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Shiok!’s Featured Artiste: Morgan Then
Amongst musicians and artistes around the scene, there are always generic perceptions that classifies musicians in a stereotypical genre, and there is always a handful that stands out from the crowd. Speaking of ‘standing out’, if you’re a Kuchingite and you haven’t heard about Morgan Then, then where have you been? If you’re active in the events and clubbing department, then chances are you have seen/heard of this musician before.
This week as Shiok!’s featured artiste, we dig up Morgan’s up-comings, on-goings and a couple of insights in the music scene. From his personal YouTube channel that earned him various honors including the ‘Top 75 Most Subscribed Musician in Australia, to the Rainforest World Music Festival, what’s not to love about him?
Shiok! hearts Morgan because of his schmaltzy talented musicianship, his appetite for experimenting with quirky instruments and a kooky, oxymoron-ish persona. Read on to get to know the low-down between Morgan and Shiok:
Shiok: Do you have a nickname? Morgan sounds too formal.
Morgan: What? Um..Morgie? At some instances, Morgy Orgy, I know.
Shiok: …
Morgan: Don’t look at me like that.
Shiok: Yes, orgies are sweet. Help us know you better, Morgan. Let’s talk about yourself.
Morgan: Oh, I love doing that. The talking-about-myself part. I’m kidding! I was previously studying in Lodge School, probably my most memorable moments were from that phase. I am also VERY, VERY friendly. I don’t know why people do not think so, do I look that angry all the time? Friends and family are my number one and I thank God for blessing me with them. Oh! And I am phobic to lizards, the small ones, I guess in other places they call it geckos. That’s really my only phobia; but big reptiles? NO PROBLEM!
Shiok: Haha, you are definitely weird to say the least. Ok, at such young age you have accomplished a lot in your music career – from packed gigs to international festivals. Which are your most unforgettable ones?
Morgan: I could safely say that the Rainforest Music Festival (RWMF) and the Kota Kinabalu Music Festival (KKMS) was most memorable to me. For the RWMF, I was performing two years consecutively with Kan’id, a local Kelabit fusion band. I was very fortunate to be given the opportunity to perform with Kan’id and I want to thank everybody involved during those hectic months of practice! It was really also my first major placement in the World music scene.
Jamming with other musicians all over the world is the craziest experience any musician can have. Although we had the difference in language as a communication barrier, it was really the music that became our only medium of communication.
The KKMS was another experience like no other. The festival focuses on different genres but my participation was within the classical and romantic era. And since I was staying at the Sutera Habour resort where it was held, the entire experience, from practice rooms, to rehearsals, to beaches and sunsets to the beautiful people around, I swore I refused to return. :) And of course, ending it with a high note, my pals and I all returned champions for the competition.
Shiok: Congratulations on that! That must be one hell of an experience. So, tell us something that most people do not know about you.
Morgan: I like skinny dipping.
Shiok: Yes, that counts as an answer, we suppose..but we were thinking more along the lines of your music?
Morgan: Oh! About music? Right…People outside my circle of friends generally think I only play the piano. That is why I try to constantly showcase myself playing different instruments on my YouTube channel and in my home project recordings. I started out learning the classical piano at the age of 12. No, I was not forced by mommy or daddy, it really is the other way around. I really thought I should have started with Jazz as a background, but I guess Classical studies has it’s benefits too.
A year after, everyone in school started learning the guitar, so I did too. Then came RWMF where I was required to learn and play the Djembe. From then on, my passion for making sounds out of anything in my hands really got into me. So I try to pick up anything I can and just make music out of it, nothing very serious, but I just want the familiarity with different instruments. I basically try to play by ear and imitate music I hear on the radio and in shows.
Shiok: That is certainly most impressive. From classical to contemporary – how did that happen? What inspired you?
Morgan: It’s more like ‘WHO inspired you’. I would say Maksim Mrvica, Bond and Vanessa Mae are the biggest influence in the context of the classical crossover genre. I know little about music when I studied classical piano, it was more to theory, rules and history. It was drier in terms of self expression in a song-piece. Then one day, MTV featured this classical pianist rockin’ it out with contemporary beats and rhythms, everything kinda fell in place like an epiphany. And everywhere I go, people speak of Maksim’s music being fresh and new. So I started doing my own research to look for other musicians around the world doing something similar. Since then, if I ever were to play a classical piece in shows, I will make sure there is a fusion of something in my classical renditions, I believe it’s the way to go to inspire younger musicians to love music and not feel like they are being tied down to theory.
Musically, I cannot pin-point a certain someone that inspired me, mainly because my music is a representative of an identity crisis, it is a fusion of many. To list a few, rhythmically, Pharrell Williams, Safri Duo and Timbaland. Melodically, Justin Timberlake, Yann Tiersen, Beltaine and Max Martin. There are loads more though, but that will require your entire website for this feature, that I wouldn’t mind. :)
Shiok!: What about other genres?
Morgan: I used to hate jazz, (mainly because I didn’t have a chance to learn it), but I have gotten pretty accustomed to the style and I love every bit of it. It is so expressive and challenging! I can never hear myself playing the same thing twice because it just happens there and then, and it’s gone the next second. That’s the thrill. I adore Hip-Hop and Pop too, like every other teenager who think they sound awesome singing to ‘Cry Me A River’ when Hitz.FM plays it, I do that pretty often. =) I also sometimes imagine myself as Snoop Dogg spittin’ out dope lines in da’ showers! (I can’t pull it off, trust me!)
Shiok!: We’ve came across your blog, Facebook, website, YouTube and MySpace – honestly, we’re really impressed with the number of followers and positive comments. Maybe you can share with our readers what to expect from these different sites?
Morgan: Well I would hate to lie, but I am impressed myself too. Hahaha! No no! It’s a joke! (People sometimes take me literally) Don’t get me wrong, despite the good comments and fan base I culminated, there are many haters out there too. Those that just trash you with mean and discouraging words. But I guess what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger right? YouTube, Facebook and Twitter are my main medium of communication to my fans. MySpace and my blog is the secondary ones for now, I might just leave it to Ron (Ron is Morgan’s current manager), to take care of it. I’m LAZY! :)
I normally cover songs on my YouTube Channel, but I make it a point to put a twist in each song I cover as to not bore listeners. I was initially contemplating on whether I should put up originals up there…but I’m going to let it hold just this while and we’ll see where that brings me first. An album? Perhaps? :) Oh! PureVolume is my latest medium of sharing my music, you can DOWNLOAD it for FREE (two of the most influential words on the internet). It will only be temporary though, so be quick! We are planning on submitting them to iTunes real soon!
Shiok!: Good luck with that, Morgan. Now as a musician, who inspired you the most?
Morgan: Isn’t that question 4 or 5 rephrased? You ran out of ideas didn’t you? :)
Shiok!: Haha, it is isn’t it? Sorry about that! Alright, if there’s one person you can have as guest artiste at your concert, who will that be? Maybe name two guest artistes and why.
Morgan: I would pick David Guetta first. Mainly because I am currently more focused on instrumental sets rather than vocal sets. Having Guetta would mean a crazy atmosphere on the dance floor. Imagine that with psychedelic lasers and pyrotechnics, crazy ain’t it? Second artiste, I would pick Justin Timberlake. The guy is nuts on stage! He is equally vulgar and classy, pulls off obscene moves but somehow you WILL love it. I wouldn’t really want conservative musicians performing with me. If you dare give the finger on stage, then I think you are cool. :)
Shiok!: What’s your genre or concept of music?
Morgan: My genre…um…*smile*. I am a confused man.
Shiok!: Confused?
Morgan: Not sexually! It’s a mix of World, Pop, Hip-Hop, Electro, Latin and Jazz. I don’t know, I really don’t. My concept is generally having a genre that everybody will stop and listen to.
Shiok!: Interesting. How do you define good music?
Morgan: Good music is never confined. To many musicians including myself, music has no boundaries, no theories and no rules. If it sounds good, then it is. Here’s what I think you will experience when listening to ‘good music’. You will allow your body, mind and soul to drift with the music. There will never be hesitance in doing that, because the music struck the chord in your heart from the very beginning. That, is good music.
Shiok!: Ok, we suppose we’re running low on questions. Let’s touch a bit on this. What do you think of the local music industry?
Morgan: Well I have MANY things to say about the local music industry. I will not try to lie and say it’s moving fast and going in the direction we think it is, because it is not. However, it is though, moving slowly, but surely. Local musicians including myself wonder why we do not get much support from the people. In my opinion, the music industry is not providing the right kind of music to our listeners ears. Although it can be arguable that we are artistes and we follow our style, but the only way to get your music recognised is if it connects with the audience. The local music industry is way to focused on a certain kind of genre, never allowing themselves to branch out a little bit more. Like what Jay-Z said in his track ‘D.O.A.’: i know we facin’ a recession, but the music ya’ll makin’ gon’ make it a great depression’. It could be the wrong FORM of a genre. I never said it was the wrong genre, just perhaps the wrong form of it.
On a lighter note, I do think we have great musicians in our music scene just waiting for the right opportunity to burst out. Talents here just need the right exposure to show their sh*t and blow the hell outta everybody. Just my 2 cents on the slightly harsher opinions :) I don’t want attorney letters on my doorstep tomorrow!
Shiok!: Haha, don’t worry about that. We’re sure nothing would pop up. Well thank you very much for the interview, Morgan, we wish you all the best in your efforts?
Morgan: Thanks! Hey, not a problem guys, it’s my pleasure!
That’s it from Morgan Then, boys and girls. Stay tuned! Because a video EXCLUSIVELY for Shiok! by Morgan, is on its way. Just for your information, ladies, these are some of the places where you may stalk Morgan..have fun!
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Shiok! is the latest home-grown brand of online magazine targeting audience from all over Malaysia especially East Malaysia. Want to feel awesome? Shiok's the place to be!
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I’m in love with SHIOK! :) Thanks guys!
We love you too Morgan! All the best! :D
Hahaha! Great article. I’m looking forward to more that’s gonna come and not to forget, congrats Morgan! =)
woohoo!! Morgan! cant wait for the video to be out! quick quick!
Didn’t know you were into Guetta’s stuff =) I love his music – tho his latest I’d say only a few cuts it. =P
Hurrah on your interview – am still waiting for your profile! =P
Will start bugging you more often soon, coz we’re finalising!!!
-a
XoXo
morgan rocks!!!
insane phobia