It wasn’t exactly pandemonium as we went squeezing through the crowds in Clarke Quay after the Music Matters performance at The Beer Market. Sure, there was a group of fans (all girls) remnant from the performance that excitedly trailed Aziatix some distance to ‘backstage’ but it was tame and un-screamy.

I know, why does this write-up sound like a fan girl account.

Maybe it’s because Aziatix, whose style of music is both but more American RnB plus hip hop than Kpop, has the glamour of what one might expect from a typical Kpop idol group. We have Nicky Lee, who is only so very familiar with the Cpop industry having made a name for himself in Taiwan and so a Mandarin pop idol in all sense.  Then Eddie Shin, who is a singer-songwriter made good in Korea with a debut self-produced album in 2005. We got Flowsik (Jay) who honed his rapping skills and showmanship in the London underground hip-hop scene. Finally, Jae Chong – Famous producer who does his stuff while keeping the sound current and fresh. So we’ve got a mix of glamour, skills, talent, history and recognition in the U.S and East Asia, and experience in performance and song-writing (with their first E.P out – add to that producing as a unit). Aziatix is already so much (the sum of their identities alone has allowed them this at least) and, because of their obvious chemistry, more.

In other words, like how Singapore is strategically placed along major routes as a harbour for trade in SEA, we got Aziatix ready and poised to conquer the U.S and Asian markets. It doesn’t hurt either that the guys have got looks, charm and humour. And that they make good music for the mainstream. Clearly, we can expect more good stuff from them in the future.

But don’t take it from us. Check Aziatix out on Youtube and Facebook.

RP met Aziatix on 27^th May and here is an excerpt.

1.     How are you finding Singapore?

N: Loving it, it’s really fun.

2.     All of you have had a solo career so far, how’s it like to be part of a band? What kinda changes are there?

N: Performing together, there is a different kinda vibe. When we’re together it’s not as lonely, I guess. Smooth out some things, we had to get used to 3 of us on stage, stage placements and movements. Now it’s all smoothed out. It’s fire.

F: It’s good to try new things.

E: More flexible with music choices.

N: We all come from different backgrounds, when we make music together, it’s a whole different chemistry.

3.     What were your first impressions of each other?

F: When I first saw N I thought he was a very tough guy, but he’s a kind hearted very talented guy. I met Eddie through basketball, actually very good in basketball and I was very shocked.

E: You too, Flow!

F: I’m not that good, but neither did I know he was that talented in music as well. And the chemistry just went naturally.

N: We all met through our producer Jae Chong. When I first talked to Flow over the phone, I thought this guy was 7 foot 5, 355 pounds or something! Because his voice is so deep. (About E) This brother is one good-looking brother, the ladies sure will love him, and I was right!

E: I thought Nicky was a boxer when I first saw him. (About F) His voice just carries a different frequency, like low. When he talks in Korean, and other languages, he’s mad funny. Different kinda vibe when he speaks in different languages.

F: Thank you.

N: Highly entertaining

4.     How did Aziatix come about and what spurred the collaboration?

N: Aziatix’s… Our producer’s idea from a long time ago. There is a void of Asian artist in the mainstream pop world and we always thought we needed to change that and hopefully the music we do can cross all language barriers and colours, and there will be more than just FEM on the billboard charts. Other Asian artists coming up and show that other Asians can hold their own in the music market.

5.     What are your thought on the kpop scene?

E: Its carrying our music in a really positive direction so Im paying respect to all the kpop artists out there.

It’s just an honor to not only represent kpop but Asians in a right way.

6.     Why do you call yourselves a Korean band?

N: Do we call ourselves a Korean band? Well, we’re Korean American.. Our music is mostly in English but we wouldn’t brand ourselves as Korean band but maybe you can say we are a Korean band but we’re not a Korean band?

Like we got both elements I guess.. And (Stammer) Next question! (Laughs)

We would just like to be called The Band.

7.     You guys are traveling for album promos, do you split the responsibilities, like different members headlining in a different country,  like Nicky in Taiwan…

N: It’s always nice because my Korean is not up to par and we had promotions in Korea not so long ago and that’s when E really stepped up. And had to use his fluent Korean. And when we’re in NY, Flow was born and raised in NY, so he’s perfect for that. Later on we’ll be in Taiwan and other places, and if we need to speak Mandarin, I’ll bring up my not-up-to-par Mandarin and do my best.

F: It’s pretty much each person makes up for certain weak points, together unified it’s just very strong.

8.     Other members who wanna learn/ grasp a new language?

F: I wanna learn Chinese. Teach me (To N)

N: Teach you!? I don’t know if I can teach you!

F: Please?

E: (Laughs) Please?

N: We go for the easy ones. Ni Hao.

F: Ni Hao.

N: Okay man, Wo Ai Ni.

F: Ohaini?

N: Wo Ai Ni. Ni Hen Piao Liang.

(Somebody: WAN means ILY)

F: WAN means ILY?

N: Wo Ai Ni. Ni Hen Piao Liang.

F: … Okay.

N: I tried to help you out, brother!

The ateam of Nicky, Eddie, Jae Chong, Flowsik

Aziatix’s E.P dropped in May and you can get it on iTunes.