by DANIAL FUAD | photo by @artherockshow

Some might say that the 2000s marked the peak of Malaysia’s indie music scene, with bands like Hujan as key players, Meet Uncle Hussein winning the Anugerah Juara Lagu, and Bunkface claiming the Ultimate Shout! Award at the inaugural 2009 Shout Awards. Some local bands even crossed international borders, such as Pop Shuvit, who performed remarkably well in Japan. The success of the KAMI movie further fuelled interest in the indie scene.

Documenting the Indie Scene

Realizing the importance of documenting this golden era, Ahmad Faris planned a documentary series to capture it. “I was involved in the show Hoppers and Ahli Muzik, which aired on 8TV in 2008. We travelled all over Malaysia, highlighting the independent scene in each state,” said Faris, who later worked for Astro Awani.

“During my two years there, I discovered how colourful our local independent music scene is, yet it wasn’t featured on TV at all,” he added. This realization prompted him to leave his job and produce a TV show titled TAPAU: The Music, The Road, and The Camera. Although he created a pilot episode featuring Liyana Fizi, Yuna, and the Impatient Sisters, TV networks rejected his proposal.

The Birth of TAPAU

After exhausting his savings and facing rejection, Faris pivoted. “I realized my target audience rarely watched TV and spent most of their time online. That’s how the idea for TAPAUtv came to be,” he explained. TAPAUtv became a platform for local independent talent to shine online, increasing their chances of being discovered.

By 2014, Faris dedicated himself fully to TAPAU and launched the now-famous TAPAUfest. “We set out to make the first TAPAUfest a crowd-funded event. With a target of RM85,000 in 30 days, we managed to hit our goal, becoming Southeast Asia’s first crowd-funded festival,” Faris said.

In 2019, TAPAU introduced the TAPAUawards. “That year, the indie scene produced so much great work, and we wanted to recognize it,” said Faris. The awards became a platform to celebrate talent and create healthy competition. Faris emphasized the importance of recognition, explaining that a lack of appreciation can discourage artists.

TAPAUKON is another notable TAPAU initiative, bringing together stakeholders from the indie scene, such as venue owners, organizers, and photographers. Faris noted, “The heart and soul of the indie scene is the ecosystem. It doesn’t rely on the industry but thrives on community support.”

Challenges and Government Support

Faris acknowledged that Malaysia’s indie scene still faces challenges, including a weak ecosystem and low appreciation for the arts. However, he highlighted progress: “Today, we have government grants to support shows and album production, which didn’t exist when TAPAU started.” Organizations like ThinkCity, MyCreative Ventures, and Yayasan Hasanah now offer crucial support for the arts.

Faris stressed the importance of grassroots involvement. “Getting to know the community helps us understand their challenges and create long-term benefits. Right now, we’re treating symptoms instead of addressing the root causes,” he explained.

A Decade of TAPAU: Celebrating 10 Years

Last December, TAPAU celebrated its 10th anniversary with performances, conferences, and market. The lineup included alumni from previous TAPAUfests and new faces. “Every alumni performer we invite has achieved something significant during their time with us. We also include new performers to represent the future of the indie scene,” Faris said.

The event featured art by Kide Baharuddin, who collaborated with Rabbani Sujak, #TAPAU10Tahun’s Head of Art Department. There were also TAPAUKON Mini, that brought stakeholders together to share experiences and participate in open sessions.

Expanding Regionally: TAPAU Asia

In 2021, TAPAU expanded regionally with its first virtual TAPAUfest, featuring artists like Force Vomit, Subsonic Eye, and Forests from Singapore, as well as Sore and The Panturas from Indonesia. “The Malaysian indie scene struggles if we focus only locally. Regionally, Indonesia has a vast market, and Singapore has high spending power, which inspired TAPAU to focus more on the Southeast Asia,” Faris shared.

Looking ahead, TAPAU aims to embrace more genres. “The indie scene knows us, but what about hardcore or hip-hop? We want to be a platform for all sub-genres, not just one market,” Faris said.

Over the past decade, TAPAU has become a key platform for Malaysia’s indie music scene, supporting local talent, building community connections, and promoting creativity. Through initiatives like TAPAUtv, TAPAUfest, TAPAU Awards, and TAPAU Asia, it continues to grow and celebrate the diversity of indie music. TAPAU’s journey shows the impact of passion and community in shaping the future of independent music.