Searching for the Perfect Beat in Borneo

If you want to hear live music in the city of Kuching —located in the state of Sarawak, in the country of Malaysia, on the island of Borneo — your best bet is to take a nocturnal stroll along the city’s undulating waterfront promenade — aka “The People Place” — alongside the Sarawak River.

Amid hawkers of cat-themed souvenirs (the Malay word kucing means cat), glowing plastic toys and tasty street food (but no alcohol, Malaysia being a relatively liberal Islamic nation), you’ll find buskers aplenty.

Some play the sapeh lutes indigenous to the Sarawak region’s Orang Ulu people. Others strum acoustic guitars while singing original American-sounding indie-rock in Malay. And if you’re fortunate enough, as I was, you’ll stumble across a plucky and charismatic little girl, accompanied by her beaming father on electric guitar, belting out what sounded to my severely jetlagged ears like old American show tunes.

Your second best bet would be to attend the Borneo World Music Expo (BWME), which took place mid-June in the Kuching Hilton as a sort of industry appetizer prior to the Rainforest World Music Festival a few days and a hundred kilometers later.

The BWME showcased nine mostly regional artists while negotiating a path around the complicated issues of music and tourism in this still-developing nation. Where the Rainforest festival offered a romantic vision of how local acts might be integrated into the existing “world music” industry, the BWME was a nuts-and-bolts affair that featured remarkably intimate performances that should have attracted a larger local audience.

The two and a half million residents of Sarawak comprise a cultural melting pot of some 40 ethnic groups, each with its own language and way of life. These include Malays, Melanaus, Chinese, Indians, Ibans and Bidayuhs.

Sarawak regional music is a similar stew of influences. The Gendang Melayu Sri Buana, who provided a musical welcome to the first of three nights of showcases, is a large multigenerational family group. The “Gendang” part of their name means large drum, and Malay music is rooted in drums, gongs, metallophones, and other percussion instruments. And like nearly all these acts, their music is so old that it sounds resolutely new again.

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Rainforest World Music Festival - Sarawak, Malaysia, Borneo

The only remaining headhunters wear suits and work in corporate offices but Sarawak "Where adventure lives" does have wonderful beaches, remote tribal villagers living in longhouses, rare primates and of course the phenomenal Rainforest World Music Festival now in its 17th year.

Being a second timer I had a better understanding of what to expect at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong, but first I was scheduled to attend the second Borneo World Music Expo in Kuching.

Kuching - Cat City

Kuching is popularly referred to as "cat city" because the Malay word kuching means cat and sure enough there are lots of cats, be they pets, stray animals or statues of various sizes scattered around town.

The Waterfront, a 1km or so pedestrianised area along the Sarawak River is the place to stroll, meet people or simply hang out. there are pleasant views over the river to DUN( State Assembly Building), the Istana and of the traditional trambang boats ferrying people around.

I ate dinner at the lovely James Brooke Cafe where a cat statue has pride of place in the garden and period furniture, books and ornaments augment the dining area.

At the Hilton Hotel I registered for the Borneo World Music Expo which under guidance of consultant music industry guru Gerald Seligman, brought in international concert and festival programmers to network, participate in workshops and potentially book the local and Asian artists.

Opening the expo Dato  Rashid Khan CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board eloquently explained that "holding the event in conjunction with the Rainforest World Music Festival would help Sarawak climb the value chain from leisure based events to business tourism events"

The intimate nature of the expo ensured great access to the musicians who showcased their works onstage and chatted about their dreams. Interesting snippets of information revealed that two performers of the Mah Meri group from Carey Island in West Malaysia had never left their island before; Korphai from Thailand met on Facebook and rehearse online, seldom live and Geng Wak Long from Kelantan found it difficult to perform in their home state because religious intolerance restrict their female member from being on stage.

Highlights included an energetic performance by the Barmer Boys from India, beautiful harp playing and songs by Aye Su Kyaw from Myanmar and Tuku Kame, the house band at the Cultural Village performed their dynamic blend of traditional and contemporary music with great style.

Expo wrapped up with a 20 minute speedboat ride to Kuching Wetland National Park where we kept a wary eye out for crocodiles as we waded in knee deep water to plant mangrove trees to re-green the former bed of the Sarawak River which had been diverted to stop "winter"flash floods in Kuching. We played a small but meaningful part towards minimising our carbon footprint.

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Sarawak Tourism Board moves up value chain with music expo

KUCHING: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has for 17 years now been organising the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) as a leisure event and the board feels that it is now ready to move up the value chain and come up with a business event – Borneo World Music Expo – which was mooted last year.

“This is also to position Sarawak as a destination for art, culture and music,” STB CEO Datuk Rashid Khan told a press conference here yesterday.

He added that this event will grow the meeting and exhibition segments related to music.

It is the ambition of the board to grow this event into a world recognised annual exposition for the professionals and the trade visitors within the international music scene.

Scheduled to be held a week before the RWMF, the expo will integrate a trade fair, musical showcases, conferences, exhibitions and networking sessions which could promote culture and music.

“It is specially designed to expose Asian and ethnic musicians to the international market,” he said.

According to him, the main objective of the expo is to draw especially foreign tourists to Sarawak a week prior to the RWMF for business and leisure and see for themselves the culture, nature and adventures that are the niche product offerings of Sarawak, Borneo.

“While the rainforest is about entertainment, the Expo is about the trade networking, information dissemination and business behind the entertainment industry,” he said.

He said the expo seeks to be the market place where professionals come to present or to hire their services.

On the other side, programmers need to have a big pool with vast variety to consider and to choose from when it comes to selecting the line-up for their events.

The expo is about bringing two parties together where they will have a chance to show and tell and buy and sell, he said.

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Sarawak Tourism Board targets turning Borneo World Music Expo into premier event in Asia

KUCHING: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has set its sight on turning the just concluded Borneo World Music Expo (BWME) into a premier event in Asia within the next five years.

Its chief executive officer Datuk Rashid Khan said the board was mulling on organising the expo as an annual event — entering onto the World music exposition — considering the tremendous opportunities to brand the world music festival due to the vast ethnicity in the state.

Rashid said the inaugural expo was already planned as part of the strategy to climb the value-chain for the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) which caters to the leisure market segment.

Improving the value chain would see both events evolved into stronger business tourism products which will create vast economic opportunities.

“We are not looking at this expo as a local event, but it should be seen as a platform for musicians and festivals from throughout Asia to come to the state. I am happy that this inaugural event managed to attract many music festival programmers from throughout the world,” he told a press conference on the last day of the expo at Pullman Hotel here yesterday.

BWME director and consultant Gerald Seligman was also present.

Throughout the three-day programme (June 24-26), he mentioned that panellists and speakers have been very generous in sharing their experiences about organising festivals, talent management, subject of copyrights and other behind-the-scenes know-how to run a music festival.

The expo had attracted 71 programmers and 186 delegates from throughout the world.

Five conference papers were delivered during the expo.

Rashid also suggested for the academic fraternity to be involved in the event.

Students could be involved in mentor programmes to learn about festival organising, performing and event programmers among others.

Apart from promoting the various ethnic groups here, he pointed out that the aspiration of this expo provides an economic impact and opportunities for the younger generation to be involved in the preservation of culture, to become musicians and professionals in the world music industry.

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Borneo World Music Expo to act as yardstick to to gauge tourism potential

KUCHING: The inaugural Borneo World Music Expo (BWME) which ends tomorrow will act as the yardstick to gauge the potential of business tourism in Sarawak.

The expo which revolves around trade, networking, information dissemination and business side of the entertainment industry is also a prelude to the 16th Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) from June 28 to 30.

“It is high time that we climb up the value chain by bringing in more business tourists,” said Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Datuk Rashid Khan prior to the official launch of the expo at Pullman Hotel on Monday night.

Business tourism in Sarawak, said Rashid, is one of the major contributors to the state’s economy as business tourists tend to be big spenders as compared to leisure tourists.

He also said STB is aiming to make BWME a premium world music expo in Asia just like the annual Rainforest World Music Festival, which is among the top 25 international festivals listed in Songlines Magazine from the United Kingdom.

Among the key highlights of BWME, said Rashid, is the keen participation of Sarawakians in the expo, which is already a measure of success.

Also speaking was Assistant Tourism Minister (Local Events and Products) Datuk Gramong Juna, who described the expo as a brilliant idea to bring all the cultures of the ethnic groups in Sarawak under one roof and share them with the world.

“Besides showcasing their talents, BWME will also give a chance for local acts to be highlighted at the international stage,” added Gramong.

The expo, which is supported by the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau, is open to anyone who wants to build networks, share, distribute their press kits and create more awareness of their own music events.

In an unrelated event, STB is also mooting to organise events during the off-peak tourist season forecasted to be between Sept and Nov.

Among the plans is the Asean Music Festival which will be staged in Miri.

Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) is also mulling to organise an International Ethnic Drum Festival in the near future, which according to its commissioner Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai is to infuse music, art and culture among the local community.

“This is part of the bid to seek out the ‘soul’ of Kuching City,” he said.

In a press conference yesterday, BMWE event consultant Gerald Seligman said an event like the inaugural BWME can help bring the local music scene to a higher level.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Borneo World Music Expo to act as yardstick to to gauge tourism potential

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Sarawak all ready for Borneo World Music Expo

KUCHING: Sarawak is all set to play host to another exciting event, the Borneo World Music Expo, an inaugural exposition for professionals and trade visitors within the international music scene.

Borneo World Music Expo which is going to be held from June 24 to the 26 here is happening just a few days before the Rainforest World Music Festival from June 28 to 30.

While the rainforest festival is about entertainment, the expo is about the trade, networking, information dissemination and business side of the entertainment industry concentrating on the world music genre.

“The expo seeks to be the market place where professionals come to present their services or to hire,” said Sarawak Tourism Board in a statement yesterday.

It added that being a musician or a band is not just about playing music but it is also about how to present and market the music, the image, the branding.

“It’s about how to get one’s information and music to the right people…The Borneo World Music Expo is just about bringing the two parties together where they will have a chance to show and tell and buy and sell,” the statement explained.

The expo, guided by the very experienced hands of Gerald Seligman, who was until November of 2009, general director of Womex, the very well-established world music expo, in Berlin, has selected and invited programmers from all over the world to come to Sarawak where several showcase bands are going to present their performances.

The expo is also open to everyone who wants to come and network and share, distribute their press kits, create more awareness of their own music events, meet and extend their contacts.

The business of running music events also involves potential sponsors, the media, event managers, entertainment venues, marketing companies, audio-visual services and equipment, record labels. For all these people, the expo is going to be a useful platform and guide.

“But it’s not all about just live shows and a bustling market place. There are daytime conferences that are informative and educational. There are panels of experienced professionals discussing aspects of the music industry and brainstorming discussions,” the press statement added.

Isabel Soffer, founder of Live Sounds from New York said, “I am coming to Sarawak with the hope of discovering new artistes, traditions and cultures from Asia.

“Southeast Asia in particular is under-represented in the US performing arts field and I hope to be able to make connections with artistes, presenters, agents, and sponsors to begin bridging that gap,” she said.

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Inaugural Borneo World Music Expo for close encounters

KUCHING: Sarawak is set to add another international-level music event to its impressive current repertoire when the state hosts the inaugural Borneo World Music Expo (BWME) from June 24 to 26.

The state currently hosts the annual Borneo Jazz Festival and the iconic Rainforest World Music Festival. Events at the new Borneo World Music Expo include conferences, workshops, networking sessions, trade fair and musical showcases. The event is targeted for musicians and artistes to develop new contacts and global reach.

The organiser of the exposition, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), is encouraging participants from the world music industry to participate in this ‘first of its kind’ exposition in the region.

“The event is open to all professionals in the music field who want to increase their contacts, pick up new skills and exchange ideas in dynamic conference sessions. The expo also welcomes those who like to present their wares, products or music. STB expect delegates from all over the Asian region,” said the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Director of Corporate Communications Angeline Bateman.

She reiterated that among the delegates who will be coming over are 20 international world music programmers who will share their skills in conference sessions.

“Registered delegates will be able to meet the programmers informally and in specially-designed one-on-one encounters,” said Bateman.

She added that these are the professionals chosen for their interest-in and history of booking artists from all over the world to appear at their festivals and venues throughout Asia, Europe, North America and elsewhere.

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Sarawak Tourism appoints Seligman as consultant of Borneo World Music Expo

KUCHING: Sarawak Tourism Board, the organiser of the first edition of the Borneo World Music Expo has announced the appointment of Gerald Seligman, the former general director of Womex (the largest World Music Expo) as consultant for the expo.

The inaugural expo will be held from June 24 to 26 at Pullman Hotel Kuching. With the renowned and high profile Seligman on board, Sarawak Tourism Board is promoting the exposition to position Sarawak as a destination for art, culture and music.

Seligman is Caravan Arts Consultancy president and professional musician with over 25 years of experience in both major and independent music and music event companies throughout the world. Until November 2009, Seligman was the general director of Womex. He founded and ran EMI Hemisphere, the company’s premier world music label, and was head of EMI’s international sector for strategic marketing and has produced or compiled over 100 releases, including one with a Grammy nomination.

“The Borneo World Music Expo is a new initiative in addition to the already successful Rainforest World Music Festival. This is a new international world music conference organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board to coincide with the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF).

The expo is specifically designed to expose Asian and ethnic musicians to the international market,” said Sarawak Tourism Board Corporate Affairs director Angelina Bateman in a press statement made available yesterday.

“Scheduled to be held a week before the Rainforest World Music Festival every year, the expo will integrate a trade fair, musical showcases, conferences, exhibitions and networking sessions which would promote the culture and music.

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Borneo World Music Expo to make debut soon

KUCHING: The state is set to add another international-level music event to its impressive repertoire with the hosting of the inaugural Borneo World Music Expo from June 24 to 26 here.

The state currently hosts the annual Borneo Jazz Festival and the iconic Rainforest World Music Festival.

Events at the expo will include conferences, workshops, networking sessions, a trade fair and musical showcases.

The event is targeted at musicians and artists to help them develop new contacts and a global reach.

Expo organiser Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) is encouraging participants from the world music industry to participate in this ‘first of its kind’ expo in the region.

Continue reading at: Borneo World Music Expo to make debut soon

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Music expo to complement Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival

KUCHING: The Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) will be held with a difference this year, with a fringe event.

The Borneo World Music Exposition will be held at a hotel on June 24 to 26 with participants from local institutions of higher learning that offers music courses.

A music conference will also be held and some 300 professionals from the music industry which include singers, researchers, music instruments manufacturers and producers are expected to attend, said Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“This exposition is the first to be held in the Asian region, which is important for the development of local music. During the exposition, there will be professional input on how to develop the ethnic music,” said Abang Johari during a press conference yesterday.

“We will be the focus of the world and at the same time, the expo will increase the awareness of local young talents and how we can develop our home-grown talents to be of world class standard,” he said.

Asked on the expected turnout for RWMF this year, he said it is set at 23,000 compared to 22,000 last year.

It will be held from June 28 to 30 at the Sarawak Cultural Village.

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Inaugural Borneo World Music Expo to Attract Industry Professionals to Southeast Asia

The Sarawak Tourism Board, organizer of the Borneo World Music Expo (BWME) is encouraging participants from the world music industry to participate in this ‘first of its kind’ exposition in the region. The exposition will be held from 24 to 26 June 2013 at Pullman Hotel Kuching in Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo).

Musicians, managers, record labels, festival presenters, music venues, music professionals, cultural ministries, entrepreneurs, and technology companies can participate by registering t through the BWME website online at www.BWME2013.com.

Borneo World Music Expo offers conferences, workshops, meetings, encounters, trade fair and musical showcases. The event is targeted for musician and artists to develop new contacts and global reach.

The event is also open for all professionals within the music field who want to increase their contacts, pick up new skills and exchange ideas in dynamic conference sessions. The expo also welcomes those who would like to present their wares, products or music.

For the exhibitors at the trade fair, BWME will be assisting to reach a select group of local, regional and international professionals who work in the cultural realm with special emphasis on music. Nightly concerts (showcases) will be open to the public from 8:00 pm onwards at the same venue.

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Borneo Music Expo next year in Sarawak

KUCHING: Come next year the state will be hosting a new ‘exciting’ event – Borneo World Music Expo – as an effort to further stimulate the tourism industry.

The event, which will coincide with the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), will be held at a leading hotel here from June 24 to 26 next year and expects to attract some 20 international music programmers.

Speaking to reporters before unveiling the new event here yesterday Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the inaugural Borneo World Music Expo, which is scheduled a week before the RWMF every year, will integrate a trade fair, musical showcases, conferences, exhibitions and networking sessions in an effort to promote culture and music.

“It is specifically designed to expose Asian and ethnic musicians to the international market,” he said, adding that the new initiative is in addition to the successful RWMF that thus far has managed to attract participants and visitors from all over the world.

“We believe that through this Borneo World Music Expo we will be able to further showcase the uniqueness of our beautiful state globally through the various ethnic music and culture that we have,” he pointed out.

He suggested that the expo would also probably become a good ground for the locals to showcase their talents to international musical experts who were always hunting for such potentials.

Besides, he said, such musical expo is a right approach to help protect and preserve the traditional music against the modern musical trend.

“Most importantly, we want to share with the rest of the world our diverse traditions and cultures which we want to convey through songs and music,” he disclosed.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) CEO Dato’ Rashid Khan said it was the ambition of the board to make this event into a world recognised annual exposition for the professionals and trade visitors within the international music scene as part of its transformation strategy to climb the value chain from leisure based events to that of business tourism events.

Continue reading at: Borneo Music Expo next year in Sarawak

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