NEW local music getting exposed is always a good thing. As an online presence, the Nokia Independent Artist Club (IAC) has presented exciting and diverse new local music to the masses as well as given opportunities for established names to build a network base through IAC's regional reach. The IAC project, launched late last year, has tapped into newcomer talent and it has been building with momentum, with hundreds of artistes (local and regional) to be discovered on this genre-defying portal.

This Saturday sees the Nokia IAC Music Discovery showcase, featuring local acts from the IAC project, rolling out at Zouk KL, Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur.

The event, promising a blend of newcomers and a side of familiar names, will be taking over the entire Zouk KL – with the two main rooms and the terrace bar utilised. The IAC project is starting off its live programme with a crossover attitude, making room for rock, hip hop, electronica, singers-songwriters and beyond. Bands to feature at the main room include indie pop outfit The Times, rated as one of the IAC programme's best rock acts in the region, while modern rockers Auburn, They Will Kill Us All and Deserters are also the big highlights.

Elsewhere, the main room sticks to the ”discovery” spirit with bands like Steeltoe Solutions, I Quit Antartika, Silent Scenery and Brainhead. Also don't miss a drum clinic by John Thomas and a guitar clinic by Rithan (Deja Voodoo Spells).

BUZZWORTHY (from left) ... hip hop hotshot Altimet, frontman Fizul from They Will Kill Us All and indie singer-songwriter Jay to appear at the Nokia IAC Music Discovery showcase this Saturday at Zouk KL.

Urban music gets the IAC nod as the Velvet Underground will host a range of acts spanning hip hop, electronica and dance music.

Names to buzz the crowd include Altimet, one of the prominent hip hop stars of the year, while DJ Fuzz, Point Blanc and KLG-Sqwad complete the street edge. The electronica duo Transient Vortex, voted as IAC's best electronica act in the region, also adds to the cutting edge music in this room. NickyC, DJ Sheyshaco and Bo (Grandeur of Decibel) will handle the deejay decks. Don't miss a deejay clinic by DJ Fuzz and a special hip hop clinic by Altimet.

At the terrace bar, the mood will be acoustic-based and there is a sizeable list of acts to catch here.

Singer-songwriters Pete Teo, Hassan Peter Brown and Azmyl Yunor are the recognisable faces. But take nothing away from newcomers Stonebay, Silent Scream, Alaling right through a lo-fi rock set from Jay and an experimental trip from Lurks. The terrace bar will also feature a bass clinic by Alda (Cosmic Funk Express) and a songwriting clinic by Pete Teo.

The Nokia IAC Music Discovery showcase starts 3pm this Saturday. Admission is free. You can find out more information at (www.nokia.com.my/iac). Register as an artiste at (www.nokia-asia.com/iac/submissions).

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