This book explores questions of identity cultural change and creativity from the perspective
of contemporary musicians currently engaged in redefining Asian musical traditions and notions
of heritage in Singapore. Drawing on the fields of anthropology cultural studies and
ethnomusicology Semionauts of Tradition focuses on emerging millennial musicians and explores
the complex and interwoven cultural national musical and personal identifications in their
discourse and music practice. It shows how they create fluid hybrid and counter-hegemonic
forms of expression representation and identity through their navigation of diverse cultural
worlds their incorporation of a myriad of elements into their own identities and music and
their contestations of preconceived notions of difference and tradition. The book exposes
paradoxes within current thinking about 'multiracialism' 'racial harmony' the 'East West
divide' and 'tradition versus modernity ' and proposes new ways ofunderstanding identity
cultural change and creativity in a highly globalised and diverse nation. This highly-original
polyvocal account of a burgeoning music scene includes photos musical scores and reaction
pieces by musicians. It is a timely contribution to global discussions about 'multiculturalism
from below ' as well as musical cultural and national identities in a postcolonial Southeast
Asian setting from the viewpoint of artists engaged in creative meaning-making.This
captivating book explores - with tremendous intellectual vitality - the dialectic relationships
between the cultural ethnic and national identities of Singapore's creative youth and their
creative practice. A compelling read! Dr Liora Bresler Professor University of IllinoisA
well-researched and thoughtfully well-written book about the diverse forms of music in
Singapore and the musicians who created it. - Jeremy Monteiro jazz pianist singer composer
and music educator This wonderfully lucid and compelling book analyzes the musical and cultural
creativity of young Singaporean musicians growing up in a multicultural and ethnically plural
society bringing Asian and Western musical cultures into creative dialogue. - Dr Deborah
Pacini Hernandez Professor Emeritus Tufts University A thought provoking dialogue on
contemporary Singaporean music! -Eric Watson composer conductor music technologist and
pedagogue
