Louie Indigo On Singapore’s Music Industry
How to succeed when everyone’s a rapper
How’s circuit breaker?
Not meeting friends is tough. I’m working on a lot of music. Just launched “Free Me”, based on this situation. It’s tough not being able to promote music physically. Without shows, it’s difficult to get music out. That means little, no revenue. Only after circuit breaker can we go back to studios, do gigs.
“Farewell” parties.
I was invited to a few, but didn’t go. I was paranoid, wanted to keep my family as safe as possible. My last performance was early February.
Meme culture and “Covid-19” music.
It’s up to songwriters to express how they feel about the situation, but they shouldn’t mock what’s happening. People are dying from it. People should invest their time in something smarter.
Louie Indigo.
I grew up with DJs around me, the only music I know are hip-hop, rap, R&B. When I started professionally 2 years ago, people were more willing to listen to local artistes. The fact that people liked my genre(s) of music made it easier for me.
I was the “kid in the Lamborghini”.
I understand hip-hop is from the US, I play the game by their rules. It’s not my culture, I’m very wary of how I approach music; it’s not cool for me to say the N-word. I don’t change my lyrics to suit audiences, believe in freedom of expression.
Old stereotypes of Singapore’s music culture don’t apply anymore. True?
It’s difficult to come up if you’re doing solely English music. I need to be extra good, coming from Singapore, for people to listen to me. People will write you off until they listen to you; it’s even easier if people don’t know you.
You won’t get anywhere if you’re a bad musician.
Even if he hates your ass, if you can make someone replay your song ten times, you’ve won.
You need interpersonal skills, be genuine. I know people whose interpersonal skills are better than musical talent who’ve made it big.
Everyone’s a musician today. True?
I see a lot of “emerging artistes. *laughs* My younger cousins always tell me they want to be musicians. They’re probably more sold by the popularity aspect than actually grinding it out, making good music.
To spot a clout chaser: someone starts dressing like an artiste over sounding like one, when their music doesn’t speak for itself.
Today, there are musicians, and those who make music to support their influencership.
Do Singaporeans have good music taste?
I can’t fault people for liking, not liking something.
How to deal with haters?
Because I put so much pressure on myself, comments are a driving force to keep competitive with music. Saying my music is bad fuels me to work harder. I’ll change my views to make me better, not to please others.
In rap, [almost] everything is ammunition.
Events after circuit breaker?
I think the whole country will break out into a big party. But people will need time to ease into the idea of being in a big crowd. No one wants to be in the melting pot for the next wave of Covid-19.
I’m planning to move overseas to make music for more people next year.
