Music
7 Malaysian band artistes who have gone solo
Some things you just have to do on your own.
They say that it’s always lonely at the top, which makes you wonder what would possess the frontman of one of the most popular bands in these parts, one that consistently sells out shows and records, to record and release a solo album. Yet that is what Noh Salleh of Hujan did recently with his solo album ‘Angin Kencang’. But wait, doesn’t he already write all the songs for Hujan? “I guess I wanted to try something on my own,” says Noh, “I’m a big fan of SORE (Indonesian band) and I’ve always dreamt about writing retro French-style pop songs but singing in ‘bahasa’ Nusantara. That’s not really Hujan.
Noh then recounts that it started with just one song, but that proved inspirational and before he knew it, he had an album full of materials. It’s been a learning curve that he’s been enjoying greatly, “For example the song ‘Sarawak’. I wrote it and set on a certain mood for the song and had started imagining what it would be like to perform the song like that. I sent the demo to the producer (Adink Agusiana Permana of SORE) and he returned with an arrangement that was way better than what I imagined it could be.”
The burning question would be, would he ever consider leaving Hujan and going full on solo if this venture becomes successful, “Hujan is my life, my family. There's no way I’m ever gonna leave them. Without Hujan, I don’t know where I’ll be now. Without it I would never be able to do ‘Angin Kencang’.
Noh Salleh will be on his Road Tour from 13-16 September 2017. For more details, go here.
In light of Noh’s solo venture, here are some other artistes that have gone from being in popular bands/groups to going solo.
Emmett Ishak (Butterfingers)
Despite their reunion at last year’s Rockaway Festival, Butterfingers appear to be a closed chapter. That’s not stopping frontman Emmet Ishak from starting a new one. With a new moniker Emmett I, he has assembled a new band and started writing and recording solo music this year. Judging from his recently released materials such a single ‘Stranger Danger’, it’s obvious where the grunge influence was originated in Butterfingers.
Joe Flizzow (Too Phat)
As Too Phat together with partner Malique, Joe Flizzow was one of the figureheads of Malaysian rap in the early 2000s. With the dissolution of Too Phat, he’s gone on to release solo records and currently spends a lot of his time running his label, Kartel Records.
Liyana Fizi (Estrella)
Given her massive popularity as a solo artist, it may be easy to forget that Liyana Fizi was once part of an equally popular band, Estrella. They were a mainstay in the local indie stakes before disbanding which led to her beginning life anew as a solo artist. Her lovely 2011 album ‘Between the Line’ is a wonderful product of her sojourn as a solo song-slinger.
Mizz Nina (Teh Tarik Crew)
Teh Tarik Crew was once ‘the’ rap group in Malaysia, hitting the largest festivals and winning numerous awards. Such was their talent that all of them went on to carve neat careers for themselves in the solo stakes, not least the belle among the beasts Mizz Nina. She’s gone on to work with the likes of Flo Rida, Jay Park and Colby O’Donis.
Narmi (One Buck Short)
Taking a break from pounding the drums and wreaking general stage havoc with popular punk band One Buck Short, Imran decided to retreat and write songs that appear more suited to be played by the beach, under a chilled canopy. Sounds like a recipe for disaster. But the fact that he’s gain a sizable solo following is a testament to his talent. By the way, Narmi is his name spelled backwards.
Yogi B (Poetic Ammo)
The former figurehead of once-popular rap group Poetic Ammo managed to carve out a nice career for himself as a rap exponent in India. He’s released albums, featured in movies and has even worked with the likes of popular composer A.R. Rahman.
Noh Salleh will be on his Road Tour from 13-16 September 2017. For more details, go here.