JUICE August 2016 - THELIONCITYBOY | Issue #215

SINGAPORE

AUGUST 2016 ISSUE #215

www.juice.com.sg

free every month

thelioncityboy PRIDE IN PARADISE

the balik kampung issue

HEYA COMRADES! , Welcome to a very special issue of two important birthdays.

is a free monthly publication Published by JUICE Media Pte Ltd Under license from Catcha Media Group Pte Ltd

, where we honour

JUICE Media Pte Ltd 28 Maxwell Road #03-12 Red Dot Traffic Building Singapore 069120 T: 6325-8042 F: 6221-2230

This month, Singapore turns 51. To commemorate our nation’s independence and just how much our people have achieved together, we shine the spotlight on 51 creatives across various industries – from music, fashion, art, culinary, to beauty and more – and celebrate their contribution and dedication towards tirelessly elevating this city to become a world-class artsy-fartsy melting pot.

JUICE Media Pte Ltd is part of

And as turns 18 later in November, we’ve also decided to throw a pre-birthday biggie (just as a teaser to the greater things to come) where over 180 awesome gifts are up for grabs. #maituliao

CATCHA MEDIA GROUP group head of publishing luke elliott chief operating officer ken tsurumaru chief executive officer patrick grove regional advertising enquiries voon tze khay [tzekhay@catchacorp.com T: +60-12-307-6737]

Elsewhere in this issue, we’ve gathered some of our friends from the scene to share their stories and perspectives. Expect recipes from home; top hawker recommendations; style picks for the upcoming Fall/Winter season; retrospective takes on the local music, party and gig scenes; snaps of hidden haunts you never knew existed; and a very special letter from our ex-editor-in-chief, Wayne Lee.

Distributed by Mediawheel Singapore 31 Toh Guan Road East, #07-01 LW Technocentre, Singapore 608608.

Printed by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd 57 Loyang Drive Singapore 508968.

Just get into it already.

Happy SG51!

EDITORIAL editor jazmin kelly six [jazmin@juice.com.sg]

ART DIRECTION designer cinthia tjayadi (cinthia@juice.com.sg)

music editor indran p [indran@juice.com.sg]

contributing designer kim ji won

fashion writer/stylist aaron kok [aaron@juice.com.sg]

ADVERTISING & MARKETING

lifestyle/online writer trent davis [trent@juice.com.sg] contributors aarika lee, anthony lim, beno lim, boo junfeng, bryan ulrich sta maria, chris ujine ong, chuck reyes, daniaal adam, eugene lim, jerlene ng, kristal melson, leonard soosay, mark ong, sofie chandra, wayne lee, willin low, zac mirza

JUICE.COM.SG

sales & marketing manager lavonne lam [lavonne@juice.com.sg] DID 6325-8031 M 9747-2806 sales & marketing executive cedric phang [cedric@juice.com.sg] DID 6325-8032 M 9176-6580

FACEBOOK.COM/JUICESINGAPORE

TWITTER.COM/JUICESG

PUBLISHER & DIRECTOR david see [david@lumina-looque.com] DIRECTOR calvin cheng [calvin@lumina-looque.com] REGIONAL CONTACTS MALAYSIA editor alif omar mahfix [alif.mahfix@revasia.com] INDONESIA managing editor agiani salima [agiani.salima@mediasatu.com]

INSTAGRAM.COM/JUICESG

MCI(P)053/08/2016 shall not, without the written consent of the Publisher or his gerbil, be given, lent, resold, utilised as a religious document, hired out or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any unauthorised way; or affixed to any part of any publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever, or we will send the legal dogs for your behind, biatch. While every reasonable care is taken for editorial contributions, no responsibility will be assumed for return of materials or for corrections of contributed stupidity. Opinions expressed or implied in are solely those of the writers, and are not necessarily well thought out, intelligent, interesting or endorsed by the Editor or Publisher. Advertisers and/or their representatives indemnify the Publisher in relation to defamation, slander, breach, copyright, infringement of trademarks of name of publication titles, unfair competitive or trade practices, royalties or violation of rights or privacy.

AUGUST 2016

12 004

CONTENTS THELIONCITYBOY We’re nearing National Day – that time of year when screeching fighter jets, feverish flag-waving and emphatically heart-on-sleeve patriotic songs all converge in a pageant of epic proportions. But this year, all that love-for-home gusto will be bookended by the moves of Kevin Lester AKA THELIONCITYBOY. A son of the soil, through and through, Lester is set to blanket airwaves this month with Paradise, his most assuredly honest and uncompromising work yet.

Image courtesy of Gabriel Lean.

6 1 NATIONAL ANTHEMS party people

The folks who put together the most memorable live events.

18

Leonard Soosay talks us through his most beloved productions.

party of 51

As Singapore celebrates her 51st birthday, we honour 51 of our best creatives.

84

fashion dictionary

49

The most stylish A to Z you’ll ever learn.

0 0 1 steps in the right HOME CLOTHES

We visit the homes and neighbourhoods of eight designers.

126

directions

Director Boo Junfeng’s picks of the quintessential local films.

GADGETS FOR THE GARDEN CITY

Te c h w i z a r d r y t h a t ’ l l g e t y o u t h r o u g h e v e r y Singaporean situation.

140

A RETURN TO ROOTS Chef Willin Low’s must-try hawker haunts.

keith loutit More behind his mesmerising time lapse v i d e o s o f o u r l i o n c i t y.

136

146

social

Tag us on Instagram and you might score an Insta-worthy prize!

SNAP OF THE MONTH

CONGRATULATIONS @DREAMERDADDY! YOUR CREATIVITY AIN’T NO JOKE, BUT HERE’S SOMETHI NG THAT’LL HAVE YOU LAUGHING WITH JOY. THIS MONTH’S SNAP OF THE MONTH WINS A $50 TERRA F&B VOUCHER, COURTESY OF TERRA.

JUICE.COM.SG

FACEBOOK.COM/JUICESINGAPORE

TWITTER.COM/JUICESG

INSTAGRAM.COM/JUICESG

obsessions

ONCE I WAS FOUR YEARS OLD Of the many local designers who create goods and designs with a Singaporean flavour, my favourite has got to be When I Was Four. First catching my eye with tote bags that feature nostalgic illustrations of childhood games and eats – like Five Stones and Ice Popsicles – this little design studio has since expanded its repertoire to offer more wares, including puffy cloth badges with retro snack prints, and cushions in the form of bus tickets from yesteryear. My current obsession?

Cushion covers ($28) that play on hawker food stall signboards with a #huat twist. Katong Laksa, K a m p o n g S a t a y, H a i n a n e s e C h i c k e n R i c e , C h a r K w a y Te o w – you name it.

shop.wheniwasfour.com

GET CANNED One of the first expressions I learnt upon landing in Singapore was “Can!” (which was soon followed by “Cannot!”, and the more perplexing “Can also can; cannot also can”) . While it may seem unremarkable, the word serves as a social artifact of what is unquestionably Singaporean. I can’t be the only one who was captivated by this expression, with the recent opening of the aptly titled exhibition by Singaporebased Dutch artist Iskander Walen, CAN! . Presenting a number of sculptures and paintings under the collective title, the tongue-in-cheek collection encapsulates many of the characteristics of Singapore’s social fabric: cheeky humour, overt commercialism and a hint of discontent . While using cans to serve as a commentary on Singaporeans’ increasingly contained lives, the exhibition also speaks volumes as to what makes the Lion City such a fascinating curiousity.

shiok max

008

Until November 24 at Goodman Arts Centre.

ALL THE THINGS THAT REMIND US OF HOME, TRULY.

my village

here the heart really is

This is the Balik Kampung issue, so fittingly, on my last stroll around the Tiong Bahru enclave of shops; I picked up this compilation of short stories titled Balik Kampung from Books Actually. Forgoing sappy statements of grand patriotism for a gentler approach to remember Singapore in her more familiar beauty, the eight stories inside are a love letter to the sights, smells, sounds, and memories that we often overlook – from the warmth of the morning sun on a playground to those familiar red and white plastic bags that hint at the yummy treats brought back from a nearby kopitiam – these are the things that truly remind one of home. $22, available at Books Actually.

Indran P Music Editor @bigocean

In Singapore, food is fetishised to the point where it becomes a signifier for concepts as complex as ‘national identity’. So, this National Day, I’d like to be a little more specific and do a shout-out to the estate I’ve lived in all my life, Serangoon Gardens. I’ve always found it a bit of a stretch to be chestthumpingly patriotic but I won’t ever hesitate to fly the flag for my neighbourhood.

It’s got everything that makes me happy that I was born here: history, family, friends, and, yup, food. And when I’m hungry for something #local, the options are endless. Hit up Chomp Chomp Food Centre and the Serangoon Garden Market & Food Centre and you’ll see why in those places, every day is National Day.

SINGAPORE

SERVIN’ UP THE FRESHEST CONTENT

OUR EXCLUSIVE WEB HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH CHAT: PATRICK WOLF

THE U.K. POP DEMIGOD GETS REAL WITH US BEFORE HIS SHOW-STOPPING PERFORMANCE AT MOSAIC MUSIC WEEKEND.

YING THE LABEL FALL/WINTER 2016

THE MADE-IN-SINGAPORE LABEL BRINGS ORIGAMIINSPIRED DETAILING AND SELF-DESIGNED FABRICS TO THE FOREFRONT IN ITS NEW COLLECTION.

CHAT: BRENDON URIE

HE MAY HAVE LOST HIS BAND MEMBERS AND GUY-LINER, BUT THE PANIC! AT THE DISCO FRONTMAN IS COMING BACK IN A BIG WAY.

WE SOLEMNLY SWEAR STACK UP YOUR COINS FOR THE SWEAR JAR – FASHION’S OBSESSION WITH EXPLETIVE SLOGANS HAS HIT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

CHAT: BROOKE ALLEN

THE LUMBERJANES COMIC ILLUSTRATOR CHECKS IN AHEAD OF HER VISIT AT THE SINGAPORE GAMES, TOYS & COMICS CONVENTION.

REVIEW: WICKED AURA – BEGINNING THE END THE LOCAL BATUCADA OUTFIT ACHIEVES NEW LEVELS OF BEAT-WIZARDRY AND BAD*SSERY ON THEIR SECOND FULL-LENGTH.

MY BURBERRY BLACK THE LUXURY FASHION HOUSE BOTTLES BLACK MAGIC WITH A REINTERPRETATION OF ITS ICONIC FRAGRANCE.

SWEET SINGAPURA ’60S WE GO BACK TO THE SWINGIN’ ’60S FOR MUSICAL TREASURES THAT BELONG IN YOUR PLAYLIST COME NATIONAL DAY.

STAY CONNECTED JUICE.COM.SG

FACEBOOK.COM/JUICESINGAPORE

TWITTER.COM/JUICESG

INSTAGRAM.COM/JUICESG

011

three o a ind Text Indran P Image T-Rex Band

One of the most gratifying phenomena in music is when a supergroup comes together and makes super sounds. Composed of elements from Anechois, Sphaeras and Amateur Takes Control, the formidably monikered T-Rex hits that very spot. With their powers combined, guitarist Ahmad “Lord” Khaliq, bassist Axel “Canadian” Ante and drummer Junaidi “Dr. J” Kusong have a blast radius that includes psych rock, metal, jazz and experimental offshoots – a supremely dynamic mixture that’s pummelling, melodic and giddily frantic all at once. Evidence of this can found on their first missive “Tiger Uppercut” (how’s that for cool song titles).

This SG51, we’re hoping they give us more of the good stuff to soundtrack our nation’s history of DIY excellence.

Let’s get loud.

facebook.com/trexband

music

cover feature

found 012

THELIONCITYBOY music

cover feature

Text Indran P Image Gabriel Lean Illustrations Kristal Melson

WE’RE NEARING NATIONAL DAY – THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN SCREECHING FIGHTER JETS, FEVERISH FLAG-WAVING AND EMPHATICALLY HEART-ON-SLEEVE PATRIOTIC SONGS ALL CONVERGE IN A PAGEANT OF LEGITIMATELY EPIC PROPORTIONS. BUT THIS YEAR, ALL THAT LOVE-FOR-HOME GUSTO WILL BE BOOKENDED BY THE MOVES OF KEVIN LESTER AKA THELIONCITYBOY (TLCB).

A SON OF THE SOIL, THROUGH AND THROUGH, LESTER IS SET TO BLANKET AIRWAVES THIS MONTH WITH PARADISE, HIS MOST ASSUREDLY HONEST AND UNCOMPROMISING WORK YET – SO MUCH SO THAT HE SAYS IT SCARES HIM TO DEATH. WITH HIS OWN BLOOD AS HIS INK, THE RAPPER HAS OFFERED UP A GRIPPINGLY COMPELLING ALTERNATIVE TO THE SINGAPORE STORY – ONE WHERE HE LAYS HIMSELF BARE AND LETS US IN TO THE INNER EXPANSE OF HIS LIVED EXPERIENCE AS A SINGAPOREAN AND AN ARTISTE. PARADISE IS A PLACE WHERE THE STAKES ARE IMMENSELY HIGH, WHERE COLOURS BOTH SOMBRE AND RESPLENDENT REIGN, AND, ULTIMATELY, HOME. LOUD, PROUD AND POIGNANTLY INSIGHTFUL, HERE’S TLCB WITH THE KEYS TO PARADISE.

A MAN ALONE The highlights of Lester’s 12-year-long musical resume coincide with some of the local music’s scene’s highest peaks. One of these was the band Sixx. Fronted by Lester, the nine-piece juggernaut distilled lessons from funk, soul, rap, rock, and pop, clashed them all together and beamed out an irresistibly magnificent payload of many-hued sounds. They were a breathtaking proposition and purveyors of exquisitely good vibes – until they broke up.

“Sixx was my baby. When it folded, I was in shock”, recounts Lester. His eyes darken as he explains how much he wanted the band to work. “I left my job as a manager in an IT company.

I sacrificed a place in Queensland University Of Technology to play with Sixx full-time. It wasn’t a by-the-way thing, I was in it from day one”, he elaborates. But because “everybody had their own idea of what they wanted to do”, there wasn’t a binding purpose holding the band together anymore. And so, the rupture happened. On Paradise cut “My Way”, he references this in the lines “Came through with a group of eight / But now I’m camping out looking in / Thinking, who to blame”. When he follows with “Maybe me / Maybe it’s you, too”, the desolation is palpable.

Yet, throughout this dark time, Lester affirms that he was “in writing mode”. He linked up with a producer named Trytoplay and released a “very dark album” called Everything You Love, You Hate. With the guidance of his then-manager Syaheed, whom Lester maintains was there for him from the start, he clinched a performance slot at the 2013 edition of the South By Southwest showcase, alongside rap scene-stealers Joey Bada$$ and Watch the Duck. This was the moment when he had a revelation: “I just lost my band, but now I’m here. It was scary but I felt I could do it on my own”.

NEW NOISE It was also around this time that an alignment of musical stars occurred for Lester. Inspired by the raw energy of a Travis Scott performance he attended, and the corresponding exhilaration it evoked from the crowd, he turned his ear to the burgeoning trap sounds that were slowly consuming everything in their wake and imbibed their secrets. Dark, booming swirls of bass, snarling synths and tittering hi-hats, all of which were doused in an almost Gothic sensibility – that was what trap was about. And Lester became vested in chiming in on this “new sound”.

He locked arms with the producer Flightsch, who mixed Everything You Love, You Hate and released an EP christened Put Your City On (PYCO) in 2014. Like the rap traditions of yore wherein an MC and a producer forged a lasting partnership, Lester and FlightSch became brothers. The sonic sweep of Paradise’s nine songs was handled by FlightSch alone, and when asked about

music

013

cover feature

their chemistry, Lester had this to say: “He believes in me and my sound. Before I met him, I didn’t think I could write choruses that well. I felt that my verses were just okay. There was an immediate connection”. And together, both rapper and producer endeavoured towards the next level.

HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS Throughout our time with him, Lester sighs deeply every time Paradise is brought up. But it’s a sigh of completion, a satisfied exhale after a heavily toiled, hard-fought battle. “This album had to be the most honest. If there’s any bunch of songs that describe THELIONCITYBOY, this is it”. Paradise begins as a confessional but progressively radiates outwards to society, so it succeeds twice. Like all good music, the songs barge into your consciousness and recalibrate your senses. Paradise accomplishes this by making club-oriented sounds convey utterly personal lyrics, that, though immediate, will make your brain sweat.

014

Roof, The Noose, Fandi Ahmad, the National Service anthem “Purple Light”, the SMRT’s ‘Green’ line, and Orchard Towers, all take on a poignant significance far beyond their taken-forgranted everyday status.

FOR THE CMIOs You’ve definitely seen those four controversial letters on a government form you’ve had to fill up. But despite the work of the machine in corralling people into such ‘neat’ categories, there are those who just don’t fit in. “I grew up with Indian guys who couldn’t speak Tamil and Chinese guys who couldn’t speak Mandarin. But they are still Singaporeans”, offers Lester, speaking for all of us ‘Others’ who can’t be quantified by race or language. This is the reality of the Singaporean paradise and this is the heart of Paradise. The army boys who pay for the pearls on the necklaces of the working girls of Orchard Towers, which Lester renders with a sincere humanity on the title track and the simple pleasure of sitting down to a bowl of bak chor mee are all part of the continuum of Singaporean life. One of the most compelling moments on the album is when he strikes with the line, “Always reppin’ but sometimes, it ain’t pretty” – that’s when society and culture square off with lived experience.

“The further I went out, the more I wanted to be at home and talk about things”, Lester prefigures. “On PYCO, I was like ‘I’m gonna be the king of the city, man!’ But in the lead-up to Paradise, I had enough of that”. He was aware that braggadocio is hip-hop ubiquity but well attuned to the fact that, in unregulated doses, it comes off as trite and disingenuous. Besides, he had more urgent things to tackle. “I always felt that people never got me, which is why, when I signed to apl.de.ap, I changed my stage name from Kevin Lester to THELIONCITYBOY”, he alludes to his deal with the Black Eyed Peas’ rapper’s label BMBX. This came as a result of being repeatedly asked one of the most frustrating questions by random strangers: “Are you Singaporean?”.

A LION IN PARADISE Its commanding urgency, unassailable hooks and social intelligence all inform why Paradise is a great and necessary record. But it’s also a timely one for two main reasons. Firstly, it addresses a zeitgeist that has never been more culturally fluid, but, at the same time, posits an idea of home – or, paradise – where meaning is drawn from a communal well of experiences. And secondly, it’s a testament to the journey that local music has made to arrive at its current place. Paradise features contributions by Benjamin Kheng, Charlie Lim, Gentle Bones and Lester’s wife, Aarika Lee, all of whom are stars in the firmament of local music and whose talent and fanbases underscore the musical renaissance the little red dot is experiencing now. That they’re on an album of this gravity and merit is incredibly encouraging.

That’s one of the reasons why underlining in red his place in Singapore is Lester’s foremost aim in Paradise. And this undeniable claim erupts from the very first song, titled – wait for it – “HRLY (HARRY LEE)”. It’s a menacing banger, informed by the spirit of Singapore’s chief architect and most uncompromising public figure. Realities of modern Singaporean life like entitlement (“Bukit Timah babies”) and transcendence (“trying to leave the neighbourhoods and move into the condos”) are brought to the light. But it’s when it’s personal that the metaphors have the most burning charge: “Say I’m ANZ but I’m a DBS ”. Public Enemy’s Chuck D once said that, “hip-hop is the CNN of the ghetto”. Lester brings that wisdom home by telling stories that any Singaporean who has questions about their country will instantly relate to. Paradise is a sociological document where Singaporean tropes like GRIO, Zouk, Under One

“This album is my proudest moment”, Lester tells us as our time winds down. “Now, I feel like more people acknowledge the fact that not only am I a local musician, I’m also a rapper”. He draws the last word out for emphasis – and we get it. So, as you’re watching the fireworks on August 9, be thankful for what that means, too; be thankful for paradise.

thelioncityboy.tumblr.com

music

cover feature

Nocturnal Hang These days, it’s Canvas.

Good Read Howard’s Gift by Eric C. Sinoway. It’s one of those books that inspires you as an entrepreneur. I’m a sucker for those.

The Greatest of All Time Black Thought from The Roots never had a bad verse. Ever.

Singapore’s Finest Grub Heng Long Teochew Porridge along Upper Serangoon Road.

Legit!

Workout Anthem Drake and Future’s “Jumpman”.

THELIONCITYBOY’S PICKS KEVIN LESTER IS A FEROCIOUSLY TALENTED RAPPER. AS THELIONCITYBOY, HE’S SEEING TO IT THAT THE BAR FOR LOCAL HIP-HOP IS RAISED HIGHER AND HIGHER. BUT HE’S ALSO A MANY-HATTED TALENT WITH INTERESTS IN A NUMBER OF AREAS THAT EXTEND BEYOND THE MICROPHONE. HERE, HE PASSES HIS TASTEMAKING VERDICT ON PICKS CLOSE TO HIS HEART.

Dopest Kicks Has to be my Vans.

I’m all about the classics, so I’d have to say the Sk8-hi.

Best Team I’m a Manchester United fanatic. Let’s not go there.

Big Screen Inspo Cuba Gooding Jr. as Chief Carl Brashear in Men Of Honor.

Dream Collaboration Drake. He’s a huge inspiration to my music.

Favourite Music Video Woodkid’s video for “Run Boy Run”.

music

015

feature

party people 016

WHETHER YOU SUNG YOUR LUNGS OUT WHEN PHOENIX TOUCHED DOWN HERE, OR DANCED TO THE DIZZYING BRILLIANCE OF RYAN HEMSWORTH, OR LOST (AND FOUND) YOURSELF AT THE SERIES OF LANEWAY FESTIVALS, KNOW THAT DEDICATED PEOPLE WORKED BEHIND THE SCENES TO MAKE THESE EXPERIENCES POSSIBLE. WE GET UP CLOSE WITH THE INDIVIDUALS THAT PUT TOGETHER SOME OF THE MOST MEMORABLE EVENTS IN OUR LIVE CALENDAR.

DAN GORDON

MANAGING DIRECTOR, SECRET SOUNDS ASIA What made you want to hold gigs?

I’ve just always loved music. I started going for shows when I was 13 – sometimes, I’d go for a few shows a week. At some point, I felt this urge to get more involved with music, be it with record labels, production companies or the live aspect.

What’s been the best gig you’ve ever attended?

I’d say it was Sigur Rós at a church in London.

It was quite an intimate set-up. There were about a thousand people and it had confetti and the full band.

What would you say has been the best show you’ve thrown?

It’d have to be The xx, simply because they were a band I really wanted to see and work with.

That was our first big show and our biggest yet. It was also their first headlining show here.

Visually and aurally, it was quite spectacular.

We had to do another show because the demand was so great.

What’s the biggest difference between booking a show in Singapore than anywhere else in the region?

It’s just easier here. Everything’s smoother with the local government and agencies because everything’s above water and more clear cut. In Hong Kong, for example, the police can decide to alter things at any time. There’s also more scope to doing your own shows here.

Name one thing the scene here needs.

Definitely an indoor free-standing venue with huge crowd capacity.

music

TIM KEK

FOUNDER, SYMMETRY ENTERTAINMENT Why did you start Symmetry Entertainment?

I started the company because music has always been a passion in my life. I enjoy live shows, and I wanted to see what I could do to contribute to the scene and what I could make for myself.

What was your first show?

It was Star Slinger, on a Thursday at the former Home Club. Less than a hundred people came, but that got me started.

Did the low turnout discourage you in any way?

No. I started out promoting shows as a nobody, so I took that as a litmus test. I knew that I wouldn’t make money from it, but it wasn’t a huge concern. At that point, it was just about trying things out and seeing whether I could fit into the business.

Which acts do you desperately want to see in Singapore?

Radiohead, whom I recently came around to, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and the electronic bands I grew up with, like Justice and Daft Punk.

What do you think of the scene in Singapore?

The percentage of people who listen to underground music is very small compared to other countries. After a while, the people you see at the shows are familiar faces and everyone sort of hangs out with each other after shows. That’s how the scene thrives in Singapore; it’s very community-driven.

feature

MICHAEL CHUGG

FOUNDER, CHUGG ENTERTAINMENT

VERONICA TAN

FOUNDER, MOONBEATS ASIA Tell us how you got started with Moonbeats.

I knew I didn’t want an office job and that I wanted to do something that is purposeful and rewarding at the same time. At that time, I was listening to a lot of electronic music and realised that there’s a gap in the market. There are people who listen to electronic music, but not EDM. Do you see what you’re doing as an alternative to what the clubs provide?

Yes. Clubs are mainstream; people go there to drink and hang out. Moonbeats is more musicfocused. The electronic acts that we bring in do live sets. They need a concert-venue type of space. That’s why we complement venues as well.

Text Indran P Images Various Sources

How so?

Clubs need to sustain themselves as a business. But sometimes, they need promoters with a built-in fanbase who can get acts that they want to bring in. This is especially important if the acts are more underground and don’t have mass appeal. Moonbeats caters for that niche market – electronic music acts that don’t fit in a club and BPMs that don’t go above 150.

You threw the Moonbeats Warehouse Party in April. What was the most valuable takeaway from the experience?

We learnt that we have to be prepared for anything that might happen. Planning and proper time management will spare you a lot of hiccups.

What made you want to put festivals together?

I have been involved in festivals in both Australia and New Zealand since 1970.

In fact, I ran artiste liaison at the 25th anniversary of Woodstock in America.

Were you apprehensive about having Laneway, an indie-only festival, in Singapore?

My partner in Laneway, Danny Rogers, started it as an indie festival in Melbourne about 11 years ago. When I first suggested we bring Laneway to Singapore, many people laughed at me and said, “You’re crazy, no one in Singapore is into indie music”. Well, we’ve certainly blown that myth away. Since then, the festival has grown to become Asia’s go-to indie festival.

And what was the best gig you ever witnessed?

I’d say Radiohead at the Roundhouse, London, with a small audience of 3000.

This was back in May this year.

Which year’s Laneway is a personal favourite of yours?

Laneway 2014. With Lorde, HAIM, Chvrches, Jamie xx, and Vance Joy, it was such an amazing lineup.

In a nutshell, what goes into hosting Laneway in Singapore?

To make Singapore work for acts, we have to consider factors such as getting ticket prices right for the fans and possibly playing in other Asian territories. This is also not always possible as each country is different and we need to be mindful of cultures, laws, economy, venues, etc. All this has to be carefully considered.

music

JANE BLONDEL

DIRECTOR, SONGS FOR CHILDREN Why “Songs For Children”?

It’s the title of an EP by a Scottish band called The Pastels. They had a real DIY punk aesthetic and they operate and run Mono, their own cafe/ bar/independent venue in Glasgow. When I decided to book tours for bands, I went with this name.

What’s one gig you’ll never forget?

I saw The Strokes in Vegas, at a small venue when they were just breaking. Julian Casablancas was so drunk, he was hurling beer bottles at the back of the stage, and the drummer had to duck. But their energy and charisma were amazing.

And which show that you’ve put together would you consider a career highlight?

Being Scottish, I’d have to say The Jesus And Mary Chain. We built a giant cross that lit up when they played “Psychocandy”. It took four security guards to hold up the barrier as kids were jumping over.

How has it been for you to do what you do in Singapore?

People are so friendly here and Hood Bar and kult kafe, the two venues we’ve been using, have been great to work with. There’s a great stadium venue and smaller spaces for more intimate shows but a mid-sized venue would be great, too.

Is there anything else that needs to change?

I’d say that Singapore needs Pokémon Go but I don’t want to cause an outrage. I really like living here.

017

feature

national anthems “BLACK MARIA” RONIN The song represented the rebellion of youths in Singapore. At the time, all their fans were people who rebelled against their schools and parents – all the ‘bad’ kids; the naughty kids. They were looking for an idol they could follow and “Black Maria” just happened to come along. Ronin is like Guns N’ Roses but with a local flavour. This song went to #1 in Singapore even though people didn’t think that this kind of music could hit the charts.

Ronin was asked to go on a school tour and together with Motorola; they were the pioneers of the Invasion school tours.

“LOVE IN NEW WAVE” ELECTRICO

018

It’s my favourite song from Electrico’s second album. It featured a slightly different direction; a more electric vibe. They released it at a time when there was no support for local music. A lot of people really liked the song and the band became more international because their videos were featured on MTV Asia. In a way, it opened doors for our local musicians to come up.

There was a huge demand for local music and record labels started paying attention.

More people started picking up musical instruments because they saw a local band finally making it.

“ARTFUL DODGER” INCH

“LATE NIGHT REQUEST” THE GREAT SPY EXPERIMENT It’s a really good song and lots of people identified with it at the time. It was a good representation of music in 2007 as a lot of similar types of music were being released from the U.S. and U.K., by bands like The Killers and The Strokes. The Great Spy Experiment was one of the pioneers here for producing that kind of music. Recently, they played a sold-out concert at the Esplanade, which was their last show. When they played this song, everyone in the audience was crying; it was very emotional.

This was recorded at Snakeweed Studios and mixed in the U.S. She flew in American bassist Patrick Taylor to record the bass for her album, Bumfuzzle. Before this, everyone knew Inch as a pop princess, the pint-sized girl with the big voice. But this album, and especially this song, showcased a more grown-up Inch. She took control of her music, the way it sounded, her image, the way it was marketed and so on. Inch’s music is really great and she’s managed to bring different people from different cultures together. It’s something I will remember forever.

music

“SHOEBOX” B-QUARTET B-Quartet is the best band I’ve ever worked with because of their musicality and talent; the way they approach their music is very different from any band I’ve encountered before.

They’re a family – music runs in their blood and comes naturally to them.

This song starts out with a dissonantfeedback kind of sound and I thought it would never turn up in the album.

But when they started playing the guitars, they produced a very melodic sound. When they put it together, the dissonance works because it adds an element of mystery. Nobody writes music like them.

feature

EVERY REVOLUTION HAS ITS FLAG-CARRYING FRONTLINE HEROES. WHEN IT COMES TO THE CAUSE OF LOCAL MUSIC, THERE IS NO PRESENCE AS WIDELY AND CRUCIALLY INFLUENTIAL AS LEONARD SOOSAY’S. FOR DECADES, SOME OF THE OUR MOST CELEBRATED LOCAL BANDS HAVE COME TO HIM TO PUT THEIR STORIES ON WAX. HERE, HE TAKES US THROUGH HIS MOST BELOVED PRODUCTIONS.

“WELCOME THE IRONISTS” CARACAL Caracal has opened doors abroad for our local bands because they were the first band invited to the Canadian Music Week and Japan’s Summer Sonic Music Festival. This song represents the band at the stage when they were growing out of dance-rock.

It showed the transition between the clean-cut boys from school to the suddenly full-body tattooed guys they are now. If you really listen to the songwriting, the lyrics are very mature and the music is very intricate. If you strip any of Caracal’s songs down and take away the distortion, their music is very beautiful.

“BABY WHEN YOU’RE GONE” BOREDPHUCKS Of all the bands that I recorded, Boredphucks was the most prepared.

This is a rock ballad similar to Aerosmith’s songs. I remember this track very well because they asked me to play keyboards on it. It was the most popular ballad from the Banned In Da Singapura album. At their launch, I was supposed to play with the band live, but I got really drunk because everyone was giving me wine the whole night. When Wayne (drummer) gave the count in, I started playing a totally different song and the whole band turned and looked at me.

019

“FALSE REALITIES” PLEASANTRY

Text Indran P Images Leonard Soosay

“FEEL AMAZING” CASHEW CHEMISTS They’ve skyrocketed in the last two years. They play a brand of music that no one else here does – a very old, ’60s sound that’s something both kids and adults love. They’re playing all the really big shows because organisers know how good they are. When they approached me to record their second EP, they wanted to depart from the sound of their first. We tried to capture a brighter sound with this song. I enjoy doing this kind of music and getting different kinds of sounds. I love it when bands say they want to sound as organic as possible because it makes my job more interesting.

“2:32 AM” JAMIE WONG The lyrics and mood of this song are very heartfelt and emotional, but the music is more uplifting – it’s a balance between the two worlds, which works for her because she’s very introverted and shy.

My partner in my management company, LSTM, asked whom I would recommend to sign, so I recommended Jamie Wong and sent him this song. He brought it home and let his wife and co-workers listen to it. No one knew who the singer was and everyone said she sounded amazing. All of them thought she was from America.

music

I’ve been working with Pleasantry for a long time. I see a lot of potential in them.

Their music is very inventive. When I toured with them to Canada and America, I noticed that every time they played this song, everyone got up and started dancing.

When we recorded the song, that was the direction we took. The opening riff already makes you want to get up and move your body. We decided this was the most danceable track, as compared to the moodier and dreamier songs in the album.

It’s got an infectious beat and really good harmonies. It’s really good to see people enjoying music that Singapore produces.

chat

AT THIS MOMENT, BRITAIN IS EXPERIENCING ONE OF THE MOST TUMULTUOUS PERIODS IN ITS HISTORY. BUT AS ITS PLACE IN THE WORLD IS BEING RECONFIGURED, SOMETHING ELSE MUST BE ACKNOWLEDGED: BRITISH MUSIC IS FLOURISHING. FROM THE BALMY SEASIDE TOWN OF SOUTHEND, ESSEX, SOME OF THE BRITISH NEXT WAVE’S BOLDEST AND LOUDEST SOUNDS ARE COMING TO YOU COURTESY OF NOTHING BUT THIEVES. LED BY FRONTMAN CONOR MASON, THE QUINTET MINES FROM A TRADITION THAT ENCOMPASSES RADIOHEAD, MUSE AND JEFF BUCKLEY TO SERVE UP THE KIND OF SOUL-CHARGED, SWASHBUCKLING ROCK YOU’LL HEAR ON ITS SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM. AHEAD OF HIS SET AS PART OF PROMOTER LAMC’S RISING STAR SERIES, CONOR BREAKS DOWN THE WAYS OF THE THIEVES.

NOTHING BUT THIEVES

ALL HAIL THE THIEVES Brexit is a bummer.

We’re not dealing with Brexit very well; it’s a bit of a feeling of despair in our house right now. We all voted to remain. I did a petition for a second referendum and I’m hoping something happens with that.

The funny thing about making an album.

We faced no pressure when we recorded our first album – that was the best thing about it. We didn’t have any expectations to do well at all, yet it did fairly well in several countries. It was a surprise.

We just wrote music and played as a band like how we’ve always done. We didn’t expect anything from it. It’s funny that the pressure’s on the second album. You have your whole life to write the first, and six months to write the next.

The “Itch” that scratches.

I’ve been delving into Jeff Buckley heavily, so we wanted to use that and write a song that was a bit of a knocker. We were getting into a slightly softer side of our sound when we first started writing the album, so we wanted to write something with

a bit more rock in it, since that’s what we grew up on anyway.

Brit rock’s comeback.

At the moment, I think there’s a bit of a revival of British rock and pop music, and we’re in it, which is pretty cool. It’s great that bands like Royal Blood are doing their thing. It’s encouraging; there are so many new, young bands coming in. It’s nice to get rid of the sh*tty club music, honestly.

The Breaking Bad connection.

We were sending out casting calls for the music video of “If I Get High”, and by chance, RJ Mitte – who played Walter “Flynn” White Jr on Breaking Bad – was the first to jump on it. He was our ideal and main target. He was so happy to do the video and even came to our gig in L.A. We had a few drinks with him as well.

Opening for Muse.

Playing with Muse means achieving the dreams that we had as kids, so it was massive for us.

Our schedule was quite strict, but it was such

music

a brilliant time. And it’s almost a tour of the country, since it gives you a flavour of the sights you get to see all in one day. They also have amazing catering all day!

Fanboys forever.

Ultimately, OK Computer is my favourite Radiohead album. I can almost remember when I first listened to it and how much inspiration that gave me. A close second is In Rainbows. I don’t listen to Radiohead for big smash hits. I listen to them for their artistry and what they are as a band. I like the latest record for what it is. It’s got this soft, gentle yearning to it, which is good. You put it amongst the other albums and it makes sense. That’s the blueprint for our band, too.

Catch Nothing But Thieves live at Hard Rock Café Singapore on August 18. nbthieves.com

Text Indran P Image The Windish Agency Interview courtesy of LAMC Productions

020

LIVE IN SINGAPORE

% 0D6DBC ! %

BD=C42 4G7818C8>= 0=3 2>=E4=C8>= 24=CA4

C82:4CB) B8BC82 2>< B6 Â&#x201C; %"#' $$$$

VOEFS NZ TLJO UPVS Å° -*7& */ 4*/("103&

LIVE IN SINGAPORE 2016

UIV BVHVTU )"3% 30$, $"'& 4*/("103& U J D L F U T BU M B N D Q S P E V D U J P O T D P N OFFICIAL VENUE

OFFICIAL RADIO PARTNER

OFFICIAL ANALYTICS PARTNER

SCORPIONS 21 OCTOBER 2016 LIVE IN SINGAPORE

SUNTEC SINGAPORE CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE

TICKETS: SISTIC.COM.SG â&#x20AC;¢ 6348-5555 0''*$*"- 3"%*0

0''*$*"- #"33*&3

0''*$*"- 410/403

0''*$*"- #&&3

-".$130%6$5*0/4 $0. !-".$130%6$5*0/4 MNPVW

#&& #& 3 ,! #/-%$9 ,)6% !$2)!. "/(- 02%3%.43

)'#(!

-))(

-" $0.&%:-*7& $0. !-"$0.&%:-*7& MNPVW

chat

022

BO RN

A

music

A N G I

chat

GARBAGE

Text Indran P and Jerlene Ng Image Joseph Cultice Interview courtesy of Love Da Records

PEOPLE ALWAYS LOOK TO U2 AS A ROCK & ROLL UNICORN BECAUSE ITS ORIGINAL LINEUP HAS WITHSTOOD THE TEST OF TIME (AND BAD ALBUMS).

BUT THERE’S AN INFINITELY COOLER EXAMPLE OF THIS TIES-THAT-BIND PHENOMENON: GARBAGE. FROM THE RELEASE OF ITS POWERFULLY ICONIC DEBUT SINGLE, 1994’S “STUPID GIRL”, TO ITS RECENT SIXTH ALBUM STRANGE LITTLE BIRDS, UNVEILED EARLIER THIS YEAR, SHIRLEY MANSON, BUTCH VIG, DUKE ERIKSON AND STEVE MARKER HAVE BEEN AT IT, ENRICHING THE ALTERNATIVE REGIONS OF ROCK AND ELECTRONICA WITH THEIR SINGULAR TOUCH. HERE, THE MULTIINSTRUMENTALIST EXTRAORDINAIRE, ERIKSON, SHEDS LIGHT ON HOW THEY’VE KEPT IT FRESH ALL THESE YEARS.

Strange Little Birds has been hailed as one of Garbage’s best albums yet. How do you feel about the critical reception?

Well, all the songs are new! But there was something a bit different about the way we began working on this record. All four of us were really focused; going in the same direction. That hasn’t always happened. We usually kind of go off on our own tangents and try to somehow meet in the middle when it comes to actually completing an album. It was the first time we were all flying in the same direction. There’s something that permeates this album all the way through, which connects everything.

The album is called Strange Little Birds, but the cover has something that looks like a leopard’s claw on it. What’s up with that?

Well, that reflects the leopard inside the album.

We had the leopard skin ‘G’ on the cover and it looked beautiful. Then we decided, let’s put a claw in it. And that’s it! In my mind, with the title and cover, somehow it all works.

Our favourite track off the album is “Night Drive Loneliness”. It sounds vastly different from your older songs.

That’s one of my favourite tracks, too! That song progressed very slowly. It was one of the earlier tracks we were working on, and it was very disjointed and all over the place. We sort of forgot about it and put it aside. As the album progressed, we got to the point where we were working on 25 songs and we were trying to decide which ones would be on the record.

“Night Drive Loneliness” was a last minute reevaluation. We listened to it and realised that it had some strong possibilities, so we continued to work on it and pieced it together again. It went through a number of rearrangements; we were moving it around like a jigsaw puzzle. I really love the final outcome.

Shirley has said that she wanted this album to be a response to how music these days tends to exude a forced sense of happiness. How do you feel about this?

I certainly can’t argue with what she’s saying.

I experienced many phases of popular music in my life and there’s always a phase where music is just escapism. That’s what’s happening in popular music right now; it serves no other purpose than entertainment. When I was growing up, music started as escapism, and then

it became important. It began addressing social issues and had a profound effect on culture. A lot of what I learnt about culture and society, I learnt from music as a kid. God forbid that kids these days are learning about culture and society from music today. But that’s just what we go through as a society. It will swing the other way again. There’s music out there that does that; it’s just not so popular right now. But it will be eventually, I hope.

Singapore is celebrating National Day this August, so we’d like to know: How do you feel about your country and if there’s something you could change about it, what would it be?

I hope that the middle class will be more respected, and that we will base our economy and values on the working people of this country, rather than Wall Street and the people at the top.

If you do that, it solves a lot of other problems.

The band is embarking on a world tour next month. Are you excited?

I’m excited; I’ve done this too long to be nervous.

But I always get just a little bit nervous before I go on stage, thank God. If I didn’t, I probably wouldn’t enjoy it as much. I feel very privileged to have a job where I can go to all these amazing countries all over the world and meet all these different people. It’s crazy. I feel extremely fortunate. In a few days, I’ll hit the road again and go all over the world. I can’t wait.

Most original lineups can’t survive for anywhere as long as yours has. What’s kept the band together all these years?

That’s one more thing I’m very thankful for.

Garbage is a family. We’re this amazing collaboration of four extremely creative and opinionated people who’ve managed to work together, and we have immense respect and love for one another. We’re really lucky. There’s no simple explanation other than that we realise how lucky we are, so we cherish and remind each other of it.

garbage.com

music

023

chat

024

QUIET / LOUD

DINOSAUR JR. music

chat

‘IF THE MUSIC IS TOO LOUD, THEN YOU’RE TOO OLD’ IS COOL-KID WISDOM THAT’S APPLICABLE IN MOST CASES, BUT NOT WHEN IT COMES TO DINOSAUR JR. FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS, THE MASSACHUSETTS TRIO OF FRONTMAN-GUITARIST AND PRINCIPAL SONGWRITER J MASCIS, BASSIST LOU BARLOW AND DRUMMER MURPH, HAVE A MADE A SAINTLY AND PROFESSORIAL CAREER OF BLASTING OUR EARDRUMS WITH A SWEET SPOT OF DISTORTION, POP AND ROCK. PARSING DINOSAUR JR.’S BODY OF WORK IS TO CONSIDER HOW A CONSISTENTLY UNFORGETTABLE IMPRINT ENCOMPASSING POWER, RHYTHM AND HEART HAS WITHSTOOD THE TEST OF TIME. AND ON THEIR UPCOMING 11TH ALBUM, GIVE A GLIMPSE OF WHAT YER NOT, THE TRIO STANDS SUPREMELY TALL – AND GOES BALLISTIC AGAIN. HERE’S LOU BARLOW WITH A DETAILED RETROSPECTIVE. After over three decades of being in Dinosaur Jr., what does making a new album mean to you?

It means everything to me. Every new album that I’m a part of means everything to me. But this one was actually a bit of a surprise. We did three records after our 2005 reunion and I didn’t know if J wanted to do another one. I’d been living in California for the last 20 years and I’d just moved back to Massachusetts, which was closer to J and Murph. This made recording with them a lovely experience. I’m very happy that it happened.

Text Indran P Image Levi Walton Interview courtesy of Hostess Asia

How was being geographically closer to them that much of a difference for you?

Right now, I’m living 25 minutes from them. It meant that I didn’t have to fly across the country to be with them. It was a much more relaxed process for me. And that’s how the record feels to me when I listen to it: just more relaxed. It’s a much more open and loose record.

It seems like any established rock band making music today inevitably gets described as ‘nostalgic’. Would you say so?

I think anything we do is nostalgic. Both J and Murph are 50 and I’m turning 50 next year.

There’s only so long where you can pretend to be young and hungry. At some point, you discover what you do well and stick to that. When you’re young, it’s all about finding out what’s new. As Dinosaur Jr., what we do is very simple, and with this record, we returned to our core and did what we do, well.

Take us through the lead single “Tiny”.

When we started work on the record, J said he hadn’t written any songs except for “I Walk for Miles”. Everything else he composed for the record came with the passing of the day. When he wrote something on any given day, that was what we’d learn. “Tiny”, like all the other songs, came very quickly. We recorded it the day after he wrote it. I found it immediately catchy and freshsounding. Normally, the singles come last but it was different this time.

music

The band celebrated its 30th anniversary by playing its first album Dinosaur in full. What was it like for you to revisit your oldest songs?

That was interesting. Imagine telling a 30-yearold band that they’d have to play their first record from start to finish – it’d be terrible news! Initially, that’s how it was for us. But when I thought about it, I realised we were very familiar with almost every song on the record. Even the ones we hadn’t played in 27 years were imprinted on me. It’s a funny album, for me. We had worked so hard on it that I didn’t realise that it had burnt itself so deeply in me.

Let’s also take it back to the longstanding comparison between Dinosaur Jr. and Nirvana.

Has that ever bothered you?

To begin with, I don’t think the bands are that similar. The early songs that J wrote were pretty, for want of a better word, complex. We had a few ‘grunge’ songs but certainly not most of them. Dinosaur Jr. is not a power chord band.

Most successful bands play really specific power chords. But our music is a complex overlay of different parts. The whole power chord thing was something that came to be typified by bands like Nirvana, Weezer and the Pixies. We didn’t think twice about what we were doing; it just came naturally. So, my point is that we sounded nothing like Nirvana.

Thanks for clarifying. Lastly, 30 years in, what would you say still keeps you at making music?

I guess I don’t really have a choice; it’s what I do. And why wouldn’t I? If this is what I can do with my life and I don’t have to stop, why should I stop? We’re very lucky that we can continue to play music this way because playing music and being in a band is a dream come true. If this is what I can do and I can feed my children this way, I wouldn’t want to do anything different.

dinosaurjr.com

025

chat

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS WEEZER WEEZER IS PROOF OF ROCK & ROLL’S TRANSCENDENTAL POWERS. ONLY BY ROCK & ROLL CAN FOUR AWKWARD GUYS STAND ON A STAGE AND COMMAND AUDIENCES LIKE GODS. THIS HAS BEEN THE LOS ANGELES BAND’S STORY FOR ITS OVER-20-YEAR EXISTENCE AND SWEEP OF 10 ALBUMS. THEY’VE WEATHERED TIME, TRENDS AND THE INTERNET’S DEMAND FOR VIRALITY, AND ARE ONE OF THE FEW BANDS WHOSE MUSIC HAS CONSISTENTLY ‘BEEN THERE’ FOR ITS LISTENERS. AND THIS IS STILL THE CASE ON THE WHITE ALBUM, THE BAND’S 10TH AND LATEST. BEFORE HE MAKES HIS VICTORY LAP AT THE BAND’S DEBUT SHOW IN SINGAPORE LATER THIS MONTH, FRONTMAN-GUITARIST RIVERS CUOMO TAKES STOCK WITH US. Congrats on The White Album! How does it feel like to have your 10th album out?

It feels really good. But we’re already working on number 11!

What’s with Weezer’s fascination with ‘colour’ albums?

Sometimes, it’s hard to think of a title and an idea for an album cover that adequately represents the music, so we end up just using a picture of ourselves in front of a coloured backdrop. That has worked for us.

The White Album is Weezer’s first concept album since Pinkerton. What made you want to explore an overall narrative at this point?

The ‘beach’ theme was our manager’s idea. It really helped inspire us, period. Everything started from there.

With such an extensive discography, what’s it like to come up with a setlist that will satisfy both old and new fans?

Well, we play different kinds of shows for different kinds of fans. We’ll perform at intimate venues and play only rarities, deep cuts and fan favourites. And sometimes, we’ll play giant festivals that have a lot of casual fans mixed with people who’ve never heard of us before. In that case, we’ll mostly play the big hits.

The lyrics for “Thank God For Girls” involve everything from cannolis to dragons to microwaves and religious references. What were you going for exactly?

One of my favourite techniques as a lyric-writer is free association. I just write down every thought that pops into my head as quickly as I can.

That way, I come up with some crazy non-sequiturs that leave me feeling surprised after the fact.

Why do you think California always turns up in music – not just in Weezer’s, but in that of other bands too? You don’t get musicians singing about, say, Pennsylvania, as often.

I think one of the most appealing qualities about California is its weather. It’s neither too hot nor too cold. It’s perfect for going to the beach and hanging out with friends. And I feel that when people write songs, they just want to remember those moments.

Lastly, how do you feel about your first show in Singapore?

I don’t know very much about Singapore except for the fact that we have a lot of fans there. We’re always getting messages from them, which is a great thing. I hope to celebrate Weezer’s music and aesthetic with the fans in Singapore. And I want to come back again many times in the future.

Rock out with Weezer on August 15 at the Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre. weezer.com

music

Text Indran P Image Sean Murphy Interview Courtesy of Warner Music Singapore

026

special

THERE’S MORE BEHIND THE STAR SINCE THE 19TH CENTURY, PEOPLE ALL OVER THE PLANET HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH THE UNIQUE HEINEKEN A-YEAST, ONE OF THE KEY NATURAL INGREDIENTS THAT GOES BEHIND EVERY QUALITY HEINEKEN BREW. THE BRAND IS NOW BRINGING ITS OWN INSPIRING HERITAGE TO THE FOREFRONT. WITH ALMOST 150 YEARS OF CRAFTSMANSHIP, THE STORY OF THIS HISTORICAL PREMIUM BREW DESERVES TO BE TOLD. As rich as the full-bodied lager is in flavour, the Heineken star is just as rich in heritage. Once believed to hold mystical powers that protected the quality of the brew, the red star has gone from being hung in the original Heineken brewery to becoming the face of its beloved beer in 192 countries around the world. Behind the star, however, are lesser-known stories that go beyond the Amsterdam-born brewer’s iconic green-and-red design.

To share the brand’s origin stories, Heineken unveils a new series of cans telling three different stories for inquisitive drinkers to search for #MoreBehindtheStar.

WORLD CLASS GENES

When you’re proud of it, put your name on it – and that’s exactly what Gerard Heineken did with each and every bottle of his premium lager. While Heineken was well-known among the first to try it in Amsterdam in 1873, the family name would later be spoken by beer lovers around the world and become synonymous with quality, with 25 million Heinekens being enjoyed every day. Now those are good genes.

STAR MAGIC

Once an ancient brewer’s symbol that was fabled to protect the quality of the beer, four of the star’s points had a meaning related to the beer’s natural ingredients: malted barley, water, hops, and Heineken’s unique A-yeast® that’s responsible for its celebrated taste. The fifth point? That was magic. But rather than leave it to magic, Heineken has replaced it with passionate craftsmanship, for excellence in every bottle.

BREWED LONGER

Rushing the job didn’t earn Heineken the 1875 Medaille d’Or and 1883 Diplome d’Honneurs medallions that still adorn its labels to this day – time and patience did.

Favouring a longer brewing process of 28 days to unlock a rich, balanced taste, with subtle fruity notes to top it off, its goldenyellow colour and refreshing clarity are all the proof one needs to know that good things really do come to those who wait.

As part of the efforts to discover the brand’s one-and-a-half century journey, Heineken also shares its inspiring narrative through interactive 3-D holographic installations at select locations, immersing visitors in never-before-told stories, while bringing the past into the future with a first-of-its-kind experience.

We’ll raise our glasses to that.

Learn more about what’s behind the star by following Heineken on Facebook (facebook.com/heineken) and Instagram (@HeinekenSG) with the hash tags #HeinekenSG and #MoreBehindtheStar.

CHER LLOYD

chat

REINVENTION IS ALWAYS A TRICKY PROPOSITION – AND WHEN YOU’RE AN INTERNATIONALLY CELEBRATED, MULTI-PLATINUM PHENOMENON, THE STAKES ARE THAT MUCH HIGHER. CHER LLOYD MAY HAVE MADE HER MARK AS A CONTESTANT ON THE X FACTOR BUT SHE’S MORPHED INTO AN ARTISTE AND A RELENTLESSLY ENCHANTING PERFORMER. AFTER TWO ALBUMS OF FIST-UP POP AND ROCK, SHE’S ON TO HER NEXT FORAY: THUMPING DANCE POP WITH A GRITTY URBAN GLINT. IF YOU’RE STILL PANTING FROM HER LEAD SINGLE “ACTIVATED”, THE INSIGHT SHE SHARES BELOW WILL ROCK YOUR WORLD. “Activated” is the first song we’ve heard from you in a while. What did you want to tell the world on this one?

I think that the biggest message on “Activated” is that I’m back. It took quite a while to make but this song is such a good opener to my next record.

You’ve said that your next record will be the first time you’ve had full creative control over a project. How does this freedom feel?

It’s brilliant. Looking back now, it feels great to know that I was really a part of every single part of making an album. I feel particularly lucky to have been able to work with the people I’ve worked with on this album. I’m so proud of the songs I have so far.

Were you apprehensive about transitioning into an edgier, more urban world?

I’ve always felt that it came naturally to me to be edgy. Even at the beginning of my career, I felt that my music was different from what was out there. But beyond that, I just feel like I’ve evolved as an artiste. I got my start when I was 16 and I’ve been growing up in front of everyone ever since.

My fans and I have grown up together. Now, I can see the dots aligning and everything coming together.

Most of us can only imagine what it must be like to have to live publically.

How has it been for you?

I suppose I don’t know any different because I lived it, you know? From 16 till now, this has been my life and I don’t know any other way to live than

this. I could say that social media has come into our lives in such a big way, but that only proves that everyone’s growing up in front of everyone now. There’s no hiding anymore. And I can’t really say anything about my experience because I’ve been really lucky. Everyone goes through highs and lows but I’ve had mostly highs.

You’re based in Los Angeles at the moment. How’s it like being away from home?

It can be really hard. It’s just different. I’m from a small country, and now I’m in a massive country where there’s so much happening all around.

I miss home, of course. I miss my family and friends and I haven’t seen my U.K. fans in a long time. I can’t wait to start touring and releasing new music so I can reach out to all these people. This is what I’m most excited about right now.

Since you made your start on The X Factor, televised reality singing competitions are more popular than ever. What kind of judge would you be if you joined the show again?

That’s a good question. I would try to be as honest as possible, just because I was once on that stage being judged. When I was on the show, I got honesty from the judges and had a great experience. When you’re guiding people through their dreams, you have to be honest.

cherlloyd.com

music

Text Indran P Image Logan Cole Interview Courtesy of Secret Signals

028

BEHOLD THE QUEEN

chat

NEWFOUND GLORY

SIGN OF FIVE THOUGH MGMT DRENCHED THE IDEA OF BEING IN A BAND IN 10 LAYERS OF IRONY ON THEIR WORLDSWALLOWING HIT, “TIME TO PRETEND”, LOCAL FIVE-PIECE SIGN OF FIVE EXUDE A BROTHERS-IN-ARMS SPIRIT THAT MAKES THE POSTURING OF THE FORMER LOOK SLIGHTLY RIDICULOUS. RISING FROM THE ASHES OF POP PUNK OUTFIT, DROPBEAT HEARTBEAT, FRONTMAN RO, GUITARISTS MATIN AND FYQ, BASSIST SHAM AND DRUMMER EUGENE OFFER A HEART-ON-SLEEVE TAKE ON MATTERS POP AND PUNK WITH A WINNINGLY EMPHATIC SENSE OF URGENCY AND MELODY. HAVING JUST RELEASED THEIR SELF-TITLED DEBUT EP, THE BAND SITS DOWN WITH US TO DECONSTRUCT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A YOUNG BAND IN SINGAPORE TODAY.

Text Indran P Image SoyuNana

The coming of five.

Ro: Martin and I met in Evergreen Secondary School. We moved on afterwards to Republic Polytechnic, where we met Fyq. We met Sham through the local music portal, Soft.

Matin: Eugene, on the other hand, was a company mate of mine from National Service (shout out to Leopard Company, BMT School 2).

He joined us after a few lineup changes.

Taking music seriously.

M: For myself and Ro, it was after our ‘O’ Levels in 2009. We formed Dropbeat Heartbeat, which lasted until we had to go for N.S. After a one-year break and with new members, we reformed under Sign Of Five.

Eugene: I think it has to do with what we’re saying through our music. Musically, I don’t see the two bands as being all that different, but as far as the messages conveyed are concerned, I’d say Sign Of Five is a lot more mature. A lot of it has to do with the fact that we all went through the army and just grew up. Time and experience has taught us to look at adolescent issues like

girls, relationships and music, as a whole, in a different light.

Melody is everything.

R: It’s funny how something that started as a hobby has become such a big part of my life. I’d just be going about my day, walking from point A to B, and a melody would come to me. I’d then put words over it and take the rough sketch to the band. We’re constantly experiencing music, whether we consciously accept it or not. I try to be as open as possible to the music I hear around me so I can be inspired to write my own.

Lessons from the EP. E: For me, the biggest takeaway from the EP would be the whole process of writing and recording with this band, and us making the kind of music we do.

Sham: I’ve gotten to know some passionate people who helped us along the way to realise our EP. It was great working with people whose input was valuable to us.

R: It’s been almost one-and-a-half years

music

since we started as a band. I like how much the chemistry between us has grown in that time.

M: I’m glad that we’ve painstakingly made songs that other people can hear. We could’ve rushed it, but we took our time to ensure the songs sounded good, to us.

Happy birthday, Singapore!

S: This year, I hope more Singaporeans will believe in and appreciate the local music scene to the point where musicians receive more tangible support.

E: Likewise, my hope is that Singaporeans will develop a stronger sense of identity in their music and in themselves.

R: I want Singaporean bands to support each other more in every way. Even a simple gesture like sharing each other’s song-and-video links counts.

M: No more politicking; more togetherness. We’re all in this together.

signoffive.bandcamp.com

029

chat

A SHOT IN THE DARK

030

WALKING A DARKER, DEADLIER PATH THAN THE BRIGHT ELECTRONIC IDENTITY THAT WE’VE COME TO EXPECT FROM BOY-GIRL DUOS, CHERIE KO AND TED DORÉ ARE BREAKING ALL THE RULES AS TOMGIRL. EMBRACING A NARRATIVE THAT CALLS UPON IMAGES OF FLICKERING STREET LIGHTS AND ROMANTIC OUTLAWS ON THE CUSP OF CAPTURE, THE PAIR’S DARK NOIR-TINGED ROCK & ROLL SOUND HAS KICKED OFF LIKE A REVOLVER; WITH BEATS 1 RADIO AND MTV ASIA RECENTLY PREMIERING THEIR DEBUT SINGLE AND MUSIC VIDEO “DARKER NOW” SIMULTANEOUSLY. WITH AN ALBUM READY TO DROP AND A SPOT ON THE MOSAIC MUSIC WEEKEND NEXT MONTH, WE SPEAK WITH THE TWO ON HOW THEIR STORY OF RECKLESS ROMANCE CAME TO FRUITION.

music

Text Trent Davis Image Cherlynn Lian

TOMGIRL

chat

those films gave me the outlet to live out vicariously those destructive tendencies within.

C: Pre-TOMGIRL, I was also stuck in a rut. I was at the crossroads, and I didn’t know what to do with my life. The future seemed like a blur before me. I was constantly going through cycles of self-doubt and insecurities.

However, when TOMGIRL materialised, it gave me hope and empowered me to be a stronger and better version of myself.

How did you come to form TOMGIRL despite Cherie living in Singapore and Ted in Australia?

Cherie: We met serendipitously at Laneway Music Festival in Singapore two years ago. Prior to that, we knew about each other through mutual friends for several years, but never had the opportunity to cross paths. We immediately bonded over our mutual love for shoegaze, ’60s girl bands and cult films. We decided to get together for a few jams just for the hell of it; it was all fun and games until the night before Ted flew back to Melbourne. Magically at the eleventh hour, we wrote a dark noir-banger, “Darker Now”, and this was what cemented us as TOMGIRL. Ted: Before we knew it, we were kicking things into full swing. The chemistry was just too much to ignore; by the time we’d written our second song, we knew we had something special.

In “Walk All Over Me”, we hear Cherie sing some pretty violent lines, going into graphic detail about what she’ll do to the man who crosses her. Tell us what inspired these blood-curdling lyrics.

T: We all know that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. This song was meant to be a loose paean to an abused woman getting her revenge on her victimiser. It was partially inspired by the true story of Tura Satana, a B-movie queen in the ’60s who was most famous for her role in Faster, Pussycat, Kill! Kill!. While walking home from school just before her 10th birthday, she was reportedly gang-raped by five men. The assailants were never prosecuted and the judge was paid off. This led to her learning martial arts and, over the next 15 years, she tracked down each rapist and exacted revenge.

What was the songwriting process like with this physical separation?

T: It was a big challenge. We were able to write and record bits and pieces over long-distance, but full songs could only be completed once we were physically together. Luckily, we were able to achieve this while I was in Singapore last December, and later when Cherie came to Melbourne in February. It’s very difficult to have that chemistry while being apart. We’re both very particular about the sonic details of our music, so being physically together affords the immediacy we need for that magic to happen.

The sound is wildly different from Cherie’s previous pop-leaning material. What spurred this new direction?

C: TOMGIRL is a huge departure from anything I’ve ever done musically – a clean contrast from the pop sounds of Obedient Wives Club and Pastelpower. However, as a music fan, I’ve always enjoyed a spectrum of different sounds that I haven’t yet managed to express in my own. Here’s a little-known fact: I went through an ‘emo’ phase, and spent the better half of my adolescence head-banging to Underoath, Parkway Drive, From First To Last, etc. So TOMGIRL is a throwback to those times of rebellion, which will undeniably always be a part of me. Nevertheless, with TOMGIRL, I try to add in some splashes of colour to the darkness with my pop sensibilities as a songwriter.

From the sirens and gunshots of album opener “Prologue”, listeners are transported into what feels like a mobster or crime thriller flick. Were there any particular films that inspired your “dark noir” sound?

T: I am somewhat of a B-movie and film noir enthusiast, so it’s no coincidence you can hear some of that vibe in the music. I’ve always loved those outlaw biker films from the ’50s and ’60s a la Russ Meyer, Roger Corman, T.C. Frank. There’s also some influence from more modern day filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino, Wong Kar-wai and David Lynch.

C: I’m a big fan of cult films as well, and I draw my influences largely from the works of Gregg Araki, Jim Jarmusch, and John Waters. Mood, atmosphere, and mise-en-scene really inspire me, and sometimes I get into a cinematic bubble, which really gets the juices flowing. Ted also got me hooked onto a lot of B-movies, and we even watched a bunch of them together while writing the music.

Both of you also manage your own indie record labels, through which the album will be released. Why DIY? C: A major advantage of doing it DIY is that we have full creative control on all aspects of our outputs, from marketing collaterals and design to production. Doing it DIY also meant that I got to have a whole team of close, talented friends onboard, which has really redefined our relationships. Instead of DIY, it’s really more of a case of ‘Doing-It-Ourselves’, which is pretty much what TOMGIRL is about – a gang. A disadvantage would probably be the sheer amount of work we have to get done, because we are all doubling up and taking on multiple roles. It can be exhausting at times, but also incredibly rewarding.

“Darker Now” evokes a certain sense of rebellion and an ‘us against the world’ vibe. Were there elements of your respective lives you were trying to break free from during the creative process?

T: Prior to working on the album, I had experienced a pretty rough patch, and my life seemed to be heading into a nihilistic and self-destructive direction. In the midst of it all, I found solace in the stories of the desperate, low-life characters in those old exploitation films. I’ve always been drawn to those tragic-character types. I enjoy the character study and I suppose watching

Catch TOMGIRL live at their debut performance at Mosaic Music Weekend on September 4. tomgirlband.com

music

031

chat

B

O

Y

W

E N O D R

NATHAN HARTONO

032

music

chat

ONE OF YOUR MORE RECENT JAW-DROP MOMENTS HAS TO BE NATHAN HARTONO’S SUPERLATIVELY BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE ON THE SING! CHINA REALITY TELEVISION SINGING COMPETITION. BESIDES BREAKING THE INTERNET, HARTONO ALSO WON OVER JAY CHOU – AND THAT’S A TESTIMONY IN ITSELF. BUT NONE OF THE 25-YEAR-OLD SINGER-SONGWRITER’S RECENT MOVES SHOULD COME AS TOO MUCH AS A SURPRISE. HIS IS A PRISMATIC TALENT STEEPED IN METHODS THAT BRIDGE JAZZ AND POP IN CONSUMMATELY CATCHY WAYS. AND WITH “ELECTRICITY”, HIS FIRST SINGLE IN THREE YEARS, OUT IN THE ETHER AND HIS AS YET UNTITLED EP ABOUT TO DROP, HE OPENS UP TO US HERE.

What’s the story behind “Electricity”?

It’s part of a five-song EP and it’s actually the last song I recorded, mostly because I didn’t write it until production for the EP started. It’s dangerous to include a new song midway through production but that’s exactly what happened. But I was vibing with so many different sounds and I managed to work out a nice arrangement; that’s how it happened.

It’s kind of my attempt at encapsulating the feeling of infatuation, especially the faceless, one-sidedness of it.

and open up to collaborations. That’s the heart and soul of the school. You’re not going to leave the school a stronger musician or artiste if you just followed the curriculum. The best part of Berklee is its students. As a very introverted person, that was the biggest lesson I learnt.

Yes, there are scenes in the music video where you play the helpless romantic very well.

This was the first proper music video that I ever tackled. It was scary because it was just me producing it with a bunch of friends. But besides that, it was fun to conceptualise and shoot. We were going for something light and silly that still underscored what it feels like to be infatuated with someone. And we felt that the best way to show that was through a fantasy dance sequence.

Text Indran P Image and Interview Courtesy of Warner Music Singapore

Your forthcoming EP comes four years after your previous one. Would you say you’ve changed, musically, in that time?

Oh, definitely. This upcoming project is a real culmination of everything I learned over the years from all the different people I’ve worked with. The 2012 EP was a much smaller production; the instrumentation was minimal and dependent on budget. This one sees me doing things bigger, with a bigger band and a bigger production.

Did studying in the Berklee College Of Music play a part in this?

Yes, it was a terrifying experience, but in a very good way.

There’s no big-fish-small-pond syndrome there. At Berklee, the talent pool is boundless; you meet people from almost every country there and they’re all great at what they do. The overall skill level is unfathomable.

Everyone is so, so talented and that motivates you to do better. You’re basically surrounded by people who can sing circles around you. That forces you to up your game.

What was your biggest takeaway from your time there?

I would say that it’s the realisation that I had to leave the house more and say yes to more things. Berklee is not the type of school where you can do your assignments and stay home. You need to put yourself out there, take on projects

Internationally, praise for your Sing! China performance has been unanimous. How do you feel about the reception?

The whole experience was so interesting. It was definitely one of the more widely received things I’ve done in a while. It was insane! The whole of last week has seen a major rise in me being spotted in the street by aunties and being spoken to in Mandarin. Never before has anyone assumed that my first language is Mandarin.

Was there anything different about playing in front of a live studio audience?

There’s no difference, really. How I perform on stage is the exact same way I’d perform at a concert or a bar. It’s all the same – you give the audience everything, everytime.

What would a victory on the show mean to you?

That’s far in the back of my mind, to be honest. I’m trying not to think about it. The first episode drew such an overwhelming response that I never saw coming. I never thought it would be this big of a thing. I’m just going to do my best and see what happens.

As a musician who’s been active in the local scene since 2005, what are some things about it that stand out to you now?

When I first started, there was almost nothing going on. It was underground. People had to dig for local music. And especially in the English music scene, there just weren’t many musicians. I’m so happy to say that, today, there’s actually healthy competition here. Now, there’s a ladder to climb; people are constantly pushing boundaries and doing interesting things. This isn’t just confined to one or two acts.

I really think that Singapore can become the English music hub of Asia in as short as three or four years. Setting aside market changes like streaming and how the Internet has taken over, the actual talent here has opened up so much.

soundcloud.com/nathan-hartono

music

033

focus artiste

YOUNG LIONS

HEED THE ROAR OF THESE YOUNG MADE-IN-SINGAPORE ACTS HRVST

The trio of frontman-bassist Mel, guitarist Jay and drummer QJ want to burst that blood clot of hardcore, punk and metal, and their music is the sound of that rupture. Pick up their new EP lilith for some powerfully dynamic noise.

CAMPFIRE

Academics and theorists have long fussed over why the present is ‘haunted’ by the past. But in the end, the millennials always win. The proof is in the pop and on our little red dot, it’s scene newcomer Disco Hue that is reimagining old sounds with the sense and sensibility of youth. Into the local musical ecosystem, the quartet has unspooled its debut EP, Arcade, that honours the heyday of ’80s synthpop for a new generation of lovers and dreamers.

At this writing, the video for their lead single “Gotta Find You” has clocked in a very respectable 19,296 views on YouTube. Even by that superficial metric, it’s telling that the throwback charms of singer Sherlyn, keyboardist Zie, guitarist Rush and drummer Billy have found their way into quite a few hearts. So, the two obvious questions that swirl around this band are: Why is it so inspired by an era its members weren’t alive to experience, and why do people like what it does so much?

The answer to both is simple: because the music is so good. Wanting to start a band whose moniker was its manifesto, Zie linked up with Rush and Billy in Singapore Polytechnic. And as inspired by Earth, Wind and Fire as they were by The Killers, they set out to make pastel-tinged, dream-destined songs with oodles of groove. After locating Sherlyn via the Vine hashtag #sgvine, the band found the final element of its style and brought it to life.

Arcade is what it says on the tin. It’s a callback to the simpler age of 8-bit video games, voluptuous synths and gorgeously aching vocals that express the extent of the not-so-different states of overwhelming happiness and profound desolation. Hit ‘play’ and be taken back in time – or forward. soundcloud.com/disco-hue

FADER

The musicverse is experiencing an emo revival right now, but don’t accuse this quintet of jumping on the bandwagon.

They’ve got a solid handle on the genre that makes their recent EP, You’re Guilty For Killing Me, sound so fresh and vital.

MITCH ADVENT

Meet electronic music’s freshest entry with a work ethic as dashing as his limb-unlocking sounds. You’ll get to engage with his multi-genre approach in the new music he releases weekly. That’s right: New chillstep, Dutch house and complextro sounds every week.

DISCO HUE music

Text Indran P Images Various Sources

034

United by their love for hip-hop, Nicco, formerly the rapper-guitarist of alt-rock-and-hip-hop outfit WhileTheKidsAreSurreal and Joshua, guitarist for The Sets Band, now make music as CampFire. Rap and folk are the twinned channels that power their music’s boldly beating heart.

BY THE POWER OF POP

essentials

TAKING FLIGHT FLIGHTSCH BY BRYAN ULRIC STA MARIA

It’s been 11 years since I first pursued music and I feel like it’s only just begun. I’m not sure if that’s a testament to the amount of work that needs to be done just to get a foot (or rather a toe) in the international door. It’s been heartening to come across my fellow Singaporean creatives who are pursuing their art full-time. Many musicians I know have expressed their ambitious notions to do the same. But seeing how many of them have to forgo opportunities because ‘life’ does not allow it, it feels like few are truly prepared to travel the long, arduous journey into the musical abyss.

035

I’m inspired by the do-ers of our music landscape – the artistes who dare to challenge the status quo and constantly raise the standards of music and even the business of it all.

Text Bryan Ulrich Sta Maria Image Firman “KillaShotz” Marhoum and Ritz “Dollar $ignz” Ang

Producer and songwriter Ezekiel Keran AKA FlightSch is one of the most underrated talents that I’ve come to know. You might know him as the main producer of most of THELIONCITYBOY’s music, or heard some of his work on the chart-topping Gentle Bones EP, Geniuses & Thieves.

Since dabbling with beat-making from the age of 14, FlightSch garnered regional attention via then-music hotbed Myspace, where he debuted his first works. At the age of 17, he was caught between continuing his studies in polytechnic and signing with Malaysian label, Kartel Records.

Many greats across different creative disciplines have found themselves in a similar dilemma – like Ray Charles, Brad Pitt and Oprah Winfrey – of venturing out without the safety net of a conventional education. I came across this in an article: ‘Backup plans assume, like prenuptials, that the marriage isn’t going to work.’ And Ezekiel was damn sure he wanted to put a ring on music.

And that was just the beginning. He fearlessly pushed his music out into the international stratosphere and got signed to After Platinum Records (USA) – alongside Cory Gunz – whom you may know is now on Lil Wayne’s Young Money label – and Amir Obe, who moved on to collaborate with Drake. He also produces for Dominique Choy, better known as Dizzy Dizzo, who has a big following in Taiwan.

FlightSch may just be a year older than me, but his sacrifices, perseverance, prolificacy, and ability to stay grounded through it all are what inspire me to push on. I’ve no doubt in the talent of Singaporean musicians, but talent is just the beginning.

soundcloud.com/flightsch

music

alert

MOSAIC REBOOTED! idiotape

patrick wolf

Two years ago, music lovers heaved a collective sigh of despair when Mosaic Music Festival announced that it was taking a hiatus. Meant to expose local audiences to a wider variety of music, the festival boasted wonderfully eclectic line-ups. Now back in its rebooted edition, Mosaic Music Weekend will feature acclaimed homegrown and international artistes, several of whom will be gracing our shores for the first time. Taking place this September, Mosaic comprises four days at the Esplanade with free and ticketed performances, where each day is dedicated to a different genre.

036

oh, flamingo!

riot !n magenta tomgirl

Jazz kicks off the first day of Mosaic with the Oliver von Essen Piano Trio delivering vivid renditions of jazz classics with the smooth pipes of vocalist Alemay Fernandez and Throwback R&B Thursday: The Jordan Wei Trio featuring Nick Zavior banging out electrifying slices of neo-soul and r&b hits as part of the day’s free programme. Singer-songwriters take centre stage for the ticketed highlights of the second day, where Lisa Hannigan and Patrick Wolf will send shivers down our spines with their introspective brands of folk and pop music. Hannigan broke out as the angel-voiced member of Damien Rice’s band, but came into her own as an artiste with her debut album, Sea Sew, in 2008. With her soothing oceanic purr and Wolf’s piercing lupine howl, this will be a double bill to look forward to. Be it a piano, viola, or his own eccentric voice, Wolf has an effortless way with a variety of instruments that makes him mesmerising to watch.

The third day’s ticketed lineup sees electronic and rock pop acts taking the lead. Influenced by South Korean classic rock from the ’60s and ’70s, electronic band Idiotape has been shaking up Seoul with their dynamic, synth-driven rhythms. These guys are getting ready for world domination – not only have they played SXSW (twice!), they’ve also embarked on a European tour that saw them performing at huge festivals like Glastonbury. Capping the weekend off with an amped-up note will be some good ol’ rock & roll, with TOMGIRL making the live debut of their newly launched self-titled album.

Inspired by film noir thrillers, motorbike ganglands and femme fatales, TOMGIRL’s music can be characterised as edgy, alternative pop drenched in the darkness and danger of noir. Let this visceral duo take you on a wild ride through a soundtrack of rebellion, anger and the endless longing for love.

Aside from the ticketed performances, the Esplanade will also stage free performances that will take place across the centre for all to enjoy. In addition to the weekend’s opening night of coveted jazz acts saving the strain on your wallet, local heartbreakers Anise, Cheating Sons, LEW and Dru Chen will fill the second day with ethereal, folk-inspired acoustic tunes that’ll have you both bouncing and sobbing with joy. Indie pop band Oh, Flamingo! will have audiences tapping their feet to its melodic hooks on the third day alongside guitar guru Randolf Arriola and electronic pop alchemists Riot !n Magenta, while Leslie Low, lead singer of local experimental rockers The Observatory, will end the weekend with performances at the Café 21 Living Room at the Esplanade Concourse.

If you want to broaden your music horizons, mark your calendars and don’t forget to thank the acts on Mosaic Music Weekend for coming through this year with their legitimately awesome charms.

Mosaic Music Weekend happens at the Esplanade from September 1 to 4.

For the full lineup, visit esplanade.com/mosaic music

Text Jerlene Ng & Trent Davis Images Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

dru chen

MOSAIC MUSIC WEEKEND

lisa hannigan

TICKETED

alert

kurt

PLAY eden

T H AT FUNKY MUSIC

038

kentaro

music

jerls

alert

THE WHEELS OF STEEL ARE COMING BACK – AND NOTHING CAN STOP THEM. OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, VINYL RECORDS HAVE EXPERIENCED SUCH A SURGE IN SALES AND INTEREST THAT IT’S IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO PROCLAIM THAT A REVIVAL IS UPON US. POTATO HEAD FOLK IS CHIMING IN ON THIS IN A BIG WAY. TO CATER TO YOUR VINYL-ONLY FUNK, SOUL AND DISCO NEEDS, THE ESTABLISHMENT HAS LAUNCHED THE STUDIO 1939 MUSIC SESSIONS. BEFORE YOU GET YOUR GROOVE ON, HEED THE WORDS OF DJS JERLS, KURT, EDEN, AND KENTARO, WHO’LL BE KEEPING YOU COMPANY ON THOSE NIGHTS.

What are your thoughts on Studio 1939 and what do you want the crowd to take away from it?

Kurt: It’s a fantastic venue; intimate and cosy and the perfect spot for whisky appreciation and listening sessions.

Eden: Studio 1939 is an intimate and unique escape from the usual bars and pubs. I’ll like the patrons and customers to be more curious about what Studio 1939 can offer as it’s a place full of surprises and possibilities.

Jerls: Studio 1939 is curated for customers to best enjoy an evening of good music paired with delicious cocktails.

Kentaro: It is great to see a venue with high quality equipment, focusing on the listening experience. The Alpha Recording System 4100 mixer EQ gives a clean yet warm sound.

Text Indran P Images Various Sources

What drew you to DJing?

E: The joy of discovering new music and the fact that I was curious about how great DJs are able to pull off such good sets.

Ku: I started off with collecting vinyl records and it took off from there.

Ke: The reason I got into DJing is because my friends and I started throwing parties such as Mugic Soundsystem at the nowdefunct Night & Day bar, which we still continue doing.

J: I was just interested in the history and culture of electronic music. Eventually, I took up the craft.

You have been DJing for a while. What do you like about playing music for people?

J: The energy that’s given off during a good party.

E: I love that I’m able to share music, express myself and create journeys

with music. DJing connects friends and likeminded people and develop new relationships.

Ke: I learn new things every time I play.

The more I play, I realise the importance of letting go of your ego when behind the decks. I find joy in trying to figure out what the crowd wants and what I have in my selection to cater for the occasion.

Ku: Introducing new music to people and letting them discover music that they hardly hear anywhere else. The surprised reactions of these people are priceless.

What goes into putting together your sets?

Ke: It depends on how long I am required to play, but it always starts from imagining what the situation might be. I tend to play a mix of old and new stuff, so I have to incorporate records to bridge different kind of music.

J: I pick a balance of sounds between what I like and what the crowd digs. There’s no point playing a Modeselektor track to a ZoukOut crowd, right?

E: I listen to music repeatedly. Then I will look into the older songs in my music library and the new music that I have, and plan a set that is uniquely my style, but still relevant to the occasion.

Ku: My sets are pretty random these days; it depends on my mood on that particular day.

warmth and crackle is the sexiest amongst all formats.

Ke: I think the vinyl format makes DJs and venues more conscious about how to take care of equipment and sound quality.

J: I’d say the quality of the sound of individual tracks. I love listening to vinyl sets; I enjoy their warmth and rawness.

Studio 1939 will favour funk, soul and disco. What do you like about these styles and why do you think they are important and relevant today?

Ke: These styles all carry positive messages, which are necessary in the face of all the fear, hate and dividedness in the world today.

Ku: They are relevant as most of today’s dance music has evolved from an everchanging fusion of ’60s soul (which itself was born out of r&b), ’70s disco and funk.

J: Funk, soul and disco are the few genres that form the foundation of so much music today. A lot of what’s out there is a commercialised version of these genres.

It’s important to know the roots of what you’re listening to.

E: They are more relevant today than ever, as more and more major labels and artistes are producing records that take reference and samples from the ’60s and ’70s. The great DJs are also incorporating disco and funk classics into their sets to educate new generations of clubgoers.

The Studio 1939 Music Sessions happen at Potato Head Folk every Friday night. ptthead.com

As a DJ, what’s the biggest advantage of playing vinyl records over USB drives?

Ku: With vinyl records, I have access to rare grooves that are not available digitally.

E: The biggest advantage is the authentic and warm sound quality. While the levels may vary from record to record, the

STUDIO 1939 MUSIC SESSIONS music

039

alert

WHERE THE HEART IS 040

VANAN M

ENTERTAINMENT MANAGER

RAZI RAZAK

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

ROY NG DIRECTOR

music

SHEREEN JOLLY PR AND MARKETING MANAGER

WENDY LIMERY EVENTS MANAGER

alert

TWO YEARS AGO, WHEN THE SHUTTERS WERE PULLED ON HOME CLUB, NO ONE HAD ANY IDEA AS TO WHAT WOULD TAKE THE PLACE THE INDIE BASTION HAD OCCUPIED FOR ALMOST A DECADE. THEN, IT WAS REVEALED THAT A NEW ENTITY DUBBED CANVAS WOULD RISE FROM ITS ASHES. THE BRAINCHILD OF CO-FOUNDERS MAHEN NATHAN OF BED CONCEPTS, AND HOME CLUB LUMINARY AND SOLE PROPRIETOR, ROY NG, CANVAS HAS QUICKLY AND ASSUREDLY IMPRESSED ITSELF ON THE LOCAL CLUBSCAPE WITH ITS UNIQUE, INDIE-MINDED ARTS AND MUSIC PROGRAMMING. AHEAD OF THE CLUB’S SECOND ANNIVERSARY SHINDIG, WE SPEAK TO THE VETERANS AND YOUNGBLOOD OF ITS TEAM FOR THEIR THOUGHTS ON ITS JOURNEY SO FAR.

Ra: I love it. It was such a fresh change for me. I think the idea of a modular space is a good challenge for us. After two years, we know what works for us and what doesn’t.

How do you feel about Canvas, two years on?

Roy: I’ve always believed in the now; the present. We’re always evolving but my main aim is the same: to improve things for the community. We want Canvas to always be a place where people get to know one another and share new musical experiences with each other.

Razi: Well, I see life as a journey and I treat my work as part of my life. Internally, these two years have seen us refine our marketing approach, how we reach our target audience and how we work with each other. What we’ve been focused on and what we’re focusing on is aligning our arts, music and creative directions and building on the strengths of our team.

And how did the art element factor in?

Ra: I think that as clubbing here took on Miami and Vegas levels of excess, we saw art as the only challenging and respectful way to take a night out to the next level. We didn’t want to have the so-called ‘new necessities’ that other clubs took on. Our multi-disciplinary approach helps us reach different audiences. It’s also our contribution to the creative community.

Do you think that a club should educate its patrons?

Ra: Yes; a club should be a university. Club culture is a college estate that builds its own future and constantly pulls from new influences. We should respect and honour musical traditions and inspire each other in every way.

And how has the transition from Home Club to Canvas been?

Ro: Smooth. There’ve been other clubs that’ve folded over two years but we’re still going strong.

Ra: We had to hit ‘Refresh’ and start anew. This happened quickly and I count myself lucky to have seen how it happened. I’d like to let the audience know that the potential we saw from the very beginning keeps us here. We’re not going anywhere.

What has been the best part of the journey, so far?

Ra: For me, the best of this has been working with Roy and adapting to the shifts in the industry with him. It wasn’t easy transitioning from Singapore’s top underground club to what it is now. So, it’s been a battle that’s made us better, stronger people. We know that we don’t have to please everybody.

Ro: Home Club was an underground musical mecca here. We left it at its best and moved on to Canvas. The best part is the task at hand: to build a new brand.

Text Indran P Images Canvas Club

How would you say the philosophy of the club has endured over two years?

Ro: I’m very proud of our philosophy. We have a space that evolves for a different number of purposes, not just dance music. This is proof that we’re always going to do things differently.

Ra: Creativity has always been a spinal foundation to what we are. As trends and genres come and go, our mission will be constant in the scene.

Canvas is the only club that has, as it says, a ‘creative space’. How has this space served you?

Ro: Unlike other places, we’re not limited by our space. It’s very versatile. We’ve done comedy shows, poetry slams, DJ sets, film screenings and weddings here.

Is this the same with Canvas’ musical policy?

Vanan: Definitely. We don’t want to conform to what other clubs are playing and we want to showcase local talent as much as we can. Most of the programming and booking is based on who, locally and internationally, is doing new and interesting things. We don’t want to confine ourselves to just one type of sound.

What has been your proudest musical moment in Canvas?

V: It’d have to be DJ EZ. Garage was something totally new to me then, and watching him play all those scales, do trick mixing and use the CDJs as musical instruments was a revelation for me.

And as for the new team, why Canvas?

V: After being in big room clubs for four years, I got bored of the idea of going out just to show up and look good. After I met Mahen, I was really interested in bringing clubbing back to being just about the music and having fun.

Shereen: Canvas is the most important club to me because it encompasses the spectrum of art. Roy has been here for so long and he’s certainly one of the best tutors one can have. We’re raring to go.

Wendy: Yes, Canvas is more than a club. I’m grateful to Roy and Mahen for welcoming me to this team. I never thought I’d work in nightlife in Singapore but I’m glad I’m with Canvas and I love the fact that we work well together to make Canvas better and better.

Head over to Canvas on September 23 and 24 for its second anniversary blow out. canvasvenue.sg

CANVAS SECOND ANNIVERSARY music

041

alert

THE INVASION IS UPON US

tim de cotta

sign of five

enec.e

jawn

lew

cadence

jamie

gayle nerva

*SCAPE INVASION TOUR 2016 CADENCE

Give Cadence’s debut EP, Heights, a spin and you’ll find that this local alternative rock band is just brimming with earnest passion.

Their anthemic lead single, “Come Home”, is filled with catchy hooks and blistering guitar riffs, which we just know will be the highlight of a killer live performance.

JAWN

JAMIE WONG

ENEC.E

Pensive lyrics and haunting melodies characterise folk singersongwriter Jon Chan’s music.

With his buttery vocals and melancholic sound, the lead single off JAWN’s self-titled debut album, “Fade To Black”, is nothing like Metallica, resembling more of a John Mayer ballad.

Singer-songwriter Jamie Wong is Singapore’s answer to a homegrown Ingrid Michaelson. Her songs are often quiet musings on love (or lack thereof) and there is a rawness in her vulnerability that will hold up even after multiple listens.

If you haven’t shed a tear or two at her live sets yet, now is the time.

It might not be immediately clear how enec.e is pronounced, but their sparkling dream-pop sound has certainly been “Crystallized”, as demonstrated in their first single released last year.

An eclectic blend of shoegaze, ambient and folk, this five-piece band melds their delicate melodies with heartfelt lyrics about conversations lost.

TIM DE COTTA & THE WARRIORS

GAYLE NERVA

LEW

SIGN OF FIVE

Growing up in a musically inclined family panned out nicely for Gayle Nerva, who spent her formative years listening to the greats such as Queen, The Beatles and Michael Jackson, on top of the female singer-songwriters and r&b artistes of the ’90s. If you know her from the second season of Singapore Idol, then you know she’s got heart-melting range and a natural inclination towards soul and folk.

Sit back and be stunned.

Simply known as LEW on stage, indie-folk musician Lewis Loh’s sound is a breath of fresh air in an age of music overproduction. He started singing and playing guitar at 13 and, not before long, he was penning his emotions into songs by 17. Having honed his craft under Noise’s music mentorship programme, he was named Invasion’s ‘Breakout Artist’ of 2015.

Local quintet Sign Of Five is keeping the pop-punk flame burning brightly with catchy hooks and power chords, complete with all the youthful exuberance you can expect from the genre. They debuted with the upbeat track, “Here We Go”, back in 2014 and earned their pop punk cred when they played alongside Against The Current and Yellowcard.

For the *SCAPE School Invasion tour schedule, visit scapeinvasion.com.

music

Tim De Cotta lives and breathes music. Not only does this multiinstrumentalist sing, write and produce, he also splits his time amongst multiple bands, including TAJ, LA.B., neoDominatrix and Kilo Habit. With roots in hip-hop and r&b, Tim will be channelling his many talents into his upcoming solo debut album, Warriors.

Text Jerlene Ng Images Various Sources

042

LUCKY YOU. THANKS TO *SCAPE AND INVASION SINGAPORE – A COMMUNITY-LED ENDEAVOUR DEDICATED TO USHERING LOCAL MUSIC INTO THE MAINSTREAM – SOME OF SINGAPORE’S MOST EXCITING MUSICAL FORCES WILL BE UNSPOOLING THEIR TALENTS BEFORE YOUR EYES AS PART OF THE *SCAPE SCHOOL INVASION TOUR. WHILE THERE’S LOTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE FORM OF HEADLINERS LIKE THE GRIZZLE GRIND CREW, CHARLIE LIM AND SEZAIRI, THERE’LL ALSO BE A SLEW OF EXCELLENT FEATURED ACTS. GET ACQUAINTED WITH THEM BELOW.

flash

ME NO LIKE YOU

OF MONTREAL

There are many people who make genius seem like its predicated on loathsome obnoxiousness, neurosis and even plain craziness.

Sun Kil Moon, Red House Painters honcho Mark Kozelek is one such individual. If you think his prolonged and needless beef with psych-rockers The War On Drugs was beyond petty, think again, because he has an even bigger target in his old-manyells-at-cloud crosshairs: Michael Jackson. For reasons that make sense only to him and fellow conspirator Jesu, he’s released a diss track called “He’s Bad”, which bears saltiness like, “He’s bad / And he’s dead and I’m glad / He’s dead / And to me it ain’t that effing sad”.

Though it’s been 20 years since they erupted onto the scene with their hyper-literate Technicolour splendour, it’s still impossible to be unsurprised

by Of Montreal. So, when we heard that their upcoming 14th album would be titled Innocence Reaches and that its cover art was inspired by frontman Kevin Barnes’ brother’s “wonderment for the female anatomy”, we busted a rib laughing. What’s different about this record from its predecessors is that this was the first Of Montreal LP to be influenced by contemporary music – which, according to Barnes, came in the form of Jack Ü and Arca. Hit play on “It’s Different For Girls” and wave your freak flag. ofmontreal.net

WE LIKE IT REAL

UM, OKay

There’s no way to hyperbolise or troll this development because it’s already fundamentally outrageous: Smash Mouth has released an EDM song. It’s safe to say that no one ever saw this coming. The track itself is one of those artifacts that is immune to the standards of taste or judgment. It just exists and we have to deal with it and all it’s comprised of – lyrics like “Sex is a gun, you’re ammunition / The battle’s on / Submission / Demolition”, Zedd-like drops furnished by a producer named Specter, and its title, “Love Is A Soldier”. smashmouth.com

IN TWO MINDS We can state without qualification that Rostam Batmanglij is one of the most interesting musicians of our generation. From his work with his former band, Vampire Weekend, to producing for artistes as disparate as Ra Ra Riot, Charli XCX and Santigold, to his recent stream of solo singles, his writ-large talent is a prize for the eardrums.

Of late, he linked up with Hamilton Leithauser, frontman of bygone indie greats The Walkmen, for a joint album. First missive “A 1000 Times” is a red-blooded, earthily monumental folk-blues screamer that is, yes, just brilliant. officialrostam.com

ME NO LIKE YOU II Jane’s Addiction will be remembered as one of the most influential bands in rock & roll. So great was the loss to rock music that when the band broke up in 1991, their farewell tour spurred the annual festival Lollapalooza. But in 2016, there no longer are walls of separation between scenes and genres, and their singer Perry Farrell isn’t having any of it. When asked about the lineup for Lollapalooza 2016, he had this to say: “I hate EDM. I want to vomit it out of my nostrils… I sometimes cringe at my own festival.” music

Text Indran P Images Various Sources

044

There’s so much to like about Brooklyn duo Chairlift but chief of their charms is how they reflect the best part of the zeitgeist. If they hinted at this on their earlier two records, they perfected and asserted it on their third, Moth, which dropped earlier this year. And with Moth’s infectious electro-buoyed melodies still in the air, the pair has a new track called “Get Real”. It’s an ethereal shimmer that trembles with earthly concerns as singer Caroline Polachek’s yearning coos brush with the pristine, pulsating soundscapes. Could a new album be in the works? We sure hope so. chairlifted.com

flash

dreams come true

Due in large part to the fact that they play by no one else’s rules, indie musicians are known to vanish from time to time. But here are three who have surfaced – with new music in tow.

REGINA SPEKTOR

FLEET FOXES

HOW TO DRESS WELL

By all accounts, the great anti-folk doyenne

Five years – that’s how long it’s been since Fleet

In 2014, Tom Krell AKA How To Dress Well released the biggest statement of his career, What Is This

disappeared in 2012 after releasing her sixth

Foxes put out any work. Remember when theirs was

album What We Saw From The Cheap Seats. That

the most-played music in any indie bookstore or

Heart?. At the height of the alt-r&b craze – for

piano-heavy album saw her sounding far more

artisanal coffeehouse? Remember when, for a fleeting

which he grudgingly accepted responsibility for

confident and dynamic with her weird, wild ways

second, they brought back flannel shirts without the

putting in motion with his debut album Love

than she was in her previous few releases. Cheap

aid of distorted guitars or millennial angst? Well, it

Remains – he doubled down on his devastating

Seats was a critical and commercial triumph,

looks like we’ll be thinking of them in the present

songwriting and ear for giddily beautiful melodies

but after signing off on it, its maker vanished. We

tense very soon as frontman Robin Pecknold – shorn

and reset expectations once again. Following a

now know that she was bringing her new album,

of his locks – has announced via Reddit that the Foxes

two-year silence, he’s back with a new album

Remember Us To Life, to the light. The dramatic

will unfurl an LP soon. He also shared that it’ll be

christened Care. With production credits that

baroque pop of single “Bleeding Heart” is already

called Crack-Up and that it was inspired by the F. Scott

include Jack Antonoff, Dre Skull, CFCF, and Kara-

cause to get excited.

Fitzgerald essay “The Crack-Up”.

Lis Coverdale, it’s clear that you better care.

reginaspektor.com

fleetfoxes.com

howtodresswell.com

PONY UP In 2017, an animated feature film based on the hugely successful entertainment franchise My Little Pony will populate big screens all over the world. Its cast of voices includes that of Kristin Chenoweth, Emily Blunt, Michael Peña, Liev Schreiber, Taye Diggs and one Sia Furler. It’s a pop cultural non-negotiable that Sia does not want us to see her face, affirming that it’s her vocals, not her visage, that should speak for her.

And, oh, what pipes she has. That she’ll lend her talents to the film as the “pony popstar” Songbird Serenade is just fitting.

PAY UP

The emo revival, has, in part, been fuelled by Emo Night, an emo-themed bar party that started in Los Angeles; dubbed Taking Back Tuesday, and spread to various other countries, including Singapore. And Adam Lazarra, frontman of emo flagship Taking Back Sunday, isn’t too thrilled about the cavalier treatment of his band’s name and aesthetic. “Those mothereffers owe me some money. They’re using our name, they didn’t ask. It’s flattering, I get it. But also, I don’t want to become a parody of something I take real seriously”, he said recently, sounding very hurt.

EVER-CHANGING SOUNDS This is a massive development: Bristol trip-hop luminary Massive Attack has released an app called Fantom, which allows for songs released on its platform to change based on the time of day and the heart rate of the user. The three new songs made available on the app, “Come Near Me”, “The Spoils” and “Dear Friend” all vibe with this dynamic extremely well. What this means is that every listening experience is a new one.

Once this technology becomes mainstream, just imagine how this will change the way we consume and engage with music.

music

045

sounds

THROUGH THE WIRE

BY SOPHIE WEE

AT LONG LAST

“Ugh, there’s nothing to do in Singapore”. For someone who likes to go out a lot, I can proudly say that this is not something I’ve said in years. I’m sure most of us can agree that the entertainment here in Singapore has expanded so much in less than a decade.

Look to the Facebook events that bombard our news feeds weekly for proof.

One of the obvious factors for this is technology and how social media has allowed artistes to communicate with their fans and market themselves. But the most important reason is that more local artistes now have the commitment, determination and b*lls to dive into the scary thing that is the Singaporean music scene.

Sure, it’s definitely risky to dedicate all your time, effort and savings to your art, but the people who have fully committed their head, heart and soul into their craft are leading the game right now, and I’d like to say a massive thank you to all of them.

046

We can now easily look within our little red dot for next-level entertainment and no longer have to fuss over which international artiste or DJ is playing here. Local musicians and DJs no longer have to rely on being an opening act for an international artiste to gain ‘exposure’. They have their own platforms now and have sold out their own concerts and filled out the clubs and bars that they play at. This is something to be proud of.

This isn’t to say that local artistes back in the day didn’t make an effort or weren’t talented enough. Back then, it wasn’t like that because, as a national audience, Singapore wasn’t ready to accept the fact that we had our own talent. We seemed so focused on listening only to music from America or Britain that we refused to believe that Singaporean music was worth our money.

FREETOWN SOUND BLOOD ORANGE

(Domino Recording Co Ltd)

Poet Ashlee Haze declaims about positive feminism through her poem “For Coloured Women” on “By Ourselves”; writer Ta-Nehisi Coates addresses fear and appearances in “Love Ya”; Venus Xtravaganza speaks from the dead through Paris Is Burning in “Desirée”. These many samples – along with assists from Empress Of, Debbie Harry and Nelly Furtado, amongst many others – make Dev Hynes’ latest album a pop music bloat. And how moving, personal and statement-making a bloat it is. Hynes makes the political personal, and like Kendrick Lamar and D’Angelo before him, voices about ancestry, masculinity, Christianity, and race on record. Make no mistake, this is pop music that matters, speaking about how living and lives matter.

Who remembers that Electrico song “We’re Not Made In The USA”? It’s a true story about how someone was about to buy their album until they heard it was by a Singaporean band. “She took it right back to the rack in the store when she found out we were from the same old, lame town city island where she was born”.

I’m glad to say that the perception has changed since and we have evolved as an audience. We are now spoilt for choice with local music and gigs, whether it’s folk, pop, indie, rock, electronic, hip-hop or soul. If you look for it, you are sure to find something homemade that tickles your musical fancy.

Though the industry is still small, it welcomes new faces and makes a good environment for solid collaborations between artistes of different genres and disciplines. It’s amazing to live in a time where we can clearly see the evolution of the scene and help it progress by merely listening to some quality music made in Singapore.

So if you’ve ever bought a local album, tickets to a local gig, supported local DJ nights or spread the good word about Singaporean music, you are awesome. If you haven’t yet, you’ve got a world of amazing discoveries ahead of you. Come, catch up with the rest of us. It took us long enough, but we are finally at a place where we have found a happy home for Singaporean music.

music

WILDFLOWER THE AVALANCHES

(Astralwerks/Modular/XL/EMI)

It took The Avalanches a gobsmacking 16 years to finally release their follow-up to 2000’s equally gobsmacking super sampleloaded Since I Left You. Has it been worth the wait? We are all older, hopefully mature, and, hopefully, not jaded. And the Australian group (core founding members Tony Di Blasi and Robbie Chater remain) sounds just like this. Wildflower is as optimistic, cartoonish, free-formed, eclectic, sample-delic and vintage-sounding (just forward the gauge on the timeline to include everything pre-2016) as its predecessor. The key difference: acts such as Biz Markie, Danny Brown, and Toro Y Moi star in this kaleidoscopic soundscape. It may not be a party-starter, but it certainly is a summer trove of 21 wonderments, as anachronistic as it is retro-flavoured current, as wide-eyed as it is eye-(re)opening.

sounds

PICKS OF THE MONTH IV

INDIGO

TWEEN

WEVAL

(Innovative Leisure) Three (and now, four) pasty-bodied lads selling their fusion of jazz and hip-hop the fourth time around – BadBadNotGood indeed. Luckily they have the chops to play ’em blue notes. Following up on their work with Ghostface Killah last year, they rope in more vocalists – Samuel T Herring, Mick Jenkins, and Charlotte Day Wilson – on IV. The lads have mellowed out even though they vary their palette.

NotBadButNotBetter.

(Self-released) If Kaytranada, Pusha T and Drake, are batting in your squad, you’ve got it made. And Tommy Paxton-Beesley AKA River Tiber has it made in spades.

He surveys the now-sound of Torontostyled alt-r&b, and finesses gauzy synths, processed vocals (but still emotive), and smoky, hash-hushed atmospherics, to paint an au courant picture of the state of r&b – sensuous melancholic, ambrosial – that makes one rapt on high.

(Merge Records) Don’t take Wye Oak’s mini-album of outtakes as a throwaway, stopgap or even a takeaway of their 10-year career; these eight songs are loot, songs lost in transition between 2011’s Civilian and 2014’s Shriek. The duo stands amongst Beach House and Future Islands as Baltimore’s best; single “Trigger Finger” is dream-pop that builds to a vertiginous spill and “Watching the Waiting” is their brightest, galloping finish ever.

(Kompakt) Too young for ambient, but too old for trap? Let’s go with Weval then.

The Amsterdam duo specialises in mid-tempo synth music, flushed with some Ibiza house and summery-dusky pop vibes. The music won’t break backs but it’s well-paced, with cleverly placed surprises to keep you grooving. It’s Röyksopp (ver.2); “The Battle”, “Square People” and “Days” will lessen the day’s frustrations and whet appetites for more distractions.

THE MOUNTAIN WILL FALL

STILL BRAZY

THE MAGIC

PAGAN

DJ Shadow

(Def Jam Recordings) This is how YG rolls; bouncing back from being shot by an unknown assailant in his recording studio last year, the Compton rapper throws down the track “Who Shot Me?”. Ah, the trials and tribulations of a celebrity gangsta rapper. The West Coast G-funk is still strong with this one, despite breaking away from DJ Mustard. Add in some political razing (The Trump put-down “FDT”), it’s major swagger with Brazy-sized b*lls.

(Polyvinyl Record Co) If you got art-rock Deerhoof the last 20 years, you will get rocking Deerhoof now. If you were never into their avant-garde ways, well, you might just dig the band’s latest. It’s their most accessible release (“That Ain’t No Life To Me” sounds like typical garage punk), but with the off-kilter rhythms and Satomi Matsuzaki’s quirky-cool voice, it’s them trying their hands at something tried, and thus testing themselves.

MEDIA IN THE SERVICE OF TERROR

SUMMER 08

ADULT TEEN

PUBERTY 2

(Because Music) Joseph Mount brings back the noughties with his latest foray, this time with him as the sole artiste fronting the Metronomy enterprise.

It’s idiosyncratic Brit indie synth pop, doused with some sarcasm, playfulness and wistfulness. Vintage funk rules in “Back Together”, Mix Master Mike scratches on “Old Skool”, and Robyn brings her Swede pop magic touch to the possible crossover hit, “Hang Me Out to Dry”.

(Father/Daughter Records) A play on Lisa Frank stickers, a meanit-as-you-see-it album title, candy pink – spells novelty, screams tacky.

But don’t judge; Robin Edwards is more than the sum of all that with her DIY set-up of guitar and drum machine.

She embodies girly pop-punk, but spits out little bitter pills; she’s falling in love and off ledges in “Jumper” and gets snappy on the revved-up “Luv is Dumb”, all while being unapologetic yet sincere about being a kidult.

(Dead Oceans) Expressing millennial anomie and angst is half-Japanese, half-American singer-songwriter Mitski Miyawaki, in an impressive fourth full-length. But she is not merely reppin’ for an entire gen.

Mitski, in her deadpan way, is singing about her loneliness and uncertainties.

Her everyday concerns and indie rock music crosses generations; “Happy”, “Fireworks” and “Your Best American Girl” speak volumes, of both personality and talent.

BadBadNotGood

Text Chris Ong Ujine Images Various Sources

(Hostess K.K) Ladies and gents, re-Endtroducing... okay, nip the lame pun. Two decades after DJ Shadow turnt up turntabalism, he foregoes sampling for some Ableton time.

There’s a little stumblin’ and tumblin’, some sonic updates feel like patches, but when he gets climbing, there’s no looking back. “Three Ralphs”, “Ghost Town” and “Bergschrund” (feat. Nils Frahm) are pennants marking his triumphs at personal high-stakes experimentation.

Vatican Shadow

(Hospital Productions) Dominick Fernow returns with more electronic noise, trafficking in industrial techno this time as Vatican Shadow.

But he is no beat terrorist; rather than pummeling the ears with jackhammer synths, he is a floating espier; a floating figure cloaking listeners in the ambiance of industrial techno, be it through whorls of hypnotic synths in “Interrogation Music” or the dark, icy pound of the club-oriented “More Of The Same”.

River Tiber

YG

Wye Oak

Deerhoof

Metronomy

music

Lisa Prank

Weval

Palmistry (Mixpak Records) On first encounter with “Lifted”, ears are immediately pricked: Who’s that mousey voice, whispering, “cos I miss you like that / like this / like that / uh hmm / ah ha”, like a teen boy trying to get a lay out of a girl in his room post-clubbing? Intriguing discovery soon turns to passing interest over the course of this debut. Benjy Keating does bedroom micro-dancehall that’s original and earworm-y at best, but mostly tinny and one-dimensional.

Mitski

047

spin

THE GATHERING WITH BIRDY

FORWARD FEAT. MAAYAN NIDAM

TUESDAY AUGUST 2 AT SUNTEC CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE Birdy was 14 when she transfixed the world with her cover of Bon Iver’s aching confessional “Skinny Love”. Since then, she’s come into her own as an artiste, and over the course of her three albums – including this year’s Beautiful Lies – established herself as one excitingly evolving statement-maker. Come watch her at it. apactix.com

ZOUK SOUNDSYSTEM PRESENTS TYDI

FRIDAY AUGUST 5 AT ZOUK When you hear EDM, trance and house coming together in majestically thumping ways, chances are, you’re taking in Tyson Illingworth’s handiwork. The Brisbane native was signed by trance gawd Armin van Buuren when he was 17, and has dedicated his career to redefining populist club sounds. Cue “Tear Me Up” and bounce. zoukclub.com.sg

STAURDAY AUGUST 13 AT KYO As a temple of house and techno, Berlin can do no wrong. And the proof is in relentless experimenters like Maayan Nidam. Her vinyl-first approach and intensely meticulous selection of deep-but-stripped-back sounds are amongst the most consistently rewarding experiences in modern dance music. clubkyo.com

WEEZER LIVE IN CONCERT

MONDAY AUGUST 15 AT SUNTEC CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE Weezer is one of the biggest bands in rock music – and the quartet is still at it.

That they’ll finally land on our shores is an assurance of two things. Firstly, that they’ll play the hits from their storied catalogue, like “Say It Ain’t So”; and secondly, that we can hear new gems like “LA Girlz” too. sistic.com.sg

GOOD TIMES PRESENTS: HOMEBOY SANDMAN

TRANSITION FEAT. BEN NICKY

TUESDAY AUGUST 16 AT SUNTEC CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE Remember “I Write Sins Not Tragedies”? Well, expect an entirely different PATD that’ll be shaking your senses. As the sole member of the band, frontman and multi-instrumentalist Brendon Urie has reimagined its sound to the point where it’s a hybrid between Queen and Frank Sinatra. His words, not ours. sistic.com.sg

FORWARD FEAT. SUNJU HARGUN

MONDAY AUGUST 8 AT CANVAS Paul Van Dyk once described the music of this U.K. sensation as “essential”. What that endorsement means is that the Ben Nicky-brand of trance is crucial to not just a good night out but also to the canon of trance itself. Get lost in space with him. canvasvenue.sg

WE THE CITIZENS FEST

TUESDAY AUGUST 9 AT ZOUK Musically speaking, the best way to celebrate SG51 is to behold some of our best homegrown acts standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the some of the world’s finest. That’s why Charlie Lim, Zushan and Lincey will join the likes of Mark Ronson, Ta-ku, Sam Feldt and Hayden James this night. zoukclub.com.sg

SATURDAY AUGUST 27 AT KYO With releases on Tiga’s Turbo recordings and Steve Lawler’s Viva Music, and festival stints that have seen him share the decks with Richie Hawtin, Loco Dice and Seth Troxler, this stalwart is one of Southeast Asia’s most esteemed tech-house envoys.

Save the date if you’re looking for cerebral dance music. clubkyo.com

VELVET UNDERGROUND X MOONBEATS ASIA PRESENT THE DEEP END WITH SAN HOLO

SATURDAY AUGUST 27 AT KYO Future bass is all the rage now but over and above it all stands for this Dutch wiz. His climb to the upper echelons of the game is evident in his trove of original music and remixes for the likes of OutKast, Dr. Dre and Porter Robinson. Bring your dancing shoes. zoukclub.com.sg

music

Text Indran P Images Various Sources

048

PANIC! AT THE DISCO – LIVE IN SINGAPORE

SATURDAY AUGUST 5 AT BLU JAZ CAFE Calling your party “Good Times” is a tricky proposition. But for eight glorious years, the monthly party series has been more than living up to its christening. To celebrate this, they’ve enlisted legendary MC Homeboy Sandman to grace the proceedings and take the good vibes skyward. Darker Than Wax, Syndicate and Matteblacc will also be repping. gtxhomeboy.peatix.com

feature

PARTY OF

Text Aaron Kok, Indran P & Trent Davis Images Various Sources

51 BIRTHDAYS ARE OFTEN A TIME OF MERRYMAKING, HIGH SPIRITS AND TAKING STOCK OF ALL THAT’S GOOD. SO AS SINGAPORE BLOWS OUT 51 CANDLES ON HER CAKE THIS YEAR, WE THOUGHT IT A RIPE MOMENT TO SPEND SOME TIME LOOKING AT THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS WHO HAVE – IN THEIR OWN INDELIBLE WAYS – IMPACTED THE SCENE. FROM MULTI-HYPHENATE CROONERS TO THE DJS WHO’VE MADE MANY OF OUR NIGHTS MEMORABLE; FROM THE FASHIONABLE MINDS THAT HAVE SPURNED CHIC OFFERINGS TO THE NAMES THAT HAVE COLOURED YOUR LIFE WITH ART, CURIOSITIES AND A GOOD TIPPLE; THESE 51 PEOPLE HAVE PROVEN THAT THERE’S MUCH TO BUZZ ABOUT IN THE LOCAL CLIMATE OF CREATIVITY. HERE’S TO THEM, AND HERE’S TO SINGAPORE.

049

feature

NELSON YAP CO-FOUNDER, BENJAMIN BARKER

Yap’s story is testament that through sheer hard work, astute branding and determination, no odds are unconquerable. Going from a heavily indebted family business into a stronghold in the menswear scene with 11 stores both here and Melbourne – including The Assembly Store, a multi-label boutique – is no easy feat. Yet, Benjamin Barker’s high quality and easy-to-match menswear staples lend themselves to the everyman who wants to spiffy up his look. From smart shirts that are sized for Asians to a custom tailoring option that allows greater personalisation, Yap’s entrepreneurial spirit and tenacity is admirable, if not one that many can take bearing from.

050

T N A U G I R INT DJ-PRODUCER

sic’s most impactful Storytelling is one of mu ll ing that Louis Quek is we powers. This is someth s, ate’s most exciting envoy aware of. One of Syndic a well of pulsatingly the DJ and producer is After his interest in es. dynamic beats and textur was piqued by the 2007 making his own music y, Scratch, he began a turntablism documentar ords that subsequently love affair with vinyl rec rld of production. While led him to explore the wo s unsubtle maximalism, the world hurtles toward s h the softer, but no les Quek’s interests lie wit To sonic possibilities. interesting, unexplored e has been one of our date, his debut EP Ellips to disappear into. favourite pieces of music

feature

AMANDA KEISHA ANG DJ/MUSICIAN

EDM and bro-culture have had the dance world in a headlock for a while. But that doesn’t mean a few brave forces haven’t been able to break out on their own and enrich the world around them. Amanda Keisha Ang is one of them. In 2013, during her stint at the all-girl DJ boot camp FFF, she formed ATTAGIRL! with compatriots Serene-Rene Ong and Syaheedah Iskandar. The girls-only collective/ party-throwing entity has since dedicated itself to challenging the narrative of female DJs playing brofriendly EDM while having champagne poured down their throats. Any ATTAGIRL! party is one where a spectrum-defying array of sounds takes hold amidst a backdrop of girl power – and that is a wonderful, beautiful thing.

051

feature

BRENDON P RESIDENT DJ, CE LA VI

Thirty years is a long time, but no Long Service awards or tributes can do justice to the length and breath of Brendon P’s party-shaking greatness. House, tech-house, nu disco, electronica, funk, soul and jazz are amongst the means through which he has burned a name for himself at home and abroad. Before he become one of CÉ LA VI Singapore’s beloved residents, he was informing the sounds of being transmitted from the Funhouse, Paradise Garage and Area, with his own sensibilities, on reputed labels like Los Grandes, Love International Records and In The Woods. Besides his work, he’s also a mentor to scores of younger musicians seeking to make their noise heard.

052

S I V A R T S NICOLA OF SKIN FOUNDER, ALLIES

ly nce of courage to not on It takes more than an ou ing blem, but also do someth become aware of a pro s as s Travis, the problem wa to change it. For Nicola nest pes to offer you – disho clear as the skin he ho rities, r than cash in on insecu skincare regimes. Rathe tion other way with the forma Travis sought to go the ore-born skincare range of Allies Of Skin, a Singap fusing e of the untruths and con seeking to clear up som uty monplace in the bea terminology that are com ance skin repair and mainten market. Starting with a seen s y from scratch, Travis ha mask made labouriousl a h ncare line blossom wit his dream of having a ski ct du m – formulating each pro small and passionate tea ir the rs can feel confident in with care so everyday use s. own skin, minus the fus

feature

M A I H C A H NATAS

NT SOCIETY OKIE CO. & THE PI CO & M EA CR E FOUNDER, IC am to satiate a simple ice cre What started as a hobby centre of ha Chiam being at the craving has led to Natas B and th no background in F& her very own empire. Wi es at a king ice-cream sandwich humble beginnings ma year30short four years ago, the farmer’s market only a not of r s is now the proud owne old queen of cold sweet te spi dessert businesses. De one, but two full-blown of ice et the growing demand working furiously to me ng things iam’s insistence on doi cream-loving locals, Ch ch ensured an artisanal tou the handmade way has al loc h able desserts. But wit graces all of her delect to up d Mmerci Encore lining artisans like Carrie K. an t gh mi inspiring flavours, Chiam collaborate on new and . nd ha in to kick back with a pint finally have the chance

053

WONG Y ING MI CHEN A NG, COL ND IRW IN IN LIM

FOUNDERS, TH E GENE

RAL CO. In a country th at sees more ch anges in a mon than others m th ight see in a ye ar, the though of losing hand t made artisansh ip to massmanufactured methods is on e that frighten this very real po s. It is ssibility that dr ives the trio be The General Co hind . to preserve cr aftsmanship an promote local d creatives who adopt tradition techniques. A al labour of love between its enterprising fo unders, the de sign studio ag serves as a pl ency atform for crea tive profession to showcase th als eir skills in va rious worksho from letterpre ps, ss printing an d woodwork to crafting and ev leather en whisky appr eciation. While sharing the st also ories of local cr aftsmen in the space, The Gen online eral Co.’s mis sion of safegu handmade tech arding niques means the ways of ol d will always have a fighting chance .

feature

KO FLOW DJ-PRODUCE R

That British house legen d Steve Law Ko Flow as ler has haile “brilliant” is d n’t the reas should honou on why you r him. Rath er , it’s for the has consist fact that he ently and lo ngstandingl to the next le y taken thin vel – both lo gs cally and in that you shou ternationally ld celebrate – the man an Born Wayne d his music.

Liu, Ko Flow em barked on a and turntabl hip-hop ism journey that saw him Runner Up emerge 1st at the Singa pore DMC Te DJ Champion chnics World ships, 2002.

The followin he went on g year, to win the co veted title of DMC Cham Singapore pion, where he proceede the fabled B d to battle at rixton Acade my, with over champions.

40 world Since then, he’s played gawds such alongside as Missy Ell iott, Nas an Tip your hat d Kanye Wes the next tim t. e you’re at h is hip-hop night, Solid Gold at Zou k.

054

feature

I R A J A F N A W Z I FAR OR ILLUSTRAT

atomy by distorted an style marked e iv at wan tr riz us Fa ill With an nihilism, of futility and es em e th ar g ks in and runn white wor tly black-andan in om ps ed pr ee s Fajari’ danity that cr the bleak mun y in a reminder of t always sunn and that it’s no e, lif mic ay co yd t’s er into ev sual artis Cryptic, the vi k ea Sp ct As ne e. on Singapor cts the disc aesthetic depi ed nc of its t ue en nfl im -i book the sent narrative and l na tio ing in na e am th ex le also between sy honesty, whi ea un n. io an ct ith pe w os people ning intr ing with discer p be ou of e gr at th st bo n his ow world in try around the tis ar l s na hi io at ng si Showca g the transn tions – includin in and solo exhibi Inside Out and se, Singapore: ca ge ow sa sh es g m lin s travel re – Fajari’ na delle Zatte ci . ry ffi O ta ’s ni ly sa Ita d , Venice e safe an respite from th ed ed ne huc is a m

055

EUGENIA YIP FRONTWOMAN, RIOT! IN MAGENTA AND THE STEVE MCQU EENS

Who doesn’t love charismatic sing ers? Who doesn’t love magnetic, infinitely talented cent res of attention that animate stages and eardrum s? Eugenia Yip is one such chanteuse who can claim this default response. As the frontwoman of two bands, the ‘neo-vintage souljazz’ group, The Steve McQueens, and the electro-pop outfit, Riot! In Magenta, she elevates their disparate stylings with her dynamic range. She can go from honeyed coo to torch-song howl to jazz freakout with an effortles sness that is spectacular to behold. Watching her live is to see a vastly talented performer plumb the depths of her talent and surface with gifts of pow er and mastery for her audience. The treasure trov e of local music is richer for her existence.

feature

JAIME LEE FOUNDER, THE PAPER BUNNY

Affectionately dubbed the “Flatlay Queen” by one of Australia’s most influential fashion and beauty writers, Nicole Warne AKA Gary Pepper Girl, Jaime Lee has a lot more going for her than her knack for photographing neat (and flawlessly un-neat) square arrangements. As with many lawyers nowadays, Lee left the legal life after discovering her passion for graphic design when asked to make stationery for a friend’s wedding. Fuelled by a love for creating items that grabbed the attention of everyday people, Lee’s foundation of her own stationery brand, The Paper Bunny, puts a photogenic aesthetic on mundane office goods. Driven by a positivity that propelled her entrepreneurial efforts to Insta-sensation, the inspirational quotes on her wares may drive their owners to follow their own subdued dreams.

056

A R T U P N A M Z I R NCE ARTIST PERFORMA

Tiramisu and die rock outfit in of A, an tm on As the fr ce-art duo, NAD ts-performan ee e -m ac ic rf us su m e scratch th one-half of al efforts only ic us d m an s a’ ng tr lo Rizman Pu rsonas. With a ious artistic pe theatre, , ic us m of his multifar ng ney spanni ur jo tic tal tis ar an instrumen illustrious Putra has been t, ar , ce on an si m es s of expr and perfor rimental form pe ex ing in or e pl rc fo ex driving forts in ards for his ef aw s ur ou Yo er ll m Ki nu e accepting t collectiv er of the artis nd ou ke -f Ca Co . ny ct pa the abstra eatre com ate artist of th ci so in as le d ab an is Television is most recogn uctions, Putra ADA, Theatrical Prod pearance in N astly white ap gh s hi the r to fo s 0s ar om the ’6 recent ye pop sounds fr ay al M and g ts tin en uc deconstr ed movem em into frenzi th g in at sl an tr e. ’80s and sonic experienc a vibrantly new

feature

JOSIAH CHU A FASHION DESIGN

ER Of all the fa ns that flock to Josiah C stopping p hua for sho ieces, perh waps the mo name wou st recognis ld be Lady a b le Gaga. While a Tokyo-ba browsing a sed store, t Dog, the Mother up a jacket M onster pick from Chua ed ’s eponymo own keepin us label fo g. Yet, desp r h er ite having su boasting ri ch an estee ght to his cr m ed edit, Chua’s surprisingly work is stil underrated l . Having st College of udied at LA the Arts, C SALLE hua’s unap eye-poppin ologetic use g colours, of e xaggerated quirky emb silhouettes ellishment a nd tr anscend in as crazy as to pieces th they get. B a t are le nding his lo street fash ve for Japa ion with po n e se p culture refe platform b rences (thin oots with a k ja cket covere plush toys), d in Pokém the Singap on ore-based designer p striking ap roduces parel that is certainly n ot for the faint of heart.

057

feature

, N A T S IO R TE S A N O M A L IE N DA NATHANAEL NG AND SHAF AMIS’AABUDIN FOUNDERS & DESIGNERS, MASH-UP

058

trends and Chick flicks, breakfast grub, digital can’t be that ing noth e’s ther – tribal influences of this lens the ugh thro ed made fun when pass an and gn desi to oach appr eat trio. With an offb that es renc refe from gold il ability to spin reta team has border on so-cheesy-it’s-good, the produce to sm ciali mer com d consistently defie of view. t poin ng stro a ent pres collections that may seem While on the surface, their pieces prove their rs gne desi the lity, like harmless frivo of what’s mettle by latching onto the zeitgeist s. For pen hap even it re befo dy considered tren way ’90s the of rn retu the d example, they calle l iona rnat inte the on g thin a before it was even became a norm runways. And before social media found the fartrio the se, hou for every fashion Facebook, and and m agra Inst of reaching powers their word. ad spre to way her turned it into anot

N E H C U DR

LEADER ITER, BAND R W G N O -S SINGER Soul g set at Getai

in ru Chen’s clos ple If you caught D received a sam ve ha d u’ yo , ar ye is th -o earlier fer: funked ut man has to of g un yo is th t of wha itar lines that & roll, and gu ck ro ut -o ed zz doubter of soul, ja and verve. Any ur lo co ith w scream alth should music’s pink he re po ga in -S In Madeout. Informed checking Chen by es lv se em Brown, he has check th der and James on W ie e ev St ,

by Prince rformer with th e-blending pe nr ge r, a ita as gu d emerge owess on to boot. His pr ty si uo s rt hi vi d d an moves an r for hits testify to his ea rd oa yb ve ke ra d e bass an oove. From th voluptuous gr way around a r Room to the ts at the Powde gh ni s ’s hi to se respon It Babe”, Chen s like “You Got ng so of n io at eam. penetr full, soulful st coming at you

feature

N A T N E R KA

JECTOR R, THE PRO E D N U O -F O C the digital es further into

as rtainment mov in which cinem As filmic ente ti-pirating ads an sy g ee in ch m e co space, thos the past are be n out as relics of are spoken ab le like Karen Ta as long as peop ut te B . da ity a al g re in l of mak closer to out it, the ritua ab y n sa de ol to G e ng recting th have anythi to stay. Resur re he , is cy ie en ov m to catch a her creative ag e assistance of sion Theatre with th efforts, Tan’s vi crowd-funding d an to , e ts m ec ca oj t theatre Pocket Pr into the defunc e lif w ith w ne – g e in wid of breath m buffs island e delight of fil old-school ng ni ai fruition – to th et R Projector. e Th ys ed am -n the newly rows back to da format that th o tr re die a in d h an es fr furniture haven for e cinema is a th r, , ou es nd ex le pl sp ne B-movie before ci als that span iv st fe . m cs fil si d as features an s and cult cl documentarie groundbreaking

059

VICTORIA WOON TATTOO ARTIST

os in Singapore, Despite a growing acceptance of tatto d skin. A quick many still grimace at the sight of inke m feed browse of Victoria Woon’s Instagra sical whim tle, gen als reve , ever how (@hellotako) needle-shy jotting tattoos that’d have even the most the fundamentals down design ideas. Having studied ons School of of illustration abroad at NYC’s Pars d at the age-old Design, Woon returned to try her han h-sought inscriber art form, quickly becoming a muc able animals of permanent inspiration. From ador illustrations that and minimalist geometry to intricate paper, Woon’s mimic the aesthetic of charcoal on in numerous ‘Best unique style has earned her a spot the gun. Kudos Tattooists’ lists in her short time with e days – this if you can score an appointment thes lady’s in high demand.

feature

AAMIR GHANI, M ING TAN AND ANDREI SOE N FOUNDERS, PARK BENCH DELI

While many of Si ngapore’s restau rateurs are concerned abou t scoring Miche lin stars, this trio spends thei r energy concei ving the best darned sandwich es money can bu y. Born out of a casual chat about the mem ories of hearty American sand wiches, the thre e quickly stacke up their stomac d h-growling insp iration by testin a small numbe g r of sandwiches at various popup markets. A ye ar later, they ar e serving up an entire menu of mouthwatering sandwiches that are simple, mes sy, and unasha medly decadent in their brick-an d-mortar store on Telok Ayer Street. With a ke en understandin g of the bread-to-filling ratio and contin ually developing new menu item s that are inspire d by not only American cuisin e, but also sand wiches from around the regi on, there’s truth in the saying that “three’s a ch arm”.

060

A U H C H C N I RITER SINGER-SONGW

the very tender age of 14, From attending gigs at ivist ng solo to being an act to being in bands to goi ’s Singapore music, Chua and advocate of Made in of y tor his the h wit tiguous musical journey is con when she fronted emo 16, At lf. itse sic local mu n y, there was barely eve outfit Auburn’s Epiphan e saf a d fin to ds ban a viable underground for s the widely-ravedwa she e tim the By haven in. outfit, Allura, young about singer in alt-rock el of visibility that didn’t musicians received a lev o with a lovely clutch of sol exist before. And now, ne, name, she, like the sce albums and EPs to her ways. Give it up for has matured in incredible xing melody-maker.

Singapore’s most transfi

feature

E E W E I SOPH

CEPTS DITION CON E D E IT IM L E, G EXECUTIV uge, Kyo or MARKETIN d about at Ref

out an If you’ve been you might’ve very high that e ar s ce an ch Terra, erything runs suring that ev en ee W ie ph seen So how vital she affirm enough t n’ ca e W ly. smooth y successful night out. Ever od go a se ng yi jo is to en e person who ent has that on hm is e. bl ta nc es re nightlife l the diffe sness make al ou ul ic et e m th d savvy an frontlines of at to be at the It’s no small fe e or anywhere ry in Singapor st du in t en nm a resolve and entertai out her job with ab es go ee W rowing parties else, and hether she’s th W n. ow r he l ell and good verve al to it that all’s w ng ei se or e ug at Ref ngapore has a is proof that Si ce en es pr r he ade. at Kyo, at is truly ‘A’ gr club culture th

061

feature

KANE TAN AND SVEN TAN FOUNDE RS & DE SIGNERS , IN GOO While h D COMPA aving a brick-an NY a dream d-

mortar for mos store is celebra t design but ted the e r s, the d opening uo rece flagship of their n tly at ION O sprawli ng 3,300 rchard – draw of sqft the unc a testam omplica ent to th separate ted froc e s that fi ks and fe ll their r on effor minine acks. P tless dr lacing a e s s ing, the and colo n emph asis duo’s ey ur have e for de turned o enough tail, fit ut a style to be wo that’s ve retain a rn to va rsatile rious oc look tha c t asions, is signatu from wo yet re to IGC menswe ’s core. ar, they architec A also dab part tural an ble in a d quirky range o line of necklac f fun an es, as w d afford ell as a able pie ces cate for youn red g girls.

062

A R D N A H C E I F O S APORE ZOUK SING , S T N E V E & ARKETING mples in the HEAD OF M ost hallowed te

the m where many Zouk is one of so the one club al is uk Zo . ld musically. dance wor ically and nonus m – at up of us grew has tirelessly cade, Chandra de st pa e th ere for future And over Zouk will be th at th re su en lovers. Even worked to ds and danceki ub cl of ns generatio an actual (and ” tag became er nc ue nfl “i e the rhythms before th was influencing e sh n, tio ca viable) vo scenes and fe, behind the tli gh ni e or ap of Sing know that the s comforting to It’ . re , nt ce dfront-an e creative team r managing th fo e bl si d on an sp igns person re keting campa etary and mar meone so – us handling budg of e , is also on uk Zo of ce fa being the knows how to end. And she e th l til k’ ou who’s ‘Z throw a party!

feature

DAWN NG

VISUAL Few arti ARTIST sts have d ropped as Daw a s many n Ng ha jaws ove s. Cons and disc istently r the ye overing thinking ars new wa artistic o u t y o s f the bo vision s to push x pans a n the enve each wit umber o lope, Ng h theme f ’s differen s of both to her h t mediu connecti ome an ms – on and d surrou for her d isconne n d elabora in g ction s .

Making te pape Paper G headlin r plane et High e s in s tallation Like Pla installa I Fly Lik nes and tion Wa e th lt e travell er – a g made s iant infl ing pop urprise a u ta p b a le white ppearan warning rabbit th ces acro or perm a s t s the isla ission – Ng was nd with showca willing to o u s t e d the le go to m While h ngths th ake an im er most at notable pact wit approac w h her ar o r k s h, her s to t. o k a bigger mall-sc artifacts -is-bett ale pho just as d er to insta eftly gra llations b the fle and e ting atte today’s audienc ntion of es.

063

feature

ANDREW LOH AND KENNY LIM FOUNDERS & DESIG NERS, DEPRESSION

064

Mention the brand Depre ssion, and immediately, one recon ciles the homegrown label to a specific menta l image – where typica l fashion items get an aty pical makeover through unexpected cuts, fascin ating textures and a penchant of subversively dark prints. From outgrowing their little sho p space in Far East Plaza to now owning a lofty brand boutique an d a multi-label store – the cheekily-named Sects Shop – Loh and Lim ha ve worked hard to carve out an identity that fills a market niche, while keeping it relatively aff ordable and relevant to local consumers. Foc using on producing standout streetwear tha t wouldn’t look out of place being worn in a coven, the duo constantly finds new wa ys to push boundaries and challen ge the norms of fashion.

feature

M I L N O T AN PHER PHOTOGRA

t Instagram that has swep re ltu cu t’ as of sneaker The ‘hype be edented bytes ec pr un in ed ed through has culminat oration captur ad l re pa ap d hashtags to worship an ill through the m y an m le hi nd, few have the lens. W ts off the grou un co er w llo reet fashion get their fo turning their st in ul sf es cc Anton Lim. been as su full-time gig as a to in y bb ho ellowedhigh, photography m handle, @m ra ag st In s hi visuals have Known by ’s mood-driven er ph ra og ot e the aesthetic the young ph globe to shap e th nd ou ar ls, while also seen him fly streetwear labe t es gg bi ’s ld oach the look for the wor or players appr aj m ay w d e th y has spawne redefining hile his journe W . ns ’s ig m pa Li m tdreams, of their ca similar #stree ith w rs it, to of ita t fron countless im rather than in nd the camera, aft. cr s hi to presence behi his dedication is testament of

065

.GIF MUSICIAN

S The indie -tronic p ath is very terrain. T well-trod hat mean musical s that tho numbers s e who mak sounds a e by-there destin up by the ed to be numbers swallowe .

T h is d duo of W is someth eish and ing that th Din does about. W e n’t have to hat their worry meeting in is a da of minds rkly alluri has resu ng strain quivers w lted of electro ith longin nica that g and en impressio chantme nistic bea nt. Over D ts and pu in’s Weish’s a llulating ching coo s oundsca has prov beauty. W p es, en to be ithin the a thing o walls of a the storie f pair of he s they tell adphone resonate sense of s, compellin drama all gly with a their own soma is n . Their 20 ot just a 15 album coup for them, bu t a feat fo of Singap r all ore.

feature

SARA WEE

SINGER-SON GWRITER, FR ONTWOMAN OF 53A In these

hyperactive times, we ex to be ubiquit pect public ous, multi-h figures atted social But way befo feed-occupi re this beca ers. me an adm norm, Sara ittedly bizarr Wee already e had her han endeavours ds in multip . As a respec le te d yogi, a degr Jazz, a men ee-holder in tor with Tim bre Music A frontwoman cademy and of one of ou the r nation’s m bands, Wee ore soughtis living proo af ter f th at hard wor Besides hel k opens door ming the ba s. n d’ s stints at liv Timbre @ Th e bastions e Substation an d Hive by W has her nam ala Wala, W e in the ann ee als of Singa this year’s N pore history ational Day w it h so n g. bears all th “Tomorrow’s e ingredients Here Today” of a 53A-furnish catchy hooks ed good tim , lyrical uplift e: and Wee’s su n-kissed ch irp.

066

A U H C PETER

NG STREET 28 HONGKO , R E D N E T BAR rge in has seen a su

ixology scene ents Singapore’s m n of annual ev the introductio of ra ho et pl popularity with a and Cocktail Week So, . nd la is like Singapore e up around th g in pp po rs that we’re speciality ba t time, we know or sh y el tiv la of Peter Chua in such a re hen the likes w l ia ec sp ng nders, while onto somethi ’s Top 6 Barte ld or W e th to way up the makes it in . Working his 30 of e ag e th g Kong Street still under der of 28 Hon en rt ba ad he Singapore ladder from of 2014 for both er nd te ar B s on, Chua has to World Clas ast Asian regi he ut So e tir formula for and the en concocting his in s ut tc or sh at creating taken no to be both good w ho ng ni ar eat host to its success. Le acting as a gr d an ils ta ck storm each unique co an mixes up a tis ar g un yo e drinkers, th to the test. time he is put

feature

G N O H Z LEROY RAND R, HYPERG CO-FOUNDE s in his k of a man lie

the mar They say that doing plenty of way, Zhong is at th In . ity al punctu g them on the vour by keepin fa a e er le th t ou chaps d customisab of watches an e lin s hi ch ith at w minute l of classic w With an arsena watch straps. worn on your just as smart ok lo at th s gn desi , Hypergrand Sunday brunch or g tin ee m a wrist at l audience in an internationa g in in ga y dl pi is ra . Focused on and Hong Kong pe ro Eu on , lia ra Aust that can take watch design e pl m si p, a ra g st in O deliver t a NAT by switching ou s ge an ch ch s ea es limitl to ensure that ose attention list Zhong pays cl ts a stringent his brand mee by ed . uc ity al od pr qu ticker e-tested . Talk about tim ts en m ire qu of re

067

KIAT

DJ-PRODUCE R, CO-FOUNDER OF SYNDICAT Give it up fo E r

one of the ti tans of the sc ‘Towering fi ene. gures’ alway s come with host of supe a whole rlatives, but we won’t do Instead, we that here. invite you to think about you’ve listen all the times ed to a Syndi cate release a Syndicate or attended live show. Th at deeply m endless expl ystical and orable aesth etic that allo lost in your ws you to ge own head is t something made availa that Kiat has ble to us, on a national leve international l and on an scale. Break ing glass ce bass, he’s pa ilings with ved the way for younger who can cou musicians nt his label as their son safe haven. ic home and And he’s still making mu new album sic. Peep his Ataraxia for a head-trip from which you’ll never want to retu rn.

feature

ERIC FOENANDER ILLUSTRATOR

An avid illustrator and aspiring artis t from the age of three, Eric Foenan der AKA The Town Jeweller (and countless other nic knames) has want ed little to do with anything that doesn’t involve let tin g his creativity run wild with the flick of a pen. Whil e th e artist has tried his hand at a number of differ en t sty les and mediums over th e years – includin g a pa rti cularly memorable colla borative sculptur e of a melting Superman with St eve Lawler AKA M ojoko – there’s a good chance you’ ve witnessed the ar tist’s handiwork without even reali sing it. As the lon gtime artwork designer for Blu Jaz Café’s Good Tim es posters, Foenander’s com mitment to creatin g striking visuals, often with a healt hy dose of humou r, has put him in the upper echelon s of Singapore’s ar ts, music and nightlife scenes.

068

M I L Y E LYNS HEROES HANDMADE FOUNDER, into for DIY beauty

enthusiasm Fostering her ral, handmade to create natu rt fo ef d se cu a fo nk, Lynsey Lim n’t break the ba do at s th ts uc prod tally consciou t of environmen on fr s. re fo oe e er th H is at Handmade ad honcho of he e d, th an as tic ty beau , synthe , preservativenbe , ra ts pa uc g in od Provid lty-free pr portantly, crue im t g os tin m lif s in ap perh interested #girlboss is as ty the self-made from your beau ilty conscience gu a e. lif of of en rd ks the bu for all wal g it affordable in ak e m ng as ra a en regim ectrum with tire beauty sp bs, Covering the en cluding lip scru – essentials in ly nd ers ie ov fr m nre ga of ve en makeup masks and ev re ce fa su , is os ts po sham l produc ing only natura us on th s bo cu fo ce oi ’s – Lim natural ch ucts become a to see her prod ad. ro locally and ab

feature

MYRNE DJ-PRODUCER

call Diplo their boss – No other local musician can sed by his handiwork – except Manfred Lim. Impres , pop and club-friendly a kaleidoscopic blend of r&b f of Jack Ü signed dance styles – the blonde hal el, Mad Decent.

Lim to his hugely popular lab t it’s easy to see why But such is Lim’s vision tha be all and end all.

Diplo’s endorsement isn’t the young gun (he’s 21) On his debut EP Softsins, the future bass with an chimes in on electropop and nlocking, unpredictably uncanny brilliance. Limb-u his game, and though kinetic music is the name of raised the bar for he’s just getting started, he’s Don’t be surprised future-looking dance music. international festival if he shakes the stage at an anytime soon.

069

feature

SAMUEL WON G FOUNDE R

& DESIG The com NER, EV mon mis ENODD c onceptio the guys n about usually g fashion is et the bo That’s no that ring end t the cas of the sti e w hen it co at Eveno c k. mes to W dd. Sinc e his firs ong’s wo Wong ap t rk c ollection proache back in 2 s his des minimali 0 11 ig , ns with a st shape balance s with co Whether of mplicate it’s a cut, d construc the use his penc tion. of colour hant for or a prin introduc into his d t, in or g unexpec esigns, W ted fabric ong prov he is able s e s time and to distill again th his wildly with com a t imagina merciall tive desig y friendly means is n s e xecution that you . What th can look suit in a is forward specially to a well develope trousers fi tt ed d that are print, or given an shirts an unexpec d of seam ted twist lines or by way embellis hments.

070

feature

KAGE AND KENG HOW CHONG FOUNDERS & DESIGNERS, BIRO

There’s no sibling rivalry to be found here .

Instead, the Chong brothers are quietly making waves with their unwavering commitm ent to produce casualwear without scrimping on fabric and production quality. Born out of frustration for not being able to find wellmade clothing in Singapore, they started their brand with a focus on allowing the products to speak for themselves. With fabric milled in Japa n in smaller quantities – which in turn retai ns manufacturing imperfections that imbu e the pieces with a uniqueness – the brothers choose to forgo seasonal collections in favour of a drop every few months, giving them the brea thing space to focus on developing pieces that will go the distance.

071

BEN QWEK ILLUSTRATOR

When it comes to creating art that tru ly pops, there’s perhaps no one better suited to the task than Ben Qwek . A master of perspe cti ve and illusion for his 3-D anamorphic flo or ar t that can turn any m undane surface int o an otherworldly optic al trick, Qwek’s en gaging brand of artistry ha s seen requests to transform spaces for everyone from A Bathing Ape and Microsoft to the WTA Finals.

While his 3-D works have earned him praise from mesmerised pass ersby, Qwek is no less adept in the world of 2-D illustration – immor talising milestone momen ts in Singapore’s his tory with his unique illu strative style, includ ing the visuals for Singa pore Memory Proje ct’s ‘Past Forward’ show case and redesignin g the kopitiam icon of Gu inness Foreign Extra Stout’s ‘Red-Tongued Dog’.

feature

Y A H S A G G I SH RAPPER

One of the most interesting and timely nal developments to take hold of our natio City Lion of ce rgen eme the been has consciousness ’d ever be hip-hop. Who would’ve thought that there ent of a time when the most transcendental elem le amongst black culture would also be widely visib k ShiGGa than to have you this, for our own? And going and hard g goin for Shen Jin Shay AKA Pek the fact big. The polarity of his appeal stems from One of s. song just not ts, men state es that he mak ersations the reasons he’s inextricable from conv e his mark mad he’s use beca is arts about the local . From iums med and orms platf of ty across a varie 3688, Tan’s ton Roys in role ing starr “Limpeh” to his he’s repped Singapore loudly and proudly.

072

G N E F N U BOO J ILMMAKER DIRECTOR/F r work at to show you

invited ge for a onour to be rarer privile It’s a rare h , and an even l va name – ti is es h F hment to is pl Cannes Film m co ac ure films to put this only two feat h it Singaporean w er re ional rly in his ca ade internat twice. Still ea nfeng has m Ju hich oo w B , , lt ce Apprenti under his be nd feature, co ith se w l is h ve r le e national headlines fo issues at th ent. m al h et is ci n so capital pu examines of ce ti ac pr n–a ingapore’s egard’ sectio regards to S n Certain R ‘U e orks – th w e in iv Screened d innovat an g n ri da r r view that served fo category re e the popula it sp de , at gapore’s strates th asteland, Sin Boo demon w ve ti ea cr ing dot is a pable of push the little red ore than ca m e s ar rn s ce er n nal co filmmak inging natio br d ce. an en es di ri au bounda ational to an intern er rd bo e th beyond

feature

G N A Y A I LYD OR ILLUSTRAT

be week and it’d ngapore for a Si nd ou ar w r Wande least a fe of umble upon at st to t & no le ib imposs many as Oak ions. Known to at tr us ill iv ’s ct ng tive colle e, Lydia Ya ber of the crea em m re ful co a d Bindi an h strokes, play ng’s bold brus Ya n, ng re hi ild tc ca Ch Tell Your s and eyep culture icon po of ns ’s tio nd ta la reinterpre ughout the is n be seen thro ards typography ca ravitating tow restaurants. G d an the s fe en ca t cooles environm t, e her tropical nc re fe d re te at ot th sp as easily elements isable style is gn co L! re IR G t’s TA tis e the AT young ar ential outfits lik flu in of n s io ad sh re on the th eakers of fa ell as on the sn ld collective, as w challenge wou re Tiger. The al a uk d. ts ni re O ue er nq forerunn already co at Yang hasn’t th ot sp a ng be findi

073

feature

ANTOINETTE WONG AND STANLEY TAN FOUNDERS, THE LITTLE

DROM STOR Driven by a E drom (that’ s S wedish for inspiring cu “dream”) to riosities an house d charming both prom knick-knack ote and insp s that ir e art and desi and Antoin ette Wong’s gn, Stanley Ta T h n e Little Dro eclectic se m Store off lection of to e rs ys a , n stationery that make and knick-k their visito n a rs ck fe s el like they’ back in tim ve taken a e. Both gra trip phic design for bookma ers with a rking items p e n ch th ant a t inspire the a desire to m – couple shake up th d w e ith sh alternative opping-ma products th ll milieu w it a h t e n and Wong gage their went from observers curating ite – Tan designers ms from in to collabora dependent ti n g w of kitschy k ith local art eepsakes. ists on a ra That includ nge in-cheek, u es a series ndeniably S of tonguein gaporean b encapsulate rooches th local ingen at uity and stir a sense of pride.

074

VANESSA FERNANDEZ

SINGER-SONGWRITER, ASST. PROGRAMME DIR ECTOR, LUSH 99.5FM

Overuse has blun ted the impact of the term ‘soul sis but take our word ter’, for it when we sa y Vanessa Fernan puts the soul in th dez at descriptor. Her years as a vocalis two of Singapore’s t in most renowned hip -hop bands, Urba Xchange and Park n ing Lot Pimp, have cemented her position in Singap ore as an icon an d guardian of local music. And lately , she’s been very busy. Besides Oc the experimental tover, r&b outfit with pr oducer Jason Tan, she’s released m usic under her so lo guise Vandetta unplugged album , an of soul and r&b cla ssics from the ’70 and ’80s titled Us s e Me, and an album of Led Zeppelin covers aptly chris tened When The Levee Breaks. Sh e’s the proof that hom e is where the so ul is.

feature

BRANDON TAY AUDIO-VISU AL/MOTIO

N DESIGNER From warping the walls of Zouk as an in member of strumental audio-visual collective SYN redecorating DICATE to the facades of HDBs with Brandon Tay optical illusio sees every en ns, vironmental as a potentia surrounding l canvas. Con tinually push of creativity ing the limits and technolo gy, Tay’s surr made their w eal visions ha ay onto stag ve es for the lik New York Fa es of Skrillex shion Week, an d as well as re viewers into cently turnin artworks them g selves as pa multimedia rt of a fluid installation at the Singa Whether he pore River Fe focuses on pr stival. ojection map graphics, in ping, motion teractive soft w are or sculpt of-the-box pe ure, Tay’s ou rspective br tings a lauded measure of absurdity an d humour to the local arts scene.

075

ADRIAN WEE DJ

More than 10 year s ago, Adrian Wee had a stroke of genius: he’d sta rt a party series wh ere he’d beam music to th e dancefloor that wa sn ’t ‘dance’ in the typical sens e. That’s how Popt ar t wa s born.

Till today, Poptar t is a nothing-like -it experience where kinetic soun ds of all shades ar e given equal billing – and we’re lapping it all up. Ju st when dance music got pompous and chinstr ok ey, Wee swooped in with th e cure. Whether yo u lik e ’90s indie, Britpop or no ughties’ new wave , Wee has engineered Poptar t with a magnifice nt scale that you can rock out and/or bounce to .

Th ank him for making club cultu re in Singapore th at much more exciting, insane an d most of all, fun.

feature

GENTLE BONES SINGER-S

ONGWRITE As much R as an ind ie undergro scene, ha und is vita ving a vas l to any tly appeali just as im ng mains portant in tr e am is c reating a sounds, ta dynamic stes and b e tw een styles. As 22-year-o Gentle Bo ld singernes, songwrite of the fore r Joel Tan most stars is one of the loc all impac al scene. tful music A s with ia n s, his tale several e nt encom lements th p asses at make h recognisa im instan ble – and tl y m emorable soulfully emotive c . His earn ro e s o t, n is his be hits like “U st asset, ntil We D a ie n d ” a on nd “Save his spare Me”, it fu -but-melo s e d d ic w approach ith create ferv to the guit ently imp ar to assioned listeners e xperience that brou s for his ght them truly a Sin to their k gaporean nees. He’s son we co uldn’t be prouder o f.

076

feature

GODWIN P ECTOR, CO-FOUNDER/DIR CONCEPTS LIMITED EDITION

be grateful about nightlife Much of what we have to ork of Godwin P. As a in Singapore is the handiw r and DJ, Godwin has brand-owner, tastemake we have multiple parties seen to it that not only do nd, but that they are all to hit up any given weeke As the honcho of LEC, he respectively cutting-edge. ‘basement’ club Kyo, oversees the running of the the rooftop garden bar hip-hop venue Refuge, and of his has likewise been Terra. Each of these assets ters. Remember that a source of utter fun for pun techno demigod Surgeon one time when reclusive t and held court at Kyo? left his Birmingham hideou good times, thank this For this and many more fearless advocate.

077

AMANDA ENG MARKETIN GD

IRECTOR, N “Behind e AIISE very grea t m a n, there’s This prove a great w rb certain oman”. ly rings tr of Naiise’s ue in the founder, D c o n text e n nis Tay, a partner-in nd his wif -design, A e and m a vision to b nda Eng. With a sh ring beau ared tiful, afford oriented p able and roducts in designto everyon ventured e’s home into estab s, the pair li s h in g a multi-la destinatio bel e-com n that wo merce uld seek – but not to do exa without s ctly that o m e convincin reservatio g. With in ns about itial Singapore role as th an design e marketi in her ng directo Zalora Sin r of fashio gapore, E n e-tailer, ng quickly after seein changed g an overw her mind helming re her husba sponse, jo nd at Naii ining se and be design’s b coming o iggest ch ne of loca a m l p ions in m dreams o aking Tay’ f democra s ti c design a Where Ta reality. y has a w ill, Eng ha s a way.

feature

ZUSHAN RESIDENT DJ, ZO UK

Zouk, our alm ighty nightlife institution, ha responsible fo s been r so many grou nd br eaking develo in the tapestry pments of the local en tertainment sc Rather than m en e. erely holding do wn the fort for people, noctur the party nal thrill-seek ers and the m discerning, Zo usically uk is the fort.

An d besides its ro of long-serving ster residents, its youngblood is absolutely stun al so ning on the de cks. Enter Zush might have fe an. You lt his unshakab le handle on tr drum and bass ap and during his H.A .M . nights at Zouk know that his but talents also ex tend to other dance. A piano realms in prodigy as a ch ild, he was lure console by turn d to the tablism, which he picked up at then, he’s em 17 . Since braced house, techno, funk, and disco to unforgettably soundtrack yo ur nights.

078

M I L A S TERE

TRATOR TIST/ILLUS TEXTILE AR Lim’s nce of Teresa

ce y childlike inno ra The seemingl ve afforded he ks textile wor ha d an orks ns w r io at he tr illus rise that , so it’s no surp ce en her di ly au ar l ul sa ic univer ld – part around the wor s, ed rie ar se sh hy en ap be have hotogr oidery-meets-p , br m ee -e eh ts he ee ee -m et travel oniker of te m e th er nd U t. women Sew Wanderlus ions of young arming depict ch t ye online e pl id m nd si ca Lim’s ch as the oa pr ap st ne e ho ence, adopt the sam al media pres r blog and soci he of es in es m cl na ni g ro ch t also bi ly netizens, bu on t no arovski, g in Sw d at iv an capt Gucci, H&M g in ud cl in , sign a number fashion and de d her works at se ca ow sh g in . Hav n that her to name a few e’s no questio er th , on gi re e in th ations of exhibitions further destin r travelling to he e se ill . w w ks to in wor les and thread with her need

feature

LINYING

NGWRITER SINGER-SO s antennae, s a man who ha

tist? He’ which are “What is an ar to the currents up ok ho to w eat novelist who knows ho smos”, the gr co e th in e, er re in atmosph pt for his – we’ ce wrote. Exce ectly rf pe ds or Henry Miller on w sexism, his l na io nt te in g. Not only is assuming – un anteuse Linyin ch n w ro eg m so charmed describe ho locally, she’s al e rc fo ng ki ee ky Leaves” she a heat-s her single “Stic ith w , ld or w e chart. Such the rest of th ’s US Viral 50 ify ot Sp on 7 st that musicclinching #2 to global intere in s ad , ro in r r out and that have been he ard sounded he bo ill B h on ot m play media behe Sonic saw her on of Summer ith her w d An . ad this year’s editi r it, Radiohe fo t ai w , as y plant her flag the same da g, she’s set to in om lo 12 ris debut EP Pa ts. on more hear

079

PAUL KHOR FOUNDER, ACTU ALLY

It’s been exac tly a decade si nce Khor’s mul boutique, Actu ti-label ally, first open ed up to local shop in a quaint sp pers ace just off th e bustling stre Bugis. Bringing ets of in hard-to-find brands such as Palilo and Flea Daniel madonna, Actu al ly now resides prestigious lo in the cale of Orchard Road with a fla at orchardgat gship eway. Pushing lo cal designers forefront alon to the gside cult bran ds such as Fjal Kanken, Lazy lraven Oaf and Dr. Den im Jeans (three br that Actually ho ands lds exclusive di stribution right in Asia), Khor s to finds new way s to appeal to changing tast the everes of his grow in g customer base has also launch . Actually ed its own line of essentials, basic tops and in cluding pouches, that will undoubte favour in cust dly find omers who ne ed wardrobe fil lers for everyday use.

feature

CHARLIE LIM SINGER-SONG WRITER

Music histor y is filled with the exploits musicians w of dreamy hose work is co nducive for dr to. But spec eaming tral and star ry-eyed thou world may be gh his , Charlie Lim ’s charms ar more tangib e infinitely le than the st uff of dream are a numbe s. There r of reasons why the guita troubadour r-toting is a veritable sensation. B compelling ut th e most of these is th at he’s got an ability to pull uncanny from differen t sounds to se transformat rve up a ive and tran sp or tive experien his excellent ce. On double EP TI ME/SPACE, rock, and fo soul, pop, lk all get wov en into a narr ethereal and ative that’s earthy, as w el l as deeply in through it al viting. And l, his earnes t croon perm ea tes, like light on the horizon.

080

independent women

Text Aaron Kok Images Various Sources

081

While it’s not uncommon to liken the idea of womanhood to that of flowers, few come close to creating a captivating narrative like Dawn Bey. Titled ‘Acid Bloom’, the Fall/Winter 2016 collection explores the parallels between the orchid and the spirit of the urban female dweller. Like the flower’s ability to survive harsh elements, this tenacity is referenced through the use of tough fabrics – like holographic faux leather and plastic – on structural outerwear. Similarly, the fragility of the flower comes through in frothy layers of silk organza, which add a romantic softness to each look. Exploding into heady bursts of lively colours, Bey uses hand-applied techniques to infuse pink, orange and yellow onto a manipulated print, resulting in a symphony of moving strokes.

dawnbey.com

fashion

special

N O K L WA WATER

CONVERSE INTRODUCES NEW COUNTER-CLIMATE SHIELD CANVAS SO YOUR PEDS STAY DRY ALL DAY LONG Nobody likes the feeling of having to walk around with wet shoes and socks that have been soaked through. However, knowing how quickly our tropical weather can turn from blistering heat to torrential downpour in minutes, sometimes wet shoes inevitably become a part of your #OOTD. Fortunately, there’s some respite from all this, thanks to Converse’s new Counter Climate Shield Canvas technology.

Gone are the days where you have to carefully consider the choice of footwear based on the weather forecast. The waterproof range of high- and low-cut Chuck Taylors, with a gusseted tongue will keep your tootsies dry and comfy come rain or shine. While the inclusion of a gusset tongue is common in military and hiking boots, it making a crossover into the realm of sneakers is a rare (but welcome) instance. With the inclusion of this tongue design, wearers enjoy having an added layer of protection from the wet weather while basking in the comfort that comes with a good ol’pair of Chucks.

This hybridity between sneaker design and user-friendly attributes stretches out into the reflective heel counter as well. Looking deceptively like a patterned piece of canvas that’s merely there for aesthetic reasons, it comes in handy for when the clouds are gathering and visibility is lowered. Be it at night or on days when the sun doesn’t shine and at night, you can still strut about knowing that you’ll be visible to traffic despite low light conditions.

Whether you’re biking, running or simply chasing after the bus, your shoes not only keep you dry, they keep you safe too.

Armed with Converse’s Lunarlon insoles, a rubberised toecap and a rubberised logo patch, the Chuck II Shield Canvas is poised to become your best footwear-friend, regardless of what the weatherman might say.

$109.90 to $119.90, available at all Converse retail stores. converse.com.sg

Canvas, whatever the weather.

feature

fashion dictionary A

Ah, the ever-iconic street of pushy shoppers, humid walkways and a treasure trove of kitschy fashion finds. If you’re brave enough to muscle through the crowd, you can expect to uncover the wildest things like shredded ballerina tutus, glow-in-the-dark backpacks and studded-errthang. We’re speaking from personal experience here.

B

FOR AIJEK

FOR BUGIS STREET

As women continue to pine for clothing that straddles the line between being fashion-forward yet restrained enough for office wear, Aijek steps to the plate. Started by self-taught designer Danelle Woo, the pieces are designed with timelessness in mind, charming customers with romantic lace fabrics, quality production and a keen eye for Asian-friendly colours.

C

084

FOR CAROUSELL

Love it or hate it, you’ve definitely been on it. What started out as a humble app for Singaporeans to hawk their pre-loved items has now grown into a massive community of online shoppers, all looking to low-ball each other into getting the best finds. If ever there was a modern-day representation of our love for bargaining, this is it.

E

FOR ETHAN K

Local he is but Ethan K is probably the luxury designer you’ve never heard of.

Working exclusively on sustainably-farmed crocodile skin, the man is a fourth-generation member of the family that owns Heng Long Leather. His pieces sit on the esteemed shelves of the most gilded department stores, including Harrods and Saks Fifth Avenue. Each design is made in quantities of less than 20, so you’re promised exclusivity – which means you don’t have to worry about a game of ‘B*tch Stole My Look’.

D

FOR DENIM

Stand at any random corner on Orchard Road, and you’ll be greeted with an endless sea of people in every denim variation imaginable.

Yep, as a country, we’ve unofficially adopted denim as our go-to apparel. Whether distressed, selvedge or embroidered with a thousand and one things, Singaporeans love their denim.

F

FOR FAR EAST PLAZA

Far East Plaza isn’t just a shopping mall, it was a rite of passage that meant you were either a cool kid in school, an aspirant, or a kid with really niche interests that you couldn’t hang out anywhere else. Either way, our beloved FEP has given us plenty of great memories – from coping the latest imported streetwear from crammed boutiques to getting our Halloween costumes sorted, the grand ol’ dame has served our fashion whims well.

fashion

feature

FROM PLATFORM SANDALS (REMEMBER THOSE?) TO THE SHOPPING STOPS YOU NEED TO MEMORISE, WE LOOK BACK AT LOCAL TRENDS THAT HAD US SCRATCHING OUR HEADS AND TAKE STOCK OF THE NAMES TO KNOW. THIS WILL BE THE MOST FASHIONABLE A-TO-Z YOU’LL EVER LEARN.

G

While most museum shops are just, well, museum gift shops, Gallery & Co. is arguably an experience in its own right. Situated in the painfully hip and overlyInstagrammed lofts of the National Gallery Singapore, the sprawling store space not only stocks our favourite snacks, coffee and books, but also cult brands like Maison Kitsune, Twin Within and A Pale Petal. Fashion, art and coffee have never been better bed-fellows than here.

FOR GALLERY & CO.

I

FOR INVISIBLE BRA STRAP

We can’t understand why this ever was a thing, but if one day in the distant future, this issue of survives the apocalypse, we’d like future generations to know that at one point, girls loved their ‘invisible’ bra straps – since they could wear strapless tops without having to wear a strapless bra.

Ironically though, nothing about an invisible bra strap was actually invisible since it almost always reflected light, left hideous marks on your back when you removed them, and was worn in a situation that didn’t call for invisible bra straps.

K

FOR KAPOK

H

FOR HAJI LANE

Haji Lane is one of those places that people of different age groups remember for different things. To some of us, it’s the postal code that Comme des Garcons once set up shop at. To others, it’s the little thrift stores that perennially smelled like mothballs and sold the best vintage frocks. Either way, to shop at Haji Lane is to be initiated into the fashion path less travelled.

J

L

FOR JOSH LEONG The next time you’re looking for a pair of leather shoes to wear to work, make an appointment with Josh Leong and let him fit you with one of his stunning creations.

The self-admitted perfectionist trained in Florence, Italy, before bringing his skills back home to do the men of Singapore a great service. Paying attention to fit, quality and comfort, his pieces are made for stunning complements to your tailored suits. kapok is one of those rare spaces in Singapore where you can walk in and immediately feel at home. Stocking a range of items for men, women and children, each brand is carefully selected based on brand profile, image and product quality. More recently, the shop has launched its own line, dubbed Future Classics, where everyday clothing items are given a contemporary update – taking them from mundane to stellar casualwear.

fashion

FOR LING WU

A woman can never have enough bags – never let any boyfriend or bored husband tell you otherwise. In this spirit, it’s our firm belief that every woman needs to own a Ling Wu bag. Crafted from snakeskin, Wu understands that the modern lady actually has a life that requires her to be on the go, with her essentials all within reach. Wu’s bags are sturdy, with a plethora of designs offering enough room to fit everything in. The snakeskin ages beautifully with wear too.

085

feature

M

FOR MC HAMMER PANTS

MC Hammer pants (AKA harem pants) are a sin on the global fashion stage, and they are a sin here. But that didn’t stop them from exploding onto every store rack at one point. Between the years of 2007 to 2010, the billowy monstrosities had their firm grip on Singaporeans, given how your friendly beng/ lian dressed. Besides questioning whether they actually had time to wash them in between wears, we were glad they finally died down when the market aunties started wearing them because they were very ‘fashion’.

N

FOR NO-LENS GLASSES

Yup, we won’t let you go through a glossary without dragging this blast from the past. For those of us who were made to wear glasses from an early age, it was almost inconceivable that others would voluntarily wear these atrocities for the sake of fashion. And if it couldn’t get worse, there was a sin within this sin (sin-ception!) where girls would walk around in droves wearing lensless glasses with a giant Hello Kitty ribbon adorning the frame’s edge. Cringe.

O

FOR ORCHARDGATEWAY

P

FOR PLATFORM SHOES

If you’re not familiar with orchardgateway, it’s about time you get acquainted. And no, we don’t mean that you go to the library and pose for your #OOTD without actually reading anything. Home to a bevy of local shops like dh Sunglasses, Actually and Superspace, this mall is shaping up to be the place to get your fix for cool, unique street fashion. Because let’s be real – if you’re going to preen for the camera at a library, then you might as well show some love to our local shops too while you’re at it.

086

Q

The higher the platform, the closer to God? No thanks, we’ll pass. With super-cool girl bands of the ’90s making a strong (albeit questionable) statement with platform shoes, it was only a matter of time it made its way to our sunny shores. But while Scary Spice and Lisa Left-Eye Lopez wore stompers that Bowie would be proud of, our girls were happy clomping about in platform slippers. To top it off, there was some unwritten rule that if you had a crystal glued to your big toe nail, you’d get extra points in the book of Lian-ism.

FOR QUEENSWAY SHOPPING CENTRE

For most families, school shoes came from the neighbourhood shopping mall once a year on the last week of December. But if you were one of the hip teens who wanted to wear box-fresh Nike runners to school, you’d be well familiar with the arcade of shops at Queensway Shopping Centre. With the most attractive prices in town and an impressive array of models and designs to choose from, queuing in the sun for a sneaker release was not uncommon here.

S

FOR SEX BANDS

Or as we’d like to call it, “colourful rubber bands that no one knew exactly what to do with when broken, but you happily snapped each other’s anyway”. There was a time when this was the joy of every secondary school kid (and the nightmare of every school disciplinarian), and you’d wear four at a go by interlocking them and wearing them around your wrist, right next to your hair tie or calculator watch. Also, specific colours corresponded with specific sexual acts; we hear.

fashion

R

FOR RAOUL

There comes a time in a man’s life where he must wear a Raoul shirt. While the homegrown label has sadly stopped operations at its Paragon store, you can still get its tailored threads online. Known for its office-appropriate designs for both genders, Raoul still pushes forward with a growing influence internationally. And with international stars like Jennifer Lawrence and Kourtney Kardashian as fans, you’re now one (little, teeny-weeny) step closer to dressing like a celeb.

feature

U

FOR UNKNOWN WRISTBANDS

T

The first time we saw someone wearing one of those LIVESTRONG bands

by Nike, we were curious. It’s a simple band in a happy shade of yellow, and there was a social cause, so you knew what you were endorsing. But then, everyone – and we mean everyone – started producing it. Your housing agent, your savings bank, even your gym trainer had their own bands. That’s probably when we jumped the shark on this thing – because not only did we not know what the orange or the pink or the red speckled ones meant, we didn’t care anymore.

FOR THIEVES MARKET

W

It’s a little saddening to know that generations of tomorrow will never come to appreciate the joys of walking around the Thieves Market – or more locally known as Sungei Road Market – and digging through the wares for super-cheap finds. A quick survey around the office revealed that some of us have found gems like a neon green blazer, an old locket with an antique photo of an unnamed lady still inside and a vintage bag that comes from a luxury brand (and surprisingly not counterfeit). Oh, those good ol’ days!

We thought that being a teenager meant you were a bit more responsible with your belongings. Which begets the question: why was there a time when guys wore enormous wallet chains as if it were a thing to be proud of? Maybe it was a wearable form of selfprotection, or perhaps these dudes were overcompensating for something else. Either way, we’re glad that it’s finally faded into a memory to giggle at occasionally.

V

FOR VISUAL MASS

For those who do need to get their vision cleared, check in at Visual Mass for a range of opticals that will suit every style. Started by a group of Singaporeans, the store presents spectacles and sunglasses in every shape, size and shade, designed to fit the Asian frame. Not only are they able to sort you out with a pair of glasses you’d be happy with, their services also include fitting ’em glasses with high-quality prescription lenses, all for the affordable price of $95 a pop.

Y

Text Aaron Kok Images Various Sources

FOR YLIN LU Known for her architectural cuts and serene choice of prints, Lu Yilin’s label is one that deserves all the accolades. Building off the urban landscapes of Singapore and Shanghai that have surrounded her years as a budding designer, Lu’s designs reach out to the women who understand the value of creativity through fashion, while appreciating the beauty of a wellconstructed garment.

FOR WALLET CHAINS

X

FOR XTREME SHORTS Much like the neighbourhood provision shop that it’s named after – which has filled our childhoods with joy – Zhahuodian stocks a bevy of curios and fashionable offerings that will inspire you to spiffy up for every occasion in your life. Run by the very stylish Jebson Tan, the store is stocked with a selection of shirts, suits and casualwear from Tan’s own designs, as well as a selection by local fashion designers. Best of all, every nook of the store’s space is crammed with zany display items, nostalgic toys and posters, giving this eclectic haunt a life of its own.

fashion

There’s no typo here – if adrenaline junkies digged Xtreme Sports, then hoardes of girls found their rush in buying extremely short shorts.

See, we’re no fashion prudes when it comes to short-shorts, but some of the incarnations that have taken to the streets are frankly a little laughable.

Besides the fair share of camel toes on display, Singapore is never that hot that you need to be in shorts so short that half your derriere is greeting the world.

Z

FOR ZHAHUODIAN

087

feature

do or diy LONG BEFORE THE CULTURE OF DIY GAINED STEAM IN SINGAPORE AND ETSY REIGNED SUPREME AMONGST HOME-BASED CRAFTERS, MARK ONG AND SUE-ANN LIM AKA MR AND MRS SBTG (PRONOUNCED ‘SABOTAGE’) HAVE BEEN GETTING NIFTY WITH THEIR HANDS, PRODUCING CULT-WORTHY ITEMS THAT TELL STORIES WITHIN EVERY APPLIED STROKE. WITH THEIR CUSTOMISATIONS GRACING THE FAMED STEPS OF BASKETBALL LEGEND KOBE BRYANT, MIKE SHINODA OF LINKIN PARK AND RAPPER Q-TIP, AS WELL AS COLLABORATIONS WITH INDUSTRY NAMES LIKE NIKE AND PUMA, ONG RECOUNTS THEIR DIY LEGACY, THE PERKS OF WORKING IN COMMONWEALTH AND WHAT THEY’D DO IF THEY WEREN’T IN THIS BUSINESS.

To us, DIY is more like a philosophy rather than a business.

Craft is second nature; what’s more important is what you believe in. There is a sense of freedom, because whatever you can imagine, you can make with your own hands. It’s the same with food, you can taste if it’s processed or factory-made versus something made by hand at home. Take, for example, a bowl of yong tau foo. You can tell the stalls who buy their ingredients from a supplier apart from the ones who make everything on their own. Truth be told, I would be a chef if I wasn’t doing what I do.

090

DIY has always been our thing.

Growing up, we were always drawing and doodling, and graduated from working on 2-D surfaces to 3-D objects. Soon after, we began to wear the things that we made. My break came in 2003; I worked on a piece and entered a competition held on the Niketalk website. Right after that, a store in Tokyo ordered 72 pairs of customised shoes from me. At that time, I had just finished my National Service, so it was quite a daunting task. Even now, as we produce stock for off-the-rack sale, we don’t even hit anywhere near that quantity in a single order. I had no company back then, and it was a one-man show, but I accepted the challenge anyway.

fashion

DIY culture is not ‘normal’.

It’s the opposite of what’s considered good business. A businessman would look at our things and say “Why not outsource this to an overseas manufacturer?”. What we are trying to do may not be what the market wants, but more of what we want to push out. I suppose now, it’s fashionable to make your own stuff, but back then, DIY was completely unheard of. There’s a hype now, and ‘artisanal’ is a trend, but when that wave passes and it’s no longer hip to DIY your stuff, we’re still going to be here.

feature

Our customers are people who take that first step to find out more about us.

Our brand looks like an Arabic word, and it’s in line with our love for camouflage, because we’re camouflaging our name. For those who want to find out more, they’ll make the first move to learn about us before money crosses the table. That’s why we’re not in a mall, where walk-ins help to keep the products moving. The local customers already know a bit about the products and they tend to look for us, rather than the other way around. That’s why we like the idea of our studio being in Commonwealth.

Modern-day sneaker culture is way too decadent.

You only have two feet; you can’t wear that many shoes [laughs]. We sound like nagging parents but it’s true; it’s become a phenomenon where people wear their shoes for the Internet. They buy shoes not for their feet but, rather, to take pictures to boast. In the past – or, at least, from my experience – the idea of sneaker culture was to take these shoes to the streets.

We wore them out, we wore them to the clubs and we talked about ’em with fellow sneakerheads. It doesn’t happen in a bedroom where you snap a photo, and the shoe goes back into the box.

We must be able to tell a story with our collaborations.

Take, for example, the shoe we worked on with Puma. When I was in secondary school, we did an exchange programme to Fukuoka, Japan.

I had no money but I loved sneakers. So my classmate bought me a pair of Pumas that I wanted so badly during that trip. Twenty-five years later, I met up with the Puma team in Japan to discuss the potential of this partnership. At first, they were on the fence about whether this would work, but after they heard about the story of my Puma shoes, they agreed to collaborate right away. I also told them about the contact soles on the Puma shoes that I had back then, and one of the guys at the meeting ran into the stockroom and pulled out an archive pair of shoes that had the same soles I was referring to. That sole design was eventually brought back just for this project.

New Balance makes the most comfortable shoes.

Our dream is to collaborate with New Balance to create a pair of sneakers that will be issued to every recruit in the Singapore Armed Forces. We’ve already been pitching for the idea, and even though the challenge is there, we believe it’s a milestone that we will achieve in our lifetime in whatever magnitude. It’s like a collector’s idea with a real meaning and purpose to it.

Sometimes being politically correct can be a creativity killer.

Text Aaron Kok Images SBTG

It depends on who you are. One of our friends does childrencentric cartoons that are very PC, and that works well for him.

But for us, it wouldn’t work. Sometimes, I envy Tokidoki (Simone Legno) because his art can be applied right down to cosmetics as well. But then we start to dissect and process that goal and we’ve stopped hoping to be that because it’s not who we are. If it’s not in your DNA as an artist, you can’t force it.

sbtgsurplus.bigcartel.com

fashion

091

focus label

FESTIVAL OF COLOUR

092

BEHAVE BEHAVE X OAK & BINDI fashion

focus label

Music often goes hand in hand with fashion, and this is best demonstrated in the ever-popular realm of festival fashion. Take Coachella, for instance.

The music festival needs no introduction, what with a yearly onslaught of social media posts by fashion bloggers fastidiously documenting every fringe trim, cropped top and squad pose.

If it weren’t obvious enough, anyone familiar with fashion history might have noticed how festival fashion seems to draw heavily from the ’70s. No surprises there, considering some of the best festivals went down in the late ’60s and early ’70s. The legendary status of these music gatherings, coupled with eclectic fashion sensibilities, will forever dictate what people wear to dance in the mud.

Following in the footsteps of these early trailblazers is homegrown indie label Behave Behave, which collaborated with local illustrator Lydia Yang AKA Oak & Bindi, for a groovy collection to don at your next concert outing.

Named ‘Ride High & Live Forever’, the most recognisable elements of the hippy era are given a 21st century update in this collection. Taking the place of dizzying geometric prints and warm, earthy colours are Oak & Bindi’s hand-drawn prints, rendered in sherbetsweet hues. The freedom of the ’70s is retained within Yang’s illustrations, as her signature doodles champion the freedom to traverse the open road and take in the sights along the way.

Her drawings of vintage convertibles, motel signs and desert cacti convey a sense of idyllic Americana, where one’s days are spent hitchhiking across the country while swaying to the crackling warmth of feel-good music emanating from the car transistor radio. While the colours and prints exude modernity with some throwback vibes, the overall boho-chic style harks back to the ’70s, evidenced in key looks such as a twisted cropped top paired with navy wide-legged pants.

Though the other pieces from the collection do not directly mimic the iconic silhouettes of the ’70s, they retain the bold personality and spirit of the decade. Yang’s prints appear on almost every piece, from wrap tops and halter dresses to cropped skirts and pants. Available in a cool mint hue and a rich indigo variation, the lightweight printed halter dress exudes a playful and easygoing attitude, which would not look out of place at an outdoor music festival.

Text Jerlene Ng Images Anton Lim

On the other end of the colour spectrum, the black pieces work to provide Behave Behave’s customers with a carte blanche, thereby allowing each individuals to express their identity through styling. Because of the prominence of the non-conforming hippies, the ’70s are sometimes regarded as one of the most ‘anti-fashion’ decades in history; where showing some skin and having a flair for fashion may have raised a few eyebrows back in the day.

Today, thanks to the cyclical nature of fashion, the spirit of ’70s rebellion and misbehaviour is once again put on the forefront.

behavebehave.com

fashion

093

focus label

094

BUILD TO LAST Fashion has a knack for taking references from opposite ends of the same stick, clashing them together and marvelling at the result. Masculine versus feminine; East meets West; the old and the new; ugliness in the light of beauty – the list grows longer with time. Still, it takes renewed perspective to present a new dialogue amidst the noise, and that’s exactly what Chelsea Scott-Blackhall has successfully accomplished with her brand, Dzojchen.

Dzojchen is firmly anchored as the representation of paradox and the harmony that different dualities can bring through design. It’s an abstract idea, but what it means is that the perfection of a well-made garment can be the sum of unexpected references blending together in perfect rhythm.

This season, the collection is titled ‘East End Boys and West End Girls’ – representing that duality in shape, silhouette and material that comes through in her looks.

The first form of duality lies in the fabrics that make up the collection. Across both men’s and women’s collections, pieces are cut from cloth sourced from Italy and Japan; East meets West. That play on opposing ends extends deep into the designs as well.

fashion

focus label

A look at the menswear reveals the oversized jeans that ScottBlackhall is eagerly pushing this season. In one look, she pairs a western tailored coat with a printed mustard shirt that has a mandarin collar, and rolls the indigo jeans past the ankles. This look calls to mind that of ancient kung fu masters, but with an aesthetic that steers safely away from being costume-y. In the women’s section, silks show up often, creating a seductive ease that personifies the modern woman.

The second duality that comes through is the play on hard and soft materials. A men’s suit jacket that features razor-sharp tailoring is given an unexpected waist sash that cinches it in, while ordinarily stiff leather and suede jackets appear plush and soft, as if they’ve been worn for a few years prior. A women’s look sees ochre stripes march down a navy silk blouse and cuffed pants, looking almost like a men’s pyjama, but with a feminine, contemporary cut. It’s romantic without being sentimental.

“Perfecting polished street(wear)” and “bold and controlled” were two key phrases that stood out in her collection notes, and one need not to do much digging to understand what Scott-Blackhall means. Her designs are versatile enough to carry through the many occasions wearers need to look sharp for, yet retain a familiar sense of unfussy class that makes for unpretentious fashion.

dzojchen.com

095

Text Aaron Kok Images Dzojchen

DZOJCHEN FALL/WINTER 2016

fashion

focus label

A THING

OF BEAUTY

WHOLE9YARDS FALL/WINTER 2016

Taking inspiration from Merian’s antique illustrations of flowers and butterflies, designer Daniel Ngoo’s collection blossoms like a love letter to the beauty of Mother Nature. Romancing the modern-day female with a collection that’s refined, focused and, at times, rebellious, a large part of the collection features everyday separates that can be intermixed with one’s daily attire.

Working off a largely grounded colour palette of black, navy, forest green, and walnut brown –

which seem to suggest the serenity of a forest after dark – Ngoo adds life to his pieces with splashes of dusty rose, gilded gold and tulip pink. Daywear starts on a slow note, where dresses are cinched in at the waist and hiked up at the hem for a sense of youthfulness. One of the standout looks features a sleeveless dress cut from floral jacquard in a rich, jade shade. As if to mimic the linework that Merian’s illustrations feature, the bodice is cut from floral lace, and extends up into a Victorian neckline that pays homage to Merian’s era.

Keeping in mind those with a need for ‘special’ pieces to wear on momentous occasions, the collection also features a fair share of gorgeous numbers that’ll certainly fly off the e-racks.

One key piece is a dress that features black guipure lace that trumpets out into a kicky hem of inky-black silk. It’s scintillatingly sexy, without being overtly so, and when worn with the right

accessories and shoes, can make a statement without trying too hard. Another piece worth mentioning is the floor-skimming evening dress.

While the idea of a long-sleeved gown can come off as stuffy, Ngoo executes it with a hand of perfection. Sumptuous yards of ruffles trail down the A-line skirt, trimmed with creeping floral lace patches. On top, the bodice is made fully sheer, with only the help of gold lace flowers creating some sort of coverage. It’ll take a daring kind of woman to wear this, but her courage will pay off.

In the closing words of his collection notes, Ngoo explains that through the collection, he’s set out to achieve a balance between the romanticism of art with the technicalities and precision of science. Going by what we see, his endeavour has been successful.

whole9yards.com

Text Aaron Kok Images Whole9Yards

096

For all the contributions that the scientific community has gifted the world with, one commonly overlooked aspect is its contribution to art. After all, it was Einstein who once attributed great scientists to being the most formidable artists in the world. Such is the case of Maria Sibylla Merian, renowned naturalist and scientific illustrator whose work inspires the Fall/Winter 2016 collection of Whole9Yards.

fashion

profile

MAN

OF INNOVATION NEW BALANCE

Text Aaron Kok Interview & images courtesy of New Balance

TO UNDERSTAND THE INTRINSIC CORE OF NEW BALANCE, ONE NEED ONLY LOOK TO THE BRAND’S NAME TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT STANDS FOR. WITH AN UNDERSTANDING THAT TO MOVE FORWARD ONE MUST PAY ATTENTION TO RETAINING ITS HERITAGE, NEW BALANCE HAS QUIETLY PUSHED FORTH AS A PERMEATING FORCE IN THE SNEAKER CULTURE. IN TOWN TO PROMOTE THE NEW BALANCE X MITA COLLABORATION, THE MRT850, WE MEET UP WITH TETSUYA SHONO, PRODUCT DESIGN TEAM LEADER OF NEW BALANCE’S LIFESTYLE DIVISION, TO SPILL MORE ON THE STORY BEHIND THE BRAND’S SUCCESS.

On Staying The Same Well, to speak in context, one must realise that we are a brand of heritage and we produce a stable line of product offerings.

But as the next generation of sneaker fans emulate the past generations, we see that our customer base is constantly growing with the addition of these new followers. In that way, the new blood brings about a small change to the customer base, but because the brand and our characteristics have remained the same, they too learn to see us in the same way that we’ve been perceived through the years.

On The Brand’s Appeal Our brand has an authenticity to it. Our products are crafted with premium materials following a specific method that’s been adopted for many years. Good things remain as they are because they don’t change for the sake of changing. Unlike brands that constantly chase the next trend, New Balance focuses on products that are steeped in heritage with good workmanship.

People all over the world can appreciate this attention to quality. Our shoes are wearable, and you can take a pair and wear it to almost any occasion in your life.

On The Collaboration With Mita This collaboration was actually initiated

by Mita. We don’t try to chase trends, we’d rather focus on producing great sneakers.

As time went on, New Balance began to gain popularity with Japanese sneaker heads, and Mita approached us to collaborate with them. We were lucky, because instead of us having to go out and source for good collaborators, it was our fans that connected us with Mita. That’s how we keep a good relationship with our fans. It’s very 50-50.

fashion

On Developing Great Sneakers First of all, we are New Balance, and in all our shoes, we have to respect the DNA of the brand, as well as the function that a pair of New Balance shoes must serve. Then, we take input from our collaborating partners, and that adds a new dimension to the shoes.

The collaborating process is a two-way street, and that presents us with a new point of view. We pay attention and listen to our collaborators’ ideas, then try to fit that into the brand’s image.

On His Interest In Sneakers Back in the late ’80s to the early ’90s, when I was a teenager, I loved looking at the subcultures that existed within Tokyo. In those days, using the Internet was a foreign idea, so unearthing new music or new kicks felt like a treasure hunt. You had to be there to see it and to be physically immersed in the culture.

So, whether it was the clubs or the streets, you had to experience it for yourself to know what’s cool. Those days were great fun, and I really dug deep into that scene. I lived in Yokohoma, so every weekend I’d go to Tokyo to meet new people and to come into contact with cool, cult-worthy sneakers. Eventually, my interest in sneakers began to grow into what it is today.

On His Proudest Achievement I’m a very lucky man, because I get to be involved in many projects for New Balance. Besides the Mita collaborations, I helped in bringing back the ‘Made In USA’ line of products, as well as reintroducing and redefining the performance wear lines. So, while I can’t choose one particular achievement, these are the top three milestones.

newbalance.com

097

vault

SENANG DIRI!

098

OF ALL THE LOCAL MOVIES MADE, ARMY DAZE REMAINS A CLASSIC ICON THAT STILL DELIVERS LOLS EVEN TODAY. TAKE A CUE FROM OUR FAVOURITE ARMY BOYS AND PICK FROM THIS SEASONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BEST CAMOUFLAGE PRINTS.

fashion

vault

canvas rimmed aviator sunglasses, poa, ray-ban

canvas cap, $32, river island at zalora.sg

cotton polo tee, $45.90, zara

cotton shirt, $183, calvin klein

cotton longline t-shirt, $46.90, topman

stainless steel watch, $67, casio

099 canvas backpack, $110, eastpak

stainless steel dog tag, $220, emporio armani

leather and rope braided bracelet, $21, icon brand at zalora.sg

Text & Coordination Aaron Kok Images Various Sources

cotton sweatshorts, $29.90, h&m

cotton trousers, $313, y-3

nylon tote, poa, polo ralph lauren

viscose bomber jacket, $139, zara

fashion

nylon furylite sneakers, $134, reebok at royal sporting house

home clothes IN THE SPIRIT OF CELEBRATING OUR LITTLE ISLAND HOME, WE VISIT THE HOMES AND NEIGHBOURHOODS OF EIGHT DESIGNERS TO DIG DEEPER INTO THEIR MEMORIES, AND THE THINGS THAT MAKE THEM TICK. PHOTOGRAPHER CHUCK REYES TEXT & STYLING AARON KOK STYLING ASSISTANT JERLENE NG MAKEUP BENO LIM USING NARS HAIR ANTHONY LIM / KIMAGE STUDIO MODELS FABIENNE D, IVAN K, IVAN V & LEANNE A / AVE

CHEW SENG CHOON Design Inspiration “Wanderchild” explores the idea of childhood and personal memories. I started looking at past memories ranging from the vintage Boy Scouts uniform to the clothes that I wore as a child. I simplified the idea to be about travel, both literally as well the figuratively. Memories travel through time with the help of tangible objects such as old photographs.

Fondest Childhood Memories My extended family is really big; I have more than 10 uncles and aunts and even more cousins. When we visited my grandparents, there were always a lot of people around and the kids were free to play. In hindsight, it probably wasn't really that interesting but, when you're a kid you can really find fun and joy in the smallest things.

Relaxation Hour When I have time, I usually run to Coney Island. There's something very relaxing about being outside alone at the park amongst the trees and the river.

ON IVAN ALL CLOTHES CHEW SENG CHOON

VALERIE CHAN Collection Notes The Elephant Man, who was an act from a 19th century circus, inspired my collection. Suffering from Proteus Syndrome, he hid from the public eye until the circus found him, and turned his deformities into an advantage. The collection hopes to convey the message that oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flaws should make one unique rather than be an impediment.

Design Muse The multi-hyphenate Tavi Gevinson is the epitome of the pretty-ugly girl. Despite the flak that she received for her style, she stayed true to herself.

Snack Fix My home is quite secluded, save for a nearby Caltex station.

So I usually get some Old Chang Kee from there. I love their chicken wings and their curry puffs.

ON LEANNE TULLE DRESS AND SILK SLIP VALERIE CHAN DENIM JEANS H&M LEATHER AND FUR SNEAKERS PEDDER RED METAL EARRINGS H&M PLASTIC NECKLACE BIMBA Y LOLA METAL CUFF H&M SILVER AND GOLD RINGS CHARLES & KEITH STONE RING BIMBA Y LOLA

ON IVAN ALL CLOTHES SUNNY LIM LEATHER BOOTS PEDRO

SUNNY LIM Enjoy The Silence The title of the collection hrz?k is completely irrational. It's a result of randomly hitting keys on the keyboard. I was sickened by the fashion climate and how it produces the same thing every season. Inspired by the Dada movement, I started out by sketching these 'garments' on paper, and then collaged them irrationally. I feel that right now, there is too much emphasis on being loud.

We should celebrate the aesthetics of silence.

Audience Appeal I do find that audiences overseas are more receptive to my designs.

I am surprised to find out from one of my buyers that I had a regular customer.

What's even more surprising is that she is a middle-aged Japanese lady and cool to her heels.

Prized Possession I think Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have to say my fridge. [laughs]

ON IVAN ALL CLOTHES THE AUTHORITY SUEDE HAT H&M WATCH TIMEX AT CLOUD9 LEATHER SK8-HI SNEAKERS VANS

EUGENE SEOW & JASPER GOH THE AUTHORITY Fashion In Command Initially we wanted something that the local guys could relate to, and we thought that the one thing most of them had in common was National Service. After racking our brains, we settled on The Authority, which we felt was rather apt, as we want to position ourselves as the authority in menswear.

Homeward Bound J: As cliche as it sounds, I truly believe that home is where the heart is.

As long as my loved ones are there, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a really nice couch, I feel at home [laughs].

Throwback TV E: While growing up, I always had a thing for Western culture. That led to my love of watching cable television! I suppose my fondest memories growing up would definitely be spending all my time watching Disney, Nickelodeon and MTV.

SABRINA GOH ELOHIM Unmasking The Collection Inspired by the idea of unmasking something or someone, we want to highlight the sophistication and rawness of using fabrication that is partially see-thru, using the wearerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skin as a canvas. Key highlights of the collection include embroidery techniques, contrasting textures, layering and a play on volume.

A Heart Of Gratitude Whether it is being able to showcase at New York, sell internationally, or having our own store at Capitol Piazza, to be able to do what I love and continue doing it is such a blessing.

Joyful Seclusion Woodlands is far from any shopping district, nightclub or tourist attraction.

As ironic as it is, I like living in Woodlands because it is quiet and far from everything. So when I get home, I know I can rest.

ON FABIENNE ALL CLOTHES ELOHIM BY SABRINA GOH METAL RINGS FOREVER 21 LEATHER AND FUR SHOES MONCLER

MAX TAN Fashion Worship The collection takes inspiration from religion and militia. The social unrest and violent episodes that have unfolded over the last few years have left an impression during the design process. Religion is a doubleedged sword. With peace as an end goal, it can and has worked the opposite way. It’s the same for military forces, and I am amused how something that stems from peace can possibly have violent outcomes.

Home Work I like waking up and pumping straight into work. Having a workspace that doubles up as a living space is perfect for me. We found this quaint walkup apartment, and it’s quiet, old, and spacious – everything I love.

Racial Roots The multiracial and cultural setting that we have in Singapore definitely affected the way I design. Old meets new sounds very cliche, but it’s this electic mix of modernised garments meeting traditional wear that influenced the brand’s aesthetics.

ON LEANNE ALL CLOTHES MAX TAN WOOL COLLAR COS METAL NECKLACE H&M CRYSTAL AND METAL EARRINGS ATELIER SWAROVSKI STUDDED LEATHER BOOTS BIMBA Y LOLA

ON IVAN ALL CLOTHES JAEL ONG MESH AND LEATHER SNEAKERS ADIDAS AT PEDDER ON SCOTTS

JAEL ONG Dimensional Thinking The traditional way of garment construction requires stitching all the pieces together. In my collection, I took bearings from a 3-D puzzle, which doesn’t require any foreign substances such as glue to help form its shape. Instead of using thread and needle, the jackets were created by laser-cutting each piece according to a specific measurement, allowing them to interlock without the need of any thread.

School’s Out I fondly remember my time in secondary school. All the mischievous things I did with my friends that landed us in trouble! Prank calling people, eating roti prata during lessons… One time, we were late for school because we were waiting to get our hash browns from McDonald’s.

Familiar Flavours Mee hoon kueh and yong tau foo always remind me of home!

They are mum’s best dishes.

Eastern Oriental The collection is a modern tribute to the unconventional beauty of Cuandixia, inspired by my personal journey to explore the remote village, steeped in cultural integrity and authenticity. Sleek Mao collars and operatic winged sleeves recall the majestic detailing of traditional Chinese garments, while straight silhouettes and elongated robes in dark emerald are meant to evoke a quiet, elegant regality.

Sexy Back A lot of people think that by keeping to my backless signature feature, it will mean that my collection will be very restrictive, both during creation and for customers. On the contrary, it has proven to be a strength more than a challenge. Having a distinct feature to keep to forces me to be more creative within a healthy perimeter. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun to explore the thousands ways to present a backless feature.

Hidden Gem It is a small park tucked far away from the cool gentrified streets of Tiong Bahru. That is where I like to hide away for some mental cleansing whenever I feel stress or sad.

ON FABIENNE ALL CLOTHES STOLEN THE LABEL CRYSTAL NECKLACE SWAROVSKI PEARL KNUCKLE DUSTER SWAROVSKI ACETATE AND GLITTER SUNGLASSES MIU MIU PONYHAIR SHOES BIMBA Y LOLA

VISIT YOUTUBE.COM/JUICESG FOR A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THIS SHOOT.

ELYN WONG STOLEN THE LABEL

wardrobe trend

ECLECTICISM

110

LOUIS VUITTON

CHANEL

GUCCI

YEEZY

I’m all about bright colours and prints, and Nicolas Ghesquière, creative director of the storied fashion house, works a balance of both perfectly through this look. I’d wear this any day, anywhere!

I’m not exaggerating when I say that I need that skirt in my life. It would go with everything I have – from a white T-shirt for those off-duty moments, to a fancy top for a chichi occasion.

Ever since Alessandro Michele was appointed to run the house, I’ve coveted every single item, from the bling to the bags and shoes.

It’s hard to pick just one look, but if I really have to narrow it down, this jumble of prints, colours and textures nails it.

Those blue socks.

alpaca wool skirt, $268, a.f. vandervost pu boots, poa, stella mccartney

nylon down coat, $1,213, moncler

embellished merino wool sweater, poa, marc jacobs

nylon ultra light down, $99.90, uniqlo

suede lace-up boots, $250, sam edelman at pedder on scotts

intarsia knit sweater, $1,400, coach 1941

cotton and polyester skirt, $39.90, h&m

PRO TIP Anchor your winter brights with a sturdy pair of chunky, military boots.

PRO TIP Fringe skirts need to fit well, or you risk looking like a Berber rug. Pick one that has the right volume for your body shape.

PRO TIP A quirky sweater is the perfect wardrobe companion, especially on dreary days where you just don’t know what to wear.

fashion

PRO TIP A key item for the season, invest in a good down jacket. Not only will it keep you toasty on your winter vacay, you’ll also top the style game.

wardrobe trend

IN A WORLD OF COOKIE-CUTTER STYLE, AARIKA LEE STANDS OUT FOR HER DARINGLY ECCENTRIC TASTE IN ALL THINGS STYLE-RELATED. THE MULTI-HYPHENATE LISTS HER TOP EIGHT PICKS FROM THE FALL/WINTER 2016 RUNWAYS, AND THE ESSENTIAL ITEMS TO COP HER STYLE.

LOEWE

DOLCE & GABBANA

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

PRADA

I’d wear everything from this outfit everywhere – to the office, for an event, on the weekends, overseas, even to sleep if I could (okay maybe not, but you get the idea). And how awesome is that cat necklace?!

When you see a dress and it makes you gasp, you know it’s a must-have. Sure, I might look like walking Christmas tinsel, but a glitzy number that you can pair sneakers with is always welcome in my closet.

Leather and butterflies: this is the perfect combination for when I want to look like a bad*ss beauty.

If I’m being frank, I can’t explain why this look works. It just speaks to me. Maybe it’s the combination of tweed, fur and a sailor hat, or the way the red lips matches the bag.

Either way, it’s a great look.

metal and beads necklace, poa, bimba y lola

pu skirt with embroidery, $149.90, topshop

sequinned knit playsuit, $249, topshop

Text & Coordination Aaron Kok Images Various Sources

leather studded bag, poa, sandro

hammered metal necklace, poa, valentino

twill boots, $169.90, dr martens sequinned suede clutch, $1,083, marni

PRO TIP Statement accessories are the perfect remedy for your sartorial doldrums. Say it with us: bigger is better.

PRO TIP We’ll never say no to sequins, and neither should you. Make it dayappropriate with classic sneakers and simple accessories.

PRO TIP Flora and fauna creep into Fall’s runways, switching out pastel shades for a black base and eye-popping hues.

fashion

patent leather heels, $250, walter steiger

PRO TIP Give the classic grey coat a jolt by pairing with a fiery shade of red for an instant lift.

111

wardrobe trend

SARTORIAL HITS

112

J.CREW

THEORY

GYPSY SPORT

GREG LAUREN

I love matching things that conventionally aren’t supposed to go together. Pyjamas, corduroy suit, sneakers, matching scarf and an overcoat sound like a lot, but with all the texture and tones, they come together perfectly.

This look is 100 per cent BAWS. ’Nuff said.

This reminds me of one of those patchwork blankets everyone’s ah ma would have. Love!

I like mixing things up – modern meets traditional, East meets West, that sort of thing. I once paired a tailored jacket and shirt with a traditional Burmese Longyi. This look reminds me of it.

silk wool tie, $28.70, the tie bar at thetiebar.com

silk cotton shirt, $304, yoshio kubo at farfetch.com

cotton shirt, $59.90, mango

felt hat, $45, urban outfitters at urbanoutfitters.com

cotton and linen trousers, $1,039, junya watanabe at club 21

wool hat, $60, catarzi at asos.com wool blend blazer, $1,395, emporio armani

silk cotton shirt, $618, dressedundressed at farfetch.com

PRO TIP As the pyjama trend forges forward into Fall/Winter 2016, perhaps it’s time to invest in separates.

PRO TIP Never underestimate the power of a well-chosen hat.

PRO TIP Patchwork can be cool if you pay attention to fit. Make sure it doesn’t overwhelm you, or it could look like an actual blanket.

fashion

PRO TIP To avoid straying into the ‘too much going on’ zone, keep to a standardised print throughout the pieces.

wardrobe trend

BE A MAN, WEAR THE RIGHT THING. AS FALL/WINTER 2016 CREEPS AROUND THE CORNER, LET EUGENE LIM, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR OF GOODVINE GROUP, BREAK YOU IN WITH A RUNDOWN OF HIS TOP EIGHT PICKS FOR THE SEASON.

BILLY REID

This is The Life Aquatic meets The Hobbit. The flow of the look works with the textures and the muted colours. This look makes me want to take a walk, grab a nice espresso and watch the world go by.

PUBLIC SCHOOL

ROBERT GELLER

TOMMY HILFIGER

Everyone needs a military touch in his or her wardrobe – it’s super versatile! This look stands out for its contrasting textures and layers. I really liked the unexpected addition of patent shoes.

Three words: brightly coloured Jedi.

I really can’t see what’s not to love with this look! May the Force be with you.

Ah, there’s that red-and-blue combination again. It’s a proven colour combo that’s got enough pop to stand out. Each of the pieces in this look is extremely versatile and you can probably mix them with most items in your wardrobe for a variety of looks.

leather brogues, poa, church’s cotton sweater, $125, polo ralph lauren

flecked wool sneakers, $69.90, bershka

japanese cotton shirt, $285, rag & bone at rag-bone.com

Text & Coordination Aaron Kok Images Various Sources

wool trousers, $256, j.crew at jcrew.com

bronze leather sneakers, $440, hugo boss cotton trousers, poa, j.w. anderson at club 21

suede chelsea boots, $285, dr. martens

PRO TIP A fisherman’s sweater is an evergreen piece, which can be dressed up with tweed trousers, or worn casually.

PRO TIP Military greens pair well with denim jeans or sporty jackets. Just be sure to vary the colours to avoid looking like a recruit.

PRO TIP Work a pair of baggy trousers with some spiffy shoes and loads of chutzpah to boot.

fashion

PRO TIP One way to add subtle flair to a classic college look is with eye-catching tennis shoes.

113

flash

NEW ORDER Budding sartorialists who look up to Paul Smith for his razor-sharp tailoring tempered with English quirk can look forward to the launch of his new label, PS by Paul Smith.

Offering confidently tailored suits crafted from choice yards of wool and cotton, the new line incorporates all of Paul Smith’s signature elements, like the use of bright colours, graphic prints and slim-fitted silhouettes. With a growing focus on offering better denim choices, expect a wide range of washes and contemporary fits to match the casual knits and jerseys for a timeless look. This season, the colours employed include jewel tones of burgundy, olive and sapphire – all the right shades for the modern-day dandy. paulsmith.co.uk

SHIN KITAI Popular amongst collectors of animated paraphernalia, Shin Kitai has achieved a somewhat legendary status with his iconic series of adorable tofu characters, better known as TO-FU OYAKO. Teaming up with Tocco Tenero, the Japanese illustrator is releasing a capsule collection of bags and wallets that feature his miniature square men bustling around in lively colours. Taking time out of his schedule to chat with us, we uncover what inspires his art, and why he chose to work with the humble beancurd.

PUMA X LIMITED EDT. So first of all, out of all the food, why tofu?

The concept of TO-FU OYAKU was to have a soft head, which breaks when it falls, thus making the characters always nervous. It only made sense to use tofu. Secondly, I also love to eat tofu because it’s a healthy dish. Also, it being a popular dish across the world makes it easy for everyone to take to my art.

$270, available at Limited Edt stores.

Which is your favourite bag from the collection?

I’d say it would be the clutch bag. I’ve never made this style of bag with TO-FU before, so it is interesting to see the end result.

DANCING QUEEN

The key to a good groove (besides a track, of course) is a pair of comfy shoes that will support your feet when you’re tearing up the dance floor. Enter Melissa Shoes’ Fall/Winter 2016 collection. Inspired by the motion of dance, the brand returns with a sleek offering of plush styles that’ll cushion your every move. From the technovibin’ X-Boot that features a marbled cross design, to the Grunge lace-ups that will appeal to the ’90s babe, you can now cut a rug without having to worry about packing an extra pair of shoes in your bag. $95 to $195, available at MDreams.

fashion

What inspires your artwork?

Well, everything really. Whatever I see, hear, touch, and feel in everyday life can inspire my art..

What is it about Tocco Tenero that attracted you to collaborate with them?

It started out when I met my friend, Eugene Lim, who is also the head of marketing and public relations for the brand.

We built our friendship, over the years, and then I started to learn more about the brand. I was immediately attracted by their quality and design, and thought about collaborating with Tocco Tenero to create a new TO-FU world.

Text Aaron Kok & Jerlene Ng Interview and images courtesy of Tocco Tenero

114

Amidst the increasingly crowded arena of footwear collabs, Limited Edt. glows with a new instalment to its ongoing partnership with Puma. Using the iconic Puma Disc and titled ‘Chapter 2’ to present a face of Singapore’s history, the kicks employ design features to poetically allude to Singapore’s history as a shipping port. The blue upper cues Singapore’s island city identity, while the speckled teal inserts are reminiscent of the waves breaking against the shore. Come nightfall, don’t be surprised when your kicks glow in the dark, revealing a topographical map of lines that are inspired by the shipping routes used by early merchants that have led to our nation’s economic growth. Complete with shots of red in respect to our national colours, there’s no doubt that these are the soles that manifest your patriotism with style.

$69 to $179, available at Tocco Tenero.

flash

red house

Thanks to these red picks, patriotism never looked this good.

ONITSUKA TIGER Recognised for dressing fans with

BENJAMIN BARKER

featherweight shoes comfortable

No better time to wear a homegrown

enough to keep you running all

brand than during the month of our

day, Onitsuka Tiger is celebrating

nation’s birthday. This red tartan

our nation’s 51st birthday with a

shirt gives you a way to subtly wear

selection of chili-red kicks from its

your heart on your sleeve in August,

Fall/Winter 2016 collection. Best of

and come September, you’ll still be

all, it’s also available in sizes for

reaching out for this shirt for Sunday

little tots, so you can wear your

dates with your girl.

SG-pride as a fam.

$89.90, available at The Assembly

$89 to $229, available at Limited

Store, #01-21 The Cathay.

Edt stores, Onitsuka Tiger Suntec City and Sportslink Solecase.

A BATHING APE

Another great brand that comes

streetwear’s line of collectible

from our sunny shores is Sven

tees, then this is one drop to cop.

and Kane Tan’s womenswear

Featuring two tees and a water

line, In Good Company. A

bottle in the celebratory collection,

minimalist collarless shirt gets a

the first design features the

vibrant jolt with the pairing of an

Japanese label’s trademark ape

A-line skirt. Featuring utilitarian

logo done over in a red camouflage

pockets and a front slit, you can

print. The other design pays playful

break apart this look and wear it

homage to our Merlion, with

with a multitude of other options

Baby Milos lounging around the

to work or play.

Singapura icon.

If you’re a fan of the cult

POA, available at In Good

POA, available at A Bathing Ape,

Company, #B1-06 ION Orchard.

#02-08/09/10 Mandarin Gallery.

A BAG OF BOTTLES

FASHION LANDSCAPES Just because the Fall months are arriving doesn’t mean that the colourful threads of summer should be relegated to the back of the closet. For G.Kero, Marguerite Bartherotte looks to the Canadian landscapes to birth the Fall/Winter 2016 collection.

Creatures of the woodlands take on technicolour coats, as fierce tigers and docile foxes sit next to pieces printed with hugging polar bears and watercolour mountains and rivers. Adding quirk all around, colourful skiers and the odd appearance of an exuberant Grace Jones rounds off the collection with Bartherotte’s signature sense of humour.

Available at Rue Madame, #03-13C Ngee Ann City.

Who said plastic bottles can’t do more than just hold our drinks?

Joining the Fjällräven family is the Re-Kånken backpack. With 95 per cent of the bag made from recycled plastic bottles, the utilitarian sac takes being eco-friendly into a portable fashion accessory. Available in both small and large sizes, the team behind the backpack uses nine and 11 PET bottles respectively to create them, while incorporating a SpinDye technique that uses 75 per cent less water, 67 per cent less chemicals and 39 per cent less energy in the manufacturing process.

The bag is also entirely recyclable, thereby lowering its environmental impact without scrimping on quality and design functionalities. $109 to $129, available at Actually, #03-18 orchardgateway.

fashion

Text Aaron Kok Images Various Sources

116

IN GOOD COMPANY

117

Text Jazmin Kelly Six Images Various Sources

a c t above No style offers a quick, fuss-free update like bangs do. Be it hair that is long, short, curly, or straight, adding a fringe to your look can instantly frame ’em features and take away years from the face. Besides being stylishly on-trend for the season, bangs offer versatility too – from wispy, side-swept strands to irregular punkish crops mid-forehead. Ease into the look with an angled snip just above the eyes for a soft, feminine ’do, or attempt a razor-sharp cut for a forward yet restrained touch. For those truly bold, take the plunge with a blunt chop for a complete revamp that screams edge. ’Tis the season.

made up

feature

fall for beauty NINA RICCI A clean canvas that’s subtle and sweet. With a touch of colour on the lips and defined brows, this look borders on goddess and angelic.

A great day look.

DOLCE & GABBANA Glowing, radiant and healthy looking. A great day or casual weekend ’do. I love how effortless it looks and how clear the skin is.

The quintessential no-makeup makeup.

118

ROBERTO CAVALLI Eyeliner always works for me and this look is perfect for a wild night out. It has that smouldering touch with the smoky eyes – just the ensemble for a rocking music fest.

ISOLA MARRAS Fresh and oh so fun!

Who’d have expected pink to go so well with yellow? Love the clash of hues and how pretty the look turned out.

made up

IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN, WHERE WE EXPERIMENT WITH NEW STYLES, COLOURS AND TECHNIQUES TO FLAUNT OUR BEST FALL/WINTER MAKEUP LOOKS. HERE, ZOUK’S HEAD OF MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, SOFIE CHANDRA, PICKS HER TOP FAVOURITE ’DOS TO ACE THE SEASON IN STYLE. GUCCI This look is sweet and sexy at the same time. It has that dolly lash thing going on, while keeping the eye and brows welldefined and the rest of the face clean. A seductive option for date night.

BURBERRY A dramatic look with restraint. I love the soft scattering of glitter around the eye area. This is a fun option on a party night without screaming for attention.

119

CHANEL The quilted eyeshadow by Chanel seems to draw me in somehow. It may not be day-appropriate but it’s still a fun look to try when you want to keep the focus on your peepers.

ISABEL MARANT

Text Jazmin Kelly Six Images Various Sources

Soft and subtle pops of blush on ultra-clean skin and natural-looking brows – I love the healthy glow of this look. Even the hair is cute with its pin-up girl reference.

made up

feature

NARS TANAMI BROW DEFINING CREAM

BENEFIT BROWVO! CONDITIONING PRIMER

For thin brows that need that extra lift, apply this with an angled brush to add volume and definition, while keeping the look soft and natural. $35, available at NARS counters.

A primer for the brows? Who knew!

Try it anyway if you need to bulk up sparse strands for a fuller-looking pair. $49, available at Benefit counters.

NUDESTIX BROW WAX Soft, clear and glides on smooth, this lasting formula styles unruly strands into neatness. It can even survive a warm day out. $37, available at Sephora.

MAYBELLINE MASTER BROW MASCARA Its rounded head catches fine hairs dilligently to coat them in a creamy formula that sets the brows into place and give it more oomph. $15.90, available at leading personal care stores.

URBAN DECAY BROW TAMER

BECCA SHADOW AND LIGHT BROW CONTOUR MOUSSE

THE BALM BROW POW EYEBROW POWDER Whether you need to fill out sparse spots within your arches, or prefer a softer look that’s less intimidating, this fine powder will rise to the occasion. $29.90, available at Sephora.

ANYONE WHO’S EVER ATTEMPTED TO SHAPE AND FILL THEIR BROWS WILL KNOW HOW MUCH CARE AND PRECISION IT TAKES. AFTER ALL, EYEBROWS ARE WHAT FRAME OUR FACE AND ONE WRONG MOVE COULD MEAN DISASTER FOR OUR ’DO. BETWEEN WAXING, THREADING, PLUCKING, AND TWEEZING, THERE ARE TOOLS APLENTY WE CAN USE TO KEEP OUR ARCHES IN CHECK. HERE, A LIST OF ESSENTIALS TO COMPLETE THE JOB AND KEEP YOUR BROWS LOOKING THEIR BEST.

Why stop at contouring the face? Give your brows the same multi-dimensional shine with this two-in-one, smudgeproof cream. It thickens, accentuates, and is water-resistant. $38, available at Sephora.

MAKE UP FOR EVER AQUA BROW Those who want to hang out on the golden strip but fear their brows would melt away can count on this to keep things in check. $43, available at Sephora.

EYEKO BROW MAGIC BROW BOOST

TARTE COLOURED CLAY TINTED BROW GEL Its nifty wand delivers just the right amount of pigment needed to create well-manicured brows that look full and on-trend; for up to 12 hours. $35, available at Sephora. made up

The formula contains 100 per cent natural cellulose fibres to add texture and definition, so brows look fuller, yet natural. Vitamins B and E also promote growth. $55, available at Sephora.

Text Jazmin Kelly Six Images Courreges SS16 and Various Sources

120

There will always be strays that refuse to behave. Tame em into place with this gel that softly tints and holds. $30, available at Sephora.

flash

KAT VON D BEAUTY She’s come a long way since her Miami Ink days as the sole female resident at the East Coast tattoo hotspot. Not only has Kat Von D successfully branched out to build her own Ink empire at Hollywood’s L.A. Ink, she’s also taken her innate gift for creativity and aesthetics to the beauty scene – gifting ladies with an eponymous line of cosmetics gems. Recently launched in Singapore, we pick out five must-haves from the new collection.

Available exclusively at Sephora.

Studded Kiss Lipstick in Wonderchilde, $32

Ink Liner in Dali, $31

SUPER-FOOD FOR SUPER-SKIN

Shade + Light Contour Palette, $73

Shade + Light Eye Contour Quad in Plum, $42

122

Lock-It Liquid Foundation in Medium 52, $56

colouring activity

Praised for being one of the healthiest grains – thanks to its protein-, amino acid- and vitamin-rich properties – quinoa has been trending as a super-food for quite a while now. Harnessing its goodness and distilling that into skincare? Now that made us sit up. Meet the Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Nightly Refining MicroPeel Concentrate. This gentle micro-peel dislodges dead skin cells to improve skin texture and bring about radiance, while creating a softer, smoother visage for a healthy, vibrant canvas. Best of all, its mild formula means you can use it every night and wake up to refined skin in the morning. $99 (30ml), available at Kiehl’s.

Shape up your look for the new season with these essential eyeshadow palettes.

MAKE UP FOR EVER ARTIST SHADOW 4 The fourth iteration of its popular Artist Shadow series offers intense colours that span across soft neutrals and deep jewel hues. Taking you from office days to Friday drinks with the girls, start with the lighter shades of pink and beige, then work through to the deeper tones.

$72, available at Sephora.

URBAN DECAY XX VICE LTD RELOADED Everything in this sleek box just screams fun! From earthy hues like browns and golds to wham-bam shimmer shades like indigo and purple, this party set has more than got you covered. Also included are fair shades of beige and white to use as highlighter or base.

$83, available at Urban Decay.

made up

SUMMER GLOW Whether you’re sailing down the River Seine or basking on the sand strip closer to home, consider this skin-illuminating dry oil your quintessential summer must-have. Already a favourite with fans, Nuxe revamps its popular Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil with a limited edition Paris bottle. A multi-usage formula that hydrates the skin while giving it that coveted sun-kissed glow, it replaces the need for separate face, body and hand moisturisers so you can jet about with ease; all while looking the part of a chic Parisian knock-out. $70 (100ml), available at Beauty By Nature.

flash

lift and clean

WONDER VEIL To deep-cleanse and take stubborn dirt off skin, there’s nothing better than a good ol’ clay mask. And Biotherm’s latest Wonder Mud is just what the doctor ordered. Made with an antioxidant-rich algae extract and purifying mountain clay from Morrocco, this mud mask is extra hardworking when it comes to thorough exfoliation.

The crushed apricot seeds clean the mien diligently, while the airy formula softens skin gently and controls excess sebum action. $59 (75ml), available at Biotherm counters.

Thanks to the French, micellar water-based makeup removers have become all the rage. Formulated with tiny oil molecules suspended in water – which grabs onto unwanted particles and dissolves them – it allows effortless removal of pigments and grime without the use of water.

Perfect for lazy nights when you just want a quick fix without having to spend time at the sink. If you have yet to give micellar water a go, start with these new launches.

LIP SERVICE

Bioré Oil-Control Micellar Cleansing Water $18.90 (300ml), available at leading personal care stores.

Text Jazmin Kelly Six Images Various Sources

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water $19.90 (400ml), available at leading personal care stores.

For a quick and easy way to jazz up your look, nothing does the job faster than a lipstick. To help you ace the styles of the coming season, Etude House introduces 12 new pout painters with its updated Dear My Blooming LipsTalk series. Divided into Chiffon, Matte and Cream categories, the colours include new shades of pinks and reds, with a formula that’s lightweight and soft. The lippies also offer a comfortable creamy texture that feels natural, while delivering a long-wearing high-payoff finish. $17.90, available at Etude House.

Nivea Extra White Make Up Clear Micellar Water $9.90 (200ml), available at leading personal care stores.

We’d be right to say that the Koreans are always one step ahead when it comes to beauty. While every other brand out there is rolling out its own version of cushion gear, K-Beauty giant, Clio, is already moving on to launch its first Kill Cover Stamping Foundation. What that translates to is essentially a liquid foundie pact that works in tandem with a stamping sponge to reach all of the face’s corners and contours easily. Expect a formula that is bursting with nourishing, hydrating benefits, and a lightweight, even finish that looks natural and is breathable. $39.90, available at leading personal care stores.

made up

FREEZE FRIZZ You know frizz is a real problem here in Singapore when it warrants a warning from Posh Spice (to bestie Eva Longoria on her visit here in 2014). But all you need are the right products to combat the wrath humidity unleashes on your mane. Cue L’Oreal Paris’ Extraordinary Oil Eclat Imperial collection.

Taking care of your tresses from root to end, the series offers a shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, and smoothing oil – formulated with precious French Rose oil – to bring on a luscious shine and tame locks so you turn heads for all the right reasons.

From $16.90 to $26.90, available at leading personal care stores.

123

man up

SPRUCE UP REFRESH YOUR LOOK FOR THE NEW SEASON WITH THESE GROOMING GEMS.

PHYTO PHYTOLOGIST 15 ANTI-HAIR LOSS TREATMENT

AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES SHAVE FOAM GEL

Whether it’s stress-related or a pure case of genetics, a thinning crown is not a good look to sport – especially at the turn of a new season where new styles abound. Peep inside this box to unveil 36 tiny bottles of strand-lovin’ goodness. A combination of 99 per cent natural botanical ingredients – including cacao extract and vegetable stem cells – helps to soothe irritated scalp, generate a thicker mop, and keep it healthy inside out. $299.90 (36 x 3.5ml ampoules), available at Beauty By Nature.

If you’re crazy about scents like we are, Aromatherapy Associates is a must. While we’ve been quite fixated with its essential oil blends for the bath, we are also loving its facial care range.

This creamy foam is just what you need for a soothing, close shave. It gets rid of unwanted fuzz effortlessly, thanks to a smooth formula that glides across the skin easily, while the peppermint and aloe vera within moisturise and comfort. $39 (125ml), available at Sephora.

BILLY JEALOUSY FUNK BUDDY DEODORANT NO 2 WOODSY

AMERICAN CREW FIBER

THE BODY SHOP TEA TREE 3 IN 1 SCRUB MASK

There’s nothing quite as essential as keeping your pits smelling fine. But if you’re concerned with cancer-causing ingredients, weird-smelling scents, and products that stain clothes, let us turn your attention to this right here: an aluminium-, parabenand alcohol-free formula that guards your underarms against icky smells and embarrassing marks. Best of all, it’s made with natural ingredients like aloe vera, witch hazel, sage leaf, and bergamot extracts, and has a creamy woodsy scent that oozes masculinity. $32, available at whathewants.com.sg.

BYRD SOAP ON A ROPE

We know how grime and clogged pores can wreak havoc and cause annoying zits on that mug – active sebum production and sweltering tropical climes simply do not see eye to eye – and we have just the solution you may need. Infused with kaolin clay, a powerful dirtpulling agent that cleans out pores, volcanic minerals and community trade tea tree oil, this multi-tasking formula purifies, smooths, and mattifies skin for a clearer visage. $29.90 (125ml), available at The Body Shop.

INNISFREE JEJU BAMBOO ALL-IN-ONE FLUID

Think bamboo and these come to mind: panda; refreshing drink; strong clothes pole. Who knew we could add ‘skincare’ to the list? What makes the bamboo in this product different is that it births from the pure soil of Jeju, South Korea, making it an excellent skin healer for conditions like acne and eczema. Enjoy the benefits in this triple-duty oil- and alcohol-free formula, which serves as a toner, lotion and serum all at once. $29 (100ml), available at Innisfree.

Okay, first of all, how adorable is this little number? It’s a total need for an Instagram-worthy shower. Looks aside, the handy coconut-scented soap also comes through with efficiency. It can be used on the hair, face and body alike, making it a convenient option for gym days or week-long vacays. Its sturdy paracord allows you to hang it over the shower (instead of letting it sit in a gooey mess) when not in use, or around your wrist when you’re working it hard. $20 (113g), available at Sephora.

RALPH LAUREN POLO BLUE EDP

Every now and then, we’d come across a scent that calls to mind a strong, seductive man who is smart and driven; this new addition to the brand’s wildly-popular Polo Blue range personifies all that and more. Sharp with a burst of bergamot at first whiff, the sparkling potion blends a seductive vetiver with a touch of spicy cardamom, and settles with woody amber notes. Refined and sensual it is; highlighted by an intense freshness that spurs you on.

From $109 (75ml) to $132 (125ml), available at leading departmental stores. made up

Text Jazmin Kelly Six Images Various Sources

124

A poufy pompadour or suave faux-hawk – if you like your crowning glory tall and proud, you’ll need a little help from this handsome guy here. Stored within a minimal black tub is a medium- to highhold matte paste, which coats strands to give it extra volume and strength. It helps to texturise the mane and creates a fuller look, yet still remain pliable so you can switch styles as you please throughout the day. Its citrusy scent is a winner too. $22, available at Sephora.

125

Text Trent Davis Images Ette Tea Company

local to a tea There’s little that a hot cup of tea can’t fix – and, in the case of the homegrown Ette Tea Company – even a case of sudden homesickness. Boiling down Singapore’s love for gastronomy into a collection of exquisite blends, the Local Flavours collection presents five unique iterations of some of the country’s culinary favourites. Mimicking the aromatic silhouettes of Nasi Lemak and Chicken Rice to arouse taste buds for the signature rice dishes, sweets-inspired blends like Pandan Chiffon, Mango Sticky Rice and Lychee Konnyaku call upon treasured makan memories through fragrant combinations of premium ingredients. No matter how far from the nest you stray, each cup is sure to transport you right back home.

$26 (50g tin) and $18 (50g packet), available at Ette Tea Company, 333 Kreta Ayer Road #03-25 and ettetea.com.

navigate

feature

steps in the right direction

WHILE SINGAPORE’S STRINGENT LAWS HAVE PAINTED THE NATION AS ONE OF CENSORSHIP AND STIFLED CREATIVITY, SUCH HURDLES HAVEN’T STOPPED THE LIKES OF LOCAL FILMMAKER BOO JUNFENG. HE’S PUSHED THE BOUNDARIES OF COMPELLING STORYTELLING AND MADE HIS WAY TO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS, MOST RECENTLY AT CANNES FILM FESTIVAL FOR HIS REFLECTIVE NARRATIVE ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, APPRENTICE. STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS, THE YOUNG FILMMAKER LOOKS BACK ON THE FILMS THAT HELPED SHAPE SINGAPORE’S FILMMAKING COMMUNITY AND INSPIRED HIS OWN PASSION FOR THE MOVING IMAGE.

MEE POK MAN (1995)

BY ERIC KHOO

126

Eric Khoo’s debut feature film, Mee Pok Man, is credited as the film that restarted the new wave of filmmaking in Singapore. The story of Johnny, the mee pok seller, and his love for Bunny, a sex worker and frequent customer at his stall, was a must-watch when I was in film school. The film was restored last year and presented at the Singapore International Film Festival on its 20th anniversary. I hope there will be more screenings of it in the future.

12 STOREYS (1997)

BY ERIC KHOO

Eric Khoo’s second film was also the first Singapore film to have made it to Cannes Film Festival. It was in the Official Selection in 1997 under ‘Un Certain Regard’, the same section Apprentice was selected at this year. Incidentally, I included a scene of 12 Storeys in Apprentice as a sort of homage to Eric’s second film. The film stars Jack Neo as Ah Gu, a soup seller who squabbles with his money-obsessed wife, Lily (Quan Yi Fong). It was Jack’s first role in a movie, and he credited the experience for triggering his interest in filmmaking.

15 (2003) B Y R O Y S T O N TA N

The ‘bad boy’ of Singapore cinema made his first feature film with 15, an expanded version of his short film of the same title. Royston’s career was always an inspiration to many younger filmmakers like me. Having made several award-winning shorts for a number of years, he ‘graduated’ into making features while directing TV commercials for a living. 15 suffered 27 cuts for its theatrical release in Singapore as the police were concerned about the use of real gang names in the film. This resulted in Royston making his hilarious satirical musical short film Cut, which I got to see at the opening of the 2004 Singapore International Film Festival. I remember thinking what a hero Royston was for making that film.

navigate

feature

SINGAPORE DREAMING (2006)

BY COLIN GOH & WOO YEN YEN

Singapore Dreaming is a portrait of a working-class Singaporean family, with its members’ woes and aspirations for a better life.

At a time when Singapore films were dichotomised between the commercial comedies of Jack Neo and the festival art house films of Eric Khoo, Singapore Dreaming was one of the first and most successful films that managed to find a balance between critical acclaim and commercial appeal. For a young, aspiring, filmmaker like me at that time, it signalled the possibility of making a Singapore film that was both accessible and integrous.

INVISIBLE CITY (2007) B Y TA N P I N P I N

I am a fan of all of Pin Pin’s films, but Invisible City struck me particularly deeply. A documentary about the fragility of personal histories, the film ran for four weeks at The Arts House in 2007. I remember attending one of its last screenings, and just as the film was ending, I could hear the distant fireworks from the National Day Parade at Marina Bay. The official national narrative being celebrated outside with such pomp and pageantry tends to be so ubiquitous in our society, but that night, it failed to overshadow the personal narratives that I had just witnessed in Invisible City. It was a particularly poignant experience for me and it partly inspired the making of my first feature film, Sandcastle.

127

I LO I LO ( 2 0 1 3 )

BY ANTHONY CHEN

TextTrent Davis Images Various Sources (Portrait by Yew Jiajun)

The success of Anthony’s debut feature film was another major milestone for Singapore films. It won multiple awards around the world, including the coveted ‘Camera d’Or’ at Cannes (an award for first-time filmmakers) and the Golden Horse at Taiwan’s Golden Horse Film Festival. Its success also drew attention from a younger crop of filmmakers in Singapore whose inspiration mainly comes from auteur cinema.

7 LETTERS (2015)

BY ERIC KHOO, JACK NEO, ROYSTON TA N , K R A J A G O PA L , TA N P I N P I N , B O O J U N F E N G & K E LV I N T O N G

By 2015, there was a diverse group of practitioners making films in Singapore. 7 Letters, an anthology initiated by Royston Tan, brought together seven directors to each contribute a short film to commemorate SG50. Needless to say, I was very honoured to have been invited to be a part of it. We were all pleasantly surprised when the film came together as we realised how personal and heartfelt every short film was. The film was so well received that it got an unexpected commercial release in cinemas. For the uninitiated, it was a great way to be introduced to the diverse voices in the filmmaking community.

boojunfeng.com navigate

feature

It’s amazing that you can still find spots like this, away from the noise and skyscrapers.

128

singapore off the beaten track PLEASANTRY’S CONSISTENTLY ENCHANTING INDIE POP HAS ESTABLISHED IT AS ONE OF LOCAL MUSIC’S GEMS. BESIDES BEING THEIR DRUMMER AND PROVIDING A RHYTHMIC BACKBONE TO THE BAND’S TEXTURAL EFFUSIONS, DANIAAL ADAM IS ALSO A SHUTTERBUG WITH A PASSION FOR EXPLORING THE SINGAPOREAN OUTDOORS ON HIS MOTORCYCLE. HERE, HE TAKES US THROUGH HOW THE LANDSCAPE HAS CHANGED OVER TIME.

“The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by man”, an unknown author once penned. For the regular city dwellers of Singapore, used to being surrounded by skyscrapers and impressive architecture, that line is most pertinent.

Natural landscapes are hard to come by in this city, but if you have a keen sense of exploration, you’ll find some hidden pockets of untouched greenery in our backyard. Outside of music, I try to seek the outdoors as much as I can to get my senses in order.

There’s usually no Wi-Fi but I find that there’s definitely a better connection.

Unfortunately, as Singapore gets more constructed, some of the places in these photos no longer exist.

navigate

feature

The green corridor, where the KTM railway line used to be, is a great place to take in the outdoors.

Isolated spots like this, away from the bustle of the city, are few and far between.

The view somewhere along the Tampines quarry off-road trail.

129 Al fresco lunch somewhere in the Eastern part of Singapore. This area has since made way for Changi Airportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Terminal 4.

navigate

feature

This photo paints a telling story of the irony of outdoor-living in Singapore.

Somewhere along the coast of Tuas.

Swapping our favourite supper joints for a midnight picnic off the beaten track in Seletar.

Singapore may be small, but there are still places to explore.

On certain nights when the sky is well lit, our coastal shores provide cool breezes and are good for stargazing.

Follow Daniaalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adventures at mountkurb.com or on Instagram at @mountkurb. navigate

Text Indran P Images Daniaal Adam

130

special

VISION IN ACTION with the

TOGETHER WITH ASUS, ‘VISION IN ACTION’ SHOWCASED THE BRIMMING TALENT OF OUR LOCAL FILMMAKERS, TASKING THEM WITH CREATING A SERIES OF SHORT FILMS USING THE ASUS ZEN AIO PRO. BUT FILMMAKERS AREN’T THE ONLY ONES CELEBRATING THE ALL-IN-ONE ENTERTAINMENT HUB – FROM UNBRIDLED CREATIVITY TO ULTIMATE R&R, THE ASUS ZEN AIO PRO HAS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PUT YOUR PASSION INTO ACTION, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR VISION.

FOR THE DET AILE D DES IGNE R

FOR THE MUS IC MAESTR O

To showcase your show-stopping creativity, you’ll need nothing less than a stellar display to fine-tune your craft. Matching the elegant, eye-catching design of the ASUS Zen AiO Pro’s golden aluminium housing, the PC’s 4K/UHD display is a marvel for those who strive to see intricate details. Putting all eyes on its whopping 23.8 inches and a screen resolution of 3840x2160, the ASUS Zen AiO Pro gives illustrators, graphic designers, and discerning creatives new possibilities with its plus-sized canvas. Not only does its impressive processor make design software a breeze to navigate, its wide colour gamut of 82 per cent NTSC, 85 per cent Adobe RGB and up to 100 per cent sRGB, as well as an astonishing 185 PPI (pixels-per-inch)*, gives users complete control over colour parameters and artistic expression.

Creating a song that sticks is no easy feat; creating one on a PC without the guts to bring it to life is an entirely different obstacle. Whether you’re a bedroom producer synthesising electronic magic or recording live instruments the old-school way from a mixing desk, the ASUS Zen AiO Pro has the chops to tackle notoriously resource-heavy audio software, sporting the latest Intel® Core™ i7 quad-core processor and 32GB DDR4 memory so you’re never left hanging. In addition to an ASUS SonicMaster Premium sixspeaker stereo configuration with 16-watt output for massive monitoring, a complimentary one-year personal cloud subscription to ASUS WebStorage allows users to sync works-in-progress from the desktop to portable devices for when those moments of creativity strike while on the go.

*Only for 4K/UHD model.

FOR THE AVE RAG E JOE & JAN E

FOR THE AVI D GAM ER When leading a unit of troops into virtual battle, every second counts; all it takes is a technical hiccup in a firefight to throw away your chances at victory.

The ASUS Zen AiO Pro has your back, arming you with powerful hardware to keep you at the top of your game with an immersive audiovisual experience. Equipped with a NVIDIA® Ge-Force® GTX™ 960M graphics card with 4GB of video memory, expect crisp detail and stutter-free gameplay, powered by a formidable Intel® Core™ i7 quad-core processor. From multiplayer first-person shooters to interactive apps powered by an Intel® RealSense 3-D camera*, the ASUS Zen AiO Pro’s vivid display and six-speaker sound system places you at the centre of the action as you fight your way to glory. *Only for 4K/UHD model.

Even if your work day job doesn’t require a stateof-the-art device, there’s no reason why you should spend your treasured downtime waiting around for a slow, clunky PC. On top of bringing stunning visuals and explosive sounds to the forefront of entertainment, the ASUS Zen AiO Pro’s performance-pushing hardware will have you spending more time on what matters most. With facial recognition password features that allow you to unlock your system without lifting a finger, the all-in-one entertainment hub’s touch screen seamlessly integrates the desktop experience with the rest of your smart devices. Designed with ergonomic excellence and maximum luxury in mind, where even the display angle can be adjusted with a gentle push of the finger, the ASUS Zen AiO Pro is a powerhouse of possibility while bringing 4K into the present.

The ASUS Zen AiO Pro with 4K/UHD display retails at $3,198 at all ASUS brand stores and authorised retailers. Also available in Full HD version starting from $1,099. For more info, visit asus.com/sg.

feature

back to the drawing board MOBILITY

It is extremely liberating to be able to draw anywhere.

Aside from carrying a sketchbook, drawing for me usually means itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done on my drafting table within the four walls of my room. With the iPad Pro, I could get so much more done while on the go or in between pockets of free time.

132

APPS

There are tonnes of Apps to choose from in the App store â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from basic productivity, emails, drawing apps, I managed to work across a few. After much experimenting, my favourite app to use was the Procreate3.

SPLIT-SCREEN ABILITY

I love this feature! It allows me to look up a reference on Google Images or from my Camera Roll, and also lets me check emails as I work.

navigate

feature

IN PUTTING TOGETHER THIS MONTH’S COVER FEATURING THELIONCITYBOY, ILLUSTRATOR KRISTAL MELSON TOOK TO THE APPLE IPAD PRO AND WIELDED HER APPLE PENCIL TO CREATE A STUNNING PIECE THAT WILL GO DOWN IN ’S VAULT AS ONE OF THE MOST EYE-CATCHING AND MEMORABLE COVERS YET. HAVING PREVIOUSLY BEEN COMMISSIONED BY THE LIKES OF MARC JACOBS, LEVI’S AND UNIQLO, MELSON’S BRAND OF ILLUSTRATION COMBINES VERVE WITH SASS TO BRING TO LIFE THE CHARACTERS THAT SHE CONJURES. HERE, SHE DOCUMENTS HER JOURNEY OF CREATION AND DISCUSSES THE FEATURES SHE ENJOYED MOST ON THE NIFTY 12-INCH TABLET.

SEAMLESS FUNCTIONALITY

To my surprise, the Adobe CC files were seamless. I was able to transfer the final artwork from the iPad Pro to my computer to compose the finished cover in Indesign. Amazing!

133

APPLE PENCIL IMAGE QUALITY

Text Jazmin Kelly Six Images Kristal Melson

Previously, I had only heard of illustrators using the iPad Pro for rough sketches. Here, I was able to work entirely on a high-resolution image for print.

MULTI-TASKING

It’s a pretty bad habit, but I almost always need a TV show or a movie playing in the background as I work. I downloaded the Netflix app, used public Wi-Fi, and I could draw at the same time. The video frame is adjustable to any size, and can be moved around the screen so it doesn’t block any areas I’m drawing on.

navigate

Thanks to its smart sensitivity, it hardly took any time for me to get used to it.

The Apple Pencil felt so comfortable in my hand, and there is no latency.

special

AUDIO-TECHNICA TAKES ITS TURNTABLES TO SINGAPORE’S COOLEST CAFES Just as cheese goes with wine and lemon goes with thyme, the full flavour of a good cup of coffee can be brought out by the soothing sound of a vinyl record. A timeless ritual that’s still honoured from living rooms to trendsetting coffee spots, the warm crackles of wax grooves harmonising with the clinking of cups on saucers and the aroma of roasted beans stands as one of life’s simplest and most pleasurable pairings. To celebrate the age-old art of unwinding, renowned sound expert and turntable specialist, Audio-Technica, unites the two types of black gold across Singapore’s coolest caffeine sanctuaries for the monthly series, ‘Cafes x Turntables’.

Held across six months, Audio-Technica spins the wheels of the vinyl evolution by taking its renowned USB-output-equipped stereo turntable, the AT-LP60-USB, to the cosy confines of six different locations – including KKi Sweets, Kombi Rocks, One Man Coffee, The Betterfield, The Lokal and Tolido’s Espresso Nook.

Those who are sold on the turntable and wish to own one of their own can purchase the AT-LP60-USB ($188) in Limited Edition Red, Blue and Gun Metal at participating dealers including Popular, Challenger and Lazada, and receive a free pair of Audio-Technica earphones worth $168, as well as additional perks from each cafe.

In addition, Audio-Technica has also teamed up with vinyl specialists Curated Records, Retrophonic Records, Simply Music and RetroCrates to offer fresh records and other accessories to spin on their turntable, as well as other accessories.

splendour. Simply by visiting all of the participating cafes, snapping a photo with the Audio-Technica turntable and/or Audio-Technica props placed in-store, and sharing the image on either Audio-Technica (S.E.A.)’s Facebook page or on Instagram with the hash tags #AudioTechnicaSEA, #ATturntablecontest and the name of the cafe, shutterbugs stand a chance to win a AT-LP60-USB. But to score the grand prize, you’ll need to visit all six cafes and come out on top with the most liked photo – so make sure you’ve got your Insta-styling tips and filters all worked out to walk away with a brand new turntable in tow.

Despite vinyl records and coffee being steeped in history, Audio-Technica calls on all who delight in gastronomy and grooves to share the love. Jumping on the wavelength of today’s generation of social media-minded cafe-dwellers, the six-month campaign will see participants rewarded with a slew of prizes, including the very same AT-LP60USB that peppers the grub at each cafe with sonic

Cafes x Turntables runs until December 2016 at various locations. For info on prizes and the selected cafe of each month, visit sea.audio-technica.com and facebook.com/audiotechnicasea. Keep up to date on the buzz on Instagram by following the tags #AudioTechnicaSEA and #ATturntablecontest.

gear

GADGETS FOR THE GARDEN CITY DON’T LET SINGAPORE’S LUSH GREENERY FOOL YOU. WHILE HER SPRAWLING FLORA IS A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES, BENEATH THE VEGETATION SITS AN UNFORGIVING CONCRETE HABITAT IN WHICH ‘DOG-EAT-DOG’ DEFINES THE WAY OF LIFE. WHILE IT AIN’T EASY OUTLASTING THE LION CITY, A LITTLE BIT OF TECH WIZARDRY WILL GET YOU THROUGH TO SEE THE FOREST FOR THE TREES.

136

S O N Y X P E R I A X A U LT R A

In Singapore’s rapidly growing ‘see and be seen’ culture, it’s not at all uncommon to witness locals and tourists alike taking pictures of just about anything to defend against “photos or it didn’t happen” remarks. With a swell of celebrities regularly hitting our shores, the last thing you’d want in the crucial moment is a blurry, grainy shot of you and your heartthrob.

Sony’s latest addition to its flagship smartphone range solves that – equipped with two exceptional cameras to double your chances of a moneyshot worth framing. An intelligent 16MP front-facing camera with Sony’s renowned low-light sensors ensures your selfies are bright and blur-free, while a 21.5MP rear camera armed with speedy Fast Launch and Hybrid Autofocus features means you can whip out sharp shots at a moment’s notice. To top it off, its edge-to-edge six-inch display lets you guiltlessly relive each moment in vivid colour. $648, available at authorised retailers.

LG O L E D T V C 6

If you still have the time, money and energy to hit the club when the weekend comes, we salute you. For those who feel the need to numb themselves to the onslaught of the outside world, you can always lose yourself in a movie marathon or TV series binge before going back to the grind. But if you’re trying to immerse yourself in a screen from your lap, you’re doing it wrong. Smartening up to the Netflix generation, the LG OLED TV C6 brings 4K and stunning image production to your viewing pleasure. Packing the streamlined WebOS 3.0 user interface for seamless navigation, the Netflix-recommended TV sports a picture-on-glass design and integrated soundbar for richer images and explosive sound, and is also equipped with depthand-detail-enhancing HDR and Dolby Vision to future-proof whatever Hollywood has to throw at it.

From $6,799 (55-inch), available at authorised retailers.

navigate

gear

SENNHEISER MOMENTUM WIRELESS

The hustle and bustle of living in our built-up city-state can be taxing enough on the ears without you becoming an unwilling audience to heated squabbles over seats on the MRT. Ridding you of stress-inducing tangles and commotion on your commute, Sennheiser’s updated Momentum wireless headphones provide soothing aural relief. Delivering crystal clear sound in a luxurious build of stainless steel and leather, the over-ear headphones cut out ambient noise with NoiseGard hybrid active noise cancellation technology. As well as enhancing the detail of your tunes, voice calls are kept clear for both you and whoever’s on the other end, with dual built-in microphones eliminating external interference. Able to sync up to your smart devices with one-touch NFC Bluetooth pairing, you can cut out the unwanted hullabaloo for up to 22 hours and easily fold them up when you’re ready to face the music of the street. $699, available at authorised retailers.

M O P H I E J U I C E PA C K W I R E L E S S

Even as many begin to approach their thirties, a single phone call from an anxious parent worrying why you’re not home yet can teleport you back into your teens – heaven forbid you run out of battery and forget to notify the ’rents that you’ll be bar-hopping till morning. While a portable battery can be a saving grace in moments like these, it’s even better if your back-up plan is attached to your smartphone at all times. The mophie juice pack wireless is exactly that, giving your iPhone an extra kick when it’s running dry. Built into the smartphone case itself, the juice pack wireless protects your device while delivering more than 50 per cent of additional charge without you having to do a thing. Better yet, the latest wireless iteration loses the cables for a wireless charging dock, meaning you can set your phone down and rest assured it’s juiced up without lifting a finger. $139 (iPhone 6s/6) and $179 (iPhone 6s Plus/6 Plus), available exclusively at iStudio.

137

SAMSUNG GEAR FIT2

With countless choices of mouthwatering food at almost every corner across the island, it can be hard to say no to a saucy-as-sin murtabak at the end of a tough week. So when pure willpower can’t fend off temptation, a wrist-worn helper like the Samsung Gear Fit2 might do the trick. Sporting a large Super AMOLED display and easy-to-navigate user interface to save you from squinting at your workout stats, the sleek wearable keeps track of your fitness metrics with precision. It measures heart rate to know how much you need to step it up and maps out your favourite routes with GPS to show just how often you walk by the biryani stall by ‘accident’. And with friendly fitness competitions between friends through the S Health app to keep you motivated, you’ll be able to smugly see if one of your workout buds has been adding extra fishballs to their noodle bowls. $298, available at authorised retailers.

Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

ASUS TRANSFORMER 3 PRO

There’s always one extra email, proposal or project lurking around the corner after you’ve clocked off work in Singapore. So when something urgent strikes while you’re on the move, you’ll need a gadget that gets you through from public transport to impromptu coffee shop meetings.

ASUS’ 2-in-1 Transformer 3 Pro is just the device to get the job done in any environment. Featuring a 8.35mm thin premium aluminiummagnesium alloy body, the PC’s sturdy construction takes a load off your shoulders, weighing in at under 800g. Making viewing angles and ergonomic typing a breeze with a 155-degree mechanical hinge, the Transformer 3 Pro also packs exclusive features like the blue lightreducing Eye-Care Mode to keep your peepers from tiring. And with a lightning-fast i7 processor, 16GB of LPDDR3 RAM and USB-C port with a universal dock, you’ll be done before you make it home.

POA. For more info, visit asus.com/sg.

navigate

Hello There.

Thanks for p picking g up p this free copy py of and holding it in these beautiful hands of y yours.

We hope p you y love reading it as much as we loved p putting g it together. g Because weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re FREE, we really y need as much support pp as we can, so that we can n do bigger gg and better things. g is forward, takes chances, and veryy understanding g of current and future trends in n Music, Fashion, Nightlife g and Street Culture.

Besides hugging gg g our readers and feeding ng them with loads of healthy y content, we also love to help p our advertising g clients reach out to an alpha-consuming p g market that is g getting g bigger gg by y the day and highly receptive p of cool ideas and what can offer them.

If yyouâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re interested to be a p part of the dream, and to market your y brand or product p in the most innovative and effective of ways, do contact sales@juice.com.sg +65 6325 8042

Thank y you for y your support and we love you.

grub

A RETURN

TO ROOTS

WILLIN LOW ROXY LAKSA & PRAWN NOODLE

140

(image: littlecornerofmyheart.blogspot.com)

A third generation laksa hawker in a 51-year-old country; this in itself is a feat.

The laksa here is my favourite in Singapore.

Although it doesn’t contain any cockles, the umami of the dried shrimps more than makes up for it. Roxy’s is not a strongly flavoured laksa. Instead, it is a delicate and very well-balanced one with the sweet aroma of freshly squeezed coconut milk. #01-48 East Coast Lagoon Food Village, tel: 9630-2321.

KATONG CHICKEN CURRY PUFFS Curry puffs are my first love and, sadly, artisanal handmade curry puffs will be a thing of the past soon if the children of these hawkers don’t carry on the trade. A good curry puff must be so good that even the dough is delicious on its own.

Instead of using coconut milk in this recipe, the curry here is made with evaporated milk, giving it a different taste profile. I have been eating this curry puff for over 20 years and can wolf down five in one go. #01-132 Marine Parade Central Market and Food Centre, tel: 6440-1908.

(image: misstamchiak.com)

(image: 2bearbear.com) (image: hungryisland.wordpress.com)

HAINAN FRIED HOKKIEN PRAWN MEE

(image: 4-the-love-of-food.blogspot.sg)

(image: hungryisland.wordpress.com) To me, a good hokkien mee must have four things: thin bee hoon, cut chilli, pork belly strips, and wok hei. Thin bee hoon absorbs all the flavourful stock into the noodles; a thick bee hoon will result in a wet hokkien mee, which means it’s less likely to have wok hei. I never eat sambal with my noodles because that will mask the flavour of the stock, hence, I prefer cut chilli. I still get the heat, but also the original flavour of the noodle stock. I do eat sambal but with the prawns and squid separately. Hainan Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee ticks all the boxes. #B1-34 Golden Mile Food Centre, tel: 6294-6798.

navigate

grub

“LAWYER LEAVES PRACTICE TO PURSUE PASSION PROJECT” IS A HEADLINE THAT’S BECOME MORE FREQUENT – BUT IF THERE’S ONE WHO CAN SAY THEY FOUND SUCCESS IN THEIR SEARCH, IT WOULD BE CHEF WILLIN LOW. FOUNDER OF WILD ROCKET, THE PIONEERING RESTAURATEUR HAS CHAMPIONED THE MODERN SINGAPOREAN (OR ‘MOD SIN’) MOVEMENT SINCE HANGING UP HIS LEGAL CAP, EARNING INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM AND A SCORE OF ‘BEST CHEF’ TITLES IN THE PROCESS. DESPITE HIS ACHIEVEMENTS AND TRAVELLED PALATE, CHEF LOW CONTINUES TO TURN TO HAWKER FOOD AS BOTH A FAMILIAR FRIEND AND SOURCE OF INSPIRATION. HERE, FIVE OF HIS FAVOURITE HAWKER HOTSPOTS.

inspiration to innovation Three dishes you can try at Wild Rocket and the stories that inspired them.

SINGAPORE FRIED NOODLES – KING PRAWN HOKKIEN MEE While I was living in the U.K. as a student, every Chinese takeaway shop served a version of Singapore Fried Noodles – and

LIM’S FRIED OYSTER

no Singaporean had ever eaten

Adding starch to oyster omelette is a common practice here, but in the hands of a lesser hawker, the starch will be heavy and tasteless.

Here, the starch is fried to a fragrant crisp on the outside yet just about set on the inside. Lim somehow manages to coax the stars of the dish, the eggs and oysters, to be friends with the starch – resulting in one delightful, sinful, delicious mess. I get my weekly fix here without fail. #01-32 Berseh Food Centre, tel: 9386-0732.

such a dish at home! I decided to take ownership of this mythical dish, and plan to keep changing the dish itself to capture the many possibilities that the idea of Singapore Noodles presents.

SALTED EGG CRAB CAKE This was inspired by salted egg crab – so simple yet so satisfying. The sweetness of the crab pairs perfectly

(image: misstamchiak.com)

with the richness and savoury character of the yolk. Why didn’t I

(image: sgfoodonfoot.com)

think of this earlier?

(image: misstamchiak.com)

POMELO SALAD WITH FROZEN COCONUT DRESSING

(image: sgfoodonfoot.com)

The pomelo salad with frozen coconut dressing is inspired by

Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

SONG KEE FISHBALL NOODLE

the flavours of Thai cuisine, and it has been improved over the years.

We made the traditional dressing into an

Fish dumplings that are handmade are probably restricted to a handful of hawkers in Singapore, and of this handful (mind you, they are all good), this is the best. The skin of the dumpling, which is made with fish meat, has a nice elasticity, which gives way to the slippery pork filling inside. Did I say how good their sambal is? And the perfectly cooked noodles are served with crunchy golden lardons.

532 Upper Serangoon Road.

ice cream so the salad is kept cold throughout.

This dish made it to The New York Times and has also delighted the Thai Crown Princess.

Available at Wild Rocket, 10A Upper Wilkie Road, tel: 6339-9448. wildrocket.com.sg

navigate

141

grub

A KULT CLASSIC

BOSNIAN CEVAPI-STYLE BURGER PATTY INGREDIENTS 1½ pounds ground beef 1½ pounds ground lamb 1 egg white 4 cloves garlic 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon paprika METHOD EgZ]ZVi \g^aa id bZY^jb"adl ]ZVi# >c V aVg\Z Wdla! XdbW^cZ i]Z \gdjcY WZZ[! \gdjcY aVbW VcY Z\\ l]^iZ# 6YY i]Z \Vga^X! hVai! WV`^c\ hdYV! WaVX` eZeeZg! XVnZccZ eZeeZg! VcY eVeg^`V# B^m lZaa jh^c\ ndjg ]VcYh! VcY [dgb ^cid Wjg\Zg h^oZY eVii^Zh# 8dkZg l^i] eaVhi^X lgVe dg lVm eVeZg VcY gZ[g^\ZgViZ [dg Vc ]djg id V YVn! id aZi i]Z ÄVkdgh hZiiaZ VcY i]Z b^mijgZ id WZXdbZ Ãgb# A^\]ian d^a \g^aa^c\ hjg[VXZ# <g^aa eVii^Zh jci^a Xdd`ZY i]gdj\]!

BEEF RENDANG

IT’S HARD NOT TO BE REELED INTO ZAC MIRZA’S INFECTIOUS ENTHUSIASM FOR CREATING GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCES. DESPITE A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE IN CONSTRUCTING IMAGINATIVE COCKTAILS AND SOUL-SOOTHING CUISINE BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD, THE KULT KAFE F&B DIRECTOR FAVOURS FOOD THAT GETS TO THE POINT AND WASTES NO TIME ON PRETENSE, SHARED WITH EXCELLENT COMPANY. IN THE SPIRIT OF SHARING, MIRZA KEENLY IMPARTS HIS RECIPE FOR HIS CROSS-CULINARY CREATION – THE BEEF RENDANG BURGER – WHICH WILL SOON FIND A NEW HOME AT HIS EMILY HILL HIDEOUT.

ZAC MIRZA

SPICE PASTE 5 shallots 1 inch galangal 3 lemongrass (white part only) 5 cloves garlic 1 inch ginger &%"&' Yg^ZY X]^aa^Zh hdV`ZY ^c lVgb lViZg VcY YZhZZYZY METHOD 8]de i]Z he^XZ eVhiZ ^c\gZY^Zcih VcY i]Zc WaZcY ^c V [ddY egdXZhhdg jci^a ÃcZ# =ZVi i]Z d^a ^c V hiZl edi! VYY i]Z he^XZ eVhiZ! X^ccVbdc! XadkZh! hiVg Vc^hZ! VcY XVgYVbdb VcY hi^g [gn i]Zb jci^a VgdbVi^X# 6YY i]Z WZZ[ VcY i]Z edjcYZY aZbdc\gVhh VcY hi^g [dg V b^cjiZ# 6YY i]Z XdXdcji b^a`! iVbVg^cY _j^XZ! lViZg VcY h^bbZg dc bZY^jb ]ZVi! hi^gg^c\ [gZfjZcian jci^a i]Z bZVi ^h Vabdhi Xdd`ZY# 6YY i]Z `V[Ãg a^bZ aZVkZh! kerisik VcY eVab hj\Vg! hi^gg^c\ id WaZcY lZaa l^i] i]Z bZVi# AdlZg i]Z ]ZVi id adl! XdkZg i]Z a^Y VcY aZi ^i h^bbZg [dg & id & ]djgh! dg jci^a i]Z bZVi ^h kZgn iZcYZg VcY i]Z \gVkn ]Vh Yg^ZY je# 6YY hVai id iVhiZ# >[ cdi hlZZi Zcdj\]! VYY eVab hj\Vg id iVhiZ# SERVING EaVXZ eViin ^c V \aVoZY Wjc id\Zi]Zg l^i] WZZ[ gZcYVc\ hVjXZ! acar (vegetable e^X`aZh ! dc^dc VcY aZiijXZ# HZgkZ l^i] V h^YZ d[ bVhVaV"h]V`Zc h]dZ"hig^c\ [g^Zh#

If your culinary skills aren’t up to scratch to make it yourself, head to kult kafe to have one made by Zac himself at 11 Upper Wilkie Road, tel: 9389-2185. kultcafe.com

navigate

Text Trent Davis Images Zac Mirza

142

INGREDIENTS 1½ pound boneless beef short ribs (cut into cubes) 5 tablespoon cooking oil 1 cinnamon stick (about two inches long) 3 cloves 3 star anise 3 cardamom pods & aZbdc\gVhh Xji ^cid [djg"^cX] aZc\i]h VcY edjcYZY 1 cup thick coconut milk 1 cup water 2 teaspoon tamarind pulp (soaked in warm water for the juice and deseeded) 6 kaffir lime leaves (very finely sliced) 6 tablespoon kerisik (toasted coconut) 1 tablespoon palm sugar to taste

flavour of the month

JAY GRAY

MONKEY SHOULDER

Serving scintillating drinks and riotous banter across institutions including Brass Monkey, Worship St. Whistling Shop, Baxter Inn and Lobo Plantation to name a few, Gray’s latest stop in Singapore has not been without its own milestones. Always up for a challenge, the self-proclaimed “sip-ster” has found himself

as the new face of William Grant & Sons’ Monkey Shoulder Regional Brand Ambassador of Southeast Asia. As cheeky and animated as the mascot of the brand he represents, Gray’s not afraid to shake things up – or, more accurately, roll things out – in his approach to cocktails with the resurrection of the Konga Shaker.

Cufflink Club, The Flagship and Employees Only, visitors will have a rare chance to experience how drinks of yore were made with the unique shaker.

“We’ve been itching to launch the Konga Shaker in the region for a while now. I’m stoked about the enthusiastic response we’ve gotten from the local bartending community, and can’t wait for consumers to get in on the fun by trying out some A relic of the ’30s that pretty great cocktails at bars in the city”, says disappeared after the Gray. Crafting a number of specially made introduction of modern cocktail utensils, the Konga cocktails from the versatile canvas of Monkey Shaker’s distinctive handles, Shoulder’s award-winning blended malt whisky – including Gray’s own Machine Aged Cocktail – stainless steel cylinder and now’s the best time for the quick-witted bartender comical rolling action made to indulge in some monkey business. it a must-have in bars around the world. Monkey Shoulder’s revival of the retro contraption stays true to the Go bananas with Monkey Shoulder’s Konga original design and has been produced in limited Shaker at 28 Hong Kong Street, Cufflink Club, quantities for the bartending community. Given The Flagship and Employees Only until August 24. to 20 bartenders across the island and making For more Monkey Shoulder cocktail recipes, visit exclusive appearances at 28 Hong Kong Street, monkeyshoulder.com.

machine aged cocktail This is a classic-styled punch drink, which works well in a Konga Shaker as it rolls drinks rather than aerates them. Rolling chills and dilutes drinks without compromising delicate flavours or subtle nuances.

GLASSWARE Rocks Glass INGREDIENTS 45ml Monkey Shoulder 15ml Drambuie 20ml Fuji Apple Syrup 20ml Fresh Lemon Juice METHOD Add all the ingredients into the Konga Shaker and fill with ice, rolling it in 10 full rotations before straining into a chilled rocks glass over a ball of ice. Or, if you have guests, multiply the measurements by four to six and continue, rolling it an extra five times to ensure everything is mixed through nicely.

navigate

Text Trent Davis Images William Grant & Sons

144

From dish boy to bartender at a small pub in Norfolk, England, what started as a menial job for Jay Gray to fund his passion for skateboarding soon carved out a newfound career path. While in Barcelona on one of his many skateboarding adventures in hopes of going pro, Gray soon discovered his knack for entertaining strangers, making them forget their woes and why they had even come to the bar in the first place. Like a younger, bearded Sam Malone from Cheers – far less arrogant, but no less handsome – Gray put his dreams of pro sports behind him to take on the role of nomadic bartender, storyteller and confidant full-time.

arty

BEARDING THE LION KEITH LOUTIT

OVER THE PAST 51 YEARS, SINGAPORE HAS CHANGED FROM HUMBLE VILLAGE TO SPRAWLING METROPOLIS UNDERGOING CONSTANT STRUCTURAL FLUX. EVEN A FEW SHORT YEARS ARE ENOUGH TO REINVENT THE ISLAND’S SKYLINE BEYOND RECOGNITION. INSPIRED BY THESE CHANGES, SINGAPORE-BASED PHOTOGRAPHER, KEITH LOUTIT, SET OUT TO DOCUMENT THE BREAKNECK SPEED AT WHICH OUR URBAN JUNGLE TAKES FORM, CULMINATING IN THE MESMERISING TIME LAPSE VIDEO, LION CITY II – MAJULAH.

146

navigate

arty

Hi Keith! What is the central story you try to tell through your time lapses?

In all of my films, the goal is to help people who know places well to see their surroundings with fresh eyes, as if for the first time. So, I use techniques that are photographic, and also transformative. In Lion City II Majulah, the idea was to achieve this by helping people perceive a different time scale. Throughout the film, there are two narratives: our movements throughout the city and the city changing around us.

You’d previously created a time lapse of Singapore called Lion City. What spurred you to do it again with Majulah?

Singapore is modern and fast-growing, but limited by its geography. It’s only 42km across at its widest point, so the change around us is creative and constant. I knew there was a story to be told of the city growing around us, and that it was technically possible. So I set about developing equipment and techniques that would reveal this change.

How much planning and preparation went into putting it together?

The first shots for the film were taken in early 2012, but early tests were largely unsuccessful. Between January and May of 2013, I focused on equipment development and testing, with the bulk of the long-term filming taking place between June 2013 and June 2016. Many of the other landscapes were also shot throughout that period, with the bulk of the nighttime filming occurring during the last six months of the shoot.

It must’ve required a lot of patience to put this video together over the course of three years, and also to capture each scene at their locations without doing so remotely.

Perhaps the biggest test of my patience was the slow, tedious nature of its assembly. It’s common for artists working on long-term projects to lose motivation, because they have a clear view in their mind of the finished work well before all the hard work is done. Over time, the work

becomes less creative and more robotic as you work to finish all the pieces of the puzzle. Only during the final edit did I become more excited about the work; as it started to take shape while I worked with Michael Adler Miltersen, the composer of the soundtrack.

What was the biggest challenge in creating the video?

Achieving light consistency between shots taken at different times of the year was the most difficult part of the shoot. No two days appear the same to the camera, as weather, haze and sun direction all change the appearance of a shot throughout the year. It took me well into my second year of shooting before I understood how to overcome this with confidence.

Foreigners and expats are sometimes criticised for offering their perspectives on Singapore, but your video had the opposite effect. It allowed locals to marvel at their country from a new viewpoint.

Even though I have been visiting and filming Singapore for over 12 years, I understand that I will never see Singapore the way people who were born here do. I can only speak to the reception of my own work which has been very positive, and I have really enjoyed the process of filming and meeting people around their homes, and showing them my work once it was finished.

Text Trent Davis Images Keith Loutit

We hear you have a lot of unused footage from this project. Can we expect to see anything else on Singapore in the future?

Yes, I plan to stay in Singapore, and the project is designed to continue. I have some ideas for new stories and techniques, and also to update the film as the city continues to change. I also plan to release an exhibition version of the film that plays out more unseen footage at a much slower rate, allowing people to stand in one place, and feel the city slowly changing around them.

keithloutit.com

navigate

147

flash

ARTISANAL FLAVOUR There are many chocolatiers who claim to produce artisanal chocolates, but few come up with a concept worthy of finding a home in an art gallery. Teaming up with world-renowned Vietnamese chocolatier Marou and Saigonbased creative agency Rice Creative, Gallery & Co. presents an exclusive collection of chocolate bars that’ll sweeten your visit to the National Gallery. In honour of our home in the +65, each bar features 65 per cent single origin dark chocolate offering a balance of bitter and sweet notes across three flavours: Standard, Chilli and Sea Salt. The packaging is also painstakingly hand-printed by Vietnamese artists practicing the centuries-old technique of Dong Ho printing, referencing architectural elements of the National Gallery with organic paints and engraved woodblocks. $29.90 (pack of three), available exclusively at Gallery & Co.

FILMS AT THE FORT

Few things are as relaxing as losing yourself in a good film – and if you can do it while in the presence of good company, wine, grub and a blanket of stars overhead, even better. But if you think you need to travel abroad to experience it, think again. Curating a list of award-winning and time-honoured films, Films At The Fort is set to charm audiences once again with an impressive selection of flicks and freshly made gastronomic goodies. Grab a Grass-fed Beef Burger or mouthwatering Lobster Roll from the team of The Providore and a glass of Pinot by Casillero del Diablo before settling in on your picnic blanket and diving into new releases like The Nice Guys and The Wolf Pack, or soak up the nostalgic feels with classics like Forrest Gump and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

148

From August 11 to 21 at Fort Canning Green. For more info and screening schedules, visit filmsatthefort.com.sg.

STAY COOL

Drinking black coffee has always been a characteristic of the hardened and effortlessly cool, but its strong taste means that not everyone finds crossing over to the dark side so palatable. Starbucks is out to change that for prospective coffee drinkers with its new Cold Brew, bringing a bold and refreshing relief from the ever-increasing heat. Freshly ground and steeped in cool water for more than 10 hours in a commercial grade Toddy Brewer, the patented Toddy Cold Brew System replaces heat to extract a coffee concentrate that is both incredibly smooth and naturally sweet, while featuring a less acidic profile than traditional iced coffee. How’s that for cool.

From $4.90 (tall-sized), available at Starbucks.

young and inspiring

Show your support for young talent at this month’s art exhibitions.

While many of us simply wish our toys could

Toys In Animation

Colours In Motion – Visceral Vision

To break new ground and mark new discoveries,

Noise Singapore 2016 you must first explore uncharted territory.

speak back to us in the same vein as Toy Story, 90

Uniting the similarities in expression between

students from LASALLE’s animation programmes

the arts of painting and dance, Colours In

Bringing this ethos into this year’s festival

were tasked with envisioning this dream. From

Motion – Visceral Vision brings the two worlds

showcase, expect presents a showcase of original and commissioned artworks and installations

the MINT Museum of Toys’ collection of over 8,000

of movement together for a fluid collaborative

vintage toys, students had 24 hours to develop and

showcase. Conceived by visual artist Jaxton

centred on the theme ‘Uncharted’. Carefully

form a 10-second dynamic 2-D animation, imbuing

Su and dance artist Chen Jiexiao, the project

selected by the Noise Expert Panel, art lovers will

relics of the past with stories of the present. See

features six artists from each medium coming

traverse hundreds of explorations in art, design,

the imaginative vision of each student, while

together to collide their respective crafts

photography and music, in addition to scintillating

unlocking your own imagination of the stories

– exploring the calm, flowing, and violent

live performances by emerging talents.

within childhood possessions.

movements in a number of emotive works.

From August 13 to September 30 at

Until August 31 at MINT Museum of Toys.

From August 12 to 13 at *SCAPEmedia HUB.

various locations. For more info, visit

For more info, visit emint.com.

For more info, visit scape.sg.

noisesingapore.com.

navigate

LION REMIX Celebrate the nation’s birthday with a hearty feast of local favourites and rediscover the taste of Singapore.

7 AUGUST 2016, SUNDAY 12.30PM - 4PM

FOR RESERVATIONS +65 6808 7268 THEKITCHENTABLE.SINGAPORE @WHOTELS.COM PRICES ARE IN SINGAPORE DOLLARS, SUBJECT TO 10% SERVICE CHARGE AND 7% GOODS AND SERVICES TAX.

@wsingapore

wsingaporesentosacove

21 OCEAN WAY SINGAPORE 098374

@w_singapore

Adult | SGD178++ per person* Child | SGD48++ (age 4 to 6) SGD78++ (age 7 to 12) Kids under 4 dine for free *Inclusive of free flow of craft beer, champagne, house red/ white wine and cocktails, with WET® Pool access

flash

untethered audio

Three of the latest wireless headphones to untangle your listening.

PLANTRONICS BACKBEAT PRO+ Revamping its lauded wireless headphones, Plantronics delivers a plus-sized bonus with its BackBeat PRO+ iteration. In contrast to many over-the-ear wireless headphones with active noise cancellation, the BackBeat PRO+ delivers high-fidelity audio with an additional USB Bluetooth adapter to instantly connect the headphones to a computer or Hi-Fi system. It offers

EASY MEAT There isn’t much that a food delivery app can’t do these days, and we’re certainly not complaining. But when the comfort food begins to bloat and it’s time to fire up the grill for a good ol’ fashioned steak, having the ability to order fresh meat to your door (short of owning a restaurant) is one we’re sorely lacking – until The Meat Club came into town.

Sourcing fresh and unfrozen Australian beef and lamb in conveniently packed, meal-sized portions for delivery, meat-lovers can get premium cuts delivered to the doorstep every month. Whether signing up for a carefully curated packs based on your lifestyle, or building a pack of your own for a bit of extra Rib Eye, the monthly service can go for as long or as short as you wish, where subscribers save on continued orders. Carnivores, come and join the club.

For more info, visit themeatclub.com.sg.

a higher quality audio experience while giving you the freedom to move without dragging your laptop along. With intuitive music control and call buttons on the sides of the cans to allow multitasking, the headphones also feature OpenMic technology that lets you listen to your surroundings at the touch of a button.

$449, available at authorised retailers.

B&O PLAY BEOPLAY H5

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT

not all headphones cater to modifying the tonality of your tunes to suit each action.

Saving you from perpetually adjusting your EQ presets, the Beoplay H5 wireless in-ear headphones are versatile enough to wear in any setting, thanks to their stylish design, and also come with an accompanying app that tailors the way your music sounds to your needs of the moment. Intuitively tweaking B&O’s acclaimed signature sound, the Beoplay App features a number of preset sound profiles for those living active lifestyles to pump up the bass for intense workouts, tone things down for podcasts and save you from blasting your ears during commutes.

$379, available at authorised retailers.

Returning for its ninth year in celebrating post-daylight festivities, the Singapore Night Festival centres its entertainment this year on the theme of ‘Inventions and Innovation’. Transforming the facades and streets of the Bras Basah Bugis precinct with light installations and street performances, visitors are spoilt for choice with a number of local and international artists making an appearance. From the antiquated experiential space of ‘The House Of Curiosities’ and the annual ‘Night Lights’ light art feature, guests will also find themselves as part a number of interactive performances – including the majestic ‘Invasion’ performance, which will see guests interacting with mythical creatures roaming the lawns of the National Museum.

From August 19 to 20 and 26 to 27 at various locations.

For more info, visit nightfest.sg.

ENLARGED AND EVOLVED

JABRA HALO SMART WIRELESS For busy people who spend as much time ‘plugged in’ for phone calls as music while on the go, Jabra’s latest neckband-style headphones give you the best of both worlds in a comfort-pushing package. Sporting a bendable neckband for the perfect fit that vibrates when calls come in, the headphones don’t take call features half-heartedly. They are equipped with multiple wind-protected microphones to cut out ambient noise so your voice is crystal clear. The pursuit for clarity is also evident when it comes to music, where the Halo Smart Wireless’ 10mm speakers deliver rich, crisp audio that can toggle effortlessly with a Siri- and Google Now-enabled remote control.

$138, available at authorised retailers.

navigate

Redecorated and polished up from its former street-style aesthetic, the bistro-style hideaway is now championed by 24-yearold chef, Seumas Smith.

Bringing his experience in Michelin-star restaurants to Moosehead’s culture clash of Mediterranean and Asian-Western flavours, the establishment’s new menu is a vibrant continuation of this spirit in starters like the slow-roasted beetroot with sumac yoghurt, spiced ponzu and almonds ($14) and the irresistible bone marrow with Ortiz anchovies, gherkins and capers on sourdough ($10). New mains like the melt-in-your-mouth four-hour slow-cooked beef cheek with celeriac and wild mushrooms ($31) and slow-cooked pork belly with roast turnips and cavalo nero ($29) are not to be missed.

110 Telok Ayer Street, tel: 6636-8055.

Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

150

Certain activities call for certain music, but

GIVEAWAY

LELONG! LELONG! THIS IS A TALE OF TWO BIRTHDAYS. AS SINGAPORE USHERS IN HER 51ST YEAR OF INDEPENDENCE, , TOO, WILL BLOW OUT CANDLES IN NOVEMBER ON OUR 18TH BIRTHDAY. TO CELEBRATE BOTH COMING OF AGES AND TO GIVE BACK TO YOU, DEAR READERS, WE’RE GIVING OUT OVER 180 PRIZES IN THIS 180-PAGE BUMPER ISSUE! FROM CUTTING-EDGE EARPHONES TO BEAUTY ESSENTIALS, THE MOST HEAT-SEEKING FASHION TRENDS TO CONCERT TICKETS AND BEYOND, WE’VE MORE THAN GOT YOU COVERED. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS PICK YOUR THREE FAVOURITES AND STAND A CHANCE TO WIN ONE WHEN YOU SIGN UP AT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE. GOOD LUCK!

151

1x KAPOK FUTURE

CLASSICS VOUCHER (worth $100)

GIVEAWAY N FASHIO

F01

2x CONVERSE

N FASHIO

F02

BACKPACK (worth $139.90 each)

Hong Kong label Kapok takes its name from a resplendent tree in the rainforest. It’s therefore no surprise that the label prides itself on producing perennial classics that will more than withstand the test of time. And with Future Classics, the brand’s new gender-free line of sleek casualwear, there’s more to celebrate.

Need something to store your gear? Look no further than these dope backpacks from the makers of your trusty Chuck Taylor kicks. Durable and eye-catching, these bags allow you to bring all you need for your active lives and bless you with a rugged swag.

FASHION

F03

152

2x PUMA

FASHION

F04

3x VANS SHOES

DUPLEX EVO (worth over $100 each)

Just in time for Fall/Winter, Puma digs into its archives to update its runners with a new silhouette. The retro-inspired Duplex Evo features a redesigned EVA outsole and lightweight tech materials for utmost flexibility, cushioning and durability.

Available in a variety of colourways, the shoe also boasts a dynamic and durable support.

FASHION

F05

(worth from $89 to 109)

When you’re going “off the wall”, there’s only one name you need to trust, and that’s Vans. The skate brand is back at it this Fall/Winter with a whole new lineup of Classics. Up for grabs are two pairs of Era 95s and a pair of Sk8-His – all decked out in popping colours.

1x CARRERA EYEWEAR (worth $215)

Sixty years since its inception, Italian household eyewear brand, Carrera, is still going strong.

And to celebrate that, it’s unfurled The Maverick Collection. It’s no surprise why Hollywood stud Jared Leto is the face of the campaign.

Lightweight, hardy and made from laser-cut stainless steel, these shades are dashing, to say the least.

GIVEAWAY FASHION

F06

2x TANGS MEN’S

FASHION VOUCHER (worth $100 each)

FASHION

F07

2x TANGS

RESORT WEAR VOUCHER (worth $100 each)

Tangs has a slew of brands under its roof – perfect for shoppers of any stripe and styles of any kind. Whether you’re preppy or street, need a pair of chinos or a pair of dope kicks, this voucher will help you go the distance in getting what you need – or want.

FASHION

F08

2x FRESHKON HAMPER (worth $130 each)

Beating the heat is definitely amongst everyone’s more pressing concerns in Singapore, and the Resort Wear collections are here to the rescue. Pick from bright, flaunty and eye-catching bikinis from Maaji, boldly colourful swimwear from Phax and relaxed and comfortable bikinis from Colombian brand Saha.

2x

PAIRS OF CALVIN KLEIN SCULPTED JEANS (worth $289 each)

Jeans are more than just a wardrobe staple; they’re the one article of clothing purposefully created to weather rough use, intense wear and to provide everyday comfort. This Fall, Calvin Klein has enriched this dynamic with its innovative stretch fabric and engineered seams, flattering you while you live your life.

FASHION

F09

Boasting enhanced features and clearer vision, FreshKon contact lenses also come in a dazzling array of colours. The Colors Fusion Cosmetic Contact Lenses offer a new and improved lens pattern that provides just the right amount of sparkle to your eyes without sacrificing comfort and overall eye health.

153

GIVEAWAY FASHION

F10

2x BEHAVE BEHAVE HAMPER (worth up to $120 each)

If you define your personal style as ‘modern day hippie chic’, then local indie label Behave Behave’s latest collaboration with illustrator Linda Yang AKA Oak & Bindi will be right up your alley. These halter dresses and wrap tops are straight out of the ’70s, covered in Yang’s signature doodles depicting images of vintage Americana. Groovy!

1x PEDDER RED SANDALS

FASHION

F12

FASHION

F11

(worth $170)

154

1x

Designed to match your casual ensembles, these calf leather sandals by Pedder Red channel luxe aesthetics with its blingedout straps. Stacked low for comfortable wear, these sandals are fitted with slender slingback straps to gracefully hold your feet in place with a secure fit.

They look effortlessly chic paired with a simple white linen shirt and denim cut-offs. Put on your favourite sunnies and say hello to the weekend!

PEDDER RED SNEAKERS (worth $250)

Sneakerheads often face the problem of having too many kicks of the same colour, especially those in black and white. Adding to our collection, Pedder Red works its magic on the common black sneaker. Embellished with vivid red butterflies, these black calf leather kicks are made that much more interesting, justifying the need to have them on our racks.

FASHION

F13

2x TOMTOM SPARK CARDIO +

MUSIC GPS FITNESS WATCH (worth $399 each)

Forget about strapping a bulky smartphone to your wrist; TomTom has released a fitness watch that contains everything you need in one device. Featuring a built-in 3GB music player, the Spark watch helps you get in the zone, streaming your favourite workout playlists to a wide range of Bluetooth headphones. It also comes with a heart rate monitor, 24/7 activity tracking, multi-sport modes and GPS, making it a piece of cake for you to get more from your workouts.

GIVEAWAY FASHION

F14

FASHION

F15

2x CATERPILLAR SHOES

(worth $189 each) As we can expect from the company who makes those famous bright yellow industrial machines, the footwear that Caterpillar constructs is built to the same high standards as its machinery, and respected for its quality and durability. Their boots and shoes combine the sturdiness of work shoes with the easy comfort of casual footwear, adding a rugged edge to even the most straight-laced of ensembles.

2x ELOHIM SHOPPING VOUCHER (worth $100 each)

Homegrown fashion label Elohim has been a magnificent testament to the boundary-pushing bent of Made-InSingapore fashion. With its distinct eye for silhouettes across the spectrums of both menswear and womenswear, the brand has made looking next-level an effortless feat. Suit up for your dose of chic.

FASHION

F16

2x VEJA SHOES

155

(worth $109 each)

With shoes crafted from organic and recycled material in factories where wages are higher and fairer than the industry standard, Veja might just be the most ethical and eco-friendly sneaker brand out there right now.

Named after a small town in Brazil where the materials of the shoe originate, the Taua is a leather-free vegan model made from recycled and fair-traded cotton, as well as wild rubber from the Amazonian forest.

FASHION

F17

FASHION

F18

2x BERSHKA VOUCHER (worth $100 each)

Inspired by a mishmash of trends from the late ’80s to ’00s, Bershka puts red, khaki nudes and dusty tones at the forefront of its Fall/Winter 2016 collection. Reinterpreting the current athleisure vibes popularised by urban girls, the brand introduces sports luxe pieces worthy of the gym – such as bodycon garments and oversized puffer jackets. Time to bring your ‘A’ game and get sporty.

2x SPERRY SHOES (worth up to $199 each)

Although Sperry’s boat shoes were created for sailors working on slippery surfaces, they have now made their way into fashion for an effortlessly relaxed style. With its lightweight and breathable quick-dry mesh upper, the Flex Deck CVO Sneaker provides lasting comfort, making it a great everyday shoe. But if you still prefer the classics, go for the Authentic Original Boat Shoe boasting a gorgeous rose gold finish.

GIVEAWAY FASHION

F19 1x AMETSUCHI

FASHION

F20

(worth $210)

Give your wardrobe a classy upgrade with these gorgeous d’orsay pumps from Steve Madden. The all-over suede upper gives the shoe a rich finish, while the pointed toes create a slimming effect, lengthening your pins at the same time. Completely on-trend are the slim laces, which can be tied around the ankle for a final dainty touch to your outfit. If your motto in life is to dress to kill, these killer heels are the way to go.

HAMPER (worth $103)

Drawing from different cultures around the world, Japanese brand Ametsuchi creates ethnic-inspired garments that inject your ensembles with a casual, bohemian feel. This hamper includes a light grey woven cotton concho cap and an adorable black and red rug bucket bag. Ametsuchi’s designers place special emphasis on original fabric that is made using traditional methods and handcrafts, so you can expect every piece to have its own unique character.

156

2x

FASHION

F21

1x STEVE MADDEN

1x

STEVE MADDEN ROEBELLA HEELS

FASHION

F22

OWNDAYS PRESCRIPTION GLASSES (worth $198 each)

SUPRYZZ SHOES (worth $220)

Whether you’re cafe-hopping on a casual weekend or taking a short getaway overseas, you’ll need a comfortable pair of kicks to carry you throughout the day. Detailed with a multi-coloured tropical floral print, these vibrant lace-up sneakers by Steve Madden will jazz up any outfit you throw on. For a sporty spin on a summery outfit, pair these together with a floral dress and denim jacket.

2x

IRIS & INK MAXI DRESS (worth $297 each)

Known for its simple yet fashion-forward separates, Iris & Ink creates wardrobe essentials that are meant to be mixed and matched with statement pieces. Made of 100 per cent silk, the Adie silk crepe de chine maxi dress is a classy piece that is perfect for a lazy Sunday brunch. Wear it loosely cinched at the waist to flatter your figure, without disrupting its overall laidback silhouette.

When you need a stylish new pair of glasses pronto, OWNDAYS has your back. Known for its mind-blowing efficiency, this Japanese optical store can create a fresh pair of prescription spectacles in 20 minutes. Offering only the highest quality, all OWNDAYS eyewear come with scratch-resistant, UV-protective and anti-reflective coated lenses – all at affordable prices.

FASHION

F23

GIVEAWAY

2x

FASHION

F24

2x DR DENIM VOUCHER

FASHION

F25

BOLDR WATCHES VOUCHER (worth $100 each)

(worth $100 each)

The brothers behind Swedish brand, Dr Denim, have proclaimed that “every day is denim day” and who can argue with that? Every wardrobe requires a good pair versatile enough to be styled into endless iterations. Be it low-rise or high-waist, tapered or relaxed, Dr Denim offers a wide range of jeans for both men and women that look and fit great.

Horophiles might want to keep this new indie brand on their radar. BOLDR Watches’ impeccably designed timepieces are just the sort of wrist-candy you need to jazz up a plain outfit. The latest model, the BOLDR Journey, features a scratch-resistant dome mineral glass lens and calf leather strap. Marrying elements of old and new, it boasts a vintage aviator-inspired design and is powered by a modern mecha-quartz movement inside.

FASHION

F26

2x HAPPY SOCKS

2x HAPPY SOCKS X

COMBO BOX (worth $114 each)

KOMONO WATCH

FASHION

F27

(worth $129 each)

It’s time to celebrate your inner or outer (we don’t judge!) eccentric.

The result of a collaboration between Happy Socks and Belgian watchmaker Komono, these delightfully flashy timepieces are sprinkled, dotted, dashed and bolted with four geometric patterns.

Despite the clashing patterns and vivid hues, the overall effect is surprisingly harmonious and will be quite the conversation starter.

FASHION

F28

Are matching socks and undies a thing yet? If they aren’t, they should be; simply because of how much fun they are. Happy Socks is here to get you started with its combo boxes, each filled with a pair of matching patterned socks and underwear. True to the Happy Socks aesthetic, these items are drenched in the kookiest colours that are sure to brighten your day.

2x SKECHERS FASHION FIT SHOES (worth $129 each)

Who says pretty shoes have to be uncomfortable? Riding the athleisure trend are these vibrant floral sneakers from Skechers, which will add a fun burst of colour to any summer ensemble. The slight heel will give you an extra boost in height without sacrificing comfort, thanks to the air-cooled memory foam insole. With these babies, you’ll never complain of sore feet after a long day out again.

157

GIVEAWAY FASHION

FASHION

F29

1x TENERO X TO-FU FLAP CLASSIC BACKPACK

1x TENERO X TO-FU

F30

CLASSIC BUCKET BAG (worth $159)

Bucket bags may be one of the It bags this season but you can stand out from the sea of black and neutral-coloured sacs with the Tenero x To-fu iteration.

Pair this pastelhued confection – complete with baby blue trimming – with a classic white shirt and denim jeans, or go all out cutesy with a blush-toned dress.

(worth $159)

An unexpected team-up between Tocco Tenero and Devilrobots has blessed us with a line of bags that are too kawaii for words. Japanese food characters are always adorable and Devilrobots’ To-Fu Oyako is probably the OG food character.

Constantly taking on different facades, there is a To-Fu design for everyone. Show off your personality with this PU leather backpack covered with candy-coloured variations of the character.

FASHION

2x NEW BALANCE MRT580 SHOES

F31

158

(worth $169 each)

You may have noticed an uptick in new models of the New Balance 580s hitting the stores this year and that’s because 2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the popular sneaker. Stay right on trend with the Reengineered 580, which refines the classic silhouette with a one-piece upper and features a jacquard black-and-white textile in two different colourways.

F32 2x ZALORA VOUCHER

FASHION

(worth $150 each)

Zalora has become synonymous with forward-thinking fashion and convenience. Its sprawling online store is a great blessing to the busy bees unable to make the trek to the mall. And here’s a little treat to make even shopping online a little easier. *wink*

GIVEAWAY FASHION

F34

1x BELLROY NOTE

SLEEVE WALLET

2x ASH

VOUCHER (worth $100 each)

FASHION

F33

U.K. online fashion retailer Ash is where it’s at when it comes to thoroughly modern and stylishly edgy picks. From shoes to clothing, it’s a one-stop spot where you’ll have all you need to look your sharpest best – and it’s really good place to #treatyoself.

(worth $129)

Say goodbye to thick and unmanageable wallets with Bellroy’s Note Sleeve, which can fit all your cash, coins and up to 11 cards in a sleek profile. Made of vegetable-tanned leather, the sleeve has quick-access slots for your daily cards, a storage area with a convenient pull-out tab for less-used cards and even a coin pouch that doubles as a business card protector.

BEAUTY

B01

BEAUTY

3x

B02

URBAN DECAY HAMPER (worth $100 each)

2x

ABSOLUTE BRIGHTENING LIGHT LASER TREATMENT FROM FACE BODY SKIN (worth $700 each) Say hello to a whole new you with Face Body Skin’s Brightening Laser Treatment. It targets a wide range of skin problems, such as repairing broken capillaries, removing thread veins, rejuvenating sun-damaged skin, treating melisma, hyperpigmentation and minimising open pores. It also helps prevent acne as well as alleviate acne scarring.

Any makeup junkie will surely own an Urban Decay product or two. From the smudge-proof mascaras to the resilient makeup setting sprays, UD’s high-quality products are often placed front-and-centre on many a dressing table. Let’s not forget the Naked palettes, a perennial fan favourite. If you haven’t discovered the decay for yourself, this hamper will set you on the path of no return.

159

GIVEAWAY

3x

BEAUTY

B03

BENEFIT HAMPER (worth $123 each)

If subtle, no-makeup makeup is the look you’re going for, this hamper has everything you need. The Dandelion Dew sheer pink blush gives cheeks a natural, dewy glow, while the 3D BROWtones brush-on highlighting gel adds depth and dimension to brows. Keep your face looking matte and fresh with the POREfessional instant oil-blotting stick, which contains tiny blotting spheres that get rid of shine for up to six hours.

3x

ASHLEY & CO HAMPER (worth $100 each)

160

Those with a weakness for unique scents and minimalist packaging will find that Ashley & Co packs a one-two punch. Made with natural antiseptics like grapefruit seed and aloe, the Tui & Kahili WashUp soap blends mimosa and lily with the calming tones of sandalwood.

Pamper your skin with the Gone Green SootherUp lotion, a sulphates- and paraben-free lotion comprising organic borage oil and natural extracts.

BEAUTY

B05

BEAUTY

B04

3x

FOR BELOVED ONE HAMPER (worth $120 each)

BEAUTY

B06

3x

KIEHL’S HAMPER (worth $100 each)

Protect your skin against sun damage with Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50, a non-greasy and non-comedogenic lightweight lotion that leaves skin with a matte finish. Just because we get sweaty, it doesn’t mean we should skip on moisturiser; so don’t forget to use the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel-Cream to deeply hydrate and condition your skin.

Whether we like it or not, constant exposure to the sun leaves us more susceptible to dull skin and pigmentation. But fear not, for these gems from For Beloved One are here to save the day.

The Melasleep Brightening Lumi’s Key Bio-Cellulose Mask helps generate collagen and elastin for a smoother complexion, while the Lotion aids in removing dead skin cells effectively, restoring your skin’s natural glow.

GIVEAWAY BEAUTY

B07

3x

L’OCCITANE HAMPER (worth over $120 each)

Spending hours under the air conditioner can leave our skin scaly and dehydrated, so pamper yourself with the goodness of almond with these ultra-nourishing body products. The Almond Shower Oil leaves skin feeling soft as satin, while the Almond Milk Concentrate melts into skin and hydrates for up to 48 hours. Pop the Shea Butter Hand Cream into your bag if you like your mitts to be smooth and smell good on the go.

BEAUTY

B08

5x

MAYBELLINE HAMPER (worth $105.40 each)

Whether you’re a makeup rookie or a compulsive beauty hoarder, there’s always space on the dresser for new Maybelline products.

New to the brand are the ultra-creamy Bitten Lips lipsticks, which give smackers a three-tone gradient effect, while keeping ’em soft and moisturised. Another highlight is the widely raved-about Instant Age Rewind Concealer, which hides panda eyes, keeping the eye area radiant and free from pesky creases.

161

BEAUTY

BEAUTY

B10

B09

5x

BIODERMA HAMPER (worth $109.70 each)

We can credit Bioderma for kicking off the Micellar Water trend, thanks to its wildly popular Sensibio H20. For those not in the game yet, discover the hype for yourself here.

The Photoderm MAX Aquafluid SPF 50+ is a sunscreen with a weightless ‘water’ texture that won’t feel tacky upon application, while the smoothening and brightening properties of the Hydrabio Perfecteur SPF 30 make it an ideal makeup base.

3x

LANEIGE HAMPER (worth $123 each)

The highly raved-about products in this Laneige hamper may just be the key to attaining the flawless facade that all Korean celebrities seem to flaunt.

Brighten your skin with the BB Cushion Whitening, or manage potential oil slicks on hot days with the BB Cushion Pore Control. To maintain smooth and shiny skin all day, stay moisturised with the Water Bank Four-piece kit and Lip Sleeping Mask.

GIVEAWAY BEAUTY

B12

3x

HANDMADE HEROES HAMPER (worth $104.30 each)

BEAUTY

B11

162

3x

CLIO HAMPER (worth $102.50 each)

The fact that Clio makes killer but easy-to-use makeup products should be old news to anyone who’s familiar with the K-Beauty scene. Including a lipstick, liquid concealer, eyeshadow and two eyeliners, the star of the collection has to be the Kill Brown Pen Liner: a budge-proof eyeliner that ensures that messy smudges won’t make an unwelcome appearance on your lids by mid-day.

If you want to make the switch to cruelty-free skincare but are not sure how, this hamper by homegrown brand Handmade Heroes will be the perfect initiation into the world of vegan beauty products. Consisting of a lip balm, lip tint, lip scrub, dry shampoo, two body scrubs, and a facemask, this bundle of goodness is an all-natural alternative to your daily skincare routine.

3x

NARS HAMPER (worth $155 each)

BEAUTY

B13

3x

BOURJOIS HAMPER (worth $114.60 each)

Say bonjour to Bourjois, the brand known for inventive products that deliver tasteful makeup looks without breaking the bank. With this hamper, you can try your hand at achieving an effortlessly Parisian-chic ’do. The Color Boost lip crayon gives your lips a radiant veil of colour, while the Contour Clubbing Waterproof pencils jazz up the peepers with pops of blue.

BEAUTY

B14

As soon as you lift the lid of the NARSissist Dual-Intensity Blush Palette, we bet you’ll never want for another cheek palette again.

Flattering and versatile, these highlighter, blush and contouring tones can be used dry, or wet if you want to achieve more intense colours. Find your best angles, then blend the silky smooth shades to perfection with the Wet/Dry Blush Brush.

GIVEAWAY

BEAUTY

B16

3x

BEAUTY

B15

SEPHORA GIFT CARD

(worth $100 each) With this gift card, you won’t have to hold out till the next Sephora VIB sale to make that big splurge. Perhaps it’s time for a new eye shadow palette, or maybe a gorgeous, illuminating highlighter.

Well-stocked with plenty of makeup, skincare and fragrance brands, this is the store all makeup addicts inevitably gravitate towards every time.

BEAUTY

B17

3x

SHU UEMURA ULTIME8 SUBLIME BEAUTY INTENSIVE CLEANSING BALM (worth $120 each)

Sometimes we need a face cleanser that goes above and beyond its basic functions. Enter shu uemura’s ultime8, a cashmere-like balm that treats your skin to an intense cleansing experience, while boosting overall hydration. Containing eight botanical oils, the balm improves skin elasticity and helps prevent wrinkle and melanin formation. Talk about multi-tasking!

2x CHAPTER 2 VOUCHER (worth $100 each)

2x KIMAGE VOUCHER (worth $100 each)

It’s a good idea to give your hairdo a revamp every now and then, but the fear of ending up with a bad haircut is a discouraging thought. Known for its high-quality hair services, Kimage is one of the most established salon chains here. Its specialists are skilled in crafting hairstyles to highlight each individual’s personality and style, so rest assured you’re in good hands.

BEAUTY

B18

If there were ever a salon to visit with the squad, this is the one. Complete with a cozy and laidback interior, Chapter 2 provides seats for your friends so you can guys can hang out while a professional stylist pampers your tresses. Kick back with an ice cold drink or flip through a coffee table book; your mane will be pow-wow before you know it.

163

1x SONY SRS-X11 PORTABLE

GIVEAWAY

WIRELESS SPEAKER WITH BLUETOOTH (worth $100)

LIFESTYLE

L02

1x WANDERLUST

LIFESTYLE

L01

Size doesn’t always matter and Sony’s SRS-X11 Portable Wireless Speaker with Bluetooth is proof. Don’t be deceived by this compact cube. Fitting in the palm of your hand, it packs 12 hours of battery life and enough bass to shake up the room. And, it allows you to take hands-free calls. Place a couple in your room and get the party going full-swing with stereo sound.

HOTEL STAY (worth $765.05)

For a quirky and colourful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Wanderlust Hotel is your best bet. Situated near town but equipped with its own high-concept charms and details – like vintage bathtubs and sofas shaped like giant typewriters – this 2D1N stay will be a sheer delight.

LIFESTYLE

L03

1x

HOTEL 1929 STAY (worth $529.65)

Hotel 1929’s facade is an unmissable feature along Chinatown’s gloriously colourful streets. The boutique hotel fuses old world architecture and a nouveau chic interiors to incredibly inviting effect, transporting visitors to an older, simpler time, while making them feel right at home. For 2D1N, it’ll be yours to enjoy.

164

2x HARD ROCK CAFÉ VOUCHER (worth $100 each)

LIFESTYLE

L05

2x CANON E-VOUCHERS (worth $200 each)

LIFESTYLE

L04

Canon isn’t just a multinational electronics giant, it’s also a brand whose products have been part of the lives of people all over the world for generations. If you’re a shutterbug in need of some gear for your snaps, this will definitely come as a boon to you.

Good music, good food and good times – that’s the Hard Rock Cafe guarantee. Treat yourself and your friends to the hearty and delicious offerings from the Hard Rock kitchen. We recommend the Original Legendary Burger, the Hickory-Smoked Barbecue Combo or, its famed Fresh Apple Cobbler.

GIVEAWAY LIFESTYLE

L06

LIFESTYLE

L07

2x 4 TICKETS TO THE ALIVE MUSEUM

(worth $100 per set) Come visit the world of artistry magic at Alive Museum Singapore, where fantasies come alive for everyone!

Young or old, you’ll be enthralled by the optical illusions and hilarious exhibits that’ll wash away the cynicism and jadedness of the most skeptical. Be merry – and amazed.

LIFESTYLE

L08

2x LAWRY’S THE PRIME RIB DINING VOUCHER (worth $150 each)

The pleasure of sitting down to a good steak is self-explanatory.

And Lawry’s The Prime Rib guarantees that you’ll receive that ineffable experience. With panoramic views of the bustling Orchard Road via stunning 4m-high floor-to-ceiling windows that allows in plenty of light, and an impeccable selection of the good stuff from its kitchen, Lawry’s never disappoints.

5x

DEADPOOL MOVIE MERCHANDISE SET (worth $100 each)

1x BOOK BUNDLE

FROM LOCALBOOKS.SG (worth over $100)

LocalBooks.sg is the first and only one-stop online bookstore specialising in Singaporean titles. Pick from a selection that spans literary fiction to recipe books, graphic novels to plays and poetry. With publications in all four languages and more than 1520 titles, there’s some absorbing reading ahead of you.

LIFESTYLE

L09

If you loved Ryan Reynolds’ cinematic rendering of the most bad*ss anti-hero of all time, then this set is the perfect keepsake for you. Each hamper comes with an eyemask, pin badges, keychains, 3-D magnets, a notebook, and a poster. So you can deck the halls, or yourself, with “Captain Deadpool”.

165

GIVEAWAY

3x

PALM AVENUE FLOAT CLUB VOUCHER (worth $100 each)

LIFESTYLE

L10

You don’t need Modest Mouse to tell you that a good float will take the edge off the stresses of everyday life and make you feel a lot better. Treat yourself to a 60-minute session in Palm Avenue Float Club’s stateof-the-art floatation tanks and feel your whole body relax. You might even have an epiphany or two.

2x ALL-ACCESS TICKETS TO

THE CIRCUIT AT 1-ALTITUDE (worth $196 each)

166

Soon, the fastest cars in the world will be revving in Singapore. And 1-Altitude is the place to be as it kicks off the Singapore Grand Prix 2016’s revelry with its highly anticipated sixth edition of the ultimate F1 sky-high parties with The Circuit. Come soak in the glitz and glamour as DJs soundtrack the night.

1x VIP EXPERIENCE AT ZOUK (worth $1000)

LIFESTYLE

L12

LIFESTYLE

L11

1x BLOW BY BLOW BUNDLE AT CANVAS (worth $222)

Think you’ve balled hard before? Well, think again. Zouk, our nation’s longstanding party temple and DJ Mag-certified nightlife institution is going to make you up your game big time. You and nine friends will enjoy priority entry, one bottle of house pour spirit, and one house pour champagne to take your party to the next level.

LIFESTYLE

L13

Canvas is turning two in September. To celebrate two years of gloriously indie-minded and cutting-edge parties, the club is offering a pair of tickets to its two-day (Sep 23 and 24) shindig, a bottle of prosecco and two specially-designed T-shirts.

GIVEAWAY LIFESTYLE

L14

LIFESTYLE

2x NETFLIX 1-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION

(worth over $130 each) When Netflix finally launched in Singapore this year, couch potatoes islandwide pumped their fists in the air and headed to the closest supermarket to stock up on binge-watching snacks. From Orange Is The New Black to Marvel’s Daredevil, Netflix has blessed us with some of the best shows we’ve seen in this ‘golden age of television’, on top of offering more programmes than we can possibly finish. The best part? No commercials.

2x

L15

NAKAMICHI MYMEIRYO SPEAKER (worth $79 each)

Don’t be fooled by its diminutive size; Nakamichi’s myMeiryo Bluetooth Speaker packs quite a solid punch. Measuring just the size of your palm, this portable wireless speaker lets you enjoy three hours of uninterrupted music when you’re out and about, or even when you’re simply chilling at home. With its minimalist design and elegant metallic finish, this pint-sized speaker will complement any home setting.

2x BOUNCE SINGAPORE

FIVE-SESSION MULTI-PASS (worth $108 each)

LIFESTYLE

L17

2x LEPARK VOUCHER

LIFESTYLE

L16

(worth $100 each) Getting to this uber hip tapas bar and restaurant is a mini adventure in itself, but the quirky renditions of popular local food and stunning rooftop view of Chinatown makes it all worth it. We hear the salted egg yolk soft shell crab slider is quite delectable, and the 80 different types of craft beers available will delight any self-professed beer connoisseur. If all you want to do is to lepak one corner at the end of a long day with a drink in hand, Lepark is a prime chill-out zone.

2x HERO’S DRINKS VOUCHER (worth $100 each)

Be transported to the Wild West when you step into this saloonstyle bar on Circular Road, where longhorn skulls, saddles and other paraphernalia adorn the walls. Beer aficionados will appreciate the VIP area, where they can pour their own ice-cold draft beers right at their tables. Aside from its draft beer selection, Hero’s also offers a plethora of quality bourbons, whiskeys, cocktails, and shooters. Bottoms up!

With its five different trampoline zones, BOUNCE Singapore is here to get your adrenaline pumping. The Wall has nothing to do with Game Of Thrones, but it’s no less epic: with the high-rebound capabilities of these trampolines, you can literally bounce off the walls. The multi-pass also entitles you to test your agility at X-Park, a Ninja Warrior-like obstacle course, where you can climb, jump and free-run your way to the finish line.

LIFESTYLE

L18

167

GIVEAWAY

1x BREWERKZ VOUCHER

LIFESTYLE

L20

(worth $100)

LIFESTYLE

L19

1x CAFÉ IGUANA VOUCHER (worth $100)

When the sudden craving for Mexican hits, grab your muchachos and head over to Café Iguana to fill your bellies with quality Mexican grub. The restaurant uses the best possible traditional ingredients in its tortillas, salsa and guacamole to create rich, authentic flavours that will leave you salivating for more. To quench your thirst, it also offers a range of margaritas served frozen or on the rocks, as well as a brewed beer on tap.

American-styled food is easy to come by in Singapore, but they don’t always come in American-sized portions. Brewerkz bucks this trend, serving up a large selection of mouth-watering gourmet burgers, including the Cowboy, Mexicano and Brewhouse Build Your Own Burger. Offering up to 13 different brews on tap, complete your meal with the light and refreshing Golden Ale, or the dark and hearty Oatmeal Stout.

2x NAKAMICHI MUSIC CUBE

MINI WIRELESS SPEAKER

LIFESTYLE

L21

(worth $100 each)

168

Why tolerate the muffled quality of your smartphone’s speakers when you can blast your favourite songs through Nakamichi’s Music Cube Mini Wireless Speaker? Boasting up to six hours of playtime and a 7m wireless radius, this compact little item – jam-packed with features like a MicroSD slot and a smart battery which calibrates the audio volume during low power to extend playtime – is all you need to liven up a party or road trip.

LIFESTYLE

L22

1x SMOKE & MIRRORS

COCKTAIL EXPERIENCE FOR TWO (worth $180)

We love our regular cocktails, but sometimes we’d like something a little more unique to spice up our Friday night. Get into high spirits with Smoke & Mirror’s brand-new range of curious concoctions that you’ve surely never encountered before. One of the most intriguing has to be Duck’s Fat Hope, which is made with jackfruit rum, five-spiced honey, lemon juice and finished off with Peking duck jus to give it just the right hint of umami.

LIFESTYLE

L23

2x SEED & SOIL HAMPER (worth $112 each)

Eating clean is a real challenge when our favourite fast food chains are enticing us with new sinful pleasures every other week. If you believe it’s time to revert to eating the way Mother Nature intended us to, you’ll love Seed & Soil’s Four Seasons Juice Cleanse, which bursts with alkaline greens to deeply cleanse and oxygenate your body with chlorophyll-rich plant foods. Packed with seasonal fruits and superfoods, the Smoothie Bowl is a 100 per cent guilt-free treat.

GIVEAWAY

2x MONKEY SHOULDER

LIFESTYLE

L24

WHISKY

(worth $172 each) Some have said that this blended malt Scotch whisky tastes just like riding bareback on the wild moors of Scotland with a flame haired maiden, while others associate its striking taste to 007 wearing a tuxedo wetsuit. Consider us confused, but very intrigued. Dive into the smooth, creamy and malty Scotch that is Monkey Shoulder, and enjoy it neat, over ice or in a whisky cocktail. If you’re really digging those Bond vibes, try it shaken, not stirred.

1x

TWO PAIRS OF WRAPS EARPHONES (worth over $118)

We’ve all experienced that growing sense of frustration as we attempt to blindly dig for our earphones, only to find them in a tangled mess at the bottom of our bag. Solving this #firstworldproblem are the Wraps earphones, made of anti-tangle fabric and can be worn around the wrist as a bracelet when not listening to music. You can even answer calls and pause and play your music without having to search for your device.

1x

SONY MDR-EX750AP IN-EAR HEADPHONES (worth $139)

LIFESTYLE

L25

Ask any audiophile and they’ll tell you the same thing: nothing irks them more than poor music quality. With these in-ear headphones by Sony, fuzzy audio will never be an issue.

Equipped with 9mm high-sensitivity drivers, these headphones produce bright, vibrant sound while suppressing unwanted noise and distortion. They stay comfortable and secure in your ears for hours on end, so bring them along when you’re travelling – they’re in it for the long haul.

2x FISH & CO. VOUCHER {worth $100 each)

2x O BATIGNOLLES VOUCHER (worth $80 each)

LIFESTYLE

L28

LIFESTYLE

L27

Trust the French to come up with the saying, “Life is too short to drink bad wine.” And it’s not a bad motto to live by, too. For those craving a taste of France, O Batignolles offers a wide selection of artisanal cheeses and wines imported directly from different regions of the country.

When the craving for a plate of good ol’ fish and chips hits, the place to make a beeline for is Fish & Co. The chain boasts extensive selections of the dish, from the New York style that features a juicy fillet stuffed with parmesan cheese and topped with lemon sauce, to the Bombay version spiced with Indian herbs and comes with a curry mayo dip. We’re getting hungry just writing this!

169

GIVEAWAY LIFESTYLE

L29

2x O COMPTOIR VOUCHER (worth $70 each)

Savour the traditional flavours of Normandy, the cider-region of France, in this crepe and cider bar. O Comptoir serves up scrumptious galettes and delicious ciders, from classic apple, to fruity pear and the trendiest drink of the moment – rosé. If you want to up your IG #roseaday game, this cozy restaurant is the place to be.

3x

LO AND BEHOLD VOUCHER (worth $100 each)

LIFESTYLE

L30

LIFESTYLE

L31 1x PHILIPS ACTIONFIT

WIRELESS FREEDOM SPORTS HEADPHONES (worth $139.90)

170 Hospitality brand Lo and Behold has been on a winning streak since day one. With Odette, Loof, Overeasy (Fullerton), Overeasy (Orchard), The Rabbit Hole, Extra Virgin Pizza, The Black Swan, The Powder Room, The Daily Roundup, Tanjong Beach Club and The White Rabbit to its name, it’s a blessing to our palettes and senses.

1x PHILIPS ACTIONFIT

LIFESTYLE

L32

With its high-performance sound, ergonomic design, Kevlar-reinforced cable for ultimate durability, lightweight construction and Bluetooth wireless connection, you’ll be able to enjoy tangle-free workouts with excellent sound. Time to redefine your personal best.

2x POTATO HEAD FOLK DINING VOUCHER (worth $100 each)

LIFESTYLE

L33

RUNFREE WIRELESS SPORTS HEADPHONES (worth $199.90)

Tired of scrappy sound or your earphones constantly slipping out of your ears while you pound the track or are in the gym? Fret no more because these new Philips earphones are here to address all your issues. Great sound, anti-slip rubber ear caps, and enhanced safety features are just some of its charms.

By now, it should be clear to you that Potato Head Folk has the perfect ingredients for a good time. Scrumptious food, heady cocktails, great music, and an utterly chill and inviting ambience – all check. This is an invitation to bask in all these charms and to treat your senses to the good stuff.

GIVEAWAY

1x HOPELESS RECORDS

MUSIC

M01

2x TICKETS TO YUCK

BUNDLE (worth $135)

LIVE IN SINGAPORE (worth $110)

After a tremendously powerful showing at Laneway 2012, the London indie and alternative rock band will shine light on our shores once again.

So much has changed in the four years since we last saw them and with their recent album Stranger Things taking things back to basics, they can be counted on to blow you away again.

Yuck performs at Hood Bar on Tuesday, September 13 at 7.30pm.

MUSIC

M02 This one is for all you emos. With the sound and sensibility making a comeback in a very compelling way, it’s only fitting that you get your hands on music from some of the finest in the game. And thanks to the good people at Hopeless Records, CDs from All Time Low, Bayside, Milk Teeth, New Found Glory as well as a vinyl record by Taking Back Sunday are up for grabs.

3x

THE ANALOG VAULT VINYL (worth $100 each)

The Analog Vault is the brainchild of several established specialists in their own trades – such as vinyl records retailer Vinylicious Records, book collector/seller The Arkhivist, and independent online magazine retailer Magpie Magazines. Expand your horizons with their discerning and supremely well-curated selection of musical treasures.

171

MUSIC

M03

5x

LINKIN PARK THE HUNTING PARTY BOX SET PACKAGE (worth $150 each)

MUSIC

2x PASSES TO MAYDAY PARADE LIVE (worth $178 per pair)

MUSIC

M05

M04

It’s widely acknowledged that The Hunting Party is one of Linkin Park’s best albums. Self-produced, the 2014 opus saw the band digging down into its roots. Besides the CD, this limited edition package includes band merchandise in the form of a cap and T-shirt.

Who said emo is dead? Break out the stripe-y tees and side-swept bangs because Mayday Parade is hitting our shores again after two previous sold-out concerts, thanks to Upsurge Productions. Get ready to weep as they play us old favourites like “Terrible Things” and “Stay”, as well as new tracks off their latest album, Black Lines. If you miss them again, you’ll definitely be “Miserable At Best”.

Mayday Parade performs on Sunday, October 16 at St James Power Station from 7pm.

scene

REHAB + FRESH + BULLETPROOF AT ZOUK SINGAPORE TRANCE FOR DAYS

172

OLIVER HELDENS + FRESH + BULLETPROOF AT ZOUK SINGAPORE THE FUTURE OF HOUSE

scene

WELCOME TO ST. TROPEZ - 6TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY AT CÉ LA VI BIRTHDAY ON HIGH

173

SHO’STOMPER UTOPIA FEAT. GUEST DJ YASMIN AT ALTIMATE STOMPING GOOD TIME

scene

RAYVOLUTION/THANK F#*K ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FRIDAY AT ATTICA FRIDAY FUN TIMES

174

RAWJAK WITH MR. HAS AT K YO SOME LIKE IT RAW

scene

GUILTY PLEASURES AT OVEREASY NO PARTY LIKE AN INDIE PARTY

175

STARS & STRIPES AT TANJONG BEACH CLUB SURF AND TURF

scene

MONTE CARLO NIGHT AT BLACK NUT HIGH ROLLERS

176

GARDEN BEATS OFFICIAL AFTERPARTY AT TERRA THE PARTY NEVER DIES

scene

FUN TIMES AT LEPARK WELCOME THE GOOD VIBES

177

FLIGHT NIGHT AT SUITE26 ALL ABOARD!

scene

CANVAS X DTW PRESENT DO HITS - HOWIE LEE & JASON HOU (CN) AT CANVAS BASS TO THE FACE

178

FOUNDATION. FEAT. CHUS & CEBALLOS AT CANVAS SPAINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FINEST

S H O P AT T H E S E S T O C K I S T S BERSHKA #B2-09 TO 11 ION ORCHARD

DR. MARTENS #02-17A WHEELOCK PLACE

MIU MIU #01-27 ION ORCHARD

SWAROVSKI #01-25 TO 27 TAKASHIMAYA

BIMBA Y LOLA #B1-04 ION ORCHARD

EMPORIO ARMANI #B1-03/04 NGEE ANN CITY

MONCLER #01-17 ION ORCHARD

TOPSHOP/ TOPMAN #B2-01, #B3-02 ION ORCHARD

CALVIN KLEIN #02-33/34 PARAGON

FOREVER 21 #01-10 TO 13 313@SOMERSET

PEDDER ON SCOTTS SCOTTS SQUARE LEVEL 2

UNIQLO #03-27/34 313@SOMERSET

CHARLES & KEITH #B2-12/14 NGEE ANN CITY

H&M ORCHARD BUILDING

PEDRO #B3-10 ION ORCHARD

VALENTINO #01-03 ION ORCHARD

CHURCHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S #02-08 ION ORCHARD

HUGO BOSS #01-14 TO 18 NGEE ANN CITY

POLO RALPH LAUREN #01-01 TO 03, #02-02/03 SHAW CENTRE

VANS #B3-61 ION ORCHARD

CLUB 21 #01-01/02 FOUR SEASONS HOTEL

MANGO #02-23/24 313@SOMERSET

COACH #02-13 TO 16 PARAGON COS #03-23 ION ORCHARD

MARC JACOBS #01-11 MANDARIN GALLERY MARNI #01-06 PARAGON

ROYAL SPORTING HOUSE #05-05 313@SOMERSET SANDRO #B2-108 THE SHOPPES AT MARINA BAY SANDS STELLA MCCARTNEY #02-19 HILTON HOTEL

WALTER STEIGER TAKASHIMAYA LEVEL 3 Y-3 #01-05 MANDARIN GALLERY ZARA LIAT TOWERS

final word

paul oakenfold mr. has

aldrin

jeff mills

midnight shift

syndicate

MAJULAH SINGAPURA BY WAYNE LEE, ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER, ZOUK As we celebrate SG51, I thought it would be a good time to do a short but sweet retrospective piece on our nation’s glorious electronic music past; to look back on how far we have come and how much we’ve achieved along the way.

180

zouk

myrne

sasha and digweed

darren emerson

When I first started as fresh-faced writer at back in 2001, the Singapore electronic music scene was brewing with good momentum. Influenced by a strong international rave movement, spearheaded by maestros Sasha & Digweed, Paul Oakenfold, Jeff Mills and Darren Emerson (to name a few), Singapore’s clubbing faithful found hope and direction in the form of proper techno, house, trance, and progressive sounds, fuelled by not just Zouk (the legendary homegrown music institution that programmed in this direction), but also a very healthy and booming local scene that was all-inclusive and truly inspiring.

There were DJ collectives (Frontal, Groove Genetics, Kinemat and Guerrilla, amongst many others) formed by like-minded music lovers to push past musical boundaries and to put Singapore on the global map. There were underground themed parties with mystifyingly awesome names like “Enroute”, “Destination Unknown” and “Solace” to keep the scene fresh and forward. There were amazing venues (some located in shophouse settings) like Insomnia, Eden, Fuse and Milk Bar to provide shelter and a decent sound system to all who believed in the cause. Most importantly, there was a very cohesive music scene that possessed that powerful kampung spirit. Audiences came out wholeheartedly to support their fellow Singaporeans on the decks, and the artistes and gig promoters reciprocated by giving them good gigs at affordable prices. Everyone was a familiar face, high fives

were thrown around, and it was an effective clubbing ecosystem.

I would say my time with magazine was very much a part of this fabric, as I was there at the right time and at the right place. introduced me to the world of DJ-ing and club culture when I was an avid reader (still remember that first anniversary issue in 1999 with Lum May Yee on the cover) and huge fan of the magazine. Later on as an editorial staff member, it allowed me to explore the scene in-depth, form solid friendships, and presented platforms for me to learn, pursue my passion and give back to the community. I wasn’t the best of DJs, but I had opportunities to cue some records at local gigs while writing for the best nightlife publication in Singapore. Up till today, I am humbled and grateful for that opportunity.

Fast forward to 2016, the local scene hasn’t lost steam. Local collectives and DJs are still making magic happen and, in fact, gaining more exposure to the international market. Young producer blood like Myrne and MMXJ, as well as veterans like Mr. Has, Aldrin, the Midnight Shift team and the Syndicate crew are still planting the Singapore flag across the globe and making sure we’re heard. What’s interesting is while the community back then was mostly made up of just DJs (except for one or two genre-bending producers like Infuser AKA Maurice Ooi), today’s core group of electronic artistes include producers, vocalists, instrumentalists and even beatboxers! That itself is an achievement, for it provides a very complete and diverse offering – very much what SG is about! And I am glad to say that even up till this very moment, still plays an important part in this as the mouthpiece of the scene, and I am sure it will continue to do so for many years to come.

Text Wayne Lee Images Various Sources

mmxj

FIND

HERE BARS & CLUBS

6X^Y 7Vg $ 6aaZn 7Vg Â&#x2122; 6ii^XV Â&#x2122; 7ZZg BVg`Zi Â&#x2122; 7aj ?Vo 8V[Â&#x201A; Â&#x2122; 7djaZkVgY Â&#x2122; 7gZlZg`o 5 G^kZgh^YZ Ed^ci Â&#x2122; 8VckVh Â&#x2122; =Vggn h 5 :heaVcVYZ BVaa! =VgWdjg;gdci 8ZcigZ Â&#x2122; >XZ 8daY 7 h Â&#x2122; >cYd8]^cZ 5 8ajW HigZZi Â&#x2122; ?Z`naa =nYZ Â&#x2122; @ND Â&#x2122; ADD; Â&#x2122; EVjaVcZg 7gVj]Vjh Â&#x2122; Edhi 7Vg Â&#x2122; FjZ EVhV VcY >XZ 8daY 7ZZg Â&#x2122; H^Zb G^Ze 8V[Â&#x201A; 7Vg LViZg Â&#x2122; LVaV LVaV Â&#x2122; Odj`

F&B

( EZi^ih 8gd^hhVcih Â&#x2122; 6[iZgl^i Â&#x2122; 6^ZdjÂ&#x2122; 6giZVhi^f 7dji^fjZ IZV =djhZ Â&#x2122; 6giZVhi^f 8V[Â&#x201A; 9Z 6gi Â&#x2122; 6iaVh 8d[[ZZ]djhZ Â&#x2122; 7aVX` Idc\jZ Â&#x2122; 7^aan 7dbWZgh 5 I]Z 8ZcigVa Â&#x2122; 7gZ`d Â&#x2122; 7addY 8V[Â&#x201A; Â&#x2122; 8V[Â&#x201A; 8VgiZa Â&#x2122; 8Vggn dc 8V[Â&#x201A; Â&#x2122; 8]V^ HZc\ =jVi =VgYlVgZ Â&#x2122; 8dhiV 8d[[ZZ H^c\VedgZ 5 (&( HdbZghZi! 8]Zkgdc =djhZ! BZigdeda^h ! EaVoV H^c\VejgV! GV[Ã&#x201E;Zh 8^in! GdW^chdch DgX]VgY! HdÃ&#x192;iZa Hd! K^kd8^in Â&#x2122; 8gZVb 8jhiVgY Â&#x2122; 8gÂ&#x201A;bZ BV^hdc 7V`Zgn Â&#x2122; 8jeh C 8VckVh Â&#x2122; 9 oZgih 8V[Â&#x201A; Â&#x2122; 9Vooa^c\ 8V[Â&#x201A; H^c\VedgZ Â&#x2122; 9dbZ 8d[[ZZ 5 GV[Ã&#x201E;Zh EaVXZ! H^c\VedgZ 6gi BjhZjb Â&#x2122; :Vhi - Â&#x2122; ;^h] 8d# 5 <aVhh =djhZ Â&#x2122; ;ddYdad\n ;gZh] Â&#x2122; ;dhiZgh 8V[Â&#x201A; GZhiVjgVci Â&#x2122; ;gZh] ;gj^ih AVW Â&#x2122; <jVX <d EiZ AiY Â&#x2122; =VW^iVi 8d[[ZZ Â&#x2122; =VgY GdX` 8V[Â&#x201A; Â&#x2122; =ddY 7Vg VcY 8V[Â&#x201A; Â&#x2122; =djhZ Â&#x2122; >haVcY 8gZVbZgn 5 HZgZcZ 8ZcigZ Â&#x2122; ?jhi LVci 8d[[ZZ Â&#x2122; @^c`^ GZhiVjgVci 7Vg Â&#x2122; @^i] 8V[Â&#x201A; Â&#x2122; @g^h] Â&#x2122; @dbW^ GdX`h Â&#x2122; D 8dbeid^g Â&#x2122; AdnhZa h Idnh Â&#x2122; BVY CZhi Â&#x2122; BVc]ViiVc ;^h] BVg`Zi 5 ?jcXi^dc - Â&#x2122; B^ci BjhZjb d[ Idnh/ Bg EjcX] GZhiVjgVci 7Vg Â&#x2122; Bn 6lZhhdbZ 8V[Â&#x201A; Â&#x2122; DWadc\ EaVXZ Â&#x2122; DcZ GdX]ZhiZg Â&#x2122; DeZc 9ddg Eda^Xn Â&#x2122; DkZgZVhn Â&#x2122; EVXVbVgV 7dji^fjZ 8d[[ZZ GdVhiZgh Â&#x2122; EVi^hhZg^Z < Â&#x2122; EVX^Ã&#x192;X 8d[[ZZ 5 GZY 9di 7j^aY^c\ Â&#x2122; E^Zh 8d[[ZZ Â&#x2122; EdiVid =ZVY ;da` Â&#x2122; Eg^kZ 8V[Â&#x201A; Â&#x2122; Gd`ZWn 7^higd Â&#x2122; HZZY VcY Hd^a Â&#x2122; HZaÃ&#x192;h] <ZcZ 8V[Â&#x201A; Â&#x2122; Hd\jgi Â&#x2122; HEGBG@I Â&#x2122; HiVgWjX`h 5 ( ?VaVc ?VbVa! 7^h]Vc 8dbbjc^in 8ajW! 7j\^h ?jcXi^dc! 8Ve^iVa IdlZg! 8ZcigZed^ci! 8^in =djhZ! 8^ina^c` BVaa! <gZVi LdgaY 8^in! =daaVcY K^aaV\Z! >DC! ?jgdc\ <ViZlVn! A^Vi IdlZgh! A^Vc\ 8djgi! BVg^cV HfjVgZ! D878 8ZcigZ! DcZ ;jaaZgidc! DgX]VgY Ed^ci BVaa! EVX^Ã&#x192;X EaVoV! EVgV\dc H]dee^c\ 8ZcigZ! GV[Ã&#x201E;Zh =dhe^iVa! H^c\VedgZ AVcY IdlZg! H]Vl AZ^hjgZ <VaaZgn! H^c\VedgZ AVcY IdlZg! IVbe^cZh BVaa! IVc\a^c BVaa! I]Z 8Vi]Vn! I]Z 8ZcigVa! I]Z 8dcXdjghZ! I]dbhdc EaVoV! J: HfjVgZ! Jc^iZY HfjVgZ! K^kd8^in! L^a`^Z :Y\Z! L^hbV 6ig^V Â&#x2122; Hjh]^ 7jgg^id Â&#x2122; HlZchZc¼h 5 6c\ Bd @^d =jW! 7ZYd` BVaa! 7j`^i EVc_Vc\ EaVoV! 8VjhZlVn Ed^ci! 8ZcigZed^ci! 8^in HfjVgZ BVaa! 8]Vc\^ 6^gedgi I'! 8aZbZci^ BVaa! 8dbeVhh Ed^ci! 9dlcidlc :Vhi! >DC! >BB! ?jgdc\ Ed^ci! ?jcXi^dc -! BVg^cV HfjVgZ! C:M BVaa! Cdgi] Ed^ci! EVg`lVn EVgVYZ! EaVoV Hc\VejgV! IVbe^cZh BVaa! I]Z HZaZiVg BVaa! I]dbhdc EaVoV! LZhi bVaa Â&#x2122; :VgaZ HlZchZc¼h 5 ?Zb! K^kd 8^in Â&#x2122; IZhh 7Vg @^iX]Zc Â&#x2122; I]Z 8d[[ZZ 9V^an Â&#x2122; I]Z 8ajZaZhh <dVi Â&#x2122; I]Z AVlc 5 6M6 IdlZg! CVcdh Â&#x2122; I]Z Egdk^YdgZ Â&#x2122; I]Z Hdje Heddc 5 HjciZX 8^in Â&#x2122; I]Z I^gVb^hj =Zgd Â&#x2122; I]Z 8dVhiVa HZiiaZbZci Â&#x2122; I]Z L]^iZ GVWW^i Â&#x2122; I^bZ IVWaZ 8V[Â&#x201A; Â&#x2122; I^bWgZ 5 I]Z HjWhiVi^dc Â&#x2122; L(. 7^higd 7V`Zgn Â&#x2122; L^aYZg 8V[Â&#x201A; Â&#x2122; L]ZZaZg h NVgY Â&#x2122; Ldg`^c\ I^iaZ 8V[Z

FASHION

68IJ6AAN Â&#x2122; 6Y^YVh Â&#x2122; 6Y^YVh Dg^\^cVah 8dcXZei HidgZ Â&#x2122; 6\cZh 7 Â&#x2122; 6aXd]da^YVn Â&#x2122; 7Zgh]`V Â&#x2122; 8gjbeaZg 5 >DC! EVgV\dc!GV[Ã&#x201E;Zh 8^in Â&#x2122; 9ZegZhh^dc 5 8^cZaZ^hjgZ DgX]VgY Â&#x2122; Y]#hjc\aVhh Â&#x2122; 9g# BVgiZch Â&#x2122; 9jgVhV[Z Â&#x2122; ;gZY EZggn 5 >DC! BVcYVg^c <VaaZgn! DgX]VgY 8^cZaZ^hjgZ Â&#x2122; ;gdci Gdl Â&#x2122; <jZhh 5 BVg^cV 7Vn HVcYh Â&#x2122; ?gjclVn Â&#x2122; AZ[i[ddi 5 DgX]VgY 8^cZaZ^hjgZ! I]Z 8Vi]Vn Â&#x2122; AZk^ h 5 HjciZX 8^in! K^kd8^in Â&#x2122; A^b^iZY :Yi KVjai Â&#x2122; A^b^iZY :Yi Â&#x2122; A^iiaZ BVc Â&#x2122; BdYEVgVYZ Â&#x2122; Bj_^ 5 EVgV\dc Â&#x2122; Bj_dh] Â&#x2122; CVcV 7^gY 5 8]Vn NVc HigZZi! :c\ =ddc HigZZi Â&#x2122; CZl 7VaVcXZ 5 HXVeZ! IVbe^cZh BVaa! KZadX^in Â&#x2122; C^mdc Â&#x2122; E#K#H Â&#x2122; E68I Â&#x2122; Egd_ZXi 7addY 7gdi]Zgh 5 EVgV\dc Â&#x2122; Ejaa VcY 7ZVg 5 7j\^h ! >DC Â&#x2122; G^e 8jga 5 BVg^cV HfjVgZ! K^kd8^in Â&#x2122; GÂ&#x201A;kdaiZ m H]Z H]deh Â&#x2122; GdX`hiVg Â&#x2122; HJE Â&#x2122; HjeZgH]VYZh H< Â&#x2122; HjeZgheVXZ Â&#x2122; I]gZVYWVgZ Hfj^ggZa Â&#x2122; I]gZZh^mÃ&#x192;kZ Â&#x2122; Ideh]de$ IdebVc 5 >DC! ?Zb! @c^\]ihWg^Y\Z! K^kd8^in Â&#x2122; KVch 5 BVg^cV HfjVgZ! DgX]VgY 8ZcigVa Â&#x2122; L:H8 Â&#x2122; L]^iZ GdhZ EVgadjg Â&#x2122; O]V =jd 9^Vc

ARTS, DESIGN & MUSIC

6aa^VcXZ ;gVcXV^hZ Â&#x2122; 7Vh]ZZg <gVe]^X 7dd`h Â&#x2122; 8jgViZY GZXdgYh Â&#x2122; :\\i]gZZ Â&#x2122; <ddYh d[ 9Zh^gZ Â&#x2122; =ZVg GZXdgYh Â&#x2122; @^oj`^ A>B Â&#x2122; CVi^dcVa 6gih 8djcX^a Â&#x2122; GZY 9di BjhZjb H]de Â&#x2122; Gdmn Bjh^X Â&#x2122; HX^hhdgh 6gi Â&#x2122; H]^ccEVg` Â&#x2122; HigVc\ZaZih Â&#x2122; I]Z 6gih =djhZ Â&#x2122; I]Z Egd_ZXidg Â&#x2122; I]Z HjWhiVi^dc Â&#x2122; KVaZci^cZ Bjh^X 8ZcigZ Â&#x2122; LddY LdjaY

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

6gi^hVc =V^g Â&#x2122; 6hbVgV Â&#x2122; :hhZchjVah 7j\^h Â&#x2122; ;9E EgZhi^\Z =V^g 8VgZ Â&#x2122; ;^icZhh ;^ghi 5 DcZ GV[Ã&#x201E;Zh FjVn! GdW^chdc GdVY! Â&#x2122; I]Z 8Vi]Vn Â&#x2122; BVc^Xjg^djh CZmi HVadc Â&#x2122; HIG>E 5 9ZbehZn! =daaVcY K^aaV\Z! @Vidc\! EVgV\dc! GV[Ã&#x201E;Zh 8^in H]dee^c\ 8ZcigZ! BVcYVg^c <VaaZgn! L]ZZadX` EaVXZ! K^kd8^in Â&#x2122; I]Z EVc^X Gddb Â&#x2122; IDC> <JN 5 :Vhi 8dVhi! BVcYVg^c <VaaZgn

HOTELS

6G@ '*. AdY\Z Â&#x2122; =diZa GZ Â&#x2122; >ciZg8dci^cZciVa H^c\VedgZ Â&#x2122; @aVehdch =diZa Â&#x2122; A^c` =diZa Â&#x2122; AadnY¼h >cc EiZ AiY Â&#x2122; Bdg^ =dhiZa Â&#x2122; CVjb^ =diZa Â&#x2122; CZl BV_Zhi^X =diZa Â&#x2122; Hl^hhdiZa Â&#x2122; I]Z Fj^cXn =diZa Â&#x2122; K^aaV\Z @Vidc\ =diZa Â&#x2122; LVcYZgajhi =diZa Â&#x2122; L H^c\VedgZ

SCHOOLS

786 6XVYZbn Â&#x2122; AVhVaaZ 8daaZ\Z d[ I]Z 6gih Â&#x2122; CVcnVc\ 6XVYZbn d[ ;^cZ 6gih Â&#x2122; CJH GVY^d EjaoZ Â&#x2122; GZejWa^X Edan Â&#x2122; H6: >chi^ijiZ H^c\VedgZ Â&#x2122; IZbVhZ` EdaniZX]c^X

EVERYWHERE ELSE

6jY^d IZX]c^XV Â&#x2122; 7dd`h6XijVaan Â&#x2122; 8]Vc\^ 6^gedgi 6bWVhhVYdg IgVch^i Adjc\Z Â&#x2122; :e^ 8ZcigZ 5 L]ZZadX` EaVXZ Â&#x2122; ?8jWZ Â&#x2122; ?8jWZ! I]Z G^c` Â&#x2122; Adj^h @^ZccZ HZgk^XZY GZh^YZcXZ Â&#x2122; H6;G6 5 IdV EVnd] Â&#x2122; H86E: Â&#x2122; HI6 IgVkZa Â&#x2122; Hi <VbZh 8V[Z Â&#x2122; I=: =>K: Â&#x2122; Id`nd 7^`Z Â&#x2122; I]Z GZVY^c\ Gddb Â&#x2122; LVkZ =djhZ HZcidhV