MALAYSIA’S FIRST BLUES FESTIVAL
DENNIS CHUA has a chat with co-organiser Ito of Blues Gang fame on the three-day festival, which will usher in the new year
THERE is no mistaking Ito Mohamad, the slender, bearded veteran blues man who excels in the harmonica while singing iconic, self-penned and self-composed songs such as Apo Nak Dikato.
The 66-year-old founder and frontman of Blues Gang has been tirelessly promoting his beloved genre among young music lovers, only to be disappointed with their dismal response, which he largely blames on a worldwide “overload” of rock and pop.
Never one to give up, the resilient “blues warrior” from Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilan, has spent more than two decades pitching — unsuccessfully — the idea of an international blues festival to the powers-that-be.
His perseverance has finally paid off this year, when the Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) took up his cause. Together, they are organising a festival of blues music.
Officially named Langkawi International Blues Roots Aseana Music Festival or Libra 2017, it is set to take place over three days, beginning Dec 29 at Cenang Beach.
“It’s always been an uphill struggle for me to promote blues as a leading genre of music in my country. I’m glad I’ve won a small but significant victory here,” said Ito at a press conference to announce Libra 2017 in Kuala Lumpur recently.
Thanking Lada chief executive officer Datuk Azizan Noordin, who happens to be a fan of the Blues Gang, Ito said he chose Langkawi as the festival’s venue to help attract visitors and promote the island.
“I had thought of Penang but it’s ‘overloaded’ with events. Langkawi seems to be a better place. Tourists, especially from Europe, are flocking there, and they’re always appreciative of music with a difference, like blues.”
Ito, whose company Itos Cottage Music is co-organising the three-day blues festival with Lada, visited the famous Byron Bay Blues Festival in New South Wales, Australia, and the Bali Blues Festival in Indonesia over the last five years.
“These festivals are world renowned, and it’s high time Malaysia, as a major tourist destination in Southeast Asia, had its own blues festival by the sea.
“It’s always best to serenade music lovers by the beach because nature speaks to the soul, and blues music is all about the soul!”
Libra 2017 sees the participation of 15 bands and individuals from Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Iran. Admission is free.
Local acts besides Blues Gang include Karma Band, Purple Haze and Touch Mahal.
“Libra 2017 will see me perform my newest single Apo Kono Eh Milah for the first time in a concert. I recorded it early this year,” said Ito, who is planning for a Blues Gang tour middle of next year and a new album.