Week 12 2/2: Ova Formula

What strikes out most about Ova Formula would be their undeniable pulsating passion for their music, and their heartwarming unity as a large family of percussion band alumni. Having all been former or current members of Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Baracuda Batucadas, more than 10 generations of alumnus and current members form the independent group Ova Formula to bring their exotic and exciting fusion genre of music (such as Samba x Rock and Samba x Bhangra) to huge crowds of audiences at Orchard Road and Clarke Quay.

Speaking to Jiayi, Cheryl and Amirah, current members of Baracuda Batucadas who busk with Ova Formula, they shared about how busking was a new experience that they had embraced and thoroughly enjoyed, and with how they are so grateful for the family of alumnus who have stayed so close-knit in their wonderful welcoming culture. Although Ova Formula busks only a few times each year, every experience is an electrifying one - with their favourite season being the Christmas period where it feels like a nice closure to the year.

Ova Formula is no stranger to the National Arts Council (NAC) as they renew their busking license with them every year. Different members are given the opportunity to represent the group each time as they audition in a group of about 12 members. NAC has been supportive of Ova Forumla in their renewing of their licenses each year and had even invited Ova Formula to perform in new vibrant busking spaces such as SCAPE, which also allows for the accommodation of their large band size.

On top of that, the members also expressed that communication between buskers and NAC could also be further enhanced to further promote buskers in Singapore, such as with more arts festivals that can provide a focus and avenue for buskers, and to allow the busking community in Singapore to be better acquainted and to be more connected.

Ova Formula has met with other fellow buskers while taking the streets, and the sense of community is built as shown with how in between their own performances, they enjoyed giving shout outs for the other buskers by telling the audience to look out for the nearby buskers who are coming on next or who are currently in the area.

Given the flexibility of busking areas and timings, as also mentioned by the other busker interviewees, there may be clashes in the use of the same space as the buskers are unaware of the schedules of other fellow buskers. When the solution that was proposed by other buskers were presented to them, Jiayi, Cheryl and Amirah expressed great enthusiasm about the proposal of a peer-managed buskers' timetable scheduling and found this suggestion to be very helpful.

Jiayi, Cheryl and Amirah truly inspired us during the interview as they were bright-eyed and full of passion when speaking of their busking experiences. Jiayi even made us laugh when she said that her parents were "shocked" to see their "quiet" daughter head-banging to the music and having the time of her life while busking with Ova Formula.

All three interviewees spoke so fondly throughout of their experiences busking with Ova Formula, from interacting and dancing with the crowd, to feeling a great sense of belonging as they don purple (their band's signature colour) and fully enjoying what they love. They remain true advocates of the joys of busking, with Amirah answering happily without hesitation that she would love to continue busking with Ova Formula for life. They feel that busking goes beyond the stereotype that buskers are just people performing for money or who are begging for money, and they agreed with the sentiments of other buskers that with more media coverage and a change of attitude from Singaporeans, people will come to see buskers for their art and appreciate and truly enjoy the vibrant scene of busking.

A huge thank you to Jiayi, Cheryl and Amirah, you girls have been absolutely inspiring and interviewing you girls was truly a lot of fun! Keep doing what you love! :)