In honor of celebrating two more successful sessions of Intimate Conversation at Superbroadcast, featuring returning up and coming Kuala Lumpur, based musician, Faliq Auri, we asked Auri to share some of his core memories from his musical expedition thus far and his overall thoughts on collaborating with Superbroadcast once again, for yet another musical event. Let’s hear some of Auri’s engrossing moments and memories.
Q: Please briefly introduce yourself
“Hi, my name is Faliq Auri. I’m from Kuala Lumpur, and I’m a musician. So basically, back in KL, I am a musical artist. So I play not only at functions, but also in music festivals and occasionally do some promotional gigs. In KL, I’m also a music teacher and I teach: saxophone and flute.” So by day, Auri is a music teacher and by night, he is a musical performer. He truly lives a very thrilling double life.
Q: How did you first hear about Superbroadcast?
“It was when I visited Singapore for the first time since the pandemic. Superbroadcast team saw my Twitter account where it says that I am a musician and they invited me to the studio to have a casual chat about possibly performing in some events. And it turned out to be a fruitful conversation, which ultimately led to my first gig here, at Superbroadcast. We had a brief chat and then we jammed one or two songs together, and we were instantly attached, somehow. Initially, when I came here in May, it was just supposed to be a vacation. But it turned out to be a meeting with Superbroadcast and its officials. And that’s when they invited me to my first gig in June.” It was like an instant connection between Auri and Superbroadcast, like something kismet or inevitable. And little did Auri know that soon he would develop a cordial relationship between the media company, and the June performance, was only the first of several lively musical performances he would be a part of.
Q: What was your experience like performing at Superbroadcast for the first time?
“So for my initial performance, a lot of it was just taking in and scoping out the new environment and the atmosphere of the area. But it didn’t take long to feel that this was the right place for me to be performing in. And what I really appreciate about Superbroadcast is how open and flexible the events are. This is because I don’t feel too much pressure to perform perfectly every time, and frankly, I can just be myself. And the first show we did in June went great. The atmosphere was positive and warm, the crowd seemed to resonate with our musical pieces and the event overall was very smooth-sailing.” The first event Auri performed occurred on the 18th of June, which was the first Intimate Conversation session he was a part of. And, indeed went very well. You can read more about his first performance at Superbroadcast here https://superbroadcast.com/intimate-conversation-at-desker-road-a-unique-musical-escapade/ for more details.
Photo by : Lynn Robchinsky
Photo by : KS PERSPECTIVE
Q: What initially inspired you to follow a musical career?
“I actually come from a big musical family background. My late grandmother was a jazz singer for a British group in KL. She was married to my grandfather who was a drummer and my late father, aswell, was a flutist and saxophonist. When I was around four years old, I saw my father play the flute and my heart was instantly attached. To me, the flute is the sound of nature because the origin of the flute began when people built the flute with bones and wood. So the sound and character of the instrument really compelled and gravitated me to playing other woodwind instruments like such. And that’s also why I couldn’t find myself playing guitar or string instruments because there’s such a deep and rich history that dates back to the instruments I play today.” So for Auri, that drive for music and performing just runs in the blood. And so when he grew up and found himself looking for jobs, it came naturally, and he simply continued his family’s legacy.
Auri’s photo of dad on Flute in Kampung Baru Kuala Lumpur Malayia circa 1960s.
Photo courtesy :Faliq Auri
Photo courtesy :Faliq Auri
Q: What sets you apart from other musicians?
“I play a lot of unique sets of instruments like saxophone, flute, and Uilleann pipes. Additionally, I was once referred to by a fellow musician in KL as a “Master of none” because I don’t speak to one instrument. And I always get questioned about my commitment and identification to instruments, like, “What are you— a flutist? A saxophonist?” But, this is me. I just enjoy the sound of music and the instruments and I love being who I am, so I would describe myself as a multi-instrumentalist.” Nowadays, we are able to instantly pinpoint an artist and their accompanying choice of instruments. What makes Auri truly idiosyncratic, is his ability to tend to an array of different instruments and identify not with the instrument itself, but the music he plays with that instrument. Almost like a musical chameleon, this is something that makes him very beguiling and eclectic as a musical artist. that dates back to the instruments I play today.” So for Auri, that drive for music and performing just runs in the blood. And so when he grew up and found himself looking for jobs, it came naturally, and he simply continued his family’s legacy.
Photo courtesy : balibreaththemusic
Photo courtesy : Aliffsatarandthelocos
Photo courtesy : Warnermusicmy and AlifSatar&thelocos
Q: Would you say culture, history or societal matters play an important role in the type of music you play?
“Absolutely, without history or culture there would be no substance or gravity to music performed today. These three factors act as a foundation for the music we have now and help us better connect to our roots and explain why we play the specific music we do. Circling back to my family history, with my grandparents being avid musicians, their history plays an important role in the music I play. Especially in one’s mentality and approach to music, because what I am today is because of the previous history of my family and the music I learned and grew up hearing.” Music and history most certainly intertwine and the history of one artist speaks volume and heavily reflects what instruments they choose to play and how they communicate their stories through music. Auri makes excellent points about why aspiring musicians should take an interest in their musical history to better understand the root of their passions for performing.
Q: What thoughts go through your head when you perform in front of an audience?
As I am aging, I definitely feel more relaxed now, compared to ten years ago, when I was constantly nervous standing in front of an audience. Back in the day, I just wanted to impress and prove to those who were listening to me perform, that I was worthy and that I knew what I was doing. But now, it seems like my willingness to perform well stems from a personal interest rather than what others think. And it’s also now more about communicating a story. So the way I approach the audience now is by trying to include them in my performances or my stories. It’s kind of like we’re acting, and I feed off their energy. So we play around with silence, volume and both fast and slow tempos. To give the audience an opportunity to feel like they are a part of something great, which is what the musical experience is all about. Fueling connections and fostering a sense of belonging.” Otherwise, if Auri just went in there and performed blandly, then, as an audience, we can’t latch on or relate to anything on an emotional level, so interaction with the audience is a key in Auri’s eyes.
Prominent figure in Singapore were among the audience that night
Auri performing for the first time with Singaporean musician Faiz and Aliff.
How did you feel when Superbroadcast invited you to perform at yet another performance?
“Obviously, ecstatic! I enjoy being outside of my circle, because in KL when I remain there for a while I become very used to my surroundings and so I love to travel because I get the opportunity to listen to different music genres, pick up different instruments and meet multiple types of musicians from diverse backgrounds. By stepping out of your comfort zone, you’re broadening your horizons, and perceiving life from a different lens, which will inevitably alter the way you view and perform music. This is what makes it so enchanting because music can never become static, it is ever growing and truly dynamic. So when Superbroadcast invited me, there was no possible way I could decline their offer. So I was elated that they reached out and were looking forward to continuing to collaborate with me. Frankly, as long as I come here and express my music, share my stories and connect with the audience, that is all that matters. Music is the best language in the world.”
Q: What is your favorite part about Superbroadcast?
“My favorite part about Superbroadcast would truly be, again, how relaxing and welcoming the atmosphere is. Because I don’t feel any stress or anxiety build up whatsoever. The set up in itself, is also what contributes to how cozy and tranquil the environment is. They have beautiful décor and soothing lighting that makes the whole experience feel very at-home. This also makes connecting to the audience much smoother because it’s such an intimate environment, making it feel very all-encompassing.” As an audience member myself, I remember seeing almost no individual with their phone out unless they were recording. Everyone was completely invested in the performers and the stories of each musical piece, which was such an eye-opening and refreshing experience to be a part of. Especially with all aspects of life digitizing, the Superbroadcast environment fostered an event in which time felt as if it suspended for a few hours, and allowed us to fully immerse ourselves with just the performers and their music.”