Friday, November 18, 2005
Jamtank interviews Azmyl Yunor
How did you get started in music?
It all began with nursery rhymes, music boxes. Before you know it, you play the music.
Do you busk your own materials, or covers? A viable way to earn a living?
I did busk some of my catchier, commercially viable songs but the bulk of it were covers. Some I just make up there and then and pretend its a song. I got paranoid about somebody hearing my song stealing the melodies since busking is not covered in the copyright act. The choices of covers depended on the general mood because I am interested in observing different kinds of people, and busking is a good way to watch the different types of audience. You bump into a lot of interesting characters - drunks, derelicts, tourists, senior citizens. Most of the fun comes from watching girls and trying to catch their attention in a song-and-dance tradition.
Since I had a harmonica, I played a lot of Bob Dylan and Rolling Stones covers, then I realised I had the hair too. They wrote a lot of good songs about girls too by the way. I tried to impress this girl working at a pharmacy once but the cops removed me for being too loud near the entrance door even though I don't even use an amp.
It does give you a reasonable amount of money, but not to earn a living unless you busk 16 hours a day. I started out trying to get some pocket and cigarette money. The first time I busked was with just a tambourine and earned 85 cents for a half-an-hours work. The hourly average went up later.
You have been really prolific. Whats the total number of songs that you have written?
Ermm I dont know really, around 50, maybe? Or maybe more. Or less. I dont know, never really counted them. I don't think most of them were even 'written'. I threw away a lot of them. Some of them really stink and its hard to get the smell out of my room.
What are your inspirations?
Well, everything, basically everyday things, like, how a room looks like, or how the air smells, or heartaches, backaches, you know, everything. Nothings safe from me, especially myself. The songs you feel scared to play are the best ones.
How do you normally write them on an acoustic, etc?
On anything available, but because acoustics/guitar 'kapuks' are quite common, more accessible and mobile than say, a piano, I use them more. I don't go and tell myself ok, I'm going to sit down and write a song, so I don't think saying I 'write' songs is an appropriate term. Sometimes they come around and I call them in. They come and go like bad thoughts.
Best work?
How many bands concurrently? Damnweather, Maharajah Commission, Any others? Differences between them?
I dont like the idea of wanting a band to be like this or like that or to sound in a specific way. Kinship and tolerance is more important than everything else like in any relationship - the ability to share cigarettes and pay for each others drinks and not being a sour-grape about it. People you can just go generally nuts with and not feel embarrassed about it.
Thunder Coffee Club is another pet baby, basically just recording everything everywhere with friends regardless whether they know how to play instruments or not. Damnweather is the disgruntled and broke older brother who's always passed out in some gutter.
When you write songs, do you decide which band you want to write for?
I come up with the songs alone not really thinking of the band or anyone else unless the song is about someone specifically, like a daydream. Thats why I play some of them on my own most of the time. With the band and the Maharajah songs, we dont really write songs as much experience/play them first then look back in hindsight before realising or deciding it is actually a song. We work backwards in many ways.
Most of the recorded stuff we have are the first time weve played it. Recorded as it is being written and contained like a bug.
Describe Maharajah Commissions music. How would you classify it? Same genre as Sgt Weeners Arms and Damn Dirty Apes? The other two bands are a surprise hit in the scene, with their elaborate and improvisational workouts (with less emphasis on vocals). Maharajah Commission came before the two bands do you think it paved ways for them?
To be honest, I never heard their music since Ive been away for a while, so I cant really answer that question. Some of the guys have been raving about them, so I cant wait to watch them play when I get back.
But its interesting to know there are bands that play instrumentals. As for paving ways, the band never intentionally meant to open up anything since Ive never paved anything myself.
What is the inspiration behind the Maharajah Commission name?
Well, we were sitting at a mamak store on one warm night, sipping on the tenth cup of teh, and it came out of the blue, like from the sky or something. It knocked me out cold. Maybe the commission bit had to do with sales. Im not too sure now. That was ages ago.
Does the Maharajah Commission have a core line up? The members seem to be coming in and out.
Ermm... The core line up is Farez, Fang Han, Alex and me. This was the core because the four of us were the only one around in Malaysia at the time when we came up with the name. We all swap instrument duties.
Theyre all from Subang, and Im not, so I always look forward to travelling there a couple times a week. Nothing much happens where I live.
As for the guys who seemingly to be coming in and out of the line up, thats merely out of playing live. Some of them just show up and end up playing along. Theyre good friends, honorary members but no less important. Someones always missing somewhere either in Malaysia or overseas, so it helps. There should be no excuse to not play because someone is not there I guess. The show must go on as they say.
Can you describe Maharajah Commissions about-to-be-released album? On what label (they are signed to Yandsens Monkey label). Whats the title (Volume 5!?)
The album was recorded last December/January, when out of some cosmic fate everybody was around, for once! Im not sure about the title at the time being, we're all still deciding; one of the working titles is in French, which, according to my Mauritian friend, means talking about love. Or something.
They have Vol 1-4 released independently. How does it differ from the older work?
The difference that I could say is that the previous works were done with minimum recording facility, Farez recorded them on tape or mini disc, and thats it. They were never intended to be an album. We played, listened to the recording, then we realised that were in sync, or at least could me tweaked that way. Lots of sweat and anger and ringing ears.
The new one, in contrast, was done with proper machines, you know, in a proper studio, Yandsens monkey studio, where theyve got the whole works. We recorded on 24-track, or 16-track, I dont know how many tracks. I felt like a fish out of water. It was a beautiful and interesting experience, like jungle trekking. The window had an inspiring view.
How is the scene in Australia (Perth, Melbourne)? Differences between the scenes in Australia and Malaysia?
Well, a lot of things are going on here in Melbourne; bands come and go like nobodys business, festivals, etc. I feel lucky to be here, to be able to enjoy the many gigs, overseas bands concerts, etc. Most of the venues are rather small here, creating a rather personal atmosphere; You can kiss the amps too as much as you can see the face of the musicians in more detail, like, how many pimples they have on their faces, how human and flawed they are and not see them as seen on TV.
I dont really know what the 'scene' is currently like in Malaysia to be honest, because Ive only had been back to KL for a short time, hardly been to most of the happening places except the excellent No Black Tie. I hadnt been much of a gig-goer in my youth either since I lived outside the city. Im looking forward to going for more in the future though.
Future of the DIY/underground music scene in Malaysia?
I cant speak much about the scene but all I can say is to take things as it is, one step at a time, dont think too much. Dont go building castles in the sky etc. Learn from mistakes. Meet more people. Maybe you can say carpe diem or seize the day or something like that to keep the spirits up.
Being a veteran in the scene, what would be your advice to people forming bands and writing original material?
I didnt even know that Im a veteranheheh. A lotta old veteran people out there in bands, huh? I dont think Im in a position to advise other people since Im the one who could some. All I can say in forming a band, dont limit yourself with the idea of forming a band',..Make a racket first, worry about the other stuff later. There shouldnt be a formulae in forming bands, like cooking. Thats the whole fun of it not knowing whats going to happen next or what you're gonna get. That panic. That moment before you break a sweat. Enjoy the ride. I'm reminding myself here too.
Any last words?
More words to come hopefully Its been a long journey and I'm looking forward for the long walk. Hope the weather's fine.