A VACANT AFFAIR

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIMOTHY STUART WEE
WEBSITE: www.myspace.com/avacantaffair
COUNTRY: Singapore STYLE: Post-Hardcore

Interview Answered by Matt.

YOU GUYS LOOK LIKE ANY NORMAL PERSON ON THE STREET WOULD LOOK BUT AS SOON AS YOU GUYS PLAY YOU JUST SEEM TO COME ALIVE ALL OF A SUDDEN. IS MUSIC THE ULTIMATE WAY TO EXPRESSES YOURSELVES?

Personally, I agree. I don’t speak up much about my problems and inner thoughts a lot and the only time I sorta ‘let go’, it is through our songs. Music has become such a big part of our lives right now, it doesn’t matter where you are, what religion you’re in and etc, music has that power to reach into you and make everything better.

LISTENING TO THE SONGS “WE ARE NOT THE SAME” AND “CRESTFALLEN” ONE CAN HEAR THAT YOU GUYS HAVE THE ABILITY TO MIX THE MELODIC PARTS AND THE HEAVY PARTS OF YOUR MUSIC TOGETHER REALLY WELL. IN WHAT DIRECTION DO YOU SEE THE BAND’S MUSIC MOVING TOWARDS IN THE FUTURE?

It is interesting that you brought this question up because me and some of the guys were just casually talking about this a few days ago! Well, currently we are just very glad that our debut album, Reasons to Leave, turned out how it turned out. The songs have been represented and recorded well and we are just very thankful for that. As for the direction in the future, nothing has been set in stone. We have yet to get around that, so it is still very open.

THE LYRICS OF YOUR SONGS DRIFT BETWEEN SCREAMING AND VERY CATCHY SINGING PARTS. WHAT TYPE OF THEMES DO YOUR LYRICS COVER MOSTLY, AND IS THERE A “MESSAGE” AND FEEL THAT YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO FANS THROUGH YOUR MUSIC?

I handle the lyrical aspect of our songs and I usually write about how I feel about the things around me, what has happened to me, what I fear and of course what I hope for. In regards to Reasons to Leave, since it is a very thematic album, every song has its unique meaning and purpose. Even the accordance of the track listing is deliberate. The concept of the album is best listened to and understood according to the original track listing.

I have always believed it having your own sense of mind. So individualism is pretty much what I believe in. Of course, I’m not saying that everyone should be selfish and all. But in a crazy world that we live in now, with everything being shoved into your face, you gotta make your own decisions and decide for yourself what is right or wrong. And if it’s the wrong choice, acknowledge it and learn from it.

A VACANT AFFAIR RELEASED THE ALBUM “REASONS TO LEAVE” LATE IN 2008. WHAT ASPECTS OF THE “REASONS TO LEAVE” SOUND WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE AND EXPLORE AND EXPERIMENT WITH MORE IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

Although nothing has been set in stone in regards to our future sound, I can see ourselves exploring and experimenting with more ambient stuff but still keeping the heavy tones of the band. It’s either that or we’ll put out a full on hardcore record. HAHA!

Well it all depends on how we are as people while writing the new songs. I believe the environmental aspect of where the band is in and in which point of time, plays a big part on how bands write their songs.

IT TOOK YOU GUYS ALMOST FIVE YEARS TO RELEASE YOUR DEBUT ALBUM. WAS IT JUST A CASE OF WAITING FOR THE RIGHT MOMENT?

It is more of having the material that we are all happy with before putting out a record. Life in Singapore is very demanding and fast-paced. These 5 years we have been juggling with studies, National Service and work. That is probably the main reason why we took 5 years to release our debut album. In addition, we are very meticulous as a band. We wanted to write the songs that we truly believe in and of course, this is not something that can be rushed.

HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF WRITING AND RECORDING “REASONS TO LEAVE”, AND DID YOU ACHIEVE EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO MUSICALLY WITH THE ALBUM?

Fruitful; that’s the word I would use to sum up the entire experience. We’ve learnt so much after recording our self-titled EP back in 2006 and with Reasons to Leave, we’ve learnt even more. Not only about ourselves in regards to being musicians, but also learning more about one another as people.

Musically, I think we’ve managed to accomplish most of the things that we’ve set out to do. We managed to experiment with different tones and styles of writing, using different equipment (e.g. AMPs) and even different methods of recording. I guess the songs speak for themselves. It is a very varied rock record. We have songs sounding so heavily influenced by Iron Maiden and Van Halen and the next thing you know, you’ll hear the ambient & power-pop influences in us as well.

IN SOUTH AFRICA MUSIC ON RADIO AND TV IS DOMINATED BY THE UK TOP 40 AND OTHER RADIO FRIENDLY GENRES. HOW MUCH SUPPORT DOES ROCK AND HEAVIER GENRES OF MUSIC GET FROM THE YOUR LOCAL MEDIA AND HOW POPULAR IS ROCK AND ITS SUB GENRES AMONG THE PEOPLE OF SINGAPORE?

It is the same case in Singapore. When you tune in to the stations, it is all foreign music. Mainly music from US and UK. There are only 1 or 2 stations that play music from Singapore and even then, the rotation is pretty pathetic.

As for AVA, we are considered pretty fortunate to be able to have 1 or 2 of our songs on radio. In fact, I believe we are the only hardcore band that’s playing on the radio airwaves. The rest of the local bands that are featured are mostly Brit-rock or indie-pop bands.

But there is support for heavier genres like us. And it is growing. There are a lot of underground and DIY shows. Also, bands are popping out from everywhere these days because the local music scene in general is growing. In reference to AVA, we have, despite being a hardcore band, managed to break into Singapore’s mainstream circuit, and having played several mainstream music festivals in Singapore, I dare say we have been able to pack the place with kids and these kids can really connect with us because I guess it’s so hard trying to break out in Singapore especially if you’re in a hardcore band. I guess in this aspect, they can connect with us to a certain level because we’ve sorta broke the stigma about hardcore bands being on mainstream shows.

The situation is improving though. We have just completed one season of a TV program, telecasted on our most popular English TV channel, showcasing nothing but local artists and bands. To me, this has been a long time coming and this is actually the first step of getting more Singaporeans to take notice bands from their own country.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT ROCK MUSIC AND HOW HAS THE MUSIC YOU LISTENED TO OVER THE YEARS INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING STYLE?

Music is one of the few constants I have in my life. And I believe there are a lot of people out there that feels the same way as I do about music. It has been there for so many dark times and without it, I don’t think I’ll still be here.

I look up to a lot of artists/singers but if I had to point out a few key ones that have influenced me so much over the years, they have to be Zack De La Rocha (Rage Against The Machine / One Day As A Lion) and Daryl Palumbo (Glassjaw / Head Automatica).

Zack is beyond words. His presence, writing style, melodies, honesty and his vision is just beyond anything. His work in RATM has brought so many people together. I may not be the smartest or the most up-to-date person in the world to talk about politics but knowing that his music has done so much for people, reinforces my belief in music that it can impact people in positive ways.

Daryl is my hero, period. I’ve been listening to many bands over the years but the only band that I have been listening to every single day without fail is Glassjaw. The main reason is Daryl. There are no words to fully describe how much his work in Glassjaw impacts me. To my mind, he is a sort of front man that everyone will try to replicate and copy but will fail because everyone will soon learn that there is only one guy that can pull off shit like that, and that is Daryl Palumbo.

IN WHAT WAYS WOULD YOU SAY THE MEMBERS OF THE BAND HAVE ALL BECOME BETTER MUSICIANS AS THE YEARS HAVE PASSED BY PLAYING IN A VACANT AFFAIR?

I would say we’ve learnt to be smarter and become more open musicians. But in music, it’s an ever learning journey. We still have a long way to go, so many aspects of being in a rock band that we have yet to accomplish.

YOU GUYS FEATURED ON THE SINGAPORE LEG OF THE TASTE OF CHAOS TOUR FEATURING AS I LAY DYING AND STORY OF THE YEAR IN 2008. IN WHAT WAYS DID THAT HELP TO BOOST THE BAND’S CONFIDENCE?

We’ve learnt a lot just by watching these bands. I mean, they are like tour veterans! Bands like As I Lay Dying and Story of the Year tour very extensively. And if anyone would want to compare us with these bands, I wouldn’t say it is exactly fair. Simply because, in Singapore, there is no such thing as touring. Shows and gigs here are quite difficult to come by and tours around the region seldom come by as well because of commitment to your day jobs, promoters’ lack of confidence and so much more.

So in regards to touring experience, confidence and stage presence, we are on the losing end. When you go on tour and at different countries, you learn a lot along way. This is something AVA hasn’t been able to achieve in the recent years.
However, I truly believe in regards to song writing, I believe that we have nothing inferior to these American bands at all. I believe that our album is definitely unique and it’s something I would shout about.

ALONG WITH PLAYING ON THE TASTE OF CHAOS TOUR WHAT HAS BEEN SOME OF THE BIGGEST HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOU ON AND OFF THE STAGE WITH A VACANT AFFAIR?

I would say just being able to release the album. We have set aside so much of our time, effort and money for it and just to be able to release it, it is a huge relief. It is something we’ve been hoping and planning to do for years.

And also to know that people are actually listening to and connecting with our songs, feels amazing. We write songs for ourselves, what we wanna hear and what we believe in. But to realize that these songs are actually being understood and acceptable by people, it’s really a blessing and an honor.

I SEE YOU GUYS DON’T HAVE ANY SHOWS LISTED ON ANY OF YOUR WEB PAGES. WHAT IS THE BAND CURRENTLY UP TO AND ARE YOU LOOKING TO RETURN TO THE STAGE SOON?

March and April have been very quiet for us. But as a whole there aren’t any major shows coming up in these 2 months. We’ve just listed 2 confirmed gigs coming up though, and there are a few pending offers as well.

One of our guitarists together with our bassist is away for studies at Perth and New York respectively. We’ve got a few close friends helping us out meanwhile. In fact, we just opened for The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus with our ‘new’ lineup sometime in February.

And yeah, we are still game for more gigs!

ANY LAST COMMENTS / ADVICE OR PEOPLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO THANK?

To anyone reading this interview, no matter where you are from, don’t be too quick to judge artists/bands from Asia. There are actually pretty bad ass and talented! Even if listening to AVA doesn’t prove that, some others will definitely do soon. Stay safe!