2020/04/28 10:27
Darren Teh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
“An Honest Mistake” leader, vocalist ,guitarist
"I've been spending most of my time in my room which is also my jamming studio making music."
The first time I met Darren Teh was in September 2018. The Bee, a live music venue in Kuala Lumpur. Darren was one of the organizers of the event and he was buzzing with beer when I visited the venue.
Imam of Jakarta indie rock band lightcraft introduced me to Darren and recommended him, saying "Darren is one of the most forward-thinking musicians I know".
"I tell a lot of things to the younger generation of musicians. The way they play, the way they behave on stage, the way they check the sound, etc... It's very important to train a new generation," Darren told me at the time. I remember having a great deal of sympathy for his stance of supporting a new generation while working as an artist himself.
I had the pleasure of seeing An Honest Mistake live at Bangkok Music City last year, and their intense yet spectacular performance was truly impressive.
And this time, I posed a similar question to Darren.
Ryuji Noda, Music from Okinawa
Q1: Please tell us about your current surroundings situation. (home, office, town, etc.)
The entire country is pretty much on lockdown at the moment. It feels like we're in a movie where everyone is hiding in their homes and only the crazy or the brave ones will go out.
We're only allowed out from 8am to 8pm and there are police roadblocks in most areas. However, I'm lucky to be living in an area where there are many accessible grocery stores and the roadblock is in the opposite direction of where I live.
I've been spending most of my time in my room which is also my jamming studio making music.
Q2: The music industry is taking a big hit in every country. Please tell us about your current work (and musical activities).
I had initially planned a few shows at a new venue. It's a great looking venue with high ceiling and properly equipped with sound and lights. It's also located within an industrial area so that means noise isn't an issue. All the shows had to be cancelled unfortunately.
Due to the lockdown, I've been spending a lot of time at home writing music. I've been demo-ing and trying to push myself to produce as much as possible in this time. Apart from that, I was also involved in a fund raiser hosted by an online news site called The Sun Daily and an online radio called AFORadio. I was a co-host on the live stream that ran for 6 days where we spoke to various artistes in Malaysia, new and old, indie and major with the purpose of raising funds for the frontliners and needy.
My artists that I manage are also releasing new singles so I'm busy with writing press releases and engaging the media to do content with the artists.
Q3: In the current situation, what kind of support does the government give to people involved in music and culture in your country? Also, are you happy with it?
At the moment, I highly doubt there is any kind of support in huge amount but CENDANA, the Cultural Development Agency has worked out a small amount where applicants will need to apply for. More info can be found on the website. There is a RM1500 and RM3500 support but there has to be some kind of process to it and I don't think it's the easiest to receive.
To be honest, I think it's great effort but due to the limited funds from the agency, that is a limitation that I don't even consider an option and I find other means of earning during this period.
Q4: What is the best approach that musicians and music professionals can take to your society right now?
Right now I think everyone is streaming online. While some are open to the idea of performing for free, I feel there is a way to work around it where the artist doesn't have to play for free and could earn from their online performance.
With regards to performance, perhaps a 'pay per view' option is possible. Artistes can also focus on perhaps writing and publishing articles to build their knowledge. This is also a time where collaboration can become even more evident because there's such a limitation with movement so making the most out of the confinement is essential.
Q5: What do you think is the role of music and entertainment in the current situation?
It's entertainment. We can't run away from the fact that it is. This is actually the best time to release music and to really push for online streaming because everyone is dying for some form of entertainment.
Doing some research into sounding good is essential especially if it's an online performance. In terms of releasing material, this is the best time to populate the digital space.
Q6: It's difficult to look ahead, but is there anything that you're thinking about now for the post corona virus?
I'm planning to do a tour once the virus dies down. Since we already have a new song ready to go, plus we're working on new ones, by the end of this pandemic, we would probably have at least 5 new songs to perform live and that itself makes a set already. I'm also planning for more music video releases and parties.
Q7: Do you have any ideas that you can share with your friends who lives in overseas through music?
I believe we can summarize it into a few options:
1. Release music
2. Write music
3. Hold discussion sessions
4. Perform on live streams
5. Write and send out PR material
6. Collab with other artists
Q8: What's your favorite music right now?
I've been listening to a few bands on repeat. Emarosa, Issues and Slaves are the few mains ones I have on repeat.
These bands have an equal amount of pop and rock. It's a good balance. The vocals are also very melodic and challenging to sing which is also something I'm emulating.
Also we're trying to move away from the pop punk sound and to have a more mature sound.
Q9：Please leave a message.
To everyone, stay positive and stay safe.
This isn't the end of our careers in music. This is only a test on how we can improvise and be even more agile. This will keep us on our toes to always be cutting edge. See this as an opportunity to reinvent and be more creative. Once this is all over, we would have come out even better than before as artists. For everyone else, spend more time with your family and build your bonds. There is no better time than now.
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Since the beginning of the year, preparations had been underway to invite “An Honest Mistake” to an event in Okinawa in May, but due to the COVID19, I had to postpone it to July to proceed.
However, with no prospect of international flights reopening and the quarantine at immigration uncertain, it will be difficult to make it happen this year.
Hopefully we will be able to invite them again in the near future in the best conditions.
Profile
Darren Teh（Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia）
An Honest Mistake leader,vocalist and guitarist.
At the age of 14, he began playing music in his church. The first instrument I picked up was a bass guitar. Then he got a guitar, drums, and keyboards.
In 2005, at the age of 18, he joined the alternative rock band “Army of Three” on bass and backing vocals, recorded three albums, left “Army of Three” in 2010, and formed “An Honest Mistake.”
Alongside his own musical work, Darren has taken the initiative to provide a platform for new artists. He has done a number of shows to promote local and surrounding artists.
He also wants to set up an Asian tour circuit with some of the best promoters in the region to promote Asian music. He is always striving step by step to elevate Malaysian music to an international platform.
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