take me to the bridge!

by airhole

Photos Courtesy of Dancing Nancies

Dancing Nancies have been around quite some time now. After winning Best Band in a Yamaha competition and playing at some of the locally organized gigs by Original Music Society (OMS) from National University of Singapore, they disappeared into oblivion for quite a while.

Apparently, their brand of music was a far cry from the usual grunge rock genre music local bands were churning out at that point in time. In Stasis 3, the 3 rd series of gigs organized by OMS, Kirsten Koh reviews:

“The Dancing Nancies were up next. They remind me very much of a gentler version of ethnic phat rockers Urban Karma who displayed their stuff at a Youth Park gig some time ago. Don't let the name Dancing Nancies fool you. Looking solely at their band name would never get you the opportunity to be exposed to their music. This band incorporated traditional and modern instruments to produce contemporary tunes that had a touch of nostalgia and familiarity. Could this be the beginning of a burgeoning trend in the local scene?”

It did spark some ideas if the local band scene might change with the insurgence of melodic pop from this band. However, the band kind of faded a bit to obscurity as everyone’s schedules were tight and they weren’t able to commit to gigging till now…

The main members of the band are Dharmadi (keyboardist), Haikel (drummer), Djasman (percussionist), Sharom (singer/guitarist) and Dharmawan (bassist). Recently, the band has added Royhan on guitars and Shahrul to muscle up the live percussion section.

Recently, the band has released an EP titled Say What You Wanna Say. Aging Youth figures it is time to check out this band at the Esplanade. At the same time, we hook them up for an interview to see what’s going on in their lives and their plans to lively up the local scene.

After listening to the EP, I have this question: What's up with the 3 minutes long worth of cut-n-paste music mosaic on the first track of your EP?

Hahahahaa!!! That was my (Editor’s Note: Djasman) idea! At first, there was nothing, but then again we thought that an intro would be nice. So, I worked out some intro thing. It was to feature some of our live sound clips... And I guess I got carried away... Apologies to those find it irritating.

How did you guys get started?

The current line up was formed in June 1999 after Djasman – a drummer then, was requested to add the exotica to the music on percussion and stayed on – and forged with a new sound.

Immediately, that chemistry was there since they have been friends much longer than they had played music. Combined with the writing skills and the new ideas from band members, the chemistry gave rise to a brand of melodic powerful pop with a funk edge and some excellent original songs – driving straight to the soul!

Our influences are pretty diverse ranging from classic rock to pop, reggae to funk and jazz to blues. Our music is neither lyrically nor instrumentally based but rather an even blend of both.

In 2004, we had the honour of having Royhan as our 2 nd guitarist. Of course, Royhan is known as the guitarist for Tri-Ryche (a well-respected Singaporean progressive metal band) and a technically proficient player.

For the recent gig we had at the Esplanade, Djasman called upon his percussionist buddy Shahrul to add to the horsepower of the percussion section.

You guys sound quite like Dave Matthews Band. Are they what you are trying to get at?

We were heavily influenced by them. They rule, man! Every band needs some major influences to keep them moving. But that’s just the influences. Our songs are mainly on what we believe and love. Just like a twist of a lemon.

What is the vision now that the EP is out?

The vision now is to get as many gigs possible and to make create awareness of our band. We’ve been in the closet far way too long. With God’s will, we might be doing a full album soon.

Who mainly writes the songs? How are the songs evolved?

There’s no secret recipe here… Somebody has a riff; we jam on the riff. Everybody chips in, make certain adjustments and then BOOM! It’s a song!

What sort of music are your individual influences?

Dharmadi : Influences would be Sting, Dave Matthews Band, Level 42, Tower of Power, Spyro Gyra.

Haikel : I Iike to listen to funk, reggae, rock, blues and some Latin music, as well. Not to forget, disco, Abba and all. Hahaha, I love Sting, Dave Matthews Band, James Brown, Bob Marley, The Beatles, Santana and many more lah...

Djasman : My main influence would be metal actually. Hahaha… that’s why I’ve been the soundman for quite a number of local metal bands… (I think so lah). Besides that, I listen to all types of genres including techno. I can’t help it lah. It’s for work related stuff…

Sharom : Influenced to the music with the likes of Dave Matthews Band, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Bjork, M. Nasir, Bob Marley and many more.

Dharmawan : I listen to all genres... but my favourite artiste is Sting because his music is unique, don’t you think? And my favourite bands, there are tons of them: Soundgarden, Tool, Dewa, Dave Matthews Band, 311, Extreme, Korn. I could go on and on and it will never end. But this is what I can think of for now.

Shahrul : I enjoy listening to Sting, Dave Matthews Band, Drummers - Dave Weckl and Vinnie Callouta, world music, and not to forget Micheal Jackson and Britney Spears... I’m not joking *grin*.

hit me!

Aging Youth separates the band members and tries to break down their solidarity by questioning them separately.

Sharom, you have a somewhat non-chalant style, a very 'relac' personality on stage, but when you start to sing. FWAH... macam on steriods, is there a mood you must get into to do that?

Sharom : Whao! Non-chalant huh? Actually, I was a bit ‘kan-cheong’ already. But must act cool a bit lah… Hahaha... And also if you noticed, we always start our set with a mood-swinging-relax-chill kind of feel. From there, the mood sets in and goes with the flow. You’ve gotta be one with the music, man… Feel it... And let the body and voice do the work.

Wah! So profound, eh? So is it true that you get all the girls?

Sharom : (Big big big big grin on face)… That’s why I chose to sing.

Haikel, I’ve noticed that you have immaculate timing on the drums and your playing is very clean, how often do you practice a day?

Haikel: Immaculate! What a word man! Thank you... I used to practice as and when time permits, meaning on and off. But now, I try to put at least an hour a day for practice.

Is there a particular brand/type/make of drums you prefer?

I’m not so particular about my kit... but during our last gig, I had a chance to use a DW set and I think it’s awesome. It sounds really good. But normally a Yamaha set is good enough for me. I have a Remo custom which I use for practice at home.

How do you remember all the grooves to the songs? I mean yeah sure its a few songs now, but I believe you guys play covers also?

I listen to the bass or Sharom’s guitar for cues and stuff when certain parts of the song slip my mind… It’s a “just need to refresh on the spot” kinda thing.

Another laid-back looking player. When you take on some melodies, you blow the stereotypical bassist out the window. I notice you seem to work out: do you work out on your bass or in the gym?

Dharmawan : I work out in both... thanks for noticing... hehehe... (big smile on face). But of course I work more on my bass... because it’s just gets coming on to me... Just like the dreams I have every night... so very sexy.

Gah! Too much information there! But anyway, I noticed your vocal prowess also quite steady, plus your back up vocals is probably most consistent in the band (no offence to the rest, :P). Is playing bass boring that you can sing to keep it interesting?

Dharmawan :Hahaha... Thanks for the compliment. It’s not boring at all...trust me... back up vocals is mainly to make the song sound better.

The newest edition to the band. Do you feel like you are constrained (i.e. find it hard to play, because of so many instruments?)

Royhan : Not at all constrained when I'm playing with them. I believe each player can contribute individually in any band that they are playing in; even if that band has 3 guitarists. Look at G3.

What pedals do you use for gigs?

Royhan : Sansamp GT2, Digital Delay, Noise Suppressor, Bad Horsie Wah and Chorus.

Actually, I did feel that your guitar lines are quite like Tim Reynolds’... even your tone to a certain extent. Do you listen to Dave Matthews Band a lot too?

Royhan : I used to listen to lots of Dave Matthews Band back in 1999 and 2000. (I) was so crazy about Dave Matthews back then that I ordered their live concert from the US in video tape format. Even though I did not have a video player at home! (I) had to convert the tape to VCD to watch it on the PC. Hehehe.

What kind of patches do you normally use for Dancing Nancies music? There are a lot of instruments, I can imagine choosing suitable patches can be quite scary.

Dharmadi : I don’t program much though. I prefer ethnical and raw sounds like the accordion, Arabian flute and Gothic strings to create the acoustic atmosphere, setting the mood for the band especially for our (song) intros.   However, I'm always cautious on the techniques of delivering it. There is one time I was working on sitar sounds but it sounded quite funny and shrill; that was like version 1.0 of ‘No Matter What’ in the early stages of Dancing Nancies.

Who do you mainly listen to in the band? For cues and impromptu changes?

Dharmadi : Vocals and bass are my main guidelines.

Why are you so chubby...? Is there a reason for smiles during the performances?

Djasman : Chubby huh? Oh well, I was skinny before, till one day I dated a girl and she said… “Hugging you feels like hugging a lamppost!” I got so depressed after that, so I ate and I ate and I ate… Till I put on so much weight now. So far, there are no complaints from the girls that I dated after they hugged me.

Smile…. A smile is everlasting. Why should you look so stressed on stage!? You should enjoy yourself on stage man. Be happy… because I know I am… Therefore, I smile, also to smile at the chicks in the audience. Audience interaction is very important, you know…

How many percussion instruments do you have? How many do you bring for a gig?

Djasman : This is a hard one. Currently, I’ve got 2 Darbukas, AA Meinl Bongo, Toca mini timbales 6” and 8”, Toca Brass timbales 14” and 15”, Carlos Requinto and Conga, LP set of Congas, LP Djembe, Rebana, 2 mini Djembes, case loads of cymbal stands and case loads of Auxiliary percussion stuff like cowbells (in different pitches), agogo bells, Shakerie, Shaker, 3 rain sticks, couple of splashes and a whistle.

Depending on the scale of the gig. For bigger gigs, I bring more stuff. But if organizers can provide the main things which are congas and timbales, I would bring my small little toys along.

So you must have a roadie with you right? Else how to carry all that equipment?

Djasman : Nope, no roadies at all. Everything is carried and set up by yours truly with toil and sweat. (I) wish I could spend on roadies and techs… Would you like to be my roadie? I can teach you a thing or two since you always complain that you’ve got no groove… (mueskeskeskeskeskes…. This is my new trademark laughter).

Sial lah, you don’t have to let everyone know I have no groove… sigh. Percussions is like very easy to play. Just find the rhythm and add it in, so how do you tune your percussion instruments to Eb, if Sharom decides to sing in Eb? hahaha… just kidding. But really lah, are so many percussion instruments really necessary?

Djasman : Yeah man! Percussion is easy! Let’s set up a percussion band! *smirk* Ahhhh… the tuning part… the most interesting topic of all… Actually I don’t know how I tune also. I tune by ear. Most of our songs are in either A major or B. So, I just find a relative pitch to it. I think it’s like an octave higher or lower…. Something like that, lah. I’m not sure myself. You see, each percussion instrument gives an unique sound. For example a Djembe: Different sizes got different pitches and tunes. And you can do an ensemble with 3 Djembes, using low, medium and high pitch. The low pitch one is played as the backbone rhythm while the medium ones are played to melodies. The high pitch ones, being the smallest, are used to play the solos and stuff. Errmm… I think I talk too much already…. Am I still in context?

Anyway, it’s the small toys which make a lot of difference. Shakerie, cowbells and agogo bells, to name a few. And for effects kinda stuff, I would use the rainstick, vibraslap, whistle, etc. For me, I want them all. They create a whole new vibe and dimension to the song. And recently, we have tried more or less to play music with a world music kinda vibe. Heavy percussion work, with ethical flavour in it. That’s where my rebana and tablas come in. I forgot to mention tablas in the earlier question. Do you still wanna be my roadie? Mueskeskeskeskeskes

No lah, cannot. I don’t have time. But when I do become a roadie, no ass-slapping ah! Hahahaha…

Shahrul

And what about you, Shah?

Shahrul : *big grin* Pertaining to the percussion thingy, it is important to have sufficient "TOYS"… to beef up your creativity. It is sad for a musician to feel that he lacks certain instruments when an idea comes to his mind in a middle of a song.

Ah, that makes a lot of sense for a band. On-the-spot improvisation makes the song even better! Is that easy for the percussionist?

Shahrul : Yeah. Seriously, it is not as easy as it may seem. It is about coming in at the right time at the right tempo with the right dynamics. Personally, it has always been a learning experience for me. Sometimes, I realise that an adlib fill-in or rhythm is not appropriate. I have to find away to retreat as swiftly and unknowingly as possible. There are times when I “overdo” it and desperately try to cover up by not upsetting the music as a whole. Phew…   :P

Tough job it seems.

Shahrul : Many perceived that playing percussion is just about adlib-ing and playing fill-ins. But it is actually about producing critical sounds, creating the mood and achieving the theme of the song (particularly in Nancies' songs i.e. they are somewhat spiritually inclined and has a story line that can be rather dramatic).

The challenge is really having the percussionists and the drummer to strike the "right note" in dynamics and have band telepathy, yet still paying careful attention not to drown the rest of the band. If this is achieved, it’d be great! The performance will turn out like a movie in Golden Village, you can hear every tiny sound, macham surround sound systems like that. Heh heh.   :)

Taking Santana as an example, every percussionist in his line-up has a specific role but they "attack" in unison. The level of energy they contribute to the stage is just never ending. The level just gets higher and higher… one after another the percussionists and the drummers respond to the rest of the musicians whilst maintaining their specific roles in driving the whole band.

Again, it seems that serious musicians do give some rather profound answers to simple questions. I guess that is what makes them serious. Aging Youth would like to thank members of Dancing Nancies for such an interview to take place, and we wish you the best of luck for future gigging.

Do check out their EP, Say What You Wanna Say. To contact for gigs or EPs, try djas@starhub.net.sg