are able to devote their time to music.
There are, but a minority.
How has your journey been the whole ten years?
It has been tough ‘cause there are people who come to a place not knowing what kind of music to expect. From my experience at St James, there were people who requested for hip-hop or R&B when the banner clearly stated that it was a night of house music. We were already playing hip-hop remixes that are of a 4-4 beat, similar to hip-hop and R&B but still the requests came in. It already says a lot, and it’s tough. If you play a track that is very new and you know it’s going to be a hit, they will not accept it and back off the floor. When that happens, I am ‘forced’ to play something they are familiar with so they will come back. Six months later, I play the track again and it rocks. From this, it is concluded that it is not easy being a DJ in Singapore. It is probably easier in other Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan.
Many DJs I have spoken to have expressed the same sentiments about the lack of appreciation. But do you think they are being complacent?
There is a lot of music now, so it’s not easy to find a track that is in between commercial and underground. I don’t care what other DJs think but as one myself, I’d like to push that track till it becomes the club’s signature sound.
Do you think anything can be done to help the situation?
First of all you need to lower the cost of living in Singapore. That is the core issue. And have a radio show that actually plays proper music, or EDM music. That’s how it started in Europe, look at Radio One. They are playing it on the radio all the time.
It must be able to connect with everybody.
Yes, and it is the media that is very powerful. Media is the biggest tool to connect to the audience. Look at television, Channel 5 and 8 are playing really crappy shows and people still tune in to it.
They just want to relax.
Yes, they are working so hard and are exposed to stress and politics where they work. They just give up on something that puts soul back in their lives.
Any advice for aspiring DJs?
Just keep on trying. It doesn’t take one person, it takes everybody. If everyone works towards a dream, then it will happen. It takes everybody’s effort. Even among DJs there are many disagreements and different theories, but music is music, there is good music and bad music.
Edward currently spins at Stereolab which is located at Pan Pacific Hotel, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square
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