The key to Loque’s mind

Multi-talented Loque of Monoloque tells Dennis Chua why he loves recording in abandoned houses

KHAIRIL Ridzwan Anuar or Loque loves Malaysia’s rich heritage of traditional music. Loque, who fuses the sounds of traditional instruments such as the gamelan into his songs, is equally passionate about showcasing heritage buildings in his videos, to the extent of recording inside them.

The 41-year-old lead singer, guitarist, songwriter and composer of five-member pop group Monoloque has just released his first short film that tells of recording the band’s single

This song about staying true to one’s roots was recorded by former Butterfingers member Loque and his bandmates — drummer Babri, guitarist Ijoo, and bassists AJ and Efry — in an old, wooden village house two years ago.

They tidied it up and transformed it into their new recording studio. Loque also plans to turn it into a heritage museum.

“This house belonged to my great grandfather and it’s one of many which dotted the landscape of Gombak in Kuala Lumpur in the last two centuries.

“It was the first time I stepped into that house in years although I may have visited it with my parents as a child.

“What attracted me to this ‘village beauty’ was its location and timelessness - it is right in the middle of the Klang Valley in Kampung Batu, off Jalan Ipoh and appears stuck in a time warp.

“Furthermore, its weathered yet hardy appearance seems to affirm the famous saying that ‘old is gold’,” said Loque in a recent interview.

Loque and his band immensely enjoyed their brief stay in the heritage house.

“We had a fabulous time sleeping there. It’s got superb ventilation, the cool, midnight breeze can be felt inside, allowing us a good night’s rest,” he said.

“As for the film, we made it with 20 cameras, and it contains more than 1,000 takes of the five of us making music.

“We brainstormed, debated, rehearsed, laughed, joked, screamed and cheered and each of us talked about the vibes which the house gave us.”

Loque said he and his bandmates plan to record a song in an abandoned building next.

“I’ve always wanted to ‘feel’ what it’s like to record in a supposedly haunted house or building.

Loque sold 2,000 vinyl copies of his band’s second album which contains

and 10 other songs over Ramadan in June.

The challenge of making a short film has emboldened him to produce and direct a 90-minute feature film about the lives of aspiring musicians in the Klang Valley.

“I haven’t got down to the details but I hope to give it a star-studded cast. Its plot is entirely fiction but it will have lots of references to popular culture and it will cover artistes from various decades — from the 1980s to the present day,” said Loque.

The celebrities Loque has in mind for the film are Datuk Yusof Haslam and his sons Syamsul and Syafiq Yusof, popular actors Bront Palarae, Que Haidar, Beto Kusyairy, Zahiril Adzim and Amerul Affendi, award-winning director Mamat Khalid, and popular recording artistes Datuk M Nasir, Herman Tino, Aiman Tino and Manifesto.

“It may be an original story but it is largely inspired by one of my all-time favourite Malay movies

from the 1980s, he said adding that he and his bandmates might also appear in the film.”

Besides this, Loque is going to release a musical documentary, which he filmed between 2014 and 2017. It contains four hours of footage. Loque hopes to release it either next month or in October.

“Besides my band and I, others featured in it include Salam Musik, Asmidar, Manifesto, and The Venopian Solitude.

“The film is entirely about our journey during that period, to highlight the unique musical heritage of every state in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.

is currently in postproduction. Loque will produce a sequel,

in a year or two.

“The sequel is going to be a bigger challenge. In it, my band and I will explore the diverse traditions of music around Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan, and we’ll play some traditional wind and percussion instruments.”

Later this month, Loque and his band will be recording the 10 songs of the album at a secret location.

“It’s supported by the Pahang Museum and features the haunting sounds of the gamelan. It’s not a Monoloque album but our collaboration with Manifesto, Najwa Mahiaddin, and Aizat Amdan last year,” he said.

Loque also plans to make a short film about of the recording process of

“It’ll come together with an exploration of the gamelan,” he said, adding that the best way to promote cultural conservation was via music videos and films.

On another note, Loque said he would continue to “share” his trademark tengkolok with fans.

“Last Ramadan, fashion designer Salikin Sidek and I sold 150 of my Tengkoloque headdresses. I’m coming up with more contemporary designs, and hope to release some by year end or in January next year.”