Transcript of interview with Malcolm Yau (conducted by Amanda Lee), 7 October 2016, 5 pm, City Square Mall.
Malcolm is a 19-year old male Chinese Singaporean and is a student. Malcolm does not like English pop music as he finds it repetitive and the lyrics to be meaningless. Occasionally he listens to pop music on Spotify. Malcolm prefers English alternative rock or acoustic rock instead. Some of his favorite bands are Lifehouse and Goo Goo Dolls as he finds their lyrics poetic and meaningful. He does not think that English pop music expresses his identity as the bubbly nature of the songs do not reflect his mood. Malcolm does not listen to Western classical music and thinks that he prefers music with lyrics rather than simply instrumental music. Malcolm thinks that Western classical music should be considered as part of the culture of the country in which it originated from. Malcolm has seen High School Musical but is not a fan of musicals as he finds them to be too dramatic. Malcolm does not listen to Chinese pop music but used to when he was younger. He thinks that the standard of Chinese pop music has dropped and is not on par with English pop music. Malcolm thinks that Chinese pop music expresses a cultural connection between Singaporeans and people in Taiwan, Hong Kong and China as they all share the same language and can express themselves in the same way. Malcolm does not listen to traditional Chinese music. He thinks that it should be preserved just for the few who still enjoy it. Malcolm liked the Chinese crossover sample and thought it was something new. He thinks that it expresses his identity best as a Chinese person. Malcolm thought the experimental Chinese music sample was something one might listen to to relax. He would not mind listening to it again and is neutral about it. Malcolm knows of Singaporean artistes like Gentle Bones and Charlie Lim. He does not think that there is a Singaporean style of music as the songs’ styles and singers’ accents are not Singaporean. He thinks that while Singlish comedy songs can represent Singapore on the global stage, it might not be a good idea. Malcolm thinks that National Day songs sounds more like a cheer rather than as something Singaporeans can easily identify with.
“Like Lifehouse and Goo Goo Dolls, so these are my – my favorite bands. Their music is ... their music – I like their music because although it’s alternate rock and, er, sometimes pop rock even, they also sound like their own genre because of the way they make it and the lyrics. Their lyrics are also quite meaningful and it’s very poetic I feel, ya.”
“Um, I don’t listen to [English pop music] very often only sometimes when I really do feel like ... in the mood for pop, then I’ll listen to pop. Then – ya, probably old school – probably Michael Jackson or whatever, ya. Those kind. I – I would listen – I will listen. Ya.”
“Er, English pop music don’t identify with me because, er, I’m not so, er ... no lah. I – I – the mood for me right, that – that pop music gives is usually happy which I don’t think I am very often.”
“[Western classical music is] a very good experience because it’s a – it’s very rounded when you go to listen to all these orchestra, because there’s so many instruments and everything sounds in sync, and they’re all very tight. But would I go for it again is ... you – probably a no, because it’s not my go-to music.”
“I think I will still group [Western classical music] under as their own countries’ music. Like US, if – if like classical Western music usually ... I think probably I will still base them on the countries they are on lah, because I think giving the country of credit like, er, having these talented artists are a good ...”
“I think for normal cinema show or normal opera show, it’s – it’s, er, dramatic enough, so if you include more musical and action [like in a musical] I think it’s too dramatic for me and it’s – it doesn’t really touch me because I won’t be so dramatic about, er, er, er, er, something in my life like that.”
“Growing up I think I have my parents or my grandparents all listen to Chinese music. So since young I’ve associated Chinese – Chinese music as the previous generation. So I don’t usually go and listen to those music, ya. I only listen to English which to me – in my head – it’s just more my time.”
“Ya, the lyrics and the poetry of – of the Chinese lyrics is – is not as good, er, as the English one. Where it – it – for English to me it sounds smoother and it sounds correct. But then for Chinese they may have one small little word but is able to drag for a few seconds which is weird for me. Ya.”
“Because, er, our ancestors are also probably from Taiwan or Hong Kong, right? So I think a part of our blood is probably related. So for me if it feels correct in a sense where, er, Chinese [pop] music is able to express the same way as how Taiwanese people express, and how us as a Chinese Singaporean express.”
“Probably what my grandma sings for karaoke. Ya. So those to me are traditional [Chinese] music. Ya. Ya.”
“I think it’s good that we preserve [traditional Chinese music] because, er, what if this small group of people actually love and like will only listen to this genre. And what if that is taken out of our, er, of our life. They wouldn’t find joy in a lot of things.”
“Er, I enjoyed [Chinese crossover music]. It’s, er, it’s something new, I feel. Er, it’s like ... but mainly it’s still a cover so it’s their own version of their songs – ya, which I – I quite like – I quite support covers which is a good thing.”
“I think [experimental Chinese music is] something, um, you listen to if, er, in a very nice environment, nice, quiet environment. Ya. Like you just want to open up your mind and relax. I think that is pretty good. Um, but is – it’s not something that I will listen to because it’s ... it – it doesn’t really tell a story for me. Ya. All these sounds sound like more background music.”
“I say I will accept [experimental Chinese music is]. Er, it’s – it’s not something that I really like but if this plays on the radio I wouldn’t mind listening to it because it – it opens up my mind and helps me relax a bit. But I also don’t hate it because it’s ... not bad. Ya.”
“Experimental. Ya. I think that represents me less – least. I mean, er, [be]cause ... er ... it – it’s very traditional. It sounds really, really traditional. It sounds also something that I will listen to when I’m retired. So it does not apply me to me right now in my life.”
“Er, I don’t listen to [Gentle Bones and Charlie Lim] very often but I’ve heard of them and I listened to their music. It’s actually pretty good. Er, it’s a very high standard music. Something that I would listen to sometimes if I – if I ever feel in the mood.”
“Er, no, I don’t think so because most of our music that comes out – even the accent is already not Singaporean. Then the songs and the styles are also not historical[ly] like Singapore so I don’t think it’s – is going to be ... when they hear it it’s not going to be Singapore. Ya, that’s the first thought.”
“I think it – it could but I don’t think it should. Because it’s a – it’s a – these are parody songs so it’s for comedic sense. So ... if the genre comedy represents Singapore, I think it’s a very bad image.”
“I think more of experimental Chinese represent Singaporeans. Er, because, er, Singaporeans I feel that they like more funky things, so I think a mix of Chinese and, er, crossover all these would – would be more like our thing. Ya.”
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