Music of Malaysia

Underground music

The Malaysian underground music scene (also known as the Malaysian independent or urban music scene) is an established localized underground culture within Malaysia. This is as opposed to mainstream music, which usually, in the Malaysian context refers to artists with strong ties or are engaged in direct contract with fairly large recording companies, giving them a more commercial and popular image.

Artists and musicians who are involved in the Malaysian underground scene are usually guitar-driven bands with inclination towards rock music, although there are a number of acts with differing musical influences such as hip-hop, electronica and dance music.

One of the other characteristics of this local scene is that most of the musicians are independent, entirely or partially DIY-driven groups or bands who emphasise on creating, sharing and experiencing music, together and collectively. Materials that they produce, such as albums, demos or EPs will usually be independent works, most of the time funded entirely or to some extend by themselves. Also, small musical performances known as gigs are organized regularly showcasing these bands.

The state of Terengganu[?] was known as the Malaysian capital of punk rock throughout late 1979 and the 1980s.

See also

• Underground culture
• Mainstream (antonym)

External links

• Understanding Malaysian Underground, Jamtank, Malscene, Malaise (http://yat.ch/wiki/?MalaysianUndergroundVsJamtankVsMalaise)
• Jamtank.com Urban Musicians Alliance (http://www.jamtank.com)
• Malaysian Scene Channel Network (http://www.malscene.net)
• Malaysian Urban Music Database (http://malaise.malscene.net)