Beat The Scene : Interview with Trella

Joe: Start off by telling everyone your name,what it is you do in the band and a funny fact about yourself.
Bong: Hello, I'm bong, I play guitar and I'm the shortest dude in the band.

Joe: How did the band form?
Bong: The band's formative period was in March 2007, when drummer Safith, guitarist Joey and Bong got together to decide that they wanted to write their own music. We recruited Leon on Bass and our old vocalist, Zachary Poh. It's been two years, and we have a new vocalist right now, none other than Weiwen Seah (For This Cycle.) We're currently writing and recording a new E.P, which should be out in March 2010.

Joe: Who came up with the name Trella?
Bong: We got the name from a book of baby names, and later learned that it meant "star" in Spanish, and we liked it, so we stuck with it. Stars are a symbol of hope and guidance for many people/cultures, and that's exactly what we hope our music will give them. Hence the name.

Joe: For the readers who have not checked you guys out yet, how would you describe the band's sound?
Bong: I suppose you can say we are the combined result of everything we've listened to while growing up, but our strong influence shines out in our music. Bands like Emery, The Receiving End Of Sirens and Envy On The Coast play a big role in defining our sound. We simply want to introduce our own sonic perspective in the world of alternative-rock. (or emo, if you will!)

Joe: What is your take on the music industry right now?
Bong: Well, Singapore is definitely opening up. Huge festivals like Baybeats are now featuring our hardcore-metal friends For Better Endings, and it's really great. There was also a chance for us to appear on national television, but I would honestly say that it wasn't the best tv program to watch. It's a good effort though, and the industry is really growing. there are opportunities now for us to get our music sold in other countries as well, so it's great. I must say though, that even if the industry was bad, we'd still be doing this. Its not about how good or bad the industry is, I think it depends more on how badly you want to get your music out there.

Joe: Would you change anything about the industry if you had the chance?
Bong: Perhaps I would get them to organize more festivals throughout the year, maybe even replicate tours and festivals like Soundwave (the austrailian tour) and the Warped Tour.

Joe: What is a show that stands out to you the most?
Bong: To me, it was the launch of our "Orion" singles at home club. Everyone, and I mean everyone was singing along to our music. It was the most receptive crowd we have ever played to. I will never, ever forget that show.

Joe: Have any fan experiences that you will never forget?
Bong: There was once a girl who was stalking me. She wrote an imaginary msn conversation between "me" and her (i don't even have her on msn) and put it on her blog. (i found this out by googling trella.) The blog has since been deleted, but it was quite funny to find out that people are so strange. There was also this girl who wrote funny things on her blog. She was watching our band play on the tv show we were on, she was at the left side of the stage, and was apparently standing behind my girlfriend. She literally wrote this on her blog "I was standing behind his girlfriend, so I couldn't shout GO BONG, GO!!!" She also remarked that I was 'hot' and I seriously think she should go for an eye check-up. (you can still find this blog entry by googling trella and my name. haha)

Joe: What is your hidden talent and do you have any guilty pleasures?
Bong: Unfortunately, I am quite the loser. I don't really have a hidden talent and am pretty lousy at everything I try. "Guilty pleasures" sounds dirty, I don't want to answer that.... I think that question sort of answers itself. HAHA

Joe: Who would play on your Dream Tour?
Bong: WOW. OKAY. this is fun.
EMERY, The Reign Of Kindo, Bayside, Saosin, Envy On The Coast, Emarosa, Dance Gavin Dance, Closure In Moscow, FOO FIGHTERS, Death Cab For Cutie, Blink 182, Forever The Sickest Kids, Cartel, The Academy Is, Fall Out Boy, PARAMORE, CHIODOS, Underoath, Anberlin, Circa Survive, The Ataris, Lost Prophets, Travis, Keane, Armour For Sleep, MISERY SIGNALS, Attack Attack!, As Tall As Lions, At The Drive In, Minus The Bear, This Providence, and Trella and FBE to open every time. HAHAHAHAAH

Joe: What is the best advice you can give someone trying to break into the music business?
Bong: Be honest and genuine in everything you do.

Joe: Do you have any plans or goals for the band in the near future?
Bong: Yeah, we actually have very detailed plans that drag out into June next year. We're taking our time to write and record the new E.P. right now, and we'll be back playing live shows in October onwards. We'll prolly have new merch out by then too. Our EP will be out in March 2010, and we will be promoting it like crazy. Being in an independant label means that this is alot of hard work on our part, so I hope it pays off!!

Joe: Any last words for the readers and fans?
Bong: THANK YOU for bothering to read my boring interview! Thank you everyone who's supported us, we humbly beg you guys for your continual support!!! Do check us out at http://myspace.com/trellaband , we recently uploaded a sampler of one of our newer songs, The Lost Boy. We're writing the entire EP about this lost boy. We hope you likey........

God Bless you guys!
bye!

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Band Website:
http://myspace.com/trellaband

Booking/Management:
Manager: Azly Jacaz
Mobile: (+65) 98806606
Email: aj@thebastardmovement.com

About the boss

I sleep, I work. sometimes I eat. I take pictures in between.