RENTAK/S: Explorations of Traditional Soundscapes

RENTAK/S: EXPLORATIONS OF TRADITIONAL SOUNDSCAPES explores the dynamic approaches to traditional sounds (rentak) across different genres, disciplines, geographical borders (rentas). The panel discussion celebrates the possibilities and (re)presentations of traditional sounds within the local and/or regional cultural landscape.

Join our esteemed panel of multi-instrumentalists Megat Muhammad Firdaus, Safuan Johari; and Elisha Tiga and Yazid Damit of the Elisha Tiga Eksperiment, as they share several best practices and innovative approaches in integrating traditional sounds with other genres; foster cross-border collaborations, and envision the future possibilities for the music scene locally and regionally.

RENTAK/S is part of The Idea of North – a 4-day festival commemorating the 40th anniversary of bilateral relations between Brunei and Singapore.

Speakers:

Elisha Tiga (Brunei Darussalam)

Elisha Tiga is the founder of The Elisha Tiga Eksperiment, Brunei’s premiere jazz collective that aims to spread the interest of jazz through various reiterations of the genre; of which one of them is the modernisation of traditional music.

Elisha threw himself into the music industry while pursuing his studies in Malaysia. Basing himself in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the thirst for knowledge in all the hustle and bustle put him in the position of a producer, composer, arranger, instrumentalist and an artist in his own right working with some of the most established artists in the region.

This over-stimulation also inspired him to build himself as an artist that looks into the past; diving into various ethnic roots to create a unique sonic palette in his compositions in the pursuit of bridging ideas from different generations, genres and cultures.

Yazid Damit (Brunei Darussalam)

Yazid is a Bruneian musician that has years of experience being involved in Brunei’s music scene specifically in the fields of Brunei’s traditional music. He also has his hearts in the importance of education and research more specifically in the fields of traditional malay music and looking ways into integrating these traditional elements in a modern setting; conducting classes across Brunei to bring local heritages into the community.

Yazid is also a seasoned local music producer and song arranger working with local artists and projects in keeping local original music alive and well. As a musician musician he is a seasoned keyboard player, being able to play a variety of genres and setting accompanying bruneian artists for live performances locally and internationally.

Megat Muhammad Firdaus (Singapore)

Megat Muhammad Firdaus, also known as Megat, is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and music director with a strong passion in Malay traditional and multi-ethnic music. Graduated with a First Class Honors Bachelor’s degree from the University of West London in Sound and Music in 2022, Megat has since continued to share and showcase his works in Singapore and internationally.

An active leader in the local music community, Megat is currently the ambassador for Gemadah, a Malay Traditional Music Festival event organised by Singapore Malay Traditional Musician Association in collaboration with Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Language Ambassador for the Malay Language Council by National Heritage Board, Conductor for the Impressions of Nanyang Arts Association (INYAA), Executive Director of yIN Harmony and Co-Founded Orkestra Sri Temasek (OrST), the first fully acoustic Malay Chamber Orchestra in 2011.

Megat has always been fascinated and inspired by the beauty and meaning behind the different art forms in Asia and hopes to be part of the larger community of ASEAN musicians and practitioners in introducing Singapore’s unique blend of multicultural music with INYAA.

Safuan Johari (Singapore)

Safuan Johari is an artist who works primarily as a composer, music producer and sound designer. Music-making is usually a world building exercise and the resulting microcosms often meander through traditional, experimental and popular topographies of Nusantara (Maritime Southeast Asia) culture. Started out as a prominent figure in Singapore’s underground music scene, he has expanded his practice into composing for theatre, dance, films and multimedia installations. Individually and as a collaborator, Safuan has performed, exhibited or presented works at Palais de Tokyo Paris, Festival/Tokyo, Perth Festival, Worldwide Festival Sète, Singapore International Festival of the Arts and Singapore Fringe Festival.