JUICE DECEMBER 2014 - ZoukOut 2014 | Issue #195

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ISSUE #195

ELEVATING THE GAME the zoukout issue

THE RUN DEPT. NIKE WORLD HEADQUARTERS BEAVERTON, OREGON — NIKE.COM/RUNNING

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EDITORIAL editor jazmin kelly six [jazmin@juice.com.sg] senior fashion writer/stylist liyana meer [liyana@juice.com.sg] music writer kevin ho [kevin@juice.com.sg]

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lifestyle/online writer trent davis [trent@juice.com.sg] editorial intern sziying khoo contributors alastair tock, burton tang, chris ong ujine, den ng, don shiau, ling tay, mich makeover, nigel lopez, teck lim

WOO HOO!

START

So we’re officially pretty young things at the age of 16 but we sure know d*mn well how to throw a party. Wouldn’t you agree? To all who braved the storm and came down to our Street 16 birthday bash last month in your ghetto-fab best, we can’t thank you enough for your presence and well wishes. And to those who missed it (boo!), well, you’ve just gotta get on with the programme come same time next year; or relive our riotous shindig through our party report (page 34).

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ART DIRECTION designer jackson kang [jackson@juice.com.sg] contributing designer leonardo rusli ADVERTISING & MARKETING sales & marketing manager lavonne lam [lavonne@juice.com.sg] DID 6325 8031 M 9747 2806

Looking back, it’s kinda crazy how 2014 flew by in a flash. It seems like a few months ago we were just rockin’ out at Heineken’s LED reactive dancefloor last ZoukOut and this month, we’re all set to conquer the region’s biggest dance festival again. That said, we’re pretty sure you’re all prepped and ready with the nuggets of info we’ve been feeding you. Still cravin’ more? Then hop over to our ZoukOut trivia story (page 12) for one last push before sh*t gets real when December 12 rolls around. We be anticipatin’.

sales & marketing executive cedric phang [cedric@juice.com.sg] DID 6325 8032 M 9176 6580

As we cruise through the last month of 2014, we also look at other party beaches we should get acquainted with (page 102); wardrobe options to go along with that (page 44); beauty essentials for our year-end vacays (page 86); hangover cures (page 94) for the next time we get sloshed; and a bumper 16-page Christmas Gift Guide (page 65) to clue you in this Yuletide. See? We’re always nice like that.

REGIONAL CONTACTS

PUBLISHER & DIRECTOR david see [david@lumina-looque.com] DIRECTOR calvin cheng [calvin@lumina-looque.com]

MALAYSIA editor alif omar mahfix [alif.mahfix@revasia.com] INDONESIA editor agiani salima [agiani.salima@mediasatu.com]

Better Be Good Now, is a free monthly publication Published by JUICE Media Pte Ltd Under license from Catcha Media Group Pte Ltd

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ON THE COVER ZOUKOUT

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1. DUBFIRE 2. SHOWTEK 3. SKRILLEX 4. MANO LE TOUGH 5. STEVE ANGELLO 6. MAGDA 7. DAMIAN LAZARUS 8. RICHIE HAWTIN 9. W&W 10. ABOVE & BEYOND 11. MAYA JANE COLES 12. NICKY ROMERO 13. LOCO DICE 14. DANNIC 15. STEVE AOKI 16. MARTIN GARRIX 17. NINA KRAVIZ

MCI (P) 062/08/2014 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 ass, 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.

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DECEMBER 2014 12

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THE EDM ALPHABET

MARTIN GARRIX

An A-to-Z guide to clubs, controversies, genres, and wubs.

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Unveiling all the hidden talents of this young prodigy.

ZOUKOUT

06

HIP(HOP) ANNIVERSARY

All that went down at our Street 16 bash.

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44

65 THE

CONTENTS

ZoukOut is our biggest (and still growing) beach party festival ever but just how well do you know it? Whether you’re a hardened veteran or a ZO virgin, familiarise yourself with these nuggets of info before the shindig this month.

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE GET THE PARTY STARTED

FESTIVAL FASHION

Pull out all the stops in your festive best.

Wardrobe inspo you’ll need for the party season.

THE CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

Pressies to suit all 12 different moods of Yuletide.

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94

102

PRETTY PACKED

THE HUNGOVER GAMES

LIFE’S A BEACH

Beauty essentials to tote along for your vacay.

10 outrageous hangover cures from around the world.

Six up-and-coming beach party destinations to know.

“Super”

“Zero”

BORN TO RAVE

Whazzup !

I know you guys are the official magazine and all, but there’s no way you can be more excited than I am about Zoukout 2014.

I’ve already got my tickets bought, party gear sorted and a swanky RWS suite all booked. I mean, I’m livin’ out my days listening to your handy psych-up playlist and just counting down, man.

Beach Bum

INBOX

With all that fire, here’s hoping you don’t burn out before the actual party.

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MOVEMBER MONSTER

How’s it hangin’ , Your feature on barbershops last month was much needed.

Since Movember’s coming to an end, I really didn’t know what to do about my mo’. Been growin’ it out the whole month, now my girlfriend can’t even recognise me no more!

Fuzz-trated

DUCKFACE Hey , Thanks for those tips and tricks to achieve ‘Better Selfies Now’. I spam my Instagram page with my selfies, but they hardly ever get any likes. Now I know what to do to jazz up my selfie game – 8 million followers here I come! @followmeplz?

“You can’t control artistes and their creativity. Sexism and all similar bullsh*t must die.” So unleash your creativity at inbox@juice.com.sg

Gurrrl, y’know we always gotcha back. Or front.

Whatever side is best.

MAIL of the month SWAG DOGG

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!

JUST WANTED TO DROP Y’ALL A MESSAGE SAYIN’: RAD PARTY GUYS! MY FRIENDS AND I HAD AN AWESOME TIME AT ZOUK, PLUS, I GOT TO TAKE A WEFIE WITH SHIGGA SHAY <3 ALSO, I LOVE YOUR NEW TOTE BAGS, BUT WE EACH GOT ONLY ONE. ANY IDEAS WHERE I CAN GET MORE? BAG LADY

SWEETHEART, DIDN’T YOUR MAMA TEACH YOU TO ONLY TAKE WHAT YOU NEED? BUT BECAUSE YOU’RE SUCH A DEAR, HERE’S A PAIR OF SOLID CANS AS A TREAT.

Ugh, take a leaf outta our pages and get yourself groomed, stat.

NINA NINJA

Dear , Props for having the gorgeous Nina Kraviz on the cover last month. I should confess that I was the one who swiped an entire stack at a particular store of when no one was looking, but I’m not sorry at all. Don’t hate me!

Sorrynotsorry

Hey, sharing is caring. We know we’re a stunner, but… not cool dude.

THIS MONTH’S MAIL OF THE MONTH WINS THE SENNHEISER URBANITE DENIM HEADPHONES WORTH $269, COURTESY OF SENNHEISER.

CELEBRATE FESTIVE WITH A NEW LOOK

facebook.com/heineken #heinekenSG

SINGAPORE

SERVIN’ UP THE FRESHEST CONTENT

OUR EXCLUSIVE WEB HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH! CHAT: REUBY

LOCAL YOUNGBLOOD REUBY SHARES ALL IN OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW.

THE JUICE CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST

YULE BE LOVING OUR CHOICE CUTS OF JINGLES AND JAMS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

NIKE AIR ZOOM STRUCTURE 18

HOW THE BRAND BREAKS BOUNDARIES WITH ITS LATEST ROCK-SOLID, ATHLETIC SNEAKER.

CHRISTMAS BEAUTY BUYS

GET DOLLED UP RIGHT WITH THESE PRETTY HOLIDAY SEASON ESSENTIALS.

CHAT: SICK INDIVIDUALS

WE CATCH UP WITH THE DYNAMIC DUTCH DUO BEFORE THEY SET SAIL FOR IT’S THE SHIP.

DREAM CHRISTMAS MARKET

CHIC FURNITURE LABEL DREAM AND SOME OF SINGAPORE’S MOST CREATIVE LIFESTYLE TASTEMAKERS GET TOGETHER AT THIS FESTIVE SOIREE.

ABDUL ABDULLAH: I SEE A DARKNESS A WESTERN AUSTRALIAN ARTIST’S COMPLEX STORY OF MINORITY GROUPS IN A MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

PARTY-HOPPING ON NYE

10 OF THE HOTTEST NYE PARTIES YOU HAVE TO CHECK OUT THIS YEAR.

STAY CONNECTED JUICE.COM.SG

FACEBOOK.COM/JUICE.SG.FANS

TWITTER.COM/JUICESG

INSTAGRAM.COM/JUICESG

MUSIC FETCH AS FRENCH There’s no fighting it – EDM has evolved into a proliferating staple for the kids of our generation, dominated, to a certain extent, by kids themselves.

While Holland’s got its Garrix and Spain its Avila, France had one boy wonder who was atop the industry pedestal way before these electro titans. Firing away hyper-mode French house with bleep-bloopy hooks and plump funky basslines, Madeon recently made Billboard’s hot ’21 Under 21’ list, and continues to show whiz-dom beyond his youth with “Imperium”.

Prancing buoyantly at a slowed-down 110bpm, the sassy synth-spammed instrumental exemplifies the new sanguine pace of Madeon – a wunderkind with all the time on his side.

madeon.fr

Text Kevin Ho Image Tom Horton

MUST-KNOW ZOUKOUT TRIVIA

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW ZOUKOUT ?

WHETHER YOU’RE A HARDENED VETERAN OR A ZOUKOUT VIRGIN, FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH THESE NUGGETS OF INFO ABOUT OUR FAVOURITE DANCE FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR.

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Planning ZoukOut Is No Walk In The Park

You think planning your friend’s surprise b-day party was hell? Try prepping one year in advance! To ensure fewer hairs are pulled out, a workforce of 600 – comprising security, bar staff, marketing, valet services and more – has been effected for the upcoming shindig. And as for ZoukOut’s DJs, selected upon eyeballing industry trends and scouting at international festivals, the budget for their acquisition alone comes up to a staggering 1.5 million dollars! above & beyond

COVER

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Wait A Sec…There’s No ZoukOut Poster Girl This Year?!

Those compulsively acquainted with ZoukOut’s artwork will find one detail that’s noticeably…naked. ZoukOut posters usually have a bikini-clad pretty-face ornamenting their extravagant line-ups, but believe it or not, that hasn’t always been the case! 2010 was the last poster to trade a babe for a stupendous view from the decks, while 2004 switched a sweetheart with vinyls sticking out from the sand. Don’t miss her too much fellas; she’ll be back soon enough!

richie hawtin

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Five DJs Return For ZoukOut 2014

Without skimping on fresh faces for the ZoukOut roster, the line-up selectors consistently invite a familiar face or two. Steve Aoki (2007), Dubfire (2010) and Nina Kraviz (2012) are back for second helpings, and we can’t ever have too much of trance-induced sunrises from Above & Beyond (2008, 2012). And poetically so, Richie Hawtin’s third visit pays homage to his headlining set at the very first ZoukOut in 2000.

amateur takes control

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Bands Used To Come Out And Play

ZoukOut wasn’t always an exclusively EDM affair; it used to have stages that catered to bands and patrons who loved rock more than rave. ZoukOut’s debut in 2000 had local legends of our generation, The Stoned Revivals, Livonia and Force Vomit. And subsequent events featured multifarious showcases from new-wavers Electrico, shoegazers Astreal, and even instrumental post-rockers Amateur Takes Control.

Devil horns mixed with fist-pumps – who would’ve thought eh?

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ZoukOut: The Party By The CBD?

Relax worrywarts! You didn’t spend all those months buffing up your bod for nothing. ZoukOut 2014, for the record, is once again at Sentosa’s Siloso Beach. But strangely enough, The Marina Bay Waterfront was the playground of choice for ZoukOut ’03, with grass and soil sifting through your toes and the blinding lights of the corporate skyline judging you from yonder. And although it was the first ZoukOut stretched out over two nights, it was also oddly scheduled for the month of July. Absurd huh?

Safety Is Absolutely Paramount

Why do you think ZoukOut’s so strict about the ‘No Swimming’ rule? A disaster that could’ve swung the fate of ZoukOut into irrecoverable oblivion, the festival’s first event in 2000 suffered a drowning of a partygoer. And if you can recall, there was also no ZoukOut in 2002; this was a safety precaution in light of the Bali bombing scares.

So please don’t bring any snorkelling gear or anything that looks combustible. You will be tackled.

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It’s A Romp With Noms

All that jostling and cavorting can work up quite an appetite. So praise be to ZoukOut for having our growling tums covered! Follow the scents of ramen burgers and chocolate-coated sweet potatoes from The Travelling C.O.W, or go gastronomical with the European-Indonesian pop-up cuisine from Table At 7. And don’t forget to cool off with a Popaganda popsicle!

It’s Also A Parade Of Visual Wonders

We don’t mean biceps and bums you perv! Besides dropping EDM eargasms all round, ZoukOut provides visual pampering with stilt-walkers, fire-twirlers and even the sci-fi-inspired exoticness of Shibuya’s Cyberjapan Dancers.

Over the years, we’ve also caught ginormous neon jellyfish and gumball machines, towering water slides, ‘dance-powered’ glowing stages and even arts installations made outta recycled goodies. What marvels will you discover this year? Report your findings with #ZoukOutSG!

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ZoukOut 2014 Partners Up With The International Music Summit

Yet another telltale sign of ZoukOut’s worldly appeal, the star-studded jamboree holds the honour of being an official partner of Asia’s first-ever IMS, an Ibiza-founded EDM conference hosted by BBC Radio 1 icon, Pete Tong. ZoukOut evolves into more than just a festival this year, becoming a key industry player by providing vital talent like Damian Lazarus, Richie Hawtin and Steve Angello, to spearhead workshops and panel discussions.

And it all happens just one day before ZoukOut – the event marking the climax of a summit well orchestrated.

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It’s Only Getting More Popular

You’ve probably heard by now that ZoukOut tickets are selling like hotcakes.

And rest assured, the supply’s been rising exponentially along with the demand!

Unlike ZoukOut’s debut installation that drew just 9,000 attendees, latest ZoukOut figures have sprung past the 41,000 mark. That’s an astounding increase of over 450 per cent! Told ya to get your tix early. pete tong

Be a part of history at ZoukOut 2014, happening on December 12 and 13 at Siloso Beach, Sentosa.

For more information, visit zoukout.com.

Text Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

THE EDM ALPHABET A

FEATURE

for ABLETON

The secret weapon of DJs a-many. It’s software that lets mixmeisters trigger loops and launch samples live. It ain’t Minesweeper behind those coms!

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D for DROP

The moment everyone goes mental for; the Herculean release of tension that follows strident swells and accelerated beats. Turn down for what?

G

for GARAGE

The dance genre that’s quintessentially British in origin, dashing at brisker tempos with choppy light-footed beats and influences from jungle, dub and r&b. Ups to UKG!

B for BALEARIC E for ELECTRONIC H for HOUSE The kinda dance music you’d likely hear at a relaxing beach bash; cosmopolitan beats that are exotic and lounge-y, perfect with a cocktail in hand.

The ‘E’ in EDM. Much like the distinction between acoustic and electric live performances, computersynthesised elements are the alpha dogs in EDM. Shaking a tambourine won’t cut it.

The type of EDM dominating the globe. Its existing electro-styled evolutions echo the ’80s traditions of Chicago and acid house with rudimentary four-on-the-floor frameworks.

I

for ITALO

The accidental Italian contribution to EDM. Short for Italo-disco, what started out as cheapskate imitation – with spacey analogue synths and campy vocals – is now a novelty for disco devotees.

C

for CLUB

The nightlife establishment where EDM flourishes and legends are born. Pacha, Fabric, Trouw, Berghain, Womb, Zouk – these are playgrounds global DJs call home.

F for FESTIVAL

The grandest stage of ’em all. Supershows beyond the clubs, extravaganzas like Ultra, Tomorrowland, Sensation and Creamfields represent the pinnacles of dance stardom. Think Coachella for EDM.

IF YOU THOUGHT EDM STOOD FOR ‘EIGHTIES DINNER MUZAK’, YOU NEED TO GLUE YOURSELF TO THIS THOROUGH GLOSSARY ON EVERYTHING THAT MATTERS. CLUBS, CONTROVERSIES, GENRES, WUBS – WE NAME IT.

J for JUKE

The radically syncopated cousin of Chicago house music. Forget 4/4 time signatures, juke (or footwork) turns legs into pretzels with crippling BPMs and garbled rhythms – a niche the late DJ Rashad championed.

K

for KICK

M for MOOMBAH

The import of reggaeton, itself a mish-mash of Jamaican dancehall and Trinidadian soca, into EDM. Flip those dreadlocks with the houseanchored moombahton or the dubstepdistorted moombahcore; it all sounds rasta fine to us!

The driving force behind any EDM beat. Patterns may be convoluted with complex snares, hi-hats and toms, but a solid kick is what keeps it all together.

L

for LABEL

The entity that allows fresh artistes to be discovered. Almost like leaving behind a legacy – i.e. Hardwell’s Revealed and Scuba’s Hot Flush – reputations are immortalised with proteges and fanbases.

N

for NU-DISCO

The neo-modern revivalism of ’70s disco; a glossier advancement from ’80s Italo. Still setting afros and spandex on fire with funk-infused bass licks and bright perky beats.

R for ROLAND

The instrument brand that pushed analogue production during the early rise of EDM. If digits like 303, 808 and 909 ring a bell, they’re attributable to Roland’s signature drum machines and bass synthesisers.

O for OPPOSITION

The commonplace wrath of sceptics against EDM commercialism. Contempt has arisen due to scandals involving ghost producers, pre-mixed sets, repeated releases and cliche lyrics. If we hear “Put your f*cking hands up” one more time…

T

for TECHNO

The mechanised adaptation of house music. While sharing house’s 4/4 fundamental rhythm, techno sacrificed house’s warmth and soul for a steely, inorganic approach that’s still fit for groovin’.

W for WOBBLE

The oscillating effect synonymous with bass music, including drum & bass, trap and specifically, dubstep. No love for the low-end unless you’ve got some wub-wubs.

U for UMBRELLA The context applied for the usage of the term, EDM. EDM legitimately represents all sorts of dance music, not solely for commercial colloquialism.

You don’t call ‘indie’ a genre, do you?

X for ‘X’ (ECSTASY)

The drug that, unfortunately, tends to find its way in rave circles, leading to overdoses and frequent casualties. One consequence of EDM culture we obviously don’t approve of.

Y for YOUTH

The ones most influenced by the inflation of the EDM bubble. They don’t just make up the majority of audiences, you’ll even find prodigious teens running shows as big as Tiësto.

P for PROGRESSIVE

The misunderstood term that’s currently wrongfully associated with big-room house sounds. On the contrary, prog of the early ’90s used to signify elongated, slow-building symphonies that’d require partygoers’ patience. The times have changed!

S for SYNC

The button that’s become the bane of DJ-ing. Decksmiths on the ones and twos are taught (supposedly) to beat-match by ear, so why sell yourself short with this un-cool cheat code?

V

for VINYL

The sentimental throwback to turntable tradition, before a time of digital CDJs and thumb drives. Working with wax doesn’t just mean crisper sounds, it tests DJs’ deftness too.

Z for ZEITGEIST

Q for QUEUES

The incredible status quo of today’s EDM industry.

What was once an underground institution is now a billion-dollar machine, and there’s no shutting it down anytime soon.

The evident and tumultuous appeal of commercial EDM in this day and age.

Good luck attempting to snag those tickets for that superstar DJ or themed festival; be prepared to get in line.

Text Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

CREATURE COMFORTS MAYA JANE COLES

CHAT

Not all superstar DJs enjoy the attention. British-Japanese icon, Maya Jane Coles, is one such originator who’s been known to shy away from media over-exposure. So we counted our lucky stars when this tattooed house personality agreed to open up to us, spilling some obscure facts about her obsession with cleanliness, and dreams of scoring a sci-fi film. Take it away, MJC!

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Staying Spick-And-Span I definitely keep things clean; cleanliness is a must. Shoes off in the house always! I try to keep things pretty tidy too, but that can sometimes be hard when you’re constantly dashing from one gig to another and you don’t have much time at home.

Wild Adventures With Friends I’m not a huge beachgoer, but the last time I was on a beach, it was in Ibiza with some of my friends. We just relaxed and drank cocktails until sunset. It was pretty perfect, apart from the struggle to get a taxi home in the dark!

Collaborations With Bands I actually met Rachel Butt from GAPS about six years ago at a house party in Brighton, and we just chatted for quite a while.

GAPS was non-existent then. It was years later when she wrote to me and sent me some music from the project. I knew she played drums and guitar and had been in previous bands, but I had no idea that she could sing as well. I really loved her voice, so I asked if she wanted to collaborate.

DJ-ing Without The Mic I wouldn’t feel particularly comfortable when it comes to singing live, and I don’t have a desire to perform in that way; I prefer to DJ. Who knows, one day I might do a Kate Bush and change my mind in 20 years or so!

Messing With People’s Heads I like to make hypnotic music; I made this track for my Nocturnal Sunshine album and my manager said he couldn’t function with it playing, and that it reorganised his brain because it was so hypnotic! He’s a bit melodramatic at times though.

The Possibility Of Scoring A Film Ideally, it would be something that’s a little weird or left-field, or an animation would be cool. If it were a big budget movie,

I’d probably pick something more fun to score, like sci-fi. Or something like Sin City, rather than a rom-com.

Hushing Cynics And Disbelievers Firstly, I would hate for people to think that I didn’t make my own music. For the record – just because I get asked more times than I can even count – I don’t use an engineer; it’s just me. And secondly, the mistake that I only make ‘deep house’. As 2015 will hopefully show further, I’m definitely not going to be confined to working within just one genre.

Ink On Skin I love the aesthetic of tattoos, and they do have a deeper meaning to me. But tattoos are personal things, and their meanings are going to have to remain a mystery for a little bit longer…

Jokes About Her Hip-Hop Alias When I first began making music at 14 or 15, I started a hip-hop duo with my friend and called myself Ice Blu. So I guess that has always been my rap name! [laughs] Psychic Premonitions Well recently, every time I mention something in a conversation, it seems to happen shortly after, which has been a bit odd. Maybe I should start playing the lottery.

Quality Time With Her Origins I spent a lot of summer holidays in Japan while growing up, so I feel very at home there. They definitely give me a warm welcome when I play there and it’s an amazing feeling. I love Japanese food, fashion, culture; there’s so much to do there. Especially walking around the old temples in Kyoto and eating takoyaki in Osaka.

Maya Jane Coles gives us her all at ZoukOut 2014, playing on December 13 at Siloso Beach, Sentosa. mayajanecoles.com

Text Kevin Ho Image & interview courtesy of Zouk Management

WISE & WORTHY

CHAT

W&W

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No, that’s not what the initials of this Dutch house duo stand for. But they very well could be, given the prodigious advancement of Willem Van Hanegem and Wardt Van Der Harst, evolving from Armin-advocated trance rebels to big-room ‘house’-hold names.

Adding yet another hefty layer of beatblazing firepower to the ZoukOut roster, W&W drops a discourse that answers more than just ‘what’s and ‘why’s.

The two of you are obviously best buds, but let’s shake it up a little. What’s one thing you don’t like about the other?

Willem: I don’t like how grumpy Wardt can be on tour! He’s the worst guy to have around when he is like that!

Wardt: Willem’s anger level can go from one to 10 in a matter of seconds, which is sometimes hard to cope with [laughs].

We’ve been intrigued with “We Control The Sound” and its vocal sample about “not adjusting the volume”. Have y’all faced any horrible technical difficulties?

Many times! The worst was probably when we played in the legendary Madison Square Garden. Halfway during our set, the sound failed and there was complete silence for about 10 minutes – very awkward!

You also worked on the anthem for Tomorrowland 2014. Was there a lot of pressure when you were given that honour?

Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike sent us an idea for that track as a collaboration. We finished it together, but it took quite a while to get the sound right.

And it wasn’t until a week before Tomorrowland that we knew it was going to be the anthem!

We still had to finish it though, so in the end, the track was done on the Wednesday before its release the following Monday.

How does having your own Mainstage label compare to being under Armin Van Buuren’s Armada?

The benefit of having our own label now is that we can totally decide when exactly we want to release a track. It’s also great to be able to sign new talent, give them tips and push them.

We have a new one from Riggi & Piros, and we have an amazing new single from Jay Cosmic & Husman, two acts you should definitely look out for.

You’ve talked about discovering different sounds when it comes to finding talent for the label. What

about shifts in your own music – the move from trance to house for instance?

As soon as something becomes a pattern or a trick for us, we want to do something new. We had that with trance, and now we’re feeling the same thing with the current sound. Of course big-room isn’t a style; it’s a way of producing.

We love it wbecause it gives that ‘stadium’ feeling, but we’re already working on a lot of new music that is going to be quite different.

Do you actually believe in Bigfoot? What would you do if you ever met one in real life?

Yes we do, and we would run like hell! Or maybe show him the track (“Bigfoot”) and see if he likes it!

Has anything spooky or supernatural ever happened while on the road?

We’ve had some really crazy hotel rooms where the lights just switch on in the middle of the night. But we try not to think about it too much, or else it will drive us crazy.

Y’all have used a sample from Call Of Duty for “Ghost Town”. We reckon you guys are avid video gamers?

We’re both far from amazing players, but Willem is definitely the better one. We also love to play Mario Kart and FIFA! Another game that we were really impressed by is The Last Of Us – it feels like you’re in a movie!

And finally, what are your thoughts about sharing the stage with this year’s ZoukOut line-up?

We’ve heard so many great stories about ZoukOut, and it’s an honour to share the stage with so many talented artistes. It’s also been a while since we played Singapore, so we really can’t wait to be back!

W&W is set to wow and win us over at ZoukOut 2014, spinning on December 12, at Siloso Beach, Sentosa. wandwmusic.com

Text Kevin Ho Image & interview courtesy of Zouk Management

THE WIZARDRY MARTIN GARRIX OF

He Can Ride The Wind In The Waves.

The first time I heard about ZoukOut was a few years ago. They do some big things! Being on a beach and all, I’d say my favorite beach activity is wind-surfing; I did a lot of that during my early teens. Besides that, I love catching up on some sleep on the beach.

He Can Create Magic With Singer-Songwriters, Including Ed Sheeran.

Ed is a brilliant musician, and one of the nicest people I’ve met; I admire him! Working with him was very exciting and special.

It’s super cool doing a collaboration with an artiste from such a different genre. It challenged and motivated me!

He Can Speed Up The Cogs Of Time.

I try to live in the moment and enjoy everything that comes in my path, but yes, time is flying! Good sign though, it means I am having a lot of fun.

He Can Make Feelings Of Loneliness Disappear.

Sometimes my friends join me on tours, but most of the time they’re at home while I’m on the road. I don’t feel lonely, but obviously I miss them a lot. But I’m never alone! I’m always surrounded by my team that supports me unconditionally; all great people. They are like my second family – love them!

He Can Predict The Future Too. I’d like to travel to the future, to a time where you can travel the world within minutes; a time when everyone has their own superfast small airplane. Something like that would be awesome!

He Can Prolong His Craft For Decades To Come.

In 10 years’ time, I see myself still making music! Music is my life; I hope I can continue producing for the rest of it.

He Can Light The Way For Aspiring Youths.

I think there are people who see me as a role model and I am very grateful for that. I think it’s great that I can inspire people in a positive way.

He Can Extend His Talent To Spanish Guitars.

My parents have an orchestral background, so my sister and I were introduced to music at a very young age. I guess I just loved the sound of guitars!

He Can Whip Up A BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix Without A Hitch.

I was a bit nervous because BBC Radio 1 is huge! I prepared pretty well, made a selection of my favourite tracks over and over, and I’m very happy with how things worked out.

He Can Healthily Remain Free Of Viruses.

I can’t remember the last time I really felt sick. I’m pretty tired at the moment due to the Amsterdam Dance Event craziness, but not really sick. And thank God my computer’s never been hit by a virus either! That’s a producer’s worst nightmare.

He Can Survive Being Bitten On The Neck By Crazy Female Fans.

[Laughs] Yes, these things can happen… There was no wound, but it was a bit of a shock. I didn’t really realised what had happened!

Martin Garrix turns up the speakers at ZoukOut 2014, spinning on December 13 at Siloso Beach, Sentosa. martingarrix.com

Text Kevin Ho Image & interview courtesy of Zouk Management

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Justifying all our mopey feelings of underachievement, this prodigy wasn’t even 18 when he became one of the top electro-house DJs in the world, thanks to a wild EDM anthem called “Animals”. We uncage more of Garrix’s hidden talents before he makes his ZoukOut debut this month, unleashed with the poise and charisma of a true industry mega-star.

NEVER SAY NEVER BASEMENT JAXX

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Responsible for making us check where’s our head at since the late ’90s, Basement Jaxx has been dropping remedies for parched partygoers with their Mardi Gras-styled house music. Recently on board It’s The Ship following the lauded release of their seventh LP, Junto, we shimmy up to Felix Buxton on being preposterously open to everything, even assaulting His Royal Highness.

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To Rooting For Mermaids…And Mermen I’m actually reading this book called Cosmicology or something like that. It talks about evolution from the perspective of someone who’s living on land, but still has relatives who live in the water. But this woman that he fancies actually ends up with a guy who lives in the water, so I salute the guy who lives in the water! There’s something more free about the ocean.

To Getting Lucky With Strangers In The Sea “Mermaid Of Salinas” began in Ibiza. Andrea, the vocalist, was with me on holiday, and he’d been in a long relationship that had just split. He was really enjoying and relaxing, and then he went off into the sea and met this woman. He came back and had this illuminated look on his face and I was like, “What happened?”, and apparently he said he had some spiritual experience from making love with a stranger in the sea!

To Pilgrimages In The Desert Mykki Blanco was the only person on the album who didn’t come into the studio. We never actually finished the song (“Buffalo”), ’cos he somehow disappeared off into the desert. I was telling Mykki prior, the buffalo I had in mind was the symbol that represented the nobility of ancient cultures, getting back to nature and realising the connection with Mother Earth. So in a way, Mykki disappearing into the desert was all good!

To Saving Gaia We’re so wasteful nowadays. Consumerism has gone out of control, and we’re producing all this crap. I was just out with my dad last week to help him with gardening; we grow vegetables and stuff. I cycle a lot as opposed to going on public transport.

And nowadays, I try not to buy stuff. I think it is really empty and shallow. Happiness isn’t based on the things you have.

To Letting It All Hang Out Body-painting is great; nudity is really good. People should do exactly as they would express themselves and not follow any style. We get too worried about people giving us charts about what’s hot and what’s not. All of that is complete nonsense; it’s just perspective coming from one place.

To Being Chased By Bees I used to make honey with my mum and dad every summer. Once I opened the top of a hive and it was full of bees, so they all came out. And that’s when you jump in a hedge. The thing is, once you’re in a bush, they can’t see you; they can’t work out what is you and what is the bush. Obviously, if there’s some water, jump in!

To Seeking Aliens The idea of alien cultures doesn’t scare me, it interests me! I’m really up for any alien encounter. If we met, they’d probably be able to read my mind. The fact that they’re bending time and travelling though space, they’d be mentally and intellectually far ahead of us.

To Tackling The Prince I met Prince Harry briefly before our show in Hyde Park, four years ago. And I asked him if he wanted to be a gorilla on-stage, ’cos we always have gorillas. But if the gorillas are not getting into character properly, I’d rough them up a bit. And the Prince (unbeknownst to Buxton) was doing this silly disco dance, so I wrestled him to the floor and tried to make him more ape-like!

Then I looked over to the side of the stage, and saw his security looking concerned, and I was like, “Oh God!”. So after the show, I apologised, and I even did a pathetic curtsey [laughs].

basementjaxx.com

Text Kevin Ho Image & interview courtesy of Livescape Group

AMSTERDAM AMSTERDAM

global CITY soundscapes CITY LISTENS MOTi Give this fella one more year; we bet our best raving shoes he’ll be a household name in the EDM industry.

The electro-house rookie has been a sought-after collaborator for names like DVBBS and Quintino, and looks to finally join the pride with the quaking drops on “Lion (In My Head)”.

YELLOW CLAW Amsty ain’t all about commercialised EDM! The city’s also got a thriving trap scene, brutally represented by this trio of natives. Their latest Legends EP epitomises their lack of compromise for slow, choppy beats and gritty, sticky bass stabs. And you’ll even find ’em incorporating sneak attacks from hardstyle and moombah too.

THE EX

HEINEKEN DIGS DEEP INTO THE BOROUGHS AND METROPOLISES OF THE WORLD, INTRODUCING THE NATIVE SOUNDS OF THEIR STREETS AND SCENES. EXPAND YOUR PLAYLIST, ONE CITY AT A TIME.

AMSTERDAM DANCIN’ IN THE DAM

We can personally vouch for the splendour of this historical port town turned party capital; after all, we were there last year when the madness of the Amsterdam Dance Event went down! Making history yet again just a few weeks ago, the annual city-wide EDM festival saw the crowning of Hardwell as DJ Mag’s victor in its Top 100 poll, with chief positions being habitually held by other Dutch champions including Tiësto, Armin Van Buuren, Nicky Romero and recently, Martin Garrix.

It’s no misconception then, that the world regards The Netherlands as the mecca for EDM, with the clubs of Amsterdam leading the way in the form of newspaper factories (Trouw) and dairy mills (Melkweg).

The canal-scattered city is also home to the masterminds behind ID&T, the Dutch entertainment enterprise that’s organised gargantuan extravaganzas like Sensation, Mysteryland and Thunderdome. And remember, no night out in Amsty is complete without a fluffy croquette snack from FEBO!

Believe it or not, EDM isn’t the only genre of music you’ll find bellowing from the Leidseplein. Moshing to their own beat with the boom of ’70s punk culture, these Amsty-based noisemakers have been raising anarchy for over 30 years – going against the grain with guitars, not computers.

DE JEUGD VAN TEGENWOORDIG Watskeburt?! – or, ‘what happened’ to the hip-hop scene in Amsterdam?!

Worry not, ’cos the ‘Nederhop’ movement is still afloat with emcee groups like these ‘Kids These Days’ – an easier translation of their tongue-twisting moniker. If you wanna hear the Dutch language in all its throat-clearing glory, expose yourself to these phat rhymes.

WIN A HEINEKEN VIP EXPERIENCE FOR 2 AT ZOUKOUT Every December, Heineken gives the party community an anticipated reprieve from their wanderlusting burdens, by partnering up with the largest local dance music jamboree that is ZoukOut.

HEINEKEN SPOTLIGHTS

Besides filling up energy gauges with ZoukOut’s beer of choice, you’ll always find Heineken sprucing up your experience with themed VIP areas. This year, capture your legendary moments with time-stamped mementos of your journey towards First Light at the Heineken Limelight Podium and collect exclusive Heineken rewards throughout the night!

We’re giving away a pair of ZoukOut passes to one lucky winner. Get creative, and tell us how you plan to celebrate first light at ZoukOut 2014 at grabs@juice.com.sg. We’ll announce the winner on December 5. Good luck! #heinekenSG #SeeYouAtFirstLight

CONNECTING THE DOTS

CHAT

.GIF

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We shed tears of joy when the Laneway honchos roped in local acts for the annual festival this year. Well, they must’ve heard us shamelessly sobbing, ’cos they’re hitting the spot once again with trip-hoppers .gif as 2015’s ambassadors of homegrown talent!

But before we let loose our animal war cries in fervent support, here’s the dialogue that’s got us so darn hyped.

It hasn’t been long since y’all returned from the Java Sounds Fair in Jakarta. How was that like?

We really didn’t expect to have any listeners in Jakarta, so meeting up with some of them and playing to a wholly different crowd was a huge thrill. Everybody was so kind to us – we felt like royalty!

Y’all are possibly some of the hardest workers in the scene. What’s a day in the life of .gif like?

Typically, we work (at our day jobs) from 7am to 5pm, spend some time with our families, then end up having teh with the DUNCE. crew. We’re always planning something new. If we have a show coming up, we’ll jam instead of hanging out. We do take breaks from music/gigs during hectic work periods, but inevitably end up making time for it…out of necessity, or as therapy, or something.

We love how that song encourages audience participation by looping animal cries from the crowd!

Heh, it’s so cool that audiences have been obliging! But the usual culprits are Juhardi Mohamed (Bandwagon) and Elliot Sng (Cashew Chemists). They tend to sound more like deranged aunties.

So Weish, are you still terribly busy with other music commitments like your solo career, sub:shaman and spoken word stints?

W: The spoken word stint was a one-off thing for Singapore Writers Festival 2014. It was sublime working with Bani Haykal, Marc Nair, Suhaili from The Psalms and Isa Ong (though I see enough of him lah, most days). As for my other music projects, I try as far as possible to avoid clashing schedules!

We understand that Din doesn’t get involved in the writing of the lyrics?

Weish: Funnily enough, several years ago, I chanced upon a little notebook of his full of wonderful writing. He writes beautifully. I guess he’s just been shy about it. I totally understand that feeling; it’s very intimidating.

Din: I’m really good at criticism though...

Are there any ‘juvenile’ tendencies that the two of you are willing to admit?

W: I could defend a melody to the death. And then the next day I’d change my mind.

D: I have no self-control when it comes to chocolate. Does that count?

Din, you’ve recently had a DJ set at Good Times!

What’s your DJ-ing background like?

D: I’ve been listening to a lot of techno lately. But I usually end up playing some tech-housey stuff; it’s fun.

W: Din was the president of synQ, a DJ collective based in our university.

Are y’all already working on a follow-up to the Saudade EP? We’ve both been very stressed at work in the past few months, and the creative process is often interrupted. Half-songs and abandoned melodies tend to grow stale after a while, and you start to lose that vision of what each piece was meant to express. But yes, we’re currently working on something new.

Was it awkward for Weish at first to make all those animal noises on “Diatribe”?

W: [Laughs] I like this question! Actually, when we first recorded the demo, it was honestly just a patch on the Microkorg labelled “Jungle”; there were waterfall/bird/animal sounds, but it was all pretty ambient and very much in the background.

If I’m not wrong, it was Din’s idea for me to switch to making the “Jungle” sounds myself. Having worked at the zoo in the past, it wasn’t a big hurdle for me!

Finally, if you could capture a six-second .gif of yourselves, what would you have it incorporate?

W: Me force-feeding Din with eggplant until he likes it.

D: Us standing in the rain; I could watch rain all day.

.gif calls out the animal in you at St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival, happening on January 24, 2015, at The Meadow, Gardens By The Bay. soundcloud.com/dotgifdotgif

Text Kevin Ho Image & interview courtesy of St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival

RUNS IN THE FAMILY

ANGUS & JULIA STONE

Those with siblings can understand – scuffles are inevitable, and sometimes, necks just beg to be wrung. This brother-sister folk-pop duo had their own share of quarrels too, resulting in a hiatus for nearly two years, till they were reunited by one Rick Rubin for their third full-length. Like a homely lullaby, there is comfort once more in this restored family affair – a relationship Angus spared no expense in sharing.

Mutual Respect I have always been inspired by the way Julia writes and carries herself. She’s just really crystal-clear about writing and how she’s feeling. Her storytelling is very eloquent, and I’ve always been an admirer of that emotion I get when I hear her songs.

Reverence For Rick Rubin When I first got an email from my manager saying that Rick Rubin wanted to work with us, I didn’t even recognise his name! Two weeks later, I get a call from Julia saying I had to check this guy out, ’cos he was “pretty historical”. So I checked out all the records he’d worked on, and I realised he was one of those guys who’d been in your living room your whole life! These records were the ones I fell in love with and they got me into writing music in the first place. You can’t go wrong when a guy like that comes along!

Tales About Grizzlies We were just riffing and throwing out lines for “Grizzly Bear” (yet untitled), and one of those lines came from some in-flight article about grizzlies in Canada. It was about how people who live there go for walks with their dogs, because grizzly bears don’t like dogs when they bark. So “Grizzly Bear” just ended up sticking as the working title!

Sibling Hijinks We were probably little rascals, getting into fights every now and then. My favourite thing to do with Julia was sit in a washing basket, and we had this really tall wooden staircase where she’d push me down while in the basket, like a little toboggan! That was cool.

Jolly Tipsies At the moment, we’ve been drinking a bit of sake on the road.

Either that, or whiskey before we go on stage. I’m a happy drinker; an emo drinker; a play-music-better drinker – I’m all of that! But mainly, I’m pretty jolly.

Penchant For Drama I think there’s a bit of drama and romance in all of us, and I see all those opportunities (One Tree Hill, Grey’s Anatomy) as positive ways of getting our music out there. We’re just sharing it on a grander scale! As for myself and TV, I guess I’m pretty lazy. I just sit down on the couch and turn the television on, and watch whatever’s playing.

Maudlin Carpentry My dad was a carpenter and he passed on a bunch of his skills to me when I was a kid. I guess it’s always been in my blood; I’ve always wanted to be imaginative in that sense, and put that forward into working with timber. It’s the same sorta craft as songwriting; you’re fine-tuning something till it feels right and looks good. I just built a cabana bar, and I guess that’s gonna last for a while ’cos they say the timber I used will last for 200 years. It’s nice to know that that will still be around when I’m dead.

Kmart Thievery It’d be awesome if we were on some Kmart blacklist! I’m proud of having done it (Angus and Julia had stolen some lights for a private gig). Okay no, I’m not proud of it. Kids, don’t do that. I guess if we walked back into that same store, they’d be standing there with shotguns waiting for us to return. That could be a bit scary!

Angus & Julia Stone return for St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival, happening on January 24, 2015, at The Meadow, Gardens By The Bay. angusandjuliastone.com

Text Kevin Ho Image & interview courtesy of St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival

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Splitting Interventions We both had a pretty clear, intuitive conversation about what was going on. One day, we were just like, “We’ve been on the road for quite a while, and I’m really tired of this. How are you feeling?”, and Julia felt the same. We’ll come back if we wanna, and if we don’t, that’s cool.

BRICK BY BRICK

BEN PEARCE

CHAT

Lofty dreams or intangible theories, a bedazzling music career or even a Death Star made from Lego bricks; it’s human nature for anyone with ambition to build something outta nothing. Manchester deep/tech-house producer, Ben Pearce, uprooted himself from his abysmal day job, and pieced together a fresh start with a self-founded label and headlining slots to boot. Here’s how he did it.

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Paint Pieces With A Coat Of Purple; Don’t Worry If You Get Some On Yourself.

The colour purple tied in with the colour scheme of my label, so I poured paint all over myself in a basement in my friend’s village.

I had to walk back through the centre covered in paint, while everyone was eating dinner outside; I got some funny looks!

Don’t Be Afraid To Use A Mish-Mash Of Components.

It suits me as a producer because it’s what I am as a DJ. I don’t like to stick to one genre; I like to change as I play depending on the situation, the club, and the crowd. I think it’s important to be able to meander through genres.

Never Lose Sight On The Goal, Especially When Ennui Awaits You If You Fail.

Working at a call centre full-time was pretty awful at times, but I enjoyed some of it. Being a manager of about 12 people when you’re coming back from two gigs over the weekend was pretty tough. I was just waiting for the weekend.

Attach Sentiments From Your Hometown Culture.

I am really proud to be a Mancunian; it’s inspiring to think of it. I grew up with rock/metal and as you know, that scene is so strong in Manchester. You really live around music.

It’s Okay To Find Inspiration In Different Worlds, Even Pop-Punk.

The guys from Blink 182 are my idols, and I had the lucky chance of playing at the same festival as them this year. I love Blink – that was something I’d long dreamt about!

Improve Dexterity With An Activity That Requires Hand-Eye Coordination.

I used to be really good with golf when I was younger. I don’t play enough as I would like to anymore, but it’s always something I’ll go back to. On a competitive scale, I’m not so serious, but I always like to win!

Building Lego, For Instance, Is One Good Recommendation.

I had loads of Lego when I was a kid! I almost got my sets back down from my loft when I was at my parents’ house earlier this week actually. I recently bought some Star Wars Lego, so I’ll probably make my Death Star soon.

Be Flexible In Your Construction.

I think my productions vary with genre and tracks; some songs are so fantastic that they only need a simple bassline. That being said, I love putting interesting basslines in my tracks. My rework of Motez’s “Own Up” for instance, that particular one was made on a Moog – amazingly warm with a fat sound.

Pry Away Any Predictable Bad Habits.

I’m pretty bad at not turning the lights off when I leave a room at home; I get shouted at for that! I’m also known for being the sarcastic pessimist all the time.

There’s Nothing Wrong With Asking Friends For Help.

I think founding my own label (Purp & Soul) is an opportunity to showcase exactly what I’m about and building something from it.

It’s not for everyone and it’s very stressful sometimes. For me, it’s great to have a family of artistes; we’re all friends and we help each other with music.

When It’s All Done, Showcase It All Over The World.

I’m excited about the Super 0 x Tokyobike exhibition I keep hearing about! Personally, I ride pedal bikes, and I even went mountain-biking yesterday! I try to merge classic with modern; I really like big tyres and low frames. Super 0 sure sounds like fun!

Ben Pearce builds us up at Super 0 Openair, happening on January 17, 2015, at a yet-undisclosed location. Follow #superoffthegrid for updates. facebook.com/benpearcemusic

Text Kevin Ho Image & Interview courtesy of Super 0

THE BIG SQUEEZE THE LEMONHEADS So Urbanscapes ’14 is taking place on a horse ranch.

Are you good with horses?

Oh wow, it’s on a horse ranch? Holy shoot! Yeah I grew up riding; I spent three great weeks riding in Montana when I was 11, and that was one of my best times ever.

If you could teach a horse to do anything, what would it be?

I’d teach it to…drink water [sniggers].

We don’t wanna delve into the ‘college rock’ genre. We wanna know, how were you like in college?

Oh no…I was a bad student. I never did my homework in high school; I only did five years. Maybe I thought I could learn more some other way. I always had my own thing going on. School was almost like church to me, like how you have your own relationship with God. Surely it wasn’t all that bad?

There was this music class that taught me something about songwriting – it starts as a hum, and if you’re lucky, something happens…

Is it harder to write short or long songs?

We always had a theory – that we shouldn’t make songs longer than they’re supposed to be. You’re not supposed to pad it out; just let it be and don’t follow any tradition. Don’t worry about the length. I tend to like short songs though; I was a big Buzzcocks fan, and even hardcore since we came from a hardcore background. And some of those songs are eight seconds long! I’m a big grindcore fan too.

This is a new line-up yeah? None of the original members?

Lemme think here… Yeah, no original members. But they’re all Boston people, and we’re all old friends.

Naturally, you guys have enduring appeal amongst musicians today. Courtney Barnett, for instance…

Yeah I heard her cover of “Being Around”, and I liked it better than her own music. I was a little dismissive of her cover at first, but otherwise, she’s great!

Some of that song’s lyrics go, “If I was a booger, would you blow your nose? / Would you keep it? / Would you eat it?” We really dig those words, pun intended.

[Laughs] Courtney Love used to always make fun of me, “Dude, why are you comparing yourself to snot?” It was actually meant for a children’s record, and that was supposed to be the first song. I’m really proud of those lyrics.

Does it bother you slightly that one of your more successful singles, “Mrs. Robinson”, was a cover?

Oh yeah, it definitely bothers me. I don’t even like the song! I managed to piss off Paul Simon at least, though Art Garfunkel really liked it. We just thrashed it out within two hours. Soon we were like, wait a minute, we got a hit on our hands. And then everything we’d heard about the record industry and how it was horrible to young idealistic bands came true. We kinda caved in on that one and there was no going back. We can’t complain about it though [chuckles].

Besides lemons, what else leaves a sour taste in your mouth, Evan?

People in hybrid cars who drive like, “Oh, I’m saving the environment so I can drive like an idiot”. And I don’t like things that are packed so tight that you need scissors to open them up.

And since we’re on our ‘party’ issue, what are the three things you need for a kick*ss party?

Really? You’re really asking me that? [titters] Okay. You need a good space, a bunch of really good people, and good music [laughs]. And that’s all…cool.

The Lemonheads take us back to the ’90s at Urbanscapes 2014, happening on December 6 at Horse Ranch, Resorts World Genting. For more information, visit urbanscapes.com.my. thelemonheads.net

Text Kevin Ho Image The Lemonheads Interview courtesy of Urbanscapes

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Over the phone, sole remaining founding member and Urbanscapes ’14 performer, Evan Dando, sounded like a quirky real-life adaptation of Beavis or Butthead, muttering droopily with deadpan humour and, lacklustre chuckleswhich, we must say, fit our very impression of his everlasting influence in the alt-rock/slacker-pop genre of the late ’80s.

Don’t worry kids, we kept it PG-13.

WISHING COYNE THE FLAMING LIPS CHAT

Even Wayne Coyne’s searching for his yellow brick road. Days before our phoner, Coyne and his circus of psych-rock oddities performed on Jimmy Kimmel as characters from The Wizard Of Oz – Coyne played a convincing rainbow. Safe to say, we’re hoping to catch their outlandish idiosyncrasies at their gig this month, but this interview wasn’t about what we wanted – we asked Coyne to wish away!

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He Wants Healthy Morning Routines.

If I’m lucky, I wake up at about 11am, go to yoga, then get some food and coffee. But most times, I’m up till 4 in the morning and I get up at 7am and start again – those days aren’t so fun.

He Wants His Body To Stay Intact.

I don’t have that big of a quagmire with anything about my body.

But the best thing would definitely be my hair! I’m almost 54 and I still have a lot of it! I’ve got this one leg – I f*cked something up in it when I was really young, so I have to stretch the f*ck outta it when I’m at yoga. But I don’t think it looks too bad though.

He Wants To Be Accident-Free While Riding His Human Hamster Ball.

I don’t want anybody to get hurt from me standing on top of them, so I’m usually skedaddling as quick as I can! Sometimes, the ball would scrape against something and there’d be a big hole, so by the time I’m in the audience it’s all deflated. There was one night during the summer where I was just so overheated, and I thought I was gonna throw up in there, which would’ve been the end of the world, as you can imagine.

He Wants A Lil’ Help From His Friends, Particularly Miley Cyrus.

We did a NYE show and we played a bunch of Beatles songs like “I Am The Walrus” and “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”, but the stand-out one was “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”. I was singing it in the beginning, but then we ran into Miley Cyrus and we let her try it. Soon enough, we were performing “Lucy” on this TV show, and we decided we’d put it out as a song. We even attached it to an animal welfare charity after Miley’s dog, Floyd, died.

He Wants To Change People’s Perceptions of Miley.

When those twerking videos came out, a lot of people were putting her down. And at that time, she was just doing exactly

what she wanted and not giving a f*ck, and I thought it was just fantastic! It was her who reached out to me last January, and since then, we’ve done lots of things together. Miley’s just the weirdest, freakiest person I’ve ever met, and I’ve met some f*cking creepy people.

He Wants To Make Something Different With Side-Project, Electric Würms.

This has been an ongoing dilemma that I honestly can’t figure out. I think if you’d stand in a room with Electric Würms, you won’t notice any difference between us and The Flaming Lips! At the moment it’s pretty much like, we just get together and cry till something good happens.

He Wants To Dress Up As A Rainbow.

I never know what to do, and I always feel a little self-conscious.

So I’m kinda relieved when I get to be the rainbow; I don’t have to move or dance or jump around! It’s actually Miley Cyrus’ rainbow from an appearance she did on The Today Show; we pulled it out of her big warehouse in L.A.. It got a lil’ dirty ’cos we’ve been using it at every show, but it looks good on TV! He Wants To Visit A Wizard In Real Life, Like In Oz. The things that the story characters wanted were humanistic qualities, weren’t they? Dorothy wanted to go home, and the Tin Man wanted a heart to learn to love. I suppose my wish would probably be to have more energy and patience. The wizard would probably tell me, “Do more yoga!”, or something.

The Flaming Lips gets our heels clickin’ at The Gathering, happening on December 1 at The Coliseum. flaminglips.com

Text Kevin Ho Image & Interview courtesy of Forefront Asia

NOISE MAKERS OF THE MONTH ELLIPSIS The departure of a core member ain’t no laughing matter, least of all for a band this accomplished. This psych-turning-prog-rock group has self-released two EPs, opened for The Fray, and most recently, beat numerous participants to bag a monetary award from Noise Singapore’s The Music Mentorship. But judging from the resolute chatter of frontman, Soh Zhengping, the crushing revelation isn’t going to be a permanent distraction for Ellipsis.

Hey guys, let’s cut to the chase. We heard guitarist, Jowell Tan, had recently left the band.

Surely that decision must not have been easy?

Jowell’s departure from Ellipsis definitely wasn’t easy for all of us. There’s always a time in life when decisions and priorities have to be made and set, hence Jowell’s decision to leave and focus on his new job. We wish him the best in his future endeavours.

As a band, how do y’all move on from a grave transition like this?

Having played together for more than two years, Jowell’s guitar works helped tremendously in developing the Ellipsis sound, and we have no doubt lost a major component of the band. However, this also provides us with an opportunity to explore new sounds we’ve wanted to experiment with for a while. We are currently looking at a few candidates to fill Jowell’s shoes, and it might not come in the form of another guitarist.

We last interviewed you guys after the release of your debut EP, Pirate Echo Boy, and you’ve since released a sophomore record titled Permanent Distractions. What does this EP mean to you guys?

To us, Permanent Distractions represents the Ellipsis sound we’ve been searching for since the formation of the band. Permanent Distractions was also created in the wake of the Music Mentorship programme, when our mentor, Eddino Abdul Hadi, gave us a challenge to come up with a new EP within six months. This EP personifies the ever-present distractions that constantly revolved around our heads, exploring our perceptions of belongingness, sanity, regret, and love.

You’ve come a long way from your ‘comedy rock’ days. Do you guys still impart a subtle sense of humour in your current works though?

For now, the only ‘comedy rock’ song that we

CALL OUT

Send in your original creations of art, design, photography and music to noisesingapore.com/submissions and you could be featured in the next Noise festival! Stay tuned for more details, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @noisesingapore to stay updated on festival information and other showcase opportunities.

are still playing actively is “Padawan”. The band has taken on a very different direction since those days, venturing into the psychedelic and post-rock sound.

But this has not stopped us from being the comedic people we are. You guys should listen to some of Yen’s (drums) lame jokes [laughs].

We also see a shift from psychedelia to more prog-rock sentiments. Is the psychedelia tag something you’re looking to put behind you?

We are constantly working on ways to allow our songs to flow seamlessly in an album, and we find that progressive transitions help us achieve that.

Being huge fans of Pink Floyd, we are really inspired by their albums, notably Dark Side Of The Moon, and we decided to take a few valuable lessons off them.

Psychedelia will continue to be a major part of the Ellipsis sound as there are still many fields waiting for our discovery in that genre.

Congrats on being one of the monetary prize winners for Noise Singapore’s The Music Mentorship. How do you feel about this achievement?

Thank you. Honestly speaking, we joined the programme without any intention of winning. It came as a pleasant surprise to us and we are really proud of our achievement. Considering there are so many talented bands in the programme fully capable of snagging the prize, we are considered lucky to win.

This incidentally isn’t the first time you’ve won yourselves a monetary reward either, since y’all also snagged yourselves some moolah after opening for The Fray. Ellipsis must have a pretty stuffed band fund by now huh?

[Laughs] Nah… We aren’t the richest band around as most of the funds have gone into the production of our two albums to date. All we can say is that being a musician in Singapore who produces original music doesn’t come cheap.

ellipsissg.bandcamp.com

RESONATOR REEL NICK CHAN

Music knowledge is a gift that’s universal; just take a peek at its numerous applications by award-winning audiophile, Nick Chan! Original compositions are just the tip of the iceberg for this TMM ex-mentor, representing both MUON and HEIZENBERG. Entertainment bigwigs like Kyoō, MTV and Universal Studios Singapore have acknowledged and engaged his adept finesse, and bands such as Astreal and I Am David Sparkle owe their successes to Chan’s quality production work. Sound is anything you want it to be, future noisemakers – this guy knows all the secrets.

trus’me the field

OVERTLY UNDERGROUND ALERT

Some secrets are simply too good to remain hidden. Giving clout to the spirit of ‘underground’ dance music that faces the skulking grip of watered-down commercialism, Super 0 swooped down like unseen heroes with its pop-up series, saluting the un-Singaporean tradition of warehouse party culture. Having set up seasonal hideouts at Gillman Barracks and The Mill, Super 0 returns with an offbeat full-day multi-concept festival. No longer spanning across several weekends, ready yourself for an artistic marathon that transcends beyond music.

SUPER 0 OPENAIR tokimonsta

In conjunction with Singapore Art Week 2015, attendees to this covert bash (venue’s still incognito!) get to soak in showcases from Tokyobike and local theatre companies Pangdemonium! and Skinned Knee Productions, and even go green with the Alchemy Garden’s workshops on sustainable mixology. Yes, you can get sloshed responsibly.

But musical purists need not frown; Red Bull Music Academy graduate TOKiMONSTA drops some hip-hop-ish electronica, The Field preps a live performance of ambient, minimalist techno, and you even have trendy Mancunians Ben Pearce and Trus’me on genre-crossing ‘house calls’. Openair also plays host to Tim Sweeney’s 15th anniversary of his Beats In Space radio show, warping between dimensions of disco, new-wave and Chicago house. And if that ain’t a selection you find (inter)stellar, suit yourself; this party’s too obscure for you anyway.

Super 0 Openair happens on January 17, 2015, at a yet-undisclosed location. Follow super0.sg and #superoffthegrid for updates.

Text Kevin Ho Images Aligned Agency & Various Sources

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IBIZA TO ASIA arjun vagale

tim sweeney

steve angello

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC SUMMIT

You can’t easily ruin a renaissance – least of all, a burgeoning phenomenon like EDM. Officially validating its appeal within our borders, and for the first time in the Asia-Pacific region, the annual IMS has extended from its Ibiza origins to W Singapore at Sentosa Cove. Dubbed “the gateway to electronic music in Asia” by Ben Turner, IMS co-founder and manager for Richie Hawtin and Rob Da Bank, Singapore clinched first dibs on the IMS honour, thanks to the acclaimed prestige of Zouk as a superclub of the world. Even host, Pete Tong, agrees! And you know Tong’s never wrong.

Tong’s not the only big name you’ll find driving the conference; Perfecto captain Paul Oakenfold, India’s SCI+TEC ambassador Arjun Vagale and prominent ZoukOut performers share mic-duties, facilitating topics like galvanising the Asia-Pacific market and the ethics of DJ wages. Attendees can also catch insights from behind-the-scenes personalities, with keynotes by label founders, club owners, and even doctors, who will emphasise the healing potential of EDM without the need for drugs (have at you, Trainspotting). And as a toast to a fruitful day of handshakes, debates and history-in-the-making, swing by Attica for an after-party spun by Oakenfold himself, followed consecutively by the spectacle that is ZoukOut – we don’t need to elaborate on that, do we?

The International Music Summit kicks off on December 11 at W Singapore at Sentosa Cove. For more information, visit internationalmusicsummit.com.

Text Kevin Ho Images International Music Summit

paul oakenfold

MERMAIDTEIOF BOGOTA SHI Unless it’s Disney-sanctified tropical tunage involving talking crabs and flounders, we’ve no clue what ‘mermaid music’ is – the perplexing description Valerie Teicher has adopted in classifying her sound.

Yet the assistance of media outlets has been just as confounding, muddling perceptions with the abstruse label of ‘future pop’.

No doubt Teicher could very well be the ‘future’ poster-girl for our indie youth, but for convenience’s sake, we’re identifying this Brooklyn beaut as the next big thing in synth-pop and ‘pbr&b’ – y’know, that other by-product of media-exaggerated hyperbole.

FOCUS ARTISTE

Teicher however, isn’t just successful for fortuitously riding the hype waves; her claim to fame began at age two in Bogota, Colombia. A far cry from the reggaeton her classmates were digging, young Teicher was adulating foreign influences like classic rock instead – a process of self-discovery that paid off when she eventually moved to Brooklyn. Chalking up internships and mingling with other wishful creatives, Teicher swiftly established herself as a bona fide NY native, even loosely coining her moniker after a Jay-Z rhyme.

More than just a new home, Teicher’s got plenty to call her own since releasing her Saudade EP – a variegated collection of originals that include the trip-hoppy “M&Ms” that’ll melt your heart, “Nevermind The End” and its guitar-pecked indie-pop, and “Heart Shaped Birthmark” that exposes a capella vulnerability. But it’s Teicher’s latest synth-pop jaunt, “Bassically”, that’s drawn our attention with octave-leaping vocal prowess and dark, distorted electronics. ’Cos it’s talent and originality that lure our praise, not the sensationalism of head-scratching labels. No offence to mermaids.

soundcloud.com/tei-shi

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IF YOU LIKE THAT, YOU’LL LOVE THESE…

.GIF

GLASS ANIMALS

We couldn’t resist this one.

The coincidences aren’t just intertwined in the naming of their debut EPs, but Teicher and this local Laneway-headed duo also share a proclivity for delicate trip-hop soundscapes, fronted no less, by a mellifluous female voice.

The bond between Teicher and the Oxford band ain’t as remote as you might suspect!

For one, their debut record reveals pinches of trip-hop influence similar to Teicher, and the two have also collaborated on their tribal-teasing ballad, “Holiest” – a partnership that works impeccably well.

SAUDADE EP

ZABA

BROODS

BEYONCÉ

Teicher’s emotions aren’t as brooding as her r&b-inclined compositions make her out to be, as epitomised by her more vigorous manoeuvres in the sphere of synth-pop.

Likewise, this NZ sibling duo balances upbeat, digitalised arrangements with the eloquent vocals of Georgia Nott.

Covers aren’t uncommon when you’re starting out as a fresh eager beaver. Teicher might’ve bitten off more than she could chew when she tackled Beyoncé’s “No Angel”, but who would’ve guessed she’d sound uncannily like the Queen Bee herself!

Hova approves.

EVERGREEN

Text Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

BEYONCÉ

MEMTRIX Bunch two influential bass-booming genres together, and you get a sonically-bending synthesis that’s turned this 18-year-old into one of the UK underground’s most promising lads. Young Oscar Rawlinson has fused the speedy tempos and distinctive ‘Amen Break’ rhythms of drum & bass with the aggressively wubby effects applied in dubstep; prompting listeners to both head-bang and body-bump at breakneck paces. These destructive, albeit calculated, propensities in Memtrix’s music are presumably an outcome of Rawlinson’s deviating background – guitar-shredding anarchy that arose from his first love of rock and metal.

Hence, the distortion dystopia that pinballs through his latest Voodoo EP – a four-track ensemble of vehement synths, polarising vocal melodies, and blistering percussions that cater to folks who love their ’Boom. Pow [pause] Boom-pow’. D&b fans – you feel us?! soundcloud.com/ memtrixdub

STRANGE BABES “I wanna leave it alone / I need a holiday”, sings Kiwi migrant Sam McCarthy, who literally packed his bags for the boulevards and bright lights of L.A.. Breakthrough single, “Holiday”, is a modest anthem with relatable lyrics, coated with blustery Californian guitars and dabs of vocal reverb reminiscent of The Raveonettes’ Sune Rose Wagner. McCarthy’s obsession with oldie-tinted jangle-pop is startling if one were to consider his synth-pop origins with Kids Of 88, but rational when you rewind the tapes further on his earliest influences; he cites “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” as his first musical memory. McCarthy’s new project is however, beyond just a sensual slice from the ’60s, and is very much in the ‘now’ with co-touring stints with Broods and The Naked And Famous. strange-babes.com

AFRIKAN BOY

Africa’s been sucking up some haymakers since the crisis of Ebola-stricken xenophobia, but at least you have Nigerian emcees like Olushola Ajose putting in a good word with rhyme and reason. Despite growing up in London – an upbringing that’s seeped into his rap characteristics – Ajose has constructed a career atop the complexities of his Nigerian roots. Tipping his hat to native forerunners like Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade, Ajose chants his stories amidst exotic percussions and rhythms derived from Afrobeat. His fables broach topics that strike close to home, like pesky visa problems and even his mum’s traditional yam porridge – a theme that’s carved his own Y.A.M. movement of being “Young, Ambitious, Motivated”; all delivered with the tenacity (and accent) of a seasoned grime wordsmith. afrikanboy.com

GABI

The prospect of opera singers opting for a more contemporary approach isn’t unheard of – take a gander at Austra’s Katie Stelmanis and err…Josh Groban singing Kanye tweets.

Gabrielle Herbst is the latest choral songstress to resonate through the scene, making her debut on Mexican Summer sub-label, Software, manned by her producer, Oneohtrix Point Never. The result, as you might predict, is an experimental union aptly portrayed by first single, “Koo Koo” – an uneasy deluge of fragile pads and skeletal marimbas, lifted by the looped syncopations of Herbst’s breathtaking vocals. It’s hard to place genres with a siren this convoluted, who channels the avant-garde oddities of Björk at her maddest; translating art into song with the expertise of one who’s headed artist residencies at august institutions. gabrielleherbst.com

Text Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

LISTEN UP

ON OUR PLAYLIST THIS MONTH

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“I think that club culture is based around visions. But in order to turn visions into reality, it takes both risk and courage.”

– Sven Väth

ESSENTIALS

ACCIDENT IN PARADISE (1992)

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A crucial milestone for Väth’s career for not just being his debut album, but also an unequivocal indicator to the world that he was more than just an accidental popstar. Swapping salsa for “L’Esperanza”, Väth’s premiering foray veered towards minimalist ambient techno.

FUSION (1998)

PAPA KNOWS BEST

Väth found a new family with major label Virgin Records, but the shift didn’t dilute his imaginative knack for splicing techno with exotic elements, including funk, Caribbean, trip-hop and big beat. A true fusion of dance-pivoted components, brought together by this virtuoso.

SVEN VÄTH

Birthdays always call for a special occasion, especially when you’ve hit the half-a-century mark. Just a few weeks ago, Väth commemorated the big five-o with a mega-show in his German homeland, with powerful pals Richie Hawtin, Luciano and DJ Koze. Far from a moment of lassitude, the jamboree marked the apex of his 33-year career, one that took root as a quixotic young lad on the beaches of Ibiza.

Much like anyone who’d fallen under the spell of Ibiza party culture, Väth temporarily resided there in the ’80s, snoozing on deck chairs in the woods and scraping by with menial jobs, just so he could spend yet another day idolising the residents of Amnesia. Eventually returning home, Väth applied passion to practice at his folks’ pub, and soon had his own night at Frankfurt’s Dorian Gray club – which is apt, given that his appeal has not aged one bit.

THE HARLEQUIN, THE ROBOT, AND THE BALLET DANCER (1994)

Väth’s conceptual sophomore focused on three dissimilar characters, exhibiting the storytelling potential of instrumental dance music.

Väth portrays each character with introductions of exquisite electronica, all journeying towards climaxes of acid-trickling techno. It even ends with a mystical neo-classical finale!

The luminous trendsetter went on to shape Europe’s techno and tech-trance scenes with his own Omen establishment, alongside his Eye Q and Harthouse imprints. And on a strange note, Väth even transformed into a popstar at one point! Fans outside club circuits recognised Väth as OFF, an Italo-slanted side-project that produced the absurd hit, “Electrica Salsa” – a cringe-worthy showcase of cheese and campiness, but not appalling enough to overshadow his DJ cred.

Today, you’re unlikely to find Väth serenading German ‘aunties’, but headlining decks around the world with his distinguished Cocoon label, fostering the careers of Loco Dice, Guy Gerber and Adam Beyer. You’ll still spot him advocating an all-vinyl configuration, ardently releasing annual mixes, and – as a romantic gesture of sorts to the institution that changed his life – hosting his Cocoon Ibiza series at Amnesia for 14 years and counting. And going by the ongoing metamorphosis of his career thus far, there’s still plenty of gas in Papa Sven’s tank.

cocoon.net

Text Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

FIRE (2002)

Presuming you did miss hearing Väth’s tacky vocals, you can hear him growling sensually on “Je T’aime… Moi Non Plus” a French cover and duet with Miss Kittin. With its squeaky synth-poppy production and habitual inclusions of experimental techno, Väth’s versatility was on fire as usual.

HOW WE SURVIVED

FREQENDER FESTIVAL

We Tip-Toed Into Freqtown The putrid stench of Halloween reeked throughout the fearsome festivities at Infinite Studios. Spooky newspaper clippings and decrepit cowboy saloons greeted us on the way in, till we reached the gates of the warehouse where we heard bellicose growling and people screaming – we’d found the right place!

We Got Ready For The Floor There was no death, but plenty of destruction within the spacious dance chamber. Entrants were lethally warmed up by a slew of opening acts, including Malaysia’s Indiego, and Cocoon/ Desolat tech-house ambassador, Santé. So you can imagine everyone’s reciprocation once Alexis Taylor and Al Doyle of Hot Chip claimed the decks, with a refined house set that didn’t give in to ‘originals-only’ pressure. glowinthedark

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We Blended In With The Freqs You’re not doing Halloween right if your costume game is weak, so we suited up and camouflaged with Jack Sparrows, Steve Zissous, and TV characters from GOT and OITNB (go figure!). Next thing we knew, we were in-arms with Darth Vader and bobbing along to more housey bombshells from Doorly – “Piano Weapon” and all.

We Found A Secret Room Harry Potter fans searching for their Room Of Requirement can relate – we were over the moon when we found a crevice leading to a second warehouse; smaller in size, but bigger in homegrown quality and underground cred.

‘Sideshow Freqs’ included familiar faces like KFC, Brendon P, and Mr. Has, serving us a reprieve through (mini) rave.

We Gave Our Souls Some Waxing Dapper-suited headliners, 2manydjs, raised the dead with the rowdiest set yet. Living up to their mash-up reputation, the Belgian brothers mixed electro-house remixes of Metronomy with the deep house of Watermät. Hot Chip’s Taylor even made a live vocal cameo on “Over And Over”, and the duo even stupefied with their Soulwax rework of MGMT’s “Kids”!

We Partied Like Gods Not referring to any cherubs or dancing deities we might’ve encountered, we basked in some divine intervention through opening acts like Malaysia’s B2B vixens, Lissa Zombie and Hana Indonesia’s ‘Best DJ’, Dipha Barus.

K, and And we lifted our glow-sticks higher once Dutch duo GLOWINTHEDARK issued ’em grandiose big-room beats.

hot chip We Took A Breather Floored by Night One’s Freq’Show, we were thankful to screw our sobriety back on before getting gobsmacked once again by Godskitchen’s Mekanika, AKA Freqender Round Two. The glitzy visual marvel that awaited us marked a new frontier for the superclub brand, which had launched its state-of-the-art Mekanika concept just last September. In other words: new toys!

We Honoured Halloween With House A juxtaposition to the nimbler deep and tech-house tidbits from the adjacent secret warehouse, the sounds that erupted from the main stage continued to instigate “Thriller” dance-moves amongst the Freqs, with electro- and progressive-house drops from Morgan Page, Marco V and Belgian boy wonders, WolfPack. Totes worth becoming a drunken zombie over. Freq-y fun!

doorly Text Kevin Ho Images Colossal Photos

REPORT

wolfpack

HIP(HOP) ANNIVERSARY

REPORT

It’s been one helluva year for us. We’ve hustled our way through every social, soiree, gig and rave – and busted , it’s no many good moves to boot. With all that surprise that we’d want our 16th anniversary to be rad as hell. This year, we went all out ghetto lovin’ in a birthday bash to rival all others.

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No proper playa leaves a party without leaving a mark, which is why we greeted our guests with a graffiti wall, sponsored by the crew behind Arteastiq. Shout-out to the talented Oak&Bindi and Lonerslugs, who came in early to create a custom piece for us! Stepping into the swanky hallways of Zouk (lit up in electric pink, yo), an Aww Snap photobooth was at helm to get a shot of those mugs and flashin’ grills. And if the fancy showcase of X-mini clear speakers at the sound booth up-front didn’t prime everyone up enough, the old-school hip-hop blasting on the dancefloor should’ve gotten everyone krunkin’.

Then there was all the free swag. To mark a milestone, we got ourselves a fresh new design for our tote bags – our first in years. ’Cuz our goodies don’t stay in a jar, we filled our bags with plenty of lovely knick-knacks, courtesy of our lovely sponsors, and our November issue, of course. The gifts didn’t stop there; throughout the evening we gave out 11 raffle prizes that included Ksubi eyewear, Urban Decay hampers and a Seiko Watch. The ‘Best Moves Busta’ got to swagger home with Reyka Vodka, while the sickest ghetto get-ups earned themselves Palladium Tactical boots. But most importantly, we kept everyone happy with swigs on all the hearty booze, tippled just right for the all-night entertainment.

We’re whimsically fluent when it comes to expressing ourselves through text – a haven where you can’t boo and throw tomatoes at us – but we figured we’d leave the professional emcee duties in the hands of someone who won’t ramble and mutter awkward jokes. So thank goodness we had YouTube sensation Maimunah Bagharib AKA Munah, one-half of the comedic duo Munah and Hirzi, to beguile the audience with her radiant personality and chirpy banter. From hosting Vidal Sassoon’s opening pageant to enticing VIPs out of their exclusive cosy corner (we get it, free flow Heineken beers and Reyka Vodka is awesome!), Munah handled our eager guests with the sangfroid of a superstar-in-the-making.

STREET 16

Now we promised a party without injuries – not counting hung-over casualties – but we couldn’t exactly say the same for our invited crews of b-boys!

Spines bent and limbs twisted as the breakdancing tournament got underway on the Zouk stage. Verdicts were handed out street-style as Munah rallied the flabbergasted crowd for ovations, with the louder cheers pertaining to the team worthy of advancing. It was a gruelling contest of swipes, flares, windmills and hollowbacks amongst eight groups that battled down to just two, with all the glory and street cred going to Radikal Forze.

We must add that while these breakers defied gravity with their 1990s and air-freezes, the setting was suitably hyped up with a poppin’, lockin’ soundtrack from one of the illest turntablists in our scene, KoFlow.

And here’s the situation – you can either claim to be a DJ and push buttons, or you can be a scratching, cross-fading deck phenom like Flow; you know where our money was at. No flashy get-ups or patented ‘look ma no hands’ poses; KoFlow took us all to school with turbo-speed fingerwork and world-class techniques. ’s back with love? We scratch yours You scratch with KoFlow.

And from one champion of hip-hop culture to another, our Street 16 anniversary party was topped off with the rapper-obics of headliner, Shigga Shay. Backed by his own music mixologist – DJ NashD from Shay’s own Grizzle Grind Crew – the rhyme-firing emcee wasted no time in pleasing the masses with his latest viral single, “Lion City Kia”. And who could’ve predicted ’em spontaneous cameo appearances from crewmate Charles ENERO and KL wordsmith SonaOne? We sure didn’t, Scout’s honour! The all-grown-up prodigy had also in fact, just returned from his brief artistic residency in L.A. where he rubbed shoulders with industry titans like Tyler, The Creator. Yet here he was, back home and in time just for us, dropping ’em dope slices of local pride.

To all you gangstas that turned up, the party was off the hook. Mad props to everyone who stayed for the after-party, boogieing til’ the break of dawn at Solid Gold. Now all we can say is, next year’s only gonna turns down get bigger and better ’cuz for nothin’!

Text Kevin Ho & Sziying Khoo Images Revelation Creative House

blackbird blackbird

the royal concept

mono

GRIZZLY TRIO BEARY SCARY NIGHT Tardiness can’t be helped with flight delays.

Symmetry Entertainment broke the disconcerting news hours before showtime, but it didn’t hamper the build-up of anxious fans at Beep Studios. Californian producer, Blackbird Blackbird, rewarded everyone’s patience with a luscious dream-pop pairing of guitar and computers – a saturation of reverb that dribbled from hovering melodies and software-backed structures that calls to mind Washed Out.

the royal concept

REPORT

The Royal Concept waltzed in next to elevate the dense mood, with vigour as hyper as a sugary, caffeinated adrenaline rush. The Stockholm indie-rockers had the audience wailing to their sunny harmonies and addictive riffs, both characteristics that shone in hits like “Gimme Twice” and “On Our Way”. And who doesn’t get enthralled by Imogen Heap-ish vocoders? These boys were not subtle.

mono

Text Kevin Ho Images Maria Clare Khoo and Jared Ryan Rezel

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Our senses had enough of the stereo overload from the preceding synth-fixated acts; we were now ready for the Mono effect. Devotees displayed restlessness for the return of their Japanese post-rock heroes, but the band didn’t echo similar sentiments at first, silently entering from behind the crowd. Their onslaught was however, not so silent. Muddy poignant motifs trudging through thick shredded textures, we were semi-deaf post-set and we couldn’t have been happier. As was bassist, Tamaki Kunishi, whom we caught cracking her first smile of the evening.

KING’S MEN WILD BEASTS Some promoters do post-rock; some do experimental; then you have Symmetry Entertainment that brings in bands with animal names. We received our early Christmas present from them, in the gift-wrapped form of indie-rockers Wild Beasts at Beep Studios.

Surviving on just two hours of sleep, the band opened with their glorious single “Mecca”. Hayden Thorpe’s sensual vocals filled the industrial venue, which got people moving throughout their beautifully tropical-esque set. It’s not very often that a band has two lead vocalists of contrasting styles. But Wild Beasts made it work effortlessly through the silky smooth harmonising of Thorpe’s and Tom Fleming’s voices. It felt like drinking tea on a cold evening. Or coffee – whichever you prefer…you get the point.

At times, we couldn’t comprehend what they were saying due to their thick English accents, but we laughed nonetheless from their comical yet humble banter. It seemed like most of the crowd were fans of their older material, as they cheered loudly when classic favourites such as “Hooting And Howling” and “All The King’s Men” were played. They acknowledged that fact by ending their set with the sensational “Lion’s Share” from their amazing 2011 record, Smother .

Wild Beasts had it all figured out – the looks, the talent, and they definitely knew how to charm a crowd. And that’s the simple, beautiful truth.

Text Nigel Lopez Images Jared Ryan Rezel & Sweehuang Teo

JULIO BASHMORE – LP 1 BEAT SPACEK – MODERN STREETS

PICK

PANDA BEAR – PANDA BEAR MEETS THE GRIM REAPER You don’t – ever – rip a stuffed toy bear into shreds! Noah Lennox shot an arrow through the hearts of fluff-friends everywhere, with his promo video depicting a homicidal Reaper (RIP Bear) bursting into pink, epileptic psychedelia. Declaring war against death itself, Lennox’s trippy ideals are noticeably beefed up on his fifth album, taking him one step closer to his Animal Collective compatriots, while retaining that Brian Wilson appeal with floaty vocals and Beach Boys-ish harmonies. pbvsgr.com

Isn’t app technology amazing these days? Penning his passion for the future by fabricating a record outta iPhone and iPad apps, Steve Spacek – AKA one half of Africa Hitech and brother of DBridge – is changing the way producers construct music with this Ninja Tune release.

Spacek’s ‘beaty’ reincarnation sees him experimentally melding his past escapades in juke, garage, soul and techno – that’s 19 years of experience you can’t purchase in any App Store. ninjatune.net

That is not the name (unlike Twigs) of Bashmore’s yet-to-be-titled debut record – one that fans have been longing for two years now.

Since spicing up the house scene with the Jessie Ware-featured “Peppermint”, the Bristol producer has continued to invigorate like a breath of fresh air, pampering us with 4/4 fidgets a-plenty. Whether it’s the tech-house suavity of “Simple Love” or the disco-flashbacked boogaloo on “Rhythm Of Auld”, we’re sure the perks on this release will be absolutely mint. soundcloud.com/juliobashmoremusic

Robyn, First Aid Kit and Avicii amongst music ambassadors to have faces printed on Swedish postage stamps. To lick, or not to lick?

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Blur’s back in pop culture again! Their ’94 hit, “Parklife”, has turned into an overnight troll, ridiculing the byzantine vociferous lingo of stand-up comedian, Brand – and yes, he actually converses like that IRL. The reliant Interwebz picked up on his ostentatious rambling, and likened its Brit-accented execution with Phil Daniels’ soliloquies in “Parklife”. And since then, every extravagant tweet of Brand’s now gets a massively-retweeted response going – you guessed it – “PARKLIFE!”.

WATCH

TIGA – “BUGATTI”

LONE – “RESTLESS CITY”

We’re tickled at how this vid manages to be flamboyant even without the presence of a Bugatti supercar. It’s flashy yet intelligent, with shrewd transitions linking concise loops of domino blocks, bubblegum, spanking and Twister, while Tiga preaches “Bugatti!” in absurd outfits. There’s even a game of backgammon on a dude’s crotch, just because.

The shady monotony of city life – this is a cycle quaintly captured by Lone’s looped usage of urban hip-hop beats and vinyl-ripped samples, accompanied with a hypnotically repetitive animation of shifty characters. Thug hamburgers, peeing canines and even grocery-shopping Grim Reapers roam these sprawls, smeared with streaks of squiggly graffiti.

GEORGE EZRA – “LISTEN TO THE MAN”

Whether he’s Gandalf, Magneto, or simply a NYC tourist with BFF Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen can do no wrong – even if that means trumping Ezra in his own video! The revered actor convincingly lip-syncs over the singer-songwriter’s deep nuances, making Ezra look like a grumpy sore loser, wishing he had superpowers of his own.

FLASH: MUSIC

EVERYBODY! YELL “PARKLIFE!” AT RUSSELL BRAND!

Sia seals breath in Mason jar and auctions it off for charity. More gross than sweat-drenched towel of your favourite rockstar.

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS – MONUMENTS TO AN ELEGY

PICK

FLASH: MUSIC

TWERPS – RANGE ANXIETY

We’ve all had days where we just wanna shamelessly slip on our hipster best and dawdle through artsy suburbia with Wes Anderson-approved tunage. And ’cos we know you’re guilty too, polish your playlist with the upcoming record from these Melbourne dream/jangle-poppers. Teased single, “Back To You”, is as flawless as a symmetrical camera frame, cleanly cut with beaming acoustic strums and hooting synths that suggest the influence of early Vampire Weekend. soundcloud.com/twerps

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We admit fearing for Billy Corgan’s rock-God cred when he began opening teashops and posing with felines (Siamese Dream, geddit?). So bless the Pumpkins chieftain when he revealed the latest installment of his ambitious Teargarden By Kaleidyscope concept, following 2012’s Oceania.

Guest drummer Tommy Lee comes close to replicating the aptitude of ex-founding member, Jimmy Chamberlin, and there’s enough wall-of-sound fuzz and melodic bellicosity here to evoke the ’90s prime of Iha and D’arcy. smashingpumpkinsnexus.com

WU-TANG CLAN –A BETTER TOMORROW Unless you’re willing to burn five million bucks, chances are, you won’t win the bid for their outrageous Once Upon A Time In Shaolin auction. Heed our advice: it’s wiser to be the miser, and instead, spend your dimes on the clan’s first album in seven years. All principal members are reppin’, including RZA and Raekwon who’ve buried the hatchet, and even the late O.D.B., albeit immortalised in samples.

Old-school hip-hop never sounded so fresh. wutangclan.com

ZERO LOVE FOR DAVID GUETTA We actually feel kinda bad for the French electro-house celebrity. Harmless wishful thinking – that’s all it was when Guetta quipped about becoming the first DJ to play in space. Not only have critics slammed him for being unworthy, haters have pushed the envelope and created a video game based on him. Titled Ghosts ’N DJs, the retro side-scroller has players slaying ‘fake DJs’ like Guetta, who’s not quite ‘titanium’ in this parodic portrayal.

Sentimental flash: new releases promised from old-timers Idlewild, Noel Gallagher and Belle & Sebastian!

NEGATIVITY TOWARDS NATIVE AMERICAN HEADDRESSES

Adorning yourself in rave beads and flower crowns at festivals these days isn’t just cliche; in the case of Native American headdresses, they’re also offensive! Glastonbury recently placed a ban on these spiritual symbols, and Pharrell Williams was under fire too for gracing magazine covers with it. Even our past cover-girl, Ellie Goulding, unintentionally became a ‘martyr’ of disrespectful cultural appropriation, suffering social media backlash after donning one for a show. Poor Ellie!

PICK

GHOST CULTURE GHOST CULTURE

It’s refreshing to hear someone who doesn’t project electronica as yet another foreseeable archetype of synth-pop or trip-hop. Meet Ghost Culture, the latest digi-dabbler to represent Erol Alkan’s Phantasy imprint, whose audial creation is a welcome phantasm of lamented genres like new-wave and dance-punk, revitalised with a drizzle of analogue-grounded techno.

Subdued guitar hooks and whispered vocals humanise the foundation of synth arpeggios and drum machines, conjuring a combination that’s frightfully good. ghostculture.com

5 MINS WITH

JON HOPKINS

OUR EXCITEMENT SLOUCHED BACK TO SNOOZEVILLE WHEN HOPKINS DROPPED OUT OF THE CANCELLED HOSTESS CLUB WEEKENDER (BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME FELLAS!); BUT AT LEAST WE MANAGED TO SECURE OUR OPPORTUNE CHAT WITH THE ELECTRONICA/IDM PROTEGE OF BRIAN ENO. WIDE AWAKE AND RARING TO GO, WE SWIFTLY EXTRACTED SOME EDIFYING TIDBITS ABOUT HOPKINS’ SLEEP PATTERNS, HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES, AND WHAT HE’D DO WITH A PERSONAL ROBOT.

RL GRIME – void Tick-tock, tick-tock – it’s about time we heard less of Clockwork and more of Henry Steinway’s trap counter-alias! Two years after his first EP shook the world with bass-y conviction, Steinway’s finally prepped his debut full-length that’s, clearly, not void of talent! Boys Noize and Big Sean pop by for this party, and Steinway even tests his alt-r&b production chops with How To Dress Well. Now where our subwoofers at? rlgri.me

Heavy or light sleeper?

Unfortunately, I’m quite a light sleeper at the moment. It’s inconvenient ’cos it makes me tired all the time, but this is what happens when you’re changing time-zones all the time! But light sleep is when you’re dreaming more, so my dream-state is very active and a lot of my latest record comes from that. There’s some weird stuff going there.

Alarm call?

If I gotta get up at 5am and go to the airport, then obviously I’ll have one that’s the loudest – something horrible like a bell noise. The idea of pleasant music – like mine – for an alarm is kinda the opposite of what I’d personally need.

Ideal escape?

Somewhere where there’s the Northern Lights – that’d be good.

Maybe somewhere in Northern Iceland in winter; I’d like to see that stuff. I’ve been to Iceland a few times, but I’ve never been lucky enough to see it.

Hypnosis therapy?

I learnt how to do it as a tool for making life less stressful, especially in the early years of being a musician and getting people to know what you’re doing. So I was in need of techniques to make it easier. And now, doing really deep meditation every day has become quite central to my life.

THE DECEMBERISTS – WHAT A TERRIBLE WORLD, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WORLD At times indeed, the world can feel like a dark, dismal place. Frontman, Colin Meloy, was particularly shaken by the infamous Newtown school shootings of ’12, conveying his reaction through material that, like a silver lining, glistens with friable folk-rock positivity. Single, “Make You Better” carries this affirmative beacon with aplomb, with gospel-esque Hammond organs and specifically, Meloy’s pacifying vocals – the heartening cornerstone of The Decemberists for nearly 15 years. decemberists.com

Hypnosis on others?

I have done it with a few people actually! It’s quite fun. It’s not the type that allows you to control what they do [laughs]. It’s just to induce a trance that is really pleasant and relaxing.

Dream robot?

Probably something that’d make my life generally easier – maybe cooking. Perhaps I could make one big enough to fly around the world and sort out problems, like building houses or providing clean water, something worldly like that. And then come cook for me after that.

jonhopkins.co.uk

Text Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

Text Kevin Ho Image & interview courtesy of Hostess Asia

THE MAIN HOOK

BY DON SHIAU

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?

Music lovers in Singapore are living the dream. Between 2013 and 2014, we had it all: Laneway, Timbre Rock & Roots, Big Night Out, Singapore Rock Festival, Mosaic, Music Matters Live, Fred Perry Sub-Sonic Live, Baybeats, F1 concerts, Hostess Club Weekender, Camp Symmetry and ZoukOut. We had big festivals and intimate showcases. We saw legends and newcomers. We kept going to shows, and the shows kept coming.

And yet, it wasn’t too long ago that festivals were struggling to stay afloat here. WOMAD Singapore breathed its last in 2007, and SingFest fizzled out in 2010, after only three installments. Conventional wisdom was affirmed: Singapore’s domestic market was simply too small.

SOUNDS

So what’s changed?

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Three things. One is that there’s no money in recording any more. Piracy and low-cost streaming services mean that artistes have to make most of their money from live shows, and have every incentive to get out and tour. Another is that the social media landscape has matured. Word (and music) gets out faster, fans are more informed, and audiences are mobilised far more easily. The third is a raft of medium-to-large venues that have opened here in the last five years: Tab, *SCAPE The Ground Theatre, Beep Studio’s Studio A, The Coliseum, Marina Bay Sands Grand Ballroom, The Meadow at Gardens By The Bay, The Star Performing Arts Centre, and the renovated Kallang Theatre.

YOU’RE DEAD! FLYING LOTUS (WARP)

There’s no hip-hop trapping barrier that Steven Ellison is unwilling to push against, no depths of his inner cosmology that he won’t plumb in order to create high-order music. For his fifth full length, he stretches out – his tendrils touching everything from jazz to funk to hip-hop, psychedelia to r&b to ambient IDM. It’s a frenetic trip: the sonic quatrain that is the opening tracks of “Theme”, “Tesla”, “Cold Dead” and “Fkn Dead”, is FlyLo chasing Squarepusher-styled fusion jazz, segueing into the Kendrick Lamar-starring broken beats hip-hop number “Never Catch Me”, before dipping into the low-bass wobbler, “Dead Man’s Tetris”, featuring Snoop Dogg and FlyLo himself cameo-ing as Captain Murphy. Mind-blown, we are.

On paper, it’s a match made in heaven. We’ve got new and established acts wanting to reach new audiences, and we’ve got audiences who feel like they’ve been waiting forever to see them. We’ve got corporate sponsors whose pockets are deep enough to pull in The Rolling Stones, and independent promoters who’ll put up an obscure singer-songwriter in their own house if they had to. Hail Singapore, the gig Mecca.

Everyone’s happy. Where’s the bad?

I suspect the bad is this: things are getting too good, too fast. The concert promotion scene is hot, and more and more folks think they can do it. And they’re getting this idea at the same time. Hence the slew of local promoters that have emerged since 2010: Upsurge (2010), Now/Live (2011), LIVE! Empire (2012), Symmetry Entertainment (2012), Other Sounds (2013) and most recently Forefront Entertainment (2014).

And that’s not counting foreign players who’ve thrown their hats into the ring, like Chugg Entertainment and Hostess Asia.

While this has caused our gig calendars to explode, I wonder if things are getting a little crowded at the top. I’ll be damned, for instance, if Now/Live and Forefront have never set their eyes on a similar band. Even if promoters aren’t jostling for the same acts, they’re still fighting for the wallets of our small, fragmented market for English-language music. Can we count on tourist dollars, then? Perhaps, but not as much as before.

Our neighbours are catching up, and multi-city tours in Southeast Asia are becoming more common. Sometimes, as Blur and Franz Ferdinand did in 2013, and Foals almost did in 2014 – bands skip Singapore altogether.

Already, the live music industry is showing some signs of strain: Camp Symmetry is taking a break, Chugg Entertainment has stopped doing standalone gigs and is focusing only on Laneway now, and Hostess Asia embarrassingly cancelled two of three of its planned Weekenders this year. And then there’s Australia’s Retfar Entertainment, whose ambitious bid to break into Singapore last year with the inaugural 1 World Music Festival spectacularly imploded when the festival was cancelled with only two days’ notice.

I’m no harbinger of doom. I don’t think we’re going back to the dark days of the ’90s, when Singapore was a cultural desert. I am cynical, though, and I expect the recent concert boom will plateau and correct itself. Some players may exit the scene, and some annual events may disappear. I dearly hope I’m wrong. But what do I know? I have the easiest job. I just go to shows.

TOUGH L OVE

JESSIE WARE (UNIVERSAL MUSIC)

Jessie Ware exploded onto the scene a couple of years ago, a new foil to respite from, and also, a mirror of Emeli Sandé and Leona Lewis – matching their vocal bluster with her own oomph, armed with subtlety and a choice selection of r&b sounds that fall further afield from contemporary towards the sub-current and dare we say, tasteful.

She has worked with some of the best, from SBTRKT to Dave Okumu to Devonté Hynes, and even Ed Sheeran. Ware’s sophomore is a pop-oriented essay of the neu r&b nebulae, glimpsed in her please-all debut Devotion, but fully explored here. In one sitting, it is a slow storm, slumberous even, but when the title track drops, even haters gonna hate...to keel to its Prince-reminiscent vibes.

PICKS OF THE NO ONE IS LOST Stars

(ATO) Stars just wanna have (some) fun, and they accomplish this by recording above Royal Phoenix, a disused Montreal gay disco. The Canadian group has a go at making indie-dance music, while trying to strap mortality and other such sucky issues to hedonism. Dance or die? Be a fighter or be flighty?

Artsy conundrums to think about when listening to “From The Night” and “You Keep Coming Up”.

THIS IS ALL YOURS Alt-J

(INFECTIOUS) A Miley Cyrus sample (“Hunger of the Pine”), vocal splice-ins of Marika Hackman, Sivu, Conor Oberst and Lianne La Havas (“Warm Foothills”), a song-suite revolving around Japan’s deer region, Nara (“Arrival in Nara”, “Nara” and “Leaving Nara”): there is nothing Alt-J won’t do in their pursuit of making art, weirdness, pretension and rock music, work. It is as intriguing as their debut was inventive.

OUR LOVE Caribou

(MERGE) Caribou’s last album, Swim, was a stunning affair, one which took Dan Snaith’s name across clubland.

Snaith says that this follow-up is one made for the clubbers, and then some, given how he shaped his lyrics around love. Since Daphni is his moniker under which he does dance music, Our Love isn’t banging music – it is a swell of beats built for euphoria, inspirited by Swim, distilled to simplicity and beauty.

SOUND OF A WOMAN Kiesza

(ISLAND) The upsurge of UK house music is bound to birth a new diva; odd that it’s Calgary’s Kiesa Rae Ellestad (who used to sing folk). “Hideaway” was the song that blew up, the retro-feel made unambiguous by its video. Kiesza does a piano cover of Haddaway’s “What Is Love” and affects some Jessie Ware and Katy B-styled emo and sounds, but unfortunately, the music doesn’t move beyond effective and on-trend.

A TOOTHPASTE SUBURB Milo

(HELLFYRE CLUB) Thank God for underground hip-hop, giving genre fans a getaway from the OTT-sameyness of mainstream rap.

Wisconsin’s milo is part of the Hellfyre Club, a crew comprised of fellow spirit-kins, Open Mike Eagle, Nocando and Busdriver.

His speaking-style rap is perfect for the warm, bubbling synthscapes that producers Tastenothing, iglooghost and Greyhat cook up – a smooth concoction to delve in and let flow.

WONDER WHERE WE LAND SBTRKT

(YOUNG TURKS) With his self-titled debut, Aaron Jerome delivered a truly post-dubstep, left-field IDM beats-filled OOAK album. SBTRKT’s world building featured Sampha and Jessie Ware, who both return on his sophomore.

Maybe we expected larger/higher/faster when all he wanted was to extend: the architecture is familiar, providing a safe landing ground for the masked one, when the edge ought to be where he stands.

HEY HEY Mapei

(DOWNTOWN) She’s all of 30, but we betcha that Mapei’s debut is gonna be awesomesauce – for the millenials and noughties kids anyways.

The Liberian-American-Swede serves up sonic smoothies of Afrobeat, Swede-pop and r&b. Like a Lauryn Hill + Neneh Cherry lite-sprite, she sings and raps, the songs “Don’t Wait” and “Change” catchy enough to warrant a stay of attention beyond a “hey” salutation.

SIRENS

Gorgon City

(VIRGIN EMI) Treat Kye Gibbon and Matt Robson-Scott as the more commercial Disclosure. The London duo’s debut is a filled-to-the-gill flotilla of clubbing bangers, each kept afloat by an equally impressive number of vocalists.

Katy B adds yearning to “Lover Like You”, Jennifer Hudson is a top-class diva on “Go All Night”, with white soul emo-man, Maverick Sabre, opening and closing this chart-facing dance album.

Text Chris Ong Ujine Images Various Sources

ABAPORU Gui Boratto

(KOMPAKT) Brazilian producer Gui Boratto’s a precise driver; laser-like in his minimalism evidenced in his debut Chromophobia, he bent the wheels ever slightly to go trancier and then darker in his past two releases. His tech-house has always belonged to a trademark Boratto chroma – this varied release shows shades of the past with new-funky diversions.

“Get The Party Started” and “Joker” are the party-starters.

MUSEUM OF LOVE Museum Of Love

(DFA) Love everything DFA? Then Museum Of Love’s debut should get you all happy-derpy.

After all, it is the dual effort of LCD Soundsystem drummer, Pat Mahoney, and Dennis McNany. Even if the ’80s synth beats and indie-punk-disco sensibility are to be expected, there are mellow surprises: “Down South” and “In Infancy” are two, anchored by the Bryan Ferry-ish+David Byrne-ish vocals of Mahoney.

PLOWING INTO THE FIELD OF LOVE Iceage

(MATADOR) We all love drama, so when “On My Fingers” crawls out of the gravelly pit like a basement-buried Tom Waits song, we get a lil’ teary at how the young Danish noise-punk group, Iceage, has grown. Sludgy, craggy, blues+metal+prog rock mixed, their third is so good you just wanna bathe in its messiness. Helps that Elias Bender Rønnenfelt sounds like a slacker Iggy Pop (but looks like a cuter Ian Curtis).

SYRO

Aphex Twin

(WARP) Come To Daddy this isn’t. After yonks, the father of all electronic-crazed music (’90s), Richard D. James (AKA Aphex Twin) is back to assault us. But it is a melodic, detailed and multi-varied assault. It’s as though James went solitarian, recorded his fractured beats music on new tech, ignorant of the decade++ progression/regression (e.g. trap) in music. Genius!

Shoo-in for best-of-2014 lists.

THE DRUMS LIVE IN SINGAPORE

A JAZZY CHRISTMAS PARTY FEAT. JAZZY JEFF

FRIDAY DECEMBER 5 AT TAB

With their not-so-casual ’80s references to the likes of The Smiths and Joy Division, it seems as though these sullen indie darlings don’t want us to know they’ve risen from the hipster hoods of Brooklyn. For the third time around, Pierce and Graham will be bringing back slices of synth/surf-pop goodness paired with mopey vocals to accompany the conflicted teenager in all of us. facebook.com/symmetryent

Leave St. Nick in the chimney and slide down to the basement; UK’s Defected Records returns with back-to-back house prezzies this Boxing Day. A bang for your buck with one of the most addictive singles of the year, the $-man has capitalised on the deep house scene with the bass-swinging “Pushing On”, while DJ Rae lands some money shots of her own with live vocals amidst tech-house crunchers. clubkyo.com

SATURDAY DECEMBER 6 AT CANVAS SINGAPORE We reverently salute the resilience and optimism of this London-based bass label, given the dishearteningly rough year they’ve had. Within six months, Hyperdub bid farewell to the late DJ Rashad and the Spaceape, yet their legacies live on in these two distinctive torchbearers. Juke junkies, let loose that footwork with DJ Spinn, and show some affection to Hyperdub boss, Kode9, with his low-end assaults of jungle, dubstep and two-step. canvasvenue.sg

PARA//EL PRESENTS CARL CRAIG

FRIDAY DECEMBER 26 AT VELVET UNDERGROUND – DANCE

GIGS WE DIG

TONSTARTSBANDHT LIVE IN SINGAPORE SPIN

DEFECTED IN THE HOUSE WITH OLIVER DOLLAR & DJ RAE FRIDAY DECEMBER 26 AT KYO

10 YEARS OF HYPERDUB FEAT. KODE9 & DJ SPINN

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SATURDAY DECEMBER 20 AT KU DÉ TA

Though Jazzy Jeff’s days on the small screen might be over, the accomplished DJ has gone on to become an award-winning hip-hop turntablist over the years.

Treat yourselves to some fresh spins this festive season as DJ Jazzy Jeff takes to the gilded heights of our skyline with Ku Dé Ta’s Ya5th, Suren, Deepak and Styluxtakut at helm, making d*mn sure those bottles pop all night long. kudeta.com

SATURDAY DECEMBER 6 AT BLU JAZ CAFE

Despite that elaborate tongue-twister of a name, Tonstartsbandht (Pronounced tahn-starts-bandit) sounds like a gooey, luscious trip you’ll be hard-pressed not to find yourself quickly getting sucked into. Brothers Andy and Edwin pair spacey vocal harmonies with guttural percussion and a 12-string Danelectro set-up. Ethereal, yet heavy, the eclectic duo thrives in live settings through telepathically synchronised long-form jams. facebook.com/othersoundsmusic

We’ve seen countless techno acts command the decks of Para//el, but how can you compare any of them to one hailing from the birthplace of techno itself? This 26-year veteran isn’t just a bastion of Detroit techno, he is a protege of the legendary Belleville Three (Atkins, May, Saunderson). So if you need some good ol’ techno education, well…this is a no-brainer! zoukclub.com

ZIMMER GLIMMER

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31 AT THE WHITE RABBIT

PAUL OAKENFOLD: WE ARE PLANET PERFECTO TOUR THURSDAY DECEMBER 11 AT ATTICA

There’s probably no better way to conclude a whole day spent talking about music than with some good ol’ pulse-pumping action with one of EDM’s Godfathers. Nicely positioned after IMS (see page 28), as well as the pre-party for ZoukOut perhaps, highly-revered veteran DJ, Paul Oakenfold, will grace the decks of Attica with Perfecto-polished trance symphonies. attica.com.sg

Forget “Auld Lang Syne”, we’re ringing in 2015 with some dancey debauchery!

Steer clear from the crowds and cosy up to Dempsey’s cloistered party hideout; French-American producer, Zimmer, will be counting down the clock with bewitching spells of nu-disco, Balearic and deep house. He might call his craft “horizontal disco”, but we’d better not catch anyone reclining till hitting the sack with a hangover! What New Year’s resolution? loof.com.sg

KYO MASQUERADE NEW YEAR’S EVE FEAT. SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31 AT KYO

IMS AFTER-PARTIES

SATURDAY DECEMBER 13 AND SUNDAY DECEMBER 14 AT AZZURA BEACH CLUB Once ZoukOut comes to a grand close, pack up your belongings and… bounce to the next party! If you have the energy come dawn, then muster your leftover adrenaline for house/techno sunrise sets from Herzblut’s Nicolas Masseyeff (France), together with And.id (Greece) and Ralf Kollman (Germany) from the latter’s own Mobilee imprint. This two-night affair is also the official after-party for IMS, so keep a lookout for famous faces and Insta-moments! azzura.sg

Monkey see monkey do – not a mentality you’d wish to carry forth into the new year.

Always finding rejuvenating ways to redefine themselves, these tech-house Londoners admirably upped the ante by recording a live dance album, Whorl, without the complacency of computers or retakes.

That’s the intrepid spirit these ex-Kitsuné hustlers wish to see in all of you at NYE, so start by going bananas on the dancefloor! clubkyo.com

Text Kevin Ho & Sziying Khoo Images Various Sources

FASHION COLOUR CHAOS Killin’ it every season with psychedelic streetwear, Nixi Killick is a maverick when it comes to creative direction and design.

This Melbourne-based designer constantly sends fans into fits of technicolour frenzy with her brand of off-kilter threads, sported by the likes of Lady Gaga and Kimbra.

Presenting a cocktail of art and fashion in her latest Fall/Winter collection for men and women titled ‘Kwazar’, Killick draws inspiration from the evolution of the universe – with a sharp focus on inter-galactic prints married with futuristic shapes and wild colours.

The arresting collection features separates, swimwear and accessories, on materials like spandex, mesh and silk – articulating a utopian freshness unlike any other. nixikillick.com

Text Liyana Meer Image Nixi Killick

FESTIVAL FASHION

FEATURE

IT’S THE YEAR-END PARTY SEASON AND WHETHER YOU’RE HITTIN’ UP BEACH BASHES OR FIST-PUMPIN’ ON A MEDITERRANEAN YACHT, WE’VE GOT JUST THE RIGHT WARDROBE INSPO TO TIDE YOU THROUGH FROM SUNDOWN DRINKS TO THE MORNING-AFTER ENCORE.

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1. straw hat, $270, sensi studio at robinsons the heeren

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2. acetate sunglasses, poa, lespecs at the wyld shop

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3. coil necklace, $34.90, piesa at common thread 4. rubber hair ties, $1.50 each, func deko 5. polyester crop top, $109, unif at the editor’s market

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6. chain necklace, $11.95, colette by colette hayman 7. heart pins, $25 each at red dot museum shop 8. cotton polyester towel, $49, seafolly 9. rubber slippers, $29, roxy

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10. plastic clutch, $245, sarah & bred at front row 11. denim shorts, $12, femme x

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12. mirror sunglasses, poa, lespecs at the wyld shop

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13. cotton cap, $39, quiksilver

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14. bikini top & bottom, $89, both from roxy

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15. leather purse, $59, fennec at actually

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16. clutch, $35.90, bershka 17. jelly sandals, $130, melissa

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1. chain bracelet, $29, cheap monday at preview

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2. foldable sunglasses, $90, sunpocket at cumulus

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3. canvas bag, $109 at leftfoot entrepot

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4. cotton t-shirt, $155, daniel palillo at superspace 5. acetate sunglasses, $270, carerra at define happiness sunglass shop 6. nylon swimming shorts, $40, s2vs 7. canvas sneakers, $109, dc shoes

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8. snapback cap, $89.90, aape at i.t 9. cotton tank top, $23, femme x

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10. rubber slippers, $59.90, zoukout x havaianas at common thread

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11. rubber watch, $193, atop at red dot museum shop 12. nylon swimming shorts, $139, timo at robinsons the heeren

NU-RAVER

IT’S SAFE TO SAY ALL YOU STROBE LIGHT-OBSESSED PEEPS WOULD LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN AN ATTENTION-GRABBING ENSEMBLE.

13. umbrella, $55, senz at red dot museum shop

1. nylon board shorts, $69.90, quiksilver 2. straw boat hat, $109, leftfoot entrepot

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3. metal frame sunglasses, $369, retrosuperfuture at define happiness sunglass shop

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4. leather bracelet, $12, s2vs 5. velcro sneakers, $159, lacoste

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6. nylon board shorts, $89, nautica

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7. leather belt, $39 myth 8. cotton tote bag, $35, apc 9. leather key ring, $19, 77th street 10. suede slip-ons, $125, rivieras at leftfoot entrepot

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11. cotton shirt, $88, s2vs 12. acetate sunglasses, $64.90, hoola at common thread 13. denim tote bag, $39.90, func deko

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1. acetate sunglasses, $320, karen walker at front row 2. felt floppy hat, $35, preview

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3. rubber watch, $192.60, aark at red dot museum shop

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4. headband, poa, h&m

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5. acetate sunglasses, $79, le specs at define happiness sunglass shop

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6. leather cross body bag, $969, mm6 7. cotton lace blouse, $55.90, yacht 21 at robinsons the heeren

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8. cotton shorts, $55.90, yacht21 at robinsons the heeren

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9. suede sneakers, poa, apc x nike at front row 10. canvas clutch, $169, mischa at cumulus

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11. stretch polyester bathing suit, $226, kblu.com 12. zinc bangle, $16, dorothy perkins

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13. beaded necklace, $23.95, colette by colette hayman 14. neoprene top, $29, femme x

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15. acetate sunglasses, $320, karen walker at front row 16. rubber sandals, $59.90, havaianas 17. metal cord necklace, poa, colette by colette hayman

BALEARIC LOVER

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GET YOUR IBIZA ON AND COAST ALONG TO FEEL-GOOD BEATS WITH LIGHT AND BREEZY STAPLES.

1. sneakers, poa, nike

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2. watch, $229.90, ripcurl 3. cotton t-shirt, $79.90, 5cm at i.t

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4. snapback cap, $299, ktz at leftfoot entrepot

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5. pvc wallet, $39.90, ripcurl

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6. leather bracelets, $12, s2vs

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7. umbrella, $55, senz at red dot museum shop 8. netted tank top, poa, h&m 9. mesh backpack, $89.90, b+ab jeans at i.t

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10. cotton t-shirt, $36, topman

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11. plastic sunglasses, $65, minkpink at the wyld shop 12. metal bracelet watch, $269, ziiro at the red dot design shop 13. nylon board shorts, $119, quiksilver 14. studded canvas cap, $49.90, 77th street

FEATURE

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1. studded sandals, $39, preview

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2. acetate sunglasses, $109, le specs at define happiness sunglass shop

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3. felt hat, $49, j runway

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4. cotton t-shirt, poa, maison scotch

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5. umbrella, $44.90, totes at common thread 6. acetate sunglasses, $260, ksubi at define happiness sunglass shop

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7. leather skirt, $103, warehouse 8. pvc clutch, $279, mm6

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9. jelly sandals, $195, jason wu x melissa at m dreams 10. mesh pouch, $49, depression at sects shop

11

11. bikini top, bikini bottom, $69.90, both from ripcurl 12. chain necklace, $33, diva at miss selfridge 13. top, poa, paint it red at the wyld shop 14. shorts, poa, paint it red at the wyld shop

16

15. bangle, $459, mm6

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TECHNO TROOPER

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16. leather satchel, $189, dr. martens 17. netted outerwear, $69, seafolly

IT’S ‘GO HARD OR GO HOME’ WITH YOU SO THERE’S NO REASON WHY YOUR WARDROBE SHOULD TAKE A BACKSEAT.

1. wooden necklace, $36, w.e 2. sequin leather sandals, $130, steve madden

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3. pvc fringe bag, $31.95, colette by colette hayman

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4. acetate sunglasses, $389, retrosuperfuture at robinsons the heeren

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5. stretch polyester bathing suit, $219, seafolly 6. beaded fringe necklace, $32.95, colette by colette hayman 7. cotton tank top, $55.20, maison scotch at robinsons the heeren

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8. tie-up sandals, $61.80, mys at rockstar by soon lee 9. faux suede skirt, $69.90, pull & bear 10. metal necklace, $20.95, colette by colette hayman

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11. beaded bracelet, $29, dorothy perkins 12. canvas sling bag, $31.95, colette by colette hayman 13. straw fedora hat, $29.90, ripcurl

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14. beaded cuff, $100, awol at w.e 15. sequin top, $79, aijek at w.e

2 1

16. acetate sunglasses, $520, thierry lasry at define happiness sunglass shop

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4 1. straw slip-ons, $125, rivieras at leftfoot entrepot

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2. cotton t-shirt, $89, scotch & soda at robinsons the heeren 3. acetate sunglasses, $320, karen walker at define happiness sunglass shop

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4. leather card holder, $59, fennec at actually 5. leather belt, $38, desoul 6. canvas cap, $95, moupia at define happiness sunglass shop

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7. canvas sneakers, $109, vans

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8. denim bermudas, poa, pull & bear 9. canvas backpack, $129, fjallraven at actually 10. cotton tank top, $39, volta

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11. canvas sling bag, $119, gregory at 77th Street 12. acetate sunglasses, $429, retrosuperfuture at define happiness sunglass shop

AFRO BEATNIK

CHANT ALONG TO THE CATCHY CONGA WITH A DOWN-TO-EARTH GET-UP THAT CHANNELS TRIBAL ECLECTICISM.

Text & Styling Liyana Meer Styling Assistant Sziying Khoo Photography Burton Tang / Lumina Photography

FOCUS LABEL

48

YOUR SURF IN NUMBERS RIP CURL SEARCHGPS WATCH

In sports, we yearn for metrics – a quantifiable number that gauges the speed of our workout. We often find ourselves asking questions like how far did we run, how long did it take, and how heavy was the load?

Applying the concept of providing the most accurate measurements for surfers while out paddling in the Pacific Ocean, the Rip Curl SearchGPS watch was born. As founders of the tidal wave technology and the first of its kind, Rip Curl makes it possible for users to capture and analyse their surf data so they can relive every wave in detail.

A surfer’s best friend, the watch packs advanced GPS and motion sensors to provide reliable information on your surfing activity. This waterproof number monitors vital statistics and uses satellite positioning to track your movements in the ocean, measure the distance shredded and paddled, your top speeds, and session time. Displayed on a clean white-on-black monochrome LCD display, the watch can be synced via Bluetooth to an iOS device or desktop app. Afterwards, you can easily access and view your surfing log on a larger screen, represented primarily with graphic overlays of the collected GPS data on satellite

imagery – which can be shared on social networks – or even map your surfing course so you can plan your next surf in advance.

Looks-wise, the smart ticker is lightweight and comfortable. The straps and outer casing are fashioned out of a buoyant silicone polymer, while the belly sports a carbon fibre shell outfitted with contact plates for a quick battery recharge – but not before it is used for 10 hours of surf time. Functional buttons are found on the sides for easy settings, such as time and tide dates, alarms and backlight control.

A perfect tool for amateur and professional surfers alike, the uber cool wearable recently won three Cannes Lions awards at the prestigious World Advertising Awards. With smart looks and innovation to boot, the future is bright with this one and it has definitely changed the way we look at surfing.

$499.90, available at Rip Curl stores.

Text Liyana Meer Images Rip Curl

RUNNING ON AIR “Nike found a way to magically shave a few ounces off, and because of that, I feel like I can run faster”, said 10,000m Olympics 2012 silver medallist, Galen Rupp. For more than two decades, designers at Nike have constantly challenged themselves and pushed the boundaries of construction by creating shoes that are always better with each iteration – and most recently raising the bar with the new-and-improved Nike Air Zoom Structure 18.

The Nike Air Zoom Structure 18 features the Asymmetrical Dynamic Flywire and triple-density Dynamic Support system in the midsole that combine to highlight unparalled stability, while a new contoured anatomical design provides a more breathable fit and responsive ride.

With added Nike Zoom Air cushioning, the shoe encourages a quick toe-off that gives a snappy, almost instant off-the-ground feel that athletes covet.

Debunking the notion that stability slows one down, Nike has worked with elite athletes to create a model that delivers unshakeable steadiness.

Designed to slow down the rate of pronation – the inward roll of the foot while walking or running – this model is fitted with a dynamic range of performance benefits. Runners who have higher foot arches or who seek more cushion and support are now able to train longer and go faster, further pushing the boundaries of sports performance.

Dressed in bold colourways, the silhouette is enveloped with an Engineered Mesh upper where comfort and breathability is enhanced.

Technicalities aside, the Nike Air Zoom Structure 18 caters to the stylish set too, making it possible for people to customise everything from the lining and laces to the midsole accents of the shoe. A star-studded invention that delivers both good looks and quality performance.

SIX REASONS WHY YOU NEED THE NIKE AIR ZOOM STRUCTURE 18 1

MORE STABILITY The newly-designed shoe upper features Asymmetrical Flywire cables that provide lightweight comfort, and give a more contoured fit and stable ride.

2

RESPONSIVE CUSHIONING Nike Zoom Air cushioning in the forefoot delivers a crisp, quick ride.

Tiny fibres are embedded in the Zoom Air bag that flex into power position on impact.

3

NIKE ZOOM AIR UNIT The shoe features the Zoom Air Unit under the forefoot that provides a fast transition from heel to toe.

4

DYNAMIC SUPPORT Opposing wedges of foam are used with different densities to slow the rate of pronation and enhance the transition from foot strike.

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LIGHTWEIGHT COMFORT Engineered mesh throughout the upper provides comfortable ventilation and support where you need it most.

6

BOLD COLOURWAYS There’s something for everyone from striking cobalt blue to punchy hues of fuchsia. Don’t like what you see in stores? Then custom-make your own with NikeiD.

The Nike Air Zoom Structure 18 is available at all Nike stores.

Text Liyana Meer Images Nike

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FOCUS LABEL

NIKE AIR ZOOM STRUCTURE 18

FOCUS LABEL

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND

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SEIKO ASTRON 2014 COLLECTION

When it comes to investing in a classic piece of horology, nothing exudes a sense of timelessness coupled with forward-looking aesthetics better than the Seiko Astron. Turning the clock back a century, it was Kintaro Hattori’s founding vision that Seiko should always be “one step ahead of the rest”. Since then, Seiko has been known for its cutting-edge technology, steeped deep in a history of wristwatches, while producing timepieces made with stellar craftsmanship. In 1969, the Astron revolutionised horology, bringing ‘seconds per year’ precision within the reach of all. Now, the Astron brings with it an accuracy of one second every 100,000 years, complete with an automatic time-zone adjustment.

Having unveiled its next-generation prowess, the GPS Solar Caliber 8X82 harnesses the power of light to connect to the GPS network, telling time with atomic precision. Just like its predecessors, the revolutionary Astron is capable of switching to any time-zone worldwide at just a touch of a button; offering unmatched convenience to frequent travellers. In addition, secondary functions like manual time-zone selection have been made more accessible and intuitive with the new electronic setting function of the crown.

Accuracy and precision is enhanced with a six-hour chronograph with 1/5-second increments. Thanks to greater strides in energy-saving technology, a smaller antenna design led to a streamlined case that is 30 per cent smaller – the same size as most mainstream multi-function watches. The new Caliber comes in eight new variations, four in steel and four in titanium, with super-hard coating. With extremely high light penetration capacity, blue and white dial versions are also available on top of classic black.

In order to showcase how the latest model is as versatile as it is unique, 7000 pieces of the flagship limited edition Astron will be made, featuring a titanium case, white dial and a faceted ceramic bezel, available in various high-quality straps. The LE Astron takes what is already a genuinely great watch and adds a couple of distinct flourishing touches, making it a rare piece that will be remembered in time to come. Its enduring style is a testament to Seiko’s tech-savvy yet snazzy timepieces being light years ahead of the rest; and no watch on earth could better express Hattori’s vision.

The Seiko Astron 2014 collection is available at Seiko boutiques, #01-03 VivoCity and #01-29 JEM. thongsia.com.sg

Text Sziying Khoo Images Seiko

FOCUS LABEL

BEST FOOT FORWARD 52

STANCE HOLIDAY 2014 COLLECTION Stance was created with the most practical of reasons – to fill the void of socks designed for action sports. Add style into that equation, and you’ll get a stellar combination of quality socks with great performance that will cover your feet and up your style ante at the same time.

Designed in San Clemente, California, and worn widely around the world, the label was bent on launching cool fitted socks in a variety of colourways – eventually becoming a hit amongst athletes involved in board sports and basketball.

The brand caters to active lifestyles, and recently upgraded the functionality of its products by offering premium combed cotton, an elastic arch band support with seamless toe closures, and deep heel pockets for maximum support. Besides a steadfast vision to make socks that cradle the feet comfortably, Stance also believes in a design philosophy that allows wearers to express themselves creatively, thanks to the wide variety of fresh and spunky designs – a result of active collaborations with a community of athletes and artistes under a collective called ‘Punks & Poets’.

For its latest Holiday collection, on top of its usual quirky offerings, Stance teams up with NBA basketball star Dwayne Wade and renowned singer-songwriter Santigold. The collection under Wade’s series blends

substance and style with bold patterns fully loaded with bright colours.

Our favourite from the collection is Passion: a premium combed cotton silhouette with a 200-needle count that delivers an exceptionally soft feel; and Cubana: an eclectic design of leopard spots, stripes and checks that’s definitely a treat for the eyes. We also dig the three-piece collection featuring Brooklyn Go Hard, Gold Links and Kilimanjaro, curated by Santigold, that strongly encapsulates her love for music, art, travel and humanity. The fashion ingenue worked with artist Thom Lessner, who created exclusive sketches on the Brooklyn Go Hard silhouette and incorporated colours and patterns on the Kilimanjaro style.

By blending fashion and function, Stance has proven to us that we shouldn’t discount the little guys enveloping our toes. Not only do they provide an abundance of comfort and stay intact after 2359 washes, these spools of fabric will score plenty of attention everywhere you go.

Priced from $15 to $30, the Stance Holiday 2014 collection is available at all Royal Sporting House outlets and other authorised retailers. stance.com

Text Liyana Meer Images Stance

GO BIG OR GO HOME LONG CLOTHING

Hi guys! What’s the story behind the name Long Clothing?

The name Long came from when we first started the brand and specialised in making fitted t-shirts that were long in length.

brand, so relaunching Boy felt like a real honour.

Boy London has a fantastic history and watching 53 the brand grow again while being introduced to a whole new generation of followers has been amazing.

Coming from the UK, do you think your brand represents the London art and music subculture?

Long was the first brand in London to really push the whole monochrome, urban gothic look, which has become so popular in both the UK and all over the world. The brand definitely represents youth culture and is always evolving to set new trends for others to follow.

So you guys hit the decks last month at Canvas Singapore! When did you guys start DJ-ing and what sparked the interest?

We started DJ-ing when we first launched Long in 2008, mainly at East London fashion parties.

We’ve always loved music and the brand has a strong connection with a lot of DJs, bands and artistes, so it made sense to combine the two.

Tell us more about the Neon Collection. What’s the inspiration behind the bright, trippy series?

The Neon print collection was originally an exclusive range of t-shirts designed for Italy’s leading online store, Luisa Via Roma, which is now available everywhere for everyone. It was an exciting way of breathing new life into some of our most well-loved black-and-white prints from Long’s first collection.

How does Long Clothing endeavour to keep the identity of its brand fresh and distinct from other street labels?

Innovation. So many other brands are now basing their aesthetic on a look we helped create a number of years ago, so we’ve just got to constantly be one step ahead all the time.

You both have resurrected the Boy London brand as creative directors. How does it feel to be a part of a cult label with such a massive following?

First and foremost, we’re both huge fans of the Text Liyana Meer Image & interview courtesy of Actually

How do you feel your music resonates with your label?

The music we play always has a real UK flavour to it and is definitely the sound of London club life. I think the same people who enjoy the clothing line also enjoy the music, so the two kind of go hand in hand.

Where would be your dream club to spin at?

Berghain in Berlin! We both feel that it’s the best club experience in the world.

So what’s next for Long Clothing?

China takeover!

And since this is our ‘party’ issue, what are some of your party dos and don’ts?

Stop looking at your phone and dance!

The Neon Collection is exclusively available at Actually, Orchard Gateway #03-18. longclothing.com

PROFILE

IT IS OFTEN SAID THAT BIGGER IS BETTER AND IN THE CASE OF UK LABEL LONG CLOTHING, BIGGER IS EVERYTHING. THE BRAINCHILD OF GARETH EMMETT AND RHYS DAWNEY, THE LABEL HAS EARNED ITSELF A CULT FOLLOWING THAT STRETCHES FROM HOME AND BEYOND WITH ITS GRAPHIC OVERSIZED UNISEX TEES. BESIDES BEING THE CREATIVE DIRECTORS TO RESURRECT AND RELAUNCH ICONIC STREETWEAR BRAND, BOY LONDON, EMMETT AND DAWNEY DOUBLE UP AS DECK-SPINNERS TOO. WE SIT THIS ECLECTIC DUO DOWN FOR A CHAT TO FIND OUT MORE.

GET THE PARTY STARTED PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS IN YOUR FESTIVE BEST WITH PUNCHY PRINTS AND LOOK-AT-ME ACCESSORIES.

PHOTOGRAPHY TECK LIM / LUMINA PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT BURTON TANG & ALASTAIR TOCK STYLING LIYANA MEER STYLING ASSISTANT SZIYING KHOO MAKEUP MICH MAKEOVER USING MAKE UP FOR EVER HAIR DEN NG / TURNSTYLES HAIR DESIGN MODELS NELLY V / LOOQUE & MARTIN N / AVE SPECIAL THANKS TO F.CLUB

MARTIN WEARS SEQUINED PULLOVER STARSTYLING AT SUPERSPACE PATENT PANTS TOPMAN STUDDED CUFF 77TH STREET NELLY WEARS SPANDEX LEOTARD REVASSEUR AT SUPERSPACE TULLE SKIRT TOPSHOP PATENT FLATFORMS DEPRESSION FOAM NECKLACE & BRACELETS HEADLINE SEOUL AT FRONT ROW STUDDED BELT B+AB AT I.T

COTTON TANK TOP EVENODD AT SUPERSPACE DENIM VEST BERSHKA LEATHER ZIPPER PANTS ZARA LEATHER BOOTS DR. MARTENS STUDDED CUFF 77TH STREET

CREPE CROPPED TOP THREE FLOOR AT ECLECTICISM NEOPRENE LEGGINGS STYLE NANDA AT I.T CRYSTAL NECKLACE JOSIE CHEN AT THREADBARE & SQUIRREL CHAIN NECKLACE & BRACELETS 77TH STREET PLATFORM HEELS STEVE MADDEN

COTTON SHIRT NEON AEON AT SECT’S SHOP NEOPRENE PULLOVER 5CM AT I.T DENIM JEANS PULL & BEAR CANVAS SNEAKERS CONVERSE

COTTON CROPPED TOP (WORN UNDERNEATH) UNIF AT EDITOR’S MARKET MESH TOP STYLE NANDA AT I.T COTTON PENCIL SKIRT JOYRICH AT ACTUALLY PLATFORM SNEAKERS YRU AT PVS NECKLACES & BANGLES FOREVER 21 & 77TH STREET NAME PLATED CUFF STUSSY RING FEMME X

SEQUINED CROPPED TOP MISS SELFRIDGE DENIM VEST FINDERS KEEPERS AT ECLECTICISM FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS MISS SELFRIDGE STUDDED LEATHER HEELS DR. MARTENS STUDDED CLUTCH ONE.61 AT FRONT ROW EAR CUFF & CHAIN NECKLACE JOSIE CHEN AT THREADBARE & SQUIRREL STUDDED CUFF 77TH STREET

tom ford fall/winter 2014

CAT LADY

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polyester sling bag, $79, aldo

pony hair wallet, $49, topshop

MATCH

WARDROBE

RETURNING AS THE QUEEN OF THE SEASON IS THE SEXY LEOPARD. WITH AN ABILITY TO ELEVATE ANY ENSEMBLE, THIS VERSATILE FELINE PRINT MATCHES JUST ABOUT EVERY HUE AND SILHOUETTE FROM THE FALL WARDROBE AND BEYOND. THINK DRESSES, JACKETS, BAGS AND SHOES. AMP UP YOUR LOOK WITH A KEY PIECE, THEN COMPLETE WITH COMPLEMENTARY NEUTRALS.

rubber watch, poa, oclock at tangs

stone ring, poa, miss selfridge

polycarbonate sunglasses, $14.90, river island at zalora.sg

herringbone scarf, poa, esprit | mesh fabric neck scarf, $29.90, stradivarius | polyester scarf, $29.90, topshop

plastic sunglasses, $36, topshop

fine-knit hat, $14.90, h&m

fine-knit jumper, $39.90, h&m

faux-fur coat, $159, stradivarius

knit dress, $126, warehouse

polyurethane belt, $13.90, dorothy perkins

felt floppy hat, $39, preview cotton pants, $109, motivi at robinsons the heeren

pvc wraparound skirt, $14.90, h&m

canvas slip-ons, $34, preview

heels, $160, steve madden faux fur skirt, poa, topshop

cotton scarf, $19, myth | viscose scarf, $24, ii monkii | woven scarf, $19.90, h&m Text Liyana Meer Coordination Liyana Meer & Sziying Khoo

yohji yamamoto fall/winter 2014

SNOW PATROL

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canvas hat, $35, func deko

cotton socks, $16, func deko

knitted snood, £8, shopstyle.co.uk

MATCH

WARDROBE

LENDING A COOL NORDIC TOUCH TO PULLOVERS, HATS AND GLOVES, THIS TRADITIONAL PATTERN OF GEOMETRIC SHAPES IS JUST WHAT WE NEED TO INJECT SASS AND PERSONALITY TO USUAL COLDWEATHER BASICS. PERFECT FOR FALL AND THE HOLIDAY SEASON, THE MULTI-COLOURED FAIR ISLE WILL ENSURE YOU FACE THE FROST WITH STYLE.

plastic watch, $19, func deko

cotton socks, $9, topman

cotton backpack, $45.90, fuse

leather chukka boots, $129.90, lumberjacks | hide leather ankle boots, $129, pull & bear | leather chukka boots, poa, timberland

cotton t-shirt, poa, carven

knitted pullover, poa, topman

wool cardigan, $89, barbour mildon

knitted scarf, poa, french connection

cotton baseball shirt, poa, junya watanabe

wool vest, $59.90, desoul

knitted beanie, $33, topman

cotton shirt, $89, basic house at robinsons the heeren

fleece pants, poa, engineered garments at norsestore.com

cotton shorts, $70, diamondsupply.co

knitted pullover, poa, h&m

leather desert boot, $139, zara | suede chukka boots, poa, vans | suede leather chukka boots, $59.90, 24-01 at zalora.sg Text & Coordination Liyana Meer

MADEMOISELLE YULIA CHANNELLING FIERCE HARAJUKU SWAG, MADEMOISELLE YULIA IS AN ENIGMATIC FASHION AND MUSIC MUSE TO MANY IN TOKYO. COINED AS THE LADY GAGA OF JAPAN, YULIA IS NOT JUST A STYLISH INFLUENCER WITH HER OWN ACCESSORY LINE CALLED GIZA – WHICH HAS SEEN SUCCESSFUL COLLABS WITH JEREMY SCOTT, VIVIENNE WESTWOOD AND JOYRICH – BUT ALSO A REGULAR COLUMNIST FOR NYLON JAPAN, AND A CELEBRATED DJ. WITH HER SIGNATURE BRIGHT BLUE LOCKS AND SHORT BANGS, THIS NIPPON WONDERGIRL MIXES VERSATILE SEPARATES WITH CHUNKS OF ACCESSORIES, BRINGING STREET CHIC TO A WHOLE ’NOTHER LEVEL. 1

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[clockwise] 1. silver necklace (pack of two), $9.90, h&m | 2. zinc rings (pack of three), $19.40, II monkii | 3. cotton hoodie jacket, $308, joyrich x giza at joyrich.com | 4. cotton elastane cropped top, poa, everlast | 5. brass studded ring, $29, 77th street | 6. leather backpack, poa, moschino | 7. sequin flatform shoes, $229, yru at pvs | 8. cotton pencil skirt, $49, endclothing.com | 9. silver medallion earrings, $106, eddie borgo | 10. cotton pullover, poa, saint laurent

Text & Coordination Liyana Meer

THE CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE Why yes, it’s December and Christmas is almost here.

And with all the jubilant decor, glorious goodies and festive cheer, the warm fuzzies are starting to settle in.

But that’s not to say that the holiday season is without its worries. There’s the Grinch to deal with, ‘naughty or nice list’ anxiety, and all the pressies you need to plan for! If you haven’t gotten your keister out and about for your end-of-year shopping, never fear – we’re here to save the day with our list of essential gift items for all twelve moods of Christmas – no matter the feels.

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1. body oil (75ml), $55, l’occitane | 2. lingerie, us$59.50, lasenza.com | 3. applique pencil case, $21, cath kidston | 4. smashing pumpkins box set, us$285.99, smashingpumpkinsnexus.com | 5. sterling silver charm bracelet, poa, nomination | 6. nutcracker, £10.50, eddingtons at amazon.co.uk | 7. silk scarf, £165, liberty.co.uk | 8. bi-fold wallet, poa, fossil | 9. pillow cover, $99, alexandra ferguson at fab.com | 10. embroidered clutch, $1735.21, olympia le tan at farfetch.com | 11. candle, £38, bellafreud.com | 12. sticky notes, us$5, suck uk at amazon.com | 13. marquee light, $39.95, typo | 14. mother-of-pearl cufflinks, £85, paulsmith.co.uk | 15. art print, $20, rachel caldwell at society6.com | 16. leather keyring, $120, see by chloe | 17. cotton boxer shorts, $13.50, webundies.com | 18. 18-karat gold diamond necklace, £2097.20, jennifere meyer at net-a-porter.com | 19. iphone 5/5s case, $12.90, kikki.k | 20. luggage tag, $49.90, whole9yards | 21. schoolbook of love set, $24.90, the body shop

NAUGHTY 1

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1. book, $44.36, fishpond.com.sg | 2. metal spud gun, ÂŁ4.14, amazon.co.uk | 3. candy cane cigarettes, us$8, urbanoutfitters.com | 4. glass ball, $23, amazon. com | 5. cotton trunks, $14.61, asos.com | 6. cotton trunks, $19, topman | 7. pillow, $99, alexandra ferguson at fab.com | 8. deluxe vinyl 4lp box set, us$69.95, flying-lotus.com | 9. christmas cards (set of 8), us$65.51, peartreegreetings.com | 10. ceramic teacup set, $16, urbanoutfitters.com | 11. wasabi candy, us$7.95, gadgetsandgear.com | 12. inflatable toupees, $7, mcphee.com | 13. paperback book, $14.61. asos.com | 14. polyethelene clutch, poa, charlotte olympia | 15. leatherette notebook, poa, kate spade saturday at monoyono | 16. leather clutch, poa, charlotte olympia | 17. wooden box sign, poa, nordstrom.com | 18. porcelain cup, $47.50, mcphee.com | 19. paperback magazine, us$19.99, taschen.com | 20. cotton shopper bag, $24.35, asos.com

DANCEY 3 1

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1. plug-in earphones, $49, happy plugs at robinsons the heeren | 2. box set, us$34.99, deadmau5.com | 3. bejewelled leather watch, poa, fossil | 4. earplugs, $9, topshop | 5. recycled bowl, $39.90, uncommongoods.com | 6. ceramic butter dish, $19.99, modcloth.com | 7. journal, $14.99, modcloth.com | 8. light box, $79.95, typo | 9. greeting card, $5.90, kikki.k | 10. glasses (set of six), $80.30, uncommongoods.com | 11. plastic poncho, $12.17, asos.com | 12. radio turntable, poa, crosley at actually | 13. usb mix tape, us$24.13, iwantoneofthose.com | 14. vinyl and postcard box set, ÂŁ189.60, visionaire at net-a-porter.com | 15. pillow, $35, fab.com | 16. wooden cutting board, $24.99, modcloth.com | 17. walnut & aluminium digital radio, ÂŁ149.96, revo at mrporter.com | 18. uv face & body paint, $36.52, asos.com | 19. pillow, $35, fab.com 2 | 20. headphones, poa, skullcandy | 21. bluetooth speaker, $99, supertooth

LONELY 3

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1. paperback book, $9.99, urbanindigo.com | 2. rubber iphone5 case, $19.48, asos.com | 3. nail apothecary set, $59, butter london at sephora | 4. canvas tote bag, poa, xenotees | 5. plush toy, $24, urbanoutfitters.com | 6. bath & shower gift set, poa, lush | 7. notebook set, us$6.95, mcphee.com | 8. pint glasses (set of two), us$10, urbanoutfitters.com | 9. glass mug, £14.50, jcrew.com | 10. scented candle, £99, fornasetti at net-a-porter.com | 11. christmas diy kit, $10, innisfree | 12. beauty kiss pop collector’s edition, $350, marc jacobs at sephora | 13. the velvet underground 45th anniversary super deluxe edition, us$84.98, polydor.co.uk | 14. think pamper gift set, $50, soap & glory at sephora | 15. party color hit nail polish & nail art set, $55, sephora | 16. satin clutch, poa, lanvin | 17. table lamp, $69, plum & bow at urbanoutfitters.com | 18. microwaveable polar bear hottie, $19, topshop | 19. cookbook, poa, kinokuniya | 20. cocktail travel case, us$178, eastdane.com | 21. mini multicolor bath pearls, $10, sephora

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1. bluetooth bracelet, $89, jawbone at authorised retailers | 2. silk bow tie, $231, charvet at mrporter.com | 3. gold plated bracelet, $55, gorjana at indigo.ca | 4. leather diary, $54.90, kikki.k | 5. pen, us$540, faber-castell.com | 6. intense collection cologne, poa, jo malone | 7. rubber heels, poa, united nude at sole2sole.sg | 8. pens, poa, versace | 9. cracked-leather ipad mini sleeve, poa, alexander wang | 10. leather ipad case, poa, prada | 11. atlas, here be dragons album, $15, atlasbandsg.bandcamp.com | 12. bison leather briefcase, $3825, parabellum | 13. leather jotter book sleeve, $50, byndartisan.com | 14. leather watch, poa, shinola at robinsons the heeren | 15.leather watch, poa, tory burch | 16. cuff links, $210, swarovski | 17. leather bag, poa, dolce & gabbana | 18. sticker set, $5, the little drĂśm store | 19. silk, mohair and wool-blend tie, $161, drakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at mrporter.com | 20. golf bag, poa, munsingwear | 21. leather chukka boots, $299, timberland |

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1. room set, poa, jo malone | 2. smoothed to perfection set, $180, aesop | 3. bicycle, poa, shinola at robinsons the heeren | 4. drink flask, us$28.95, inkedshop.com | 5. book, £19.99, handwrittenletterproject.com | 6. bluetooth speaker, $218, bose | 7. darker than wax, feelings in colour, $30, darkerthanwax.bandcamp.com | 8. fijian water lotus eau de toilette 50ml gift set, $49.90, the body shop | 9. journal, £10.99, mollieandfred.co.uk | 10. throw blanket, $99, urbanoutfitters.com | 11. book, £54, maison martin margiela at mrporter.com | 12. christmas blend, $16.90, starbucks | 13. tea forte rejuvenation gift set, $85.20, teaforte.sg | 14. pillow, $59, denydesigns.com | 15. bathing flowers, $24.35, heathcote & ivory at asos.com | 16. headphones, poa, wesc | 17. compact mirror, us$19.95, inkedshop.com | 18. patterned cashmere and wool-blend blanket, £285, paul smith at mrporter.com | 19. diamond pendant lamp, poa, fredliveshere.com | 20. men’s travel buddies, $68, origins | 21. the mask bar set, $132, fresh at sephora

PECKISH 2 3 4 1

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1. christmas pudding lip balm, $7.30, asos.com | 2. classique caramel sweets, poa, hediard | 3. gingerbread cookies, $28, crabtree & evelyn | 4. exotic box set, $39, laduree | 5. book, $24.32, asos.com 2 | 6. pen, $19, topshop | 7. collectable design tin, $68, crabtree & evelyn | 8. pillow, $24, fab.com | 9. glass ornament, $5.95, typo | 10. leather bag, poa, moschino | 11. leather key fob, poa, mulberry | 12. mint chocolate perfumed diffuser, $36, innisfree | 13. cotton socks, $7.30, asos.com 13. | 14. speculoos cookie butter, $14, poppy & co. at naiise.com | 15. polyurethane clutch, $44.99, modcloth.com | 16. pvs sling bag, $31.78, nastygal | 17. candy hamper set, $100, dean & deluca | 18. acrylic necklace, poa, tattydevine.com | 19. candy, $7.50, sugarpova at robinsons the heeren | 20. cookbook, ÂŁ8, burton.co.uk | 21. scented candle, poa, yankee candle | 22. a season of magic tea set, $38, the 1872 clipper tea co.

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1. espresso maker, $1188, bugatti | 2. hardcover book, poa, kinokuniya | 3. coasters, us$170, alexander wang objects | 4. house of jo malone collection, $340, jo malone | 5. burleigh cow creamer, ÂŁ28, vandashop.com | 6. pillow, poa, tory burch | 7. bath party bath capsules set, $24, sephora | 8. croc-effect leather jewellery box, ÂŁ2,215, mara deluxe | 9. great ocean expedition porcelain diffusers, $79.90, mt. sapola | 10. diamante-embellished figurine, poa, tokidoki | 11. glazed apple tin of treasures, $36.90, the body shop | 12. noel home fragrance spray, $30, crabtree & evelyn | 13. gumball machine, $34.95, typo | 14. christmas svenska hem gift pack, $49.90, kikki.k | 15. chalkbard, $11.95, typo | 16. cotton apron, $11.70, amazon.com | 17. wood tray, us$350, aerin.com | 18. bottle opener, $130, jonathan alder at giftlab.com | 19. tissue holder, $29.99, modcloth.com | 20. decanter, poa, ralph lauren

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1. festive 20-can pack, $59, heineken | 2. big top twelve hand therapy musical tin, $83, crabtree & evelyn | 3. wood stacking game, $24.99, kikkerland.com | 4. wooden wall clock, $75, artori design at naiise.com | 5. ceramic plates (set), $44.99, modcloth.com | 6. superstar minis, $68, origins | 7. card game, $25, boardgamegeel.com | 8. mini beer pong, $75, uncommongoods.com | 9. card game, $14, urbanoutfitters.com | 10. lomo instant camera, poa, lomography | 11. disposable camera, $14, urbanoutfitters.com | 12. 7-inch pizza, us$16.18, iwantoneofthose.com | 13. soundgarden echo of miles, scattered tracks across the path, us$60,95, soundgardenworld.com | 14. playing cards, poa, hermes | 15. christmas in singapore coasters, $7.90, the coaster people at kapok | 16. creme de corps limited edition (500ml), $90, kiehls | 17. card game, $22.90, mytoyshop.com.sg | 18. doormat, us$19.99, modcloth.com | 19. water dispenser, $54.90, qualydesign.sg | 20. festive twin pack, poa, moĂŤt & chandon

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1. cotton socks, us$7.75, joyofsocks.com | 2. container, poa, dotandbo.com | 3. ballpoint pen, poa, mont blanc | 4. cotton tote bag, $19.99, modcloth.com | 5. desk organiser, us$15, amazon.com | 6. book, us$16.95, chroniclebooks.com | 7. clock, poa, lego | 8. plate set, $49.99, modcloth.com | 9. notebook, us$17, uncommongoods.com | 10. pocket ruled notebook, poa, moleskine at kinokuniya | 11. diy calendar, $34.90, kikki.k | 12. spectacles, $470, giorgio armani | 13. shot glass set, $14.99, kikkerland.com | 14. robot clock, ÂŁ12, paperchase.co.uk | 15. sling bag, poa, fossil | 16. greeting cards, $5.90, kikki.k | 17. puzzle, $19.44, iwantoneofthose.com | 18. worlds deluxe box set, us$49.99, porterrobinson.com | 19. ceramic mug, $14.99, modcloth.com | 20. cotton t-shirt, $15, facebook.com/wearespacedays | 21. board game, $19.99, gaminggadgets.de

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1. glitter slip-ons, $320, chiara feragni at robinsons the heeren | 2. leather bag, us$88, betseyjohnson.com | 3. card, $7.95, typo | 4. mini mani manor, $79, ciate at sephora | 5. box set, $50, happy socks | 6. crystal embellished clutch, sylvia toledano | 7. watch, poa, fossil | 8. mini leatherette notebook, poa, kate spade at monoyono | 9. iphone cover, poa, moschino | 10. music fountain speakers, $35.99, soundsoul at amazon.com | 11. greeting card, $7.30, happyjackson.com | 12. synapses cd digipak, $14, pleasantry.bandcamp.com | 13. moschino clutch, ÂŁ102, farfetch.com | 14. nikon coolpix s6900, $419, authorised nikon dealers | 15. tea bags, poa, actually | 16. christmas pudding bath bomb, poa, lush | 17. moleskine hello kitty limited edition notebook, $41, kinokuniya | 18. cd albums box set, ÂŁ38.99, suede.co.uk | 19. the best of the body shop advent calendar, $99.90, the body shop | 20. porcelain figurine bottle, poa, lanvin

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1. turntable, $480, audio-technica | 2. moustache wax, $29, captain fawcett at the panic room | 3. greeting card, $3.50, typo | 4. bandages (pack of 25), $7, urbanoutfitters.com | 5. payphone, $89.95, crosleyradio.com | 6. ceramic mug, $12.99, modcloth.com | 7. shaving set, £361.12, czech & speake at mrporter.com | 8. leather watch, poa, marc by marc jacobs | 9. hardcover book, poa, kinokuniya | 10. cushion, $39.90, wheniwasfour.com | 11. oasis definitely maybe 20th anniversary super deluxe box set, £100, oasisinet.com | 12. jingle bell sets, poa, lush | 13. stainless steel necklace, $18, wheniwasfour.com | 14. pillow, $35, fab.com | 15. retro calculator $9.99, iwoot.com | 16. the classic sets, $27, burt’s bees at sephora | 17. leather bag, poa, fossil | 18. hello kitty 40th anniversary collection nail kawaii set, $60, sephora | 19. gentlemen’s fragrance collection, $90, penhaligon’s | 20. yo la tengo, 30th anniversary extra painful deluxe edition, us$26.99, matadorrecords.com

SHOP IT LIKE IT’S HOT

Rockstar By Soon Lee Our go-to store for all things reliably cool, yet quaint and understated at the same time. The flagship boutique of the multi-label lifestyle institution is housed along the streets within the restored Orchard 22 building and stocks a wider range of hip apparel and knick-knacks, including an expanded menswear section. Perfect to pull out pieces that will make your loved ones feel like the special, unique snowflake they are.

Ground Level, 22 Orchard Road

The Assembly Store With a legit cafe extension next door, you can treat yo’self while you shop for others at this spiffy establishment. Despite its menswear-oriented goods, this multi-label store stocks a wide range of goods for the refined tastes of any discerning urbanite. Its careful curation of clothing, accessories and collectibles include Aark watches, Bellroy’s slim wallets and Monofold’s plush laptop sleeves, that are sure to excite any hype beast. #01-22/23 The Cathay

Keepers Why not spread the yuletide joy with a dose of local goodness? Keepers is a pop-up reppin’ wares from some of Singers’ stand-out designers and artisans. Treats include Mmerci Encore’s handcrafted aromatherapy products, and Mandy Wu’s tough-as-nails jewellery pieces that scream style. Only running till Feb 15 next year, expect a mad frenzy during this festive season.

Orchard Green (Junction of Cairnhill Rd & Orchard Rd)

Strangelets A quirky lifestyle store nestled amongst the creative enclave of Tiong Bahru, Strangelets is a treasure trove of eclectic bits and pieces ranging from unusual home decor items to stationery and accessories. Satisfy any aspiring homemaker with their range of beautiful, Swedish handcrafted trays from Åry, or please trendy young tykes with a pair of kids-sized Riviera soles.

7 Yong Siak Street

TotallyHotStuff Perfect for the too-busy-to-shop gift-giver, TotallyHotStuff brings together a range of offbeat gadgets and gifts, making it a one-stop shop for all things weird and wonderful. Think USB-powered mini fridges, toilet rolls with dollar prints, outlandish toothbrush sets, and retro-styled dial telephones; though we reckon the Luckies Scratch World Map will delight the wanderlust in anybody. #06-23 Orchard Central

WE MIGHT LIVE IN A SHOPPER’S PARADISE, BUT ADMITTEDLY, CHRISTMAS SHOPPING CAN GET SOMEWHAT OVERWHELMING. FRET NOT, WE’VE HACKED THROUGH THE LABYRINTH THAT IS SINGAPORE’S RETAIL LANDSCAPE TO MAKE YOUR LIVES A LITTLE EASIER THIS SEASON.

WoodWould Capable of converting any technophile, WoodWould peddles some of the prettiest stationery sets you can find. The quaint hole-in-the-wall is a haven in its own right, chock-full of whimsical bric-a-brac that include wind-up toys, letterpress gift cards and every kind of journal imaginable. Gifts aside, you’ll find the nicest wrapping papers, ribbons and such to make sure your gift stands out beneath the tree. #03-24 Mandarin Gallery

Spoilmarket Blending nicely into the Bohemian enclave of Haji Lane, this artsy little find is reminiscent of our grandmother’s attic. Find anything, from vintage-y apparel, bags and sunnies to old school signage and watch-face clocks. Though most items are commercialised vintage, it only serves to make them comparatively affordable gift ideas. Because, who doesn’t need a non-operational typewriter?

74 Haji Lane

Eclecticism & Lauren Jasmine This multi-label boutique carries some of the hottest international brands from New York, Los Angeles and London. Expect casual, classic pieces with an edge from the likes of Mink Pink, Free People as well as their own in-house label Made by Lauren Jasmine. If gifting threads are too tricky, their collection of delicate Dogeared jewellery is sure to make any girl swoon. #B1-06 Wheelock Place

Kapok Let this uber cool, cult lifestyle store do the thinking for you.

With 12 stores spanning across the region, this indie, multi-label brand is no stranger to the scene. Trust the perceptive folks of Kapok to edit a thoughtful selection of emerging brands that place focus on genuine, well-crafted products that include fashion, art, furniture and publications. #01-05 National Design Centre

Books Actually A book is food for the soul; so consider this store a gem amongst all the other indie establishments. Housing a selection of hard-to-find books, their titles cover a wide range of various subjects with a good mix of local literature thrown in. Do your loved ones a favour this festive season and stir up some lit lust.

9 Yong Siak Street

Text Sziying Khoo Image Various Sources

10 Thoughtful Tips for Great Gifting SURE WE LOVE THE PARTIES AND PRESSIES, BUT CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN THE FESTIVE INVITES AND GIFTS WE RECEIVE. IT’S A TIME WHEN WE REUNITE WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FLAMES TO SHOW THEM JUST HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO US. WHILE GIFTS ARE LIKE EXTRA CHERRIES ON THE APPRECIATION PIE, IT NEVER HURTS TO INJECT THAT BIT OF SENTIMENT IN THE MIX. SO SAY IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT WITH THESE HELPFUL HINTS.

Be The Early Bird Leaving your plans to the last minute is never a good idea.

Cards made of printer paper, unimaginative gifts, and IOUs all fall under the ‘lazy’ umbrella.

Simply plan early, get what you need before everyone else, and take your time with it. You’ll be thanking yourself later while you’re sippin’ on eggnog like it ain’t no thang.

Think Practically So you’re buying something for someone who has it all. They’ve got the nice house, the showy car, and the latest smartphone every six months – but they still haven’t gotten around to learning how to cook their favourite food or picking up a guitar for the first time. Pay attention not to what they have, but to what they’re missing.

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Do Your Research Sometimes you learn the hard way when you excitedly watch a loved one open a gift you blew your salary on, only to see their face drop with a hesitant, “Oh, you shouldn’t have…”. You really shouldn’t have. Before you go out and get that Megadeth boxset, go through their iTunes library to see if they actually have any of the band’s back catalogue – and not every release by Bruno Mars.

2

Know Their Size There’s nothing more deflating than having to exchange your gifts with their correct sizes. To avoid blunting the impact of your gift on unwrapping day, do a bit of detective work before you buy.

Consult the recipient’s friends and family, and do a bit of snooping through their closets and accessory drawers to know exactly what size fits best.

3

Be Creative Sure, you can pick up a bottle of Chanel No. 5 and an oversized Toblerone for your partner this Christmas, or you could think outside of the box – unless you want it to look like you picked up your gifts last minute at the airport. Mix it up with a lesserknown boutique perfumery, or a handmade, gourmet chocolatier.

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Get Your Hands Dirty A blundered message from the heart is infinitely more meaningful than anything store-bought. Ditch the pre-packaged cards and pick up the scissors and craft paper – it doesn’t take long to put something awesomely meaningful together with a little bit of elbow grease.

5

Send Them On The Hunt You’re never too old to go scavenging for a well-hidden gift.

Humans were hunter-gatherers to begin with, and the mere thought of a search mission is enough to bring those instincts straight back to the present. Turn any mundane environment into an exciting scavenger hunt with a few pieces of card and a little resourcefulness.

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Invest In Experiences Of course we cherish memories of the great things we’ve done, not just great ‘things’ alone. Take your partner on a hot air balloon ride or book a holiday with your best buddies to a place you’ve never been before. You can savour these experiences again in the future when you implement tip number six!

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Relive Memories Often, some of the best gifts are those that look to the past.

Memories make the heart grow fonder, and incorporating them into your gift is a surefire way to earn yourself a teary-eyed embrace. Use those unforgettable moments in a scrapbook, a photo frame, or mix-tape for a unique trip down memory lane.

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Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

Perfect Your Presentation All it takes is a quick YouTube tutorial to find out how to wrap a gift the right way. Even something as simple as colourful wrapping paper can sell the sizzle. If you’re feeling a tad more adventurous, spice it up with a song, or jump out of a giant gift box if you can manage to put one together and keep it under wraps.

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PICK: MISCHA X KAPOK Joining hands with kapok for the second time, Hong Kong-based label MISCHA releases their second exclusive collaboration, featuring the Jet Set Tote as part of its Camo Collection. Combining two opposing yet complementary elements like the fluid camouflage motif and bold hexagon print, the canvas bag with cream trimmings incorporates the store’s logo detail embossed onto the handles. Other bags in the collection include a duffel bag and pouch. $180 to $479, available at kapok’s flagship store at National Design Centre.

FLASH: FASHION

GOING UNDERCOVER Our love for Uniqlo burns eternally and this passion for basic staples and denim jeans spills over to every other collection and collaboration the Japanese fashion giant embarks on. This season, it brings back the UU kids line, developed in partnership with fashion brand Undercover. Designed as “clothes that let kids be kids”, the adorably chic collection combines high-quality basics with Undercover’s street-inspired styles, featuring fleece in pieces for both boys and girls.

From $14.90 to $99.90, available at 313@Somerset, Jem, Parkway Parade and Suntec City.

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future PROSPEX A modern reinterpretation of a brand classic, the Seiko Prospex Aviation Solar Chronograph combines sports watch expertise and performance into a handsome timekeeper. The steel bracelet style is fitted with a solar aviation chronograph that calculates distance, fuel, oil consumption and speed. Exceeding expectations of sports enthusiasts, this is a remarkable piece of wrist candy powered by light and delivers reliability throughout flights for pilots.

Available at Seiko Boutiques, including #01-03 VivoCity and #01-29 JEM.

PEP IN YOUR STEP

NEW BALANCE MH988X One of the brand’s most striking and innovative silhouettes to date, the MH988X comprises a premium suede upper atop a Fresh Foam midsole that delivers an unbelievably plush cushioning. The wax finish on the tongue houses the leather-accented model identifier and completes one of the most visually appealing silhouettes of the year. $169, available at selected New Balance stores, Limited Edt and Leftfoot stores.

VISVIM FBT SEMINOLE Cult Japanese label Visvim brings back the classic this fall, featuring hallmarks of the moc-toed silhouette – which includes a premium cowhide suede upper that rests on a Vibram sole unit fitted with a custom stamped leather insole. Its contemporary feel is elevated by a colour block patchwork ankle shroud, embellished with leather tassle fasteners.

US$575, available at visvim.tv.

REEBOK CARDIO ULTRA Designed for fast workout routines, fitness fans can now make quick, multi-directional moves with ease. A pioneering silhouette, it features ergonomically-placed bonded seams, which allow complete freedom of movement; and a unique tri-layer foam that absorbs impact and encourages essential rebound between moves. Workouts have never looked this good. $159, available at Stadium and Royal Sporting House stores.

NIKE AIR ZOOM STRUCTURE 18 Packed with uncompromising stability and support, the Nike Air Zoom Structure 18 raises the bar for a performance running shoe. Now in its 18th iteration, the shoes are lighter, smoother and more responsive with the triple-density Dynamic Support system, as well as Nike Zoom Air cushioning.

Runners can now stay inspired to meet and exceed their goals on the tracks.

Available at all Nike stores.

DANE REYNOLDS

GHETTO YOKE BOARDSHORT

SHOP TILL YOU DROP A whirl about town has us uncovering both new tenants and upgraded stores alike!

GET THE BOOT

Search Warrant

FLASH: FASHION

A world’s first, the waterproof Rip Curl SearchGPS watch lets you track the amount of waves you rode, your top speed, and location with in-built GPS and motion sensors.

Besides viewing the information on your wrist with its LCD display, you can also sync your data to the Rip Curl Search App to re-live your best moments on the waves. $499.90, available at all Ripcurl stores.

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Adding to its extensive list of collabs, Timberland teams up with Japanese lifestyle and fashion label, Beauty & Youth, a subsidiary brand of United Arrows, to produce a special edition Premium six-inch boot with Timberland’s signature details. The boot retains its simple and classic design that uses waterproof suede construction and a navy padded collar, plus an anti-fatigue footbed. The magic lies in its subtle accents, including special touches like golden round eyelets, tonal wheat coloured stitches and a leather tag embossed with both brand logos on each side. $359, available at Timberland stores while stocks last.

AGNES B. VOYAGE Level 2 TANGS Orchard

POLO RALPH LAUREN #01-01/02/03 & #02-03/03 Shaw Centre

’TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY Perfect stocking fillers for the gifting season.

ELEY KISHIMOTO X FOSSIL HOLIDAY COLLECTION Bringing together the creativity and rich heritage of both brands, the 19-piece collaboration exudes a quirky retro flair and includes watches and accessories in Kishimoto’s pop geometric prints – reminiscent of vintage laminate furniture. How about this for some modern and fun gifting? $79 to $579, available at #B2-06 Ion Orchard and #B2-90A, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.

CHRISTMAS IS LOVE AT TANGS Transforming an entire floor into a Christmas Wonderland, our favourite department store curates an eclectic mix of gifts to prep you for all the holiday gifting including Bynd Artisan’s hand-crafted leather accessories, Maison Curio’s charming jewellery trinket boxes, and quirky accessories from homegrown designer, Carrie K. With so much to choose from, there’s definitely something for everyone in the family.

Available at Tangs Orchard.

EVERLAST #02-15 Orchard Gateway

CELIO #01-05 Bugis+

VERSACE #B1-31/B2-29 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

Text Liyana Meer Images Various Sources

MADE UP FRAME IT UP All you showstoppers would agree: there’s no shying away from bold hues at a party. With a calendar of soirees lined up this holiday, we say there’s no better time than now to load up on the paint palette.

While multi-tiered eyeshadows and loud pouts are a no-brainer, the true standout lies in taking colour up and across the brow bone.

This fall, Edeline Lee and Christian Wignants pave the way with pigment-rich arches that light up the face.

To stand out from a sea of vampy darks and pale nudes, add a swipe of colour underneath or go all out and match ’em brows to your Technicolour locks; with sharply-tipped lashes to complete the look.

Text Jazmin Kelly Six Image M.A.C Cosmetics for Christian Wignants FW14

Pretty Packed WHETHER YOU’RE JETTING OFF TO THAT LONG-AWAITED WINTER SOJOURN OR ISLAND-HOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TROPICS, THESE NIFTY BEAUTY COMPANIONS WILL ENSURE YOU LOOK YOUR BEST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. BRAUN SATIN HAIR 1 DRYER

Instead of relying on weak and faulty in-room hair dryers, pack this foldable, lightweight companion for your next vacay. The smallest and lightest ever from Braun’s Style&Go travel collection, this smart dryer comes equipped with a multi-voltage capability so it’s plug-and-blow wherever you go. Its compact body makes storage fuss-free, while its styling nozzle makes both drying and shaping your style easily achievable through two Infrared heat temperature settings. $35, available at major electronic stores.

PHILIPS EASYSHINE IONIC STYLING BRUSH

FEATURE

One of the mane issues we’re always trying to beat is the annoying frizz and living in the tropics only exacerbates the problem. Add static to the equation and you’ll end up with a head of unruly flyaways. To smooth out the situation, this palm-sized brush dispenses negative ions that neutralise the positive charges of static electricity. Just a few swipes from roots to ends and hair is instantly silky and glossy. $55, available at major electronic stores.

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PERCY & REED THE PERFECT BLOW DRY MAKEOVER SPRAY

Think of this as a heat-damage protector, frizz smoothener and shape styler rolled into one. Suitable for all hair lengths and types, the lightweight mist coats strands in a shiny armour to reduce breakage from heat-styling, while adding a layer of lustre all ’round. Evenly distribute product on towel-dried locks, then blow-dry for frizzfree and bouncy tresses. For more volume, spray a few pumps onto the roots and style as usual. $26 (150ml), available at Sephora.

TONI & GUY HAIR MEET WARDROBE MINI

With colour jobs, chemical works, and heat styling, we’re constantly wreaking havoc on our hair – leading to dry and damaged strands. Aimed at restoring the glory of weakened tresses, this shampoo-and-conditioner duo helps to hydrate and revitalise hair that’s damaged from everyday styling abuse. Start with Cleanse Shampoo, which softens and fortifies the hair shaft, then finish your routine with Nourish Conditioner, which penetrates deep to restore moisture and lustre from within. $5.90 (50ml) each, available at selected personal care stores and supermarkets.

L’OREAL EVERSTRONG ANTI-BREAKAGE DUAL SERUM

We’ve become more aware of the harmful effects of sulfates in recent years. These chemicals, commonly found in shampoos and shower foams, are cheap surfactants (suds producing) that contain chemicals that dry and damage hair cuticles and skin.

Steering away from the nasties, this 100 per cent vegan formula combines juniper and rosemary oils with ceramides to re-energise and heal chemically-processed hair, preventing breakage and sealing split ends at the same time. $21.90 (30ml) each, available at selected personal care stores and supermarkets.

MANE FOCUS

TURN IT UP MAKE UP FOR EVER BRUSH SET

There’s no way, nor need, to pack your entire vanity on a trip so if you must bring brushes along, put this on your essentials list. Inside a handy zipper pouch are four 13cm travel brushes, complete with sturdy wooden handles and 100 per cent synthetic soft fibres. Comprising blush, concealer, eyeshadow and blending brushes, this set covers all the main tools you’d need, and offers a separate compartment within the pouch to stash a couple more. $110, available at Make Up For Ever at Sephora.

TOO FACED BEAUTY WISHES & SWEET KISSES

Why you must get this: it features some of the brand’s most versatile wearables, perfect for bringing on the tanned, sun-kissed look.

Featuring three cocoa powder-infused pigments from the brand’s best-selling Chocolate Bar eyeshadow palette, you can mix and match with the Chocolate Soleil bronzer to create a tropical goddess mien, or pair with the Snow Bunny bronzer for a luminous, radiant glow. Complete the look with the exclusive Naked Dolly lip gloss. $49, available at Sephora.

URBAN DECAY SHADOW BOX

It’s smaller than the brand’s Naked and Vice palettes but this all-in-one set truly packs a punch. Perfect for travel, it houses 12 versatile shades in a neat case, secured with a magnetic closure. Whether you’re in the mood for neutrals or want some colour to spice up your look, there are nine bestsellers and three new hues to choose from – including classics like Sin and Blackout, and the latest Moonshadow – a stunning bright navy. $52, available at Sephora.

SEPHORA PERFECT NIGHT OUT EYE SET

For a truly glamorous look that wows, up the ante with this dramatic trio of products. Perfect for evening soirees, the set includes a black kohl eyeliner that is creamy and easily blendable for intense and well-defined peepers; an ultra-black mascara that lengthens and adds volume to lashes; and a glittery gold mascara-eyeliner that can be used both to highlight lash tips and accent the eyes. $35, available at Sephora.

BASIC THEORY

LUSH THE SUNBLOCK SOLID SUNSCREEN WASH

Slathering on a full-body sunblock is a skincare step we often forget. To combat that, try this innovative two-in-one solution, used both as a shower wash and sunscreen at the same time.

Simply wet the bar and glide all over the body, then rinse off and pat dry. The formula will coat your skin with an SPF 30 protection, on top of chamomile blue oil to soothe, rose absolute to calm, and cocoa butter to moisturise. $30 (100g), available at LUSH stores.

NIVEA 3-IN-1 EXFOLIATING WIPES

Sometimes, we’re just too sloshed to go through different makeup removers and a wad of cotton pads by the end of the night. The easy and quick solution? These grime-removing wipes. Designed with two textures on each side, the softer surface gently removes makeup without tugging on skin; while the textured surface removes stubborn dirt and dead skin cells, thanks to its micro-exfoliation particles. $9.90 (pack of 20 sheets), available at all personal care stores and supermarkets.

Text Jazmin Kelly Six Images Various Sources

BURT’S BEES GARDEN TO HIVE SET

A collection of our favourites from the brand, this handy set of minis covers all the basic essentials you’ll need from face to feet. The perfect addition to your vacation vanity kit, it includes the Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion, Ultimate Care Hand Cream, Beeswax Lip Balm Tin, and Coconut Foot Cream, all neatly tucked into a collectible tin box. $37, available at Sephora.

INTO THE BLUE

A COLD-SEASON STAPLE THAT IS STUNNING AS IT IS GLAMOROUS.

Pure Pigment in Alluvium, $140, Illamasqua Apply dry for a iridescent midnight blue finish or wet to add an extra dimension.

Artistic Eyelashes in 145, POA, Make Up For Ever These high-quality falsies add drama and depth to the peepers to wow at every soiree.

Le Grand Bleu Eyeliner Pen in C01, $6.90, Catrice at Guardian Enhance your gazers with this smooth-gliding metallic cobalt blue.

TREND

edeline lee fw14

Nail Polish in Blue Belle, $3.90, Collection Cosmetics at selected Watsons stores A lasting formula that coats nails in a pretty, chip-free cerulean hue.

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Holiday 2014 Nail Polish in Barents Sea, $30, NARS This metallic medium blue adds a sheer pretty shimmer to dress up those holiday digits.

Pacific Blue Collection Lipstick in 291, POA, Inglot An attention-grabbing lippie that moisturises with vitamin E and apricot kernel oil extract as it paints a vivid cobalt.

Colour Mascara in Blue, $14, NYX at Sephora Make your lashes pop with two coats of this intense formula.

Cosmetic Colour Pencil in Pool Boy, US$16, OCC at occmakeup.com A multi-purpose option for eyes, lips and body, this soft aqua is a safer bet for conventional tastes.

Eyeliner in Lazuli, US$14, Lime Crime at limecrime.com Dazzling and eye-catching, this electric blue is a show-stopper for the party season.

Pressed Eyeshadow in Velocity, US$12, Sugarpill Cosmetics at sugarpillshop.com With just a single layer, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll achieve a highly pigmented splash of vibrant, matte royal blue.

Text & Coordination Jazmin Kelly Six

giles fw14

ANNA LUNOE A MULTI-TALENTED DJ, PRODUCER AND VOCALIST, THIS BONA FIDE PARTY-STARTER’S GOOD LOOKS MAKE ANNA LUNOE A RISING ARTISTE TO WATCH. GROWING UP DOWN UNDER, SHE’S SPENT YEARS SPINNING ALONGSIDE THE LIKES OF M.I.A., DAFT PUNK AND DISCLOSURE, EARNING HER GENRE-BENDING DJ SETS AN HONORARY PLACE AT CLUBS AND FESTIVALS WORLDWIDE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE AUSSIE LASS HAS MASTERED THE ART OF NONCHALANCE, DECORATING THE DECKS WITH HER EFFORTLESS CHARM, ENHANCED BY STRIKING DARK BROWS, RADIANT SKIN, AND A SUN-KISSED PEACHY GLOW.

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[clockwise] 1. oh bella edt, $79 (100ml), mandarina duck at sasa | 2. sparkling party holiday bb cushion spf 50+ in 21, $59 (in a set comprising a serum intense lipstick palette and travel-sized makeup remover), laneige | 3. lash extension volume mascara in 010, $poa, catrice at selected guardian stores | 4. color show neon lips lipstick in neon pink, $9.90, maybelline | 5. pearl aura brightening essence lotion, $24, etude house | 6. beach cruisers blush in 01 i love summer break, $5.90, essence at selected watsons stores | 7. work the colour eyebrow kit, $16.90, collection cosmetics at selected watsons stores | 8. spf 50+ face & body gel 50ml, $32.90, daylong at selected pharmacies | 9. perfect blow dry makeover spray, $26, percy & reed at sephora | 10. liquid eyeliner in deep black, $24.90, dolly wink at selected watsons stores Text Sziying Khoo Coordination Jazmin Kelly Six

MADEUP ICON

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PICK:

KIEHL’S VETIVER BLACK TEA COLLECTION To achieve a purer scent expression, the collection packs a punch by utilising one-third fewer contents than those found in traditional fragrances. True to the brand’s philosophy in working with the finest ingredients, sustainably-sourced Haitian vetiver is fused with Sri Lankan black tea in a full-bodied concoction that is earthy, yet sweet and citrusy. The formula, which extends to Kiehl’s specially formulated skincare range, includes a high performance cleanser and body lotion that promise to deliver round-the-clock skincare benefits. $33 to 45, available at Kiehl’s.

ONCE UPON A TIME

No one’s promising a ‘happily ever after’, but at least you get to look the part trying, as Etude House collaborates with Disney for its Princess collection. The range is split into Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, and Jasmine, and includes an assortment of BB creams, mascara, blushers, lipsticks and nail polishes. An intricate storybook concept for each line allows you to be the fairest of them all in the Snow White range, or brave and exotic to achieve Jasmine’s edgier look.

From $12, available at the Etude House.

FLASH: MADEUP

CHAMPAGNE SHOWERS 90

Give your makeup routine a sparkling boost this season with Laneige, with its exclusively packaged Sparkling Party Collection.

Encased in a clutch-like gift box, the Makeup Set includes glittery eye shadows in shades of pink and gold dust, complete with nail polishes in dazzling hues to match the bubbly in your hands. In addition, the brand’s much-loved BB Cushion and Water Sleeping Pack get a limited edition makeover in a packaging that is oh so party-appropriate.

From $45, available at Laneige.

SMOOTH OPERATOR Pamper yourself like a true A-lister with Soap & Glory’s Smoothie Star Body Buttercream. Like its delicious name suggests, this body lotion is jam-packed with five intensively nourishing oils whipped into a yummy mixture. Pistachio, almond and coconut oils paired with a winning combination of shea and cocoa butters deliver a dose of essential fatty acids and omega oils to leave the skin feeling soft and supple. Indulge your skin to this tub of delectable treats that’s also infused with a hit of calming vanilla. $25 (300ml), available at Sephora.

MAKE IT WORK Two must-have makeup brands for the party season.

CATRICE fall/winter 2014 collection Metallic and nudes feature prominently in the trendy collection, with bold and velvety textures to coat your peepers. Offset some of that drama with soft nude lip colours and moisturising Nude Illusion Makeup to create a flawlessly glowing complexion.

To top it all off, you can also create trend-worthy talons with the Luxury Lacquers Million Brilliance’s textured sheen.

From $3.90, available at selected Guardian stores.

ESSENCE fall/winter 2014 collection

New this season, the beauty line has doled out a nifty set of cosmetics like the Soo Glow! Cream To Powder Highlighter, which is ideal for every complexion and easily applied with the fingers, setting gorgeous accents on your mien. For intensive fluttering lashes, try a coat of Lash Princess Mascara with the Lash Base to achieve impossibly thick, sweeping lashes.

From $4.50, available at selected Watson’s stores.

HAIR AFFAIR

Five quick fixes for an improved mane.

L’OREAL PARIS KERATIN SMOOTH

Achieve the keratin treatment effect and get smoother yet weightlessly bouncy hair with this range – including shampoos and hair masks that perfect unmanageable hair for up to 72 hours.

From $9.90, available at personal care stores, major supermarkets and selected departmental stores.

PRIMP & POUT Formulated with moisturising rose hip and puru puru oils, the Ettusais Creamy Lip Crayons glide over our smackers effortlessly, plumping ’em up with natural lustre. Available in five Asian-oriented shades, advanced colour-fit pearls provide a soft, glowing lustre. Besides being cute-as-a-button, the crayon design only requires a simple twist to achieve some pout-worthy puckers. $23 each, available at Ettusais.

WOKE UP LIKE THIS

DOVE NOURISHING OIL CARE

Coating precious strands with the goodness of coconut and almond oils, the formulas in this series promise to nourish and repair dry, damaged hair, while protecting and moisturising the mane with fatty acids.

From $7.70, available at all leading supermarkets, hypermarkets and pharmacies.

ESSENTIAL DEEP CLEANSING CARE With an aim to rid product and sebum build-up on the scalp, this shampoo and conditioner duo combines smart cuticle care and cleansing expertise to help combat oily scalps while ensuring ends stay moisturised.

From $4.50, available at all leading supermarkets, hypermarkets and pharmacies.

KIEHL’S DAMAGE REPAIRING REHYDRATING HAIRCARE

Addressing the most damaged, distressed and dry hair caused by excessive chemical processing, heat-styling and physical stresses, this restoring range features moringa oil and hydrating hyaluronic to bring about an intensively revived mane.

From $38, available at Kiehl’s.

We know how hard it is to attain the perfect bedhead. Helping us out one fab product at a time, Bedhead introduces Haze Glaze, a lightweight styling serum that enhances shine and reduces frizz. Enriched with sugar cane extract and cashmere keratin, this semi-sweet serum smells like creme brulee and brings moisture and shine to the tresses while adding restorative proteins to nourish and smooth.

Apply on mid-lengths to ends for added shine and to tame frizz. $32 (60ml), available at Watsons and Sasa stores.

PURE Intentions More like a miracle, micellar water has been lauded for its no-rinse, three-in-one makeup removing magic. The Purevivi Cleansing Lotion is a paraben- and alcohol-free version that dissolves makeup while cleansing, soothing and moisturising the skin. Infused with a host of natural fruit and plant extracts like grapefruit, lemon and jujube, it is suitable even for sensitive skin, leaving our bare faces feeling fresh and light as air. $19.90 (500ml), available at Watsons.

CLean FIend

ORIGINS OJON Restore vitality and radiance to your tresses with the nourishing powers of Ojon Oil – an old beauty secret used by Central American women.

The natural ingredients work to repair, condition and shine.

From $34, available exclusively at Robinsons The Heeren, Robinsons Jem and Robinsons Raffles City.

Text Sziying Khoo Images Various Sources

Well-loved by professionals and consumers alike, Bioderma’s famous formula now comes in a nifty new design fitted with a practical pump that allows for single-hand usage.

Still boasting the micelle solution’s exceptional cleansing prowess, the alcohol-free formula soothes and cools as it cleanses, and its soap-free base makes it suitable for those suffering from skin irritation and redness. $42.90 (500ml), available at selected pharmacies and departmental stores.

GET YO’ GROOM ON HOT BOD

There’s no way to escape the sun at a beach party, but you can dodge harmful UV rays with SCO’s Sunlover Bodyscreen, a lightweight and non-greasy formula enhanced with moisturising sodium hyaluronate and olive leaf extract to repair sun-damaged skin. Best part is, the formula is free of oil, alcohol, parabens and BAPA, making it suitable even for sensitive skin. $25 (60g), available at Strip, Browhaus, Spa Esprit, and We Need A Hero.

YOU’VE GOT YOUR TICKETS AND WARDROBE ALL READY, BUT DON’T HEAD TO ZOUKOUT WITHOUT THESE GROOMING ESSENTIALS.

NO SWEAT

RAVE-READY HAIR

MAN UP

Spruce up your man ’do with the TONI&GUY Hair Meet Wardrobe Men’s Collection.

Available in three variations, the Styling Pomade provides a sleek and neat finish to keep your crowning glory in place throughout the night. For an even stronger hold, try the Styling Clay and Styling Fibre to create a textured and matte finish for a casual cool look that spells style. $19.90 (75ml), available exclusively at selected Watsons stores

MILLION-DOLLAR MUG 92

Never shy away from sunscreen, especially when it concerns your precious face. Lush’s aptly-named Million Dollar Moisturiser provides SPF 30 coverage, with a host of other ingredients like evening primrose oil to hydrate and restores the skin’s appearance.

To pump up your tan game, subtle ‘magic orange’ pigment and sesame oil refract the sunlight, leaving behind a healthy, natural glow. $110 (45g), available at LUSH.

Endear yourselves to others by keeping a handy bottle of Adidas 6 in 1 Anti-Perspirant Cool & Dry close to you for freshness all night long. Adidas’ innovative new formula promises odour protection, and 48-hour wetness control that is also anti-bacterial. Plus, it delivers a bright citrus scent to up your stud factor.

From $49 (30ml) to $79 (100ml), available at all Sasa stores.

AFTER PARTY

After a night of partying with wild abandon, nourish your fatigued skin with Kiehl’s Craig & Karl Collection, which sees our favorite Kiehl’s products turn into kaleidoscopic visual treats. Formulated with nurturing oils, hydrate your skin with the classic Crème de Corps and brighten sleep-deprived faces with the light-textured Ultra Facial Cream, or invigorate it with the natural goodness of the Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner. $48 to $90, available at Kiehl’s stores while stocks last.

‘FUMES TO FLATTER Leave a scented trail in your wake.

ATKINSONS 24 OLD FERRARI VETIVER BOND ST TRIPLE ESSENCE EXTRACT Embodying timeless masculine

Re-concocted to pack a bolder punch, the Triple Extract is a highly concentrated version of 24 Bond St, the quintessential gentleman’s cologne. It’s a delightfully aromatic cocktail of juniper, rose and black tea, intensified with an inflection of smokey, oak-cased whiskey. $168 (50ml), available at Robinsons The Heeren & Escentials.

elegance, this fragrance is sure to flex those muscles for you. Sparkling top notes of bright Italian citrus and warm cardamom, wrapped in refined orris, lead into the iconic heart of vetiver, where notes of coffee bean add a finishing touch to its earthy depth. $142 (100ml), available at select departmental stores and the Ferrari Boutique, #B2-98 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.

Text Sziying Khoo Images Various Sources

FOCAL POINT

NAVIGATE

How many times have you primed your smartphone for the perfect shot, but it was just a little too far, too dark, or too small?

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing wrong with introducing some outside help. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 breaks boundaries with its multi-manufacturercompatible lens, which can be mounted unto smartphones of all types to turn the former into a 20.2-megapixel camera, via a Wi-Fi connection.

Boasting a wide ISO sensitivity range, image stabilisation and high-speed auto-focus, the detachable camera shares photos and videos in stunning detail directly to your mobile device with an effortless one-touch connection.

With ZoukOut 2014 just around the corner, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the ideal companion both for the snap-happy party animal or budding shutterbug. $649, available at Sony Stores, Sony Centres and authorised retailers, including #02-28 to 37 313@Somerset.

Text Trent Davis Image Sony

THE HUNGOVER GAMES AS ZOUKOUT CREEPS CLOSER AND THE EXCITEMENT BUILDS TO A CRESCENDO, WE KNOW THERE ARE PLENTY OF YOU THAT WOULD RATHER GO HARD THAN GO HOME. BUT HOW HARD WOULD YOU GO TO CURE A HANGOVER? CIVILISATIONS HAVE SEEKED THE RIGHT REMEDY FOR CENTURIES, WITH SOME DOWNRIGHT BIZARRE RESULTS ALONG THE WAY. WE’VE COMPILED 10 OF THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS VARIETIES OF ‘THE HAIR OF THE DOG’ FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE GLOBE THAT WILL TURN EVEN THE HARDEST PARTY ADDICT GREEN AT THE GILLS.

FEATURE

LEMON SLICE IN ARMPIT

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(PUERTO RICO) The Puerto Ricans figured that the best measures are preventative ones, and that the only way to counter a besotted mess in the morning is to rub a slice of lemon in the pit of your drinking arm. As if misinterpreting a Corona memo instructing to put the lemon into the top of the bottle, this age-old remedy purports to prevent dehydration, but makes very little sense when considering the technicalities of the practice. While it may not stop a headache upon waking, one thing is guaranteed – it’ll keep you smelling fresh all night long.

BUFFALO MILK

(NAMIBIA) There’s nothing like chasing a bad hangover with more alcohol – we’ve all tried it, and we can attest to the disastrous results. With complete disregard to science, the Namibians remain faithful to this principle and stay true to their liquored, lactose concoction. Forget milkshakes – how about a dose of clotted cow cream, whole cream, and cream liquor, along with shots of both dark and spiced rum thrown into the mix? With nothing in this dairy nightmare actually coming from a buffalo, an upset stomach and prolonged inebriation will likely take your mind off the treachery of your previous night’s antics – only to bring it back again later down the track.

DEEP FRIED CANARY

(ANCIENT ROME) Usually, the thought of devouring deep-fried chicken for a morning-after feast gets our motors running, but the ancient Romans fancied the feathers of a different flock. Long before the ‘Colonel’ came up with his 11 secret herbs and spices, the once-mighty conquerors were fonder of having enchanting songbirds on their breakfast plates after a boozy comissatio banquet.

Pliny the Elder, famous author and military officer of the early Roman Empire, recommended that the canary was best served by flash-frying in hot oil, followed by a light dusting of salt and pepper. We can just imagine seeing ‘Pliny’s Crispy Canary’ on the Food Network if the Roman was still kicking about in the 21st Century.

ROLLMOPS

(GERMANY) It’s no secret that Germans are hard drinkers – they dedicate an entire month of the year to beer for crying out loud. We have no problem getting behind the endless beer steins, sultry dirndls and knee-slapping festivities of Deutschland’s drinking culture, but the katerfrühstück breakfast leaves much to be desired. Translating to “a tomcat’s breakfast”, the popular rollmops dish consists of vinegar-laden gherkins and onions wrapped in a raw, pickled herring fillet. Thought to replenish electrolytes and pump some sugar back into your blood, the delicacy is admittedly another example of renowned German efficiency.

VOODOO

(HAITI) It’s hard to deny the pull of spicy Caribbean rum, and the Haitians are no exception to its allure.

So when they snap out of the intoxicating spell the brew put them under and shame starts to sink in, it makes sense to want to call upon the spirits to exact some revenge. Using voodoo as their weapon of choice, the Haitians have been said to stick pins in the cork of the bottle beguiled them, hoping to find a small token of comfort in retribution. Let’s face it, we’ve all been there – it was the drink’s fault, not mine!

LECHE DE TIGRE

(PERU) Ceviche has long been a popular party dish, but the Peruvians don’t let a single drop of it go to waste. After a long night of knocking back Pisco Sours, the leftover marinade, unusually named leche de tigre (tiger’s milk), serves as a tart ender to a bender. The mixture of lime and lemon juice, fish stock (complete with scraps), garlic and ginger is thought to accelerate the filtration of alcohol from the body, while also allegedly acting as an aphrodisiac – though we’re not sure who’d want to lock lips with someone who’s just gulped a glass of this stuff.

POUTINE

(CANADA) The Canadians have always been breakfast maestros, and they get it right once again with poutine, their deepfried delicacy. But let’s be honest here – this dish will make most of us hungry with or without the hangover. French fries and cheese curd topped off with salty, savoury, peppery gravy is just the thing we like to nurse a throbbing headache once we’ve turned in our beer goggles. It almost makes you want to get loaded just so you have an excuse to gorge on this delightful dish without the complementary guilt. Oh Canada, please never change.

UMEBOSHI

(JAPAN) We all know that the Japanese salaryman likes a drink, and if you’ve been on the Interwebz within the past few years, you would’ve undoubtedly chuckled at a photo or two (or ten) of a drunken suit sprawled shamelessly throughout Japan’s metropolitan train system. Upon waking in the middle of a busy station or packed-out train, the Japanese are known for putting themselves back together by consuming umeboshi AKA sour plums. Though we’re not sure if the plum has any chemical properties to actually remedy the effects of a late-night karaoke boozer, the sourness alone is likely enough to shock the system into getting back to business.

TOMATO JUICE AND PICKLED SHEEP’S EYES

(MONGOLIA) “Say what?” – that’s right folks, pickled sheep’s eyes with a glass of tomato juice to wash it down. This one is pretty self-explanatory, and there’s not much a gourmand could tell you to make this anymore appealing than it sounds. As if dreamt up by Wes Craven in a twisted take on the Bloody Mary, this is a drink only fit for a bloodthirsty Khan. We have no idea how this should be consumed, other than very quickly and straight down the gullet.

BALUT

(THE PHILIPPINES) Perhaps the most stomach-turning hangover ‘cure’ of them all is the infamous balut. Rich with protein and cysteine, Filipinos claim that the fertilised duck embryo (beak, feathers, claws and all) breaks down toxins from alcohol in the system to restore you back to health. Though we’re often game for a lot of things, we remain sceptical on how forcing this dish down is going to help deal with the aftermath of getting too tanked the night before.

Philippines, you win.

Text Trent Davis Illustrations Jackson Kang

PARTY HARD(WARE) PLEXIDRONE

GEAR

Who needs a selfie stick when you’ve got your own personal robot photographer? With the PlexiDrone, engineered as an aerial photo and video capture assistant, party-goers and social media fanatics can look forward to documenting the night’s happenings from a bird’s eye view.

Capable of following you based on your movements via GPS, you can revel in the stardom of being the lead in your very own party documentary.

Customisable payloads put you in the director’s seat with the choice of hooking up a smartphone, GoPro, 360-degree Bubl camera, or any other image-capturing device to shoot your soiree from a fresh perspective.

Even add on a robotic claw arm if you feel so inclined for mid-flight transportation – but its uncanny resemblance to James Cameron’s aircraft in The Terminator means it’s probably best to keep off anything that ‘Skynet’ might be able to exploit. Ya know, just in case.

US$699, available to pre-order at plexidrone.com with a tentative March 2015 shipment.

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KEECKER

Though it can’t fly or fall in love (yet), it’s the next best thing to Eve from WALL•E that we’re going to get in 2015. Keecker is an all-round go-getter, and it’s hard to not like the little fella. Described as the world’s first “HomePod”, Keecker is an all-inclusive mobile home entertainment robot that will turn up any party with its powerful 360-degree video camera and surround sound system. As well as acting as a mobile cinema, the 90-degree vertical projection system is capable of teleporting rooms to underwater or intergalactic locations, or any other wild decoration that your mind can fathom. So with the entertainment covered, who’s on security duty? Keecker is happy to be your bouncer, alerting owners to movement, noise, temperature and CO2 changes directly to a smartphone with remote video and sound monitoring features. Santa, will you please put this in our stockings already?

US$2,590 (early bird), available to pre-order at keecker.com with a tentative May 2015 shipment.

SAMSUNG GEAR VR

So your apartment may not be the party pad that you always dreamt of. Why not host your soiree at the Playboy Mansion? While Hugh Hefner will not be sending out your personalised invites, the Samsung Gear VR makes it possible – well, almost. Working with the people who conceived the Oculus Rift, Samsung’s virtual reality system is powered by the Galaxy Note 4 and is independent of a computer, contrary to its predecessor.

When inserted into the front of the headset, the wearer is immersed into their favourite films and video games through dual 3-D lenses. Though the system is currently limited to video and gaming, future iterations promise to teleport us to new worlds with limitless possibilities. With the eyes of the general population often glued to smartphones, the idea of having everyone wearing these headsets and, at least, interacting with each other in a fantasy world is no stretch of the imagination.

POA, visit samsung.com/sg/gearvr for more updates.

REMEMBER WATCHING BACK TO THE FUTURE II AND THINKING THAT WE’D NEVER WITNESS ANY OF THOSE AWESOME INVENTIONS IN OUR LIFETIME? SO FAR, THE GENIUSES RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING US VIDEO CALLS, FACE RECOGNITION AND 3-D HOLOGRAMS HAVE FULFILLED THOSE PROPHECIES, WHICH CAN ONLY MEAN THAT THE PARTIES OF THE FUTURE WILL BE FULL OF B*TCHIN’ INVENTIONS TO BOOT. PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR A NEW ERA OF PARTY TECH – IT’S COMING SOONER THAN YOU THINK. PAVLOK

It’s no secret that living the party life can encourage some pretty bad habits, and nagging has the tendency to only make matters worse.

What you need is a shock to the system to really get the message across. Introducing Pavlok, the quintessential gadget based on Pavlovian conditioning for masochists everywhere (or more likely, people who just need to get their sh*t together). With the choice to be worn as a wristband or glued to another part of the body (don’t get any funny ideas), users can program the device to beep, vibrate, shame, or send out an electric shock when engaging in the habit they’ve set out to break. Naturally, the nano nanny has wide application for party people. About to drunk-text an ex?

Enjoy an electric shock. Approaching a burger joint after slamming beers all night? Pavlok just told the world about it from your Facebook.

The possibilities are endless.

US$175, available to pre-order at pavlok.com with a tentative June 2015 shipment.

COOLEST COOLER

Despite the fleeting fad of owning an Internet refrigerator being a distant memory, we still can’t seem to get the idea out of our heads that edibles don’t need to be ‘hooked up’. But that hasn’t stopped the team behind Coolest, the world’s first ‘smart’ cooler, from giving it a crack, and it certainly hasn’t stopped people from shelling out their clams to own a piece of the hype. This pimped-up esky integrates all that you could need for an outdoor shindig, including a waterproof Bluetooth speaker system, USB charging ports, LED lighting, and even an 18-volt rechargeable blender – say hello to mojitos! While it may seem like an overkill, we have no doubt that these ice boxes will be blending up a storm throughout our backyards and balconies. If ZoukOut ever gets canned (heaven forbid), keep one of these babies handy and throw your very own beach rave with ice-cold booze to boot.

POA, visit coolest.com for more updates.

JOOKBOX

We’ve all been to parties where some overzealous DJ is spinning his ‘special’ collection of oddities; or when a partygoer – two six-packs deep – swaps out your iPod for their own to put a dampener on the evening. Forget all that with JookBox. The ultra-durable, waterproof speaker is more than just an average Bluetooth-based sound system and aims to make music social again. Through the JookBox app, multiple users can control the party’s playlist, adding songs of their own from various music libraries or smart devices. Playlists can be synced to up to 10 JookBox speakers at the same time with one or more playlists, meaning you turn your party into one big rave powerhouse, or designate pumpin’ dancefloors and chill-out spaces separately. And don’t worry about those uber-obscure tracks slipping through – spot anything unsavoury and you can kick that sucker off the list. At your own risk, of course.

US$99, available to pre-order at bsxaudio.com with a tentative February 2015 shipment.

Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

GEAR

5 WAYS CASIO

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IN THIS SOCIAL-MEDIA OBSESSED #SELFIE GENERATION, HAVING A FUN TIME JUST DOESN’T CUT IT ANYMORE; YOU GOTTA SPLASH PHOTO EVIDENCE ALL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA FOR IT TO REALLY COUNT. TO FEED OUR APPETITES FOR HIGH QUALITY FOOTAGE, MINUS THE BURDEN OF A BULKY DSLR, WE TOY WITH CASIO’S EX-FR10 CAMERA AND UNCOVER WHY IT’S AN ABSOLUTE PALM-SIZED GEM. QUALITY – CAMERA DIGITALLY AND PHYSICALLY AND SCREEN 1 SUPERB 3 DETACHABLE With a 21mm wide-angle lens that promises minimal distortion, this 14-megapixel camera takes not just crisp, vivid photos with an aperture from f/2.8, but also full high-definition videos. Unlike most plastic compact cameras, the FR-10 also has a textured matte surface that elicits a sturdy, rugged feel.

EXILIM EX-FR10 ROCKS

Apparently a world’s first for compact cameras, the camera module (lens) can be easily separated from the LCD-equipped controller, giving you three exciting wireless shooting styles for varying purposes. Have both the camera module and LCD screen facing yourself for a quick selfie; fold the camera module backwards on its hinge for a nifty point-and-shoot; or transform the contraption by splitting up the camera module and LCD-equipped controller for remote or hands-free interval shooting.

4

WIDE RANGE OF MOUNTS

5

BUILT-IN WI-FI

Get the vantage point you want by strapping it just about anywhere for a hands-free, first-person point-of-view experience. Strap it to your wrist or forehead with the multi-angle belt set; hook it up on a lanyard to rest snugly around your neck; or conveniently mount it on the multi-angle clip to attach it firmly to your shirt. Of course, it also comes with a tripod adaptor for your big group photos.

Being the obsessive perfectionists we are, we love the split function that allows us to set the camera module somewhere, and focus on framing our ‘candid’ shots via the real-time view from the LCD-equipped controller.

AND SPLASH-PROOF 2 LIGHTWEIGHT

At a nimble 175g, pop the EX-FR10 into your cross-body or chest pocket, and you’re all set to go without worrying about achey hands or shoulders. With a drop durability of two metres, it’s also splash-proof – perfect for both the klutzy and the young’uns.

Forget about #throwbackthursdays, share your adventures live by uploading dynamic pictures instantly on social media via the camera’s built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. Easily create a photo slideshow or short movie for a quick summary of the day, complete with pre-installed background music. Should the LCD battery run out, you can also opt to remotely control the camera module from the mobile app.

$699, available in three colours (orange, green, and white) at authorised Casio retailers including Best Denki, Gain City, and Harvey Norman. Visit casio-intl.com/sg/en for more information.

Text Ling Tay Images Casio

iS

www.audio-tecnica.com.sg

Active, comfort fit earphones for the sports enthusiast

EU-PHORIA

THOUGH THINGS HAVEN’T BEEN TOO HOT IN THE EUROZONE LATELY, THESE CULINARY COGNOSCENTI HAVE LANDED ON OUR SHORES TO TURN UP THE HEAT WITH THEIR CASUAL DINING CONCEPTS. MR BERLIN

Deutschland-devotees are going to be overjoyed with the opening of Mr Berlin, which specialises in the nation’s beloved weiner – currywurst. The world-famous street-side sausage hailing from post-war Berlin can be found just about anywhere in Germany, and now in our own backyard.

Mains: The one true star of the show is, of course, the Original German Currywurst ($9.80). Simplicity speaks volumes with its custom-made sausages, topped off with secret recipe curry ketchup and a dash of curry spices. Aside from a choice of pork or chicken bratwurst, how much heat you can handle is completely up to you — covering three levels of spiciness with Berlin Calling, Go West, and Break The Wall increasing in temperature respectively. The dish has enough tang and zing to have you sprechen in Deutsch like a true Berliner.

Sides: Pair up your currywurst with some classic pommes rot/weiss, otherwise known as red/white fries ($3.50 or $12.50 with currywurst combo), or go with a classic freshly baked organic bread roll ($2 or $10.90 with currywurst combo) for an authentic touch.

Drinks: Naturally, you’ll want to wash all of this down with a full-bodied, wheaty German lager. Enjoy a glass of hoppy bouquets to complement the hearty meal from the oldest brewery in the world, Weihenstephan, in quarter-litre ($6.50) and half-litre ($12) steins. Every Wednesday is Guys’ Night Out at Mr Berlin, where lads get to enjoy a free quarter-litre glass of draft lager with any currywurst dish from 6pm to 10pm. Sorry girls!

GRUB

LE COMPTOIR 100

The French are a proud people, and when it comes to cuisine, they’re not afraid to show it. Le Comptoir is serious about its crepes and puts pancakes back into perspective in a chic, nautically decorated open concept brasserie.

Mains: There’s no need to fix what it isn’t broken, which is why the classic, savoury crepe menu shines for keeping to tradition with simplicity and authenticity. You can’t go wrong with a Ménage à 3 ($14), a crisp, wafer-thin pancake delicately filled with Emmental cheese, ham and egg. If you’re feeling a tad friskier, dive into a Ménage à 5 ($16) by adding mushroom and tomato into the mix. Those too progressive to adhere to convention would enjoy the ‘experimental’ menu, which delights with items like the Seafood Spirit ($25), packed with scallops, butter, and bacon and leek fondue. Don’t worry sweet tooth, there’s plenty of dessert crepes too.

Sides: It’s always more fun to share, and the assorted Prélude items offer up typical platters full of the usual suspects with a selection of fine deli meats, seafood, fruit and cheeses, ranging from $13 to $23 per plate.

Drinks: Despite its comprehensive list of French reds and whites, you’ll see patrons sippin’ on cider to complement their crepes. Though apple cider is a safe choice, the Cidrerie de la Brique Poire (pear cider) from Normandy is a true showstopper bursting with sweetness.

79 Circular Road, tel: 6534 7645.

FOC

Michelin-starred chef Nandu Jubany has come a long way from Barcelona to make his Singaporean debut with a menu full of Catalan classics, providing testimony to the passion of Spanish tapas culture.

Tapas: “Where’s the Mains section?”, you might ask. Anyone with an inkling as to what tapas is about knows that there ain’t no main courses. The menu is filled with bite-sized delectables one can expect to find while bar-hopping on Barcelonan streets. Reinterpreted classics such as Croquetas de jamón – ham croquettes ($10), Patatas bravas – deep fried potatoes with spicy sauce and garlic mayonnaise ($8) and Gambas al ajillo – prawns in rich garlic and white wine sauce ($18) are surefire crowd pleasers to put appetites into overdrive.

Dessert: After an ensemble of tantalising tapas, don’t leave without letting your eyes wander to the dessert menu, where the FOC Hamburguesa de chocolate, AKA FOC chocolate burger, ($12) is sure to steal the show on looks alone. Be warned – it’s devilishly sweet.

Drinks: Half of the fun is in the drink, and tapas wouldn’t be quite the same experience without whetting your whistle. The bar menu is a chemistry textbook on concoction, blueprinting each beverage’s palette and ingredients. You can never go wrong with Smells Like Gin Spirit ($14), or Brushy One String ($13.50), which offers some sweet popcorn goodness.

40 Hong Kong Street, tel: 6100 4040.

Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

LIFE’S A BEACH ZRCE, CROATIA

FEATURE

Once a humble home to a population of a mere eight thousand people, the Croatian island of Pag has exploded onto the maps of young thrillseekers within the last decade, securing itself as a must-visit for anyone that enjoys burning the candle at both ends. During peak season in July and August, its most popular beach, Zrce, sees a pilgrimage of tens of thousands flocking to its Adriatic waters to bask in non-stop parties hosted by scores of international bands and DJs. While the local populace might not be delighted by the tourists’ lewd exploits, with A-list performers like Hardwell, Nicky Romero and Alvaro all having set the beach abuzz earlier this year, there’s little chance of the swarms of revelers letting up.

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MYLOPOTAS, GREECE There’s a lot more than Mykonos when it comes to the Greek Islands, and Ios is one of many making a mark on the global party scene. Winter-weather escapees need not hurry to the dancefloors during daylight, instead, lap up the sunshine and crystal clear waters on Mylopotas beach. As the sun sets, beachgoers can mosey down the shoreline to the renowned Far Out Club, as the famed venue catalyses the wild night ahead. Next, join the thousands that take to the narrow streets of Chora in open celebration, which transforms the quiet little village into an outdoor nightclub. With its myriad of clubs open seven days a week and an ‘anything goes’ attitude, dancing kings and queens are guaranteed good times all year round.

VISBY, SWEDEN With brisk winter temperatures often falling below zero, it’s no wonder the Swedes hit the beach as hard as they do when the sun comes out – and the rest of the world is taking heed. On the quaint island of Gotland, the city of Visby becomes a raucous playground for Scandinavian youth at the first sight of summer. Waters earlier layered with ice sheets welcome the scantily clad and vivacious, set against the Gothic backdrops of the world heritage location. To the dismay of those who retreat to Gotland for the peace and quiet, bangin’ beach electronica institutions like Kallis, which has been voted the ‘Best Beach Club in Europe’, serve up outlandish outdoor jamborees with superstar DJs to get the crowds coming back each year.

IF THE EARTH’S SURFACE IS 71 PER CENT OCEAN, THEN THERE ARE PLENTY OF BEACHES TO FOSTER OUR GROWING LOVE FOR WET AND WILD CELEBRATIONS. THERE’S NOT MUCH MORE WE CAN TELL YOU ABOUT IBIZA, CANCUN AND SOUTH BEACH THAT YOU DON’T ALREADY KNOW – SO WE’RE HERE TO SHED SOME LIGHT ON THE UP-AND-COMING BEACH PARTY DESTINATIONS THAT MAY HAVE FLOWN UNDER YOUR REVELRY RADAR. PERHAPS LESSERKNOWN THAN THEIR WELL-ESTABLISHED COUNTERPARTS, THESE SIX ARE NO LESS HAPPENING AND ARE QUICKLY RIVALING THE GREATS WITH BOUNTIES OF EXTRAVAGANCE AND DEBAUCHERY.

GORDON BEACH, ISRAEL Though we’re used to hearing about Israel in news headlines, we don’t often hear of its lively beach culture. Stretching along the Tel Aviv Promenade is kilometres of beautiful Miami-esque shoreline, comprising a number of beaches suited to different characters and lifestyles. Voted by USA Today as the best party place on the planet, Gordon Beach has even more to celebrate than usual, with droves of keen party-lovers (and lovers of all creeds) flocking to its picturesque shores to join in on the action.

The popular stomping ground is bustling with colour and quirk as it hosts enormous post-parade festivities that flood the promenade with activity; and the diverse selection of nearby nightclubs makes it one of the most exciting hot spots for getting your groove on.

RICCIONE, ITALY It’s no secret that Italians love their time under the sun (just look at their beautiful olive skin!), and why wouldn’t they when they’ve got beaches like Riccione lining their coasts? Located in the province of Rimini, the commune’s gigantic beach is filled with festivity throughout the year.

Garnering the attention of big house names in recent years, the spot not only has EDM-enthusiasts from abroad hitting the sand, but also moonlights its waterpark as an aquatic nightclub. The largest waterpark in Europe, Aquafan, recently saw David Guetta headline the world’s biggest and baddest foam party – yet another reason why Riccione will be sure to go on the lists of travellers on the hunt for the ultimate beach party experience.

NISSI BEACH, CYPRUS With the likes of George Michael and Marcos Baghdatis flying the Cypriot flag loud and proud, the little island state would have turned into a touristic nightmare by now. Yet, Cyprus remains one of Europe’s best-kept secrets, and is a bass-hunters bastion for its wild beach nightlife. Not only do its paradisiacal seashores garner environmental acclaim for their pristine waters, but the out-of-control foam parties, held right on the beach, have attracted international attention from ravers and revellers alike. It’s safe to say that the music world is watching too, with plenty of UK house and grime acts heading over each year to turn the party up. We’re only hoping that whatever foam is spilling into the ocean is biodegradable.

Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

SURREAL VISION HOMEGROWN

BRANDON TAY

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AT THE FOREFRONT OF SINGAPORE’S AUDIO-VISUAL SCENE, TAY’S ESOTERIC SIMULACRUMS SPAN A WIDE ARRAY OF ARTISTIC MEDIA, TRANSCENDING PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS OF THE REAL WORLD AND EXPLORING UNKNOWN TERRITORIES WITH IMAGINATIVE PROJECTION AND ANIMATION CONCEPTS. FROM SETTING THE STAGE FOR SKRILLEX TO LIGHTING UP NEW YORK FASHION WEEK 2013, THE CROSS-MEDIUM MOGUL SHOWS NO SIGN OF SLOWING DOWN. What attracted you to projection mapping and animation as art forms?

The cognitive disjoint one gets when apprehending a physical structure that twists into something else at the blink of an eye was the initial kick I got from projection mapping. With mapping done at its best, you take something physical and add a skin of temporality, which expands the initial thing way beyond its physical parameters, but refers to it in an intrinsic, obvious way. As for animation, it’s the ability to create scenarios unbounded by physical budgets and physics in general. Total control and the ability to manifest ideas quickly and completely is something I’m very much into.

The visuals you compose are rather abstract and ethereal. What inspires these creations?

One thing that interests me about pursuing visuals that are less recognisable and defined is codifying movement. What I want to get is the evocation of thoughts and feelings that doesn’t attach itself to a specific form. For example, if I sample the motion vectors of a wave crashing onto a shore but translate those movements into a different form, do we feel that it’s still a wave? I want to expand the grammar of movement on screen away from the forms that generate them in reality, and translate them into things that are a bit more novel.

You recently contributed artwork to the Singled Out vinyl art exhibition.

What made you want to take part and what was it like departing from your usual artistic method?

I think it stemmed from a casual conversation with Little from ffurious, and from there I really had to think about what and how I could contribute to the exhibition. Some of the forms I create virtually translate well into a physical medium. 3-D printing kind of helps to make the crafting less laborious, but definitely no less time consuming. I really do think that music helped form the person that I am, and that music education is something I would recommend to anyone, even just to have a better insight into one of life’s pleasures.

Your works are commonly infused and complemented with electronic music, and you’ve also been involved in Singapore’s club scene for quite some time. Does electronic music play an important part of your work or social culture?

I guess it really has to do with the music I grew up with, and the peer group I’m with. The inspired videos for “Star Guitar” by the Chemical Brothers, or “Gantz Graf” by Autechre, convinced me at a formative age that with enough technology and know-how, anyone with an idea could do it – so it does hold a soft spot for me. In my opinion, visuals fit electronic music more in a live context and music videos fit more lyrically driven acts – but exemptions in and out of my work obviously exist. Electronic music gives me a bit more room to navigate conceptually sometimes, but linking sound and vision for the viewer is a bit more effort with instrumental electronic music, I feel.

You’ve worked with a number of successful artistes, including Skrillex for his 2012 US tour. How did that project come about?

From my work with Syndicate and the Brainfeeder crew in L.A... I got along well with David Wexler (AKA Strangeloop) who was directing the visuals for his tour at the time, and he gave me the opportunity to work on the show when it went his way. It’s really quite amazing to see how someone like Skrillex takes all aspects of his performance so seriously. I remember attending a six-hour rehearsal for the visuals for his DJ set for Ultra Miami that year. Very driven guy.

What would you like to see take place in Singapore’s art scene?

I think art in Singapore needs more of a sense of humour. Being in the place that we are, it might be hard sometimes, but this makes it all the more important. I would like to see more artist-run spaces, and spaces for new media work to be viewed and, more importantly, archived and sold.

brandontay.net

Text Trent Davis Images Olivia Sari-Goerlach (Portrait) & Brandon Tay

GIVING GREENHORNS THE GREEN LIGHT LOCAL FILMMAKERS GET THEIR CREATIVE FIX WITH YAHOO FAST FLICKS Singapore is famous for a lot of things: mouth-watering food, spick-and-span streets, and a shopping district that rivals some capital cities. But one thing we’re not particularly renowned for is our filmmaking. Thankfully, Yahoo’s cranked up the exposure with Yahoo Fast Flicks, its first film awards to uncover Singapore’s hidden talent.

Judged by a star-studded panel of industry buffs and film zealots including local award-winning film stalwart Eric Khoo, budding producers and ambitious directors gathered at Great World City’s Golden Village to battle it out and show us just who’s the next Spielberg or Kubrick.

Unified by one common thread, this year’s contestants were required to create a two-minute made-for-web short film with nothing else for inspiration other than the famous hash tag-inspired theme, YOLO (or for the uninitiated, You Only Live Once). On November 14, both amateurs and professionals came together to offer up their imaginations. However, of the 127 entrants, only one would emerge victorious.

He bagged the grand prize of $15,000, a Nikon DSLR D810 camera and a AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G lens worth over $5,000 from Nikon. While it proved to be a difficult task picking the winning entry, the runners-up were rewarded for their efforts and did not leave disappointed.

Though Singapore’s cinema scene is still in its adolescence, Yahoo Fast Flicks demonstrates that you don’t need a big Hollywood budget to create a fantastic film, and proves that Singapore is quickly catching up with its local talent bursting with originality. What was once an industry reserved for studios armed with an array of costly equipment has since become a level playing field, where anyone with a smartphone can find themselves becoming overnight stars, commanding the same adoration as red carpet regulars on digital and social media platforms such as Yahoo Screen.

It is this innovation and creativity that Yahoo Fast Flicks seeks to unearth in Singapore’s maturing artistic landscape. With each gizmo and gadget competing for digital dominance, we can’t wait to see even more heated competition with next year’s contest, setting the stage for newer ways to inspire and capture.

Claiming first prize was Terence Lee with his melancholic yet uplifting short film that captured the essence and urgency of only living once.

THE FINAL FIVE WINNER: Forbidden Love by Terence Lee, He Jiayin & Teng Szele A thought-provoking piece about the pain of a love that was never allowed to be, with themes of loneliness, despair and regret told through the burning time of a cigarette.

FIRST RUNNER-UP: Rain by Tiffany Zhang A short animated film about embracing the littlest things in life and enjoying them to the fullest, like dancing in the rain.

SECOND RUNNER-UP: Your Order is Nearly Complete by Vicki Yang & Chris Yeo A hilarious tale of a pizza-ordering experience that struck too close to home for one confused customer.

FINALIST: Morning Beauty by Dagomir Kaszlikowski, Suhas Bhat, Tara Asturias & Nantha Seethapathy A sweet and courageous display of professing one’s adoration, demonstrating that love knows no boundaries and that moments are meant to be seized.

FINALIST: She Eats the Apple by Anthea Ng & Shaun Neo An abstract portrayal of a girl who eats an apple every day, giving depth to an act normally not perceived as unusual.

All videos can be viewed at fastflicks.yahoo.com

“Eric Khoo loved my film! I’ve grown up watching his work. It’s been a dream come true. I want to thank the jury for loving our film and Yahoo, for providing young, aspiring filmmakers this platform to showcase their work.”

- Terence Lee, Winner of Yahoo Fast Flicks

“Overall, there’s a lot of talent… and I’m impressed by the quality of the stories told.”

- Eric Khoo, Award-winning filmmaker and jury member, Yahoo Fast Flicks

“These outstanding films with their unique interpretations of YOLO have showcased the incredible raw talent we have in Singapore. Every day at Yahoo we bring the best video experiences to our users, and Fast Flicks has just raised the bar.”

- Jeffrey Oon, Yahoo’s Head of Audience for Singapore and Malaysia

ART ATTACK

DRIVEN FOR SUCCESS

FLASH:NAVIGATE

The official champagne of F1, G.H. Mumm, brings celebration from the track into the clubs with a three-cuvee collection housed in chic new designs. Dubbed the N°1 range, it features three different blends of pinot noir, meunier and chardonnay, with the Gold and Black boasting meunier’s robust, aromatic fruitiness, and Rosé highlighting the sweetness of pinot noir.

Available at Zouk and select nightlife venues from Dec 19.

Our choice of exhibitions for the month.

THE BOTANIST Globalisation and cultural-hybrids are things we understand all too well growing up in Singers; which makes artist Alexander Lee’s latest exhibition all the more fitting to host in our home. Born in California to Hakka parents and raised in Tahiti, the critically acclaimed artist offers a glimpse into his diverse cultural heritage through a number of mixed mediums.

Open to the public until Dec 17, at Collectors Contemporary, 5 Jalan Kilang Barat, #01-03 Petro Centre. For more details, visit collectors.com.sg.

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MAD ABOUT MIXING We’re always game to put up a house party but when it comes to shakin’ up the bar, we’d better leave that to the experts.

Meet the hostess with the mostest, Sip’ The Bar Concierge, offering personalised party concierge services that will be the saving grace for all our year-end soirees. With a range of packages that cater to groups of up to 45 people, the mobile bar is stocked with an array of premium liquors to be concocted by a professional team of fine lads and lasses who’d keep the booze flowing. Who can say no?

Prices from $1,500, visit sipbarconcierge.com for more details.

SINGAPURA: 700 YEARS Sometimes it’s easy to forget that we weren’t always surrounded by soaring towers and swanky condos. This interactive retrospective revisits seven centuries of our island’s evolution, including colonial beginnings in the 14th century and the WWII Japanese occupation – can you believe we were once forced to speak Japanese in Singapore’s schools?

Free admission for locals and PRs, $3 to $6 for foreign students and visitors, until Aug 10, 2015, at the National Museum of Singapore. For more details, visit nationalmuseum.sg.

SCANDI CANDY Our favourite Swedes in stationery have brought Christmas early with their darling festive collection. kikki.K’s snowflake-adorned decorative ornaments and home goods range brings motivation and happiness to the new year ahead, while their golden gift packs are loaded with practical ideas for the obsessively-organised. If they’re all too good to choose from, there’s even the online Gift Finder to help you get the right pressie for just about anyone.

Charming wrapping and delivery options are also available for those in a hurry to get those presents under the tree. God Jul! $7.50 per packet, available at Robinsons The Heeren.

PATH 6, UNPACKING MY LIBRARY Surakarta-born Boedi Widjaja further explores his life and journey in becoming a Singaporean with the latest installment of his Path series. Centred on the subject of books, it explores the past, present and future by revisiting childhood memories and creating memories for his own child, while also addressing issues of migration and cultural identity in a porous, global Asian city.

Open free to the public until Jan 4, 2015, at Jendela Visual Arts Space. For more details, visit esplanade.com.

WIRELESS WUBS

Worry less with premium wireless speakers.

BOWERS & WILKINS T7 Sound aficionado Bowers & Wilkins jumps on the Bluetooth bandwagon with its debut into the wireless speaker market. The T7 stays true to the brand’s dedication to deliver high quality audio with a honeycomb matrix design that is both attractive and functional. Unlike its competition, the rock-solid stability of the Micro Matrix framework absorbs cabinet vibration and distortion, ensuring that its twin bass radiators and 50mm sound drivers deliver the best sound quality possible.

POA, available at leading electronic and audio retailers.

ARTISANAL AFFECTION

B&O BEOPLAY A2

Despite flashy smartphones bringing us more than we could ever need, there’s still nothing quite like putting pen to paper. Seeking to preserve tradition, homegrown stationery brand Bynd Artisan opens up shop at its flagship atelier to bring us back to basics. Including a ready-made line of fine leather and paper products, the workshop offers an open space for customers to touch and feel materials, before 71-year-old master craftsman, Mr. Chong, turns them into hand-made, personalised books on the spot. Workshop sessions are also available for those who wanna get a taste of personalised book-making.

2 Chin Bee Avenue, tel: 6267 5066, byndartisan.com.

Already renowned for premium sound, the brand shakes up the competition with this omni-directional Bluetooth speaker that is as trendy as it is powerful. With two 30-watt amplifiers on each face of the system, the 1.1kg speaker delivers 360-degree sound so that no one misses out on the music.

Boasting 24 hours of battery life and an extra-portable body, it’s an ideal choice for anyone that lives to move and look good doing it too.

Available for $549 at selected Apple stores and electronics retailers.

WISER WATER

As if taken from a sci-fi film, Flaska is a high-tech glass water bottle that restructures water molecules within it to enhance the contents – making it closer to natural spring water, which equates to better tasting and healthier H2O. Perfect for active gym bunnies and cubicle rats alike, now you can enjoy water at its best straight from the tap, without worrying about chemicals seeping into your lifeblood. $65 (500ml), available at selected retailers, including HDLN Store, 61 Haji Lane.

CHOC TILL YOU DROP Who said indulgence couldn’t be healthy too? With the health-conscious in mind, Rocq Star rolls out brand new chocolate varieties to appease those who are careful with their cocoa. Think almonds, hazelnuts, raisins, cranberries, and coffee beans, encased in dark milk chocolate, with natural anti-oxidants and less sugar and fat content than your regular milk chocolate. No artificial sweeteners or preservatives also mean you can feel less guilty each time you dash for the pantry (we never said guilt-free!).

From $3.90 to $6.90, available at leading supermarkets.

A DAY ON THE GREEN

LUST-HAVE: EVIAN X KENZO In keeping to Evian’s tradition of bringing out limited edition collectors bottles each year, this year’s bottles are adorned with the iconic zig-zag motifs of fashion house Kenzo. Sure, it’s just water – but tell that to those that have a made a pretty penny on eBay! Available in 75cl and 33cl bottles in selected restaurants and retailers.

Sometimes, the best get-togethers are done impromptu.

And when the time calls for throwing a last-minute picnic, you can look to Privé for its latest ‘Picnic On The Lawn’ basket hampers. Complete with plates, cutlery, condiments and a picnic mat, the promotion offers two menus – the ‘Light & Lucious’ and ‘Whole & Hearty’ baskets – both packed with scrumptious fare perfect for a casual gathering with friends or an intimate outing for two. $40 per basket, available at Privé at CHIJMES. One-day pre-order required, subject to availability. For bookings, call 6776 0777 or email info@privechijmes.com.sg.

Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

JUICE 16TH ANNIVERSARY - STREET 16 AT ZOUK HAPPY HATCHDAY TO US!

GUILTY PLEASURES AT ATTICA EAT ME DRINK ME? YES PLS.

NOPARTYHERE & CANVAS FEAT. JON HOPKINS AT CANVAS SINGAPORE OPEN EYE SIGNALLING

HOLLYWOOD HORROR NIGHT AT 1 ALTITUDE LIGHTS, CAMERA, SCARE AWAY!

THE ZOUK SLAUGHTERHOUSE: HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL 2014 AT ZOUK THERE WILL BE BLOOD

MIDNIGHT SHIFT 5TH ANNIVERSARY FEAT. RØDHÅD AT KYO ONE OF THE BEST LABELS IN TOWN

GATHER WITH FRIENDS OLD AND NEW

CRANBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE MOCHA

TOFFEE NUT LATTE

NEW

CHRISTMAS COOKIE LATTE Made with shortbread cookie sauce and butter cookie crumbles.

Available at your nearest Starbucks for this holiday season, in hot, iced and Frappuccino® blended beverage.

PEPPERMINT MOCHA

Available at your nearest Starbucks for a limited time only. nly ly. yy.. www.facebook.com/StarbucksSingapore ww www w w.fa . ceb .fa c ook ok.co .co ccom/S /S S tarbuc tarr buc b ksS Singapo ing ngapo apore re

EP!C PRESENTS R3HAB + POPTART: EVERYTIME I STARE INTO YOUR EYES AT ZOUK RAVERS + HIPSTERS UNITE

X-MINI CLEAR X JUICE 16TH ANNIVERSARY STREET 16 AT ZOUK CRYSTAL CLEAR AUDIO ON THE GO

YAHOO FAST FLICKS AT GOLDEN VILLAGE GREAT WORLD CITY EMBRACING THE YOLO SPIRIT

2014_Xmas_Juice Mag.pdf

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17/10/14

10:05 am

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CLUBS, PUBS & BARS 1-ALTITUDE

HARD ROCK CAFÉ

ACID BAR

ICE COLD BEER

Level 63, 1 Raffles Place T: 6438 0410 Music: Chill-out 180 Orchard Road, Peranakan Place T: 6738 8828 www.peranakanplace.com Music: Live acoustic

ALLEY BAR

180 Orchard Road, Peranakan Place T: 6738 8818 www.peranakanplace.com Music: Nu-groove, lounge, acid jazz and funk

AQUANOVA

The Cannery Clarke Quay, Block C, #01–03, T: 6305 6733 www.aquanova.sg Music: Live

ATTICA & ATTICA TOO

3A River Valley Road, #01-03 Clarke Quay T: 6333 9973 www.attica.com.sg Music: Classic dance anthems, R&B and hip-hop

AVALON

Marina Bay Sands Floating Pavilion T: 6688 7448 www.avalon.sg Music: Dance

THE ARENA

3B River Valley Road, #01-08, Clarke Quay T: 6338 3158 www.thearenalive.com.sg Music: Live music

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S2VS ORCHARD GATEWAY, #04-05

BAR COCOON

DOROTHY PERKINS WISMA ATRIA, #01-27/28

SEAFOLLY WISMA ATRIA, #02-16/7

DR. MARTENS WHEELOCK PLACE, #02-17A

SECTS SHOP ORCHARD GATEWAY, #04-14

ESPRIT ISETAN WISMA ATRIA, LEVEL 3

STEVE MADDEN ION ORCHARD, #B2-15/6

FEMME X CATHAY CINELEISURE, #03-05

SUPERSPACE ORCHARD GATEWAY, #02-18

FUNC DEKO FAR EAST PLAZA, #B3-01

STRADIVARIUS ION ORCHARD, #B2-15

H&M ORCHARD BUILDING

THE EDITOR’S MARKET CATHAY CINELEISURE, #03-04/06A

One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Road, T: 6333 8243 www.thebutterfactory.com Music (Fash): Eclectic-Indie, electro Music (Bump): Hip-hop, R&B

THE WYLD SHOP CLIFFORD CENTRE, #01-12B

COASTES

J RUNWAY PLAZA SINGAPURA, #01-54

TIMBERLAND 313@SOMERSET, #02-10

DREAM

LACOSTE WISMA ATRIA, #03-07/11

TOPMAN/TOPSHOP KNIGHTSBRIDGE, #01-05/06

LACOSTE L!VE ION ORCHARD, #B3-60

VANS ION ORCHARD, #B3-61

LAUREN JASMINE WHEELOCK PLACE, #B1-06

WAREHOUSE ION ORCHARD, #B1-15

LEFTFOOT ENTREPOT THE CATHAY, #01-19/20

W.E. WORKSHOP ELEMENT 313@SOMERSET, #03-01

MM6 MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA ION ORCHARD, #01-08

ZARA LIAT TOWERS

I.T ORCHARD GATEWAY, #B1-13, #01-18, #02-24

8D Dempsey Rd T: 6475 2217 www.dempseyhouse.com

3A, Merchant’s Court, Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd, #01-02 T: 6557 6268 Music: Eclectic, new-wave, electro, uplifting house, big tunes & deep house

BAR OPIUME

50 Cuscaden Road T: 6235 5232 www.hardrock.com.sg Music: Live acoustic and rock 9 Emerald Hill Road T: 6735 9929 50 Stamford Road Singapore Management University Lee Kong Chian School of Business #01-01 T: 6837 3585 www.emeraldhillgroup.com Music: Classic, alternative and adult contemporary rock

INK CLUB BAR

Raffles The Plaza 80 Bras Basah Road T: 6431 5315 www.inkclubbar.com Music: Sexy funky house

J BAR

QUE PASA

7 Emerald Hill Road T: 6235 6626 www.emeraldhillgroup.com Music: Modern & traditional jazz guitar instrumental & acid jazz with female vocals

THE RABBIT HOLE

3C Harding Road T: 6473 9965 www.thewhiterabbit.com.sg

ROYAL ROOM MINK

7, Raffles Boulevard, Pan Pacific Hotel Music: R&b and hip-hop

SUPRETTE

383 Jalan Besar, Singapore 209001 www.suprette.com Music: Top 50’s, R&B

M-Hotel, 81 Anson Road, Level 9 T: 6500 6119 www.millenniumhotels.com.sg Music: Live acoustic, pop, rock, R&B, jazz, contemporary

STELLAR BAR

JIGGER & PONY

442 Orchard Road, Orchard Hotel T: 6493 6952 Music: Live music

101 Amoy Street T: 62239101 www.jiggerandpony.com

KU DÈ TA

1, Bayfront Ave, Marina Bay Sands Skypark T: 6688 7688 www.kudeta.com.sg

KYO

133 Cecil Street, Keck Seng Tower, #B1-02 Music: Dance Anthems, Hip-hop/ r&b, House, Tech-house, Techno

LANTERN

The Fullerton Bay Hotel, 1 Fullerton Road T: 6597 5299 Music: Live cuban band nightly

LOOF

331 North Bridge Road, Odeon Towers (extension rooftop), #03-07 T: 6338 8035 www.loof.com.sg Music: Eclectic, chill-out

9 Emerald Hill Road T: 6735 9929 www.emeraldhillgroup.com Music: Classic rock

TAB

TAKÉ

3 Nanson Road, Studio M Hotel T: 6808 8888 Music: Live music on Fridays and Saturdays

THE CUFFLINK CLUB

6 Jiak Chuan Road 089262 T: 9694 9623 www.thecufflinkclub.com

THE LIBRARY

47 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089151 T: 6221 8338 Music: Chill-out

THE MAD MEN ATTIC BAR 11 North Canal Road,#03-02, Singapore 048826 T: 6222 3529 Music: Live music

THE VAULT

1, Empress Place, ACM T: 6323 1043 www.indochine.com.sg Music: Rosanna & Her Jazz Players, Mon - Sat from 9.30pm

THE MANSION

BLUJAZ CAFÉ

11 Bali Lane T: 6292 3800 www.blujaz.net Music: Live jazz, funk, boogie

The Cannery Clarke Quay, 01-10 Block C T: 6305 6726 www.mulliganspubs.com Music: Live Music

45 Armenian Street (The Substation Garden) T: 6338 8277 www.timbre.com.sg Music: EIC, Ngak & Jack, Timmy and Alemay Fernandez

THE BUTTER FACTORY

NEW ASIA BAR

WALA WALA CAFÉ

NIGHT&DAY

WAVEHOUSE

50 Siloso Beach Walk #01-05 T: 6274 9663 Block C, The Cannery Clarke Quay T: 6305 6768 Music: Hip-hop, R&B, electro

EM BY THE RIVER

1 Nanson Road, #01-05 Gallery Hotel T: 6836 9691 www.em-n-em.com Music: Weekdays- Down Tempo, Bar Sounds, Weekends- Bar Sounds, Soulful and Deep House

EM STUDIO

1 Nanson Road Gallery Hotel #02-05 T: 6836 9691 www.em-n-em.com Music: All genres of house

FABRIKA

Klapsons The Boutique Hotel, 15 Hoe Chiang Road, 17th Floor Sky Terrace T: 6521 9029

FENIX ROOM

3C River Valley Road T: 6305 6768 Music: EDM, hip-hop, indie

Looking for ? juice.com.sg/find-juice

TO CHECK OUT

Pacific Plaza, 9 Scotts Road #01-01 - T: 6234 2276 Music: Soul, lounge, hip-hop

MULLIGAN’S

Level 71 Swissotel The Stamford T: 6431 6156 www.equinoxcomplex.com Music: Top 40s & R&B 139 Selegie Road, Singapore 188309 T: 6884 5523 www.nightandday.sg Music: Live music

NO.5 EMERALD HILL COCKTAIL BAR

5 Emerald Hill Road T: 6732 0818 www.emeraldhillgroup.com Music: Acid jazz, blues, R&B and classic charts’ hits

OVEREASY

1 Fullerton Road, #01-06, One Fullerton T: 6423 0701 www.overeasy.com.sg

PLAYHOUSE

3, River Valley Road Music: Hip-hop, R&B, electro

POST BAR

The Fullerton Singapore, 1 Fullerton Square T: 6877 8135 Music: New age and chill-out

POWERHOUSE GALLERY BAR BELLINI ROOM

St. James Power Station 3 Sentosa Gateway #01-01 T: 6270 7676 www.powerhouse.sg Music: Pop, house (Powerhouse), Disco, funk (Gallery bar), Jazz (Bellini room)

23 Circular Road, Singapore 049379 T: 6222 5001 www.thevault.com.sg

TIMBRÉ MUSIC BISTRO

31 Lorong Mambong, Holland Village T: 6462 4288 Music: Live band plays nightly from 9pm onwards 36 Siloso Beach Walk T: 6377 3113 www.wavehousesentosa.com

WOOBAR

W Singapore Sentosa Cove, 21 Ocean Way www.wsingaporesentosacove.com/ indulge

YING YANG

28 Ann Siang Road, The Club Hotel T: 8518 3156 www.yingyang.sg Music: Bar grooves & house

ZOUK PHUTURE VELVET UNDERGROUND WINEBAR

17 Jiak Kim Street T: 6738 2988 www.zoukclub.com Music: Techno, electro (Zouk), hip-hop, R&B (Phuture), deep house, soul (Velvet Underground), downtempo (Winebar)

NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECTACULAR

COUNTDOWN PARTY FEATURING

DJ GOLDFINGERS & WLAD MC (FRANCE) WEDNESDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2014 Cover charge of $50nett per person inclusive of a glass of Champagne.

For photos of this exclusive affair, visit www.facebook.com/NewAsiaBarSingapore

New Asia voted Best Bar in TimeOut Singapore Best of Awards

For RSVPs and enquiries, please contact New Asia at +65 9177 7307, email newasiabar@equinoxcomplex.com or book online at www.newasiabar.com.sg.

Level 71, Equinox Complex, Swissôtel The Stamford 2 Stamford Road, Singapore 178882

10 DANCE MOVES WE H8 THE ART OF DANCE IS USUALLY CHARACTERISED BY BEAUTY AND ELEGANCE IN THE MOVEMENT OF THE HUMAN BODY. ON THE CONTRARY, THE FOLLOWING DANCE MOVES ARE ANYTHING BUT. TO AVOID BECOMING A SOCIAL PARIAH THE NEXT TIME YOU BRING ON THE FANCY FOOTWORK, HERE ARE 10 MOVES YOU’LL WANNA STAY FAR, FAR AWAY FROM.

1

2

FINAL WORD

THE FUNKY CHICKEN Like watching poultry on steroids, this move is produced by wild, flapping arms while simultaneously doing the peck and scratch.

Though it might feel like one at times, the club ain’t no coop.

116

5

3

THE WORM This creepy, crawling move sends chills down our spines as we watch folks lie flat on their faces, wiggling back and forth. Somebody just step on them already?

THE LIGHT BULB This move is pretty straightforward – all it involves is a simple twisting of the wrists. Leave the move at the door though, because it only takes one partygoer to screw in the light bulb to turn everyone off.

THE HAMMER TIME The only time that executing this move to the butchered Rick James classic is even mildly amusing is if a) you’re at a costume party; b) you’re wearing satin parachute pants; c) somebody’s just yelled “Stop…hammer time!”; and d) you are, in fact, MC Hammer.

7

THE PARA PARA This is maaaybe okay if you’re a kawaii J-pop starlet. But if you’re an out-of-place otaku in a club, please save the peace signs and flailing arms for Comic-con.

4

6

8

THE GANGNAM STYLE Yep, we went there. How this abomination managed to infiltrate nightclubs is beyond us. If aliens were to ever arrive on our planet and find footage of this equestrian manoeuvre, they’d be getting back into their spaceships in a hurry.

9

THE BUMP & GRIND The most uncomfortable dance move ever. There’s no eye contact with your partner as your rear is up against his crotch and where exactly is one supposed to put their hands?

THE SHUFFLE Look, unless you’re getting paid a million bucks per step like LMFAO, it ain’t cool to do the shuffle! You’re just making insufferable screeching noises, and you get no points for lazy hands.

THE BOOTY SLAP Anything that involves slapping is just disrespectful. C’mon, as if shaking that *ss rapidly up and down isn’t bad enough, spankin’ that tush is just not classy – even if the lady has goods like J.Lo. Learn to practise some self-restraint guys.

Text Kevin Ho, Liyana Meer, Sziying Khoo & Trent Davis Illustrations Jackson Kang

10

THE TWERK The appeal of the low squat bears far too much resemblance to something else we just can’t find saucy. Leave it to the tongue-wagging, bootylicious entertainers, or well, good ol’ Miley.

ZOUKOUT 2014 12-13 DEC 2014 TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT WWW.ZOUKOUT.COM, ZOUK & SISTIC

19.FRI

24.WED

PARA//EL PRESENTS JAMES ZABIELA UK

100% BULLETPROOF WITH GHETTO & ROUGH FEAT. MC EJ

PRESENTS

DJB

EIGHTEEN AT KLAPSONS HOTEL

RED BULL MUSIC ACADEMY X ZOUK PRESENT THE OFFICIAL PRE-ZOUKOUT PARTY

ZOUK

VELVET UNDERGROUND-DANCE

BE:FORMATIVE

PARA//EL PRESENTS TIEFSCHWARZ(BASTI)GER

ZOUK

ZSS PRESENTS YVES V BEL,SG DEBUT! & GELAB(SPACE IBIZA) WITH HONG

SINGAPORE 169420

PARA//EL

VELVET UNDERGROUND-DANCE

PARA//EL PRESENTS CARL CRAIG US

ZOUK

ZOUK X CITI PRESENT TRANSFIX WITH FERRY CORSTEN NED & LINCEY

27.SAT ZOUK

ZSS PRESENTS HONG & LINCEY

VELVET UNDERGROUND-DANCE VELVET UNDERGROUND-DANCE

SOLID GOLD: KO FLOW FEAT. ROUGH

BASSIC PRESENTS BONOBO UK (DJ SET)

PHUTURE

DROPIT!!! WITH MATTHEW & JUN

WWW.ZOUKCLUB.COM

17 JIAK KIM STREET

Velvet Underground-Dance / Cue Up! with Jeremy Boon & Lincey Phuture / DROPit with Matthew & Ghetto

VELVET UNDERGROUND-DANCE

(NEW YEAR’S EVE)

EVERY SATURDAY

TRANSFIX PRESENTS MARKUS SCHULZ US WITH HONG

31.WED

Velvet Underground-Dance / Cue Up! with Jeremy Boon & Lincey Phuture / Bulletproof with Ghetto & Matthew

THE GREAT TGIW: ZOUK CLOCKWORK FAIRY TALE: CHRISTMAS EVE 2014 WITH GHETTO & ANDREW TANG FEAT. MC EJ

ZOUK

20.SAT

EVERY FRIDAY

ZOUK

26.FRI

Zouk / TGIW with Ghetto & Andrew Tang feat. MC EJ Velvet Underground-Dance / Mix & Match with Adrian Wee & FORMATIVE Phuture / CHARGED with Hong & Lincey

06.SAT

SOUNDCLOUD / ZOUKSINGAPORE

PHUTURE

EVERY WEDNESDAY TGIW

(CHIRSTMAS EVE)

SILOSO BEACH, SENTOSA

ZSS PRESENTS HONG & LINCEY

VELVET UNDERGROUND-DANCE

FACEBBOOK / ZOUKSINGAPORE

TEL / +65 6738 2988

05.FRI

TWITTER / ZOUKSINGAPORE

ZOUK

ZOUK

THE FANTASY COUNTDOWN: ZOUK NYE 2014 WITH QUINTINO NED & HONG