Ethos Collective is steadily raising the bar with Scene Incubator, a series created to give emerging local artists more opportunities to perform and be discovered. Beyond covering the scene through media, the goal is simple: create a platform where original artists can step into the spotlight and connect with new listeners and each other. For its second edition, the line-up expanded to four bands, bringing together a diverse range of sounds. From the experimental explorations of Mish.Rec và 7/4 Surfers, to the uplifting rock-and-roll spirit of Bột Màu Khoai Tây Cà Rốt (BMKTCR), and the introspective alternative rock of Thangca, the evening offered something for everyone. As expected for a growing event still finding its footing, the crowd remained modest. Yet compared to the first edition, the energy felt noticeably stronger. The room may have been small, but the passion coming from both the bands and the audience made it feel much bigger.
MISH.REC: A ONE-MAN GROOVE MACHINE
The night started off slowly. A rainy Sunday evening and a delayed schedule meant attendance was low, leaving the room feeling quiet and subdued. Despite the mellow atmosphere, solo artist Mish.Rec stepped onto the stage with confidence and immediately drew people into his presence. Known as the bassist of 7/4 Surfers, Mish.Rec‘s solo project takes a very different direction from the band’s gritty experimental rock. Here, synths take a prominent role, blending dream-pop and psychedelic textures with layered looping techniques that create immersive instrumental soundscapes. His setup was easily one of the most elaborate of the night, featuring a collection of pedals, synths, and effects processors. At the center of it all was his five-string bass, which became far more than a traditional support instrument. Through generous use of delay, reverb, pitch shifting, wah effects, distortion, and many more, the bass transformed into an incredibly versatile sonic tool capable of producing sounds one wouldn’t normally associate with the instrument. What made the set especially engaging was Mish.Rec himself. Between songs, he casually introduced both himself and his music, creating an inviting atmosphere that quickly broke through the audience’s initial lethargy. Before long, people were fully tuned in and visibly enjoying the performance. Having released his debut solo album earlier this year, Mish.Rec seems eager to keep exploring new territory, and his set felt like an exciting glimpse into that journey.
7/4 SURFERS: THE DYNAMIC DUO
Intuitively, the set transitioned to 7/4 Surfers, considering Mish.Rec remained on stage. Formed by Mish.Rec and drummer Nikita, the duo, originated in the coastal city of Nha Trang, sharing an interest in experimental music and unconventional techniques. While Mish.Rec‘s solo material leaned heavily into layered textures and atmosphere; 7/4 Surfers embraced a rougher, more immediate approach. Their music sits somewhere between post-rock, psychedelic rock, and jazz-influenced improvisation, often driven by unusual time signatures and unpredictable structures. The setup was significantly simpler but carried a stronger sense of spontaneity. Distorted bass lines took center stage while Nikita‘s drumming provided a tight yet playful backbone that kept everything moving forward. The chemistry between the two musicians was immediately apparent. Mish.Rec continued to impress with his inventive bass techniques, incorporating slaps, swipes, and various effects that created sweeping, bizarre textures. His frequent use of wah-wah pedals added a strong dose of funk to the band’s sound, helping balance the heavier and more experimental elements. Although entirely instrumental, the presence of live drums added a rawness that gave the performance a very different character from the solo set. As the duo settled deeper into their grooves, the audience visibly loosened up alongside them.
BMKTCR: SOUNDTRACKING THE EVERYDAY WITH FEEL-GOOD ROCK
The mood shifted once again as Bột Màu Khoai Tây Cà Rốt (BMKTCR) brought their infectious energy to the stage. Few local bands capture the quirks and realities of urban Vietnamese life quite like BMKTCR. Their songs explore the challenges, frustrations, and small joys of growing up and navigating adulthood, all through an optimistic, approachable lens. The band featured a full arrangement of two guitars, keyboard, bass, and drums, with both the drummer and guitarist sharing vocal duties. From the moment they introduced themselves, their warm, friendly personalities connected with the crowd. Their first song quickly transformed the atmosphere in the room. Audience members began singing along, dancing, and fully engaging with the performance. While the crowd size remained relatively small, the energy reached a completely different level once BMKTCR took over.
Musically, the band leaned towards straightforward rock with touches of pop-punk and highly memorable melodies. Their lyrics remained simple and relatable, often reflecting everyday experiences while maintaining an uplifting perspective. A major highlight was the vocalist-guitarist’s stage presence. His enthusiasm felt completely genuine and translated well to the audience. The band’s extended guitar solos also gave the lead guitarist plenty of opportunities to shine as he delivered melodic, groove-driven moments that consistently drew cheers from the crowd. Many attendees had specifically come to see BMKTCR, and they certainly weren’t disappointed. As a thank-you to everyone who showed up, the band surprised the audience with an unreleased song titled “Mơ”, written by the drummer. It proved to be a fitting finale for their set and helped push the night’s energy to its highest point yet.
THANGCA: CATHARSIS THROUGH NOISE AND REFLECTION
Closing the night was Thangca, a band that has quietly remained rather compelling in the local rock scene despite never receiving the broader recognition their songwriting arguably deserves. Drummer Juki made yet another appearance that night. Despite sitting behind the drum kit, his presence was so prominent that Thangca‘s vocalist jokingly remarked that it felt more like a “Juki & Co.” show than a Thangca performance. Considering how involved he is across multiple projects in the local scene, it’s not hard to see why.
Thangca‘s music occupies a very different emotional space from the bands that came before them. Rather than focusing on feel-good simplicity, they embrace introspection, frustration, and emotional intensity. Their sound combines heavy fuzz, blues-infused overdrive, steady rhythms, and, at times, ambient psychedelic textures to create a powerful alternative rock identity. Beneath the dense instrumentation lies a lyrical focus on personal struggles, social injustice, unanswered questions, and the weight of everyday life. These themes came through clearly in the vocalist’s delivery, which was often raw, aggressive, and emotionally charged. At times, it felt less like singing and more like a desperate demand to be heard. The band’s heavier moments resonated strongly throughout the room. Massive riffs, dramatic dynamic shifts, and spoken-word passages delivered with conviction created a sense of urgency that occasionally evoked Rage Against the Machine‘s intensity. While the music carried a certain emotional heaviness, it never felt oppressive. Instead, it invited listeners to fully immerse themselves in the experience. Some nodded along quietly, others headbanged, but everyone seemed absorbed in the performance. By the end of the set, Thangca had left the audience emotionally stirred, reflective, and thoroughly energized.
For only its second edition, Scene Incubator continues to show promising growth. The expansion from three to four acts made the event feel more substantial, while the variety of genres ensured that each performance brought something distinct to the table. More importantly, the showcase is steadily achieving its original goal: giving emerging artists a space to be seen, heard, and appreciated. The audience may still be relatively small, but the enthusiasm from both performers and attendees suggests that the project is moving in the right direction.
Special props are due to Mish.Rec và Juki, both of whom pulled double duty across multiple projects throughout the night. Their commitment and versatility were impossible to miss. If Scene Incubator keeps building at this pace, i.e, bringing strong line-ups, new faces, and increasingly engaged audiences, it has every chance of becoming an important part of the local independent music scene.
