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Laneway Exclusive: Interview with Singaporean band Riot !n Magenta
They spell their name with an exclamation point, but that’s not the only thing unique about Riot !n Magenta. The Singaporean electro-indie-pop band creates not just music but atmosphere – a world of mystery, passion and imagination.
Composed of Eugenia Yip (vocals), Ken Hayashida (keyboards), Khairyl Hashim (guitars), Ritz Ang (drums), and Sulaiman Supian (bass), Riot !n Magenta is one of the hometown prides at this week’s Laneway Music Festival in the Lion City.
I caught up with Ritz, who talked about the band’s beginnings, how they got their mesmerizing sound, and who they’re most looking forward to seeing at the annual festival.
GMA News Online: Where are you now and what’s outside your window?
Ritz Ang: I am in Singapore. I’m in our studio, and I am actually looking at the housing estates outside.
Could you tell me how you guys got together as a band?
Basically Riot in magenta started out as a duo. It’s the singer, Eugenia, and the keyboardist Ken. It started out as a duo, until they got Khai, who is the guitarist. He just came over one night for a jam session. And then after that, I joined them because prior to that I was working with Eugenia. So she was like, ‘Hey, you’re not doing anything, why don’t you join us?” And I was like, “Okay!”
And then it was us four: Khai, myself, Ken and Eugenia. We played gigs together. Soon after, we decided we needed a bass player. Khai knows Sulaiman, who is our current bass player from another band, and he just asked him to come onboard.
When they asked you to join the band, what were you doing at the time? Is playing music something you really wanted to do?
I was actually playing in a few bands, sessioning around. But there wasn’t anything concrete. Actually, I was a huge admirer of Eugenia, and I’ve always wanted to work with her in a more elaborate way, like putting together and making original music. So when the chance came about, I was very happy to do it. Fortunately, the music that they play is what I liked also, so that’s a big bonus.
How did you develop your own unique sound as Riot !n Magenta? I’m sure you guys all come from different backgrounds and have different influences.
Yeah, you’re right, the whole band comes from very different backgrounds and have different musical upbringings. But in a way, we’re all very open-minded when it comes to writing music, we’re not going to put down someone’s idea just because we don’t like it. We always keep trying. Like, if you have an idea, okay, just play that and I’ll see what I can do with it. It’s about compromising. At the end of the day, I think that’s how music should be made, it’s a combination of different things. That’s what makes it unique. Riot !n Magenta’s sound, it all comes from that, so when it comes together, we create something special.
What’s the recording and writing process like?
We have a few different ways. One way is Eugenia will actually record on her iPhone if she has a melody in her head. She just records on the iPhone and she shares it with us through WhatsApp. Ken will go back to his house and record the keyboard part. That’s one way, it’s really back and forth.
The second way is for all of us to all meet and get together and do it the old school way. Sometimes we would stay up till like 3 or 4 in the morning just trying out sounds. It’s a lot of trial and error. One day, this song would sound the way it does, and next day, it’ll sound completely different. It changes on a daily basis. The hard part is trying to finalize it. Because there are so many versions of it, so we have to say, like, okay guys, we have to make a decision. That’s the hard part, because sometimes one would say, oh, I prefer this, and I prefer that.
Have you guys gone to see Laneway before?
The whole band has been to all the Laneways here in Singapore. We are huge fans. Every year, that’s like our ritual. It’s an amazing festival. Just the lineup itself, it’s like, wow.
What was your reaction when you first found out you were in the lineup of Laneway?
Oh man. It’s a blessing. I mean, that just shows that whatever we’ve been doing, and whatever music we’ve been putting out, it’s good. I mean, that the good people over at Laneway decided to include us, we’re very gratfeul. At the same time, we’re aware of the pressure and the responsibility that we have to represent our country. A lot of people are going to be there so we want to make sure that we’re 100%. It’s a good thing. It’s great.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing? Are you fans of any of the other bands?
Oh yes. Oh wow, what a lineup. We’re going crazy. The Internet. Thundercat. The 1975. And Chvrches, of course. Those are the top ones that I really, really like. And I actually get to meet them! — BM, GMA News
The Laneway Music Festival kicks off at The Meadow at the Gardens By The Bay in Singapore on January 30, 2015. For tickets and more information, visit singapore.lanewayfestival.com.
Paul John Caña is a magazine writer and live music geek. He is also co-founder of libreto.org, an online collective of writers and artists. Email him at pjcana@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter and Instagram @pauljohncana.
