It’s 12.55pm – and as I push open the door, I’m greeted by a cosy rehearsal room. Various musical instruments fill up the soundproofed walls: two guitars, a drum set, and a keyboard. In the middle of all that stands Elson Soh, a local artiste.
He shakes my hand with a warm smile, and introduces himself while the band members prepare their equipment. Soon I am introduced to the entire team – and while a few of them go for a quick break, Elson begins telling me about himself.
He has been singing since he was 17, and has already had two major concerts so under his belt. His first was in Esplanade, while his second was in Singapore Expo’s Max Pavilion. This upcoming concert will be his third.
After 3 Chinese medleys, others take over and commence their own rehearsals. Meanwhile, Elson and I are ushered into an office instead.
Made In Singapore
I ask him about the songs he rehearsed earlier, and he explains that they are from the list of songs he will be singing at his upcoming concert.
“It’s going to be a mixture of original compositions and some songs that I really like, such as those from my idols – Jay Chou, Wang Li Hom, and our fellow Singaporean JJ Lin.”
He goes on to share about his new song, and how he prides himself on being an artist “made in Singapore”. I can tell by the fiery passion in his eyes that this is something he feels strongly for.
When I probe into why he chose to develop himself as an artiste in Singapore, he responds without skipping a beat.
“I have been overseas to observe and study how things are like, and I realized that things were quite similar, with the only difference being that the arts industry in Singapore doesn’t get as much recognition as the academic side.”
“Often in Singapore, we do have talent but they can’t fulfil it here because there is no demand, and so they go overseas instead.”
This stigma faced is nothing new – local singers Nathan Hartono and Joanna Dong have been in our music industry for some time but only became popular after advancing to the finals in Sing! China.
For a long time, Elson has felt that Singaporean artistes often struggle to succeed in the local music industry – regardless of how talented they are. He adds that Singaporeans tend to perceive their own artistes to be more inferior – until they succeed overseas.
However, Elson says that things seem to be changing.
A Spotlight For Local Talents
His face lights up as he lists out the various musicians he knows – all of whom have worked with international artistes. These include the likes of A-Mei and JJ Lin.
“I want to let those who have been listening to international artistes know that the music they hear are all played by Singaporeans.”
He adds that he decided to form an all-Singaporean team for his music production, regardless of their role. The end product, he says, is as good as those produced anywhere else.
Elson describes himself as someone who values his roots, and appreciates that pursuing his music in Singapore means being close to his family and friends.
It is easy to see why Elson takes such pride in being a locally-made artiste.
Everyone who has had a large impact on him – his vocal teacher, the person who taught him how to play his instruments, down to the person who helped to develop his hosting skills – they have all been from Singapore.
Naturally, Elson wants to show the world that Singapore has many talented individuals as well.
Trudging On
Curious about his journey, I ask if there have been any difficulties he has faced by choosing to develop himself as an artiste in Singapore.
He ponders for a moment, and recalls a time where he flipped open a local newspaper to a column that featured the worst albums and singers that were promoting then.
He found himself in that list, together with a few other “famous artists from Taiwan”.
“I was hit by the reality that locals don’t really support local music, and many feel that it’s inferior compared to the music produced by overseas artistes.”
With a laugh, he adds, “Singapore is so small yet it’s so difficult to conquer.”
He reveals that he has turned down various invitations to go overseas as well as offers from other international labels – all because he wishes to remain true to his roots.
Elson admits that the stigma faced by local artistes is something that can’t be changed overnight. However, he has learned to take it in his stride – using this as fuel to improve himself instead.
He remains hopeful that Singaporeans will one day come to show support for local talents.
It’s now 2.10pm – his manager pops her head in to say that Elson has a next appointment, and he takes his leave.
If you’d like to support Elson and other homegrown singers, catch him at The Grand Return Music Concert 2017.
4 November 2017
Zepp @ BIGBOX Singapore
7.30pm – 10pm
Tickets can be purchased here.
