JUICE March 2016 - Beach House | Issue #210

SINGAPORE

MARCH 2016 ISSUE #210

www.juice.com.sg

free every month

the brush up issue

BEACH HOUSE

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

HELLO PRETTY PEOPLE,

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

We heart art; this you should know. And if you pore over the next 90+ pages, you’ll see that we’ve scoured the world over to unearth makers of all art forms worth your interest and time.

JUICE Media Pte Ltd is part of

Starting with music, we delve into songs inspired by worldrenowned artists (page 14) and define just what ‘art music’ is (page 22). On the fashion front, four visual merchandising teams unveil the processes behind their window work (page 38), while up-and-comers in the local art scene (page 76) tell us more about their style and craft in Navigate. Gamers, we haven’t forgotten about you; check out the new crop of nextlevel gaming apps (page 80). With graphics so spectacular, you’d wanna get into ’em just for a visual treat.

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

And speaking of visual treats, nothing excites us more than a fresh fashion season full of new prints, cuts, and hues; our Spring/Summer 2016 guide (page 49) features all that and more.

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

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

It’s time to shake things up!

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

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

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

ADVERTISING & MARKETING sales & marketing manager lavonne lam [lavonne@juice.com.sg] DID 6325-8031 M 9747-2806

fashion writer/stylist aaron kok [aaron@juice.com.sg] lifestyle/online writer trent davis [trent@juice.com.sg] editorial intern jun sheng ng

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

contributors beno lim, chris ong ujine, den ng, janson tan, jayden tan, keith bryant lee, nicky loh, razi razak

han phay [han@juice.com.sg] DID 6325-8040 M 9002-1765

JUICE.COM.SG

FACEBOOK.COM/JUICESINGAPORE

TWITTER.COM/JUICESG

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

INSTAGRAM.COM/JUICESG

MCI (P) 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 behind, biatch. While every reasonable care is taken for editorial contributions, no responsibility will be assumed for return of materials or for corrections of contributed stupidity. Opinions expressed or implied in are solely those of the writers, and are not necessarily well thought out, intelligent, interesting or endorsed by the Editor or Publisher. Advertisers and/or their representatives indemnify the Publisher in relation to defamation, slander, breach, copyright, infringement of trademarks of name of publication titles, unfair competitive or trade practices, royalties or violation of rights or privacy.

CONTENTS BEACH HOUSE

12 004

Having released its fifth album, Depression Cherry, in August, Beach House pleasantly stunned the indieverse with its sixth full-length, Thank Your Lucky Stars, just two months later. In their disparate sets of songs, the unique and varied self-augmenting approaches to their sonic mark, Beach House had so much to say. Before playing Laneway Festival 2016, singer-keyboardist, Victoria Legrand, takes us through all of them in a heart-to-heart.

Image courtesy of St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival

SING ME A PICTURE Songs inspired by world-renowned artists.

24

The band gets a whole lot more vivid with its 10th album, Painting With.

the art of selling We talk shop with four visual merchandising teams.

46

14

38

The stylish duo that epitomises fashion as art.

streetwise ss16

Get up to speed on the trends that matter for a chic season ahead.

68

the skin you’re in

Complexion perfectors that’ll prep your skin for SS16’s wacky paints.

artists in residence

S i x h o m e g row n c re a t i ve s yo u s h o u l d k n ow.

80

49

76

AHEAD OF THE GAME Next-gen gaming apps that are addictive and visually stunning.

MARCH 2016

social

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

SNAP OF THE MONTH C O NGRATULATIONS @SATO.DRAGONFLY! FOR Y OUR VERY FIRST ISSUE OF JUICE, HERE’S Y O U R VE RY F IRST GI F T FROM US TO YOU.

THIS MONTH’S SNAP OF THE MONTH WINS A TRACK JACKET WORTH $189, COURTESY OF FRED PERRY.

JUICE.COM.SG

FACEBOOK.COM/JUICESINGAPORE

TWITTER.COM/JUICESG

INSTAGRAM.COM/JUICESG

obsessions

STREET STITCH Think street art and common graffiti always comes to mind. But while graff is considered the beating heart of street art, a classically-trained dancer by the moniker of London Kaye is redefining the pulse of her town.

Since graduating NYU, she’s taken her love for the arts to the streets, yarn bombing her way through fences, trees and water pipes. Guerilla knits aside, her colourful crochet work has also found a place on sneakers, furniture, cakes…and in my heart.

Follow Kaye’s work on Instagram at @madebylondon.

Jazmin Kelly Six Editor @adoseofprety

Aaron Kok Fashion Writer/Stylist @ak.ok

I’ve always found the art of calligraphy to be rather enigmatic – there’s something about the way a pen swishes that turns writing into a highly romantic form of expression. When I see an inked nib dabbing off on an inkwell, I’m reminded of the literary icons from centuries ago scribing their prose together. Today, a small group of artists are bringing back this time-consuming art form to a modern audience, one letter at a time. Run by Clarence Valerius Wee, Craft Varies offers madeto-order calligraphy services for a variety of occasions and orders.

Each piece is executed by hand, allowing for unique flourishes to take place in the process. Just like a hand-painted masterpiece, no two words should ever look the same.

Follow Clarence’s work at craftvaries.com

we heart art

008

ALL THE EYE CANDY WE DIG THIS MONTH

In between the stream of selfies, sneakers, and #foodporn, occasionally Instagram dishes out suggestions that are worth the double-tap. Connie Lim is one such user that has made her way into my feed, and I haven’t been able to take my eyes off her whimsical illustrations since. Channeling couture from fashion houses like Alexander McQueen, Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent , the London-based illustrator from L .A . makes runway ensembles works of her own through elegant pencil-work and inventive use of makeup as paint .

Follow Connie’s work on Instagram at @_connielim_ and purchase prints at prints.connielim.com.

PENCILLED IN

Trent Davis Lifestyle/Online Writer @trentobentogram

SOUND, ART

Indran P Music Editor @bigocean

My Amazon account exists mostly because I still purchase CDs on a fairly regular basis – I like having a tangible representation of the music I love. And over the years, one name has come up repeatedly in the ‘Cover Designed By/Artwork By’ section of the liner notes of various albums: Leif Podhajsky. Inspired by music himself, the London photographer and designer has emerged as the go-to artiste for some of the more cutting-edge names in recent memory, like Shabazz Palaces, Tame Impala, Kelis, and Young Magic. What’s more, he only works with musicians he respects, which means in their album covers, we get a dialogue between different mediums and different minds.

View and shop for prints at leifpodhajsky.com

SINGAPORE

SERVIN’ UP THE FRESHEST CONTENT

OUR EXCLUSIVE WEB HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH CHAT: STARS

THE TORONTO-BASED NOISE-MAKERS SPILL ON THEIR RECENT VALENTINE’S DAY VISIT.

100 YEARS OF KEDS

KEDS CELEBRATES ITS CENTENNIAL OF ‘LADIES FIRST’ WITH A STELLAR CELEBRITY COLLECTIVE.

GILDING THE GALLERY

THE DESIGNER BEHIND GALLERY & CO.’S RETAIL SPACE AESTHETIC EXPLAINS HOW TO GET PEOPLE THROUGH ITS DOORS.

WANTED WAX THE RAREST RECORDS IN RECENT HISTORY TO FLY OFF THE SHELVES (AND ONTO EBAY).

CHAT: ROGER SHAH

THE GERMAN PRODUCER AND COMPOSER SHARES THE MAGIC AHEAD OF HITTING OUR ISLAND.

TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE

WE LOOK AT LOCAL CREATIVE MINDS WHO HAVE TEAMED UP IN PAIRS TO CREATE INSPIRING WORKS.

REVIEW: FORESTS – SUN EAT MOON GRAVE PARTY THE HOMEGROWN THREE-PIECE PUTS TOGETHER A PUNK-INFLECTED DEBUT BRIMMING WITH EMOTION.

MAC: FUTURE FORWARD THE COSMETICS POWERHOUSE TEAMS UP WITH FOUR MUSIC MAVENS FOR AN EXCLUSIVE NEW SERIES.

STAY CONNECTED JUICE.COM.SG

FACEBOOK.COM/JUICESINGAPORE

TWITTER.COM/JUICESG

INSTAGRAM.COM/JUICESG

011

for arts sake Text Indran P Images Various Sources

Chicago-born, New York-based dance phenom Gilligan Moss decided to make music when he was bored with the humdrum day-by-day of ‘adult life’. And because of his ennui, great things are being released into the world. Put on his recent debut EP, Ceremonial, for proof. Unlike other producer-driven sounds, his is a conversation between the supposed highbrow and lowbrow worlds of art. What he calls “garden disco” mines from “avant-garde minimal stuff and experimental people like Terry Riley” and from the more earthy and sensual strains of soul, hip-hop and house. Highlights like “Choreograph” bounce on a brilliantly progressive pulse, leaving a trail of colours in their wake – making it so hard to believe that it was all inspired by his cranky, old college art teacher.

soundcloud.com/gilligan-moss

music

cover feature

012

“It was a really intense year”, is Victoria Legrand’s wide-eyed take on 2015. Reflective pause over, she qualifies herself with what we all know to be true: “It was a full year – a lot of activity”. After all, it was last year that Beach House made a move (well, two moves) that underlined in gold its decade-plus existence. Even a casual listen to a Beach House song reveals two things about Legrand’s voice: it’s weary, but in its hushed melismas, it’s also endlessly comforting. And IRL, it’s not any different, even through the perennial annoyance that is phone static. Warm, approachable and even slightly earnest, she made for one of our most illumining and poignant chats. And it began with a happy sigh.

“I would say that we released two albums and that we were very happy to release them”, she then says, chuckling a little at our blind desire to know how she feels about the feat she so casually mentions. At a time when the tastemaking cherry-picker that is SoundCloud is the barometer of audience interest; at a time when the album-as-prize aspect of indie fandom and listenership isn’t the culturally valued phenomenon it used to be; Legrand and Beach House’s other-half, Alex Scally, released two albums in as many months. Naturally, the question was, “Why?”.

“We, as artistes, just did not want to wait”, is Legrand’s ready response.

“It came down to the fact that we had two album’s worth of music and we didn’t want to have to wait to put out the second one”, she lets on, alluding both to the industry’s feet-dragging proclivities and the best way to deal with the vagaries of hype: more music. Also, she maintains that having new songs to play live has always been a “priority” that Scally and herself have focused on. So when it was album time, she states, “We wanted to be conquerous about it and just put two out”.

But though Legrand’s assertively confident about it, releasing a large volume of music to a public amply fed by the delivery system of the Internet is a very tricky proposition. Just look at Rick Ross. The rapper released two albums in 2014, and with the second record, faced the lowest sales in his hitherto ascendant career. If musical largesse spells self-sabotage for mainstream superstars, what does it mean for indie acts that similarly want to get more music out into the ether? “That’s a good question and I apologise if I get a little philosophical about it”, is Legrand’s prefix to her response when posed this question. “After everything was done, we stepped back and realised that we had two records – two worlds with their own unique characteristics”, she says at last. Enthused and speaking rapidly, she goes on to stress that the

BEACH HOUSE

HAVING RELEASED ITS FIFTH ALBUM, DEPRESSION CHERRY, IN AUGUST, THE BAND PLEASANTLY STUNNED THE INDIE-VERSE WITH ITS SIXTH FULL-LENGTH, THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS, JUST TWO MONTHS LATER. AFTER A CERTAIN POINT, YOU KNOW WHETHER OR NOT AN ARTISTE IS MAKING MUSIC FOR FUN – BEACH HOUSE MOST CERTAINLY ISN’T. IN THEIR DISPARATE SETS OF SONGS, THEIR UNIQUE AND VARIED SELFAUGMENTING APPROACHES TO THEIR SONIC MARK, BEACH HOUSE HAS SO MUCH TO SAY. AND IN HER HEART-TO-HEART WITH US BEFORE SHE PLAYED AN INCREDIBLE SET AT LANEWAY FESTIVAL SINGAPORE 2016, SINGER-KEYBOARDIST VICTORIA LEGRAND TAKES US THROUGH ALL OF IT.

way she sees it, “the main difference between the two, is that they are separate entities”.

Again, we are left with a musician’s single-minded purpose to make music because they want to – times, trends and tastes be damned.

Though it isn’t emphasised, the takeaway from her point is obvious: in inflecting a distinct aesthetic through two incredibly varied albums, Beach House was committed to pushing themselves and the sum of their catalogue for more. What this more is depends on us, the listeners. And with how we decide what it means to us, we have raw material in two stunning albums.

Legrand describes the first transmission, Depression Cherry, as a “mood painting with beautiful colours”. Compared to its predecessors, it’s a less abstract, more tactile – though we’d refrain from saying ‘immediate’ – incarnation of Beach House. Preceded by a creative drought and a period of frustration, during which Legrand felt uninspired and doubted the future of the band, these new songs ripple with a free-flowing verve. The

music

cover feature

Text Indran P Images Shawn Brackbill Interview courtesy of Laneway Festival Singapore

OF LIGHT AND SHADOW drums are dialled down and the guitar and synths pushed higher in the mix. It’s a revelation, one that as Legrand explains, was new to the band as well. “When we worked, we’d come up with ideas within the music that we’d repeat until we felt like they worked”, she offers, adding that, “there was a lot of physicality” in the reconfigured Beach House sound.

But two months later, they took it even further on Thank Your Lucky Stars. Darker, denser and heavier than Depression Cherry, it was a surprising stride that no one saw coming. “Yes, Alex and I agreed that Thank Your Lucky Stars was going to be more political than Depression Cherry”, affirms Legrand, acknowledging that the songs here have a “more bratty attitude”, a “leather-jacket vibe that’s like David Bowie and Lou Reed hanging out at a dirty club”. Oh yes, she did.

After Depression Cherry was completed in July 2014, new songs kept coming. What’s more, Legrand had also decided to play guitar on them, a thing she hadn’t done until Stars. Experiencing what she calls a “sense of liberation”, she imbued her newest record with a sense of anger, of

music

the need for big questions to be answered by the powers that be. If you’ve doubted that Beach House could make a punk record, this is where you learn something new.

In two months, the band has given us an album that looks inward while externalising every tremour of sentiment and another with a blast radius that stretches past the confines of the image-fuelled, hollow hip quotient that follows indie rock around. It’s done it by sticking to its guns and by moving forward on its own terms. “Having experiences to build on is a very positive thing, no matter how the road winds”, Legrand reminds us, letting on that “being in a band for 10 years and still having enthusiastic, interested audiences is a miracle”. Her gratitude to the large crowd at the Garden Stage at Laneway 2016, came from this place. But her last words to us were these, “That aside, the music is always going to be the most important thing to us. It’s always going to tell us something”.

beachhousebaltimore.com

013

feature

sing me a picture “ANDY WARHOL” DAVID BOWIE The dearly departed Starman and the pop art legend are natural allies, so it’s not wholly unsurprising that the former wrote a song about the latter with a mildly homoerotic bent. “I’d like to be a gallery / Put you all inside my show” is a great line from a great song. It’s so meta and so Bowie but also so Warhol. The story goes that after Bowie played the song for Warhol, the two fell completely silent. Then Warhol said, “I like your shoes”.

So... going by your non sequitur, you’re not a fan of it, Andy?

“PABLO PICASSO” THE MODERN LOVERS 014

Jonathan Richman’s body of work is a fascinating look at the psyche of a romantic who’s more hyperactive than hopeless. In “Pablo Picasso”, for example, Richman contrasts the eponymous artist’s awesome luck at getting the girls with his own gamelessless. “Well some people try to pick up girls / And get called a**holes / This never happened to Pablo Picasso / He could walk down your street / And girls could not resist his stare and / So Pablo Picasso was never called an a**hole”. Everything here, from the rattling punk rhythm to the bleating harmonica and most of all, Richman’s sneering tone, oozes defeated cynicism.

“BIG EYES” LANA DEL REY Way before the fiendish kawaii wave, American painter Margaret Keane was doing powerful and evocative things with notions of cuteness and innocence. In the ’50s and ’60s, she brought to the world incredibly dramatic paintings of children with peering, oversized eyes. Sadly, throughout this period and until 1970, her husband claimed credit for her work. With Mrs. Keane as her muse, LDR wrote and recorded “Big Eyes” for Tim Burton’s titular movie, about, to quote her, “a woman who can’t find her voice”. And as you can guess, in the song at least, she fills up that void in a beautifully majestic way.

music

feature

EVEN THOUGH IT’S BECOME ONE OF THE MOST TIRED OF MUSICAL CLICHES, MANY MUSICIANS STILL LIKEN THEIR MUSIC TO PAINTINGS. BUT HERE, WE DO ONE BETTER BY BREAKING THROUGH ALL THAT NAVEL-GAZING ABSTRACTION TO BRING YOU A LIST OF SONGS INSPIRED BY AND DIRECTED TO ACTUAL WORLD-RENOWNED ARTISTS.

“WHAT THE WATER GAVE ME” FLORENCE + THE MACHINE Florence Welch is a character, on and off the record. But her larger-than-life-ness is tempered with an intensely reflective streak that unpacks meanings from signs and symbols. Likewise, this stratosphere-scraping cut from her sophomore full-length, Ceremonials, is a Frida Kahloinspired blast of maximal introspection. On this folk-rock implosion, titled after one of Kahlo’s most famous paintings that she discovered in a “book of symbolism”, Welch sings of “poor Atlas / The world’s a beast of a burden”, being swept away by a crushing “overflow”, reinterpreting the significance of water which, in the painting, is in a bathtub in which a figure is immersed, and around whom various surreal scenes take place.

“BASQUIAT GHOSTWRITER” YASSIN BEY One of the best examples of interdisciplinary brodowns is the longstanding fascination that rappers have with Jean-Michel Basquiat. But while Jay Z tried to beat that point home into us in the heavy-handed “Picasso Baby”, the approach of the artiste formerly known as Mos Def here is a lot more sincere and honourific. Over what essentially amounts to a drum-led free jazz freakout, Bey raps lines culled from Basquiat’s paintings, graffiti and notebook musings. Like the bricolage method of creation, which is hip-hop’s foundation, this seemingly random burst of words hits hard. Here’s a sample: “I will ride for this real in every single way / Love, truth, peace, freedom, justice, every day”.

“INTERIORS (SONG FOR WILLEM DE KOONING)” THE MANIC STREET PREACHERS Though they make fist-up, populist alt-rock, the Welsh legends’ music has always blossomed from scholarly and socially-questioning concerns.

High-stakes, through and through, “Interiors” is inspired by the abstract expressionist champion it mentions by name and references his battle with Alzheimer’s, as well as his violently and vividly rendered landscapes in a palpably convincing and seamless way. By any measure, the hook, “Who sees the interiors like young Willem once did / Your beautiful triangle of distortion”, is a great example of what the band did so well as much as it is a show of admiration and empathy from one artist to another. music

015

feature

“AN ARCHITECT’S DREAM” KATE BUSH There are levels to Kate Bush, and like her best work, “An Architect’s Dream” is an invitation to strip away the layers around a passionately burning sentiment and/or idea. It begins with Australian musician and painter, Rolf Harris, literally describing a painting he’s working on in real time.

“I need to get that tone. A little bit lighter there.

Maybe with some dark accents coming in”, he says as Bush takes over, equating a painter’s mistake on canvas, a “smudge”, to “lovers” in a “tryst”, “curving and sweeping, rising and reaching”. So gorgeous is the song that the fact that it’s inspired by a titular painting by American Romantic painter Thomas Cole is almost secondary.

“MAGRITTE” JOHN CALE

“ODE TO BANKSY” JESCA HOOP The whole “What is Art?” debate will rage on eternally but one thing everyone can agree on is that, sometimes, it’s the actualisation of a moment of inspiration. Here’s Jesca Hoop with her say: “I’ve been a fan of Banksy for ages [and] this song is a splatter of inspirations that I have gathered from his pieces round the world”. And thus, we have “Ode to Banksy” a reverential… ode, informed by specific pieces by the anonymous British graffiti titan. The most controversial image here is her claim that “suicide bombers just need a hug”, an allusion to Banky’s famous 2003 piece, Bomb Hugger.

“THE VIVIAN GIRLS ARE VISITED IN THE NIGHT BY SAINT DARGARIUS” SUFJAN STEVENS Henry Darger was an outsider artist most posthumously famous for his 15,145-page fantasy tome – The Story Of The Vivian Girls, In What Is Known As The Realms Of The Unreal, Of The Glandeco-Angelinian War Storm, Caused By The Child Slave Rebellion – which was accompanied by drawings and paintings. In the Vivian Girls universe, seven princesses lead a rebellion against child slavery forced upon them by an evil army. Though instrumental, Sufjan Stevens’ homage compellingly recalls Darger’s story, informing text and image with its frenetic strings and tense, almost delirious mood.

Text Indran P Images Various Sources

016

It’s not a puzzle to fathom John Cale’s admiration of the Belgian surrealist master. As one of the key contributors to the Velvet Underground brain trust, he was responsible for some of the most spellbinding music in history. This slice off his 13th solo album is surreal, to say the very least.

Foreboding guitar notes twang menacingly as an eerie mesh of bass, drums and violin carry his imploring voice. “Upstairs there’s a canvas stretched / For umbrellas and bowler hats / Everybody knows René did that / Often we saw Magritte / Pinned to the edges of vision”, he sings, giving banal facts a stunningly weird urgency.

music

EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

chat

Text Indran P Image We Are The Rhoads Interview courtesy of Symmetry Entertainment

YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’RE IN FOR WHEN YOU LISTEN TO A DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE SONG. THROUGHOUT THE TWO DECADES IT’S TAKEN THEM TO GROW FROM A CULTISHLY BELOVED ACT TO A GLOBALLY RENOWNED MAIN ATTRACTION, BEN GIBBARD AND CO. HAVE EXPANDED ON THEIR ABILITY TO UPLIFT, DEVASTATE AND EMPATHISE IN SOME VIVIDLY GLORIOUS WAYS. LAST YEAR, THEY SCALED A NEW PEAK ON THEIR EIGHTH ALBUM, KINTSUGI, PRODUCED BY FAMED HITMAKER RICH COSTEY, AND BID FAREWELL TO FOUNDING MEMBER CHRIS WALLA. SO, WITH A LOT TO DISSECT, WE PICKED BASSIST NICK HARMER’S BRAIN ON SOME BURNING ISSUES AHEAD OF THE BAND’S UPCOMING WOAH FESTIVAL SHOWCASE HERE. On Kintsugi.

Kintsugi means a lot of things to us. It is an album of one chapter ending and another beginning. When we started making this album, the future was unclear and unfocused. After finishing it and touring throughout 2015, our future as a band became clearer. We’ve never been more eager and excited for what is to come and Kintsugi has been the reason for that.

challenging, and everything I wanted working with a world-class producer to be. I wouldn’t say it was a drastic transition because Chris is a competent producer in his own right, but since Chris was in the band as well, there were always a lot of decisions and exchanges tacitly made between us.

Rich forced all of us to talk and work through our impulses in the open and I think that helped us all connect even more in the studio.

On “The Ghosts of Beverly Drive”.

It happened much like how all of our songs do.

Ben writes a demo and passes it to the rest of the band and we write parts and add our creative energies to it. “The Ghosts Of Beverly Drive” was a demo that we immediately gravitated to because of the strong guitar hooks and lyrics. So our task in the studio as a band was to reinforce those ideas and fill out the song palette. It was one of the first two songs we recorded with Rich Costey, and we knew that we were in good hands as we heard him sculpt and guide us to the version that you hear on the album.

On Chirs Walla’s departure.

The biggest change is that now we have two new guys playing music with us, Dave Depper and Zac Rae. The combined talents of those two have filled out our sound live and allowed us to play and explore so much more of our music than ever before. Also, their energy and enthusiasm has reinvigorated the rest of us and we are experiencing a new rush of creativity and fun playing music.

On working with Rich Costey.

Working with Rich was incredible and

On Death Cab for Cutie in 2016.

It’s hard to step out of my career and see it as a whole. I mean, from where I sit, we’re just college friends having fun making music together and the rest has just surprised me. I don’t take a moment

music

of this journey for granted. We all work hard but there has definitely been a nice amount of luck that has followed us from the beginning as well. All I feel at this moment is a huge amount of gratitude to my bandmates and every person who has supported us along the way.

On his favourite Death Cab for Cutie song.

Such a tough question! To honest, my favorites change frequently. But right now, one of my favorites is “Black Sun”. I love playing that song live. The electronic elements, the bass line and drum beat – it’s all so satisfying.

On playing in Singapore again.

I am just excited to be able to have the opportunity to visit and explore. I have always had wonderful times in Singapore and I can’t wait to discover more.

Catch Death Cab for Cutie live at The Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa, on March 7. deathcabforcutie.com

017

chat

TAYLOR MCFERRIN

THIS MODERN SOUL

Early Riser was finally released in 2014, though it was finished four years earlier. Were you frustrated over the delay?

Yes, a little. I had most of it done but I kept doubting myself and starting over. I did that three times before I realised that it was ridiculous. So I went through everything I’d worked on for years and picked the tracks that worked together. I also realised that I had so many talented friends that could help take the album to the next level, so the final six months were spent reaching out to them. Initially, I had this vision in my mind where I was Stevie Wonder, playing everything. But that changed when I decided to let the album be what it was meant to be.

In the critical press, your music is commonly referred to as “jazz fusion”. Do you agree with that tag?

Not really. I don’t think of myself as a “jazz” artiste per se because I never specifically studied one instrument. I’ve always been a producer, working mainly with machines and computer programs. Those have been my main instruments. Unlike the jazz greats, I haven’t focused all my energies on one instrument but I have put that amount of time into being a producer.

Speaking of which, Brainfeeder was involved in some of the best hip-hop records last year. What do you make of hip-hop’s newfound love for jazz?

A lot of it has to do with people no longer being afraid. Look at Kendrick Lamar. After his previous releases, there was an immense amount of pressure on him to hit even bigger numbers on his latest one. But he wasn’t afraid to say something important. It took a lot of courage for him to present his message in the way he did, especially at a time like this.

018

SOMETIMES, IT REALLY DOES RUN IN THE FAMILY. IT’S SAFE TO SAY THAT THE ELDEST SON OF THE REVERED, WIDELY-CELEBRATED SINGER AND CONDUCTOR, BOBBY MCFERRIN, HAS MOST DEFINITELY INHERITED HIS FATHER’S GOLDEN TOUCH. AIDED BY HIS OWN ENCHANTING VISION, HIS MUSIC IS A KALEIDOSCOPIC MEDIATION BETWEEN THE DISPARATE, MORE SHIMMERY SCHOOLS OF JAZZ, SOUL, HIP-HOP AND ELECTRONICA. HIS DEBUT ALBUM, EARLY RISER, RELEASED UNDER FLYING LOTUS’ BRAINFEEDER LABEL, SAYS IT ALL. AHEAD OF HIS SINGJAZZ 2016 SET, THE SINGER, PRODUCER AND ARRANGER ANSWERS SOME OF OUR BURNING QUERIES.

music

Your dad played at SingJazz 2015. Did he share any of his experiences here with you?

Well, my dad’s always touring so he’s stopped telling me where he’s going! But my little sister [Madison McFerrin] was there with him and she really liked it. It was her first time in Asia and she was really excited – she was all over the place!

So, finally, what’s got you excited about SingJazz 2016?

I’ve actually been to Singapore twice, so I have a sense of the vibe; I kinda know what to expect. What I’m looking forward to the most is checking out BadBadNotGood live. I’ve never seen them live so this will be my first time. I’m also really good friends with Hiatus Kaiyote so it’ll be great to be in Singapore with some friends. Oh, and I want to check out the hotel with the boat on top!

Catch Taylor McFerrin in the flesh at SingJazz 2016, happening March 4 to 6 at Marina Bay Sands. taylormcferrin.com

Text Indran P Image Simon Benjamin Interview courtesy of SingJazz 2016

How do you feel about the success of your Brainfeeder labelmate, Kamasi Washington?

I think it’s beautiful. I just moved to L.A. so I’m starting to get to know him a little bit now. With his album, The Epic, he created a ‘Sun Ra’ type of environment where you feel like you’re in outer space. There hasn’t really been a jazz record that feels young and fresh, while having so many dimensions about it. It’s a big moment for jazz and it’s proof that jazz is in good hands.

chat

THE BIG CHILL

PANAMA

“Jungle” brings to mind New Order’s best work.

What was your vision behind the track?

I’ve always been a fan of New Order and other new wave artistes so I’m sure they have been an influence in terms of what I write. When I started writing the track, I was inspired by the drum beat pattern. For some reason, it reminded me of Prince writing a song on an old Linn drum machine. The song has a bittersweet feeling. The lyrics definitely express feelings of regret and fear of not measuring up but the music is almost anthemic and upbeat. It was an interesting song to write, as I didn’t necessarily have a vision for it.

It just seemed to unfold that way as I wrote it.

And how did the Panama sound come about?

The Panama sound was really borne from the work that I did with Eric Broucek over in L.A. in 2011. I had written a bunch of songs with my previous band, The Dirty Secrets, but wasn’t happy with them and was really just searching for a whole new sound altogether. I approached Eric to help produce the tracks and I liked his ideas, so I went over to L.A. to collaborate on 10 tracks with him. From those 10 tracks, we released six

of them under the new name of Panama. I’m really proud of what we’ve created together.

So, you hail from the Australian bushland, Darwin. It’s pretty remarkable that you now make future-facing dance music!

I absolutely loved growing up in Darwin; it is a really unique part of Australia to live in.

But I grew up in the suburbs of Darwin in the same way that most Australians do so I probably can’t really say that my surroundings influenced me that much. I do very much feel inspired by nature, though, and occasionally need to get out of Sydney for a weekend to refocus when I’m struggling with a song. I love hiking for that reason, and I guess that is kind of influenced by my upbringing as we spent many family holidays hiking and fishing in more remote parts of Australia.

I think many fans are eager to know – so far you have released two albums, and there was “Jungle”. Is there anything else in the works?

There could be. Unofficially, there should be a few releases happening over the next few

music

months. Whether that will be an EP or an LP, I’m not too sure at the moment. I’m still very much in a production phase with a lot of the new songs but I’m really excited to put it out there as soon as possible. Fingers crossed it will be soon!

It’s your first time here in Singapore. What are you looking forward to on your Asian tour?

I’m definitely looking forward to the whole Asian tour! We played in Jakarta last year for a festival but we haven’t been able to make it back since so it’s really exciting to be heading over there soon. I haven’t been to Taipei or the Philippines before either so I’m stoked to be heading there too. The crowd in Jakarta was insane! They were so enthusiastic and fun to play to so we’re super excited to meet our fans in Singapore too. Not long now!

Get your dance on with Panama at The Substation on March 6. wearepanamatheband.com

Text Indran P Image Future Classic Interview courtesy of Moonbeats Asia

020

HOW’S THIS FOR A TESTIMONY OF GREAT CHOPS? WHEN PANAMA WAS STILL THE SOLO GUISE OF DARWIN-BASED SONGWRITER AND MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST, JARRAH MCCLEARY, HE SPOTTED DRUMMER, TIM COMMANDEUR, BEHIND THE KIT FOR ANOTHER BAND, LOVED WHAT HE HEARD, AND INVITED HIM TO COME ONBOARD THE PANAMA TRAIN. SINCE THEN, THE TWO HAVE GONE ON TO MAKE ’80S-LEANING ELECTRONICA WITH ENOUGH EFFERVESCENCE AND SOUL-CHARGED EARTHINESS TO MAKE FOR PERFECT POP. AFTER BLESSING US WITH THEIR LATEST SINGLE “JUNGLE”, THE PAIR ANNOUNCED THAT THEY’D MAKE A STOP HERE LATER THIS MONTH. AHEAD OF THAT, WE HIT UP MCCLEARY, WHO SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON HIS MUSIC AND METHODS HERE.

chat

GO HAR D OR GO HOME WHAT MAKES DANCE MUSIC SO ENDLESSLY APPEALING AND UBIQUITOUSLY CO-OPTED IS THAT IN THE BROADEST SENSE, IT BRINGS CATHARTIC RELEASE WITH ITS HEADY POUND. BUT WHEN IT GETS HARD IS WHEN IT GETS MORE INTERESTING. AS COONE, BELGIAN STALWART KOEN BAUWERAERTS HAS BEEN MAKING A KINETICALLY-POWERED RACKET FOR OVER A DECADE NOW, AND IS AN ICON IN THE UNSUBTLY CHRISTENED ART OF HARDSTYLE. TO EXPERIENCE HIS MUSIC IS TO BE SIMULTANEOUSLY BATTERED AND BUOYED

BY IT. BUT BEFORE HE DROPS HIS BOMBS, HE GETS PERSONAL WITH US BELOW.

021

Text Indran P Image Sven Van Gestel Photography Interview courtesy of Zouk Singapore

COONE Critics have called his new banger “Deception (Reverze Anthem 2016)” an example of ‘classic’ hardstyle.

I do hear a lot of commotion about it being a track that’s going back to the roots. I think it’s simply because of the reverse bass in the mid intro, which gives it that older feel. Also the synth used gives it a grain of a more classic hardstyle track (from the period of 2010 to 2012). But, I’m very happy with how it turned out and the reactions it has received.

His legacy in hardstyle.

I’ve been in the hard dance scene for over 12 years now, and I’ve always loved hardstyle because of its powerful sound. However, I didn’t start producing it (commercially) for a few years. As I evolved as an artiste, I decided to take the plunge and focus fully on hardstyle. I haven’t looked back since.

If I look back on the evolution of hardstyle, the production quality has made so many leaps and bounds.

On the battle between hardstyle and EDM. I feel that the hardstyle scene is extremely dedicated. They know all the songs; it’s such a pleasure to see when you’re performing. I feel that conventional EDM is also pretty cool.

However, the people visiting those events are just there to have fun and don’t necessarily come to see an artiste or wait patiently for that one song they’ve been dying to hear.

How he established his label, Dirty Workz.

Well, back in 2006, I set up the label together with some other people who are now running the label independently from me. It was a good platform for me to release music on, and also give new artistes a platform to be heard. This year, the label is celebrating its 10th anniversary and I’m so proud to see how much the label has grown and how many quality artistes we represent.

On writing, recording and producing The Challenge in 30 days.

It was such a hectic period that I’m sure I’ve lost a few years of my life in that time. But it taught me quite a lot about myself as a person, as well as an artiste – so I’m very happy I did it. To this day, I’m very proud of how it went and people still talk about it because it was quite an advanced concept at the time.

His distinct use of vocal samples in his tracks.

I always start working with the vocal; writing the lyrics and getting the vocal down basically set

music

the theme of the track. For me, a track isn’t just a ‘track’ ‘cos when I start, I already see a whole campaign around it in my head. I don’t just want people to listen to the music, but really connect with the feeling of the track.

He’s a proud daddy!

Fatherhood is just great; my little one is a sweetheart. I guess I’m a really lucky guy! At first, I thought it was going to be difficult to combine my DJ career with a family, but I have a fantastic girlfriend who really understands and of course, the little one is really easygoing, for now…

Party people, brace yourselves!

I heard Zouk is one of the greatest clubs in Singapore. It’s also the first time I’m performing in Singapore, so I’m looking forward to everything you have to offer. I hope you guys are ready for some global straight fire hardstyle!

Go hard with Coone at Zouk on March 18. djcoone.com

focus artiste

POP! ART! ON TO THE NEXT ONE

022

ROSTAM BATMANGLIJ Whatever it is ‘alternative’ means these days, it’s indisputable that Vampire Weekend is the masthead of the noughties indie generation. All that think piece crit levelled at nefarious hipsterdom that the band has been (rather unfairly) associated with cannot discount this fact: that the New York band’s hands passed three exemplary records of exquisite pop with an indieminded intellectualism. So news of their producer-arranger Rostam Batmanglij’s departure was shocking, to say the least. But as far as next-level music is concerned, we’re here to assure you that all is well.

“My identity as a songwriter and producer, I realised, needs to stand on its own”, went Rostam’s letter of resignation and declaration of independence – the culmination of a slow-burning hot streak that now finds him appraising the path he’s blitzed in a whole new way. “I don’t like the word”, he responded to a recent claim that he makes “indie” music. He’d rather you call it “art music”. If you’ve been clued into his work with Vampire Weekend and his productions for Santigold, Haim, Ra Ra Riot (with whose frontman he shares an electronic project, Discovery), and Charli XCX, you’d know that it’s not a conceited claim.

Then there’s “EOS”, his newest single released under his own name. Though mournfully contemplative and minimal, it pulses with an uncontrollable energy and vivid details. The synths shimmer; the drums trudge; the vocals surge to the sky, only to be silenced by a single closing piano key – it’s art. Be very excited.

music

JASON NEWSTED

TYONDAI BRAXTON

When Jason Newsted joined Metallica in 1986, they were still an underground band. By the time he left in 2001, they were inarguably one of the biggest bands in the world.

Tired of the bullying he had to endure from his bandmates (Really, James!?), he went on to helm his own bands Echobrain and Newsted.

If you feel your artistic ambitions surpass even the thunderous, mind-bendingly layered scale of Battles, then you must be on to something. That’s the reason guitarist, keyboardist and singer bid adieu to his mathrock brethren. Since then, he’s released two excellent solo albums and come into his own as a composer.

MARK LANEGAN

CONOR OBERST

With the protracted languor following up on their seventh album, Dust, eventually ending with their lead singer walking out on them, the Screaming Trees were over. Mark Lanegan, however, gifted his gravelly, liquored voice to the Queens Of The Stone Age and a slew of solo albums, as well a oneoff project with Isobel Campbell.

Before he earned his reputation as the indie world’s most broken voice and most gushingly verbose pen, Conor Oberst got his first start with the groovily morose postpunkers, The Faint. He had a big part to play on their debut album Sine Sierra, weighing in on guitars and vocals but left soon after to focus on his then-solo project Bright Eyes.

We all know how that turned out.

Text Indran P Images Bryan Parker and Various Sources

THESE ARTISTES LEFT THEIR OLD BANDS TO CREATE ANEW

essentials

COLOUR ME CRAZY Consider this: when they were recording their 10th and latest album, Painting With, Animal Collective brought baby pools into the studio and projected dinosaurs on the walls. Of course, this is all par for the course for the Baltimore band; famed as it is for its freakishly original psychedelic recombination of entire compendiums of music.

Already beyond-colouristic, this sound is looking to get a whole lot more vivid, thanks to guest appearances by masters of hyperactive moods, the Velvet Underground’s John Cale and saxophonist Colin Stetson. But that’s not all.

As keyboardist and programmer Brian “Geologist” Weitz explains, the album will feature a slew of percussion instruments that are “all weirdo handmade stuff”, such as “metal rods that make singing tones”, used on the Planet of the Apes and Poltergeist soundtracks. This new arsenal is part of their decision to forgo its patented ambient sensibilities and opt for the jugular, just like “their favourite Ramones records”.

What does all this mean for a beyond-influential band that pioneered an instantly recognisable

art-tronic approach? Look to the delightfully christened lead single, “FloriDada”: a sun-kissed hookfest whose catchiness actually echoes through the gaping surrealist abyss of percolating sounds in the background. It’s the most upfront the band has been about giving you a sonic seizure you can hum to, and it’s yet another revelation that they’ve brought to the light. That they’ve reassembled the sum of their majestic parts 15 years in the game is nothing short of extraordinary.

That they’re even better now is greater still.

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE

024

MEET AND GREET

DAVID PORTNER While the band’s lineup isn’t a hardand-fast rule, David Portner – or Avey Tare as he’s known within the AC universe – has been present on every single one of their records.

Though the band is frontman-less, his bandmates maintain that Portner is the main creative force. Also, he has the gift of synesthesia.

That explains a lot.

NOAH LENNOX As Panda Bear, Lennox has the esteem of being the most prolific solo incarnation amongst his AC brethren.

Parsing through his five full-lengths, including last year’s emotionally devastating, Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper, it’s obvious that the Animal Collective aesthetic we’ve come to enjoy owes a lot to his wacky, DayGlo-drenched imagination.

BRIAN WEITZ It still cracks us up that Weitz is a marine biologist by training. But trivia aside, it’s safe to say that the Collective would sound vastly different if not for him – since it was he who introduced longtime pal Lennox to Portner and Dibb. As a musician, he’s made it his life’s work to “use unconventional sounds and textures as music”.

music music

JOSH DIBB Though he’s been the most elusive of the set, Dibb AKA Deakin has a long history with Portner and Lennox.

Before they became the soundconsuming force they are today, the trio was in a Pavement-referencing indie band called Automine. Though he isn’t on Painting With, his forthcoming as-yet-untitled solo album is due to drop soon.

Text Indran P Image Various Sources

THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF ANIMAL COLLECTIVE’S TECHNICOLOUR APOCALYPSE

boombox

THERE’S A RIOT GOIN’ ON SLY & THE FAMILY STONE This is a great LP with familiar tunes like “Family Affair”. Sly deserves way more credit for his explorations in R&B, funk and soul.

NEZ SENJA

TRUE COLOURS HIGH CONTRAST With deep and lush musical lines, High Contrast’s debut album is pure magic that paved the way for quality liquid drum & bass.

MOMENTS ALEX B Released on Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder imprint, this instrumental hip-hop album fed my brain with killer samples, synthesised sounds and off-kilter beats.

CHAMPION SOUND JAYLIB The late, great J Dilla collaborated with Madlib for Stones Throw and the result is an album full of really hot beats.

025 PLATINUM BREAKZ METALHEADZ I received this CD as a hand-medown. It introduced me to the dark and colder side of drum & bass, purely for the head.

Text Indran P Images Various Sources

SELUDOPE AKEEM JAHAT I love rap and Akeem is the first Singaporean rapper that spoke to my soul. He’s a true storyteller, with real messages for the masses.

“ROUND MIDNIGHT” THELONIOUS MONK This an essential standalone track that I will remember when I am old and grey. Monk is a great innovator in jazz and “off-time” rhythms.

EVERY SOUND HAS ITS CHAMPIONS WHO FLY ITS FLAG, BUT NEZ SENJA IS A HERO WHO STANDS FOR MORE THAN ONE CAUSE. THROUGH HIS SUB CITY SERIES OF PARTIES, AND MUSIC AND EVENTS PROMOTION BRAND, REVISION MUSIC, HE’S EMERGED AS AN AMBASSADOR OF THE DARKER, MORE INTERESTING REGIONS OF JUNGLE, DRUM & BASS, HIP-HOP AND DUB – GIFTING OUR BODIES WITH A NEXT-LEVEL SHAKE-UP EVERY TIME HE’S ON THE DECKS. HERE, HE SHARES THE ELEMENTS THAT HAVE SHAPED HIS GROOVE-MAKING POWERS.

ILL COMMUNICATION BEASTIE BOYS This album was in my Discman all day when I was 13, and it introduced me to both hip-hop and live instruments.

36 SEASONS GHOSTFACE KILLAH “Love Don’t Live Here No More” is my favourite track off the album and features the incredible voice of Kandace Springs.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY FAT FREDDY’S DROP Here’s a great album with excellent vocals, instrumentation and dub vibes that are both uplifting and deep throughout. music music

special

With the onslaught of engaging new spaces and booths at Laneway Festival Singapore 2016, the festival grounds were sprawling with rousing installations, fashion, and food that beckoned new and avid photographers alike. Festivalgoers took on the annual affair with a common device to document the day — their smartphones. Likewise, we hit up Laneway Festival Singapore 2016 with Samsung’s latest Galaxy A (2016).

THE AGE OF INSTAGRAM AND SNAPCHAT IS UPON US, AND IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY APPARENT THAT THE QUALITY OF ANY EXPERIENCE CAN ONLY BE BACKED UP BY HOW GOOD ITS PHOTOGRAPHS ARE. WITH SMARTPHONES CONSTANTLY PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF CONSUMER PHOTOGRAPHY, SAMSUNG’S LATEST OFFERING LEAPS INTO THE MARKET WITH DISTINCT CAMERA FUNCTIONS THAT WILL WORK WITH WHOEVER’S BEHIND THE SCREEN. NOW YOUR FAVOURITE BAND MEMORIES CAN EXIST IN PERPETUAL CLARITY.

Sporting a smooth, chamfered metal frame and robust Corning® Gorilla® Glass that envelops the front and back of the smartphones, the design shapes the smartphones up to be some of the sleekest in the market. Much like last year’s test drive, we attempted to dabble in the unique photographic features of the new Galaxy A (2016) family to chronicle our experience.

Beyond the plethora of new and improved features, we’ve found some of our favourite features that will more than tide you over the year’s upcoming music festivals.

But it wasn’t just us having all the fun – Samsung set up their Experience booth once again this year to showcase its latest and greatest for curious festivalgoers, including Gear S2 smartwatch, Gear VR virtual reality headset, and Galaxy A (2016) smartphone hourly giveaway for likeminded creatives on Instagram (check out the entries at #galaxyaxlaneway).

And if you wished to check the health of your Samsung Galaxy smartphone, the Samsung Service Clinic was there to help you with it.

AGAME

BRINGING THE

SAMSUNG X LANEWAY

special

P H O T O - TA K I N G O P T I O N S

Whether you’re snapping a picture-perfect moment with the Beauty Face or Palm Selfie modes, or a wide-eyed view of the festivalscape with the 13MP Rear Camera, the Galaxy A (2016) is blessed with a multitude of options that will get you the shot you want. From the Wide Selfie for those huge group shots to Burst Shots for capturing onstage energy, catch these moments instantly when you Quick Launch the camera by double-pressing the home button.

beauty face palm selfie

burst shot panorama

LO N G - W E A R B AT T E R Y

Though the Galaxy A (2016) houses a Large Capacity Battery, it doesn’t hurt to have the Faster Charging* capability handy to juice up your phone quickly. Now when your device starts to whimper after a long day of photo-taking and recording, you can simply recharge in between sets. Otherwise, switch to the Ultra Power Saving Mode to stretch your battery life when you don’t have a charger with you.

CLEARER AND BRIGHTER PHOTOS

The advanced camera system in the device includes Optical Image Stabilisation*, that aids capturing moving subjects and reduces blurriness (if you’ve had one too many). Its intuitive f1.9 Lenses on the front and rear cameras also let you take brighter pictures, rendering night shots with vivid clarity. f1.9 lenses give brighter shots

STORAGE CUSTOMISABILITY

We all know how taking photos at music festivals can drain the memory of your device. Therefore, Samsung has equipped the Galaxy A3 (2016) 4G with a Hybrid SIM, and the Galaxy A5 (2016) 4G+ and Galaxy A7 (2016) 4G+ with an additional memory card slot, which thankfully, also doubles up to expand your external memory by up to 128GB, so you’ll never need to erase old memories before capturing new ones.

The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) 4G+ [RRP $698], Galaxy A5 (2016) 4G+ [RRP $598] and Galaxy A3 (2016) 4G [RRP $398] are available in Black, Gold and Pink Gold at all Samsung Experience Stores, Telecommunication Operators and Authorised Retailers.

*Available on the Galaxy A5 (2016) 4G+ and Galaxy A7 (2016) 4G+ only.

All photos taken with Galaxy A (2016). Corning and Gorilla are registered trademarks of Corning Incorporated.

report

028

THE BIG ONE

LANEWAY FESTIVAL SINGAPORE 2016 Midway through her band’s set, at the height of the sweltering heat, The Internet’s frontwoman Syd the Kid looked at the crowd with a wistful film in her eyes and enthused, “This is really special”. If you were there, along with the 13,000-strong crowd, singing and sweating along, you’d have shared her love for the moment she was in. Eleven years since its first staging in a dirty lane in Melbourne’s Central Business District, and six years since it first lit on our shores, Laneway Festival has emerged as a musical bucket list-fulfilling force that ushers the most buzzing of the indie-verse’s talents to our shores.

And with 28 international, regional and local acts, this year’s roster was the vastest and most diverse yet. Just when we thought that the format of the festival would stay the same, festival organisers added a fourth stage, the White Room, to the proceedings – meaning that there was yet another portal at The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay, to new musical experiences to jump into. And, oh, did we jump! If you haven’t already guessed, we had a fantastic, positively mythic time. Here’s how it all went down.

cheats BLAZE OF GLORY One way this year’s was like all the others was that it began in a magnanimous gleam of sunlight that translated into punishing heat. The first to sound off were homegrown genre-clashers Riot !n Magenta. And as always, they over-delivered, supremely. Frontwoman Eugenia Yip was the epicentre of the beat-driven kaleidoscope of sounds that her bandmates invoked, especially those from their excellent 2015 EP, Voices.

Next up, at the neighbouring Garden Stage, Filipino indie rock outfit Cheats took their place. It didn’t take long for the group, led by principal songwriter Jim Bacarro, to show that they were a precision-engineered machine whose separate parts were wired to produce spiky jolts of alt-rock and pop goodness. Across the grounds, at the Cloud Stage, earworms of a different kind were being served up fresh. Hong Kong rising stars GDJYB were up to their rollicking MO, unspooling capital I indie rock in the vein of Tokyo Police Club.

music

report

Even the last minute cancellation by New York dreampoppers DIIV, due to a sudden “family emergency”, did not dampen the very good vibes. Though slightly upset (and worried), we took this freed-up time to survey the many attractions on the grounds. For one, the amount and spread of grub was remarkable. From a whopping 27 vendors, every blip in the food universe was represented. Settling for the special Laneway burger, the Piggie Smalls, from Three Buns by Potato Head Folk, we then hit up the installations

by Laneway partners. Notable amongst these were Budweiser’s surround sound system, Monkey Shoulder’s CNY-themed arcade and H&M’s inverted dressing room.

A while into our walkabout, we heard a distorted blast of feedback in the air and rushed back to Bay Stage where Brisbane grunge thrashers Violent Soho were about to do their good work. Let it be known that in our humble opinion, Luke Boerdam and his brothers in arms played one of the best sets of the festival. With guitar-rock fast becoming a historical proposition, it was encouraging to encounter a band so committed to making bleary, fist-up anthems like “Dope Calypso” and “Lowbrow”. Not wanting to miss out on William Doyle AKA East India Youth, we raced over after a while to the Cloud Stage to catch the London synthpop and IDM phenom do his thing.

thundercat

shamir

With a little time to spare, we moved to the (thankfully) air-conditioned White Room to witness one of Singapore’s most boundary-pushing electronic musicians, Fauxe, provide the impetus for local rap trio Mediocre Haircut Crew to unravel their flows.

Then, it was time for a whole other hip-hop delivery system, Thundercat. Supported by a hyper-skilled keyboardist and 1000-armed drummer, his teeming bass notes surged like mercury to make for some of the best sounds we took in that day. And besides his mastery on his instrument, on songs like “Heartbreaks + Setbacks”, he evinced his chops as a honey-voiced soul singer.

violent soho

MIDDAY MUCHNESS It was a passing of the baton of sorts when The Internet, with Stephen’s younger brother Jameel on keyboards, took the Bay Stage next. Young though they were, all the members of the sextet exuded the chill and confidence of seasoned veterans, and from opening song “Get Away” onwards, held the audience expertly in their soulful sway. Complementing them was Melbourne duo Big Scary, whose fey garage rock picked up the pace while honouring the mood of the proceedings. But the blissed-out calm was soon blasted out of the sky by Darker than Wax’s Rah at the White Room, where she mined from canons of black music a powerfully infectious, bass-accented brew of dance. Also flying the flag for cutting-edge Made-In-SG music at the Garden Stage across were Cashew Chemists, whose bluesy rock had gathered local diehards and smitten out-of-towners alike.

east india youth

music

029

report

You judge a festival by how frequently it brings on the dance and by Shamir’s set alone, Laneway 2016 more than proved itself. Though shorn of his vertical fro, the Las Vegas native absolutely killed it with sass and style. Out came the hits: “In For The Kill”; “On The Regular”; “Hot Mess” (which he described as his “autobiography”) and the dance, dance, dance. But the pulse didn’t stop there; our trips to the Bay Stage and White Room yielded more charms in the form of Sydney trappers Hermitude and local fire-spitter Mean, who rounded up the first half of the day with winning attitude and tunes.

WHEN THE NIGHT CALLS As strains of purple seeped into the sky, Battles strode across the Garden Stage and took up their positions. Though unspared from technical problems, the threesome soldiered through their mind-melt of intricately pullulating sounds, giving us “FF Bada” and “Atlas” in the progress. At the same time, Syndicate’s Intriguant held court at the Cloud Stage, with support from some of Singapore’s finest, making for an enthralling display. After that, we shuttled between the hard-left sounds by JPS, FlyLo’s recent tour DJ, and The 1975, glam rock’s great new hope, before plonking down on the green to catch our breaths.

Fans of Ontario noiseniks, METZ, knew it was going to get loud when they came on, but we didn’t know that it would get that loud. With noise that ringingly sublime, we can’t deny the band the honour of the best performance of the festival. But that’s not to say that Laneway alumni, Beach House, who were up next, weren’t transfixing in their own way – with Victoria Legrand commanding a rapt crowd with her bewitching coos, and “One Thing”, of course. We checked in on the White Room, briefly, for B. Bravo’s delicious funk and took a much-needed pause.

030

Then, it was time for Grimes. With Art Angels in tow, she was unstoppable in her weaponised quirky glory, letting us have “Flesh Without Blood”, “Scream” (which featured Taiwanese rapper Aristophanes in the flesh) and the hardcore-meets-drum-and-bass crusher of the concluding “Kill v Maim”. Back at the Cloud Stage, Hudson Mohawke, too, beamed kinetically manic transmissions into our bodies; “Ryderz” and “Thunder Bay” gave us a workout. But with local heroes Kiat and Kane turning up at the White Room, and crowd favourites Chvrches bringing forth their titanic hooks, we couldn’t stop – not that we wanted to.

purity ring

hudson mohawke

rah

mean flume music

report

jps

grimes

With much handwringing deliberation, we picked a side in the Purity Ring vs Flume clash. With the festival’s last two acts scheduled to play at the same time, both bands emerged as camps to which their followers flocked. We opted for Purity Ring, and were treated to adrenalised synthpop with a monumental heft. One of the most poignant moments of fest came just after the duo played their last song, the devastating “Begin Again”, when Megan James gazed into the crowd, and expressed disbelief that this many people so far away from home listened to and cared for her music. And before walking away, she left us with the promise that Purity Ring will “definitely” be back.

As we made the walk back to the Bay Stage for what was left of Flume’s set, we began to collect our thoughts on Laneway 2016. Not only was there more of everything – big name international acts, rising and established local stars, F&B options and fringe activities – the entire experience afforded by Laneway was made all the more fantastic by the way it was curated around such scale. Never has it been ‘more for the sake of more’ with Laneway, and it was still the case six years on.

Text Indran P Images Laneway Festival Singapore

Closing off with such heady audio-visual splendour, Flume himself stood as a testament of this. Now a legitimate brand and envoy of cutting-edge sounds, Laneway is one the most anticipated dates on our local calendar. We have our sights set on 2017’s – see you at the front row.

beach house

b. bravo

the 1975 music

031

flash

Bowie Said No

More To Come Wilco honcho Jeff Tweedy said something not too long ago that might inform some new good tidings concerning his band. “I think my goal is to not screw up whatever spell is being cast by the music”, he offered then, rather plainspokenly. Months later, news surfaced that Wilco have another album planned for release very soon. Given that their last album Star Wars was surprisedropped last July, the spell in question still very much hangs over the band. wilcoworld.net

See those names on the cover? Trainspotting director Danny Boyle had pleaded with David Bowie to lend his “Golden Years” to the soundtrack of his most iconic film. But as former EMI exec Tristram Penna recently disclosed, Bowie declined. The fact that Boyle wanted to use the song for Ewan McGregor’s Renton’s infamous toilet scene (ugh) might have influenced his decision. Like, c’mon, Danny Boyle! Still, two Bowie-produced songs, Iggy Pop’s “Lust For Life” and “Nightclubbing” made the cut.

032

LOVE STREAM

Close Call It’s with a mixture of alarm, sadness, anger, and relief that we bring you this. MPC wiz AraabMuzik was recently a target in a drive-by shooting that took place as he was leaving a parking garage in Harlem. Though sustaining shots to his legs and having a bullet graze his head, the producer is expected to make a full recovery. EDM, trap and hard dance have been so much richer, thanks to his singularly distinct golden touch – we need him. So y’all better put away your guns and get along.

Meet The New Face Of Supreme We don’t know how skaters, hypebeasts and fans of The Smiths/ Moz feel about it but it’s official: Morrissey is the latest celebrity model for the cultishly revered New York skate clothing brand. He’s part of a lineage that includes Neil Young and Lou Reed. Still, he’s gone on to slam the whole thing, calling the campaign photo “enfeebled” and “fit only for a medical encyclopedia”. Oh, Moz.

Empire State of Mind Being ‘out there’ is something Tim Hecker does almost instinctively. Even the radicalism that making drone and ambient music affords its makers seems to pass from him as a natural (read: personal) quirk.

This is emblazoned boldly in his new cut “Castrati Stack”, off his forthcoming eighth album Love Streams – a sweeping odyssey of roiling static, manipulated synths and plangent vocals that’s more than apt for The Martian’s score. The sheer amount of detail is astonishing but not in a passive way: it sucks you in. sunblind.net

New York City has always been a reliable muse. Most recently, it’s manifested itself, in singer-songwriter Joshua Moran’s Sun|Drones project’s new ditty, “Kill Me Baby”. It’s “born out of the missed connections and everyday frustrations of romantic life in New York City”, he says.

And for the way that it pulls from punk, power pop and Vines-y alt-rock to bleed his heart out is pretty damn impressive.

There’s not so much yearning as there is screaming frustration and turbocharged riffs that it almost has a feel-good air. soundcloud.com/sundrones

music

flash

Two Of Two Kinds Here’s something obvious: Sun Kil Moon’s Mark Kozelek and former Godflesh frontman Justin Broadrick – who makes music as Jesu – should have nothing in common. The former is the indie universe’s curmudgeon and undoubtedly one of its best acoustic guitar-toting storytellers, while the latter was the frontman of one of the most boundary-pushing industrial bands of our time. Oh, but it turns out they do.

And they’ve made a collaborative album, appropriately christened Jesu / Sun Kil Moon, to show it. sunkilmoon.com

Love Me Harder That intimacy is a pulverisingly knotted thing is FKA Twig’s most vivid of revelations. Like her unsettling and breathtaking moves, her music twists and writhes with a simultaneously reeling and seething heart, and so it is in her latest audiovisual statement. With help from super producer, Rick Nowels, she’s recently sent a heart-wringing kissoff in the way of “Good To Love” – a lilting, stripped-back reminder that she’s“got a right to hurt inside”. Sans pulsating beats, her range as a singer shines through – making her even more devastating and devastated. fkatwi.gs

Redo, Repurpose, Remix It’s one of life’s cruel ironies that the more rewarding, more fulfilling moves by outsize characters often tend to go unnoticed. Yoko Ono has faced this multiple times in her career as a musician (yes, she is). Fresh off making a giant human peace sign (2000 people) to mark John Lennon’s 75th birthday, she’s just dropped her fifth remix album, Yes, I’m A Witch Too. Her newest experimental flourish features reworked songs from a jaw-dropping array of artistes like as Portugal. The Man, Death Cab for Cutie, tUnE-yArDs, Miike Snow(!) and Moby. imaginepeace.com

comebacks are made of these

Text Indran P Images Various Sources

We eagerly await the re-emergence of these artistes who have left the past behind and are set to make triumphant returns.

CRUEL YOUTH

LUSH

PANTHA DU PRINCE

Natalia Kills, the project of English singer Natalia

20 years after calling it quits, the London shoegaze

“The Triad opens the structure to more human ways

Noemi Sinclair, has been temporary shelved for

legends are back, with new music to show for it.

of interacting, not digitised ways of interacting.

Cruel Youth, a collaborative musical partnership with

According to frontwoman-guitarist Miki Berenyi, her

It’s not about Facebook; it’s about meeting up and

husband, Willy Moon. If the essentially synthpop bent

bandmates took some time to ease their way into

jamming. I wanted to cut through the digital dust that

of her solo guise has felt rather stilted at times, her

playing music with each other again but once they

surrounds us”, says Berlin producer Hendrik Weber

new incarnation is anything but. New single “Mr.

did, “everything came together incredibly quickly”.

of his first album in six years. That’s quite a while

Watson” has her belting, amidst clattering trap&b

Together with British hitmaker Jim Abbiss and

between albums and Weber’s claim of being on to

beats and textures, and rippling swirls of bass. Not

Ladytron’s Daniel Hunt, the band recorded four new

something new is definitely reflected in first listen

only does she sound more involved than she’s ever

songs for its forthcoming EP, Blind Spot. Opener “Out

“The Winter Hymn”, which is shimmery, gorgeous

been, she also comes across as hungry to prove

Of Control” already feels like a future classic.

and warm. It’s as transformative as it is subtle, and

herself. We want more.

lushofficial.com

spells good things for the future of leftfield

cruelyouthxo.com

dance music.

panthaduprince.com

music

033

sounds

-DEBRIEF

BY RAZI RAZAK

THE REVOLUTION WILL BE ILLUSTRATED

I carry within me the sensitivities of the culture I’ve grown up in: the relationship between art and music in Canvas has had a strong influence on me and it’s something I will continue to explore. A creative job is both a blessing and a curse. You’re supposed to inspire and influence the people around you, and yet, you need to be critical of your very own ideas. You build a wall before you start dreaming about anything.

In my view, creativity should provoke. It has to employ cruelty and if it is ignored, then creativity becomes just another manipulated media.

Creative people are intrinsically highly motivated. Therefore, in order to understand their professional, personal, and lifestyle choices, we have to understand that they are choosing things based on intrinsic motivations. We have to take responsibility for the society that we are living in. If not, there will be social and political consequences. The creative class has to look beyond itself and offer a vision in which all of us can participate and benefit from.

034

In communing with art, we flirt with and participate in ideas that shape culture. Anything trying to appear exclusive looks conservative now and if participation is not inclusive, the culture will not be either. Art’s role is not to reflect, but to mediate between perception, cognition and action. When we act, we create our own reality. Living through art is a better way to live – not necessarily making art, but being surrounded by art. Visual efficiency reflects broader social and cultural changes with the understanding that you can’t stop change but you can determine how you want to respond to it.

GUMPTION YOUR FRIEND

(DOMINO RECORDING CO LTD)

Our minds are constantly making order of this chaos called life; why don’t we just take a listen to Gumption and get lost in the moment? We’re not going to analyse the wandering folk-tronic music of Taryn Miller, but just describe our fave ethereal weird-folk songs of her debut.

“Heathering”: Ambient guitar-playing Taryn strolls into a field of reeds brushed by the winds, then submerges in some water-logged mangrove of reverb. “Desired Things”: Taryn moans in a meandering incantation, accompanied by sloggy instrumentation. “Who Will I Be in the Morning”: Multiple Taryns become spectral and sing repetitively in a meditation about identity and life. A woozy-doozy is Your Friend.

The art and music scenes are more than interesting by-products of Singapore’s vibrant economy; they often overlap and interact.

Building organic events by connecting different people and practices and causing the conditions to trigger sparks between them serves as a way to talk about our society and its changes because it’s commonplace for the whole community. The definition of art and culture is changing with the younger generations and these roles need to be a part of our larger public consciousness. This is happening at the same time that people seek a greater personal connection to the creative process and, in particular, to their own creativity.

That’s the challenge of our age: how do we cultivate, grow, and hold an audience for what we are offering? How is culture created, circulated, and evaluated in a society? Where does an idea start? It’s always something that needs to happen because it’s important that artists and industry players are able to cluster something, anything together.

It’s these characteristics that help support and build identity. A creative identity branded by the will to move forward in order to imagine and think about how we exist and function in the world.

We must continue to imbue our arts with the ability to imagine beyond borders and cultures and generations. As more young people mature into professional arts, our relationship with art and creativity changes and the lines will blur even further. The goal of the cultural plan should be to recognise the creative sector’s value and strengthen it on all levels, but also to ensure that it continues to grow organically.

Falling in love with creativity is the ultimate act of freedom and we must live rightly and relate faithfully to it.

music

MALIBU

ANDERSON .PAAK

(Steel Wool/OBE/Art Club/EMPIRE)

Kendrick Lamar, D ‘Angelo, Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment – the past year’s been a golden one for soul, R&B and hip-hop (screw the chart swill disguised as bangers). Malibu is another diamond addition to the jubilee.

The Cali native has had it hard: He himself, his wife and son became homeless after he lost his job at a marijuana farm and his parents underwent prison stints. But despondency and anger is not what you will hear in his third album.

Instead, the music is warm and creamy; the raspy singer-rapper flushing out toxins with grooviness with a storyteller’s humility. Tumble into a soulful 2016 summer with “The Bird”, “Heart Don’t Stand A Chance” and “Room In Here”.

sounds

PICKS OF THE MONTH

NIGHT THOUGHTS

MOTH

DON’T YOU

ADORE LIFE

(Columbia Records) Technology and music have made us goldfish in our collective memories; remember “Bruises” and Apple (we mean the commercial pop track and the iPod)? No? Well, the band behind the earworm is back to remind us what canny pop-song makers they are.

Beyoncé worked with them for a reason – “Ch-Ching”, “Crying in Public”, and “Moth To The Flame” are but three of the 10 in their most straightforward pop album yet.

(Columbia Records) R&B has branched into so many rivulets that it’s sometimes hard to distinguish dregs from dredged water. Joe Valle, Marty Sulkow and Kelly Zutrau make pretty, downbeat ’90s style R&B pop songs that tweens can easily pepper their music streams with. As singular songs, each tastes sweet, but pooled together, the music becomes tepid tea.

(Matador Records Limited) When “The Answer” drills forward in a rush of percussive drums and sawing guitar, with Jehnny Beth stating that “Love is the answer”, there’s a sigh of relief that Savages haven’t given up/ in (only loosened up). Their goth/postpunk rock would hook Siouxsie and the Banshees and Wire fans, and their sophomore acts as a surety for fans that they have stayed the path. “Adore” and “T.I.W.Y.G.” prove them stellar faithkeepers for post-punk.

WAIT & SEE

NEVERMEN

LEAVE ME ALONE

(BMG) Now that the hype party’s kind of over (former band mates, Gordon Moakes and Matt Tong, have even left), Kele Okereke’s up for a little change.

Studying devotional music, he’s tempered the kicks (ills about urban life) for the feels (spirituality and bye-byes to lost loves). Works somewhat for “The Love Within” and “Only He Can Heal Me”, but rings hollow and bland for an entire album.

(Matador Record Limited) With Impersonator and Are You Alone?, the duo of Devon Welsh and Matthew Otto created elegiac electronic songs that owe as much to Welsh’s tenor as Otto’s electronic flourishes. The followup to their sophomore is a digital EP that comprises five songs that didn’t make the cut. It feels like a stopgap balm till the third full length, but “Pretty” and “My Heart Soaks Up Every Drop of Your Blood” still enchant.

(Lex Records Ltd) Adam Drucker (Doseone), TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adibempe, and Faith No More’s Mike Patton, took seven years to come up with this collaborative album as Nevermen. As individuals, their talents are unquestionable, but as a trio, there’s so much wanky, gimmicky gunk created here, the songs sound like soggy biscuits that are hard to bite into, and harder to swallow. Whimsical at best, but mostly iffy and cartoony.

(Lucky Number Music Limited) There’s something so indelicate, raw and unschooled about Hinds’ debut that makes it so cassette-worthy, so easy to love. The four lasses from Madrid have crafted indie pop-rock songs seemingly made of glitter, Play-Doh, and snot from boo-hooing over breakups. Thumb through “Fat Calmed Kiddos” and “I’ll Be Your Man” for fun (but seriously, please). It’s garage riot grrrl rock!

We heart!

NOT TO DISAPPEAR

SUICIDE SONGS

THIRD LAW

(4AD Ltd) Try not to be lulled by the lushness of the soundscape that Daughter builds, lest you tumble into the darkness of their world. Not that we would mind: Igor Haefeli strums the guitars dreamily, Remi Aguilella’s drums add weight to the songs’ miasmatic waftings, and Elena Tonra sings icily about relationship probs (“No Care”), emotional distance (“Numbers”) and Alzheimer’s (“Doing The Right Thing”).

(Bella Union) Nope, not songs about suicide, but rather about loneliness, despair, and angst about identity and the mortal world. Nothing new, but instead of merely moping, Jamie Lee sings (and sometimes, painfully strains, which is rather distracting) over such struggles, his band providing enough bombast to add wings for an uplift. If one endures, the album does cast quite a moving autumnal spell after the initial gloom.

(Tri Angle Records) We know we can’t hear nothin’ in space but if there were planet-exploding and blackhole-sucking sounds to be heard, we’re sure Roly Porter would have made soundtracks out of them already.

He takes the industrial elements of conventional dubstep and turns them into beatless experiments. “Mass” graphs the sound of bouncing lightning balls while “4101” sounds like a cross between a Transformers soundtrack and a field recording of a cathedral choir.

FROM FARTHEST KNOWN OBJECTS

Suede

(Warner Music UK Ltd) Continue grieving for Bowie with Suede’s latest; Brett Anderson and mates are sonic scions of the late legend after all. Maybe it’s fate that their latest came a few weeks after Bowie’s Blackstar, but sentimentalities aside, Night Thoughts is orchestral, goosebump-inducing, cinemascopic; hinged on the themes of death, youth and age, yearning and loss. It is everything that we expect of Suede and more. Grand, grand, simply grand.

HYMNS

Text Chris Ong Ujine Images Various Sources

Bloc Party

Daughter

Chairlift

Majical Cloudz

Wet

Nevermen

Roly Porter

MONEY

music

Savages

Hinds

Surgeon

(Dynamic Tension Recordings Limited) “Electronic producer records pop hits from distant galaxies” – that’s what Anthony Child AKA Surgeon would like to have you believe about his latest. What the album does sound like is leftfield techno made on vintage hardware. Even if the proceedings do get too dense in one sitting, one can still easily bounce to “BDF-3299” and “SXDF-NB1006-2”.

035

spin

REALNESS FEAT. SARAH LOVE

FRIDAY MARCH 4 AT REFUGE Don’t be fooled by her surname. Sarah Love is also the ‘First Lady Of UK Hip Hop’ and a ‘One-Woman Wrecking Machine’. The turntablist and selector assures that when her fingertips meet the wheels of steel, we’ll got nothing but the fly-est, most bangin’ beats. Eagerly, we wait. refuge.sg

WABI-SABI ACT TWO FEAT. MANO LE TOUGH

SATURDAY MARCH 12 AT KYO Kristian Beyer, one-half of deep house gawds, Âme, once said that he has no fears for the future of house, “thanks to Mano Le Tough”. Obviously, this means that the Irish producer’s catalogue has assured his legitimacy beforehand. “Folkal house” is what he calls his many-hued approach. Come receive it. clubkyo.com

SUNSHINE NATION PRESENTS GARDEN BEATS FESTIVAL

PARA//EL PRESENTS ROUTE 94

FRIDAY MARCH 4 AT VELVET UNDERGROUND – DANCE If sizzling house with a 4/4 thump is your thing, make sure to lend your body to this London producer’s charms. Having put in work with Skream and Benga, as well as with stables like Rinse and OWSLA, he’s wellequipped to bring the moves outta you. zoukclub.com.sg

SATURDAY MARCH 19 AT FORT CANNING PARK How’s this for a Saturday hang: gather the crew for a picnic in one of our island’s greener spots, and be regaled by local and international heroes alike. Brendon P, Haan, Zig Zach and KFC lock will lock arms with Alle Farben, Faul & Wad, Jan Blomqvist, and more for a tune-bedecked day of good vibes. gardenbeats.com

FORWARD FEAT. ANSWER CODE REQUEST

SATURDAY MARCH 5 AT KYO Techno heads looked up in pleasant shock when this Berliner first made noise on his debut EP in 2011.

Marrying the distinct pound of his home city with Detroit’s sense of soulful longing, he served up a throbbingly cinematic imprint that’s much in demand anywhere where good taste and good floors reign. You know what to do. clubkyo.com

FOUNDATION FEAT. MENDO

SATURDAY MARCH 19 AT CANVAS To consider Mendo’s discography is to unearth some of the best gems in acid house. Cuts like “Pump Up The Jam”, “Everybody I Got Him”, “Gringo”, “Aventuras” and “Inocencia”, have all done their lush, bodymoving work on dance floors all over the world. And as the moment of reckoning approaches, you have to know that we cannot wait. canvasvenue.sg

CLUB BERLIN

SATURDAY MARCH 5 AT DECK Love your cutting-edge electronic sounds? Then honour its makers at this exhibition that features photographs of Berlin’s ’90s club culture by Martin Eberle and a media installation by Sven Marquardt. What’s more, you’ll be able to jive to the good work of DJs Head High, Rodhad, Modeselektor and Tale of Us. moonbeats.asia

TRANSFIX PRESENTS ROGER SHAH

SATURDAY MARCH 12 AT ZOUK Hitmaker and Balearic trance titan Roger Shah is. But there’s more: with a whole slew of artistic guises – including the renowned Magic Island – throughout his 20-year career, Shah can be trusted to bring all his lethal arsenal. It’s gonna be a great, colourful, transportive time. Hit up “Palmarosa” to study up. zoukclub.com.sg

ZOUK SOUNDSYSTEM PRESENTS SHOGUN

FRIDAY MARCH 25 AT ZOUK Here’s some trivia: the American-born DJ is the first Asian that Armin Van Buuren embraced into his Armada fold. More trivia: his chart-topping anthems “Save Me”, “Imprisoned” and “Run to My Rescue”, have seen him through to a three-year residency at Ministry Of Sound. In sum, miss him and wallow in a FOMO abyss forever. zoukclub.com.sg

music

LOOP FEAT. ERIC CLOUTIER

SATURDAY MARCH 26 AT KYO Fidelity is one thing, innovation another. Hailing from Detroit, Cloutier could’ve easily tapped into the beyond-rich heritage of his birthplace (and no one would’ve complained). But he’s always kept it progressive – weaving techno, house and dub into his sway, honouring the canons by taking them to the next level. And so he will this night. clubkyo.com

Text Indran P Images Various Sources

036

037

Text Aaron Kok Images Walter Van Beirendonck

child Walter Van Beirendonck couldn’t have known this: almost six months after paying tribute to a 1971 photo of David Bowie with his Spring/Summer 2016 collection, the Starman lit up the Internet once again with his demise. Inspired by Bowie’s track “Moonage Daydream”, Van Beirendonck brought forth a line that was as bippity-boppity as his previous collections. Taking on the culture of emojis, Van Beirendonck’s prints show his flair for the wacky with emoji-esque patterns adorning languid suits. Cartoon shapes and polka dots suggest an artistic sense of naivety, but it’s in the closing looks that WVB packs his punch; with plain-coloured jackets and swishing pants paired with hulking toppers that resemble surreal, walking collage sculptures.

waltervanbeirendonck.com

fashion

feature

the art of selling

038

VINCENT LEE ON PEDDER

ELIZABETH KWAN ROBINSONS

I started my VM career overseas.

My first experience with visual merchandising was working with G.O.D, a Hong Kong-based store selling lifestyle and home accessories. I worked as a part-time sales associate one summer, and they asked if I was keen to work as a visual merchandiser after college. The rest is history.

I work with two key goals in mind: to surprise and stop shoppers in their tracks.

For Robinsons, the beauty of it is that we are the brand owners so the campaign concept comes from our in-house creative team. From there, I work closely with the team to translate the concept into a window display.

We have the creative freedom to set the guidelines and we ensure that they are rolled out in all three stores islandwide.

Designing a window is a tedious process; everything begins with the content.

I take some time to get a better understanding of the brands and the products, while keeping in mind who the customers are and what I want to accomplish. We then begin brainstorming, and collect a lot of references for our moodboards before we can even begin the first sketch. After drafting out the idea and doing up the technical drawings, we start working on cost management while sourcing for materials and production logistics. When all that is done, we begin on-site installation. This process can take some time, and when we’re done, we do a final retouch on the details to ensure nothing is left out.

The most elaborate idea I’ve executed is the recent CNY display at Robinsons The Heeren.

I researched extensively into traditional Chinese culture and was very inspired by a type of historical Chinese architecture – the siheyuan. Hence, the window display is a transformation of a traditional CNY celebration.

The Chinese lions and lanterns were custom-made six months in advance.

The mannequins are dressed in cheongsams, and every look was specially curated to encompass the evolving cheongsam styles and designs over the years.

The best place to source for props is to take the road less travelled.

I love visiting places that offer raw materials, like hardware shops and wood factories. I get tonnes of ideas and discover new ways to present what I have in mind from these places.

I’ve done many windows but the witty ones are my favourites.

I especially like the On Pedder Fall/Winter 2011 seasonal window for its sense of humour and expression.

fashion

feature

LIKE HOW THE EYES ARE THE WINDOWS TO YOUR SOUL, STOREFRONTS TAKE YOU INTO A WORLD OF FANTASY – WHERE ONE CAN INHABIT METICULOUSLY CRAFTED LANDSCAPES, EVEN IF FOR A FLEETING MOMENT. THESE WINDOWS WHISK YOU AWAY, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY OFFERING A GLIMPSE INTO THE BEAUTIFUL THREADS AND WARES THAT THE BRANDS OFFER. TO LEARN MORE, WE SPEAK TO THESE VISUAL MERCHANDISING EXPERTS WHO CREATE ALL SORTS OF MAGIC BEHIND WINDOWPANES.

039

RAZALI ROHANI, SAIFUDDIN JOHAR, KATRIN FOO, HERENA PARK AND ALFRI YUSOFF TANGS

KHAIRUL ANWAR H&M

Text Aaron Kok Images Various Sources

I ‘fell’ into visual merchandising by chance but am so glad I did.

I was working at H&M and helping to set up the first store opening in 2011.

After the flagship launch, I was assisting the visual merchandiser and discovered that VM allows me to explore my creativity on a higher level.

Every time I complete my work, it gives me an indescribable sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. I love what I do and I consider my work to be an evolving art form.

I love collaboration windows, especially the Balmain x H&M one last November.

Every collaboration has its special set-up and props that are always interesting and different. Sometimes, it can be a challenge to build. The planning and setting up can be very tedious but it’s definitely worth it. My favourite is the Balmain x H&M window – the technology and concept of the overall set-up was amazing, and I had a really great time building it and admiring the results.

When I can’t find the props I need, I go ‘DIY’.

I often require different items depending on the theme and requirements.

My go-to are art and craft stores, but sometimes it’s about thinking creatively and experimenting with materials because you will always learn from it. DIY results can be surprisingly good!

A window that draws customers into the store is a successful one.

The most important thing we stick to is that the concept has to be creative and engaging, and be able to convey our message to the masses. While doing so, we also need to ensure that the idea is feasible enough to be translated from mood boards to actual windows.

Putting a window together requires a lot of planning.

Many think visual merchandising is a glamorous job but we go through a rigorous process from conceptualisation, visualisation, rendering and approval before we can even start. Then we begin with the placement of merchandise, props, mannequins and lights. The whole process of window dressing takes a lot of time to complete, but as a team we always pull through to make sure the window comes alive.

Inspiration comes from everyday life.

It can be in the simplest objects, graphic textures we see on walls, or prints that inspire us to develop something from nothing. There are also plenty of websites, blogs and magazines that feed us with creativity as well. Not to mention all the market research we do and the trade exhibitions we attend to see what’s trending, which is a major role of visual merchandisers.

fashion

focus label

TIME TO BLOOM

Not many things can stand the test of time. As the years roll along, buildings crumble away, and brands that were once revered fall and recede to the wayside. But some things endure, in particular, the florals that the house of Liberty London has created. Let’s face it, when Oscar Wilde proclaims that “Liberty (London) is the chosen resort of the artistic shopper”, you know you’ve hit the jackpot.

Founded by Arthur Lasenby Liberty back in 1875, the iconic and historic British label, Liberty London, has just celebrated an incredible 140 years in fashion. Liberty has held a key influence in fashion through these years, and its signature floral prints have blossomed all over the fashion landscape. Boasting over 42,000 prints in its archives, Liberty’s florals have left an indelible mark on the fashion world. We’d go as far as to say that at some point, everyone from the cafe-

hopping hipster to the young go-getter has worn a Liberty print.

a tee. Elsewhere, they form neat rows of flowery stripes set on white backgrounds.

This season, Uniqlo brings us the Liberty London for Uniqlo collection. While you might not be able to visit Liberty’s grand Tudor-revival emporium on Great Marlborough Street in London (though you certainly should), this widely-anticipated collaboration brings Liberty’s iconic floral prints into Uniqlo’s line of easy-to-wear pieces.

For the girl who doesn’t dig florals, the team has also selected a hand-drawn picture of a charming, old British town, complete with a town clock. The men can also get in on the blooming fun. Microsized flowers creep across entire button-down shirts, and come in a variety of colours and floral designs.

For the season ahead, Uniqlo and Liberty London are teaming up to curate a special selection of these prints that will be presented across a selection of women’s, kids’, and men’s products. Liberty florals adorn the collection’s range of tees, button-down shirts and frocks, so fans of the brand can enjoy comfortable fashion without breaking the bank. At times, oversized floral prints are splayed across nautical stripes, making them the centerpiece on

Even if you’re unable to trot the streets of London this spring, you can get a waft of Liberty’s lush foliage, and even adorn yourself with it – all you need to do is take a stroll through Uniqlo’s garden of delights.

$14.90 to $59.90, available at Uniqlo. uniqlo.com/sg

Text Jun Sheng Ng Images Uniqlo

050 040

UNIQLO X LIBERTY LONDON SPRING/SUMMER 2016

fashion

FULL RANGE IS AVAILABLE AT SELECTED STORES AND ONLINE FROM 24TH MARCH WWW.UNIQLO.COM/LIBERTYLONDON / BRA DRESS $49.90

focus label

050 042

Two centuries on, The Great Wave Of Kanagawa is still surging forward.

Little did Katsushika Hokusai know that when he first carved his world-famous print onto a block of wood, this beacon of Asian art would swell through history and become one of the most iconic pieces in the world. Till this day, it is constantly finding new minds to inspire, and new frontiers to break. In the seas of fashion, Hokusai’s majestic waves are crashing into various collections this season. But while other collections draw more literally from the aesthetic of the print, Korean fashion label, R.Shemiste, finds the significance of Japanese culture rippling deeply through their collection.

This #TBT of two different eras continue to pulsate through each look. Elements of the ’90s street and skater scenes are given a 2016-worthy transformation, and play against the typical grain. Slip dresses are worn over a slogan tee and flaring pants, while yards of plaid cotton fabrics are cut into maxi skirts for an unexpected twist. Elsewhere, sweaters and business shirts are given the oversized treatment, as excess material bunch up at the forearm or hang rebelliously over the hand. The Oriental dragon motifs, high-neck tees and sleeveless tops suggest that the R.Shemiste gang exhibit a Yakuzalike swagger – a mood that is further enforced by the use of piercing-like details and baseballcaps pulled low.

The fact that the brand takes its name from the ancient art of alchemy is a strong hint of what’s to come. This spring, designer Won Ji Yuen pays keen attention to the synthesis of subcultures, while lending a contemporary hand to his designs. Amidst a rich ocean of cultural throwbacks, nothing feels cliche or overused, even though designers everywhere are also citing this inspiration.

Nearer towards the end of the collection, as the tide starts to recede, the colours of the sakura begin to bloom, as the waves of Japanese culture continue to undulate through the lineup. Noteworthy looks include a satin baseball jacket adorned with Koi motifs, and the ingenious styling of sportswear worn as a kimono.

Together, they incorporate both Japan’s traditional heritage and the country’s love for sporty streetwear into highly conceptual and wearable ideas.

From the outset, the primary colours of ‘The Wave’ sweep across the collection, as Hokusai’s woodcuts appear sporadically, albeit deconstructed and updated with a pop-art influence. Powdery shades of blue Japanese denim, some distressed to resemble cresting waves, take a central role in many of the looks. Where denim takes a backseat, straight-cut drawstring trousers pool around the wearer’s legs, while being held up precariously by knotted shoelaces.

It is skater attire meets traditional fishing pants, and that’s just one of the ways Won deftly cuts two polar opposites into a harmonious look.

Finding himself in a period where ancient Japanese ideas are beginning to dissipate, and the West continues to wield greater influence in Japan, Hokusai channelled this tension and nervousness into a work of uncontrollable energy, exhibiting many different techniques and styles from the East and West.

While we might think of his work as a piece of history, it’s through the reprisation and verve of labels such as R.Shemiste that the artist’s presence lives on.

rshemiste.com

R.SHEMISTE SPRING/SUMMER 2016 fashion

Text Aaron Kok & Jun Sheng Ng Images Various Sources

MAKING WAVES

BLOCK PARTY MIX ONE PORTION OF COLOUR, TWO PORTIONS OF TAILORING, TOP IT OFF WITH GRAPHIC PATTERNS AND YOU’LL HAVE THE WONDERFUL AND SLIGHTLY KOOKY WORLD OF EDELINE LEE’S SPRING/SUMMER 2016 COLLECTION. WE CATCH UP WITH THE DESIGNER TO CHAT ABOUT HER LINE, HER ART-WORLD FANS AND WHAT ALEXANDER MCQUEEN TAUGHT HER. Hello Edeline, tell us who the Edeline Lee customer is.

The Edeline Lee woman wants to project a statement in her clothing without looking like a fashion plate. She wants to wear clothes that are feminine and well made, that reflect her intelligence and refined choices.

What inspired your Spring/Summer 2016 collection?

It started with inspiration from the Ocean Park series by Richard Diebenkorn. I studied his method of composition, his sense of proportion, his wonderful sense of light and juxtapositions of colour. I ended up experimenting much more intensely and directly with colour than I ever have.

Somewhere along the way, inspiration from the Memphis Group worked its way in. The final result is a joyful, breezy collection that calls to mind a summer’s day driving down the highway that frames the serene Californian coastline.

You had some phenomenal prints that you used in the collection and on set for your lookbook. How did you create these prints, and what was the process like?

It was Richard Diebenkorn meets the Memphis Group on my inspiration board. The artist Kyung Roh Bannwart interpreted these ideas into the scenography. She’s an old friend from when I was studying at Central Saint Martins, and it was a lot of fun to work with her. I personally cut all my patterns and this is crucial for me – structure, proportion, and composition. I am experimenting more and more with colour, but colour is something that can be composed to create form and line as well. It is minimal, yet decorative at the same time.

What’s your personal favourite from the collection?

The dress from look six (pictured left)! It’s tailored and elegant, but fun and interesting at the same time.

You’ve been very well-received by the art world. What’s that endorsement like for your brand and you?

Women in the art world are interesting customers in that their eyes are more attuned and aesthetically refined. All women recognise the feeling when a piece of clothing expresses exactly who you are, but women who live and work with art have a refined ability to read the symbols in clothes. They have a precision about how they choose to adorn themselves, and they know how to recognise a good line when they see it. It doesn’t have to have anything to do with the trend of the season, and I like that rigour.

Also, women in the art world are travelling constantly.

I’ve thought a lot about what clothing makes a woman polished and aesthetically striking in her dress while travelling.

How have apprenticeships with big houses like Alexander McQueen and John Galliano shaped you?

When I was training, I just wanted to see and work for the people that I admired and it was all about Alexander McQueen and John Galliano at that time in Europe. They were the best, and they made wonderful narratives behind the clothes. These experiences taught me about how far you have to go to achieve something extraordinary.

Lastly, what’s next for Edeline Lee, both as a designer and a brand?

I am really excited right now about setting up our e-commerce website – it just went live! This means that we’ll be directly able to serve clients in other parts of the world. I can’t wait to see who buys the clothes.

edelinelee.com Text Aaron Kok Images Matthew Wash (portrait) and Theresa Marx

044

EDELINE LEE

profile

fashion

hit list

BOBBY & RITZ

Favourite Artist We really like Andrey Bartenev and Nick Cave’s work. Their pieces give new meaning to wearable art, pushing this art form to newer and greater heights. One can’t help but to have a positive reaction when appreciating their work. andrey bartenev

image: plazasingapura.com.sg

Prop Shopping Haunt Daiso. It’s cheap and great for material hunting!

Designer Of The Moment Walter Van Beirendonck – we’ve always had and always will love his work.

Spring/Summer 2016 Must-Have Moschino’s oversized crown! It’s a fun accessory to have.

046

Tune Of The Moment “Never Be Like You” by Flume feat. Kai. Flume dropped this track at the recent Laneway, and it’s so good.

Drink Of Choice The way we see it, if it’s champagne, then the glass is always half full.

Favourite Fashion Trend Oversized headwear – and by that, we’re referring to pre-Pharrell times.

Latest Fashion Purchase A matching set of shorts and a coat from Bernhard Willhelm, which features a mosaic of orgasm faces.

Guilty Pleasure We wished we were BOBBUGS (instagram.com/bobbugs). He’s the master of disguise.

fashion

IF EVER SOMEONE TELLS YOU THAT FASHION ISN’T ART, SHOW THEM A PHOTO OF FASHION MAVENS, BOBBY LUO AND RITZ LIM. BEST KNOWN FOR THROWING MASSIVE PARTIES AS CO-OWNERS AT THE NOWDEFUNCT BUTTER FACTORY AND THEIR MULTI-LABEL EMPORIUM SUPERSPACE, THE ARTISTIC DUO IS INSTANTLY RECOGNISABLE WHEN DECKED OUT IN THEIR DIY BEST. DISCOVER THEIR SS16 FASHION INSPO, DRINK OF CHOICE AND FAVOURITE PLACE TO HUNT FOR PROPS. facebook.com/THESUPERSPACE

Current Muse At this moment, it’s Lyle XOX (instagram.com/ lylexox). We’re big fans of his work.

Text & Coordination Aaron Kok Images Various Sources

nick cave

flash

STYLE FROM DOWN UNDER This month, we welcome five new Aussie brands at TANGS, including C/MEO and Keepsake The Label.

AVYNO Sneakerheads, pay attention. Swiftly rising in the world of premium sneakers, AVYNO has landed on our radar with its line of chic, minimalistic footwear. Stylish as they are comfortable, we catch up with Brandley Bella – one of four founders of the UK-based brand – to learn more about ’em kicks.

On their own, these separates are gorgeously made for a hot Singa afternoon. But together, they’ll carry you stylishly from dinner with the girls to drinks with bae.

Polyester strapless top and viscose shorts, poa, C/MEO

A great dress you can reach out to frequently in the sunny months ahead, this lace frock will keep you elegantly decked out for a summer wedding dinner.

Lace dress, poa, Keepsake The Label

Available at TANGS at Tangs Plaza.

CHIC CROC Taking classic tennis shoes and imbuing it with a Lacoste touch, the L.12.12 collection promises to deliver comfortable kicks that’ll look just as good courtside as they do on your coffee run. Available in five colourways, the kicks feature the brand’s iconic crocodile logo emblazoned on the side of the heel, while the collection name is stamped onto the underside of the shoe’s tongue. If you appreciate subtlety with a touch of luxe, this is for you. $199, available at Lacoste.

Hi Brandley, tell us more about the team. What brought y’all together to start a footwear label?

We are actually a group of friends with a passion for fashion. We wanted to be able to turn our visions into reality; that’s why we banded together. We’re not solely a footwear label, rather, we’re

TIMBUK2

starting with footwear because we are all passionate about it, and some of us also have a background in the industry.

What does “AVYNO” mean?

The brand name is a combination of five alphabets from our names. But besides that, it is also derived from the French word “avenir”, which translates to the future.

What’s been the most rewarding thing so far?

I’d say the most rewarding aspect of this journey is to finally have a well-designed shoe that can compete with high-end brands in terms of quality and material. It was a process that took over two years. We made about 10 samples until we found a factory that was able to realise our ideas.

As the bike-culture in Singapore grows in popularity, it’s high time to pay careful consideration to the accessories that match your wheels. Case in point: this classic messenger that celebrate the brand’s identity in cycle-centric gear. Part of the Sunset collection, the canvas bag comes with many compartments, offering plenty of storage solutions as you zip across the city. The canvas outer fabric is dyed with a prism-like effect that is reminiscent of the sunlight dancing on the pool floor, evoking the hazy spirit of a Californian summer.

$149, available at Timbuk2 Bugis Junction.

What is your customer profile like?

MILE-HIGH STYLE

The AVYNO customer is fashion-savvy person who cares about his overall appearance. He appreciates traditional craftsmanship

Text Aaron Kok Image AVYNO

and the subtle, intricate detailing that go into his shoes.

Any plans to expand your footwear to female sneakerheads?

We are working on establishing our brand in the next five years, and we want to open a flagship store in the near future. All our designs are unisex, even though we’re currently offering men’s sizes only.

For the full interview, log on to juice.com.sg. avyno.de

Everyone needs a comfy pair of shoes to rock up to their flight, and as the airport-style movement continues to grow in trend, it’s high time you get yourself sorted with some uber-comfy soles for your next adventure. Say hello to SPUR’s travel-friendly line of shoes. Boasting a signature sole made from seven layers of cushioning, the shoes are designed to embody trendy silhouettes and sleek cuts – ensuring you’re all sorted for your next holiday destination. $109 to $129, available at SPUR stores. fashion

047

flash

patron of the arts

Before these art-collabs hit stores, here’s a first look at ’em.

CONVERSE x FUTURA When two street culture giants collide, the result is an ultra-covetable collection of merchandise to own. Working with Futura, Converse is unveiling a first-of-its-kind collaboration with the graffiti art pioneer, splashing his artwork across baseball tees, sneakers and accessories. The collection features a camouflage-inspired artwork that’s been given a Futura touch, complete with dripping paint and scarlet brushstrokes. “I wanted to create a Chuck II that embodied my approach to art and life,” says Futura in an interview. You heard the man.

$69.90 to $159.90, available at Limited Edt and Surrender Raffles Hotel.

PORTS 1961 x MICHAEL LAU Enlisting the creative endeavours of Hong Kong-based artist Michael Lau, Ports 1961 is releasing a capsule collection that sees Lau’s work manifested onto a line of bags and shoes. The key motif of the collection is a cyborg-like, street art rendition of the Ports 1961 man. Splicing a hoodie-clad lad together with a stern-browed man in a suit, this colourful character is then printed over a tessellation of stars and monochromatic shapes, allowing for the vivid colours to truly shine.

$350 to $750, available at Pedder On Scotts.

DOLLS IN DENIM AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS For those of us who didn’t get to experience the flower power days of the ’70s, American Eagle Outfitters’ Spring/Summer 2016 is an alternative to embrace your inner hippie. This season, they’ve revisited all the hallmarks of the bohemian movement, interpreted through modern eyes. This pair of cropped jeans is so easy to wear, they’ll be the most versatile and forgiving pair of jeans you’ll own. Featuring roomy legs and a mid-wash colour, complement this with leather sandals and a happy peace sign.

Come Spring/Summer 2016, make a beeline to Topshop for your seasonal denim fix. Unveiling an accompanying campaign that features some of the biggest It-Girls clad in their Topshop blues, the girl gang showcases the best of the line. Rock chicks will dig the distressed and ripped designs, while the high-waisted styles will give you the illusion of super-long gams and a willowy waist. But don’t take our word for it just yet, and head out to try on a pair to judge for yourself. $79.90 to $129, available at Topshop.

$79, available at American Eagle Outfitters.

THE UNIQLO X LEMAIRE SPRING/SUMMER 2016 COLLECTION LAUNCHES ON MARCH 4, SO MARK YOUR CALENDARS.

THE AUTHENTIC LIFE

Returning this season with yet another stellar collection in tow, the Fred Perry Authentic collection is stuffed with plenty of must-have items for Spring/Summer 2016. With the bomber jacket leading the season as the star item to bag, fellas have one more option to choose from as the Authentic collection presents its own iteration in the form of a Swiss Schoeller fabric.

Ladies, look forward to retro prints like polka dots and tartan translated into classic FP styles. For those who prefer block colours, the collection’s use of mustard and olive will hit the spot for you. $99 to $389 (women’s) and $79 to $379 (men’s), available at Fred Perry Authentic stores. fashion

Text Aaron Kok Images Various Sources

048

louis vuitton

chloe

edun

SPRING/SUMMER 2016

kenzo jason wu

givenchy

Fifties and fringes and flatforms, oh my!

Spring/Summer 2016 is in session and the outlook seems mighty fine. As the mercury rises and sunny days are in the forecast, dip into the next six months with a good dosage of style. From pastels to pinstripes, and gold lips to twist braids, get yourself up to speed on the trends that matter for a chic season to come.

christian dior

thom browne

EXPRESS & IMPRESS

049

THREADS TO THRILL acetate sunglasses, poa, oliver peoples polyester bomber jacket, $125, starter x uo at urbanoutfitters.com

cotton bowling shirt, $221, casely hayford at oki-ni.com

raf simons

leather bomber jacket, $269, zara

cotton bowling shirt, $45.90, h&m

polyester bomber jacket, $125, starter x uo at urbanoutfitters.com

canvas slip on sneakers, $39, american eagle outfitters cotton chino trousers, poa, ted baker

leather wallet, poa, thom browne at mrporter.com

silk tie, $40, river island at asos.com denim hoodie, poa, just cavalli dolce & gabbana

050

FANTASTIC FIFTIES Bomber jackets, bowling shirts and bold florals – complete your look with a rakish attitude to suit.

cotton blend trousers, $109, zara

canvas high-cut sneakers, $85, nike

ASIATIC TRIBE cotton tee, $19.90, uniqlo

Delving deep into the histories of Eastern traditions, designers are finding inspiration from ethnic symbols through modern eyes.

patchwork cotton shorts, poa, scotch and soda

satin shirt, $59.90, h&m

SUN’S OUT, FUN’S HERE. FASHION TAKES ON A MULTI-FACETED APPROACH THIS SEASON, WITH OPTIONS TO INCITE A GOOD DOSE OF SARTORIAL INSPO. WHETHER YOU’RE DOING THE JAILHOUSE ROCK IN PINSTRIPES OR FLUTTERING ABOUT TOWN IN RUFFLES, SPRING/SUMMER 2016’S LIGHT-HEARTED TRENDS WILL GIVE YOUR CLOSET REFRESHING VIBRANCY.

canvas plimsoll sneakers, $60, oliver spencer x superga

embellished wool jacket, $1,800, maison margiela

wool t-shirt, $159.90, joseph

3.1 phillip lim

polyester blend jacket, $209, topman

cotton slip-on sneakers, $113, comme des garcons shirt cotton t-shirt, $45, frank and oak at frankandoak.com

cotton shirt with bib, poa, j.w. anderson at club 21b

FINE LINE While stripes remain evergreen throughout the fashion calendar, the pinstripe makes a triumphant return.

cotton blend joggers, $39.90, uniqlo

suede stan smith sneakers, $135, adidas originals cotton sweatshirt, $35.90, h&m

cotton sweatshirt, $39.90, h&m

christopher shannon

leather and viscose jacket, $850, tim coppens at timcoppens.com

cotton shorts, poa, topman

cotton joggers, $69.90, zara

CLEAN FINISH Fashion continues to run with an uncluttered, sporty influence, proving you don’t need to lift weights to lift your look.

striped cotton shorts, $750, thom browne at mrporter.com cotton jumper, $69.90, zara

051

suede cardigan, $169, topshop

leather boots with metal details, $450, ivy kirzhner at neimanmarcus.com

embellished silk organza, poa, by malene birger at tangs

dion lee

polyester dress, $90, h&m

FRINGE ACTIVITY

suede fringed belt, poa, mango polyester dress, $59.90, h&m

Shimmy into a fringed piece and channel your best ’20s swing girl vibes.

fringed polyester top, $106, topshop cotton fringed skirt, $586, haute hippie at shopbop.com

052

viscose blend blouse with tassel, $69.90, zara viscose skorts, $69.90, zara

coach

embroidered jersey top, $49.90, h&m

cotton shorts, poa, antik batik at tangs

silk blend dress, poa, sea at sea-ny.com suede espadrilles, poa, kg by lurt geiger silk blouse, $300, topshop

FEELIN’ FOLKSY When the mercury rises, slip into breezy layers and dusty colours, and get in touch with your natural side.

leather and wood clogs, poa, charles & keith

leather and rope sandals, $690, sophia webster at on pedder

leather clutch, poa, kate spade

denim blouse, $69.90, zara

lanvin

polyester jumper by unique, $219, topshop

silk crepe de chine top, $150, dkny

jacquard dress, $311, opening ceremony at club21b

PRETTY IN PASTELS

cotton twill mini skirt, $59.90, zara

Sherbet tones take over this season with a spectrum of sugary hues choose from.

linen dress, $462, beach flamingo at beachflamingo.com

acrylic jumper, $119, topshop

cotton blouse, poa, rosie assoulin at rosieassoulin.com

polyester top, $371, p.a.r.o.s.h at parosh.com

polyester shorts, $200, nicopanda at club 21b

balmain

Text Aaron Kok Coordination Aaron Kok & Jun Sheng Ng Images Various Sources

053

cotton t-shirt, $208, msgm

denim jeans, $189, simone rocha x j brand at jbrandjeans.com

RUFFLED UP Whether cascading down the front or framing the hem of a skirt, ruffles exude a romantic air of chic.

cotton terry jumper, $315, clu at net-a-porter.com polyester dress, $49.90, h&m

spring to life FLAUNT YOUR CREATIVE LEANINGS WITH THIS SEASON’S EYE-CATCHING TRENDS.

PHOTOGRAPHY NICKY LOH PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT YANN CLOITRE STYLING AARON KOK STYLING ASSISTANT JUN SHENG NG MAKEUP KEITH BRYANT LEE / FAC3INC USING TOO FACED HAIR JANSON TAN / KIMAGE STUDIO MODELS ANGELINA W / UPFRONT & DIEGO E / AVE

SUNNY DAYS ARE AHEAD, THANKS TO THE ABUNDANCE OF YELLOW ON THE RUNWAYS. ON ANGELINA SEQUINNED T-SHIRT FOREVER 21 NEOPRENE SKIRT CARVEN GLITTER LEATHER SHOES ASH SHOES GOLD CHAIN NECKLACE TOPSHOP GOLD FLOWER NECKLACE FOREVER 21 CRYSTAL CUFF ATELIER SWAROVSKI PU BAG MADE AT SUPERSPACE ON DIEGO COTTON JUMPER THE CORNER SHOP DENIM JEANS SANDRO COTTON SHOES H&M COTTON SCARF THE CORNER SHOP

WHEN SEPARATES DON’T SEEM TO WORK, A PAIR OF OVERALLS IS THE CHIC SOLUTION. TOP WITH A BOMBER JACKET FOR EXTRA STYLE POINTS. COTTON OVERALLS COS COTTON EMBELLISHED JACKET KTZ AT SUPERSPACE SUEDE BOOTS H&M ACETATE SUNGLASSES OLIVER PEOPLES COTTON SCARF THE CORNER SHOP

THE SLIP DRESS GOES FROM BEDROOM TO BOARDWALK. LAYER A TEE UNDERNEATH TO KEEP THE LOOK CASH. COTTON T-SHIRT ARGYLE & OXFORD AT ACTUALLY SILK AND LACE DRESS CHRISTOPHER KANE AT OUTNET.COM BEADED NECKLACE BIMBA Y LOLA CRYSTAL NECKLACE TOPSHOP BEADED BRACELETS FOREVER 21 METAL CUFFS ZARA CRYSTAL CUFF SWAROVSKI METAL RINGS FOREVER 21

STRIPES GET BOLDER AND BETTER WHEN RENDERED IN GRAPHIC PROPORTIONS AND STARKLY-CONTRASTED COLOURS. COTTON JUMPER SANDRO DENIM JEANS UNIQLO ACETATE SUNGLASSES DOLCE & GABBANA COTTON SCARF THE CORNER SHOP

VISIT YOUTUBE.COM/JUICESG FOR A BEHIND-THE-SCENE LOOK AT THIS SHOOT. CHANNEL YOUR INNER BARBIE WITH A DASH OF SCI-FI BY WORKING SOME SILVER INTO YOUR ’DO. LUREX T-SHIRT ROCKET X LUNCH AT ACTUALLY POLYESTER SKIRT MAE PANG AT MPORIUM LEATHER SANDALS BIMBA Y LOLA METAL SUNGLASSES CHRISTIAN DIOR METAL NECKLACE FOREVER 21 METAL CUFF TOPSHOP CRYSTAL BRACELET ATELIER SWAROVSKI

spring to life REBEL AGAINST THE TAME OF SPRING WITH SHOW-STOPPING ACCENTS THAT PACK A PUNCH.

POWER POUT THE HOLIDAYS MAY BE OVER BUT THERE’S NO NEED TO RETIRE YOUR SHIMMERS. UP THE ELEMENT OF FUN AND VEIL YOUR POUT IN A PLAYFUL METALLIC FOR A DASH OF GLAMOUR.

PHOTOGRAPHY JAYDEN TAN CREATIVE DIRECTION JAZMIN KELLY SIX MAKEUP BENO LIM / M.A.C COSMETICS HAIR DEN NG / PREP LUXE MODEL ANNA S / AVE

INTO THE BLUE NOTHING SCREAMS GIRLIE LIKE PLUMPED-UP, DOLL-LIKE LASHES. ACCENT THE MIDDLE SECTION WITH A POP OF PASTEL BLUE FOR EXTRA KAWAII POINTS.

NEUTRAL PARTY SOME DAYS ARE QUIETER THAN OTHERS BUT YOU CAN STILL MAKE A STATEMENT WITH AN OF-THE-MOMENT BROWN LIP PAIRED WITH WHITE RIMMED EYES.

BOLT OF COOL FOR A PARTY LOOK THAT’S SUBTLY ELECTRIFYING, ACCENT THE EYES WITH A LIGHTING BOLT AND FINISH WITH A COAT OF MATTE RED ON THE LIPS.

#ACCESSORIESWIN BATTER UP

HOLD UP

salvatore ferragamo

Hide those bad hair days and score a home run with a baseball cap on hand.

TUNNEL VISION

versace

Capable of storing plenty of knick knacks, invest in a holdall bag that’s stylish and sturdy.

STRAP ON

kenzo

Part geeky, part retro, circular sunnies make a dashing statement.

hermès

Strapped-up mandals ensure you have no more excuses for awful flip-flops.

064 metal-rimmed sunglasses, $237.81, ray-ban wool cap, $35.90, zara

leather cap, $74.26, gents at nordstrom.com

jacquard cap, $35.90, zara

suede baseball cap, $447.36, vianel at barneys.com

leather sandals, $26.90, zalora at zalora.sg

canvas and leather bag, $394, ted baker

acetate glasses, $36.90, topman

leather sandals, poa, christopher kane at club 21 men’s

metal-rimmed glasses, $12.90, h&m

pu sandals, $73, pedro

acetate and tortoiseshell sunglasses, $567, oliver peoples

leather sandals, $400, damir doma at hypebeast.com

pu bag, $79.90, topman

canvas bag, $112, river island at zalora.sg

canvas and pu bag, $99.90, h&m

COMPLEMENT YOUR SPRING/SUMMER 2016 WARDROBE WITH A NEW ARSENAL OF ACCESSORIES FOR EVERY OCCASION. FROM FLATFORMS TO THE ’90S BASEBALL CAP, THESE TRENDING ITEMS WILL TAKE YOU THROUGH THE SEASON IN STYLE.

CLEAR INTENTIONS

THAT’S A WRAP

maison margiela

See-through accessories give your look an unexpected twist, because life is fantastic in plastic.

DUST YO’ SHOULDERS

fendi

Ribbons and bows sit prettily around your ankles with this season’s ankle-tie soles.

NEW HEIGHTS

céline

louis vuitton

As Hova would’ve taught you, a pair of shoulder-length earrings will keep you looking phresh.

Whether patterned or embellished, get a step above the rest with a pair of flatforms.

065 pvc bag with leather trim, poa, christopher kane at club 21

Text Aaron Kok Coordination Aaron Kok & Jun Sheng Ng Images Various Sources

plastic sunglasses, $355, saint laurent

plastic studded ring, $322, caterina zangrando at yoox.com

plastic stone bracelet, $23.90, mango

faux suede heels, $55, truffle at asos.com

pearl and crystal earrings, poa, swarovski

leather flats, poa, kg by kurt geiger

metal pendant earrings, $23.90, mango

python flats, poa, marni

metal earrings, $25.90, zara

suede heels with mirror heel, poa, proenza schouler

chain tasseled earrings, $11, new look

leather flatforms, $218, kg by kurt gieger

leather flatforms, $882, mm6 maison margiela

leather flatforms, poa, dkny

suede flatform, $352, kat maconie at katmaconie.com

WISH WE MAY

WITH THE ARRIVAL OF A NEW SEASON COMES AN OVERHAUL OF WISHLISTS FOR NEW GEAR TO WEAR. THE JUICE TEAM SHARES THE TOP THINGS ON OUR WANTED LIST.

I N D R A N PA R A M A S I VA M

JUN SHENG NG

SALES & MARKETING MANAGER I’m a big fan of dresses, so this little number from Stradivarius ticks all the right boxes for me. It’s easy to wear, and I can dress it up with a jacket or throw it on for a feminine weekend look.

Plus, the fabric is very easy to care for, which makes this a fuss-free style option.

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT My sense of style is understated and simple, but I do like a nice, printed tee. The texture on this top from DC Shoes is great as it calls to mind an updated version of the tie-dye technique. It’s made from light cotton so I can wear this on a hot day without breaking a sweat.

cotton sweatshirt, $132, stussy

cotton knit dress, $49.90, stradivarius

cotton t-shirt, $49.90, dc shoes

J A Z M I N K E L LY S I X

066

L AV O N N E L A M

MUSIC EDITOR I have a thing for sweatshirts – they’re the perfect attire for the days when you just don’t know what to wear. On a recent walk around town, I discovered this burgundy top that I’ll be dropping dough on. If it’s good enough for A$AP Rocky, it’s good enough for me.

H A N P H AY

T R E N T D AV I S

EDITOR I love a bag that’s nice and roomy (mo’ bigger, mo’ better!), and this tote from Fred Perry is right up my alley. The two front pockets will come in handy for slotting in all my daily necessities, while the coated canvas fabric ensures that my belongings are kept dry and safe.

SALES & MARKETING EXECUTIVE I love a good pair of joggers, and American Eagle Outfitters has a stylish alternative to the usually schlumpy jogger pants – it comes in the form of this patterned pair. Besides looking good, they also rank high on the stretch factor to accommodate my active lifestyle.

LIFESTYLE / ONLINE WRITER This bag from Dr. Martens stands out for all the right reasons. Sure, the messenger style is a classic, but it’s the artwork I’m digging.

Featuring a renaissance print of The Triumph of Camillus by Biagio D’Antonio, this sac remains appealing in a modern way.

coated canvas tote bag, $117, fred perry

cotton joggers, poa, american eagle outfitters

leather bag, $249, dr. martens

CEDRIC PHANG

C I N T H I A TJ AYA D I

AARON KOK

FASHION WRITER / STYLIST I have a serious addiction, and it’s with white sneakers. So this season, I’m copping a pair of Vans Sk8-Hi sneakers in leather. ‘Damn Daniel’ meme aside, they are versatile enough to wear with a multitude of looks, without looking scruffy.

SALES & MARKETING EXECUTIVE I’ve been a longtime fan of Red Wing Shoe Company’s hardy boots, and this season, I’m going to get myself a new pair of 9011 boots.

They’re an instant classic, and I like the subtle tinge of red in the cherry leather. Practical and stylish; just the way I like it.

DESIGNER When it comes to personal style, I like quirky designs that stand out. While these shoes from Patrick look like the usual white tennis sneaker, the embroidered lips on the front of the leather upper are equal parts cutesy and whimsical.

leather sk8-hi reissue in white, $112, vans at vans.com

leather 9011 boots, $492, red wing shoe company

leather tennis shoes, $279, patrick shoes at starthreesixty

067

Text Jazmin Kelly Six Images Various Sources

rebel art It’s official – we can put the no-makeup makeup trend to bed. Taking a stand against the typically pared-back looks of spring, this season’s runways served up a platter of visual candy. From the beads and glitter at Manish Arora to Issey Miyake’s paint-splotched eye, more is definitely more when it comes to colour and embellishment. Work your way towards summer with controlled pops of brights on the eyes – brushed on or smudged under; colour defined brows; and a gentle smattering of pallietes on the nails. Temperance is key for a wearable take with just the right dose of drama to impress.

made up

feature

the skin you' re in SPRING IS IN WITH BRIGHT HUES, SHIMMERY TEXTURES, AND PRETTY EMBELLISHMENTS. BUT NONE OF THAT WILL LOOK GOOD IF YOUR BASE IS NOT DONE RIGHT. HERE, WE TEST THE LATEST CROP OF COMPLEXION PERFECTORS THAT WILL PREP YOUR SKIN FOR ALL OF SS16’S WACKIEST PAINTS.

SPONGE OFF

Cushion foundations might be a K-beauty invention but the concept of liquid foundation-grade coverage in a fuss-free compact has swiftly caught on in the rest of the beauty world.

Here, four of the latest you should know about.

068

YSL BEAUTÉ LE CUSHION ENCRE DE PEAU

ESTÉE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR CUSHION BB

While most cushion pacts offer lightweight, dewy coverage, this beauty from YSL delivers a medium, matte finish that suits oily skin types or those who prefer little to no sheen. Thanks to the polymerinfused formula, it adheres nicely and remains pliable even after a warm day out – which means there’s no streaking or patchiness on touch-up. Also included within the gorgeous black lacquer case – adorned with the YSL logo in gold – is a soft, flexible applicator that’s very easy to work with. The formula offers SPF 23 PA++ protection and is best applied with a dab and roll motion. $88, available in six shades at YSL Beauté.

Boasting high staying power with coverage that is sheerer, this multi-tasking BB – it works as a primer, moisturiser and foundation – delivers a fresh-faced complexion that looks youthful, supple and dewy. Those with oilier skin types will not have to worry about midday melt-downs, thanks to the cold water kelp extract, which helps to control shine; and silk powder, which imparts a smooth glow even after hours of wear. With SPF 50 PA+++ protection, this waterresistant option is perfect for the sunnier months ahead. $68 (case and refill) and $52 (refill), available in five shades at Estee Lauder counters from April.

BIOTHERM AQUASOURCE EVERMOIST C.C. CUSHION

SHU UEMURA BLANC:CHROMA BRIGHTENING UV CUSHION

That Biotherm has rolled out a cushion product comes as a surprise, given that it’s mainly a skincare brand. But if this means that all of its hydrating goodness is infused into this CC formula, then bring it on, we say. Best for dry skin types, it has a lovely, refreshing scent and goes on medium to deliver a flawless, dewy look. It is great for mid-day touch-ups and won’t cake up on repplication, thanks to its airy, buildable texture. Key praise goes to how it enhances skin’s natural radiance, and offers breathable, comfy coverage that makes it a great workout option. $52 (duo refill) and $17 (case), available in two shades at Biotherm counters.

What Shu does differently is in the way the product is dispensed.

Instead of the usual sponge or metal bed, this has a non-woven fibre mesh cushion that controls the pick-up amount. The brightening formula is also unique – it remains in a jelly form when unused and liquefies on application for better spreadability and evenness. What we love most, however, is the ultra velvety puff made from plush nylon hairs. It holds and releases just the right amount of product and can easy reach around contours. Just press and glide till you achieve desired coverage. $55 (refill) and $20 (case), available in six shades at Shu Uemura counters.

made up

LIQUID STATE

If your skin requires medium to heavy coverage and is a little on the dry side, these moisturising liquid foundations will serve to deliver that perfect complexion you desire.

SKIN SAVERS

Take flawless skin to the next level and perfect your canvas in these three steps.

PRIME THE BODY SHOP FRESH NUDE FOUNDATION

STILA AQUA GLOW SERUM FOUNDATION

Finally, a foundation collection that fits all skin tones. And no, we’re not even exaggerating. Infused with English rose water and organic aloe vera extract, the semi-matte formula offers a refreshing touch and healthy radiance. It comes in a wide range of 16 shades but if that’s not enough, the innovative Shade Adjusting Drops ($29.90) allows you to further customise the colour to match your skin to a T. $32.90, available at The Body Shop.

Instead of banking on coloured pigments to hide flaws, this water-based foundie uses multi-reflective pigments to deflect light for a touch of luminosity. It has a lightweight texture that is super comfy to wear, thanks to its hyaluronic acidinfused hydrating formula. On application, skin feels soft and looks natural, but if you require a tad more coverage, simply allow the layer to set and then build to your preference. $77, available at Sephora.

The seventh and latest addition to the brand’s range of primers, the Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equaliser in Mauve offers medium-tone skin a subtle radiance that looks brighter and more radiant. The colour-corrector also adds a layer of hydration for smooth makeup application that lasts. $68, available at Sephora.

069

CONCEAL

TAKE A TINT

Text Jazmin Kelly Six Images Various Sources

On days where medium to full coverage proves too much, try a tinted moisturiser that conceals flaws without masking too much of your natural skin.

LANCOME UV EXPERT XL-SHIELD CCCOVER

NARS VELVET MATTE SKIN TINT

A canvas perfector from the brand’s well-loved UV Expert franchise, this CC formula works to combat the effects of prolonged sun exposure, environmental pollution and stressors, and even blue light emitted from electronic devices like fluorescent light bulbs and televisions. It blends easily and provides just the right amount of coverage to hide flaws but still allows natural skin to come through. $75, available in four shades at Lancome counters from mid-March.

A blurring and smoothing formula that delivers lightweight coverage for a natural look. Besides offering SPF 30 PA+++ protection, the oil-free formula also controls shine so skin remains matte and fresh throughout the day. The key benefit, however, is its ability to hide the appearance of pores and lines, thanks to the transparent blurring powders that enhance skin’s texture and tone. $72, available in nine shades at NARS counters.

made up

Formulated with a host of lightreflecting pearl pigments that correct and brighten, Chanel’s Le Blanc Light Creator Whitening Concealer provides a rich, creamy texture that disguises flaws without being cakey. It comes with SPF 40 PA+++ protection to prevent further darkening of spots and applies smooth for an even tone. $54, available in two shades at Chanel Beauty.

PERFECT For a touch of natural-looking highlight, Becca’s Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop offers a radiant glow that complements most skin tones. The soft, light gold imparts a highshimmer finish and is easily blendable. Its creamy consistency wears comfortably and easily lasts for a full day. $58, available at Sephora in summer.

profile

LIKE A PRO

SINCE MOVING ACROSS THE POND IN 1993, ENGLISH NATIVE LOUISE ZIZZO TRADED IN HER PASSION FOR PERFORMING ARTS TO ENTER THE COLOURFUL WORLD OF MAKEUP; AND BOY DID IT PAY OFF. SHE HAS SINCE WORKED HER ROUNDS AT RUNWAY SHOWS ACROSS MAJOR FASHION CITIES, BECAME AN EDUCATOR FOR JUNIORS AND CUSTOMERS ALIKE, AND CIRCLES THE HOLLYWOOD SCENE TO WORK WITH BIGWIGS LIKE GWEN STEFANI, FERGIE AND CYNDI LAUPER. TWO DECADES ON, YOU BET THE M.A.C COSMETICS SENIOR ARTIST HAS MANY STORIES AND TIPS TO SHARE. WE UNCOVER SOME OVER LUNCH DURING HER RECENT SS16 TRENDS PRESENTATION HERE.

070

Speaking of fashion week, tell us about your most memorable experience.

The first time I did the Spring/Summer show for Alexander McQueen in Paris in 2004; McQueen shows are always intense. That season, we had to deal with 50 models at once and that’s a lot to take care of. It was one look per model, there were lots of clothing, and some models even had to be sewn into their outfits; there were so many bodies exposed. We were making this honey-coloured cream to go on the models but it was so hot that everything was melting. It was pretty chaotic – there were lots of photographers and press backstage, as well as the makeup and hair teams; we were all crammed into a small space. At one point, I felt so overwhelmed, I just stood there in a daze. I was very new at that time and couldn’t believe that I was part of all that awesome craziness. That was pretty amazing.

So what’s trending this season that would look good on Asian women?

Definitely the bright red lip – bold, matte, and very easy to wear. The other is glowy, beaming skin in strategic places, like the cheekbones, across the temples, and a little on the cupid’s bow; keeping the centre of the face more matte.

For the everyday woman, highlighting is a lot easier to perfect than contouring as the latter can go south very easily. Lastly, lashes – with either lots of mascara or short strips placed in the centre for a widening, playfuldoll-like look.

What’s one makeup boo-boo we should avoid?

I’ve been seeing way too much highlighter below the eyes; obviously there’s this social media trend, just like contouring, but it’s one of those things that is not easy to do and very unflattering when done wrong. Highlighting belongs only on the high planes of the face and in soft, measured doses. It’s warm here so skin tends to get a natural shine already anyway.

Personal beauty icon?

It may sound cliche, but Jennifer Lopez tops it for me. She’s a beautiful woman who takes care of her skin, and I hate to say this, but she’s the same age as me! She knows what works for her, and she knows her face very well; you can see that through her makeup. It could be strong one

made up

day, and very soft the next; I like how she plays around with her look. It’s not predictable, which is kind of nice.

Say we’re getting off a long-haul flight, what’s the quickest way to look presentable?

Immediately hydrate the skin, swipe on a little mascara and dab some lip balm to freshen up.

You’re in a tin can with recycled air, it’s best to let your skin ‘breathe’ as much as possible so keep it simple.

Of all the people who’ve been in your chair, who’s your favourite?

A couple of years ago, I worked with Gwen Stefani; she was doing a show for L.A.M.B in New York. I was assigned as her personal makeup artist so I got to hang out with her for a whole day. She’s just a down-to-earth, normal person who’s very thankful, very grateful, and very easy to work with. Besides, she loves a strong, lined eye, which was really fun for me to create.

Most celebrities prefer keeping it simple so to be able to have some fun with her look and keep it beautiful throughout the day was a great experience for me.

maccosmetics.com.sg

Text Jazmin Kelly Six Image M.A.C Cosmetics

As M.A.C’s senior artist, what’s a typical day like at work?

The interesting thing about my job is that there isn’t a typical day. One day I could be doing interviews like this and the next I am doing body painting or speaking at a trends presentation.

When I am not planning the programme for a masterclass workshop, I am working backstage at fashion weeks in big cities like Milan or Paris. I am very lucky in that sense.

flash

URBAN DECAY X GWEN STEFANI

new season 'do

Update your mane with the help of these mighty stylers.

GHD V GOLD CLASSIC STYLER Tame unruly frizz into place with this golden tool. Set on lightweight arms are smooth

PHILIPS PROCARE AUTO CURLER HPS940/00 Whether you dig flowy beach waves or wanna achieve a romantic up-do, this handy helper curls pin-straight tresses easily in a flash. With three timer and heat settings, the titanium ceramic-coated barrel rotates gently to create coils that are smooth and sleek. A heat-isolating

072

As if the 15-colour eyeshadow palette wasn’t enough, Gwen Stefani returns to tempt our hearts (and wallets) with the full release of her Urban Decay collaboration.

Dressed in the same stunning gold-whiteblack packaging, the sophomore drop includes the following: a handy brow box ($48) with a wax, powder and tools for on-the-go grooming; attention-grabbing lip colours ($33) in eight shades and lip pencils ($32) in six; plus the must-have six-colour blush palette ($78), which can both accent and contour.

touch of luxe. It glides on hair like a dream for a polished finish, and can be used to twirl and curl, thanks to its contoured edges. Its universal voltage feature also makes it a convenient travel companion.

$330, available at Sephora and selected salons.

chamber also means you won’t burn your mitts while perfecting your mane game.

$239, available at leading electronic and departmental stores

SOFT TOUCH Whether you have actual dry skin or a mien that’s parched from a recent winter vacay, you’ll find a treat in Origins’ new Three Part Harmony range. Infused with tazetta lily bulbs and myrtle, the line stimulates natural collagen production to plump and soften skin. Start your routine with the comforting concentrate – enhanced with cocoa seed butter and omegarich crambe oil – to repair texture, then finish with the rich cream – which contains Japanese knotweed and vitamin E – that nourishes and brightens. $123 (30ml, serum) and $123 (50ml, cream), available at Origins counters.

Available at Sephora and Urban Decay from March 3.

RESORT TO THIS

Flaunt new shades of chic as NARS takes you on a dreamy spring break this season. Packed mainly with versatile neutrals for the eyes, cheeks and lips, the collection includes two lovely surprises – in forms of an icy mint eyeshadow and another in shimmery blue; both can be worn dry for soft colour, or wet for greater intensity. The pale pink Impassioned blush gives us a pretty reason to ditch our usual coral, while the Instant Crash lip gloss paints the pout in a shimmering nude that’s absolutely flattering.

From $37 to $50, available at NARS counters.

ceramic heated plates dressed in gold for a

Inspired by the sunny vibes of Los Angeles, Chanel rolls out a vibrant spring collection that reflects the city’s energy through high-octane hues.

Drenched in expressive blue, green and purple are eyes that dazzle like multi-faceted jewels, lips in high-shine pinks and orange, and talons in a royal purple. Don’t miss the to-die-for Sunkiss Ribbon blush, which tints cheeks in a mix of pink, coral, red and beige; and the eyeshadow quart, which includes a gorgeous turquoise and deep purple.

POA, available at Chanel Beauty counters.

made up

CALI COOL

flash

asian persuasion

RUMOUR HAS IT Always at the forefront of all your favourite K-beauty trends, Stylenanda’s 3CE delivers yet another must-have collection, Pink Rumour, to ace your springtime look. Centred around the notion of achieving flawless complexion with subtle makeup tones, the range includes three wearable lippies in pink, nude and red; three shimmery pigment powders for the eyes; and a chubby mascara that gives you lashes for days. We also love the loose powders – one to blur out the appearance of pores and another to set makeup with a satiny veil.

POA, available at Sephora.

Up your skincare game with these new-to-our-shores K-beauty brands, now available at Sephora.

DR JART+ You’ve known the brand for its wonderful BB Cream formulas, it’s now time to give its other skinloving offerings a go. Launching this season with a capsule collection of gel and sheet masks and the ultrahydrating Ceramidin range, Dr Jart+’s dermalogical formulas are free from chemical nasties and promise to revive parched, lifeless complexions.

From $7 to $77.

FUJIFILM’S ASTALIFT HAS FOUND A NEW HOME IN TOWN, IN THE FORM OF A SKINCARE AND BEAUTY FLAGSHIP AT #03-30 WISMA ATRIA – WHICH HOUSES A FACIAL MASSAGE CORNER FOR A LITTLE MID-SHOPPING TLC.

ERBORIAN In the perfect east-meets-west marriage births Erborian, a French skincare brand that uses traditional Korean ingredients for skin solutions

LASH BEFORE YOU DASH

that promise the best of two worlds.

Besides a yuzu-infused collection for the face, hands and lips, we also

The next time you’re rushing out the door in a scurry, don’t forget to lend your lashes some help with Benefit’s new They’re Real!

Tinted Primer. The brown-hued formula acts as a mascara primer to boost length and define lashes, and can also be worn alone for a natural look. Thanks to its soft, flexible brush and conditioning, vitamin B5infused formula, lashes remain feathery and light without unsightly clumps. A must-have, especially on warm days. $37, available at Benefit counters.

love the CC Creme and Pink Perfect Creme – both promising baby-soft skin plus a host of many benefits.

From $17 to $29, available from end-March.

A MOMENT ON THE LIPS Matte lippies are all the rage this season. To bring you up to speed, here are our favourites that coat puckers in fierce shades of red, for looks that are sexy and on point. Expect high comfort and formulas that flatter with these three.

Text Jazmin Kelly Six Images Various Sources

Clio Virgin Kiss Silkuid Lip Matte in 06 Insane Red $22.90, available at selected Watsons from March 24.

PURPLE REIGN NYX Matte Lipstick in Eden POA, available at Sephora.

The Balm Meet Matt(e) Hughes in Devoted $36.90, available at Sasa.

You probably know this but what we really adore about Innisfree formulas are their lightweight consistency, refreshing textures and pleasant scents. Having already treated us to its comforting Orchid line last season, the brand adds three new anti-ageing skin buddies to the series to complete our regime. To refresh a dull mien, sweep skin with the Skin gel-toner ($34, 200ml) to prep, followed by the Essence ($48, 50ml) to nourish, then slather on the Lotion ($34, 160ml) before hitting the sack – all three work to promise youthful texture and improved radiance.

Available at Innisfree.

made up

073

man up

GET A GROOM A NEW SEASON BECKONS AND STYLE THREADS ASIDE, WE NEED TO UP OUR GROOMING GAME TOO TO GEAR UP FOR SPRING. IF YOU’RE STILL UNDECIDED, HERE ARE SOME LOOKS TO ADOPT FOR THAT EXTRA OOMPH.

THE TEXTURED QUIFF THE CONTRAST

An exaggerated, free-flowing version of the quiff.

Whether you go with a forward fringe that’s pulled-down or swept backwards to the side, this style works with movement to create volume and shape. All you need is fairly long fringe. Go with a full frontal ’do by blow-drying your fringe forward and tucking it into place, or sweep it all back using a strong-hold paste to lift and shape.

By keeping the sides sleek and neat, this eyecatching look is a sure statementmaker.

THE MOUSTACHE

Movember might have come and gone but this season calls for you to keep your ’stache on. And while you’re at it, why not make shapes with your ’mo and have some fun? Fun-loving dapper dudes will appreciate the wacky Handlebar (pictured right), where the ends curve up and inwards; while vintage souls can opt for the classic Pencil, a neat, slim shape that is trimmed straight. To keep your look together, try a moustache wax to create definition and hold.

THE STUBBLE

Low maintenance, modern and a tad sexy, it’s easy to see why the Stubble is a popular look. By adding a ‘dark’ shadow on the contours of your face, it even lends a slimming effect.

There isn’t much you need to do to achieve this; simply grow out your facial hair then shave to your preference. Be careful to avoid patchiness, which can look unkempt. To keep things in check, exfoliate regularly to prevent ingrown hairs and use an oil to soften and tame the fuzz.

made up

Text Jun Sheng Ng Images Various Sources

074

A long-time counterpart to the popular pompadour, the quiff has been an iconic look to rock since the ’50s. This season embraces the textured quiff – a sharper, more contemporary update to the classic. To achieve the ’do to Beckhamperfection, apply a wet-styling product to towel-dried hair, then blow-dry sideways on low heat. When hair is half-dry, brush it upwards and back to shape, then sculpt with either a matte or high-shine pomade to create texture. The key is to keep things rough.

celluloid dream

Text Trent Davis Images Kodak & Various sources

075

Like a painter’s love for canvas and an audiophile’s allegiance to wax, anyone with a passion for the moving image will swear by film. Leading the analogue renaissance with enthusiastic support from the likes of Spielberg, Nolan and Tarantino, Kodak moves modern cinema forward by taking a step back with the updated Super 8 Camera. Celebrating 50 years of the revered format, the comeback cam combines classic elements from its original design – top handle and pistol grip – with a number of enhancements and features that marry analogue and digital, including a digital viewfinder (you read that correctly). And if you don’t have a darkroom, the manufacturer’s film stock includes processing and digital transfer in the cost of the cartridge, meaning you can still share your ‘Kodak moments’ online.

Available this Fall, visit kodak.com for updates.

navigate

feature

artists in residence LY D I A YA N G

076

Whether you’ve dined before her murals in spaces like The Refinery and GastroSmiths, or have worn her art on an ATTAGIRL tee or tote, Lydia Yang’s characteristic cartoon style is one you’ll immediately recognise.

Through bold brush strokes, attentiongrabbing typography and pops of solid colour, the 24-year-old illustrator – better known as Oak & Bindi – injects playful humour into her illustrations, as evidenced in her reimagining of beloved icons like Spongebob and the gang from Arthur.

The Tell Your Children collective member explains, “Every once in a while, you get to a place where you put out something impressionable or something you’re personally satisfied with (which is rare). And when you keep getting to those doors, it brings you places and defines who you are as an artist”. cargocollective.com/oakandbindi

BENJAMIN ANG

Now in his seventh year of conjuring mesmerising moving images, Benjamin Ang derives pleasure from creating visual worlds where pen on paper can’t. “Creating motion design allows me to craft my work in more creative ways – and with this, I am able to evoke emotions, bring ideas to life and create value for others as well”, says the 25-year-old founder of motion graphic studio, Genesis Motion Design. And Ang’s arresting imagery of anything from glitching up THELIONCITYBOY to imagining sneakers as space-age constructs has not gone unnoticed. Shifting from explosive sequences to Zen-life flowing forms and structures, the visual artist has captivated viewers for the likes of MTV, Formula 1, and Singapore Tourism Board. wearegenesis.tv

navigate

feature

FOR A COUNTRY THAT WAS ONCE CRITICISED FOR ITS ABSENCE OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION, SINGAPORE IS NOW HOME TO A BURGEONING ART COMMUNITY THAT’S SHAKING UP ITS OWN BACKYARD WHILE MAKING WAVES OVERSEAS. PROGRESSIVE, PROACTIVE, AND EVER INSPIRING, HERE’S A HANDFUL OF HOMEGROWN CREATIVES YOU NEED TO GET ACQUAINTED WITH.

M E LV I N O N G

While many artists look at materials like paper as canvases on which to create, 31-year-old designer, Melvin Ong, shifts the focus onto the materials themselves and exhibits them in a new light through careful, calculated manipulation. Through his self-started studio, Desinere, Ong explores the relationship between people and the objects, and environments surrounding them, opting for art that channels “quiet reflection” in a world full of noise. Pleated paper ornaments and handcrafted natural materials emphasise this contemplative line of inquiry in a fashion not dissimilar to origami. Reflecting on his own reason for being, Ong shares, “I can’t really see myself doing anything else with as much fervour. I think design continuously challenges myself to experiment and to explore new things”. desinere.com.sg

K R I S TA L M E L S O N

“The need to draw or make images is almost second nature”, professes 32-yearold illustrator and designer, Kristal Melson.

Earning a slew of commissions from the likes of Levi’s, Uniqlo and Facebook, Melson’s detailed illustrations span a diverse range of styles, from intricate lines in portraits of pop culture icons, to psychedelic splashes of colour in visceral depictions of mankind’s base desires. Her tools are just as diverse, where traditional mediums like graphite, ink and brush have given way to digital illustration mixed media, citing experimentation and a desire to “computerise” her art as sources of inspiration in the Internet age. “Kids drawing is as natural as them learning to walk, yet some people stop drawing – I didn’t. I just enjoy it too much”. kristalmelson.com

navigate

077

feature

N U R A I D A S A’A D

As if to depict intimate diary confessions, Nur Aida Sa’ad’s illustrations are at once biographical and resonant of our own feelings of joy and fear. Through coloursaturated sketches that never fail to produce a grin, the 25-year-old artist, under the moniker of Yellowmushmellow, has seen her playful depictions of everyday life showcased by leaders of everyday indulgences like Starbucks, McDonald’s and Red Bull. Commenting on her muses, Sa’ad explains, “I think a lot of the personal work that I enjoy creating results from taking that ‘feelings dump’, a stubborn and spontaneous need to express or translate a fascinating observation in pictures or words.

It becomes my way of coping or making sense of the everyday, and I’m lucky people relate to it”. behance.net/yellowmushmellow

078

Books are often used as vehicles to showcase art, but few are works of art in their own right. Communicating the creativity that such tomes contain beyond what’s printed on their pages, Cheryl Chong makes it increasingly difficult not to judge her books by their covers. Adopting minimalist aesthetics while both adding and removing layers of paper to augment her explorations of heritage, the 27-year-old graphic designer presents new dialogues and dimensions between the author and her readers. “I want to create works that have soul – as design is a form of selfcontemplation – and learn about the world around me. I enjoy the process of translating intangible, complex thoughts onto materials, creating a stage for my work to tell its story as the observer unfolds it”. behance.net/hellobighair

navigate

Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

CHERYL CHONG

gear

AHEAD OF THE GAME CIRCA INFINITY

Though its 8-bit inspired graphics may seem lacking in comparison to the slew of 3-D games on offer, trust us when we say that Circa Infinity is one of the most visually stimulating and hypnotic games you’ll ever play. Like a digitised, ever-evolving phenakistoscope animation disc combined with the gameplay mechanics of Portal, the trippy circular platformer becomes increasingly challenging on the eyes as with the thumbs – as your naked hero dodges demons and jumps between concentric circles to progress through the LSD-fuelled experience. $4.48 (iTunes) and $4.28 (Google Play), available on iOS and Android.

LUMINO CITY

080

While rapid advancements in technology have allowed app developers to push the boundaries of graphics, the makers of Lumino City have achieved astonishing beauty by doing things the old-fashioned way. Set in a model city hand-constructed by game designers out of paper, card, lights and motors, the game contiunues where Luma left off – following a young girl named Lumi in her quest to locate her kidnapped grandfather. Reeling players in with an intriguing narrative and peculiar puzzles, we suspect finishing the game will take much longer than expected as you stop to marvel at each and every handmade detail.

Just don’t forget to rescue grandpa. $6.98, available on iOS.

BADLAND 2

Having won over iPhone gamers three years ago with winged, sentient balls of soot reminiscent of a Ghibli character, the makers of Badland return with an even prettier sequel to their award-winning game. Similar to Flappy Bird without the phone-throwing stress, the game once again sees you tapping the screen to give flight to your cute shadow creature, while dodging hazardous machinations silhouetted against awe-inspiring backgrounds. The side-scroller introduces new features like directional control with left and right taps, while dangerous obstacles step up a notch to keep the number of ways you can die creative. $6.98, available on iOS.

navigate

gear

WE’VE COME A LONG WAY FROM THE DAYS OF THE NOKIA 3310, AND AS ENDURING AS SNAKE IS TO THIS DAY, MOBILE GAMING BECAME AN ALL-NEW ARENA WITH THE SMARTPHONE. TOUTING INNOVATIVE GAMEPLAY CONCEPTS AND GORGEOUS GRAPHICS THAT OUTSHINE OUR CHILDHOOD CONSOLES, THESE NEXT-GEN GAMING APPS ARE AS VISUALLY STUNNING AS THEY ARE ADDICTIVE.

LO S T I N H A R M O N Y

Lost In Harmony succeeds in shrouding a music-based game with emotion where others like Tap Tap Revenge fall flat. Combining narrative elements of a graphic novel with infectious runner-rhythm gameplay, players follow Kaito and Aya, the former a headphonerocking skateboarder and the latter a young girl with a threatening ailment. In Kaito’s wild, asphalt-carving dreams, players must evade obstacles and other dangers by following the beat of the music – where classic scores from Wagner to Bach (and even an original track by Wyclef Jean) ramp up the feels against vivid backdrops and a tear-jerking storyline. $5.98 (iTunes) and free with in-app purchases (Google Play), available on iOS and Android.

THE ROOM THREE

081

LO V E Y O U T O B I T S

Developed by the same minds that brought us Tiny Thief, this latest crazy cartoon adventure follows a tiny human explorer searching the cosmos for the broken bits of his former robot girlfriend (don’t worry, it’s nothing like Her).

Colourful and endlessly creative, players must scour alien worlds, encounter larger-than-life creatures and solve playful puzzles to locate the pieces to fulfilling a robotic romance.

While the game imagines a wealth of tonguein-cheek scenarios and pays homage to sci-fi classics, its innocent premise and quirky cartoon animations will have you laughing, crying, and ultimately falling in love.

TBA, available on iOS and Android.

Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

Following on from its award-winning predecessors, The Room Three once again puts players on the hunt for secrets amidst a labyrinth of mystery. Boasting larger environments and vivid graphics to host a gauntlet of head-scratching puzzles, players must make their way through a mansion on a remote island, using an eyepiece to scrutinise artifacts and surroundings to uncover a secret classical element. Perhaps the most exciting new feature is that you finally get to reach the game’s end. Though you’d likely want to relive its suspenseful atmosphere, by solving different puzzles to access alternate endings. $6.98 (iTunes) and $5.98 (Google Play), available on iOS and Android.

navigate

special

FORGET 50 SHADES – AUDIO TECHNICA GETS HEARTS RACING WITH THE ATH-M50XMG STUDIO-MONITORING HEADPHONES IN LIMITED EDITION MATTE GREY.

REFINING DESIGN

REINVENTING A CLASSIC

Audio-Technica might have designed the ATH-M50x with studio monitoring and mixing in mind, but the pro-grade headphones have been celebrated by everyone – from recording professionals to everyday music-lovers. Expanding on the exceptional quality of the audio expert’s crowd-favourite, the ATH-M50xMG reintroduces the best-selling design with an understated and timeless matte grey finish, while retaining the same sonic signature and effortless comfort that earned it its well-deserved praise. It’s the same, but better.

Departing from the classic black-and-silver paint job that dominates audio devices, the ATH-M50xMG brings newfound grit to the renowned headphones while staying sleek and simple. Rendered in a limited edition shade and texture, the headphones are fitting accompaniments to tactical streetwear apparel for their durability and understated aesthetic, yet undisputedly familiar for its iconic design. With 90-degree swivelling ear-cups, cushioned headband, and detachable cables, the headphones’ collapsible design allows them to stowed away safely when not in use.

ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE

Upholding a long history of distinguished audio quality, Audio-Technica kept things just as they were with the ATH-M50xMG’s sound production. Regarded as an exemplary demonstration of audio engineering, the updated headphones are equipped with the same proprietary 45mm large-aperture drivers responsible for crisp highs, warm mids, and devastating bass, culminating in a tour de force for DJs, studio professionals, and listeners who don’t want to miss a single note. And while it may look like a mean machine from the outside, the ATH-M50xMG’s comfort-pushing materials make extended listening a piece of cake.

$248, available at authorised retailers. For more information, visit sea.audio-technica.com.

grub

EDIBLE EXHIBITION

COOKING A DISH THAT TANTALISES THE TASTE BUDS IS AN ART FORM IN ITS OWN RIGHT. PLATING A DISH THAT LOOKS AS GOOD AS IT TASTES, HOWEVER, IS CREATIVITY VERGING ON THE SCIENTIFIC. COMBINING PROGRESSIVE FLAVOURS WITH EXQUISITE PRESENTATION, THESE NEW RESTAURANTS SERVE UP FEASTS FOR THE STOMACH, AS WELL AS THE EYES.

META

Whether situated inside the bright, refined dining space or out on the laidback, open-air rooftop, Artemis Grill’s elevated location is fitting for its calibre of organic, sustainable Mediterranean cuisine. Fusing elements of fine dining and the homely allure of the grill, starters like the Gambero Rosso ($28), a spicy gazpacho-meetsconsomme with tender, flash-blanched Spanish prawns, embody the establishment’s spirit of refreshing beloved classics.

As with creators in the realm of fine art, there are restaurateurs who pander to public opinion and those who unforgivingly blaze their own trail. Undoubtedly adopting the attitude of the latter, Meta’s bare walls are reminiscent of an art gallery, obliging diners to observe and enjoy the artworks being plated before them in the form of a set tasting menu ($88++/$128++).

This is immediately evident in a prelude of dissected cherries with smoked cheese and pomegranate, showcasing execution that borders on engineering.

The Alaskan King Crab Salad ($28) demonstrates an aptitude in deconstructing and resculpting a simple barbecue staple – with generous chunks of crab meat dressed in a saccharine sauce with pimento peppers, avocado and tomato petals; while grilled fare like the fiery Char Grilled Spanish Octopus ($22) demonstrates an understanding of beauty in simplicity. Creativity can undoubtedly be found in the Beetroot Tortellini ($20/$30), literally colouring up the simple pasta dish with a contrasting colours and flavours between the salty, almost-tart feta and ricotta filling and sweet carrot puree.

138 Market Street, #40-01 CapitaGreen (Rooftop), tel: 6635-8677.

KITE Comfort food needn’t be something unsightly or unsophisticated, and this is apparent in Kite’s menu of homages to our island’s many soulsoothing favourites. Though the cosy and everinviting dining spot seeks to inject an element of class into familiar flavours, it does so without forgetting to put fun into the equation. This is no more evident than in the Dirty Vegetables ($10), a miniature garden of asparagus and carrot snack sticks coated at their base with a brown butter and coffee ‘soil’.

Continuing the fancy-but-fun formula, the Saba Rillette ($10) sees Japanese mackerel make its way into the French method, blended harmoniously with croutons and cucumbers, and cheekily served in a sardine tin. The Somen ($12) similarly reimagines an unassuming Japanese mainstay with the familiarity of lap cheong oil and prawns, resulting in a savoury delight that mimics the appearance of a piped French pastry.

Kite also takes the opportunity to showcase its technical prowess with the Salmon Trout 42Deg ($15), tempering the fillet with utmost precision to achieve a velvety texture.

Where dishes like Irish oysters exhibit natural elegance with an unobtrusive citrus dressing, others like the Wagyu Beef Tartare embody the restaurant’s name for their transformative nature – combining premium beef with pear kimchi, egg jelly and crispy rice to form a deconstructed bibimbap in honour of Chef Sun Kim’s heritage.

Progressing through the menu leads to further exploration of exotic ingredients, like delicate flakes of Bottarga and crisp lattices of squid ink sago accompanying pan-roasted Hokkaido scallops, while Sardinian fregola and Australian sea banana find their way next to sea bass.

9 Keong Saik Rd, tel: 6513-0898.

53 Craig Road, tel: 9279-7988.

Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

084

ARTEMIS GRILL

navigate

arty

S P A T I A L LY AWARE MARC TAN YOU ONLY NEED A SMARTPHONE TO BE EQUIPPED TO TAKE GREAT PICTURES, BUT TO CAPTURE SOMETHING ORIGINAL REQUIRES TRUE TALENT. REFUSING TO BE BOXED-IN BY NEITHER GENRE NOR TREND, MARC TAN IS OF THE LATTER BREED OF PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO IMMORTALISES FASHION FORERUNNERS – FROM ADIDAS TO FRED PERRY – AND ARCHITECTURAL MARVELS LIKE MOSHE SAFDIE’S SKY HABITAT. RECENTLY SETTING HIS SIGHTS ON STRUCTURAL AND SPATIAL CONCEPTS, TAN DETAILS THE INTRICACIES OF ARRANGING COMPOSITIONS BEFORE RELEASING THE SHUTTER, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF VIEWING THE WORLD FROM YOUR OWN LENS.

What things do you look out for when you put your eye to the viewfinder?

If I’m shooting portraits, lighting is always key. Getting the subjects to feel comfortable is one thing, because I go for a very natural look with my portraits. Replicating natural light is another big thing for me, because I like using natural light but it’s not always available.

If I’m shooting architecture and interiors, I try to get the cleanest aesthetic as possible.

Sometimes it’s about ‘cheating’ with the space, like arranging furniture in a way that makes sense through the camera but might not make any sense if you look at it with your eyes – the wheels of an office chair all have to face a certain way, even the cross-section of the bottom of the chair has to be moved a certain way so that it’s aesthetically pleasing.

Then you start tweaking the lights, like trying to match the white balance on your camera to the light within the space to give it a warm or cosy feel. It takes a long time.

Over the years, your work has deviated from fashion to architectural pieces. What spurred this progression?

At the time I made the conscious decision to do architectural work, I kind of got sick of doing fashion; it was like, “I’m tired of working with models and having everyone around me all the time and working with a giant crew”. I just wanted to step away and do something where I could work with the space alone, or just with the architect or designer.

Interiors have always been a strong interest of mine, be it spatial awareness or down to the furniture alone. I like chairs, tables, and little things that give a space its own character.

Many of your architectural and interior photographs are devoid of human life. Why is that so?

I like my photos to convey a sense of loneliness. Sometimes there are people in the photos, but they’re usually blurred out. It’s more to show people in context of the space, but not have those subjects take away the focus of the shot.

Interestingly, your first zine, In A Lonely Place, almost flips that ethos and focuses on people within the bustling city of Hong Kong, while retaining that sense of loneliness.

You could say that body of work is quite cliche in the sense that it’s about finding loneliness in a typically busy city. Hong Kong is known to be condensed and very vibrant and full of life. But I think just like any other city, be it Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo or New York, once you’re there for long enough, you start to see the negative aspects of big city life. It wasn’t like In A Lonely Place needed to flip my normal body of work; it was more instinctive.

Text Trent Davis Images Marc Tan

Do you feel that there’s a lot of pressure on today’s photographers to conform to a particular style or to outdo their peers?

The pressure to stay on trend is one thing, but it only gets to you if you let it. With every era of design, photography or fashion, there’s a certain style that goes with it to give it a distinct look. That’s how you can say, “This looks very ’70s or ’80s”. I think that in this day and age, there’s nothing wrong with having variety.

Everyone’s trying to do the ‘symmetrical’ thing, which led to the ‘look up’ thing, which led to people putting planes in the sky – but it’s all the same kinds of photos. People almost want to get the same shot but put their name on it, which I think is a bit unhealthy. Art is always about moving forward. I think more people should open their eyes and minds to come up with something new. It doesn’t have to be completely different, because originality is difficult these days, but it shouldn’t stop you from trying.

marctanphoto.com

navigate

085

alert

FOLLOWING BROTOCOL

CHIVAS REGAL CELEBRATES THE BONDS OF BROTHERHOOD 086

Whether it’s your go-to spirit to turn up at the club or simply the perfect accompaniment to a moment of pause between your beloved brothers, Chivas Regal 12 Year Old has brought class and sophistication to celebrations for over a century through its rich, smooth blend of malt and grain Scotch whiskies. Though the luxurious spirit is rooted in tradition, the way we enjoy it hasn’t changed a bit: in the company of friends. Naturally, it’s only fitting

that Chivas would take to Singapore’s hottest nightlife spots to witness friendship at its finest. Launching its inaugural Brotocol party at Zouk late last year, the Chivas Squad put unbreakable bonds to the test while bringing bands of brothers closer together through quizzes, photo booths, and a trove of exclusive prizes – including USB dog-tags, poker cards, and Chivas 12 Night Magnum bottles for all who followed #ChivasBrotocol.

While the ‘bro code’ has been documented in everything from Top Gun to Superbad, ladies certainly didn’t lose out on the party – and if Bridesmaids is anything to go by, the same rules apply to the fairer sex (if not more). Subsequent parties at f.Club, TRACE, and Altimate made this clear as day, as both guys and gals rallied together in explosive enthusiasm, breaking down divisive gender roles to salute to brotherhood – and toasting with glasses of liquid gold, no less.

No man is an island, and no one should be left to toast to oneself – so gather your gang and leave no man or woman behind for the next edition of Brotocol. Chivas has got you, bro.

Follow #ChivasBrotocol by visiting facebook.com/chivassingapore to stay up-to-date on the next party.

navigate

Text Trent Davis Images Chivas Singapore

It’s a special thing to be somebody’s bro. To be the first phone call when that new movie hits cinemas; whom one can always count on when their Tinder date goes south; the one they can always share a drink with and shoot the breeze. Of course, attaining ‘bro’ status also comes with its fair share of responsibilities: assuming the position of wingman when your buddy’s floundering without being too charming, reminding them not to neglect their leg workouts, and – perhaps most importantly – not forgetting that it’s your round. Though these unspoken rules may, at times, seem absurd and genius all at once, it is this peculiar code of conduct that inspires Chivas Regal to celebrate the art of bromance with ‘Brotocol’.

flash

singapore design week 2016 Highlights this year to get your creative juices flowing.

SINGAPLURAL

DESIGN & MAKE FAIR

MAISON&OBJET

Bridging advertising, architecture, and urban

For the first time, the Design & Make Fair will mark

Returning for its third edition, Maison&Objet Asia curates cutting-edge and high-end interior design

planning to interior, graphic, and fashion design, the

its inauguration by transforming the National Design

Singapore Furniture Industries Council aims to make

Centre into a retail space dedicated to homegrown

concepts. Aiming to capture the architectural

these ‘singular’ industries, ‘plural’, where elements

creations, where visitors can get their hands on

and design trends sweeping our region, the salon

of each can flow seamlessly into the one another –

exclusive ‘Designed In Singapore’ creations. Housing

includes exhibitions with a focus on upscale

culminating the annual Singaplural showcase. Get a

over 30 Singapore designers, craftsmen, and

hospitality. Get to know the design ins-and-outs of

peek at this synthesis through incredible installations

artisans, not only will you be able to bring home their

industries like haute cuisine, luxury and boutique

like SCOPE, a walk-in kaleidoscope; What I Put In

works, you can also try your hand at activities such as

hotels, as well as participate in in-depth discussions

My Heart Is Heaven, a fragile chamber housing

soap-crafting, glass-painting, leather-crafting, and

varying from ‘Japanese Omotenashi Design’ to

an abstract geometrical heart; and a plethora of

ceramic doll-making.

‘Monumentality Of The Everyday Object’, with industry

immersive, multi-sensory environments.

From March 8 to 20 at the National Design Centre.

experts sharing their wisdom.

From March 7 to 13 at 99 Beach Road. For more

For more info, visit designsingapore.org.

From March 8 to 11 at Marina Bay Sands Expo

info, visit singaplural.com.

and Convention Centre. For more info, visit maison-objet.com/en/asia.

TWO-WHEELED WONDER

luxury liqour In the final edition of their three-year collaboration, iconic cognac Hennessy X.O and star British designer Tom Dixon pair up one last time to dazzle and celebrate the finer things in life. Inspired by the art of tessellation, Hennessy’s familiar carafe is adorned with repeating polygons to create the illusion of infinite pixilation, while its elegant, textured surface reflects the timelessly balanced blend of the Maison’s iconic cognac. Shimmering and gold, Dixon’s finale marks a masterful display of design and a fitting close to the Hennessy X.O Exclusive Collection trilogy. $303, available exclusively at Le Vigne, 72 Namly Place, tel: 6314-1597.

ART VS SCIENCE

Most urban cyclists would have probably encountered the cumbersome task of slinging or carrying a bag on their shoulders as they cycle – dealing with both discomfort in balancing the extra load and those sticky sweat patches from the warm weather. With a centrally integrated bag rack and cargo space at the core of the bike, which is perfect for city slickers and urban cruises, Coast Cycles’ award-winning Quinn Cargo Bicycle returns to an emphasis on ergonomics, revamping and smoothing our biking experience.

From $1,188 in Stealth Black and Glacial White, available at coastcycles.com.

As the ArtScience Museum cycles through multiple exhibitions trying to find that perfect fusion of art and science, it seems it has finally hit the jackpot. Unveiling its first permanent exhibition, the landmark collaboration with Japanese art collective, teamLab, brings us a beautiful futuristic world of high-tech artworks and interactive digital experiences. Enter into scintillating hallways of crystals, fields of luminous flowers, or run amok in a Light Ball Orchestra – just three out of 15 incredible installations. Prepare to bask in the intersection of art, science and, most importantly, magic.

Opening March 12. For more info, visit marinabaysands.com/museum. navigate

087

flash

designated drinkers Raise your glasses to these thirstquenching festivals this month.

SINGAPORE COCKTAIL WEEK Returning after last year’s wildly successful inauguration, the cocktail festival is back to shake up perspectives and taste

MINT TL70 INSTANTFLEX Specialising in Polaroid camera repair and maintenance for the past seven years, MiNT learnt enough to build a camera of their own. Enter the InstantFlex TL70, the world’s first twin-lens instant camera. Inspired by twin-lens reflex (TLR) cameras of old, the TL70 gives a much-desired modern update to the antiquated snapper, retaining the allure of vintage photography with the convenience of Fuji Instax Mini film. Equipped with a 65.4mm lens with aperture settings from f/5.6 to f/22, and an additional f/bokeh mode, enthusiasts and pros alike can find endless joy in shooting with built-in flash and achieving classic moods through its ambient light metre and slow-shutter mode.

$449, available at 8storeytree, 311A Geylang Road, tel: 8333-4136.

buds with an ever-expanding programme. From pop-up vendors and guest spots by international bartenders to salon sessions and workshops, over 60 bars and restaurants are set to participate in the week-long festivities. Your love for liquor is sure to be satiated with exclusive concoctions, like the alluring Asian Spice Trade at Potato Head Folk’s Absolut Elyx pop-up and Catalunya’s luxuriously gold-dusted Cava Cocktail.

From March 12 to 19 at various locations. For more info, visit singaporecocktailweek.com.sg.

CRAFT SINGAPORE Debuting this year to the delight of craft beer connoisseurs

CREOLE MEETS KAMPUNG

to offer a dedicated craft beer and cider experience on our shores. Curating the best of beer, from legendary homegrown microbreweries to small-batch homebrews, the festival is set to put guests in a hoppy mood with gourmet grub, live music, and brewing workshops – including tasting tours in which you can fill up your very own ‘beer passport’.

From March 4 to 6 at Marina Bay Waterfront.

For more info, visit craftsingapore.com.

FOUR CHEFS FROM MICHELIN-STARRED RESTAURANTS COULDN’T RESIST CREATING SINGAPOREAN DELIGHTS OF THEIR OWN AT THE BERLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AFTER A SCREENING OF ERIC KHOO’S FOOD-THEMED FILM, WANTON MEE. SHIOK!

COSY UP TO CREATIVITY

PEAK BEHIND THE SCENES They say it’s what’s on the inside that counts, and it seems Audio-Technica took the saying to heart when designing its new E-Series Professional In-Ear Monitor Headphones. Crafted to deliver audio excellence and longwearing comfort owed to its flexible memory cable loops and foam eartips, the ATH-E70 sports a sleek and simple design, but with a window showcasing the components responsible for producing its renowned audio quality.

Delivering high-resolution audio and an accurate sound stage, the in-ear monitors are specially designed to provide maximum isolation, keeping you focused on the music whether you’re onstage or in the studio, without ruining your eardrums.

POA. For more info and updates, visit sea.audio-technica.com.

Having cuddled up to emerging designers from around the globe (in the PG-13 sense, of course) at the December edition of In Bed With Designers in Hong Kong, online design curators and retailers buyMeDesign and Naiise give design fanatics another chance to get cosy with the innovative wares from the international platform. Spanning over three months, the pair proudly bring 100 products from 15 international designers at a unique pop-up within Naiise’s Clarke Quay store.

From groundbreaking gadgets and home furnishings to handcrafted fashion accessories and gifts, there’s more than enough to wake you out of your creative slumber.

From March 11 to June 10 at Naiise Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, tel: 6252-7701. navigate

Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

088

Get your snappers ready for a feast fit for King Neptune himself. Tucked snug in the newly-opened PasarBella at Suntec, Cajun On Wheels’ gourmet food truck brings you premium seafood delights, straddling the line between Louisiana’s Creole classics and localinspired flavours. With an incredible assortment of crustacean and shellfish in finger-licking sauces like Cajun Cheese or the piping-hot Sambal Belachan splashed across the menu (and your table), the hefty Olympian Bucket ($158) bursts with Scottish Dungeon Crab, Sri Lanka Crab, White Clams, and more, while smaller options, like the Just Be Shellfish Bucket ($68) and Ocean Boxes (from $8.50) let you enjoy sumptuous seafood delights on the go. #01-K41 PasarBella at Suntec. For more info, visit facebook.com/cajunonwheels.

around the island, the three-day event is the first of its kind

scene

AT LANEWAY 2016 CAPTURED ON THE SAMSUNG GALAXY A (2016)

089

SAMSUNG X LANEWAY 2016 #GALAXYAXLANEWAY CONTEST

scene

CÉ LA VI CLUB LOUNGE VIP RELAUNCH PARTY HIGH TIMES

090

scene

EP!C PRESENTS DASH BERLIN AT ZOUK BEATS FOR DAYS

091

KIDNAP KID AT K YO WELCOME TO THE HOUSE

scene

RAYVOLUTION AT ATTICA PARTY HARDY

092

TIME MACHINE FRIDAYS X JUICE AT 1-ALTITUDE THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY

scene

KING OF REGGAE: BOB MARLEY BIRTHDAY BASH AT REFUGE HAIL TO THE KING

093

FRENCH KIWI JUICE LIVE AT THE POWDER ROOM LUSH VIBES

S H O P AT T H E S E S T O C K I S T S AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS #B1-06/07 VIVOCITY

DR. MARTENS #03-12 ION ORCHARD

MANGO #02-23/24 313@SOMERSET

STRADIVARIUS #B2-15 ION ORCHARD

FRED PERRY #B3-01 ION ORCHARD

MARNI 290 ORCHARD ROAD

STUSSY #03-03 CINELEISURE

H&M ORCHARD BUILDING

PEDDER ON SCOTTS COTTS SQUARE LEVEL 2

SUNGLASS HUT #02-50 313@SOMERSET

JUST CAVALLI #01-07 MANDARIN GALLERY

PEDRO #B2-100 MARINA BAY SANDS

SUPERGA #B2-04 WHEELOCK PLACE

KATE SPADE #01-24 RAFFLES CITY

3.1 PHILLIP LIM #02-05 HILTON SINGAPORE

SWAROVSKI #01-25 TO 27 TAKASHIMAYA

KENZO #01-22 TO 24 MARINA BAY SANDS

PROENZA SCHOULER #01-17A MARINA BAY SANDS

TANGS 310 ORCHARD ROAD

KURT GEIGER #B2-117 MARINA BAY SANDS

RED WING SHOE COMPANY #04-16 ORCHARD GATEWAY

TED BAKER #B1-22 ION ORCHARD

COMME DES GARÇONS #02-39/40 HILTON SHOPPING GALLERY

NEW LOOK #B2-34 TO 37 313@SOMERSET

SAINT LAURENT #01-25 ION ORCHARD

TOPSHOP/ TOPMAN #01-05/06 KNIGHTSBRIDGE

DC SHOES #01-04/05 ORCHARD CENTRAL

NIKE 290 ORCHARD ROAD

SCOTCH & SODA #B1-31 NGEE ANN CITY,

UNIQLO #03-27 TO 34 313@SOMERSET

DKNY 390 ORCHARD ROAD

MAISON MARGIELA #01-08 ION ORCHARD

STARTHREESIXTY #02-07/08 WHEELOCK PLACE

ZARA LIAT TOWERS

ADIDAS ORIGINALS #01-09 TO 12 PACIFIC PLAZA CHARLES & KEITH #B2-12/14 NGEE ANN CITY CLUB 21 #01-07 FOUR SEASONS HOTEL CLUB 21B #01-07 TO 09 FORUM THE SHOPPING MALL COACH #01-03 TAKASHIMAYA

Caramel Macchiato

The mark of a masterpiece.

Burnt Caramel Macchiato

Chocolate Hazelnut Macchiato

© 2016 Starbucks Coffee Company. All rights reserved. Printed in Singapore.

Available at your nearest Starbucks for a limited time only.

Connect with us: www.starbucks.com.sg

FIND

HERE BARS & CLUBS

6X^Y 7Vg $ 6aaZn 7Vg 6ii^XV 7ZZg BVg`Zi 7aj ?Vo 8V[ 7djaZkVgY 7gZlZg`o 5 G^kZgh^YZ Ed^ci 8VckVh =Vggn h 5 :heaVcVYZ BVaa! =VgWdjg;gdci 8ZcigZ >XZ 8daY 7 h >cYd8]^cZ 5 8ajW HigZZi ?Z`naa =nYZ @ND ADD; EVjaVcZg 7gVj]Vjh Edhi 7Vg FjZ EVhV VcY >XZ 8daY 7ZZg GZ[j\Z H^Zb G^Ze 8V[ 7Vg LViZg IG68: LVaV LVaV Odj`

F&B

( EZi^ih 8gd^hhVcih 6[iZgl^i 6^Zdj 6giZVhi^f 7dji^fjZ IZV =djhZ 6giZVhi^f 8V[ 9Z 6gi 6hhZbWan 8d[[ZZ 6iaVh 8d[[ZZ]djhZ 7aVX` Idc\jZ 7^aan 7dbWZgh 5 I]Z 8ZcigVa 7gZ`d 7addY 8V[ 8V[ 8VgiZa 8Vggn dc 8V[ 8]V^ HZc\ =jVi =VgYlVgZ 8dhiV 8d[[ZZ H^c\VedgZ 5 (&( HdbZghZi! 8]Zkgdc =djhZ! BZigdeda^h ! EaVoV H^c\VejgV! GV[ÄZh 8^in! GdW^chdch DgX]VgY! HdÃiZa Hd! K^kd8^in 8df 7Vaah 8gZVb 8jhiVgY 8g bZ BV^hdc 7V`Zgn 8jeh C 8VckVh 9 oZgih 8V[ 9Vooa^c\ 8V[ H^c\VedgZ 9dbZ 8d[[ZZ 5 GV[ÄZh EaVXZ! H^c\VedgZ 6gi BjhZjb :Vhi - ;^h] 8d# 5 <aVhh =djhZ ;ddYdad\n ;gZh] ;dhiZgh 8V[ GZhiVjgVci ;gZh] ;gj^ih AVW <jVX <d EiZ AiY =VW^iVi 8d[[ZZ =VgY GdX` 8V[ =ddY 7Vg VcY 8V[ =djhZ >haVcY 8gZVbZgn 5 HZgZcZ 8ZcigZ ?jhi LVci 8d[[ZZ @^c`^ GZhiVjgVci 7Vg @^i] 8V[ @g^h] @dbW^ GdX`h D 8dbeid^g AdnhZa h Idnh BVY CZhi BVc]ViiVc ;^h] BVg`Zi 5 ?jcXi^dc - B^ci BjhZjb d[ Idnh/ Bg EjcX] GZhiVjgVci 7Vg Bn 6lZhhdbZ 8V[ DWadc\ EaVXZ DcZ GdX]ZhiZg DeZc 9ddg Eda^Xn DkZgZVhn EVXVbVgV 7dji^fjZ 8d[[ZZ GdVhiZgh EVi^hhZg^Z < EVX^ÃX 8d[[ZZ 5 GZY 9di 7j^aY^c\ E^Zh 8d[[ZZ EdiVid =ZVY ;da` Eg^kZ 8V[ Gd`ZWn 7^higd HZaÃh] <ZcZ 8V[ Hbddi]^Z @^c\ 5 (&(5HdbZghZi ! 8Vi]Vn 8^cZaZ^hjgZ! @VaaVc\ LVkZ! BVg^cV 7Vn A^c` BVaa! BZigdeda^h! C:M! HjciZX 8^in BVaa! I]Z 8ZcigZed^ci Hd\jgi HEGBG@I HiVgWjX`h 5 ( ?VaVc ?VbVa! 7^h]Vc 8dbbjc^in 8ajW! 7j\^h ?jcXi^dc! 8Ve^iVa IdlZg! 8ZcigZed^ci! 8^in =djhZ! 8^ina^c` BVaa! <gZVi LdgaY 8^in! =daaVcY K^aaV\Z! >DC! ?jgdc\ <ViZlVn! A^Vi IdlZgh! A^Vc\ 8djgi! BVg^cV HfjVgZ! D878 8ZcigZ! DcZ ;jaaZgidc! DgX]VgY Ed^ci BVaa! EVX^ÃX EaVoV! EVgV\dc H]dee^c\ 8ZcigZ! GV[ÄZh =dhe^iVa! H^c\VedgZ AVcY IdlZg! H]Vl AZ^hjgZ <VaaZgn! H^c\VedgZ AVcY IdlZg! IVbe^cZh BVaa! IVc\a^c BVaa! I]Z 8Vi]Vn! I]Z 8ZcigVa! I]Z 8dcXdjghZ! I]dbhdc EaVoV! J: HfjVgZ! Jc^iZY HfjVgZ! K^kd8^in! L^a`^Z :Y\Z! L^hbV 6ig^V Hjh]^ 7jgg^id HlZchZc¼h 5 6c\ Bd @^d =jW! 7ZYd` BVaa! 7j`^i EVc_Vc\ EaVoV! 8VjhZlVn Ed^ci! 8ZcigZed^ci! 8^in HfjVgZ BVaa! 8]Vc\^ 6^gedgi I'! 8aZbZci^ BVaa! 8dbeVhh Ed^ci! 9dlcidlc :Vhi! >DC! >BB! ?jgdc\ Ed^ci! ?jcXi^dc -! BVg^cV HfjVgZ! C:M BVaa! Cdgi] Ed^ci! EVg`lVn EVgVYZ! EaVoV Hc\VejgV! IVbe^cZh BVaa! I]Z HZaZiVg BVaa! I]dbhdc EaVoV! LZhi bVaa :VgaZ HlZchZc¼h 5 ?Zb! K^kd 8^in IZhh 7Vg @^iX]Zc I]Z 8d[[ZZ 9V^an I]Z 8ajZaZhh <dVi I]Z AVlc 5 6M6 IdlZg! CVcdh I]Z Egdk^YdgZ I]Z Hdje Heddc 5 HjciZX 8^in I]Z I^gVb^hj =Zgd I]Z 8dVhiVa HZiiaZbZci I]Z L]^iZ GVWW^i I^bZ IVWaZ 8V[ I^bWgZ 5 I]Z HjWhiVi^dc L(. 7^higd 7V`Zgn L^aYZg 8V[ L]ZZaZg h NVgY Ldg`^c\ I^iaZ 8V[Z

FASHION

68IJ6AAN 6Y^YVh 6Y^YVh Dg^\^cVah 8dcXZei HidgZ 6\cZh 7 6aXd]da^YVn 6aaZn 7Zgh]`V 8gjbeaZg 5 >DC! EVgV\dc!GV[ÄZh 8^in 9ZegZhh^dc 5 8^cZaZ^hjgZ DgX]VgY Y]#hjc\aVhh 9^\Wn 9j`Z 9g# BVgiZch 9jgVhV[Z ;gZY EZggn 5 >DC! BVcYVg^c <VaaZgn! DgX]VgY 8^cZaZ^hjgZ ;gdci Gdl <gVccn h 9Vn Dji <jZhh 5 BVg^cV 7Vn HVcYh =VchZa ?gjclVn AZ[i[ddi 5 DgX]VgY 8^cZaZ^hjgZ! I]Z 8Vi]Vn AZk^ h 5 HjciZX 8^in! K^kd8^in A^b^iZY :Yi KVjai A^b^iZY :Yi A^iiaZ BVc BdYEVgVYZ Bj_^ 5 EVgV\dc CVcV 7^gY 5 8]Vn NVc HigZZi! :c\ =ddc HigZZi CZl 7VaVcXZ 5 HXVeZ! IVbe^cZh BVaa! KZadX^in C^mdc E#K#H E68I Egd_ZXi 7addY 7gdi]Zgh 5 EVgV\dc Ejaa VcY 7ZVg 5 7j\^h ! >DC G^e 8jga 5 BVg^cV HfjVgZ! K^kd8^in GdX`hiVg Hijhhn 8]VeiZg hidgZ HJE HjeZgH]VYZh H< HjeZgheVXZ I]Z 9Zc^b HidgZ I]gZVYWVgZ Hfj^ggZa I]gZZh^mÃkZ Ideh]de$ IdebVc 5 >DC! ?Zb! @c^\]ihWg^Y\Z! K^kd8^in KVch 5 BVg^cV HfjVgZ! DgX]VgY 8ZcigVa L:H8 L]^iZ GdhZ EVgadjg O]V =jd 9V^c

ARTS, DESIGN & MUSIC

6aa^VcXZ ;gVcXV^hZ 7Vh]ZZg <gVe]^X 7dd`h 8jgViZY GZXdgYh :\\i]gZZ <ddYh d[ 9Zh^gZ =ZVg GZXdgYh =BK @^oj`^ A>B CVi^dcVa 6gih 8djcX^a GZY 9di BjhZjb H]de Gdmn Bjh^X HX^hhdgh 6gi H]^ccEVg` HigVc\ZaZih I]Z 6gih =djhZ I]Z HjWhiVi^dc KVaZci^cZ Bjh^X 8ZcigZ LddY LdjaY

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

6gi^hVc =V^g 6hbVgV :hhZchjVah 7j\^h ;9E EgZhi^\Z =V^g 8VgZ ;^icZhh ;^ghi 5 DcZ GV[ÄZh FjVn! DJ7 8ZcigZ! GdW^chdc GdVY! I]Z 8Vi]Vn BVc^Xjg^djh CZmi HVadc HIG>E 5 9ZbehZn! =daaVcY K^aaV\Z! @Vidc\! EVgV\dc! GV[ÄZh 8^in H]dee^c\ 8ZcigZ! BVcYVg^c <VaaZgn! L]ZZadX` EaVXZ! K^kd8^in I]Z EVc^X Gddb IDC> <JN 5 :Vhi 8dVhi! =daaVcY K^aaV\Z! BVcYVg^c <VaaZgn

HOTELS

6G@ '*. AdY\Z =diZa GZ >ciZg8dci^cZciVa H^c\VedgZ @aVehdch =diZa AadnY¼h >cc EiZ AiY Bdg^ =dhiZa CVjb^ =diZa CZl BV_Zhi^X =diZa Hl^hhdiZa I]Z Fj^cXn =diZa K^aaV\Z @Vidc\ =diZa LVcYZgajhi =diZa L H^c\VedgZ

SCHOOLS

AVhVaaZ 8daaZ\Z d[ I]Z 6gih CVcnVc\ 6XVYZbn d[ ;^cZ 6gih CJH GVY^d EjaoZ GZejWa^X Edan H6: >chi^ijiZ H^c\VedgZ IZbVhZ` EdaniZX]c^X

EVERYWHERE ELSE

6jY^d IZX]c^XV 7dd`h6XijVaan 8]Vc\^ 6^gedgi 6bWVhhVYdg IgVch^i Adjc\Z :e^ 8ZcigZ 5 L]ZZadX` EaVXZ ?8jWZ ?8jWZ! I]Z G^c` Adj^h @^ZccZ HZgk^XZY GZh^YZcXZ H6;G6 5 IdV EVnd] H86E: HI6 IgVkZa Hi <VbZh 8V[Z I=: =>K: Id`nd 7^`Z I]Z GZVY^c\ Gddb LVkZ =djhZ HZcidhV

final word

BET TER THAN YOU

“I DON’T GIVE UP BECAUSE I DON’T GIVE UP. I DON’T BELIEVE IN IT”, JOHNNY CASH ONCE SAID. CALL US PREACHY, BUT PERSEVERANCE IS ONE OF THE MAIN INGREDIENTS OF SUCCESS. HERE ARE SEVEN ARTISTES WHO’D AGREE.

THE BEATLES

RAY CHARLES If witnessing his baby brother drown to death at age five wasn’t bad enough, Raymond Charles Robinson lost his sight at the age of seven to glaucoma. But by sheer dint of hard work – and natural gifts that also contributed to him earning the nickname, “The Genius” – he mastered the piano, organ, saxophone, clarinet, and trumpet, created soul music, and became one of the most revered musical figures of all time.

VENOM

THE SUPREMES Before Diana Ross became Diana Ross, she was part of The Supremes.

And before The Supremes became the most successful singing group in the world (sorry Destiny’s Child), they called themselves The Primettes, and they had to hustle very hard.

Though gifted with sky-reaching pipes and hungry to record, Motown president Berry Gordy thought they were too young to be signed. So what did they do? They showed up at his studio every day until he changed his mind.

JIMI HENDRIX It was 1967. American rock band The Monkees were huge and The Jimi Hendrix experience was opening for them. But The Monkees’ diehards wouldn’t have it and so booed Jimi and his bandmates off the stage. A year later, Jimi and The Experience released Electric Ladyland, one of the greatest and most path-lighting rock & roll records of all time. For his part, Jimi was hailed as, to quote the custodians at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, “arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music”.

ELVIS PRESLEY After one of his early performances, someone actually told this guy that he should never sing again but rather, stick instead to his day job of driving trucks. Hip-swinging rockabilly wasn’t hot property back in 1950s Tennessee. A few years later, “Heartbreak Hotel” happened and Elvis was well on the path to his eventual destination, being the King Of Pop. In his case, the world finally caught up to his dashing moves and he showed it a good time.

JAY Z Two sets of lines from the rapper/mogul/zillionaire’s discography will help put things in perspective: “My demeanour – 30 years my senior / My childhood didn’t mean much, only raising green up” and “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man!”. When he first had the hyphen in his name, Jay was rejected by every label he approached. Undeterred, he co-founded his own label Roc-A-Fella Records, released genre-defining albums, made his pile, started a clothing line and married Beyoncé. Win, win, win and WIN!

Text Indran P Images Various Sources

096

How many artistes can claim to spawn a style of music from their album title? Well, Venom can.

The sophomore record by the English trio quickly defined and christened the style they brought to the light (or darkness): black metal. But there’s the kicker: while they’ve become an undeniable influence on extreme music, they were told to, “F**k off”, in a letter from EMI officials during their early days.

Consider the stats: Shifting 178 million units in the U.S. alone, The Beatles is the best-selling band in the world. There is no style of popular music over which their shadow does not fall. Just like how there isn’t a country on the world map where the band doesn’t have legions of fans. But before all this happened, the Fab Four had to endure Decca Records’ formidable A&R man, Dick Rowe, who “didn’t like their sound” and, therefore, didn’t sign them.

OBC - Zouk Mar16.indd 2

19/2/16 3:47 pm