What is LaoBan Records and what do you guys do?
LaoBan Records is an independent Malaysian experimental music label. The label focuses on releasing improvised experimental music and serves to document a group of artists who have performed and developed together through exchanges made within South East Asia and beyond.
What inspires you as a label?
More than anything, new music and sounds. As a label, we have an aesthetic vision for what the type of music we want to put out. When the artist or instrument becomes secondary to the sound being produced, the music becomes exciting for us. It’s hard to get away from the sound of your instrument, but when we have to ask “where did that sound come from”, that’s when it gets interesting.
What are some great memories you had during your line of work?
I have nothing specific to share as there are too many. However, when making music, it is the people and circumstances surrounding the time on stage that make it worthwhile. To perform is why we do this, but often you are so in the moment while improvising that it is hard to remember highlights from your performances. It is the hangs before and after playing stick in your mind most.
