BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

SOME of Brunei’s best solo artistes and groups have been nominated for several categories in the second Voice Independent Music Awards (VIMA) to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on January 17, 2010.

The finalists for the individual categories are Feez Madea, Adi Rani, Juju, NJ and Sam Siren from Karacoma.

The final acts from the group categories are MNC, MicBandits, L One, I Mean The Snakes, Karacoma, Megabu and The White Shoes as well as D’Hask.

There are 26 categories altogether for the VIMA 2010, but some of categories that the Bruneian artistes were voted for include Best Pop Song, Best Pop Group, Best Female Vocalist (overall), Best Rock Song, Best Rock Group, Best Hip Hop Song, Best Hip Hop Act (Group).

Feez Madea, whose English song, Fly, has been nominated for Best Pop Song views her nomination as a confidence booster.

“To be nominated is such an honour, as this is the first time that I am nominated outside Brunei. I feel so blessed and super excited. I am not performing but I will be attending,” said Feez, adding that the Brunei music industry is improving.

“The locals should be proud (of us) and support us as we have proven that our music is now well-received,” she said.

Brunei’s newcomer to the hip hop music scene, MicBandits, is nominated for three categories: Best Hip Hop Song, Best Hip Hop Act (Group) and Most Mind-blowing Music Video.

“For MicBandits, it’s pretty huge step for us as well (since) this is our first time being nominated for an international award. Our label from KL (Cartel Records) says it’s a good exposure as we are going to be launching a compilation CD for Cartel Records. It’s a good exposure for us there and here (Brunei),” said Moody, the manager for MicBandits.

“The Brunei music industry is stepping up. We have creative people and we cater to all genres,” said Moody, who on behalf of MicBandits took the opportunity to wish the other Brunei nominees good luck.

“Karacoma and I are very pleased to be nominated into VIMA for five categories. We were surprised to get so many nominations. Yet, even though being nominated, we are still trying to let ourselves be heard not only in Brunei, but in other parts of the world,” said Sam Siren, the lead vocalist for Karacoma.

She is the only Bruneian to be nominated under the Best Female Vocalist (overall) category, along with other vocalists such as Malaysia’s jazz crooner, Mia Palencia. “Perhaps, this is a stepping stone for Karacoma to head forth for our dreams. We wish we could be supported by more of our people — Bruneians — as we still lack support from them.”

“We are trying to get sponsors for our airfare to KL yet no one is lending a hand. But I guess that’s part and parcel of giving it your all to make your music be heard, as well as hardships each musician has to face before making their mark,” she continued.

On behalf of Karacoma, she congratulated the rest of the Bruneian artistes who have been nominated.

“Awesome and brilliant to all of them. At least people out there appreciate us as proper musicians.”

Their win is 30 per cent dependent on the voting scores derived from the microsite page http://www.voize.my/awards and the other 70 per cent from selected local and international judges. The online voting will be closed on January 4.

VIMA is Asia’s first independent music awards.

The Brunei Times

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