Of interest tonight at Botanico is a talent show with something of a difference. Acoustic Battle will feature six little-seen performers, each presenting one original song and one cover. LengPleng sat down with host Alli G, one of the organisers of this new project, to find out what’s afoot.
LP: Tell me this isn’t just another talent show.
AG: Actually I’m copying something that I was involved in when I was in Malaysia. I was in a group of young musicians who didn’t have much of a chance to perform in the regular venues. We wanted to play our own songs, but we were fearful that places are just going to ask us to play Smoke on the Water, Hotel California, Stand By Me and so on. Some of the original songs written by my friends were wonderful – you would have thought they came off the radio. So what do we do? We picked a night to show what we could do, all six or seven of us, brought in our friends, and made it like a competition to attract more audience.
LP: Less than a competition, more like a showcase?
AG: For me this is not a battle, even though we call it Acoustic Battle; it’s more a gathering of newcomers that don’t know how and where begin, to help to kickstart their way in, find the opportunities. There are so many creative people who just don’t have a chance to show it. Also venue owners and bookers can come out and see what is on offer. Also I’m being selfish, I want to see the new players without having to go all over town – in one place at one time.
LP: Who are you encouraging to take part?
AG: We want something new – new songs, a new version of a cover. This is more for singer-songwriters. 16 years and above, and all languages – we want to reach into the young Cambodian musical community as well. Every contestant will receive a video of their performance. I’m excited for this, because I know there are very, very good songs out there, and good performers. The judging will be 50% from a panel of judges and 50% from the crowd – the reality is we need to know: can they bring in a crowd? The winner each month will get a paid gig at that venue. And I want to thank Botanico very much for being the venue for the very first event!
LP: Who’s on the judging panel?
AG: For this month we have Brooke Palmer, and Chiet Ukham from Kampot Playboys.
LP: And the plan is a series of monthly events before a finale in January?
AG: We plan to move the event around to different venues – some are already lined up. Performers will be able to perform multiple times, but the priority is to get newcomers in. The winner at the end of the series will win recording time at Khmer-based studio One Two Music.
The first instalment, featuring Ysabel, Thomas, Yury, Suwana, Matau and Vince, takes place on Thursday 31 July at Botanico from 6 pm.
Ready to judge and ready to be judged: Brooke, Vince (photo supplied), Ysabel and Chiet