Ethnic Transmissions [Evolution/ Revolution] Iban Band Biography

Ethnic Transmissions "Evolution/ Revolution"
Indie Iban Band

Ethnic Transmissions (ET) is an Iban alternative/indie band formed in 2004 & based in Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo) with the current line up of Macmillan Jua Lungan (vocals & guitars), Dennis Jonathan Fraude (keyboards), Daniel Ading (lead guitars), David Barieng Jacques (drums) and Norman Ading (bass).

Throughout a jam session in 2003, Daniel, Mac & Dennis in nu-metal band Pike, experimented with an alternative rock music which had lyrics written in Iban called ‘Ngarap’, just to see the mix.

In 2004 Mac was provided to behave by a local production company, in an Iban telemovie referred to as Lagu Sayau and was additionally asked to compose a music that turned the soundtrack for the movie. Their debut single ‘Engka’ was that song. David & Susanna later joined & Ethnic Transmissions was formed. Quickly after, 2 extra songs and an acoustic model of ‘Engka’ had been recorded and packaged into the band’s debut mini album entitled ‘Engka’ and launched underneath their self-owned file label Fish*Farm Records in December 2007.

In September 2008, Ethnic Transmissions was nominated & received the award for Promising New Male Singer during The inaugural Dayak Music Awards or DAMA for ‘Engka’. Susanna later left the band & Norman joined.

In November 2008, 'Engka' hit the no 1 spot and stayed on high of the charts for a number of weeks on Miri FM's Lagu Tebilang Iban chart show. This earned ET a nomination as one of the finalist during Miri FM’s Anugerah Juara Lagu Tebilang Iban held in July 2009.

In 2010, ET obtained a nomination within the ‘Most popular Iban tune’ category for his or her single, ‘Semina ke nuan’ during Anugerah Musik Dayak. All of the while the band has been within the studios recording new material for his or her 2010 2nd album.

The band’s sound is influenced by bands such as Gin Blossoms, 3rd eye blind, Mew, Def Leppard, Coldplay, Taking Back Sunday, Paramore, Nidji, Jimmy Eat World, Snow Patrol, Dashboard Confessionals, All American Rejects, Stereophonics, Dream Theatre, Classic Crime, The Ataris etc.

Ethnic Transmissions current line-up:

Daniel Ading - Lead guitar
Macmillan Jua - Vocals/Guitar
Dennis Fraude - Keyboards
David Jacques - Drums
Norman Ading - Bass

Achievement:
Ethnic Transmission (ET) depicting ‘anti-establishment’ music, won the Best Performance AJARR 2011

Ethnic Transmissions hopes it could add range by presenting a unique approach in the Sarawakian music scene & hopes a model new generation of Sarawakian singers/songwriters/bands/recording labels/producers etc will emerge to additional drive the Evolution, the Revolution of the industry. Truthfully,Ethnic Transmissions hopes their music can speak to whoever is willing to pay attention; no matter race or language.