I HAVE to admit it. I do like listening to Cheating Sons. So I was more than happy to head on down to the Esplanade Recital Studio on Friday, when they debuted some new songs from their new album called Time Trails. (The show, not the album.) They recruited a small army of musicians to augment their quartet sound and yeah, well…
Continue reading ‘The late post: Time Trails and other delights’
WELL, the end of the year is nigh and we’re compiling this year’s “best of”, “greatest hits and misses” and “definitive 2011 music moments”.
Overall, this year was a great year for music. Not only did we get to see some cool international acts passing by our shores, from The Drums to Shakira to The National, but we also had a flood of local releases from Seyra to Anuar Zain to Cheating Sons to Stefanie Sun. There wasn’t a week in which there wasn’t something exciting going on in the music biz.
For me, not only did I have the opportunities to talk to some musical heroes this year, such as rock legends Alice Cooper and Ramli Sarip, and so-cool-they’re-hot people like Hayley Williams and Kylie Minogue; I also got a chance to perform in a music video with the ever-cool Kit Chan, the always hot Alemay Fernandez, the lovely Joi Chua, the bubbly Maggie Teng and more; I got a chance to get onstage with Typewriter; as well as jam with Pat Chng, Kevin Mathews, Chee Wah Yong and Tan Boon Gee in The Fast Colors.
But what about you? What are your thoughts about music this past year? We want you to be a part of our story: Tell us your favourite music moment of 2011 (the list follows). Just pop in a comment on the blog. That’s all you have to do. And we’d like to acknowledge you guys for your support this year, so please feel free to leave your name after your comments.
Thanks for the memories 2011, here’s looking forward to 2012.
Favourite gig of the year (and why)
Favourite album of the year (and why)
Favourite artiste of the year (and why)
Favourite song of the year (and why)
WELL, kind of.
When we first heard the Cheating Sons, I was pretty sure these guys would be heading places if they played their cards right. And now they are, literally.
(Photo taken by Rozz)
Yup, the Singapore quartet will be trundling to South Korea for Asia Spotlight, a two-day event that is part of the bigger Incheon Pentaport Music Arts Festival. Their slot is on Sep 18, so if you’re in the area – that’s the Bupyeong Art Center in Incheon – and want to listen to some good music, go check this one out. Performing along with the Cheating Sons are The White Eyes (from Taiwan) and Pia, The KOXX and Guckkasten (from Korea). Continue reading ‘Cheating Sons head into the great wide open’
JUST received word that the line-up for Music Matters Live With HP has been confirmed. (OK, when I say “just received” I actually mean “received on Wednesday but didn’t have time to do anything about it until now”.) But anyhoot…
Yep, from May 26 to 28, over 40 bands from 18 countries will perform at 7 venues over 3 nights in Clarke Quay.
(Cheating Sons: Seriously one of the best bands this little red dot has to offer right now.)
According to the organisers, the festival “will present stellar bands from China, India, USA, Indonesia, Japan, Canada, Malaysia, and Australia”, as well as some of Singapore’s best-loved home-grown talent. (OK, when they use the word “stellar” they’re actually mean “nobody really knows them outside of their own market, but we’re expecting to make bi waves overseas”). Singapore’s contingent, for example, features Typewriter, Jack&Rai, 53A, Cheating Sons and Sixx.
Interestingly, local-born musos Charles J Tan and Masia One will be also be featured but they’ll be under the Australian and Canadian banners, respectively.
(Singapore-born Masia One will be flying the Canadian flag at this showcase!)
One dude I’m interested to see is Japanese rapper Kreva. Now, I don’t speak a word of Japanese other than, “Excuse me, can you speak English, I don’t speak a word of Japanese”; or maybe reading off items on the menu, but I’ve seen clips of his gigs and this guy seems like he can bring the party. So why not?
If you don’t know, Music Matters is an annual forum where members of the music industry get together and discuss all matters vis-a-vis music, from production tips to managing markets to… you name it, it’s all been done before.
Anyway, this year’s forum is held here in Singapore (all previous MM events have been held in Hong Kong). And I’m pretty excited about it because Steve Lillywhite is coming to town! Yes, the guy who’s helped to helm almost every single U2 album will be here, as will Imogen Heap. Yes, yes, I know she was just down for Timbre Rock & Roots, but hey, I liked her set.
(Imogen Heap: Exuding rock chick schtick)
The festival will also include Canadian Blast, The Aussie BBQ and The Converse China Indie Bands Showcase. Click here to find out more about Music Matters Live and check out the list of bands performing.
And if you’re a Music Matters delegate, you get VIP access to Music Matters Live with HP Opening Party at Central Fountain Square, Clarke Quay, and all venues throughout the weekend.
SO anyway, I’ve been trying to stay awake because I was awaiting a call from Ben of MGMT fame, which was to be done at 11pm. (Thankfully, reunion dinner ended early!) And then at 11.17pm, the rep calls to say Ben is ill and can’t make it today.
Another time, perhaps? Sure!
Anyway, am heading off to bed. Gong xi fa cai. I leave you now with one of my best moments in the Year of the Tiger: The Gig of the Typewriter.
Hail, Rabbit. (thanks to Zaki Razali for the pictures – there’s more stuff out on Typewriter’s Facebook page – you should check it out there)
ON FRIDAY night I had the privilege to perform with some of the most fun musicians in Singapore. I am, of course, talking about local outfit Typewriter and their musicial friends – Natalie Soh on violin, Donovan Loh on guitars/banjo and Chris Yong on trumpet.
If you read my feature on the prep to the show (http://www.todayonline.com/Entertainment/Music/EDC110120-0000155/How-I-became-a-Typewriter), you’d know it was the first time that Typewriter was doing a gig of this scale. And yes, it was a little nervy for me – I hadn’t performed in a gig like this for a couple of years, and I did flub up a bit – but in the end, all in all, it was just a fun show to do. Thanks guys, it was beautane.
Anyway, here’s a picturial record of the musical journey with Typewriter. Hope you like it. (PS: There are more photos by Tim Tan here
http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?fbid=10150131559036115&id=574116114&aid=322074)
Continue reading ‘For their everything: A musical journey with Typewriter (a pictorial)’
