JUICE November 2015 - Porter Robinson | Issue #206 by JUICE

NOVEMBER 2015 ISSUE #206

SINGAPORE www.juice.com.sg

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PORTER ROBINSON INSIDE HIS WORLD

the barely legal issue

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As we turn the ‘Barely Legal’ age of 17, we’re ready to break the rules and up the stakes with an extravagant shindig in classic style. The last party of its kind before Zouk closes the chapter on its Jiak Kim Street venue, gather your guys and dolls and watch the iconic nightlife bastion transform into a film noir underworld, with cutting-edge projections and light installations by SSYSTM (Syndicate) and earth-shattering grooves by FAUXE. With plenty of booze and goodies to get your mitts on, all you need to bring is your killer moves. It’ll be an evening to die for.

JUICE 17TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Dress Code: Dress To Kill Sign up for your pair of invites at juice.com.sg/juiceanniversary.

DATE: 7 NOVEMBER, 2015 TIME: 7PM TO 10PM VENUE: ZOUK ORGANISED BY

OFFICIAL VENUE

Minimum age requirement of 18 years and above. Photo ID is required, club rules apply. Entry is limited, so come early to avoid disappointment.

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It’s that time of the year again where things heat up and our party engines go into overdrive. In celebration of our 17th birthday this month (read more about it on page 29 and sign up for your pair of invites at juice.com.sg/juiceanniversary), we’re diving headfirst into the festivities, which will see us hopping from a night with The Vaccines on the 4th, to our ‘Barely Legal’ party on the 7th, to catching up with John Digweed on the 14th, to camping out on the green at Neon Lights Festival over the weekend of November 28 and 29. We are also psyching up for next month’s grand Zoukout extravaganza and Laneway Festival in January 2016, so make sure you get your tickets ready and party alongside us.

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2015

PORTER ROBINSON

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What happens when your world becomes saturated and dehydrated all at once, and seemingly sucked out of possibilities? If you’re Porter Robinson, you create a new one. Enter his fantastical world – we hear it’s a beautiful place. Image Courtesy Of Zouk Management Singapore

10 musical misdemeanours to avoid Rules and principles to keep you in check.

cover yo’ ears Doozies that are too obscene for airplay.

BARELY LEGAL

The lowdown on J U I C E ’s 1 7 t h a n n i v e r s a r y p a r t y.

This season’s round-up of the hottest, must-have trends.

criminally chic

the heist

Wanted – for staging the perfect escape.

herb mentality

The ingredient that’s high on our beauty list.

OVER THE MOON

Ta k e a s h i n e t o p r o h i b i t i o n - e r a l i q u o r.

smart safety Essential security apps for the Android smartphone.

killer concoctions

B o o z e t h a t ’s g o o d e n o u g h f o r A m e r i c a ’s m o s t n o t o r i o u s k i l l e r s .

social

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

SNAP OF THE MONTH CONGRATULATIONS @UICHIAW FOR SQUEEZING US INTO YOUR COFFEE BREAK! HERE’S SOMETHING YOU CAN PACK THE REST OF YOUR DAY I NTO.

THIS MONTH’S SNAP OF THE MONTH WINS A HEX CALIBRE ALLIANCE BACKPACK WORTH $129, COURTESY OF BRATPACK.

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obsessions

Jazmin Kelly Six Editor @adoseofpre tty

SOLE FOOD So here’s the thing. I’m often nicknamed ‘the millipede’ and have even been likened to the Marici (not for virtuous reasons, obvs) – all because my shoe and bag collection borders on hoarder-grade ridiculous. Despite my 160-pair (shoe) inventory, I still put money down for pretty soles ever so often, just because. My latest lust-have? The Valentino Camouflage Rockrunner. Flaunting layers of sumptuous leather, canvas and suede uppers, these kicks come colour-blocked in grey, green, red and navy, accented by a camo print and subtle stud embellishments. A statement maker that’s hard to resist.

valentino.com/sg

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S A Y T L I U G CHARGED

avis Trent D ne Writer li n O / Lifestyle bentogram to n e @tr

FANCY GOODS THAT’VE CAUGHT OUR EYE THIS MONTH

Aaron Kok Fashion Writer/Stylist @whatsupaaron

Some folks collect magnets, but I’m an avid collector of smell-good things – like scents and candles. So I can’t thank the gods of Prada – Miuccia and her perfumer, Daniela Andrier, specifically – enough for the Prada Olfactories collection. Comprising 10 variants, each perfume is named after a movie or pop song from decades gone by. ‘Tainted Love’ is infused with notes of violet and musk, while ‘Pink Flamingos’ makes a reference to the pink blossoms at the heart of the scent’s signature. My fave is the ‘Marienbad’ – an entrancing concoction of leather, amber, oud, and vanilla that’s named after the film Last Year At Marienbad. Coupled with the minimalist flacon designs and packed in beautifully printed silk pouches, these wicked whiffs are worth every dime and penny.

Available at Prada, #01-01 Ion Orchard.

SHOOT FOR THE SKY I’m far from what one would consider a skilled photographer, but that doesn’t stop my wandering eyes from seeking new toys. The latest to catch my fancy is the Sony a7S II, a new full-frame mirrorless camera to keep the brand’s lineup on fire. Improving on the a7S, the Mk II boasts internal 4K recording without the need for an adapter, and upholds the same stellar sensitivity as its predecessor. Don’t let the 12.2-megapixel sensor fool you – the camera’s BIONZ X image processing engine is more than capable of producing crisp stills and videos with extra-fine details, along with a whopping max ISO of 409,6000 that can turn night to day.

$4,299 (body only), available at Sony Stores, Sony Centres, and selected authorised dealers.

SINGAPORE

SERVIN’ UP THE FRESHEST CONTENT

OUR EXCLUSIVE WEB HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH LION CITY RAGE THE HEAVIEST, HARDEST, MOST AGGRESSIVE RELEASES TO COME OUT OF SINGAPORE THIS YEAR

INGLORIOUS CLOTHING U.S. SKATE CULTURE AND ASIAN STREET TRENDS CONVERGE FOR THE BRAND’S DEBUT COLLECTION.

REPORT: THE SHOW FEAT. PALOMA FAITH

THE ENGLISH SOUL SINGER BRINGS HER A-GAME TO THE CLOSE OF THE 2015 BNP PARIBAS WTA FINALS SINGAPORE.

COVER UP THE GREATEST COVER SONGS TO HAVE OUTSHONE THEIR ORIGINALS.

HOLIDAY HAIRDOS TIPS TO GET YOUR MANE ON POINT FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON.

10 BIZARRE GENRES YOU DIDN’T KNOW EXISTED

SO YOU LISTEN TO BLACK METAL? YOU HAVEN’T LIVED UNTIL YOU’VE HEARD BLACK MIDI.

FUTURE FELLA FUTURISTIC GADGETS FOR THE FORWARD-THINKING GENTLEMAN.

REVIEW: ARCADE FIRE: THE REFLECTOR TAPES JOURNEY BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE CANADIAN INDIE ROCKERS AS THEY MAKE THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED, REFLEKTOR.

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Text Kevin Ho Images MTA Records

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Despite driving his teachers up the wall in high school, this pesky deviant sure listened to his Momma. Wesley Marsh’s mother – a painter based in Trinidad – inculcated him with the wisdom of ornamenting art with kaleidoscopic aplomb – to ‘kill them with colour’. Adopting it as his DJ moniker, the Toronto native approaches dance music with a vast palette of potential. Strokes of buttery soul-sampling house (“Get High”) are applied, as are harsher splashes of titillating trap (“Always Somethin”) that parallel RL Grime and Flosstradamus. He’s also been known for tweaking Brandon Flowers with Flume-like wonky reworks, and preposterously mashing up elements from Destiny’s Child and Enya (yes, “Orinoco Flow” Enya). Breaking the rules of production like this can’t possibly be legal, but when Marsh does it, he absolutely kills it.

soundcloud.com/killthemwithcolour

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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR WORLD BECOMES SATURATED AND DEHYDRATED ALL AT ONCE, AND SEEMINGLY SUCKED OUT OF POSSIBILITIES? IF YOU’RE PORTER ROBINSON, YOU CREATE A NEW ONE. EXPECTATIONS RODE HIGH ON HIM TO CONCOCT A DEBUT ALBUM THAT’D REFLECT HIS JUVENILE ELECTRO-HOUSE MATERIAL, COMPLEMENTARY TO THE EDM CLIMATE THAT’D ENGULFED POP CULTURE. INSTEAD, LIKE A WARRIOR ON A QUEST (CUE NINTENDO MUSIC), THE 23-YEAR-OLD CARVED HIS OWN PATH OF CONCEPTUAL ELECTRONICA TEEMING WITH VOCALOID SAMPLES, 16-BIT MELODIES, SONOROUS BEATS AND AMBIENT OVERTONES THAT M83 WOULD SALUTE. WE ENTER THE FANTASTICAL WORLD OF PORTER ROBINSON – WE HEAR IT’S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.

At 8am, we jolt awake from our slumber, hazy from a dream that had us meeting Porter Robinson in a dingy backstage chamber of some incognito club. Slipping back into reality, we remind ourselves that our exclusive interview with our cover feature protagonist wasn’t face-to-face, unlike our vivid subconscious imagination that irksomely plays tricks on us time and time again. Not enjoying such circumstances that constantly feel like deleted scenes from Inception, we wondered if Robinson – the kaleidoscopic electronica wunderkind who weaves songs about “Fresh Static Snow” and “Polygon Dust” – shared this dream-inflicted conundrum of ours. “I don’t like my dreams…” he hesitates, “I love fantasies and fantastical art, but my actual dreams are quite depressing. I don’t like the world in my dreams; it’s gloomy and never anything beautiful. The kind of surrealism that I enjoy is like a beautiful escapist-type fantasy, something that feels inspired by video games. But what happens in my dreams…I would avoid it at all times if I could”. At this point, we detect a tint of tragedy. Our dreams don’t deter us; we embrace them, no matter how atrocious they choose to manifest themselves. Robinson, however, sounded genuinely perturbed by the worlds that awaited him every time he got some shut-eye. We decide not to linger on it any further, and focus instead on the world of Worlds. When his debut album finally came out, four years after he emerged from the electro ranks as a DJ, it was a far cry from what anybody expected – a deadmau5-level troll of a record, so to speak. Importing

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OF HIS OWN PORTER ROBINSON music

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elements from synth-pop, French touch, bro-step, ambient and neo-classical, Worlds, more significantly, captured stories that could spark off an anime adaptation with each symphony. A boy coming across an abandoned robot in need of affection (“Sad Machine”); freedom fighters wishing to rescue their imprisoned fathers in a war-torn land (“Years Of War”); a Les Misérables-like perspective on poverty (“Hear The Bells”) – every chapter in Worlds is a tale worth telling. “My album doesn’t really have a literal story behind it, but it’s meant to evoke the feeling of storytelling and the beauty of fiction,” Robinson explains the album’s wondrous context. Curious and restless for more, we ask if his subsequent work looks to be yet another brilliant concept album. “Well, I don’t actually think Worlds is a concept album,” he clarifies, “But man, trying to write the follow-up to Worlds has been extremely difficult for me. I wanna do something that still feels like me, but I wanna move things forward and not be redundant and repeat myself. That’s the struggle that every musician who’s had a successful first album goes through. My goal is to take as long as I need to make it good; I don’t wanna rush something out that’s mediocre”. It takes bravery to not give in to the yearning fans and critics, and as evidenced by chest-beating morale-boosters like “Lionhearted”, courage is one theme that Robinson wears on his sleeve. Except, we happen to find one thing that makes him squirm in fear – sorry, Porter. “I almost don’t wanna say what my biggest fears are, ’cos it gives people something to use against me,” he begins, “But when I was a kid,

I was pretty afraid of house fires. I saw one when I was about 10 and it almost felt like the moment I lost my innocence”. We would’ve given Robinson a figurative pat on the back, until he got to the punchline of his story. “But in hindsight, it’s funny ’cos all this came from a game!” he reveals, “I was playing The Sims. I thought the game was all happy and about family life, until the fire happened in the house and everyone was panicking and scary music played”. However, not all video games gave Robinson goosebumps. In fact, there was one in particular that set him on the path of electronica; one that he’s apparently still proudly good at. “Dance Dance Revolution! Y’know, that Japanese rhythm arcade game,” he plugs excitedly, “The reason why it’s so important is because it was the first time that I heard electronic music, and from that point, I knew I wanted to make it myself. I’m 23 now, and I’ve been doing it for 11 years, and I really gotta thank DDR for that!”.

DDR eventually proved to be ground zero for Robinson’s musical infatuations, but more importantly – being a game made in Japan – it was also the starting point of his obsessions with Japanese culture. And as we discover further, Robinson isn’t your ordinary Nippon-o-phile who only finds satisfaction from salmon sushi and high-tech toilets. Turns out, the dude’s even begun analysing the art of J-Pop. “Yeah, J-Pop is one of my very few musical loves,” he begins, “There’s a particular way that J-Pop is written; it’s not something that you can just do, you gotta learn the theory and tropes of it. The cliches in it are really important. There are certain chord moves and even melodic moves that are recurring throughout J-Pop. And there are also a lot of bar chords and key changes, unlike the pop music of virtually anywhere else in the world. One of my bigger points of reference is Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s “Furisodeshon”. No other culture would accept how complicated that song is, but it’s so beautiful! I’ve really studied these things a lot!”.

Text Kevin Ho Image & Interview courtesy of Zouk Management

We could’ve gone on for an eternity about our shared fondness for J-Pop – Robinson also wishes he could collaborate with Pamyu’s producer (and the genius behind Perfume and Capsule), Yasutaka Nakata – but we choose to dig deeper into his soft spot for this outlandish culture. “Well, it’s formative to me. For anyone who grew up in the ’90s, Japanese culture was a big part of youth pop culture. Everyone played Pokémon and everyone knew what Yu-Gi-Oh! and Mario was,” he elaborates while we nod geekily over the phone, “As a teenager, I had Otaku-type interests like anime. Also, so much of my fashion is J-Fashion. I follow a lot of J-Fashion blogs” – this very much explains Robinson’s clothing collab with Harajuku streetwear brand, Galaxxxy. “When I go to Japan, somehow, I feel safe and very welcomed. I feel so much love from my fans there, and likewise, there’s a lot for me to love in Japan”. Like any self-confessed otaku, we’re certain that Robinson has, at some point in life, related himself to a favourite anime character or two. “Actually, I find myself relating more to female characters than male ones,” he confidently admits, “Like Ohana Matsumae from Hanasaku Iroha, I really relate to her work ethic and desire to do a good job. But otherwise, I’ll probably be the generic anime protagonist who’s not sexy at all, but kind of cool and nerdy”. “Not the embarrassing guy who gets nosebleeds all the time, right?”, we probe. “No. [Laughs]”.

Porter Robinson ushers us into his world at ZoukOut, happening on December 11 and 12 at Siloso Beach. porterrobinson.com

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1 0 M US I C AL MI SD EMEA NO U R S TO AVO I D

LIKE ANY DELICATE ARTFORM, MUSIC IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE RULES AND PRINCIPLES THAT KEEP EVERYTHING IN BALANCE. WHETHER YOU’RE A SEASONED HEADLINER, A LUKEWARM ROOKIE, OR EVEN A WINDOW-GAZING CONSUMER, YOU’D BEST TAKE THESE GUIDELINES TO HEART.

STEALING MUSICAL HOOKS

You’re probably thinking, “Huh? But ain’t this a noble, pro-karma thing to do?”. Even if your intentions are pure, you can’t just go around appropriating the name of a public figure to boost your street cred. Sure, you have your unsung heroes, but you also have your heroes that don’t wanna be sung about. Guilty As Charged: Outkast No, not because of “Ms. Jackson”. The matter of contention lay with 1998’s “Rosa Parks”, which was meant to honour the story of the Black civil rights activist, who stood up against racial oppression in the ’50s by not “moving to the back of the bus” – a line from one of their verses. Unfortunately, Rosa Parks never gave her ‘hey ya’ of approval.

P AY I N G T R I B U T E T O H E R O E S

B E I N G T O O E X C I T E D O N S TA G E

Even musicians have to get their international visas in order, despite being invited for tours all around the world. Just because you’ve got more Instagram followers than the President of so-and-so country, doesn’t mean that you’re impervious to the stringent rules of immigration. Your equipment doesn’t get VIP treatment either; check it in! Guilty As Charged: Clean Bandit Flip over to page 27, and you’ll find out how it was like for sole female, Grace Chatto, after her male bandmates were denied entry into Portugal due to passport pickles.

It ain’t just the ‘copy-pasting’ of lyrics that’s frowned upon; distinctive riffs are protected just as judiciously. Melodies can make or break an anthem – think the synth melody of “The Final Countdown”, or the bass lick of “Hysteria”, or even the bang-bang-clap rhythm of “We Will Rock You”. In the words of MC Hammer, you can’t touch this! Guilty As Charged: Vanilla Ice This White rapper’s throat-slitting lyrics (“Word to your mother”, really?) on “Ice Ice Baby” couldn’t be saved by its deja vu bassline. He eventually had to pay Queen and David Bowie royalties for pilfering the groove from “Under Pressure”.

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Adrenaline kicks in and you’re feeling like a million bucks – such a surge of euphoria is natural when you’re performing in front of thousands of fans. But obviously, there is a thing called going overboard. If your psych-up antics end up turning a harmless gathering into a perilous stampede, you might wanna turn it down a notch. Guilty As Charged: Tyler The Creator Last year, the Odd Future trailblazer had the cops on his tail after allegedly inciting a riot at SXSW. Though, we’re not quite sure what Tyler expected when he encouraged punters to bust through the gates and swarm the venue.

NOT CLEARING YOUR VISA

DEFENDING YOUR PRIVACY

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Sometimes, fame comes at a price. Being engulfed by legions of fans who want autographs is still somewhat tolerable. Being hounded by intrusively badgering paparazzi? Not so much. They will menacingly blind you with flash photography, intentionally capture your worst angle, and even rile you up with fabricated rumours. We know it sucks, but try to keep it together, yeah? Guilty As Charged: Lily Allen You can’t censor this pottymouth’s lyrics, let alone place a PG sticker on her retaliative responses once provoked. Allen has a history of assaulting and lunging at nosey headline-grabbers; Chun-Li kicks included.

feature Commonly sugarcoated as ‘acquiring’, this started out as a go-to solution (for the record, we’re not endorsing it!) for folks who were too lazy to stumble upon undiscovered demos in music stores, or otherwise, too broke to afford merch. But come on, we all know music sales are on the verge of death these days, and reportedly, music streaming ain’t helping either. Good thing vinyl’s popular again! Guilty As Charged: You know who you are; we ain’t gonna snitch.

UPLOADING DJ MIXES

Believing in your craft and cause is one thing; shaking up the status quo of society is another. Potentially more violent than initiating circle pits, calling out and slamming political leaders could plant the seeds of a rebellious, seditious uprising, especially when you’ve got the loyalties of the masses in the palm of your hand. Logically, peacekeepers aren’t gonna be too happy with you. Guilty As Charged: Pussy Riot Russian authorities went down on them hard (too hard with the whipping, if you ask us), when they displayed insurgence towards Putin with their anarchic punk battle-cries.

Text Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

DOWNLOADING MUSIC

As effective as the English language might be, we’ll confess that strategically-applied profanities help emphasise our expressions with an extra oomph. Needless to say, not everyone will swear by swearing, and there are always those uncorrupted, squeaky-clean souls who equate vulgarities with the words of the devil. To prevent such perversions, it’s not unheard of for gig organisers to ban the usage of taboo utterances on stage. After all, why do you think it’s so hard to get hip-hop acts here? Guilty As Charged: Nicki Minaj Believe it or not, this booty-shaker was fined for swearing in Jamaica. Apparently, we aren’t the only ones barring crude language. And even more surprising, Russia’s on our side too!

Another controversial chinstroker. Unless you’re a DJ with over three hours of original content, it’s customary to incorporate tracks from other producers to sync with your BPM of choice. In fact, especially for prospective remixers or label heads who wanna promote budding talent, this practice is encouraged so that the network of dance music may live long and prosper. Guilty As Charged: SoundCloud Uploaders The music streaming service has been clamping down harshly on detected instances of copyright infringement. Frozen accounts and deleted mixes – including those claiming to contain original content – are some common conundrums plaguing SoundCloud users. Even EDM titans like Knife Party weren’t spared.

POLITICISING YOUR CONCEPT

P L AY I N G T O O L O N G

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Unless you’re The Cure, who can get away with a three-hour marathon show, you gotta stick to your stipulated time slot. This is especially pertinent when you’re sharing the stage with other performers, or if your venue’s licence doesn’t cover you past a certain time. Remember, this ain’t your extended jam session where your guitar solo can go on for an eternity. Structure your setlist wisely! Guilty As Charged: Earth Wind & Fire Sadly, even this legendary funk collective had the plug pulled on them at Sing Jazz last year when their set spilt past midnight. The blasphemy!

HAVING A VULGAR VOCABULARY

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COVER YO' EARS “PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON” BY PETER, PAUL AND MARY

Taboo Boo-Boo: Pharmaceuticals These days, they’re notoriously known as ‘molly’, ‘grass’ or ‘crystal’. But back in 1962, it was this fanciful tune that ignited fireworks in the brains of drug-abusing hippies. Allegedly an innocent, innocuous fairy tale about a kid and his magic pet dragon, perhaps this rhapsody would not have been axed if its title had included one strategically-placed comma. Punctuation, people!

LYRICS TURN SONGS INTO STORIES, AND AS YOU’D MIGHT EXPECT, THERE ARE BOTH GOOD AND BAD ONES. WE DIG UP DOOZIES FROM THE LATTER CATEGORY – DISASTERS THAT WERE DEEMED TOO SUBVERSIVE, OBSCENE, AND INSENSITIVE FOR COMMERCIAL AIRPLAY. PARENTAL ADVISORY? WHAT’S THAT?

“WHY” BY JADAKISS Taboo Boo-Boo: Terrorism Accusations

“WAKE UP LITTLE SUSIE” BY THE EVERLY BROTHERS Taboo Boo-Boo: Hanky Panky

Hip-hop’s always bound to be inflammatory depending on who’s behind the mic. But Jadakiss definitely dropped one vocal pipe-bomb when he broached the touchy topic of the September 11 attacks on NY’s World Trade Centre. Even worse, he blamed the Bush administration for the atrocity – “Why did Bush knock down the towers?” – stirring up rabble-rousing conspiracy theories.

Scandalous songs about coitus might be the norm today, but declarations of horniness were considered forbidden amongst juveniles in the ’50s (aww, gee-whiz!). Fearful folks began grounding their kids more severely after this song documented a young couple that ‘fell asleep’ together at the drive-in theatre. But, surely they were just sleeping right? Right…

“LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY” BY DONNA SUMMER

Taboo Boo-Boo: Gunshots And Politics

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Taboo Boo-Boo: Misogyny Amidst big-beat bombshells like “Poison” and “Firestarter”, this was the provocative sinker that got The Prodigy in hot water. Deemed “the most controversial song of all time” by Britain’s Performing Rights Society, it justifiably incited protests amongst the feminism community. Though ironically, it was used in one of Charlie’s Angels fight scenes. And in that show, women kicked *ss.

“THE REAL SLIM SHADY” BY EMINEM Taboo Boo-Boo: Corrupting Young Minds Arguably rap’s #1 pottymouth, Eminem invaded radio with lewd rhymes about bestiality, cannibalism, fellatio and walking in on your parents’ fornication. Even the line “my bum is on your lips” drew flak from anti-rape sentiments. And we confess, we didn’t know what a clitoris was till Slim enlightened us, albeit crassly. Who’s guilty? Please stand up.

“PAPER PLANES” BY M.I.A. Taboo Boo-Boo: Kinky Noises For countless women, faking an orgasm is an art. Except this late disco goddess took that notion literally, recording 23 whole seconds of climatic moans and shrieks for her Moroder-produced masterpiece. Rumour has it that Summer humped the floor as she er…re-enacted, giving more authenticity to this risque aphrodisiac that stimulated orgies on the dance floor.

“MY GENERATION” BY THE WHO Taboo Boo-Boo: Speech Impediments Funnily enough, this song wasn’t banned due to its nuances of anarchic rebellion. Nor was it because Roger Daltrey sounded like he was cursing by telling haters to “f…f…fade away”. In fact, the only ones deemed ‘victims’ of this s…s…sensational anthem by the BBC were people who stammered and stuttered. Who would’ve thought, huh? music

Never one to shy away from statements, the Sri Lankan Tamil emcee retaliated against her visa rejection problems with a tirade that sampled guns cocking and firing – the last straw for Western censorship entities. In Sri Lanka, however, its impact was much more dire with its undertones of government condemnation, resulting in a nation-wide ban lest political uprisings ensued.

“COP KILLER” BY BODY COUNT Taboo Boo-Boo: Police Violence What we can say for sure, is that the Ferguson unrest involving racial police brutality would’ve been much worse had this riotous diatribe been released 23 years later. Led by rapper Ice-T, this violent call-to-arms – released via miniature body bags – risked the safety of enforcement officers, spurring strong opposition that regarded the song as unconstitutional and seditious.

Text Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

“SMACK MY B*TCH UP” BY THE PRODIGY

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ON A HOT STREAK WHEN HE’S NOT FOSTERING UNDERGROUND TALENT THROUGH HIS HOT CREATIONS LABEL AND PIONEERING GENRE-CROSSING BANDS LIKE HOT NATURED, HE’S SPEARHEADING A RETURN TO ‘CONSCIOUS HIP-HOP’ THROUGH HIS EMERALD CITY LABEL, AND CHARMS IBIZA WITH HIS WORLD-RENOWNED PARADISE PARTY SERIES. REGARDLESS THE PROJECT, JAMIE JONES IS IN CONSTANT PURSUIT FOR THE NEXT MUSICAL FRONTIER. WE CATCH UP WITH THE WELSH TECH HOUSE PRODUCER TO FIND OUT WHAT’S HOT ON HIS MIND AHEAD OF HIS GIG AT ZOUKOUT 2015.

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Sharing Hot Paradise Parties In Ibiza With Everyone. Around eight years ago at DC10 in Ibiza, I remember once seeing a guy with a huge wad of €500 notes buying a round of drinks and tipping the bar girl about €350. He was standing right next to a homeless guy that still comes to the club every week. They let him in for free, and he’s been going there for 15 years. Everyone gives him drinks and parties with him. This is just an example of why DC10 is the best club in the world. There are no restrictions; rich, poor, black, white – everyone’s welcome. The music is loud, and the vibe is always on point. I’ve been there hundreds of times in the last 15 years, and I’ve never had a bad time. I can’t say that about any other club. With Paradise, we always bring a positive vibe. We do it for the love and not for the money, and people really see that. That’s why it’s now one of the biggest nights on the island. Warming Up To Chemistry Within A Hot Natured Band. I thought that playing the same songs over and over (in a band) would be boring, as I rotate my DJing tracks very regularly – but it’s not like that. The buzz isn’t from seeing a new ‘bomb record’ destroy the crowd or twist its heads – it’s in perfecting the

performance. When you have a good show, everyone is on point, and the unity of that performance and your own satisfaction with knowing you hit that bass-line perfectly, or timed that improvisation perfectly, is just something else. Feeling The Hot Vibes Without The Hooch. A few years ago, I had to make a choice. I had the labels, Paradise, my own never-ending hunt for music, touring, Hot Natured, and a long-term relationship. I knew the only way to maintain all these at the fullest of my capacity was to stop something – so I decided to stop partying. I still party, but I don’t drink at all anymore. I was a party animal for many, many years, and it gave me many incredible friendships and experiences, but waking up and feeling clear now gives me the same joy. I still drink sometimes on special occasions, but otherwise I just have my own party in the booth for my set – and the only supply is music. Bringing Hot Hip-Hop Stories Back With Emerald City. Money and power are portrayed as success, when the only true measure of success is happiness. All these songs about taking shots, getting drunk and high, and spending money are just propaganda to keep people on a low vibration. Things were a lot better when people sang about their stories, love, and changing the world for the better. Music is supposed to heal the soul, not hype it up to screw others over just to get paid.

Jamie Jones drops it like it’s hot at ZoukOut 2015 on December 11 and 12 at Siloso Beach, Sentosa. facebook.com/jamiejonesmusic

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Text Trent Davis Image & Interview courtesy of Zouk Management Singapore

Cooking Up Hot Tracks Like A Chef. If you can create something with less things of greater substance, the brain or heart can enjoy it fuller as there’s less to focus on. There is, of course, great music that is complicated too; it’s just a different experience. With music, it’s about filling the frequency range. If you can get the right balance with fewer elements, that’s great – but sometimes you need to fill in the blanks. I guess it’s like adding a little salt or seasoning to a dish; sometimes you need it, sometimes you don’t. It all depends on the quality of the ingredients.

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True that. There’s also a track in there called “Needle Phobia”. Is there a story behind this? Yeah. I developed a bit of a fear of needles through having to take regular blood tests when I was sick in the middle of last year.

Your sets tend to rely on the driving hypnotism of beats – rather than melodies – to keep the energy going. How do you make it work so well? Well, rhythm is what makes you dance. Without it, everyone would just be sitting down. But also by being restrained with melodies, you can create a bigger impact when you do introduce those elements. Mainstream dance tends to cater to a much shorter attention span, so you might have separate rhythmic and melodic sections on a single track. What I look for in a DJ set, whether I’m playing or watching someone else, is tension and release over much longer periods. That way, the sensations are much more pronounced.

In the interlude called “Family Entertainment”, there’s a disconcerting sample of a chaotic family. Do you think you’ll ever make a good family man someday? [Laughs] I hope so! It’s not completely out of the question. You’re not known to be the most sociable person. Do you consider yourself an introvert? Does having to interact with a gazillion people at a party freak you out? I am quite a private person generally, but I wouldn’t quite say I’m an introvert. I do have a tight circle of friends, and it’s true that I’m not that keen on socialising in big groups. But I wouldn’t say parties freak me out, although I’m much happier at one if I’m DJ-ing.

You started out with dubstep years ago. Do you think it’s ready to make a comeback yet? I still get asked about dubstep a lot, but I haven’t followed it in any detail in the past five years. What was exciting about it in the first place was how free it seemed. And for me, as soon as it became a defined style, it lost something. So any resurgence wouldn’t be of interest to me.

Is it true that it takes you several hours to get focused in the studio? What do you do when you get distracted? Your life can’t be all about music, can it? What can I say? I don’t have a very good work-life balance.

Text Kevin Ho Image & Interview courtesy of Zouk Management

In your Claustrophobia record, we detect hints of dubstep in the bass-wubbiness of “Levitation”. Fun question: have you ever wished you could have Jedi powers where you could levitate things with your mind? [Laughs] I think I’d use the gift to levitate myself and fly around instead of walking. That would be pretty cool. While the album’s got more straight-up techno thumpers like “PCP”, atmospheric tracks like “Drift” seem fit for a sci-fi soundtrack. Is sci-fi culture an inspiration of yours? Yes, I’m very into sci-fi. Recently, I watched the Jodorowsky’s Dune documentary and it really blew my mind. It’s kind of a lost genre though really; there hasn’t been a real classic sci-fi movie for ages now. I’m cautiously optimistic for the new Star Wars. Like everyone else, I got burnt with the last three films, so it’ll be no big surprise if it’s terrible.

We also know that you used to have a job that you hated for six years. What was so terrible about it? I think any job that you don’t want to be doing is terrible. The best thing in life is to get out of the bed in the morning and look forward to work, because then it ceases to be work. I’ve been lucky enough to be in that position for a few years now, and it’s made my life a lot better.

YOU KNOW IT’S A GOOD NIGHT WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF SUBMERGED WITHIN THE SYNERGY BETWEEN A DJ AND HIS DANCEFLOOR. STREAMLINED AND RHYTHM-FOCUSED – SWITCHING SCAMPERING MELODIES FOR FIRMLY LOCKED BEATS – THIS HOT FLUSH DADDY-O PLUNGED BACK INTO THE VELVET UNDERGROUND DEPTHS LAST MONTH. WE SIZE UP SCUBA IN THIS RARE INTERVIEW AND FIND OUT IF HE’LL EVER RETURN TO DUBSTEP, AND WHY HE HAS A PHOBIA OF NEEDLES.

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Finally, what are some things in life that sink your spirits? People taking photos and videos on the dancefloor. Please, everyone stop doing that and just dance – you’ll have a much better time. And guys, just stop being dicks ok? Stop it. You know what I’m talking about.

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TRAVERSING GENRE LANDSCAPES FROM THE THRASH STYLINGS OF SUICIDAL TENDENCIES TO THE JAZZY GROOVES OF FLYING LOTUS, THE LAST THING YOU’D EXPECT STEPHEN BRUNER TO FIND SOLACE IN IS THE SEEMINGLY PROSAIC ENJOYMENT OF CARTOONS AND STAND-UP COMEDIANS. BUT AS DEFTLY AS HE JUMPS BETWEEN GENRES, THE LANEWAY 2016 ARTISTE SHIFTS FROM HUSHES ON THE MELANCHOLY SUBJECT MATTER OF HIS LATEST ALBUM TO UNCONTAINED LAUGHTER ON UNDERESTIMATING THE ODDITY OF ERIC ANDRE. Hey Stephen! What was the driving force behind your latest release, The Beyond/Where The Giants Roam? It was very much driven by experiences of the last few years. There was a lot of death and loss, and the changing of everything from relationships to the manner in which a lot of my friends had passed on. It was very hurtful; it made me very sad. It put everything in such a skewed place for me, and it kind of made me realise my own mortality and how fragile it is. The music to me is more like therapy, and me expressing my feelings about these things.

We hear you’re also a big fan of comedy. If you had the chance to do an album with a comedian laying down the vocals, who would you go with? Chevy Chase! He can sing his butt off; he is dope. I’ve had the chance to see him sit down at a piano and sing and play, and he was freakin’ amazing. There’s a saying that every musician wants to be a comedian and every comedian wants to be a musician, and I honestly think that’s very true. Like when Dave Chappelle did his TV show, he made it a point to have all the artistes he really loves on the show; Eric André, whom I work with

quite frequently, went to Berklee [College of Music] and plays bass. Literally all we talk about his records and bass. Trippy sh*t, right? Speaking of Eric André, we were lost for words when we saw the video you did with him or “Tron Song”. Where on earth did that come from? I really, really wanted him to direct the video and I’d ask him every now and again. He was like, “I’ve never really directed a video”, and I said, “I don’t care, let this be the part where you do that”. So we started getting together to brainstorm over this video, then he sent me this treatment and it was so messed up [laughs]. Everything from snorting catnip to really alien chants, it was funny as hell. So we just went for it, and Eric winged it – but you can see that I’m trying not to laugh while he’s telling me stupid things like, “Masturbate! Harder! Really angry! Now choke yourself!”, while I was trying to keep a straight face. I’d ask, “What the hell are you telling me to do?”, and he’d be like, “Now look at the camera and blow a kiss” [laughs].

Thundercat brings his bassy badness to Singapore for St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival 2016, happening on January 30, 2016 at The Meadow, Gardens By The Bay. thundercattheamazing.tumblr.com

Even when describing your relationship with Flying Lotus, you liken it to the cartoon, Adventure Time. Have you got a favourite animation? I love watching cartoons – only as of recently have I been forced to watch regular TV [laughs].

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ROAMING BEYOND THE BLEAK

Text Trent Davis Images St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival

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In “Hard Times”, you recite a recurring line from Thundercats’ main villain, Mumm-Ra. Despite your moniker’s link to the heroes of the cartoon, do you identify with the shape-shifting villain? The whole concept behind him being Mumm-Ra The Ever-Living was intense in the sense that it’s something that’s never going to go away. It’s something that the Thundercats and every being on Third Earth were subject to, this ever-living evil. It’s almost like it’s calling out to me, the evil of the day that we experience; it’s always going to be working in the shadows. The line wasn’t just based on the series, it was more than that – it was like, “You’re never going to get rid of me. Whenever we meet, just know that there’s going to be a fight” [laughs].

If I had a choice, I would only be watching cartoons. I have a lot of favourites, but there’s one I always tell everybody about – that was recommended to me by Flying Lotus and it’s one of the most inspirational cartoons I’ve ever seen – called Mind Game by Studio 4°C in Japan. I’m not one of those guys who’s all kawaii, but this is not that at all. It’s a very long cartoon, but there’s this feeling that you get at the end of it that’s of genuine hope. It makes me feel like there’s so much more to what we go through.

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ON S

ALE

2016

NOW SIST IC.COM.SG

SAT 30 JAN

THE MEADOW, GARDENS BY THE BAY BATTLES ! BEACH HOUSE ! BIG SCARY ! CASHEW CHEMISTS CHEATS ! CHVRCHES ! DIIV ! EAST INDIA YOUTH ! FLUME GDJYB ! GRIMES ! HERMITUDE ! HUDSON MOHAWKE INTRIGUANT ! METZ ! PURITY RING ! RIOT !N MAGENTA SHAMIR ! THE INTERNET ! THUNDERCAT TOBIAS JESSO JR. ! VIOLENT SOHO

SINGAPORE.LANEWAYFESTIVAL.COM

@LANEWAYFESTSG

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Making Music Before The Tinseltown Fame Professionally, some things happened for me on that side (his acting career) that hadn’t happened in music yet. But I also wanted things to happen organically. This success only came about ’cos I started releasing music. Though I got into DJ-ing when I was 17, I was playing the piano, writing songs and singing when I was 12, so music has always been a part of me.

Relating Production To Painting Tiny Soldiers Painting miniatures was a hobby I had from 12 to 18. It was actually Warhammer 40k – little miniatures that I’d use to paint for competitions. To me, it was the same as producing a record ’cos I’d spend months on a single guy and try to make him perfect; sometimes even up to six months to make one.

Ignoring Hollywood Hype And Building Credibility It usually doesn’t happen ’cos we don’t promote it as Ansel Elgort; we promote it as something totally different, which is Ansolo. If we had made it DJ Ansel Elgort, I think that’d be asking for that kind of response, which would be bad. I’ve always loved this industry and wanted to be credible. I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t disrespecting it. I’ve never even played a headlining show until recently. If you look at videos of my shows, yes, there are girls who come ’cos I’m an actor. But then you also have bros going crazy like any other ‘dance bro’. I love it when I’m at a music festival and people call me Ansolo; I don’t want people yelling, “Ansel”. Working towards credibility is definitely a battle that I endure.

Giving Life To “To Life” Whenever I make a song, I like to be inspired by something that isn’t just an electronic sound. I love to think about culture – for example, with this song. Have you ever seen those bar mitzvahs, when you have a Jewish kid turn 13? Those parties can be effin’ crazy; everyone can be dancing around in a circle and go like, “Hey! Hey!”. So I wanted to create something with such a vibe. That’s what music should do; you shouldn’t just feel the same vibe over and over again. Like, ‘everyone jumping all night’ gets kinda boring. That’s why I threw in an Israeli-like clarinet solo! It’s not predictable, and it shouldn’t be.

Playing His First Headline Gig On His 21st I’d played a lot of shows before that as an opener. But for my 21st, it was cool ’cos I could play the sound that I wanted without having to worry about supporting someone else. I was super anxious though. I was worried about not having the fanbase. I didn’t wanna headline a show that no one would come for. But in the end, there were so many fans who came. Knowing that the groundwork that I’d put in for years – opening for so many people – made a difference and mattered, is really cool. Fooling Around With ‘BFF’ Martin Garrix Well, we’re definitely friends and I love that kid. He’s a super nice guy. Actually, we were texting just the other day. We always send each other stupid pictures. We try to look as ugly as possible – the ugliest selfies you can possibly take.

Gracing The Stage Of Road To Ultra Singapore It’s a big deal. Ultra is a huge festival and it’s pretty crazy to be playing for it. Though I have to admit, I was so jetlagged when I first arrived and I was kind of a mess. But man, Singapore looks beautiful and very clean. It looks like it grew outta the ground a couple of days ago! Clarifying The Star Wars Affiliation For the record, Ansolo isn’t really about Star Wars. It’s only because my brother used to call me Ansolo. It’s not that we were huge Star Wars fans or anything, even though I like the franchise. But if you ask me to pick the characters I like – obviously, I gotta love Yoda, Darth Vader, and Chewie – everyone loves Chewie. Picking Sides Of The Force The Dark Side is stronger right? You have to be really good to be better at the Light Side, but the Dark Side is by far more powerful. Come on, you’ve got lightning and stuff!

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Text Kevin Ho Image & Interview courtesy of Ultra Singapore

THE ONLY FAULT IN YOUR STARS WOULD BE TO MISTAKE THIS HOLLYWOOD HEARTTHROB FOR YET ANOTHER DANCE TREND LEMMING; A DJ WANNABE WHO FORGOES CREDIBILITY IN PRODUCTION AND MIXING FOR THE FAME FOUND IN ‘PUSHING BUTTONS’. ANSEL ELGORT IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING OF THE SORT, AS HE PROVED TO US ALL AT THE RECENTLY-CONCLUDED ROAD TO ULTRA SINGAPORE. BEFORE HUSHING THE CYNICS IN FRONT OF THOUSANDS WITH ELECTRO-HOUSE ELEGANCE, ELGORT DIVES INTO SOME ONE-ON-ONE BRO-TIME WITH US BACKSTAGE.

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CLASS ACT

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AUDIO-TECHNICA BRIDGES THE ANALOGUE-DIGITAL DIVIDE WITH AT-LP60 USB

VIVA LA VINYL

The vinyl revival is in full swing. Despite countless streaming services looming over the future of audio enjoyment with portability and convenience, analogue music continues to capture artistes and fans alike as new generations succumb to the warm sounds of wax. But rather than dwell on the differences between analogue and digital music, Audio-Technica quashes the conflict and brings the two formats together with the AT-LP60 USB turntable. An affordable solution for the budding audiophile, sleek design is paired with exceptional quality to deliver the classic sound of vinyl from your HiFi to your smartphone. Sporting an anti-resonant, die-cast aluminium platter, the understated yet stylish turntable is equipped to play both 33 and 45RPM records, allowing listeners to rediscover singles, EPs, and full LPs – from golden oldies to indie label gems of today – all on one fully-automatic belt-drive system.

STANDALONE OR STAND TOGETHER While turntables of yesteryear required numerous additional components and a healthy bank account before pressing play, expensive stereo systems no longer preclude vinyl enthusiasts from partaking in aural euphoria. Featuring a switchable phono preamp, the AT-LP60 USB allows listeners to bypass costly amplifiers and plug straight into a computer, home stereo, powered speakers, or other line-in compatible devices without a dedicated turntable input. Thanks to its in-built preamp, the AT-LP60 USB – weighing a mere 3kg – can be taken from the home to the office to the outdoor party with only a cable in tow. Gone are the days of relying on like-minded buddies to supply a sound system setup to hook up to your tunes – so long as a fellow music-lover has the speakers covered, everyone can enjoy the organic sound that only vinyl can offer.

ANALOGUE ANYWHERE

Supplied with a precision Dual Magnet™ stereo phono cartridge and replaceable stylus, you can now bring high-fidelity audio with you wherever you go. Simply connect the turntable to your computer with a USB cable and you’re on your way to taking the vinyl off the shelf and into your portable audio device or smartphone – without the physical burden that comes with audiophile sound. Through Mac/PC-compatible Audacity software, audiophiles can digitally rip thrashed staples onto a computer in high-res or data-friendly formats, averting the wear-and-tear that follows overplaying. For treasured gems that are better left in their sleeves, all it takes is one play-through for the warm crackles and undeniable allure of vinyl audio to get the play-count that they deserve. Whether enjoyed during a commute or in the comfort of your own home, scratches and dust are now worries of the past .

$188, available in Gun Metallic and Blue (limited edition) at authorised retailers. For more information, visit sea.audio-technica.com.

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BASS WARRIORS

TAKE THE SUB-BASS SWELLS OF GRIME AND THE RASTA HARDINESS OF REGGAE, AND TETHER ’EM TO CHOPPY 4/4 RHYTHMS THAT DWELL BETWEEN HOUSE AND GARAGE, AND YOU’LL HAVE THE SHEER BRILLIANCE OF MY NU LENG. THE BRISTOL DUO RAZZLED US ONCE AT SUPER 0 OPENAIR, AND THEY’RE GONNA BLOW US OUTTA THE WATER YET AGAIN WHEN IT’S THE SHIP SAILS OFF LATER THIS MONTH. BENEATH THE BASS AND BANTER, WE UNEARTH SOME TIDBITS FROM BROTHERS-IN-ARMS, JAMMO AND TOMMY. Jammo Is Drawn To Moombah Culture. It is a style of music that translates really well in what we do. It was never our intention to sit down and write a reggae-influenced track; elements just start working their way in and then become one with everything else surrounding it. The dark 130bpm type of music we are known for really stems from all corners of dance music, brought together in a big mixing pot.

Tommy Moved In With Jammo On Impulse. [Laughs] Yeah, it was quite a mad way to kick things off. We literally just mixed every day for a good few months, and you know what they say: you can tell a lot about a person by the way they mix…actually I don’t think anyone says that, but they should! We have the same views on a lot of things, including a massive appreciation for cinema and soundtrack. But honestly, I think if you can share complete musical taste with someone, you don’t need much else. It was always going to work.

Tommy Ain’t Keen On Transitioning Towards Drum & Bass. Nah, I don’t think we could ever go full-on drum & bass! We do love it, and we will always delve into different tempos – if only to keep things interesting – but the slower tempo is what we always thought made us a bit different, so we could never stop it entirely!

Jammo Isn’t Afraid To Share The Secrets Behind Their Basslines. I wouldn’t say it was a secret, as we don’t really have a formula when it comes to writing basslines. One track could be a sample chopped up, reversed, processed with loads of FX and layered with sub-bass. Or another track could be a patch created on a plug-in like Massive or FM8. It really varies from track to track, depending on how we’re feeling in the studio that day. Tommy Doesn’t Like To Box His Sound In One Compartment. It’s just fun to do different things and keep it interesting. With our Horizons EP especially, we didn’t want to keep it to one particular style. We wanted to be able to show variation. Also, it makes it a bit more fun in the studio when we have that kind of freedom to make different styles of beats but still retain that My Nu Leng sound.

Jammo Thinks They’re “The Wild Card” Of The Black Butter Label. Black Butter has been and always will be a massive family of talented producers and DJs (like Rudimental and Gorgon City). We feel at home touring with anyone off the label and are always look to playing shows with BB. Because the label features so many different styles, a whole night of music can progress really well through a musical journey and it’s great to be part of that. Tommy Admits That ‘My Nu Leng’ Is Not Oriental In Nature. We were blissfully unaware of any associations when we came up with the name, but all translations we’ve heard have actually been quite cool, so we worked with it! We love Oriental culture; everything about it is fascinating and sort of beautiful, so we’re really looking forward to exploring it properly.

My Nu Leng gets bassy on the horizon at It’s The Ship, cruising off on November 20. soundcloud.com/mynuleng

MY NU LENG

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Text Kevin Ho Image & Interview courtesy of It’s The Ship

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Jammo Was Raised By The Underground Scene. Growing up, my main influences of the dance world came from underground clubs in London – The End, SE1, Fabric and such. All that played a massive part in shaping the music I listened to, and introduced me to DJs that would ultimately be the reason why I’m able to play music in clubs around the world today!

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TRES MAGNIFIQUE FOR A DUO WHOSE MUSIC IS JAMMED IN EVERYONE’S IPODS – WE WOULD EVEN GO SO FAR TO SAY THAT WE GREW UP WITH THEM – IT COMES AS A SURPRISE THAT THE BROOKLYN-BASED PSYCHEDELIC OUTFIT RATATAT HAS NEVER SET FOOT ON OUR SHORES. WHILE EVERY SONIC REINVENTION HAS GOTTEN US FALLING HOOK, LINE AND SINKER, WE CHAT WITH INSTRUMENTALIST EXTRAORDINAIRE, MIKE STROUD, TO FIND OUT WHAT MAKES THEM MAGNIFIQUE.

RATATAT

Are you both critical of the work that you put out? For reasons like living up to past achievements or fanfare? Oh yeah, we are both really critical and extremely picky. I think that’s really part of the reason it took us five years to make this record. I mean, unless the song felt perfect to us, we’d throw it away. I don’t know…it’s not necessarily pressure from the outside world. It’s just that we put pressure on ourselves to try and make the best music we can. Exactly. Musicians these days seem to churn out songs in a couple of hours, as compared to the lengthy process you guys took. Why do you take the nuances of music so seriously? It’s just how we are. We’re both kind of perfectionists – intense people. Ever since I started learning how to play the guitar, I would practice about six hours a day. I think it’s just our personalities. There’s a lot of crap music out there right now. I mean, the people doing that are probably making huge hits and getting rich, so good for them. This is a horrible thing to say but I sometimes feel like if we were stupid, we would probably be way more successful [laughs]. You know what I mean? Of course! Do you have any guilty pleasures in music? What are some surprising jams that one might find on a Ratatat playlist? I’ll blast an Aerosmith song at home. Or Men At Work [laughs]. I love Men At Work!

Most of the songs off Magnifique come from a flurry of different sources; recorded in different places and periods. How do you ensure a sound that is cohesive throughout the album? Well, we just work really hard on it. There were a few songs that were good but didn’t really match the rest of the record. The only real plan we had for the record was that we wanted it to be simpler – basically all based around the guitar, because the last two records contained about 20 different instruments on one song – harpsichords, organs, keyboards and double bass. So we wanted the palate to be really minimal – simple drums, mostly guitar bass, and a little keyboard here and there. Using that as a guideline, I think that helped make it cohesive. What are some of your favorite tracks so far? For the new record, I love “Abrasive” and “Supreme”, and for LP3, I really like “Shiller” and “Imperials”. But we haven’t been playing those live though. Is the genre-mashing instrumental sound of Ratatat more technical or organic? More organic, at least with this record. Some of the past records were a bit more technical for us. We used to always start the songs with drum beats and tonnes of weird sounds. But with this record, we started a lot of songs just with melodies. I would say the process this time around is definitely a lot simpler. Lastly, what are some of your plans for the holidays? We’re gonna be on tour until right before the holidays. I’m going to be with my family at home and then we are playing in California in the new year.

Catch the magnificent Ratatat as they swing by for Neon Lights Festival on November 28 and 29 at Fort Canning Green. ratatatmusic.com

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Text Austen Choo Image and interview courtesy of Neon Lights Festival

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You guys have worked with each other for over almost 15 years. Are there any decisions, creative or otherwise, that you guys make like clockwork? Yeah for sure, we know each other so well. We usually don’t even have to speak to each other – we just kinda know. One of us will play a melody and it’s just obvious. Then we’d jump around the room and come up with ideas. It can be totally like clockwork, or the complete opposite. It just depends on the mood and what day it is. Certain days, we get lucky.

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SPARE A THOUGHT FOR THESE BRITISH TRENDSETTERS THE NEXT TIME YOU WANNA CHIDE THOSE CLASSICAL LESSONS. GIVING DANCE MUSIC A BAROQUE-POP EDGE THAT BEETHOVEN WOULD SHIMMY TO, THIS TRADITION-TWISTING QUARTET EMBELLISHES HOUSE AND GARAGE BEATS WITH THEIR OWN MINIATURE STRING SECTION. CELLIST, GRACE CHATTO, ENLIGHTENS US ON THE ORIGINS BEHIND SUCH A MUSICAL EPIPHANY, AND HOW THEIR HIGH-STRUNG MOMENTUM PECULIARLY SHARES TIES WITH CRIME THRILLERS AND MOTHER RUSSIA. Hey Grace! First up, were you classically trained as a kid? What got you into it? Probably my parents. Basically, my dad makes violins and cellos, so there were always loads of them around the house. I’d always just pick them up and play. My dad also played the cello whenever we had guests, so I’d believed from a young age that was what everyone did. Also, I fell in love with listening to classical music as a kid. Before Clean Bandit took off, you had a string quartet of your own, didn’t you? Yeah, but it was completely different. Neil [Amin-Smith] played the violin, along with two of my other friends. That’s kinda how the band started, because Jack [Patterson] was listening to our quartet and was excited by what he heard. And then one day, we decided to do something together and he added beats and basslines to the classical music. That’s actually how we were for the first few years – we were a string quartet with Jack.

electronics. So yeah, the dancey side kinda came from me. I was always a fan of dance music from a young age – stuff like garage and drum & bass. Nice! What else don’t we know about you, Grace? I want to learn Jamaican dancehall and dancing. I’m very much into that culture. Whoa. Any other hidden interests from the rest of the band? Hmm… Luke [Patterson, Jack’s brother] is obsessed with skateboarding. And Jack studied film when he came to live with me in Moscow. Wait, you were living in Russia? That must’ve been quite a change of scenery for you! Yeah, it was quite harsh; the weather is so brutal in the winter. It’s a very different culture from what we have in the UK. I studied Russian language and history when I was in school, and I wanted to study cello there so I could learn more about its culture and history. I even had some friends there from Singapore who were studying piano in the Moscow Conservatory – it’s a great music school. That was when Jack came with me, to study in the oldest film school in the world. That’s how we got into making music videos, and how we started messing around with films. Is that how the video concept of “Rather Be” came about? We’re a sucker for its Japanese fish market setting. Yeah, we had actually gone there before to film a documentary, and we really wanted to visit those places again. So that’s why we came up with this concept of a Japanese chef and the fish market. But beyond that, we’d like to make fictional films one day. Maybe stuff like crime thrillers. You don’t say! What kinda thrillers get your slash-and-gash of approval? Well, we like TV series like The Wire and Twin Peaks, and more recent ones like The Killing and The Bridge. Going back to your Singaporean friends, did you ever accompany them to our city? No, I’ve never been to Singapore! But from what they say, it always sounds so beautiful and interesting. So I’m so excited about coming to perform there, ’cos I think we’ll have a bit of time to explore.

Until you fellas eventually transitioned into dance music. Was that move spurred on by Jack’s inclusion as well? Actually, I was listening to more dance music than Jack. He was always listening to jazz and rock music as a teenager; he wasn’t really interested in electronic music until Radiohead made that transition and started using

Text Kevin Ho Image Joshua Shultz Interview courtesy of Warner Music

We hope nothing happens like that visa fiasco in Portugal (Luke and Jack were denied entry into the country) where you ended up having to perform alone. Were you afraid then? I was a bit worried, but it’s always exciting to do something different. One of my friends who played on the album came on stage and played violin. And then two of our backing singers did a lot more than they normally did. It was quite scary ’cos no one knew whether it’d work, but it was really fantastic in the end. Anyway, we’ve done it without every single member at some point or another. Clean Bandit’s always been quite malleable and flexible. We’re more like a collective than a band.

CLEAN BANDIT

Clean Bandit strings us along for the ride on November 25 at The Coliseum. cleanbandit.co.uk

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r&b, while Altimate’s dancers break it down with entrancing dance manoeuvres. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to join them on stage and bust some moves of your own.

Countless nights out at the club can take their toll in more ways than one. Even with a token genre night to spice things up, we’ve all felt that sinking feeling when our favourite nightspot has outlived its honeymoon period. Rather than becoming another reason to slump into a quiet night on the couch, Altimate is shaking up the foundations of its own formula with its latest sky-high party, Sho Stomper.

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Like many clubgoers’ chase for a next-level nightlife experience, Sho Stomper entwines intriguing narrative and cutting-edge club technology to deliver a party that tops all that have come before it. Having kicked off its inaugural Saturday night series with the tale of Altimasia – a dance transformer from a faraway planet on a mission to eliminate negativity through dance, lights, and music – revellers are immersed in an episodic story centred on heart-stopping sounds, dazzling light shows, and stage performances for multi-sensory stimulation. And with a thematic overhaul every two months, you can count on never having a dull moment when making your way up to the 61st floor. But rather than lay back and simply switch the playlist, Altimate has pulled out all the stops to indulge partygoers in an other-worldly

With roving characters joining in on the revelry and a dedicated team of guest relation managers and creative consultants, ‘VIP’ gets its true meaning with customised celebration requests and the utmost attention to detail. A far cry from lacklustre bottle rituals, Altimate’s charismatic crew goes the extra mile by partying the night away with you for a night you’ll remember (or wont, whichever you prefer).

celebration. In addition to expanding dance floor configurations and updating the club’s state-of-the-art technology, Sho Stomper ropes in a troupe of acclaimed, highly-sought-after entertainers. Expect no lazy turntablists here, as DJs Leonard T, Rattle, and Tang elevate each evening with intuitive selections of hip-hop and

SKY-H S TO M P I G H I N GROUN G D

After Altimasia’s success in lifting our spirits with an unbridled party from the future, fall down the rabbit hole as Altimate warms up for the brisk bite of winter and takes form as Altimate Wonderland. While we’re not s ure what surprises they have in store, we can guarantee that it’ll be an instance in which you actually want to get ‘stomped’.

$30 cover charge (inclusive of one drink) for Altimate; $45 (inclusive of two drinks) for both Altimate and 1-Altitude. For reservations and more info, visit 1-altitude.com.

Text Trent Davis Images Altimate

PER M O T SHO S IMATE @ ALT

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17TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Text Aaron Kok Images Various Sources

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Break out the cake and candles, drop the bass, and hit the floor for a night of sick tunes, trippy visuals and good fun – because we’re turning 17 and we’re celebrating it with a bang! Before Zouk moves to its new home at Clarke Quay, we’re taking over the main room for one more night, as we throw y’all an epic shindig where you’ll be immersed into a multi-sensory experience. Before we get to that, you’d be pleased to know that complimentary tickets are up for grabs for all of our readers and fans (who are we to turn away a birthday wish?), and to get your mojo going, each ticket comes with a drink on the house too. Furthermore, the first 400 at the door will receive a limited edition goodie bag, which we’re stuffing with plenty of treats. Oh yes, it’s our party and we’re giving out gifts – we’re fun like that. Pass through the club’s iconic tunnel and be greeted by a visual display – the first of many you’ll see throughout the night. Start by watching the finalists of the Vidal Sassoon Singapore Miss Angel Competition strut their stuff as they fight for the crown to rep our red dot in the regional finals, happening in the heart of Tokyo. Next, see the 3-D sculpture flanking the DJ booth come alive – as detectives and damsels slink across the facade in full film-noir fashion – with the help of visual music music

mapping, courtesy of SSYSTM. Helming the decks for a special hour-long set is DJ Fauxe. Known for shooting beats while sporting a mask, Fauxe’s signature brand of electronic music and bass-driven beats will get you steppin’ and swayin’ as all ace parties do. Deck yourself out in the dopest threads, and come dressed to kill as you pose for your mug in front of Aww Snap’s photo booth. The catch? Rather than a regular ol’ duck face, grab one of the LED lights on the prop table and start light-painting your photographs. Swirl, twirl and snap, and take home a photo that’s unlike any other you have on your Instagram feed. Speaking of Instagram, hashtag your gold moments with #juicesg and stand a chance to see your snap make it into the print edition of our December issue. So hold nothing back on the dance floor, clad yourselves in your most bad*ss looks and toast with us to 17 years of killer fun, and many more to come.

JUICE Barely Legal 17th Anniversary Party happens on November 7, from 7pm to 10pm at Zouk Singapore. Get your pair of tickets at juice.com.sg/juiceanniversary. #JUICESG

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1. BATTLES

2. BEACH HOUSE

3. BIG SCARY

4. CASHEW CHEMISTS

There are instrumental bands, and then there’s Battles. Not for the faint-hearted, the NY-based trio’s technical proficiency delivers genredefying journeys that are as pleasing to the ears as their acid-trip music videos are to the eyes. Like a Chinese orchestra on a caffeine overdrive, “The Yabba” from the band’s latest album, La Di Da Di, is an exercise of unrestrained creativity.

Dream pop explorations of hopeless romance have never been this delicious. Dialling down the enormity of their sound attributed to live drums, Victoria Legrand and Alex Scully’s fifth album together, Depression Cherry, shows a return to simplicity with spacey vocals and velvet synths – with Scully’s signature distorted Telecaster melodies.

Winning the 2014 Australian Music Prize for their sophomore album, Not Art, this Melbourne-based duo is the best addition to the girl-guy formula since The White Stripes. With Tom Iansek’s effortlessly cool hushed vocals and Joanna Syme’s intricate work with the sticks, we can’t wait to see the former do the jigs we were treated to in the recent music video for “Organism”.

Calling upon the charming sound of ’50s pop-rock icons with a modern touch of The Strokes, this homegrown indie-rock quintet is set to put irrepressible swaying in motion. Riding high on the success of their self-titled EP of 2013, the group’s playful single-string riffing and hooky harmonies are due for a comeback with a debut full-length in the works.

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Just as the group grew from a humble duo to an eight-member ensemble, so too has the Manilabased indie rock band’s following. Drawing influence from Arcade Fire all the way to Spice Girls, the group’s sonic concoction of glittering guitars and magical harmonies has us feverishly awaiting fan-favourites like “Newspaper Girl” from the group’s recently released self-titled LP.

ST. JEROME’S LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2016

RETURNING WITH AN EVER-EXPANDING LINEUP THAT GETS MORE EXCITING AND ECLECTIC EACH YEAR, LANEWAY 2016 BRINGS SYNTH-POP STARLETS, ELECTRONICA VIRTUOSOS, AND OVERDRIVEN-GUITAR WARRIORS TO OUR SHORES. THE CATCH? DECIDING WHICH OF THEM WILL MAKE IT IN YOUR FESTIVAL-DAY ITINERARY.

6. CHVRCHES It seems these Glaswegians just can’t stay away from our warm weather, but we say keep ’em coming. Bringing their infectious brand of synth-pop back to our shores for yet another Laneway appearance, fans will have no reservations warming up to the band’s inaugural renditions of the explosively uplifting “Leave A Trace” and “Clearest Blue” from their sophomore release, Every Open Eye.

7. DIIV

8. EAST INDIA YOUTH

9. FLUME

10. GDJYB

If a washed-out photograph of the beach could make noise, it would undoubtedly sound a lot like DIIV. Dripping with reverb and throwing back to the dreamy guitar-driven atmosphere of Sonic Youth and The Smiths, the first tastes of the band’s sophomore release, Is The Is Are, sweeps listeners away with the nostalgic sound of shoegaze.

While his cool composure and spiffy attire has earned him frequent comparisons with Doctor Who (of which he despises), William Doyle’s live performances of thumping electronica journeys liken him to a Wall Street stockbroker in the midst of a breakdown – that is, until he shifts into a slow-burner like “Carousel” and moves us to tears.

You’d be hard pressed to find anybody unfamiliar with this 23-year-old production prodigy from down under. Starting his career off with four wins and nominations at the 2013 ARIA Music Awards, the Sydney-side maestro behind the trip-hop voyage “Some Minds” (with an equally trippy MV shot at the Sydney Opera House) is set to win us over with an immersive, multi-sensory live show.

Named after a Cantonese steamed dish of egg and pork, the Hong Kong math-folk outfit is a striking example of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Injecting their playful, technically astute sonic signature with social critiques, the girl group’s upbeat melodies can devolve at any moment into frightening mélanges of discordant notes and thunderous drums.

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Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

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11. GRIMES

12. HERMITUDE

Unveiling her first album in three years after the critically acclaimed Visions, the eccentric synth-pop siren makes her Laneway debut hot off the heels of her new LP and alien reinterpretation, Art Angels. Despite disavowing her chart-topping single, “Oblivion”, we’re keeping our fingers crossed to hear the infectious lisp-filled track in person.

The pair of Aussie hip-hop/electronic instrumentalists had the whole country dancing to “Speak Of The Devil” after landing ‘Music Video Of The Year’ at the 2011 Triple J Awards. Just in time to get our booties shaking to something fresh, the duo’s fifth album, Dark Night Sweet Light, continues their knack for defying genres with wonky party-starters like “Searchlight feat. Yeo”.

13. HUDSON MOHAWKE Anyone signed to Yeezy’s label has to be worth his or her weight, and Hudson Mohawke is no exception. Making up one half of the trap duo, TNGHT, the Scottish producer slices and dices tracks on the turntables to collide seemingly unfitting sounds into trap and hiphop numbers that’ll raise the roof.

17. RIOT !N MAGENTA

14. INTRIGUANT Having reached audiences in Israel, Slovakia, and The U.S. with his debut EP, Eclipse, the local turntablistturned-producer delivers calculated audial experiences with a minimalist undercurrent. Fusing elements of electronica, glitch, soul, and hiphop, Intriguant’s downtempo grooves have seen him share the stage with international heavyweights like Thomas Schumacher, Teebs, and Om Unit.

15. METZ

16. PURITY RING

An all-out assault on the senses, these Canadian thrashers are unapologetically loud in their grunge-punk offensive. Combining relentless drums, overdriven guitars, and brazen yells of urgency, the band’s wall of sound is matched only by their unsettling visual accompaniments (seriously, watch “Wasted” or “The Swimmer” and tell us you’re not frightened). Expect to leave with your ears ringing.

Serving up their second full-length of infectious synth-pop sorcery earlier this year, the Canadian duo is set to stun with an inimitable live experience. With producer Corin Roddick toting custom synth/ percussion gadgets that double as a light show, and vocalist Megan James’ eccentric on-stage attire, their arrival is a dream come true for those waiting to see Purity Ring and Chvrches share the same stage.

With the release of Voices earlier this year, Riot !n Magenta has undoubtedly found their voice and are quickly becoming one of Singapore’s most exciting musical assets. With complex instrumental rhythms laying the framework for the soul-filled vocal work of Eugenia Yip, the quintet’s invigorating approach to electronica is amplified with a no-laptops-policy on-stage.

19. THE INTERNET

20. THUNDERCAT

21. TOBIAS JESSO JR.

22. VIOLENT SOHO

We’re not talking about free festival Wi-Fi. Delivering sensual instrumentals from Matt Martians and the spacey vocals of Syd Tha Kyd, this troupe of Odd Future alumni channels the funk grooves of Jamiroquai and soothing r&b stylings of Erykah Badu. The Internet’s third album, Ego Death, is easily one of our favourite neo-soul releases of the year.

From igniting circle pits in crossover thrash outfits to soothing souls with experimental jazz, there’s little that this cat can’t do. Able to melt minds with six-stringed low-end theory, his moniker is a dead giveaway as to how he spends his downtime. Find out more on page 20.

Having spent only three years on the piano after setting aside the bass, we’d have thought he’d been striking keys since birth. Catching the attention of Adele and Alana Haim with his warm, Randy Newman-esque affection on “How Could You Babe”, the 30-year-old Canadian piano man has already been compared to late greats like John Lennon.

Calling on the alternative rock sound of the ’90s with their gold-certified Hungry Ghost, these rowdy Queenslanders even had Mark Hoppus singing along to their explosive rock anthems. With a new album on the way, we can barely contain the urge to let out a “Hell f*ck yeah!”.

18. SHAMIR Likened to genre-hopping pioneers like 031 Prince and Madonna, the androgynous Las Vegas 20-year-old has created a frenzy of excitement with the release of his debut LP, Ratchet. Switching from rapid-fire raps on hip-house thumpers like “On The Regular” to a heartfelt countertenor on “Darker”, the sheer range of Shamir’s sonic repertoire means there won’t be a dull moment during his inaugural Laneway performance.

St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival 2016 returns to our shores on January 30, 2016 at Gardens By The Bay. For more details and ticketing info, visit singapore.lanewayfestival.com. music

PE R MA N E N CE PA S T TA B O O

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NO DEVOTION

Leaving behind a tarnished past chronicling the notorious downfall and arrest of their pedophilic frontman Ian Watkins back in 2013, the remnants of Lostprophets have moved on fast, forming No Devotion barely six months after the devastating saga. With a public manifesto proclaiming never to play the music they made with Ian Watkins again, No Devotion is a refreshing new addition to the scene, churning out tracks that would leave you secondguessing if these guys were really from Lostprophets, as they take an entirely different turn music-wise. The band’s catalogue is one of transcendent dream pop infused with alternative rock, a sound that personified the ’80s and invokes in us a sense of nostalgia for bands like The Cure and New Order. It was, perhaps, a pleasant surprise that the replacement for Watkins would be none other than Geoff Rickly, the former vocalist for Thursday, a post-hardcore band renowned for popularising zealous screaming vocals and darker emo sounds. Having had some time on his own to explore his musical interests since Thursday’s breakup, it seemed like the planets aligned perfectly when the remaining five members of Lostprophets approached Rickly to be No Devotion’s new frontman. The boys bonded over their mutual love of Cocteau Twins and The Jesus and Mary Chain, and realised that they all shared an appreciation for the forward-thinking music of that era. A deal

Since its formation last year, the band has dropped a string of singles that give us a preview of their reworked sound – a stark contrast to the style of music their former bands used to produce. No Devotion is steadily making a name for itself as a hopeful contender in the synth-rock arena, tossing out the heavy guitar riffs and angst-ridden choruses for synth-saturated, otherworldly tunes – compelling you to thrust your arms skyward while relishing that rush of inspiration skimming through your veins. We recommend “Permanent Sunlight” for those who are looking to judge if No Devotion’s to your liking. But if you’re craving for more, the band’s debut album, Permanence, is one monolithic collection that’s earned our adulation. Whether it’s their intriguing backstory or the immersive, ambling beats that captivate you, No Devotion proves itself as a bunch of undoubtedly talented artistes who’ve assimilated seamlessly regardless of genre – coming through with a determination to create a new, untainted legacy.

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SECOND COMING THESE HOT ACTS WENT THROUGH QUITE THE SWITCH-UP TOO WORRIERS

TOTAL MAKEOVER

A solo songwriting project kick-started by Lauren Denitzio after the demise of her previous band, The Measure, Worriers is hailed as somewhat of a punk supergroup, backed by a rotating set of acclaimed musician buddies. Her venture into singlehandedly producing albums’ worth of material may be novel, but Denitzio’s punchy, punk roots remain a fixture in this new act.

The name’s incredibly apt, considering the fact that Total Makeover’s a product of musician Noah Stitelman’s evolution from his previous synth-pop project, Neighbours. Apart from the self-explanatory new title, the band hopes to produce more visceral tracks as compared to its forerunner, boasting a richer electro-pop sound and lyrics with greater personal depth. totalmakeoverband.com

SPRING KING

While he isn’t busy being a producer, Tarek Musa acts as frontman of Spring King, an anthemic post-punk side-project formed and fuelled by a simple love for music, not profit. We, however, see success and a fat wallet coming up for them – being the first band whose song was featured on Zane Lowe’s Beat 1 radio show. springkingband.com

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ROYAL HEADACHE

Before finding success with punk quartet Royal Headache, frontman Shogun spent a decade frequenting dingy warehouse spaces playing in several noise and hardcore bands to little success. This experience, perhaps, was what instilled in the singer a sense of bitterness that’s audible in his stirring vocals, and probably why those truculent, alt-rock chords are arguably Royal Headache’s strongest assets. royalheadache.com.au

Text Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

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was struck – the band officially had a new vocalist – and now what remained was to prove that No Devotion would not be labelled by the masses as “Lostprophets with a new singer”.

essentials Entropy is ubiquitous in all entities; even the mightiest are prone to rupturing and spiralling towards disorder. These days, headlines of bad blood and pet projects throw a monkey wrench into the momentum of these New York household names. But almost 15 years ago, The Strokes were undisputedly the biggest band in the world – becoming the unlikely saviours of rock & roll with their Is This It debut. Washing away the ennui wrought by the diluted milieu of Korn nu-metal and Travis ‘soft-rock’, this scruffy quintet established the groundwork for the noughties’ rise of indie-rock. Sporting the swaggery rhythm section of Fab Moretti (drums) and Nikolai Fraiture (bass), the mucky riff-rife guitar duets of Nick Valensi (lead) and Albert Hammond Jr. (rhythm), and the idiosyncratically-raspy cigarette-vocals of Julian Casablancas, The Strokes were triumphant mutineers who everyone wanted to jump ship with – a healing soma for the scene.

Room On Fire (2003) was a sophomore record that rehashed the winning formula of its predecessor, yet it got ’em even bigger with Coachella-headlining anthems like “Reptilia” and “12:51”. But as exposure on them magnified, the fissures between them became clearer too. Communication breakdowns and incongruent ideas resulted in the regrettable First Impressions Of Earth (2006) that tried too hard with alt- and prog-rock superfluities – notoriously the band’s least favourite album. Angles (2011) received praise (and puzzlement) with its pro-electronic slant, but it was also an exasperating ordeal for the band, as Casablancas would personally relinquish studio time and send his vocal parts via email instead. All this was exacerbated by the deviating solo careers of Hammond Jr. and Casablancas – the latter seemingly dusting the band off his boots with his new-wave distraction, Phrazes For The Young. Naturally, reactions were mixed.

Augmented with a lo-fi, garage aesthetic, these boys ushered in a ‘modern age’ bolstered by their watertight friendship. A childhood friend of Casablancas, Fraiture got him hooked on The Velvet Underground one Christmas. It was a merry enlightenment that the prospective frontman channelled through his high school band, Just Pipe, coincidentally comprising Valensi and Moretti. Hammond Jr. was the last to be recruited to the fledgling group, not because his dad happened to be a prolific Gibraltarian guitarist, but ’cos he serendipitously knew Casablancas from boarding school in Switzerland. And so, these big-dreamin’ bandits assembled, bonded by an affection for TVU, Guided By Voices and The Cure, and dishevelled, over-worn threads that critics associated with East Village thrifters. Intentional or not, The Strokes brought style back to the fray, and it was, in return, stylish to mosh to their nonchalant tunage.

Shrinking the gap between their fourth and fifth albums, and quelling rumours of The Strokes’ ‘inevitable demise’, Comedown Machine was released just two years after Angles. Understandably, traditionalists had bones to pick when it revealed more abnormal developments like the ’80s synth-pop of “Chances” and the breezy funk of “Tap Out”. But sidestep past these experimental flurries, and rekindle nostalgia with unconvoluted, guitar-favouring jams like “All The Time” and “Partners In Crime”, and you’ll reacquaint yourself with a group that’s trying to take it back to square one. Contrary to fears and ill predictions, The Strokes aren’t dead. In fact, there have already been talks of a potential sixth album that’s fathomably gotten the indie scene jittery. But till then – especially if you missed out on these rock messiahs during your childhood – grasp their strokes of genius before it’s too late. Besides, you only live once.

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F R O E R V E UND CO

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THE STROKES’ SIDE PROJECTS

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AH…SO THAT’S WHAT THEY’VE BEEN UP TO. JULIAN CASABLANCAS Aside from his one-time solo synth-pop effort and casual foray into comedy (remember his “Boombox” collab with The Lonely Island?), the 37-year-old icon flaunted a fiercer, psychedelic edge with newfound band, The Voidz.

NIKOLAI FRAITURE Despite being known as the quiet Stroke, this bassist is no stranger to collaborations. These days, you can find him fronting Summer Moon, a hazy dream-pop unit comprising members from Au Revoir Simone and The Like.

NICK VALENSI This dizzifying guitar-soloist could’ve been the band’s breakaway, breakout star. Yet he’s still the only honorable member who’s refused to helm a side project. At most, he’s sessioned for the likes of Devendra Banhart and most recently, The B-52’s Kate Pierson. music music

FAB MORETTI The Strokes’ percussionist formed a folky BrazilianAmerican ensemble you might remember as Little Joy. We reckon Moretti could’ve accomplished more, but it couldn’t have been easy juggling a high-profile relationship with Drew Barrymore!

ALBERT HAMMOND JR. With the success of his third LP, Momentary Masters, Hammond Jr. is the most consistent member when it comes to solo releases. The guitarist’s use of infectious hooks and duelling riffs brings to mind the former glory of The Strokes.

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ROAD TO ULTRA SINGAPORE 2015

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It was at this point where we scurried backstage for a quick chinwag with Ansolo (read about what transpired at page 22). Just as we wrapped up our last question, we were audially struck with a wave of wobbling sub-bass, punchy enough to penetrate through the walls. “If I were outside facing the speakers, I’d probably be sh*tting in my pants right now,” jokes Ansolo in reference to the low-end ‘brown note’. Thankfully, upon dashing back to the stage, we responded to the exhilaration with “ooo” instead of poo, as bass-fiend Mija repped girl power on-deck. Instantly recognisable with her radiant teal locks, the OWSLA labelmate (and Skrillex’s home-girl) stole the show with her amp-rattling arsenal of trap and bass-house. An early drop of hit single, “Crank It Feat. Lil Jon” most certainly helped with setting the tone for Mija’s career trajectory – we were witnessing her inevitable rise unfold before our very eyes.

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While Mija kept the low frequencies slogging, Ansolo preferred to forgo any fixation with genres, playing everything from the garage likes of Disclosure to the indie-dance of

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The Killers. But his remix of Galantis’ “Runaway (U & I)” was the real ace up his sleeve, proving he is anything but a Hollywood DJ-wannabe. In between the entrancing swells and hammering drops, we glanced around the mammoth-sized convention centre that housed the 11,000 punters in attendance. With over 250 lighting fixtures and trigger-happy pyrotechnics, the production value of RTU was unquestionably parallel to the standard of its global counterparts. Culinary joints like Pezzo, Shiraz and Fatboy’s also made this mini-festival an oasis for famished ravers, and the numerous ka-ching top-up stations were quick and hassle-free. It’s lil’ things like these that make the experience of festivals so darn enjoyable. Besides, how else would we’ve kept our energy up for the destructive electro ditties of Nicky Romero? Spoiler: we couldn’t, ’cos we died when he dropped his Faithless trance mash-up, “Insomnia In Toulouse”. Absolutely floored. Even after being satisfied by Romero’s latest haymaker, “Lighthouse”, the crowd still saved its biggest ovation for Swedish maverick, Alesso. We swear our sense of hearing dwindled a bit when screams erupted once Alesso’s name flickered onto the screen. With resplendent, vocally-charged hymns like “Sweet Escape” and “Heroes (We Could Be)”, no one could resist squealing along no matter how much testosterone they had holed up. And from sing-a-longs to bump-and-grind-alongs, we were tugged back down to the bassy end with final headliner, Skrillex. Selecting Skrilley to close the festival with BPMdampened thumps of trap and dubstep was certainly a refreshing switch-up from most four-on-the-floor-favouring spectacles. RTU made a ballsy move, and it absolutely worked. So where does Ultra go from here? We know we were told not to count our chickens before they hatch, but we can guarantee it won’t be long till we get the whole d*mn package. Your Ultranauts are waiting!

Text Kevin Ho Images Colossal Photos

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Baby steps are pretty much an understatement when used to recount the monolithic debut of this globally revered jamboree. For years, we’d been kowtowing to the higher powers (thank you, rave gods!) to yank down an international dance entity like Ultra. And our prayers were answered when we were invited to embark on the first edition of Road To Ultra Singapore, transforming the ritzy ambience of Marina Bay Sands into a fairground for glowstickwielding, whistle-blowing, feet-shuffling children of the night – one where glam and grit came together. Rave Republic already had the synchronised chants blaring as early as 8pm, and we even had a surprise appearance from Costa Rica’s Ale Mora. Together, they flaunted Ultra’s philosophy for diversity with melodic prog-house numbers, sublime tropical house slow-jams, grubby trap curveballs and beyond.

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SPEED OF SOUND pharrell williams

2015 FORMULA ONE SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX Whether it’s the roar of the turbo engines that thrill you or the souped-up melodies that excite, there’s no denying that the Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix gets bigger and better every year. What started out with two acts on a small stage in 2008 has now ballooned into a roster of headliners that include universal hit-makers like Pet Shop Boys and The Killers. Needless to say, this year’s lineup did not disappoint.

DAY ONE Kicking off the Day One post-race festivities was 10-time Grammy winner, Pharrell Williams, who got us into some serious head-bopping action with an upbeat, feel-good repertoire of songs from his hip-hop group, N*E*R*D, as well as tracks from newer releases, like “It Girl”, “Happy” and a remix of “Blurred Lines” – all thrown in for good measure.

DAY TWO

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While the men of Spandau Ballet relived the golden era of the ’80s with some of their best hits, Maroon 5 pulled in hordes of adoring fans to the Padang – some of whom had been waiting for hours even before the band’s slated timeslot. Kicking off with jungle sounds to herald the track “Animals”, frontman Adam Levine, along with the boy, ripped through a medley of songs, checking off a list of crowd favourites that had the audience playing to his fiddle. Points should be given to the band also for bringing out the tunes that first endeared them to listeners everywhere, with an unplugged version of “She Will Be Loved”, as well as “Sunday Morning”, just before the stroke of midnight. The setlist, while exhaustive of every single hit that the band has ever made, proved to be enough for the crowd. But in case he didn’t get enough attention, a shirtless Levine riffing on a neon pink guitar towards the end of the night certainly sealed the deal for most.

Text Aaron Kok & Hannah Tang Images Singapore Grand Prix

Decked out in casual garb and supported by Dear Bae, a team of talented dancers, Pharrell showed us exactly how it’s done without the need for elaborate stage antics and endless costume changes – although we would have loved to see that hat again. A perfectly engineered

performance aside, what we really enjoyed was how the superstar spontaneously invited folks up on stage to party alongside him. Talk about getting lucky.

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DAY THREE What better way to celebrate a spectacular end to another year’s race than bask in the glory of rock legend Bon Jovi? Time may wait for no man, but the boys aren’t just any other men. Proving that they are the personification of rebel spirit and vigour that has remained steadfastly unchanged, frontman Jon strutted from end to end onstage, and even paraded through the fan zone while the band played with infectious enthusiasm. The chemistry was undeniably apparent, and while we caught ourselves unashamedly singing along to “It’s My Life” and “Bad Medicine”, Bon Jovi left us yearning when they seemingly left the stage without belting out their signature rock anthem – “Livin’ On A Prayer”. The band did eventually return to deliver the song, and gave an impassioned performance that remains commendably bad*ss.

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COASTS – COASTS There’s a hint of familiarity that pervades this self-titled debut from the Bristolian five-piece. Perhaps it’s Friendly Fires or Foals around the corner, but the similarities end upon a closer listen. It is clear that Coasts is wayward in defining their own brand of tropical-infused alternative rock. While their jaunty tracks are marked by tuneful guitar melodies, the band closes in on anthemic lyrics to deliver an ocean of indie summertime party staples that will leave you in a warranted head bob.

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fresh plucks

Think of a rap album as this: a conspicuous ensemble with a principle player and an underlying theme. And with Free TC we see Ty Dolla $ign leading the pack once more. After all, he excels best in collaborative endeavours. While iterations of intense bass-driven beats, ticks and ‘sing-rap’ are nothing new, Ty succeeds in the simplest form – getting us turnt. Backed up by guest appearances from artistes like Kendrick Lamar, Fetty Wap and Kanye West, it’s safe to say that Free TC has gotten off to a promising start even before the curtains are lifted. dollasignworld.com

BOOTS More commonly known as the dude who worked on records like Beyoncé’s self-titled album and FKA twigs’ M3LL15X EP, Jordy Asher AKA BOOTS is now looking to take centre stage with his debut album AQUARIA. While not much can be said about BOOTS’ enigmatic emergence,

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his new album is an other-worldly experience marked by his technical and lyrical ingenuity. The title track off the album is a skittering and strangely rhythmic tune that features former Dirty Projectors member, Angel Deradoorian. As these boots walk into uncharted territories, we’d probably follow every step of the way.

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TITEKNOTS Every track by this Brighton DJ and producer is

With his intuitive flair defined by a masterful exploration of diverse sound and sets, Guy J’s latest album promises double; a two-parter off John Digweed’s Bedrock records. The Israeli producer expands on his effortless blend of progressive house and electronic-based styles for dance floors worldwide – featuring a brisk flurry of accented layers that syncopate throughout the entirety of his productions. Can we suggest that the nature of these loops be endless? soundcloud.com/guy-j

something of its own. Be it an hour-long mix with chopped-up funk and disco, or a palpitating ambient single, Titeknots delves into an almost genreless mash within his productions. Converging a cut-and-paste style of creating house music

Taking a page out of Justin Vernon’s book, Mano Le Tough took a break from his hectic DJ-ing schedule to let his ideas grow in the rusticity of a Swiss countryside. That allowed him to break away from his predilections, creating an atmospherically dark but vibey production as seen in his latest release. Offering an approximation of genres like house, new wave and pop, Trails encapsulates Mano’s fervour in an unwavering technicality. Maybe we should all head off to secluded lands to rediscover ourselves. soundcloud.com/manoletough

and his love of hip-hop, Titeknots has since moved from remixes of other artistes to jams of his own. His recent release “Buzzard Walk” features sublime strings that drive the bass and drums of the piece – resulting in a tune that is as quaint as it is English.

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In the UK contemporary dance music scene, DJ Haus is cardinal. According to the man himself, Burnin’ Up will orbit around “the rawest styles of house-rooted music from the last two decades through the gleefully recombinant, mutagenic tendencies of UK dance music”. And that is just a preamble to the album’s cuts, where DJ Haus converges simple time signatures, token voice samples and cybertronic melodies. As the boss of multiple labels, it’s good to know that DJ Haus’ musicianship extends beyond his own releases. soundcloud.com/hothausrecs

SAMANTHA RONSON Talk about Formula 1 after-burn! We’re still fanning ourselves from the scorch marks left behind by the recent fast-paced entertainment. Amongst the cream of the crop in high-octane parties, CÉ LA VI was at the top of its game with the billing of this Hollywood antistarlet. We catch some quick bites from this foxy lass about the hip-hop records that groomed her, the joys of scowling and the burdens of being a sister of a certain “Uptown Funk” producer.

Good things come to those who wait. And wait we have, for approximately four years. Jamie Woon’s aptly titled sophomore, Making Time, is poised to allure in a reinvention of sound by the British crooner. Tracks like “Sharpness” and “Message” present a somewhat different language altogether when set beside Mirrorwriting, and it feels as though Woon is no longer the one-man band he purported to be. However, if there’s one thing that will remain unchanged, it’s his vocal chops – a restrained, buttery tone we’d gladly make time for. jamiewoon.com

Are you a big car junkie yourself? Yeah, I like fast cars. What’s one thing that you can do really fast? Talk my way out of going to the gym. Do you often get asked to play at such swanky establishments like CÉ LA VI? Or do you sometimes play at seedy, underground joints too? I get to play both! Though it’s great being here during F1; I’ve heard it’s one of the best places to be at when in Singapore. And then there are the fashion shows too. Is there extra pressure to sound (and look) sophisticated when it comes to such sets? No, I just kind of do…me. You used to play acoustic music before transitioning into the world of DJ-ing. Do you miss busting out jams on your guitar?

To put it simply, Garden Of Delete is a vestibule to unpredictable dimensional planes – fluttering from ethereal tech-melodic synths to hard and twitchy distortions. Much like Daniel Lopatin’s previous experimental soundscapes that we’ve come to love, there can only be so much knowledge that goes into the layers within his tracks. Though it might be great to figure out the intentionality behind his aesthetical evolution – from noiseladen software synthesisers to clean ambient loops – it is best to take Oneohtrix Point Never with a pinch of salt, else you get lost in its entirety. soundcloud.com/guy-j

PC Music is as much of a genre as a London-based record label collective. And while SOPHIE might not share a direct affiliation with them, the electronic music producer happens to have an affinity with the glitchy sound. The genre’s aesthetic might seem like the sound of dial-up Internet on crack – with high-pitched kawaii-style vocaloids and synths – but it looks as though it might just be scratching the surface of SOPHIE’s debut album. Product is already juiced-up from its previous successes like “Bipp” and “Lemonade”, but we expect nothing but double the spectacle from him. soundcloud.com/msmsmsm

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out my guitar, just not on stage. You usually spin open-format mixes to appease the crowd. Does that interfere with some of the vibes that you really Text Kevin Ho Image & Interview courtesy of CÉ LA VI

Text Austen Choo Images Various Sources

I actually have been doing both for 18 years. And I still bust

wanna play? No, I like to make people happy. My job is to make people happy. I’m happy if you’re happy! Even when they repeatedly request for “Uptown Funk”? I play it before anybody even asks. I love it! Critics like to remark how you’re always scowling in your photos. On the flipside, what are some of the things that make you smile? Not being told to smile [laughs]. Also, being with my family, making music, doing what I love, and seeing the world.

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BACK ON ONE BY HYDER ALBAR

WH A T ‘BA RELY LEG AL’ ME A NS TO ME

17 was a whole 13 years ago for me. To put things into context, that’s enough time for a human being to grow from “OMG, you’re so cute I wanna pinch your face” to “What have hormones done to you?! Who are you?! Why do you hate everything?!”. I gotta say, I did enjoy my teens, but ‘barely legal’ takes on a whole different meaning when you realise that the girl has to be at least 22 before you hit on her. I reference the formula from the bro code: (your age / 2) + 7. I love being 30; it’s legitimately awesome. Granted, I am what you would call a ‘manchild’. I work my ass off during the week but I still read manga, party till four in the morning, play video games, dabble in music, and hang out with friends to talk about life. I do this not because I am desperately hanging on to my teens, but because I’ve never really bought into the idea that ‘growing up’ involves not doing the things you like or love.

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So instead of throwing it back to recollect the stupid things I did in my teens (of which there were many), I would like to share what ‘barely legal’ means to me today. When something is barely legal, it represents opportunity. It is unregulated, people don’t know what to do with it yet, and if you can figure out its value before the majority of people do, you have a lot to gain.

HAVE YOU IN MY WILDERNESS JULIA HOLTER (DOMINO)

Fall in love again, o ye young foundlings, for Julia Holter is back to set hearts a-flutter. It’s that precious (and pretentious) sentiment that one encounters when hearing the LA-based art-pop artiste’s 4th record. It’s accessible and crystalline-pretty, pristine in clarity of sound and voice. It’s a welcome change from her past lit-referencing (Collette’s Gigi, and Euripides’ Hippolytus, two amongst others) and experimental pieces (riffing off John Cage’s work, collaborating with experimental composer, Michael Pisaro, and working with found sounds and sound art). Let’s not over-analyse this; just breathe in the orchestral atmospherics of “Lucette Stranded On The Island” and the title track.

Quite often, it also means that there are tonnes of risks involved and that the individuals who choose to pursue these opportunities need to have a massive appetite for risk – quite often associated with being in your teenage years. There are a whole lot of different examples of how this stands true. If we look to the origins of how society interacts with commodities like diamonds, electricity and oil, you will realise that at the beginning, there were a select few individuals who recognised the economic potential of these commodities. They were the ones who gained. The naysayers often have to eat their own words…quite literally. Similar parallels can be drawn outside of commodities. In the ’90s, the majority of people did not believe that Google would amount to anything; the same can be said for Facebook. When Bitcoin first broke into the mainstream market, everyone said it would die a quick death. Today, many top Wall Street executives have also shifted their stance on Bitcoin. I strongly believe that the same is happening for Singapore’s original music scene and have been extremely fortunate to have a partner in that believes the same. Happy 17th birthday, guys. Congratulations on bringing the magazine into its teens! You guys have always been at the edge of youth culture by pushing boundaries. Thank you for exploring opportunities with local music culture when other magazines did not.

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COMMUNION YEARS & YEARS (POLYDOR LTD)

Years & Years may be our commercial flavour of the month (read: guilty pleasure), but ICYMI, them winning BBC’s ‘Sound Of 2015’ award should mean something, no? Are they worth more than a trending moment? No, because their music is pop music that’s so damn dunzo-familiar and chart-current, it’s unoriginal. Yes, because their mashing of Sam Smith’s emo, Disclosure’s house, the Weeknd’s r&b, James Blake’s post-dubstep, and any-act’s EDM stylistics, just makes them equally irresistible and ingratiating. Even if Olly Alexander singing about desire for the same kind gives them that slight edge, the verdict’s still out on their future. “Real”, “King”, “Memo”, and “Take Shelter” put the odds in their favour to make it, years from now.

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OF THE MONTH

SUGAR

Robin Schulz (Warner Music) If you want EDM music that does nothing but be all sugar and spice and everything nice, then Robin Schulz’s Sugar is it. His debut was half-and-half, original songs and remixes. It’s all new stuff this time round, but the melodic synths + one vocalist + one organic instrument blueprint that Schulz sticks to make all of the tracks sound like indistinguishable, ho-hum house music.

BEAUTY BEHIND THE MADNESS

WHAT WENT DOWN

LA DI DA DI

(Warner Music) With their latest, the Oxford quintet finally makes stadium rock music. Has it been their intention all along? To sound so aggro, so made-to-impress? It’s uneasy to listen to them now without a nostalgic look back at their past – since they blast off with the heavy-rock crunch of the title track, and follow with two melodic radio-friendly songs, “Mountain at My Gates” and “Birch Tree”. It’s progress, but it’s not too exciting.

(Warp) Losing a lead singer (Tyondai Braxton) just meant that Battles needed to get more creative with their already-creative artsy math-rock compositions. They went ahead with guest vocalists for their sophomore; they do completely without on their third. It’s a galloping ride into the headwind with “The Yabba”, “Dot Net”, and “FF Bada”, and the trio’s musicianship is showing up in spades.

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The Weeknd

(Republic Records) So Abel Tesfaye is a star – quite a remove from when he first started, lauded for being a mysterious entity behind alt takes on r&b. He’s now charted to the top, and is buds with Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift. Obvs that he ups the ante on his music: he keeps the sinister, dark side of his tunes, but blends ’em into cleaner sounding productions. It’s quite a balancing act, and the man ain’t tripping on the wire of success.

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COMPTON

NO NO NO

(Aftermath) Ladies and gents, this is Dr. Dre. The legendary rapper-producer all but scrapped Detox, his supposed new album 16 years in the making, to create this album to accompany N.W.A.’s biopic. Ain’t sure what Detox would have sounded like, but Compton is as angry, relevant, and accomplished as they come. It’s the return of the King; with “Genocide”, “Loose Cannons” and “Deep Water”, the bugle calls for Dre’s triumph.

(4AD) It’s a terrible thing when life moves on. For Zach Condon, he’s experienced writer’s block, got divorced, and had his band’s vintage world music-oriented songs lose currency. He now attempts to strip back his compositions to try and recapture the lost magic. Relieved of the ornamentation and grandiosity of his band’s multi-layered instrumentation, the songs sound halfway to completion. More is key for Beirut, not less.

(Mom + Pop Music) FIDLAR stands for “F*ck It Dog, Life’s A Risk”, and Zac Carper and his mates sure embodied that – smashing out a grimy, sweaty, eponymous debut, closer to slacker, skater punk-rock than being just pedestrian LA garage rock. But now that Carper has kicked his substance abuse (owing to some personal losses), they have grown up somewhat, even though they are still kick-pushing up gritty rock.

SMOKE TAPE

PAGANS IN VEGAS

(1080p) Do not call Bobby Draino lazy, even if his music sounds like ambient techno to head-nod-to-sleep to. He takes elements of techno and deliberately makes them sound lo-fi – basslines sound muffled and beats pound muddily. Everything sounds pumped through a wall of gauze and every track lolls around like an extended version of itself. Backroom, blunted techno for bassheads.

(MMI) Trying to sound new, energetic and indie is, well, trying. Maybe that’s why Emily Haines, James Shaw, and mates, come off sounding a little tired on their sixth album. Or maybe it’s just that their electronic rock-pop is dated. They change it up with some vocoder and eight-bit tricks, but Haines’ delivery is DOA amongst the electronic gloss. Metric needs a reboot if they want to get somewhere other than being just Pagans in Vegas.

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Text Chris Ong Ujine Images Various Sources

INVITE THE LIGHT DÂM-FUNK

(Stones Throw Records) Damon Garrett Riddick knows the score on funkiness. As Dâm-Funk, he is one of the dawgs (alongside Fly-Lo, Thundercat, and even Mark Ronson) who has been putting out waves of cosmic + G + P + future funk for the last six years. His latest is a cleaned-up production showboat, aimed for a launch into the cosmos of fame, with Q-Tip, Snoop Dogg and Ariel Pink as starry fuel. Take a ride with “Floating On Air” and “We Continue”.

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ANTHEMS FOR DOOMED YOUTH The Libertines

(Harvest) Running the risk of barbs, we’re just gonna compare The Libertines with Pulp, Suede and Blur. Pete Doherty does sound a little like these bands’ charismatic frontmen, and the band’s songs fit into a similar Brit rock sound template. But on their third album, what’s remarkable is that they have grown –through drugs, drinks, a band break-up, Kate Moss, and reckless youth – to come off as fighting fit in exorcising their demons.

SAVAGE HILLS BALLROOM Youth Lagoon

(Fat Possum) This is Trevor Powers gone wild – voice unveiled (no more bedroom cloudiness, no more reverb), the cracked whines, the caginess, and the bared aggression of his actual voice defaces the trembly Powers of old. From the bedroom to the larger stage he goes, his inner eye on love, loss and growing, cast larger on the world. “Officer Telephone” and “The Knower” show Powers at his maximal pop best.

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PARA//EL PRESENTS JOHN DIGWEED WITH HONG

SLEEPWALKER: ACID BABY JESUS

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 4 AT 03-16 LUCKY PLAZA For the second instalment of the Sleepwalker showcases, Other Sounds hauls in a rare Mediterranean import to incite sonic splendour. Forged in Athens by the psych-rock gods themselves, the group’s daring psychedelic exploits sees the incorporation of unconventional instruments like the Jew’s harp and bongos – setting them apart from lava-lamp imitations. othersounds.asia

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14 AT ZOUK Being voted DJ Magazine’s ‘World No1 DJ’ in 2001 is merely one of John Digweed’s countless accomplishments over the span of his illustrious career. Even being at the helm of the world-renowned Bedrock records doesn’t stop the house honcho from kicking out the jams with swirling soundscapes and bass-thumping bangers. Can you dig it?

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THE VACCINES

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 4 AT *SCAPE: THE GROUND THEATRE Indie kids would have been fervently waiting for a dose of the West London rockers’ bright strumming, blistering drumming, and catchy pop hooks that call on comparisons with The Ramones. Having dropped English Graffiti to critical praise in May, it seems the rock doctors are finally ready to see us now. facebook.com/secretsoundsasia

ANDY HART

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14 AT OVEREASY FULLERTON In addition to importing Australian beef cheeks to throw into its Mac & Cheese, it seems OverEasy has also taken to importing the country’s raw artistic talent too. Melting old-school funk jams with smooth voyages of tropical house, the Melbourne Deepcast cofounder will be serving up a smorgasbord of sounds that’ll have you asking for seconds. overeasy.com.sg

THE SUNDAY TRIBE: FELBRATION FEAT. RICH MEDINA

NOPARTYHERE x THE POWDER ROOM: DARIUS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5 AT THE POWDER ROOM When Brad Pitt poses with one of your records, you know you’re onto something big. Sharing the same label as French house trailblazers Cherokee, FKJ and Zimmer, the Roche Musique-signed producer will be bringing his pair of “Hot Hands” to lay down his infectious spin on funkand disco-infused house. theblackswan.com.sg

INCH: LETTERS TO UBIN EP LAUNCH

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 26 AT ALIWAL ARTS CENTRE Seeking solitude on the island of Pulau Ubin for a period of four months, the homegrown songstress reveals the fruits of her sabbatical with the launch of her latest EP, Letters To Ubin. Embracing nature in its stripped-back songwriting process, the folktronica starlet takes audiences through a digital forest with her long-awaited return. aliwalartscentre.sg

RITUAL FEAT. MATTHIAS MEYER

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7 AT KYO With a focus on organic grooves and steadfast commitment to energising the club scene, the Liebe*Detail producer’s foray in techno and house makes him a rarity in the popinclined leanings of house music today. Unafraid to merge German experimentation with Detroit musicality, Meyer’s percussive journeys will take you to a different headspace in no time. clubkyo.com

KUTSKI

MONDAY NOVEMBER 9 AT CANVAS SINGAPORE Bent on “keeping the rave alive”, the former BBC Radio 1 presenter has become a global ambassador of hardstyle. Obliterating crowds from Defqon 1 to Tomorrowland with relentless bass and distorted synths, the UK mixmaster is set to create a rumble in our urban jungle with his ground-shaking performance. canvasvenue.sg

REWIND FEAT. STEVE BUG

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27 AT KYO Characterised by deep house dabbling and Moog-fueled acid grooves, the German producer’s hybrid formula of throwback elements and modern electronic signatures has kept him on the radar since the early ’90s. With performances typically straddling the line between underground restraint and hands-in-the-air euphoria, Steve Bug creates sonic experiences for the past, present, and future all at once. clubkyo.com music

Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

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SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15 AT REFUGE Marking the launch of the hip-hop/r&b sanctuary’s Sunday night party series, the first instalment celebrates late Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer and political activist, Fela Anikulakpo Kuti, with a Fela-bration helmed by DJ Rich Medina. Founder of the DJ-based dance party in Kuti’s honour, JUMP N FUNK, the NYC legend spreads the good vibrations with a wide selection of hip-hop, afrobeat, funk and break cuts. refuge.sg

Text Aaron Kok Images Brain&Beast

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We’re not too sure what it is with the deviant that seems to fascinate and capture the imagination of designers, but going by Brain&Beast’s latest collection, there’s a whole lotta maniacal to go around. The Spanish brand looks to Stanley Kubrick’s work, where terror so often comes from the dangerous deeds of criminally wrought stories. Films like A Clockwork Orange and The Shining inform designer Ángel Vilda’s clothing, which comprises harlequin stripes, crazy cut-outs and the menacing slogan of the collection, “I’ll be aware of my wishes”. If having fun in fashion were a crime, Brain&Beast would be guilty as charged.

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LIVIN’ IT UP IN COLLABORATION WITH AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, WE CHAT WITH THESE MOVERS AND SHAKERS ON WHAT LIVING THEIR LIFE REALLY MEANS, SHOPPING WOES AND THEIR BIGGEST CHRISTMAS WISH.

EDEN ANG, ENTERTAINER @EDEN_ANG

What does the phrase “Live your life” mean to you? I believe that living a full life is using the gifts we are given to go out and inspire the world. What do you look for when you shop for clothes? With clothes, my personal style is very clean and direct. That said, I’ll try anything once, so I make it a point to select an outfit that I may not usually wear. This allows me the chance to explore something new. What is your favourite item from the American Eagle Outfitters’ Holiday collection? That definitely has to be this bomber jacket that I’m wearing. It’s so lightweight, yet cosy enough. What do you like about American Eagle Outfitters? I like that the brand offers classic pieces that are rugged enough to withstand a beating!

QUILTED LIGHTWEIGHT VARSITY PUFFER JACKET, $159 STRIPED CREW SWEATER, $69 CAMO PRINT STRETCH JOGGERS, $79 CANVAS SLIP-ON SNEAKERS, $38 ALL CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES FROM AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS

SARA WEE, MUSICIAN/FITNESS INSTRUCTOR @SARA53A

What influences your style? I'm performing five nights a week, so I tend to dress in a way that ensures I don't flash anyone while I'm onstage. Trendy items are always nice, but I prefer things that are more timeless. What do you like about American Eagle Outfitters? I love how casual and chic everything is. Perfect for a simple day out or even a nice dinner date. What does the phrase “Live your life” mean to you? Don’t let anyone else tell you that you can’t do something you love. If you truly believe in it, then do it. Also, drink a lot of milkshakes. What do you look for when you shop for clothes? They have to fit right – I like comfortable clothes that aren’t too formal. Cute is good!

SOFT CABLE KNIT SWEATER, $69 BOYFRIEND PLAID BUTTON DOWN SHIRT, $60 DENIM X CAFÉ JEGGING, $89 STRAPPY MID-HEEL BOOTIES, $90 ALL CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES FROM AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS

DJ GHETTO, RESIDENT DJ AT ZOUK SINGAPORE @DJGHETTO

What’s your biggest wish this holiday season? I’d like to be in London for the holidays! Describe your personal style. I love black clothing, but apart from that, I like my streetwear to be adventurous in design, and comfortable enough for me to live in.

DENIM JACKET, $135 LEGEND CREW T-SHIRT,$29 PLAID BUTTON DOWN SHIRT (TIED AROUND WAIST), $69 SLIM CORE FLEX JEANS, $79 LACE-UP COURT SNEAKERS, $59 MIRRORED SUNGLASSES, $24 ALL CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES FROM AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS

What is your favourite item from American Eagle Outfitters’ Holiday collection? These jeans are pretty neat. I like to get a good wear out of my denims, and this pair fits me like a glove. The distressed details add some texture, which sets it apart from plain ol’ black jeans. What do you like about American Eagle Outfitters? It’s a one-stop shop for anyone’s wardrobe. I like that I can find everything from basics to trendy pieces at a shop, and better yet if they come in multiple colourways.

PHOTOGRAPHY NICKY LOH PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT YANN CLOITRE STYLING AARON KOK MAKEUP KEITH BRYANT LEE USING MAKE UP FOR EVER HAIR ALIKA TATAKORN USING REDKEN PROFESSIONAL SPECIAL THANKS TO PARK BENCH DELI & RED DOT TRAFFIC BUILDING VISIT YOUTUBE.COM/JUICESG FOR A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THIS SHOOT.

CHRISTABEL CHUA, TRAVEL HOST @BELLYWELLYJELLY

What are you busy with at the moment? I’m actually working on filming a travel series, so look out for that. When free, I also find time to write for my blog. If you could recommend something from American Eagle Outfitters to someone, who and what would it be? I’ll probably send my best friend to the shop to check out the brand’s knits and dresses, because the colours and textures are instant mood-lifters! FLIGHT JACKET, $169 PRINTED BABYDOLL DRESS, $69 SIDE FRINGE HEELED BOOTIES, $90 TINTED ICON SUNGLASSES, $24 ALL CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES FROM AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS

What does the phrase “Live your life” mean to you? Be passionate about what you do, and strive to bring something positive out of it. What’s your biggest wish this holiday season? I’d like to create a platform that allows girls everywhere to connect, encourage and inspire one another. Or a puppy please!

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A SEASON OF CHIC

SOAR THROUGH THE FESTIVITIES WITH AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS’ HOLIDAY COLLECTION

hi neck tank, $59 graphic raglan t-shirt, $39

baseball crew t-shirt, $29 lace shift dress, $99

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suede fringe skirt, $75 reversible quilted jacket, $159

active flex denim joggers, $79

colorblock chambray button down shirt, $79

denim x kick boot jean, $79

slim straight extreme flex jean, $99

To get through the festive season ahead while looking stylish and feeling comfortable, American Eagle Outfitters’ Holiday 2015 range is all you need. Drawing inspiration from Southwestern themes and bohemian references, the collection offers a bevy of options for both genders to keep you looking effortlessly cool. Continuing its focus on the Denim X collection – which boasts a wide range of cuts to suit all tastes and body types – the line of jeans ranks high on stretchability to ensure that it retains the best shape over time. Looking for more than just a pair of jeans? Lads can go for the wide range of joggers and khakis, while the ladies get to pick from a selection of ultra-comfy jeggings or be flirty in a dress. The boho theme is also seen in the fringe and lace detailing within the women’s line, while the Southwest

denim x café hi-rise jegging, $99

embroidered lace tank, $59

influence is seen in the form of Navajo prints. Besides usual winter hues like navy and maroon, you can also choose from jewel brights like coral and crimson for a festive finish.

The Holiday 2015 collection is available at American Eagle Outfitters VivoCity B1-06/07 and the new store at Suntec City, West Wing, 01-375/376/377 (opening on 6 November). Exclusive to the new Suntec City store, there will be an Aerie shop-in-shop which will carry intimate wear, apparel and more for the radiant girl-next-door. For the latest brand news and updates, follow American Eagle Outfitters on Instagram @americaneaglesg or visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/AmericanEagleSingapore.

SUNTEC CITY, WEST WING, 01-375/376/377 (NEW) | VIVOCITY, B1-06/07 AMERICANEAGLESINGAPORE

AMERICANEAGLESG

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BEST FOOT FORWARD DC SHOES UNVEILS ITS NEW CAPSULE COLLECTIONS FOR FALL/WINTER 2015

THE BEN DAVIS COLLECTION

THE SEAN CLIVER COLLECTION

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Touting itself as the go-to brand for the “world’s toughest work clothes”, you can expect a collection that ranks high on durability and functionality. The brand – whose motto is as simple as the phrase “Plenty Tough” – was founded in 1935, and has since grown to become one of the largest makers of workwear in the American rag trade. But that’s not where the company’s influence ends. Today, Ben Davis’ influence transcends the American working class and is a key staple

in the realms of streetwear and skateboarding culture – with youths sporting its smiling gorilla logo on their apparel. This limited collection includes a pair of pants, a button-up shirt and a jacket, featuring artwork and prints done by Ben Davis. Made to embody versatility, this means you can slip one of ’em on and get a good day’s work in.

Prices range from $59 to $139.

Of the many names that’ve made skateboarding the sport it is today, Sean Cliver remains one of the most prolific artists in the biz to date. The visual legend rose to fame in the ’90s with his unapologetic brand of graphic art that explores various taboos – from religion and politics to pop culture iconography. Having produced work for names like Ray Barbee and Shaun White, Cliver’s defiant use of colour, strong lines and cheeky references makes his artwork stand out from the

pack. Based on his background of creating well-known boards, Cliver’s line of apparel and shoes features a clean and uncluttered aesthetic, yet retains the artist’s subversive humour in the form of doodles that feature homeless bananas and lunchbox rats. Trippy!

Prices range from $45 to $139.

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Coming around the Fall/Winter bend, DC Shoes promises to dress your soles with spiffed-up sneaks that are bound to leave an impression. Having worked with names like graffiti artist, Mouse, and drummer of I Am Giant, Shelton Woolright, the brand continues its

THE SHUT SKATES COLLECTION

tradition of collaborating with artists and innovators, through the tie-ups that are seen on a range of clothing and shoes. Once again, expect to shop DC’s freshest range of street offerings that are perfect for every urban prowler.

THE DPM COLLECTION

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Partnering with New York City’s pioneer skateboard company, SHUT Skates, DC’s exclusive drop of gear and kicks are as stylish as they are charitable. Having been in the business of making decks since 1986 – for the roughest and the toughest skates in the Big Apple – SHUT’s joint production features hoodies, tees and shoes. Besides togging you out in street threads, proceeds from the DC x SHUT Skates collection will also benefit the Harold Hunter

Foundation, which helps at-risk, inner city youths. The capsule line pays tribute to the Shark – one of the most iconic decks produced by SHUT – where cartoon sharks and slogans are plastered across casual separates, evoking the nostalgic streetwear styles of the ’90s.

Fans of the camouflage pattern: perk up and check this one out. Legendary camouflage design and research studio, DPM, aims to separate the military connotations that are so often associated with the camouflage print. Instead, DPM – also the acronym for Disruptive Pattern Material – promotes the natural roots and artistic influences of the evergreen print (pardon the pun). In partnering with the studio, DC presents a line of apparel,

footwear and active gear designed to keep you warm on snowy terrain. The primary print is a mosaic-styled pattern in earthy shades of green or icy blues, reflecting the collab’s outdoorsy leanings. Rugged intentions aside, each piece can also work with your everyday attire, ensuring that you never blend in with the crowd.

Prices range from $43 to $139. Prices range from $49 to $149.

Available at DC Cineleisure, Orchard Central and VivoCity. For updates on DC Shoes Singapore, follow them on Instagram at dcshoes.sg

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CRIMINALLY CHIC FASHION FAUX PAS – WE’VE ALL HAD OUR FAIR SHARE OF THOSE. WHETHER WE CRINGE IN HORROR OR CELEBRATE ALL OUR OMG MOMENTS IN FULL GAUDY GLORY, OUR STYLISTIC INCLINATIONS WOULDN’T BE SHARPENED TODAY HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THOSE YEARS OF WARDROBE MISHAPS. WE DIG OUT 10 CONFESSIONS ON GUILTY GARBS FOR YOUR JUDGEMENT.

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Nicole Wong, Social Media Influencer

Sofie Chandra, Marketing & Events Head

Comfort has always been a top priority for me, which is why I am rarely in heels, mini-anything or even dresses. So when I first tried wearing drop-crotch pants almost a decade ago, you can imagine my joy. I should’ve known that it wasn’t stylish at all when someone asked me, “Are you laying eggs in there?” Still, no regrets with them!

This happened not too long ago actually! I tried to tackle the trend of high-cut sneakers, so I wore mine with a knee-length skirt, an oversized white shirt and some chunky necklace. In the end, I looked like a coupon-saving granny with Alzheimer’s on the loose. Cringe!

Trent Davis, Lifestyle/Online Writer

Inch Chua, Singer/Songwriter

When I was in high school, I was really into the androgynous look of Japanese rock stars. Naturally, on top of the eyeliner and the constant hair colouring, I also started sporting dangly silver earrings to complete my aesthetic (though in hindsight, I probably looked like a 21 Jump Street caricature as a result). Fashion crime? More like two steps ahead of the ’80s revival!

I used to wear printed skirts over bell-bottom jeans. Who does that? Apparently, the 15-year-old me. I don’t regret it at all though, since I now know the extent of how much it doesn’t work out. So given that little lesson, I’d still try the skirt-over-pants combo, but maybe with a kilt-like skirt over some skinny jeans or jeggings.

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Eileen Chan, DJ

Eden Cai, DJ

I spent two years of my adult life wearing black tights. I wore them every day, and with everything, though mostly with my trusty Dr. Martens. I can’t seem to recall why or how I got obsessed with wearing black tights all the time! And then there were the times when I’d swap the black tights for brightly coloured ones when I went to parties. I remember my mum making a comment about how people might think I’m wearing tights all the time to avoid shaving my legs. Till this day, I just can’t quite understand how I went through this phase for two whole years.

Okay, so I’m really bad at matching Retro Jordan 3s, and even lazier when it comes to attempting to make a reference. So my impression of dressing to them is to wear an oversized top with skinny jeans. I chose to go to a party in a huge polo tee, raw skinny jeans – rolled up to the ankles, nonetheless – with my crimson red Jordans. I looked like humpty dumpty with boots on. Thankfully, it was a rowdy night and no one really cared how disproportionate I looked; well, no one except me.

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Text Aaron Kok Images Various Sources

Lavonne Lam, Sales & Marketing Manager

Kae Hana, Fashion Designer

Back in the day, I used to break the number one rule of never wearing leggings as pants. I’d often rock up in leggings with a top that was never long enough for coverage. Yes, that meant I also had a a case of VPL each time. Oh, and how could I forget that one time when I wore bad undies and gave myself four bum-rolls.

Everyone’s had an awkward phase, and mine was when I first started design school. Remember when embellished logo T-shirts were all the rage? I had almost 10 of those in horrendous colors and I wore them everywhere, underneath everything. To top it off, I wore them with Crocs. Yes, Crocs. My young, innocent self thought that mustard yellow Crocs were kinda cool. Ugh!.

John Tan, Photographer

Aiwei Foo, Artist & Design Lecturer

I’ve been known to wear asymmetrical drop-crotch pants. For a few months I thought I was getting the hang of being ‘fashionable’ and having a grasp on personal style, but nowadays when I look back on the photos...man, it’s painful! It feels like a total train wreck, and it was a real pain getting them off when I had to go to the men’s room.

Many donkey years ago, I once attended an orientation in a drama school (I quit after three months). We were told to dress up in an outrageously fashionable and very ridiculous way, and then take the public transport from home to school in these clothes. So I improvised with some rags and household items I gathered up, dressed myself in towels that were secured by some clothes pegs. It was disastrous! fashion

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SOLE SENSATION S K E C H E R S FA L L / W I N T E R 2 015 CO L L E C T I O N SHOES DESIGNED PURELY FOR ERGONOMIC COMFORT OFTEN FALL FAR DOWN THE AESTHETICS SCALE. ON THE OTHER HAND, DESIRABLE GOOD-LOOKERS WOULD TYPICALLY SERVE UP A SIDE OF DISCOMFORT; MUCH TO OUR DISMAY. SO IMAGINE OUR DELIGHT WHEN WE DISCOVERED THESE FOOTWEAR GEMS THAT RANK HIGH BOTH ON THE FEELGOOD AND LOOK-GOOD FACTORS. ENTER THE LATEST SKECHERS FALL/WINTER 2015 COLLECTION. COMPRISING THE D’LITES, GO FLEX WALK AND GO DRI CLIMATE LINES, THESE KICKS PROMISE TO SHIELD YOUR FEET IN SNUG COMFORT, WHILE DISHING OUT STYLE POINTS TO KEEP YOUR HOLIDAY ENSEMBLE RIGHT ON POINT.

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Making a sartorial impression can be tough. And as you might have realised, shoes are definitely not made just for walking – they say a lot about our personal style too. When it comes to footwear, comfort and aesthetics often belong in an inverse relationship – the ones that give you happy feet all day don’t look as good as they feel, while the eye-catching counterparts can border on impractical (remember Gaga’s heelless platform shoes?) and even hurt the feet. With this concern in mind, Skechers has consistently doled out functional kicks that not only protect our peds but also dress them in pretty designs; and this season is no exception. Since its humble beginnings in 1992, Skechers has grown to become a quintessential household name – owing to the wide range of athletic and casual styles that exemplify the brand’s superb understanding of trends and constant reinvention. Priding itself in delivering unparalleled comfort, Skechers’ sneakers are renowned for offering a snug fit, even after long hours of wear, and embodies bold designs and striking colour palettes. Whether you’re conquering an arduous trek up the hill or strutting your stuff down the concrete jungle, you’ll find just the right fit in a shoe that melds comfort, functionality and aesthetics all at the same time.

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BRAVE THE ELEMENTS “You can’t control the weather, but don’t let that slow you down”. Inspired by this mantra, the concept of the Skechers Go Dri Climate line was to create a shoe that would come through for you, no matter rain or shine. Whether it’s scorching trails from the midday blaze or navigating flooded roads after an unexpected rainstorm, these kicks will put you on the offensive when the next storm strikes. Consider this your all-elements shoe buddy. It features three impenetrable robust layers; a water-resistant protective barrier on the outside; a micro-porous membrane that allows air to pass through while keeping water out; and a breathable mesh interior that wicks moisture and fits to form – all crafted within a structure that promotes a healthy mid-foot strike. Armed with aggressive traction control and GOimpulse sensors, this all-encompassing number – dressed in black with either blue or pink accents – gives you superior control over any terrain, so you can strut with confidence across wet grounds and uneven steps.

FLEX YOUR FITNESS The Skechers Go Flex Walk, on the other hand, is the shoe that moves with you. Incredibly functional, these kicks are fitted with Skechers’ Performance Technology and Gogo Mat Technology Insole with high-rebound cushioning to enhance the athletic walking experience. Thanks to its unique Rosalyte Sole – a lightweight compound that boasts memory retention abilities for ultimate comfort – it deflects harsh impact on the feet to ensure they stay highly cushioned, even when you’re busting your chops at the gym. The shoe also boasts memory foam padding around the heel, which allows for a custom-form fit that maximises impact absorption. Whether you’re looking for a casual pair of flats to take on a leisurely walk, or a tight-laced option to optimise your run, the range offers both slip-ons and lace-ups in flexible knitted uppers to suit your every need. Simply choose from a multitude of colours – from electrifying pink and cool navy to subtle grey – and let your personality do the talking.

Shop the collection and find out more at skechers.com.sg

STEP TO THIS HERE’S US TRAIPSING AROUND SEOUL CITY IN OUR SKECHERS KICKS.

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DELIGHT IN THIS The perfect option for those who desire performance with style, the Skechers D’Lites line from the Heritage range is largely inspired by the current sneaker trend that has swept the world. Sporting a pleasing chunky frame with thick outsoles, these kicks boast enhanced durability and add bounce to your gait so your feet stay well-protected. The comfortable insoles are also immensely shock-absorbent and work to cushion your every step. Style-wise, the D’Lites line sports a chic, vintage-y vibe that’ll fit seamlessly into any varsity-inspired ensemble. With a myriad of designs to choose from, expect to be spoilt for choice with a host of vibrant prints and essential hues. We especially like the D’Lites Wild Panda for its accents of zebra and leopard prints, as well as snazzy colour combos in white and silver, and black and gold. But if you’re looking to keep things simple for a day at school, opt for the all-white versions that sport blue accents for the guys, and pops of crimson for the ladies.

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SOLE SISTERS B E H I N D T H E S C E N E S W I T H S I S TA R I N S E O U L

TO GET A BETTER PICTURE OF THE STYLE AND FUNCTIONALITY BEHIND THE SKECHERS BRAND, WE TOOK A TRIP TO SEOUL RECENTLY AND CAUGHT UP WITH BRAND AMBASSADORS, SISTAR, FOR AN INTIMATE TETE-A-TETE. TAKING TIME OFF FROM THEIR UPCOMING SKECHERS SPRING/SUMMER 2016 CAMPAIGN SHOOT, THE SPUNKY GIRLS DISHED OUT SEASON-APPROPRIATE STYLING TIPS, SHARED THEIR EVERYDAY BEAUTY ROUTINES, AND RECOMMENDED SOME OF THEIR MUST-VISIT SPOTS IN SEOUL.

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Text Hannah Tang & Jazmin Kelly Six Images and Interview courtesy of Skechers

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Hey girls! Which shoe from the Skechers Spring/ Summer 2016 collection are your favourites and how would you wear ’em? Hyorin: I think the Go Flex Walk in Hot Pink is really sweet. It has a denim-like fabric and can be worn with just a white shirt and jeans. Soyou: The Originals in blue is cute and can be paired with a sweatshirt and pleated tennis skirt. Dasom: I’d go for the Originals in red and top it off with a black tee and jeans. Bora: I like the Go Walk in black/white marble effect. It’s so versatile you can wear it casual or dressy.

B: I used to dress solely in dark separates; I think black is more chic. But these days, I prefer to pair black basics with coloured ones. S: To be honest, it all depends on the weather and how I feel that day. There are no rules!

You ladies are a busy bunch. How does Skechers play a part in your everyday routine? S: Because we’re always dressed in costumes and heels on stage, we seize every opportunity to dress down and be comfortable when off-duty. That’s where Skechers’ shoes play a big part in our routine; they deliver the soothing comfort and functionality that we need when shuffling from one location to another. When we want to take it up a notch, we’d usually go for the fancier D’lites range.

Speaking of trends, are you girls big on the whole #fitspo movement that blew up this year? D, H, S: Well, all three of us enjoy working out at the gym. B: I used to do pilates only, but now I focus on both pilates and muscle training. S: Besides fitness routines, I’ve also seen a rise in detox juice bars here in Korea. I haven’t tried it but I’ve seen other artistes do it and I’m really curious!

How do your individual styles differ from one another? D: I prefer to keep my look simple, but would often throw in an accent piece to spice things up. If I’m all dressed in black, I like to contrast my get-up with a white or red bag, and if I’m in a dress, I’d match it with a pair of loafers, instead of heels. H: I’m more the glamour-and-glitz kinda girl so any accessory that is fancy and showy would be up my alley.

What is your one must-have item for the upcoming season? D: Definitely a scarf. It’s a stylish accessory for breezy days and can keep you warm when the temperature dips. B: Snapbacks for sure! I’ve seen a lot of retrostyled toppers trending recently and I love them!

Korean ladies are well-known for their impeccable skin and on-point makeup. Share with us your beauty routine! D, H, B: [points to Soyou] She’s the emcee of Get It Beauty [a TV programme on beauty tips] so she’s the best person to answer this question. S: When it’s hot and humid, like in Singapore, many people tend to skip moisturisers altogether. Little do they know that moisture actually escapes your body when you’re perspiring, which means it’s even more important that you ‘put’ the moisture

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back in. To avoid that sticky, tacky feeling that most tropical-weather dwellers detest, go for a gel-type formula that feels cool on the skin. Also, never ever skip sunblock. Pick one that’s right for your skin type and use it every day. It’s the key to a youthful visage. What should first-time visitors check out in Seoul? H: To get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, I’d recommend a day trip out to Namhae, a beautiful island on the southern end that’s a five-hour drive away. The air there is clean and the sights are beautiful. Definitely a charming and tranquil city. D: Besides the amazing night-time scenery at Namsan Tower, you should also head out to Gwanghwamun and Cheongdo to see a different side of Seoul. S: Check out Samcheong-dong; there are loads of restaurants and cafes there and you can see both the remnants of old Korea and its modern-day features. What about shopping haunts? What are your favourites? D, H, S, B: Definitely Myeongdong, Dong Dae Mun and Garosu-gil. Lastly, with the holiday season coming up, tell us about your dream vacation. D: I really want to visit Las Vegas with my girl pals. I can imagine us going on a secret bachelorette holiday, just before I get married, to tour the city and take in all the amazing things it has to offer!

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DISCO DAZE

BALMAIN X H&M

The women’s accessories also encompass a myriad of items to shop from. Choose from knee-high suede boots and rope-braided stilettos, cuffs in corded bracelets that come with a matching necklace, or cinch your waist with one of the wide belts. Bag-lovers can also take their pick from the suede clutches and purses available.

Rousteing’s bold and sometimes flagrant vision includes championing racial diversity − celebrating youth cultures and pushing the envelope on what is considered modern. The Instagram crowd has lapped up this effect obsessively, with major pop icons like Rihanna and the Hadid sisters all strutting out in the tightest and tiniest of frocks. Now, with Balmain’s new collaboration collection with H&M, he’s bringing that sassy sense of style to the masses.

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colour the other half of the line. A red draped skirt will give your wardrobe some pow-wow, while still being versatile enough to pair with anything from a loose white tee or one of the collection’s braided tops. Another key look from the collection is a body-con dress in metallic pink, where diamond-shaped quilted leather races down the front of the knee-length frock, imbuing the look with a streak of Studio 54.

Not to be outdone by the lasses, the menswear packs just as much edge into the collection. Melding classic tailoring with the influences of streetwear, hip-hop and sportswear, the collection has your dress code covered from courtside seats to the red carpet. Like the women’s line, the men’s designs bank big on outerwear, with a strong emphasis on sleek lines and tailoring without the stuffiness of being overly dapper. Tuxedo jackets and shawl-collared blazers all feature sharp shoulders and nipped waistlines. When worn with biker jeans or leather sweatpants, they look just like the rockstar that Rousteing wants you to be.

A celebration of some of Rousteing’s best pieces, the collection is made accessible to the masses through lowered price points. Apparel-wise, you’ll find nary a surface that hasn’t been gilded, furred, sequinned, embroidered or made from leather. The women’s line embodies all things disco, with a strong emphasis on silhouettes and hiked-up hemlines. Tailoring is a key part of the brand’s DNA, and this shows up in several of the pieces – where velvet blazers and leather jackets are given doublebreasted fastenings and ample shoulder padding, while gold military buttons are attached onto boyfriend blazers to be worn over the shoulders with a pair of the collection’s skin-tight pants.

Meanwhile, the collection also troops its way through military leanings with a small but impactful selection of pieces. Dusty olive coats and shirts with tarnished buttons and gold embroidery hark towards the attire seen in officers’ formal wear, yet the bold lion head design gives it a fiercely edgy look. All you need to complete your look is the grained leather backpack and a pair of boots that have been designed to look worn in, and you’re all set to own the night.

While most of the pieces run the gamut of monochromatic colours, they are wholly enticing – as evidenced in a short dress that featuring baroque swirls and pearlescent detailing. However, if you drift towards colour, look out for the punchy shades of viridian, fuchsia, blue, gold, and crimson, that

From $24.90 to $899 for the women’s line, and $59.90 to $899 for the men’s line. The collection launches on November 5, and is available at H&M Orchard Building and H&M ION Orchard. hm.com

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Text Aaron Kok Images H&M

In the era of social media, fashion and pop culture go hand in hand. And in the vast array of brands that exist to dress you, it’s quite possible that no other brand understands the power of immaculate craftsmanship and unapologetic design converging with the world of the new media quite like Balmain. Since being taken under the creative directorship of Olivier Rousteing in 2011, the Parisian fashion house has managed to shake up the industry with a brand that’s as loud as its designs.

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ROUND

TRIANGLE

WORK THE FRAMES JOHN DILLINGER COLLECTION, $178 If your jaw is the widest point of your face, and your jawline gradually narrows through to the forehead, then you belong to the category of triangular face shapes. When shopping for new frames, look for one that is top-heavy and slightly wider than your jawline. This pair features a half-rimmed design that blue on the inside of the arms adds a dash of cheekiness.

Shopping for new eyewear can be a daunting experience – especially when there are so many different frame shapes to choose from, and even more colourways on display. OWNDAYS makes it easy with this handy guide that’ll help you select the perfect pair.

HEART

Congrats on having the most versatile face shape in the list! Bank on those lucky features and experiment with printed and coloured frames, or invest in a pair of oversized glasses for eye-catching style. However, if going OTT isn’t something you’re comfortable with, start with a slightly more vintage frame design – like this pair of pilot-style glasses. The old school appeal will keep things classic while blending in with a pared-down wardrobe for timeless appeal.

Having a round face shape equates to softer facial angles, broader cheekbones, and a wider forehead and jaw. To balance things out, opt for a pair of rectangular frames to ensure that the bottom of the frames land squarely above your cheekbones. need. The soft shade of grey also makes it perfect for those averse to loud colours or harsh blacks.

SQUARE

OVAL

BASED COLLECTION, $198

FUWA CELLU COLLECTION, $118

GRAPH BELLE COLLECTION, $138

SENICHISAKU COLLECTION, $198

No, it doesn’t mean you look like a caricature of an organ – heart-shaped faces are widest at the forehead and most narrow at the chin. This diminutive jawline means that Wayfarer-style frames will form a more congruent face shape for you. Check out this simple black pair of glasses, which will make a cute pairing with your sundress for a geek-chic look.

A squarish face is attributed to having a wide forehead, broad cheeks and a boxy jawline. Because of this, you’ll want to go with a rounder frame to contrast the straight lines of your jaw, thus softening your facial features. Avoid designs with sharp corners and choose frames that emphasise the browline – like this pair. The tortoiseshell pattern adds a touch of class and sophistication, so you can go from 9 to 6 without compromising on style.

AVAILABLE AT ALL OWNDAYS STORES. CHECK OUT OWNDAYS AT OWNDAYS.COM, AND ON INSTAGRAM AT @OWNDAYS.

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Born in California in 1966, Vans started out as a dream shared by four young hopefuls. The first design featured a rugged construction and sticky waffle-design sole – qualities of which are retained and sold as the Vans ‘Authentic’ we’ve come to love. Today, the brand keeps its growth and is one of the biggest labels that target skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, urban and punk markets. But outside of the sports rink, Vans still finds a soft spot in the hearts of fashion fiends everywhere, for its eyecatching partnerships with fashion houses. After a long line of team-ups with many youthoriented labels, it makes perfect sense that

Vans has chosen to work with Eley Kishimoto this season. Known for its exuberant prints and designs, the company is the lovechild of couple Mark Eley and Wakako Kishimoto, which started the day they got married in 1992. The canvas to the couple’s vivid imaginations does not merely stop at the end of the runway – it has also extended to furniture, wallpaper, and now Vans footwear and apparel.

Taken from its design archives, Eley Kishimoto brings prints to life in ready-to-wear silhouettes. A five-piece instalment ranging from short-sleeve button-downs, raglans, socks, backpacks and a reversible bucket hat are available exclusively for the boys in the ‘Flash’ print – a print that sees black thunderbolts streaking across white surfaces. The ladies, on the other hand, enjoy a range of tees, tote bags, dresses and a reversible parka printed in the feminine ‘Magnolia Hysteria’ motif, which derives its name from the eccentric floral blooms.If you’re searching for something

entirely fresh, delight in the exclusive prints – which draw influence from the sneaker’s most distinctive features – that were designed just for this collaboration. The quintessential Vans waffle sole is interpreted as a bright blue 3-D pattern, known as the ‘Whopping Waffle’, and can be found on the Era shoe. The iconic Vans Checkerboard pattern also receives a sterling rejuvenation, mixing deconstructed checks and tribal motifs to form the ‘Drums’ print, which is available on the Classic slip-on, the Hanelei Sandal, the Sk8-Hi Slim and Aura Snowboard Boot. Lastly, the ‘Bumpy Road’ print explores an abstract urban playground that is collaged on the Authentic.

With a dizzying number of prints and styles to choose from, the new collection is determined to leave you spoilt for choice. And while the Vans legacy grows older and better with each year, you can be sure that its youthful energy never ages.

Available from $49 to $129, at all Vans stores.

VANS X ELEY KISHIMOTO

Text Hannah Tang Images Vans

While taut skin and the zestful glow of youth may be key indicators of age, clothes – more than anything – play the biggest role in people’s perception of how old (or young) we are. So when we think of youth-charged ensembles, nothing spells it clearer than the classic Vans sneaker.

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BONIA MEN There’s no denying that leather is one of the most versatile options when it comes to fulfilling our stylistic needs. Whether it’s worn for utilitarian purposes or for the pleasure of aesthetics, we can conclude that good leather pieces quite often do both. Jackets and shoes aside, let’s not forget the all-important, and often underrated, work satchel – which, when well-made, serves as the essential finishing touch to any work ensemble. In the field of luxury leather bags, Bonia is no stranger to the game. Founded in 1974, the brand has grown to become a strong contender today when it comes to the working set’s accessory of choice. With a keen eye for trends and an unparalleled expertise in leather craftsmanship, Bonia’s offerings are a fusion of modernism and youthfulness rolled into one elegant package. This season, the brand adds two new collections of premium leather offerings to their office-ready arsenal, ensuring that every working class male has that one bag he needs to conquer the day. The Bonia Leggero collection takes its liberties with the quintessential men’s bag, adding a modern twist while retaining all the classic qualities of the brand that we love. These sacs come in sleek shades of black and mahogany, in styles like the messenger and briefcase. An ergonomic construction makes the bag effortlessly lightweight and travel-friendly, while the leather and nylon composition add a dapper touch to the functional piece. Now who says form can’t meet function?

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On the other hand, the Bonia Bach collection keeps things evergreen with the traditional satchel construction, which features a classic short flap and grip-friendly handle. Available in versatile hues of black and chestnut, the line keeps you spoilt for choice with a wide range of styles, including a shopper tote, man clutch, messenger bag, briefcase and wallet. Perfect for the man who likes his options aplenty! Assembled with textured leather, the subtle detailing also adds a touch of sophistication and sets the line apart from others. It’s easy to comprehend why Bonia remains one of Malaysia’s most beloved brands – just look at how it commands an appeal that endures. Whether you’re aiming to chalk up sartorial points or channel a nostalgic look from a former era, Bonia hits the mark each season by churning out timeless leather creations that complete and complement any wardrobe.

From $235 to $585, available at Boniaw.

Text Hannah Tang Images Bonia

bonia.com

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PEDDER ON SCOTTS

Located at Scotts Square, Pedder Group’s latest retail concept sees the entire second floor of the mall transform into what is essentially a dream haven of footwear and accessories for the ped-obsessed. It’s a mammoth task to fill out 20,000sqft – that’s one and a half times the area of an Olympic-sized swimming pool – of space with the best edits of bags, baubles and soles, and even more overwhelming for shoppers who don’t know where to begin. Thankfully, with the help of seven specially segmented zones, you can navigate through each season’s wares with ease. The first zone belongs to On Pedder – where the most luxurious and decadent offerings are on display. Expect ’em Wangs and McQueens cosied next to lush leather bags from Sara Battaglia, each piece glowing brighter than the last – thanks to all the gilded surfaces employed in the store fixtures. Move next door and you’ll find the first On Pedder Men’s store making its debut outside of Hong Kong. Designed to look like a contemporary

gentleman’s lounge, the salon-styled zone features marbled shoals, with designer armchairs providing a comfy perch so you can try on shoes from Lanvin or Common Projects. Also exclusive to the space are George Cleverly leather formals, as well as perfumes from Lorenzo Villoresi and – if you’re feeling a little fancy – hats from English heritage brand, Lock & Co. The third zone is called ‘New Generation’, and it is exactly what it sounds like. Housing lines from Ash shoes, Pedder Red and Sam Edelman, New Gen aims to bring the coolest curation of bags and shoes that will lend an air of swagger to your outfit. Exotic skins, glitter and platforms – nothing is ever too much for those who dare. Next, segue down the corridor and be greeted by a giant silver caravan that sits right in the middle of the ‘Weekend’ zone. Here, you’ll find none of those spindly stilettos that you’ll have to tether on. Instead, the space is a celebration of what every woman wants to wear in their off-time: comfortable, easy kicks. Grab a pair of slides from Birkenstocks, or pick up one of the jelly flats from Melissa and hit the road. Ever since sneakers charmed the fashion world with its uber-cool street appeal, the relationship has shown no signs of waning. In recognising this unyielding trend, the ‘Sports’ zone offers sneaker

heads with the best soles to wear and collect. Sourcing from the biggest sportswear brands, like Nike and Adidas, the buying team has also brought in smaller casualwear brands, like Suecomma Bonnie and Gienchi, for the shopper who can’t sacrifice their studs and spikes. Zone six belongs to the ‘Cool Kids’ – where yummy mummies can go shoe-hunting for their little tykes. While the selection is a standard run-down of kiddie-kickers – you’ll find Vans, Converse and sandals in every shade – the interior is conceptualised to resemble a playful forest. Cones are suspended from the ceiling that mimic pine trees, against a sky blue wall. Fronting the store, a giant statue resembling Carol from the story, Where The Wild Things Are, peeks out from behind a pillar. Ever the purveyor of synthesising fashion with art, the seventh zone houses a series of kiosks, where pop-up shops and art exhibitions will take place. Designed specifically for the sophisticated local in mind, Pedder On Scotts aims to offer a complete shopping experience for every budget and occasion. And looking at the thorough retail mix, it’s safe to say that you’ll be nothing but spoilt for choice.

Now open at Level 2, Scotts Square. onpedder.com

fashion

Text Aaron Kok Images Pedder On Scotts

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Depending on who you speak to, heaven may appear differently. Foodies will dish out an endless list of restaurants and grub haunts, while travellers will recount their best vacay spots with photos. But ask any self-professed shoe lover and you’ll most likely be pointed to the newly-opened Pedder On Scotts.

SINGAPORE DESIGNERS SHOWCASE

FASHION GATEWAY

20 NOV FRIDAY 7.00PM - THE CULT OF NINE - MAE PANG - EVENODD - MASH-UP - JOSIAH CHUA - REVASSEUR - LIONELOW - YESAH PARTICIPATING STORES : ACTUALLY, WHITE ROSE PARLOUR, SUPERSPACE

MUSIC PERFORMANCE : ISAAC CAVEMAN

#orchardgateway

MEN’S ZONE SHOW 21 NOV SATURDAY 2.30PM MUSIC PERFORMANCE : SCARLET AVENUE

UNDERGROUND SHOW 21 NOV SATURDAY 5.30PM MUSIC PERFORMANCE : DIVERSE ATTENTIONS

STYLIST’S PICKS & TRENDS SHOW

EVENT ORGANISER

OFFICIAL MAKEUP

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE

CO - ORGANISER

OFFICIAL VODKA

OFFICIAL BEER

22 NOV SUNDAY 2.30PM MUSIC PERFORMANCE : JANA ANN

FASHION MARKET ORGANISER OFFICIAL LIFESTYLE BEVERAGE

FASHION MARKET DIY WORKSHOPS 16 NOV MONDAY – 29 NOV SUNDAY orchardgatewaysg

orchardgateway

Free wifi

277 & 218 Orchard Road Singapore 238858/238851

Above Somerset MRT Tel: 6513 4633

ON DALIUS COTTON T-SHIRT TOPMAN DENIM JEANS UNIQLO LEATHER JACKET WITH PATCHWORK SANDRO COTTON KNIT BEANIE ZARA LEATHER GLOVES LOEWE ON OLESYA COTTON T-SHIRT TOPSHOP DISTRESSED DENIM SHORTS TOPSHOP BEADED VELVET JACKET BALMAIN X H&M AVIATORS RAY-BAN PU LEATHER DUFFEL BAG (SEEN THROUGHOUT) TOPMAN SUEDE THIGH-HIGH BOOTS BALMAIN X H&M

the heist

WANTED – FOR STAGING THE PERFECT ESCAPE. LAST SEEN WEARING EMBELLISHED DETAILS, FLAWLESS BLACK JACKETS AND A WHOLE LOTTA OF LEATHER. PHOTOGRAPHY CHUCK REYES STYLING AARON KOK STYLING ASSISTANT HANNAH TANG MAKEUP KEITH BRYANT LEE USING CHANEL BEAUTY HAIR ALIKA TATAKORN USING REDKEN PROFESSIONAL MODELS DALIUS R & OLESYA R / AVE

ON DALIUS COTTON T-SHIRT BALMAIN X H&M DENIM JEANS ZARA LEATHER JACKET COACH ON OLESYA LUREX T-SHIRT SANDRO LEATHER PANTS BALMAIN X H&M LEATHER JACKET AGNÉS B. CRYSTAL EAR CUFF SWAROVSKI STUDDED LEATHER BAG ROGER VIVIER

ON DALIUS COTTON JUMPER WITH EMBROIDERED PATCH BALMAIN X H&M DENIM JEANS UNIQLO ON OLESYA SILK SHIRT BIMBA Y LOLA SUEDE JACKET WITH STUDS SANDRO LEATHER SKIRT SANDRO BEADED EARRINGS WITH TASSEL BIMBA Y LOLA GOLD HAND CHAIN TOPSHOP LEATHER THIGH-HIGH BOOTS ROGER VIVIER

ON DALIUS COTTON JUMPER TOPMAN PAINTED DENIM JEANS SPORT B. WOOL HAT WITH FEATHERS BIMBA Y LOLA ON OLESYA COTTON T-SHIRT BALMAIN X H&M DENIM SKIRT TOPSHOP FAUX FUR COAT BIMBA Y LOLA PLASTIC EARRINGS BALMAIN X H&M GOLD CHAIN TOPSHOP

ON DALIUS COTTON JUMPER TOPMAN DENIM MOTO JEANS BALMAIN X H&M LEATHER JACKET H&M LEATHER BOOTS BALMAIN X H&M ON OLESYA WOOL JUMPER UNIQLO DENIM JEANS SANDRO GOLD CHOKER BALMAIN X H&M GOLD BANGLE TOPSHOP LEATHER BELT BALMAIN X H&M SANDALS WITH FAUX FUR CHARLES & KEITH

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

wardrobe trend

CHECK THIS OUT

balenciaga

walter van beirendonck

dunhill

emilia wickstead

topman design

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creatures of the wind

‘New classics’ seems to be the buzz phrase these days – and designers are taking notice. Without slipping into the haze of frumpy style, wear this season’s selection of plaids and checks in new fashion – where swingy hemlines for the ladies and layered pieces for the gents are the way to go. It’s hip to be square.

fashion

wardrobe trend

wool baseball cap, $228, larose at mrporter.com

wool scarf, $80, scotch & soda neoprene jumper, poa, balenciaga

jacquard tie, $275, givenchy

cotton bomber jacket, $420, marc by marc jacobs

cotton shirt, $49.90, h&m

nylon backpack, poa, ted baker

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cotton shirt, $155, j.crew at jcrew.com

cotton t-shirt, $25.90, h&m

Text & Coordination Aaron Kok Images Various Sources

cotton shirt, poa, leviâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

crushed cotton pants, poa, mcq by alexander mcqueen at club 21 menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

woven slip-ons, poa, vans

cotton shorts with contrast trim, $277, kris van assche at ssense.com

cotton trousers, poa, msgm

fashion

canvas plimsolls, poa, comme des garcons

wardrobe trend

watch with fabric strap, poa, timex at timex.com wool scarf, poa, pull and bear cotton shirt, poa, pull and bear

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boucle coat, $226, river island at asos.com

wool cape, $59.90, stradivarius

wool dress, $429, topshop unique

cotton sleeveless top, $63.90, topshop

polyester backpack, poa, marc by marc jacobs

wool jumper, $333, maje at netaporter.com polyester top, $59.90, h&m

boucle pleated skirt, poa, alice + olivia

cotton wide-leg pants, $209, paul smith

cotton wide-leg cropped pants, $50, uniqlo

fashion

tweed derby shoes with pearl, $2,200, simone rocha at shopbop.com

micro trend

cotton tee, $120, t by alexander wang cotton jumper, poa, kenzo

pony hair sneakers, poa, adidas originals

Text & Coordination Aaron Kok Images Various Sources

braided leather bracelet, $29, icon at asos.com

cotton hoodie, $39.90, h&m

BLUE CLUES

EASILY ONE OF THE MOST VERSATILE COLOURS IN ANY WARDROBE, THIS SEASONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S VARYING SHADES OF BLUE WILL BRING A TOUCH OF COOL TO YOUR LOOK.

suede and mesh sneakers, $137, nike at mrporter.com

acetate sunglasses, poa, ray-ban

stainless steel watch with leather strap, $303, miansai at nordstrom.com cotton trousers, $69.90, zara

tech fleece joggers, $110, nike

fashion

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shop

choker with quartz $62, five and two at revolveclothing.com gold-plated choker, $1,065, anndra neen at lovegold.com metal choker, $36, h&m

gold-plated brass choker with talon, poa, mango

gold choker, $10, forever 21

TAKE YOUR PICK FROM THE SELECTION OF GLEAMING CHOKERS THATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL ADD INSTANT OOMPH TO THE MOST BASIC OUTFITS.

gold-plated necklace with pearls, $120, kenneth jay lane at shopbop.com

pave tusk choker, poa, michael kors metal choker, $100, jules smith at neimanmarcus.com

gold-plated asymmetric choker, $45, steve madden

gold-plated choker, $577, orly genger at orlygenger.com

fashion

Text & Coordination Aaron Kok Images Various Sources

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STIFF NECKS

Stussy Chapter Store 8 Grange Road #03-03 Cathay Cineleisure Orchard T: 62355738

Stussy @ Playlab Tangs vivocity, 1 Harbourfront Walk #01-187 & #02-189 T: 63038688

Stussy Shop In Shop Bugis Junction, 200 Victoria St, #03-12B Singapore 188021 Tel: 63334918

Stussy @ Playlab Tangs Orchard 310 Orchard Road T: 6737 5500

Stussy Shop In Shop Black Chamber 8 Grange Road #02-04A Cathay Cineleisure Orchard T: 62688163

Online Black Chamber Webstore shop.theblackchamber.com

Online Zalora singapore www.zalora.sg/stussy

facebook.com/stussysingapore instagram.com/stussy_singapore

STUSSY FALL 2015

alert

4. FRENCH CONNECTION

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Self-confessed fashion fiends would have heard of Madamoiselle C, a biographical movie that followed legendary fashion doyenne Carine Roitfeld on her journey in starting the CR Fashion Book. In conjunction with the event, the film’s director, Fabien Constant, will be conducting a talk at the Alliance Française, along side French fashion photographer Corrine Mariaud and the DFW Insiders.

2. LOCAL MOTION

If you’re big on supporting homegrown talent, this one’s for you. In celebration of SG50, DFW is opening with a showcase featuring three fashion schools – MDIS, Nanyang Academy Of Fine Arts and Raffles Design Institute. Other brands and designers we fancy include Run After and Josiah Chua. After all, any reason to support the local fashion scene is always good in our books.

5. WORLDWIDE WARES

Those clued in to the coolest designers would be happy to know that DFW is also showcasing the best of what the international fashion scene has to offer. Love the street fashion from Korea? Look out for Seoul Chic Bazaar. Curious about the innovative designers of Thailand? Catch the Thai Collective by Siam Paragon. The must-see show has got to be Teatum Jones. Based in London, the womenswear label may be young, but it has already chalked up a slew of accolades.

3. SCHOOL’S IN SESSION

What’s getting us most excited is the MASH-UP show. Taking reference from the various tropes in varsity movies and adding a touch of sassy design, expect to see a collection brimming with colour, prints and sneaky references to cult films. The team has also previously looked to breakfast grub and marine life for inspiration – imbuing each of their seasonal drops with a signature dose of tongue-in-cheek humour.

6. AND, WE’RE LIVE!

It is called Digital Fashion Week after all, so if you couldn’t get tickets in time (there’s always next year!), tune in online for hit-byhit coverage on everything that goes down at the shows. These shows have broken ground as the first live-streamed fashion week in which audiences can make instant purchases straight from the runway. Talk about instant gratification! On top of the shopping, audiences all over the world will also be watching live screenings of backstage action and interviews.

Tickets available at dfw2015.peatix.com.

STYLE DOT COM

digitalfashionweek.com

Tickets available at dfw2015.peatix.com. digitalfashionweek.com

DIGITAL FASHION WEEK

TAKING PLACE FROM OCTOBER 29 TO NOVEMBER 1 AT THE NEWLY REVAMPED CAPITOL THEATRE, THIS SEASON’S INSTALMENT OF DFW PROMISES THESE SIX HIGHLIGHTS, AND THEN SOME. fashion

Text Aaron Kok Images Digital Fashion Week

1. POSE FOR THE CAMERA

Models aren’t going to be the only ones being snapped. As with any fashion event, street style-spotting is an inherent part of the bustle that happens before and after each show. And with a luminary lineup of social media influencers – dubbed the DFW Insiders – being flown into town from 10 countries, expect to see spiffed-up style stars stopping outside the shows for Insta-worthy moments.

profile

CREATIVE SOLES

MARK WIGAN

IN PERSON, MARK WIGAN IS A COMPLETE OPPOSITE FROM HIS PAINTINGS. WHILE HIS POP-ART CANVASES ARE FILLED WITH ACID-HUED CHARACTERS, WIGAN IS A SOFT-SPOKEN THINKER WHO USES HIS ART TO DOCUMENT THE EXCITING PERSONAS THAT EMERGE ON DANCEFLOORS AFTER DUSK. STOPPING BY SINGAPORE TO LAUNCH HIS COLLABORATION WITH DR. MARTENS AND WORK ON A SPECIALLY-PAINTED WINDOW DISPLAY, WE CATCH THIS PROLIFIC BRIT FOR A SHORT SIT-DOWN TO TALK ART. Hi Mark, tell us how this partnership came about. This is the first collection I’ve done for Dr. Martens. I used to do some work with interior design companies in Japan in the ’90s, but this is a first with a fashion brand. I’ve known Damien Wilson, creative director of Dr. Martens, for a long time – he would come to night clubs that I was documenting in the ’80s. He got in touch and everything started from there. What prints did you choose for this capsule release? The collection has two parts. First is this black-and-white print that resembles reportage drawings of nightclubs, and the other has intensely bright colours. Having these two looks really represents my work. Sometimes I work with vivid colours, which were inspired from living in Japan and seeing the different parts of the city at night – the neon-saturated streets and the Japanese club culture really drove this influence. The black-and-white artwork is more reminiscent of the type of illustrations I used to do in the ’80s. I used this style a lot, which is more character-driven. You don’t just see the music lyrics and fashion that are signatures of the ’80s; you’ll also find characters like Steve Strange and Leigh Bowery drawn in.

Text Aaron Kok Image & Interview courtesy of Dr. Martens

So it’s almost like a tribute to the people who made the club scene of the ’80s so popular today. Exactly. It was a celebration of these people who may not be really famous. Yet if you knew them, you’d recognise them.

What were the difficulties you faced as you translated the artwork into shoe designs? Firstly, the designers did a great job with how they’ve interpreted the artwork onto the different products – it’s a challenge to take 2-D prints and transform them into 3-D versions. You have to be able to make these pictures repeat seamlessly, and that was something that we worked on digitally. Being used to doing large-scale artworks, I find that it’s a very interesting vehicle to work on, and I’ve enjoyed the results so far. What is the most important lesson you’ve learnt so far? You have to be persistent and quite thick-skinned as an artist, especially if you’re starting out. Some people will like your work, and others will dismiss it – you have to be able to take criticism. A lot of young people these days are so fixated with social media and getting likes on their feeds that they find it very hard to understand that not everyone may like their work. You need to be able to take criticism and move forward, and continue to be hardworking and believe in what you’re doing. Since this is our ‘Barely Legal’ issue, what’s something you’ve done that you’ve managed to get away with? [Laughs] Well, the club scene of London back in the ’80s was very much about partying in industrial spaces and warehouses – which was not entirely legal at that time, but that whole scene was euphoric!

From $12 to $399, and is available at Dr. Martens, #B1-31 Capitol Piazza. drmartens.com markwigan.tumblr.com

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report

DOCKING IN SUNSHINE A citrusy orange shade adds a punchy zest of COAST vibrance to any dull wardrobe. A citrusy orange shade adds a punchy zest of vibrance to any dull wardrobe.

YOURS AND MINE Guests were given the option to have their names engraved onto their new kicks, making each pair truly personal and unique.

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BLUE CRUSH

GARDEN WALKS

Choose from one of the boundless options that the store has to offer.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a pair of Sperryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s with a little more funk, go for one with cheery liberty floral prints.

music fashion

report

ADVENTURE ALWAYS AWAITS AND SPERRY HAS JUST THE PERFECT GEAR FOR LIFE’S MANY VOYAGES. KNOWN AS THE MAKER OF THE UBIQUITOUS BOAT SHOE, SPERRY CALLS TO LAND WITH ITS NEW STORE AT VIVOCITY, WHICH SAW THE BRAND HOST ITS OPENING PARTY EARLIER ON IN SEPTEMBER. SHOWCASING THE NEW FALL/WINTER 2015 COLLECTION, GUESTS CHANNELLED THEIR INNER EXPLORERS AS THEY PERSONIFIED THE BRAND’S TAGLINE, “ODYSSEYS AWAIT” − ALL WHILE BEING TREATED TO AN AFTERNOON OF SOLE-SATISFYING FUN AS THEY SHOPPED, SELFIE-D AND ENJOYED IN-STORE TREATS.

DID YOU KNOW?

PICK YOUR PED

Founder of the brand, Paul Sperry claims that watching his dog run nimbly over ice and snow without slipping gave him the idea to score his own Top-Siders with a penknife.

Whatever your preference in style and colour, there’s always something for everyone.

Text Aaron Kok Images Daniel Chia Photography

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DO YOU DARE?

JUICY FRESH!

Part of the five challenges held each hour, guests were dared to down hot sauce and pose for a selfie with a stranger. All the antics were captured on Instagram, and the best photo of each hour walked away with a complimentary pair of Sperry’s.

To refresh shoppers from the scorching weather outside, fresh lemonade was handed out for a much-needed thirst-quencher.

Now open at #01-87 VivoCity. Sperry is also available at #03-111 Marina Square, Stadium at Takashimaya Shopping Centre, and all Royal Sporting House stores. sperry.com music fashion

flash

last one standing It may be two months away before you resolve to hit the gym, but don’t wait

Due to the repetitive impact that your feet endures with each stride, improper

till then to invest in good sporting gear. In a bid to fulfil active excellence in the

shoes can adversely affect your body. The Fast II and Oxygen models, on the

departments of sports and fitness, Everlast is introducing a series of running

other hand, are designed for athletes looking for more support and protection

shoes to its growing range of footwear. The new line of kicks optimises your

from their footwear. Fitted with EVA soles that provide maximum cushioning

running experience, as each model focuses on a different aspect of the sport.

and Mid Fit – an anti-twist piece in the construction of each pair that enhances

Here’s a quick look at what you can expect.

the natural movement of the feet – these models also boast Shield technology that makes them both breathable and entirely functional.

The Storm II women’s line is built for endurance runners, as it integrates Shield technology – a fabric that prevents foot odour – and the Hive

Each design line comes in multiple colourways, with the Storm II women’s

technology, which promises to provide runners with incomparable durability

options in pink and black or blue, and the Fast II men’s line in black with blue,

over the long run.

gold or lime green hues. On the fluorescent side of the spectrum, the Oxygen men’s range comprises neon green, grey, indigo and orange accents, so you can make a splash while doing a dash.

$69.90 to $89.90, available at all Everlast stores.

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If you’re looking for a bit of groove for the season, turn to Clarks and its new collab line with Orla Kiely. Known for its quirky prints and play on textures and colours, Kiely’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection is an exploration of ’70s best. Our pick? The Orla Abigail – a T-strap platform that features a leather flower on the front, making it foxy and eye-catching at the same time.

For a one-stop retail space that houses all your favourite local brands, look no further than Mporium. The 5,000sqft outlet plays host to over 35 labels sourced from our local pool of talent, as well as up-and-coming brands from the region to give your wardrobe a much-needed refresh. Conceived to be a platform that bridges the gap between these young designers and the public at large, shop from Yesah’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection, which draws rich references from Tibet, or look out for Mae Pang’s comeback line of modernist womenswear. For the fellas, brands like Amos Ananda, Q Menswear and Mr Howard will surely thrill. Now open at #01-477-480 , Suntec City North Wing.

From $239 to $439, available at Clarks, #B2-22 ION Orchard and Tangs departmental stores.

fashion

Text Aaron Kok Images Various Sources

CLARKS x ORLA KIELY

E-Commerce sites are dime a dozen these days, but it takes a democratic voice like megafash.com to shake things up once in a while. The Singaporean start-up boasts a wide range of apparel, accessories and lifestyle products that’ll get any hipster out there furiously ‘adding to cart’. But the true draw lies in its ‘vote’ tab – click on it and you’ll see a list of items that you can vote on. Items with positive feedback will then make it onto the Megafash product selection, to be sold in future stock drops. After all, in place of physical interaction, this is the next best thing to happen to e-Commerce when it comes to understanding what the customer truly wants to buy. Don’t you think? megafash.com

flash

Whether for its utilitarian hardiness or sheer style factor, denim is an inseparable part of any wardrobe. At Topman, you can get a pair in practically every wash, colour, fade, and silhouette. Launching its ‘This Is Denim’ campaign, the British fashion favourite is bringing its extensive array of jeans to every fellow on the street. The Japanese-inspired Wide Leg Crop and the ’70s Kick Flare add a disco-ready charm, while the recognisable Stretch Skinny makes a reappearance in the collection. Amongst the newer styles include the Standard fit, which provides a more relaxed look with its straight leg cutting and selvedge jeans that flaunt a variety of essential washes. From $59.90 to $93.90, available at Topman.

SUPERGA OPENS ITS SECOND RETAIL STORE AT #02-73/75 VIVOCITY. ADIDAS ROLLS OUT FUTURECRAFT 3D, WHICH OFFERS CUSTOMISED FOOTWEAR FOR EACH CUSTOMER THROUGH 3-D PRINTING. ECCO LAUNCHES ITS NEW E-COMMERCE STORE AT SG.ECCO.COM.

Back from its hiatus, well-loved French label, A.P.C., returns to our island and is now stocked at kapok Singapore. This season’s collection is a study of style that has earned the French their reputation in being stylishly put together. Lads can go for classic bomber jackets, plaid shirts and Breton striped jumpers, while ladies can stock up on easy dresses, preppy skirts and knits. You can also expect a line of bags and accessories to complement the clothing – all of which embody the je ne sais quois for a truly effortless look. From $75 to $795, available at kapok Singapore.

eye on the bag Two labels that are commanding our attention this month.

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ELMCY

RED WING

Helmed by husband and wife, Justin Link and Michelle

$498, available at Red Wing Shoe Store, #04-16 orchardgateway.

Equal parts rugged and stylishly designed is the #2997 from Red Wing Shoe Company. Crafted from olive and maroon Mohave leathers, the two-toned design employs a reversesuede technique that promises longer-lasting wear. The Mohave leather is also known as the choice material for boot production in both World Wars, so there’s no doubt these boots reign supreme when it comes to the tough factor.

Chong-Link, ELMCY was started in 2014 and boasts a line of sacs made from the finest Italian leathers with a metropolitan approach. The Eckford collection features roomy clutches that hold all your daily essentials, while the Berkeley is a line of handy totes that’ll contain all your belongings with style. To make a statement, choose the Seascape collection’s printed clutches. Dressed in soothing visuals of the shoreline, you’ll have an excuse to muse about your upcoming tropical getaway each time you receive a compliment.

elmcy.com

AUGUSTINE Stand out from the crowd and go for leather carriers that’ll

As the worldwide premiere of J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars reboot inches closer, Irregular Choice is teaming up with the movie franchise for a line that’ll have every geek chick swooning in love. Known for its off-beat approach to designing shoes, you can expect nothing but the zaniest as popular characters make appearances amongst the footwear designs. Here’s two of our favourites.

give your outfits extra edge. Based in Singapore, Augustine works only with the highest grade of cow leather, and promises that with the proper leather care and time, your bag will age to be even more beautiful. Though it only carries three designs now – a bucket

From $229 to $459, available at Superspace, #02-18 orchardgateway.

backpack, a clutch that doubles up as a crossbody bag, and a bi-fold wallet – the silver hardware that detail each piece make them truly lustworthy.

augustinegoods.com

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Text Jazmin Kelly Six Images Various Sources

SCARLET

FEVER

One thing we can learn from style icons like Dita Von Teese and Marilyn Monroe: a red lip can instantly add a flirty oomph to your ’do. Sex appeal aside, a crimson pout also serves as a symbol of power and glamour, and can instill a sense of charming confidence. Far from Cleopetra’s days of crushing beetles (Google it) to get that perfect ruby shade, today’s options include endless hue variants – from brick and berry to oxblood and garnet – in a wide range of finishes. This season, opt for satins and mattes over high-shine glossies and ditch the lip liner for ultra modern puckers. The key word is ‘undone’.

made up

feature

WHILE CANNABIS REMAINS PROHIBITED ON OUR SIDE OF TOWN, IT’S NOW A LEGAL MEDICATION IN MANY COUNTRIES AND CAN BE USED WITHOUT HAVING THE PO-PO BE ON YOUR BACK. IT MAY BE A LONG TIME TILL OUR LAWS RELAX BUT MEANWHILE, WE CAN STILL ENJOY THE GOODNESS OF HEMP – WHICH IS FULL OF ANTIOXIDANTS AND HYDRATING OMEGA OILS TO SOOTHE SKIN AND REDUCE AGEING SIGNS – WITH THESE BEAUTY BUYS.

2 1

5 6

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1) NATURE’S GATE VELVET MOISTURE BODY WASH IN HEMP

4) THE BODY SHOP HEMP SOAP ON A ROPE

With a rich blend of nourishing antioxidants and essential oils – including hemp, sweet almond, soybean and shea butter – this pampering treat soothes fatigue with its comforting scent and texture, and provides lavish moisture for the skin.

Formulated to soothe and repair extremely dry skin, the ergonomic rope allows the soap to be hung around your bath for easy access and fuss-free grip, while doubling up as a cute trinket with a hint of bad*ssery. US$12, available at thebodyshop-usa.com.

$8.48 (532 ml), available at sg.iherb.com

2) FRESH CANNABIS SANTAL EDP Sensual, woodsy, and made for the man (or woman) who commands desirability with a whiff, the scent captures the raw energy of unbridled lust in an artisanal bottle. Fresh bergamot and black plum impart a refreshing note, while decadent chocolate undertones leave a sweet finish. $80 (30ml), available at Fresh.

3) MALIN + GOETZ CANDLE IN CANNABIS Using natural ingredients only, fresh lemons and oranges form the citrusy top notes, while a sophisticated base composed of oakmoss, sandalwood and amber-patchouli gives the scent its earthy base – resulting in a burner that is irresistibly provocative. $52, available at malinandgoetz.com

5) OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE COSMETICS LIP TAR IN BELLADONNA Renowned for its unrivalled pigment intensity and heavy kiss-proof duty, this feels just as incredible as it looks – with hemp seed oil veiling the lips to provide intense hydration and peppermint oil acting as a natural antibacterial agent. US$15, available at occmakeup.com

6) BALENCIAGA FLORABOTANICA EDP Smelling like an ambrosial bouquet is every girl’s dream, but if you think this medley of mint, carnations, roses, and caladium leaves fits the cookie cutter, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Amidst lush floral notes, the splash of hemp leaves add a bewitching twist that masks the wearer with a scent that’s beautiful yet dangerous. $70 (30ml), $100 (50ml), $130 (100ml), available at Balenciaga.

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7) MANDY T SERENITY LAVENDER + CHAMOMILE + BERGAMOT BODY CREAM ‘Serenity’ undoubtedly fits as a moniker for its luxurious calming ability that soothes the skin. Made with a rich blend of natural essential oils, generously slather on this mix of hemp oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil and virgin coconut for skin that’s soft and comforted. $69.90 (240g), available at mandytskincare.com

8) FIG & YARROW BATH AND BODY OILS IN WOOD Replenish skin’s moisture levels with this detoxifying blend that’s suited for all skin types. Infused with the oils of hemp seed, olive, avocado seed and yarrow, it offers an earthy, grounding scent to complete your luxurious bath ritual. US$35.20, available at figandyarrow.com

9) DR BRONNER 18-IN-1 HEMP GREEN TEA PURE-CASTILE SOAP We’ve seen the 2- and 3-in-1s but a whopping 18-in-1? Now that’s a keeper. With nourishing ingredients like organic hemp, coconut, olive, and jojoba oils, this is a great everyday product that pampers our skin and can even be used as a plant spray. £8.99 (473ml), available at drbronner.co.uk

Text Hannah Tang & Jazmin Kelly Six Images Various Sources

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HYDRATE YOUR PUCKERS

SMOOTH OUT YOUR SKIN

We ain’t no Jolie but we should still pamper our puckers no less. Exfoliate with a lip scrub once a week and top it off with a soothing moisturiser for a soft and hydrated pout.. Fresh Sugar Nourishing Lip Balm Advanced Therapy, $30, available at Sephora.

Instead of hiding your bumpy and irritated pins under jeans, use an exfoliating cream daily to keep those pesky follicles in check. Malin + Goetz Ingrown Hair Cream, $51.36, availableat Strip.

FLAUNT YOUR SHOULDERS If you think being sexy is all about flaunting the cleavage or legs, let us point you to an unassuming ally – your shoulders. Dust on a highlighting powder so your skin glows, and let your radiance do all the work. Naked Illuminated, $43, available at Urban Decay, #01-13 Vivocity.

TAME YOUR MANE Because smoothing oils can weigh down on hair, and creams can cause clumping, opt for a lightweight formula that’ll coat your strands into behaving. Percy & Reed Wonder Prime Light, $40, available at Sephora.

UP YOUR

SMOKE OUT YOUR EYES Not in sooty black but in brown tones, so your gaze is less intense but just as sexy. Stila Got Inked Cushion Eye Liner in Smoky Quartz Ink, $40, available at Sephora.

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SIZZLE FIX YOUR TALONS

Text Hannah Tang & Jazmin Kelly Six Images Various Sources

Chipped nails and dry cuticles are not the best accessory for a date night. A shimmering, iridescent lacquer can help disguise ridges and painting mistakes, while looking glamorous at the same time. Chanel Le Vernis in Troublante, $38, available at Chanel Beauty from November 13.

HOLD YOUR GAZE For a look that’s friendly yet flirty, go with neutral-coloured contact lenses that widen your irises subtly. Freshkon Alluring Eyes in Mesmeric Black+, POA, available at leading optical shops.

FACTOR 10 THINGS TO DO FOR A LOOK THAT’S SO HOT IT’S CRIMINAL.

GET A FLUSH It is said that blush was once only worn by promiscuous streetwalkers of centuries past. Thankfully, the bliss of a radiant flush is something we all can enjoy and flaunt today. Too Faced Love Flush Long-Lasting Blush in Love Hangover, $36, available at Sephora.

GROOM YOUR BROWS

ENHANCE YOUR LASHES

Full arches are key for a youthful visage and an unkempt pair just doesn’t cut it. So tweeze, shape and fill away. 3CE Eye Brow Kit in Brown, $21, available at Sephora.

Falsies can sometimes look clunky and make your eyes appear smaller than intended. For a natural, wide-eyed look, use a quality mascara that’ll lengthen and amplify at the same time. NARS Audacious Mascara, $44, available at NARS counters.

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BAD BLOOD

SLICK ON A HOT RED FOR A SIZZLING POUT THAT’S HOLIDAY-READY.

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1) Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Fascinante, $48, available at Chanel Beauty. A hydrating semi-matte that veils lips with a gorgeous hue.

6) Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in Bad Blood, $33, available at Urban Decay. Expect velvety, intense pigments that do not dry out lips.

2) 3CE Dangerous Matte Lip Color in 707 Keen, $24, available at 3CE at Sephora. Long-lasting and creamy, it stays on without feathering for over eight hours.

7) Burberry Kisses Lipstick in 109 Military Red, $45, available at Sephora. A cool-tone red in a gel-cream formula that’s lightweight and comfy to wear.

3) YSL Rouge Pur Couture in N1 Le Rouge, $49, available at YSL Beaute. Incredibly vivid and opaque with just one swipe.

8) Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte in RD165, $33, available at Shu Uemura counters. Bold and bright, it comforts chapped lips with its hydrating texture.

4) NARS Audacious Lipstick in Rita, $44, available at NARS. A high-octane warm red that wears well into the day. 5) L’Oreal Color Riche L’Extraordinaire Mat in Pigalle Scarlet, $21.90, available at L’Oreal at Watsons and Guardian (available from December). Its comforting consistency smoothes out lip creases with rich colour.

9) Shiseido Perfect Rouge Glowing Matte in RD325, $43, available at Shiseido counters. Slightly sheer in appearance, it leaves a nice stain for a day-friendly look. 10) Illamasqua Glamore Lipstick in Glissade, $43, available at Illamasqua. It glides on smoothly to deliver a satiny, berry red coverage.

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Text & Coordination Jazmin Kelly Six Images Various Sources

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SHU UEMURA X MAISON KITSUNE Having dominated the music, fashion, and, most recently, f&b scenes in slightly over a decade, Maison Kitsuné is undoubtedly a multi-market powerhouse that’s revered by many. This season, the duo – made up of Parisian music veteran, Gildas Loaëc, and Japanese architect, Masaya Kuroki – are dipping their fingers into yet another pot, making this their first foray into the beauty industry. Joining hands with Shu Uemura, the ‘Beauty Remix’ collection tells of an East-meetsWest tale, where the best of both the French and Japanese come together in harmony. Playing on the spirit of kawaii with a dose of je ne sai quois, the 23-piece collection is dressed in pleasing pastels and quirky icons – including the famous Kitsuné fox – that merge Shu Uemura’s eastern influences with Kitsuné’s Parisian heritage. The key look combines the preppy Parisian smokey eye with Eastern coloured wing eyeliner, accented with a high cheek blush, and can be achieved by using one of the two smokey eye and cheek palettes – in plum or indigo. Other highlights include sparkly lip lacquers, creamy eyeliner pencils with lasting staying power, party falsies, a limited edition gold eyelash curler, and a collector’s makeup box. Can you say oui?

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From $20 to $500, available at all Shu Uemera counters.

Tell us about the Maison Kitsuné philosophy. Masaya: We always try to think about what’s next, while also updating manufacturing know-how that has been with us for years – like knitting, tailoring, and so on. Our main philosophy is to aim for timelessness.

creates the universe of Maison Kitsuné. They are independent of each other and it is the fusing into one that is beautiful. For us, beauty is an attraction that is an extension of fashion, lifestyle, and the entire aura of a woman’s personality.

How was it like collaborating with a beauty brand for the first time? M: Fashion and makeup are closely linked so the collaboration felt very natural – especially since we have yet to explore cosmetics before this. It was completely magical to discover this with Shu Uemura and certainly the best opportunity that we could have, given the brand’s years of experiences.

In what way do you and Shu Uemura share a common universe? M: The clothes of Maison Kitsuné are timeless and simple, and combine basic design with great fabrics – which also means you can wear and love them for a long time. Following trends really limits our creativity and vision, so we wanted to create something that inspires. I feel that Shu Uemura shares this view and I also love their attention to detail, and the chic, modern and pop aspects of their universe. G: I like the pioneering spirit of Shu Uemura – always forward-looking, which, in a way, is similar to my music creation.

With this team-up, you’ve added beauty to your universe of music and fashion. What do you think about the result? M & Gildas: The combination of music and style

What was your inspiration for this collaboration? M: I love to free the imagination. The idea was ‘East meets West’ and tradition meets modernity – sort of creating the modern elements of Paris and Tokyo, but with a twist.

kitsune.fr shuuemura.com.sg

Text Hannah Tang & Jazmin Kelly Six Images & Interview courtesy of Shu Uemura

MAISON KITSUNÉ

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YSL BEAUTE HOLIDAY KISS & LOVE Get your Christmas stockings ready, ladies. YSL Beaute is rolling out its Holiday Kiss & Love collection in full force, with a plethora of seasonal hues on popular favourites. Treat yourself to the exclusive multi-usage palette, which contains eyeshadows ranging from shimmering gold and silver, to delicate red and pink, as well as four new edgy, ultra-feminine lip colours to adorn the puckers. For gorgeous nails to unwrap your pressies with, the brand has us covered with two new shades of sparkling red and metallic fuchsia, illuminated with a golden shimmer to add that extra festive oomph!

From $38 to $119, available at YSL Beaute.

SMOOTH AND SLICK

Facial oils that are your new bedtime buddies.

FRESH SEABERRY MOISTURISING FACE OIL In our endless summer climate, moisturising is often misconceived as an unnecessary step – since our skin tends to get sweaty and oily pretty often. On

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the contrary, we should be putting back all that lost moisture with religious hydration. For a plump and supple visage, try this concentrated medley of natural oils, which includes seaberry, grapeseed and camellia seed. With the ability to penetrate skin to thoroughly nourish and condition, the blend is also infused with benefits like skin brightening and elasticity maintenance.

$81 (50ml), available at Fresh.

PETER THOMAS ROTH ROSE STEM CELL BIO-REPAIR PRECIOUS OIL Roses may sit pretty in a vase but they can do more than just that. In fact, this power-packed blossom also contains heavyweight anti-ageing properties. Using revolutionary plant biotechnology, the formula is a rich blend that comprises rose stem cells, rose extracts, and a selection of natural oils – like evening primrose and argan – to promote maximum antiageing repair. Not only does it nourish and soothe the skin, it also leaves your mien feeling silky soft with a radiant glow of youth.

$145 (30ml), available at Sephora

An ode to one of China’s most esteemed haute couturiers, Guo Pei, the latest M.A.C collaboration encapsulates the designer’s flair for the runway with an inspired palette of hues that merge vibrant jewel tones with lush neutrals – as seen in the line of gel liners, powders, lipsticks and eyeshadows. Don’t let the spring floral packaging fool you though, the shades on offer include lovely jewel-toned blues and warm coppers, plus sultry hues of charcoal grey that are absolutely fall-worthy. From $34 to $132, available at M.A.C. Cosmetics.

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Don’t you just hate it when your perfume ‘dies off’ mid day? With Etude House’s new Loving Days Fragrance, you can smell sweet all day, simply by layering the products in the collection. Start with the body wash in the shower, then veil your skin in the body lotion, before spritzing on the fragrance mist. Scented with hints of fruit, flowers and citrus, pick from one of the three variants – Blooming Love, which is floral and fruity; Sweet Sparkling, which is refreshing and sweet; and Cool Sugar, which is light and breezy – or mix and match to form an uplifting aromatic symphony. $16 (Fragrance Mist, 60ml), $21 (Body Wash, 250ml), and $25 (Body Lotion, 250ml), available at Etude House.

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To help sluggish cell renewal move along a lil’ faster, you can always count on a facial peel to do the job. Tackling the issue with a two-prong approach, Philosophy’s Microdelivery Overnight Anti-Ageing Peel offers the benefits of peeling and intensive skin restoration at the same time. Ready the skin with the leave-on solution enhanced with glycolic acid and lactic acid, then pair with the overnight sleep mask – formulated with skin-strengthening agents, anti-ageing peptides, and oat extract that deeply hydrate and nourish. Now who says you can’t change your life in a night? $129, available at Philosophy. While we maintain that every woman is beautiful, regardless of skin colour, we won’t judge if you’re after a fairer visage. With the Swiss cloud flower as its key ingredient, The Face Shop’s Blanclouding White Moisture Cream allows you to do so the natural way. The secret lies in the cream’s unique clouding effect, which lightens the skin over a period of use. True to its name, the texture feels soft and plump – just what we imagine a real cloud would feel like – and melts instantly into the skin to moisturise and brighten. $34.90 (50ml), available at The Face Shop.

We’re always dreaming of lustrous lashes that are long enough to reach the skies, but with all that sun, smoke and pollutants (erm, haze?!), the skies tend to be quite unfriendly towards our peepers; especially our delicate eyelids. For adequate defense against the environment, try Benefit’s latest Air Patrol Eyelid Primer – a potent BB cream formulation that protects your lids from harmful pollutants. Lock down eyeshadow, hydrate, and color-correct uneven skin tone with just one swipe over the lids, with an irresistibly soft cushion tip that glides on effortlessly. $51, available at Benefit counters.

While Halloween horrors only last the month, the true horror of youth escaping us day by day lingers for a lifetime. Freeze time with L’Occitane’s latest Divine Immortelle line, made with the ageless quality of immortelle essential oil from Corsica, Italy. Like ampoules encapsulating water from the fountain of youth, the rich blend of active ingredients from the Corsican marquis with immortelle essential oil make up the rigorous L’Occitane 28-day renewal programme, designed to work with your skin’s natural 28-day renewal cycle. In addition, the Divine Cream Mask works either as a daily cream or a bi-weekly mask treatment, and is infused with the same anti-ageing ingredients to relax and revitalise the skin. $194 (Divine Cream Mask, 64ml) and $218 (28 x 1ml Ampoules), available at L’Occitane.

Text Hannah Tang Images Various Sources

For luxurious spa experiences in the comfort of home, give the new June Jacobs Spa Collection a whirl. The eponymous collection is a product of founder June Jacobs’ rich understanding of natural ingredients and their abundant health-giving benefits – paving the way for six different lines to cater to every need. Try the Neroli Hydrating Mist, which is formulated with neroli oil and bitter orange extract to rehydrate, protect and rejuvenate your skin; and the Ultra Light Citrus Moisturiser, which is an energetic blend of oils and natural extracts that boast an ultra-light cream texture. $74 (Neroli Hydrating Mist, 200ml) and $111 (Ultra Light Citrus Moisturiser, 50ml), available at Sephora.

LUSH TURNS 20 To celebrate its coming of age (just one year shy of the big 2-1 guys!) Lush is reinvigorating its core product ranges with plenty of brand new additions – including bath bombs, body scrubs, showders (scrub powders), soaps and roulades. We especially love the psychedelichued ‘The Experimenter’ bath bomb – a multi-layered, sweetly fragrant concoction created to make your bath experience one that’s of an explosion of colour and textures.

From $11 to $45, available at Lush.

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The lavish luxury of bathing in chocolate might seem possible only in movies, but with Fresh’s new Cocoa Indulgence line, it might just become your everyday reality. Revered for its universally delectable taste, cocoa is also celebrated for its high levels of protective antioxidants. Undoubtedly the brand’s most decadent line yet, we especially adore the Cocoa Body Exfoliant that features the star product in three forms: crushed cocoa that buffs away dry skin; cocoa butter that exfoliates and nourishes; and cocoa extract that’s rich in protective flavonoids. With its seductive scent and rich, velvety texture, your skin will delight in the well-deserved treat. $65 (240g), available at Fresh.

We’re all heroes in our own little ways, but the first step to being one begins by stepping out into the world all bright-eyed and ready. Enter Sephora’s new line of Masks Superheroes. These mighty helpers improve the appearance of dull, sluggish skin around the eyes so you’ll never have to hide your face like ’em superheroes do. We especially like Ginseng, which tones and revitalises the under-eye area; Green Tea, for its relaxing and refreshing properties; and Marine Algae, which offers deep hydration and nourishment for parched skin. $3 each, available at Sephora.

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and the proverb couldn’t ring any truer than with Lab Series’ latest safety serum for tired skin. Two steps ahead of wrinkles, crow’s feet, and unsightly lines, the ultra-wet, ultra-potent repair serum absorbs rapidly and deeply into the skin to promote its natural repair process. Packed with antioxidants to fight premature ageing and skinstrengthening technology to firm up and fortify your skin’s protective barrier, the day-and-night formula will keep you looking and feeling on point and ready to take on the stressors that come with being a man in demand. $102 (50ml), available at all Lab Series stores and counters.

To shield your face from the merciless heat, humidity and haze we experience on the daily, give the new L’Oreal Paris Hydra Power a spin. Powered by mineral-rich French mountain water, the Hydra Power Watery Foaming Gel cleanses deeply, purifies, and refreshes with an icy-cool sensation, thanks to its menthol properties. Meanwhile, the Hydra Power Water Power Serum adds an additional layer of defence, protecting your skin against water loss with its anti-pollution particle adhesion system. $11.90 (Hydra Power Watery Foaming Gel, 100ml) and $27.90 (Hydra Power Water Power Serum, 50ml) available at all leading personal care stores.

Drizzling yourself in honey need no longer be a frivolous fantasy. Enter Great Barrier Island Bee Co.’s Bath & Body Crème; a moisturising, aromatic blend of Manuka honey and sweet almond oil that’s the next best thing to rolling around in a beehive – minus the stings. Harnessing the antibacterial properties of honey harvested from New Zealand’s Manuka trees in Great Barrier Island, its remedial properties assist in repairing dry and damaged skin with the irresistible aroma of natural honey. As well as attracting the benefits of nourished, rejuvenated skin, don’t be surprised if your heightened sweetness attracts other things along with it. $30, available at all leading departmental stores. man up

Text Hannah Tang & Trent Davis Images Various Sources

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There’s nothing like good dental habits to keep your pearly-whites gleaming. While there’s always the trusty LED whitening kit that you can count on, it’s best you practise religious teeth cleaning to keep the nasties away. And where a traditional brush fails, Foreo’s electronic handyman does the job. Dubbed the ISSA, its non-abrasive silicone bristles boast an unmatchable softness that effectively removes plaque and stains − delivering a comfortable and gentle brushing experience. Its silicone construction also helps to prevent bacteria build-up, while the ergonomic brush head adapts to any tooth surface to clean out crevices thoroughly. $279, available at Sephora.

Text Trent Davis Images The Analog Vault

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While digital music and e-book services have freed up the burden of heavy records and hardcovers, the digital trend can never quite replace the feeling one gets when holding the product of years of hard work in your hands. Filling in the physical gap, The Analog Vault provides a haven for the analogue-obsessed in the heart of Singapore’s arts hub. Boasting a collection of rare vinyl records and hard-to-find books, you’ll find fresh imports and gold oldies spanning a number of genres and subcultures, while – most importantly – making media personal again. Give detached digital the boot; The Analog Vault is bringing it back to basics.

#02-13 Esplanade Mall, tel: 9026-5215.

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1. Artbox Exhibition 2. Salt Market

3. Summer Street

With repurposed shipping containers serving as storefronts, artistic entrepreneurs embrace the DIY spirit with forward-thinking fashion picks and Insta-worthy grub, while live music and enchanting light installations demonstrate Bangkok’s burgeoning street culture ethos. 238/7 Sukumvit 55 Thonglor 8, tel: +66-92-260-7667.

Summer Street is ready to refuel your confidence in street food philosophy with fresh ocean catches that you’d expect from a fisherman’s basket. Serving up prawns, squid, and scallops hot off the grill, the only thing that could elevate the spread is an ice-cold beer – and this truck’s in good supply. Phahonyothin Ari Soi 2.

If the minimalist concrete-and-glass decor didn’t get us through the door, being able to order wood-fire pizzas and sashimi under the same roof certainly did. Fusing Italian, French and Japanese cuisine into one menu, Salt’s casual mood and smooth ambience makes it a perfect date spot. 36/2 Phahonyothin Soi 7, tel: +66-2-619-6886.

4. Vick’s Created by local high-fashion label, Vickteerut, this quaint style hub offers a casual voice for trendsetters, distinct from its parent, through minimalist swatches and comfort-pushing silhouettes. With relaxed knits, patterned dresses, and crisp button-downs, dress like it’s the weekend every day. Phahonyothin 1/5 Ari Soi 2, tel: +66-2-279-1260.

ONLY A STONE’S THROW AWAY FROM OUR OWN HIPSTER HAVENS, BANGKOK PRESENTS A TREASURE COVE OF HIDDEN GEMS WITHIN ITS SPRAWLING STREETS AND INCONSPICUOUS ALLEYS. AWARE OF THE UNFRIENDLY LIGHTING CONDITIONS WE MAY FACE IN UNCOVERING THE CITY’S LESSER-KNOWN HANGOUTS, WE TOOK THE NIKON D7200 WITH US DURING OUR URBAN EXPLORATION TO SEEK OUT THE THAI CAPITAL’S COOLEST COOPS.

ZOOM IN TO NIKON D7200 The most advanced DSLR in Nikon’s DX range to date, the Nikon D7200 sets a new standard for the urban explorer. Armed with a rugged, expeditionfriendly body, document your journey in eye-catching detail with a range of new and improved features to craft your creativity.

LOW-LIGHT BROUGHT TO LIFE

Not only did the Nikon D7200’s EXPEED 4 imageprocessing engine and optical low-pass filter render colours and details as we saw them with the naked eye (smell ya later, Photoshop), its 51-point autofocus system and improved noise reduction allowed us to capture moving subjects and dim cityscapes crisply without additional lighting.

PERFECTING YOUR VIEW Even when we were caught under harsh sunlight, the Nikon D7200’s improved optical viewfinder had us navigating our snaps with ease. With approximately 100 per cent frame coverage in the DX format, we had no trouble getting the shot we were aiming for with the viewfinder’s brighter image presentation and colour accuracy.

COMPLETE CREATIVE CONTROL

5. One Ounce For Onion

6. Supanniga Eating Room

While simple, unassuming coffee is central to this photogenic nook’s philosophy, the grub on offer is anything but basic – featuring mouthwatering items like the hearty Sompong Sandwich, and Pizzatilla – a quesadilla-pizza crossover dish oozing with a generous serving of melted cheese. 19/12 Ekkamai 12, Soi 63, tel: +66-2-116-6076.

Boasting the use of premium ingredients from seaside towns, the shophouse fires up flavours from the Trad, Chantaburi and Isaan provinces, with hard-to-find items like Khao Krieb Nahm Jim (steamed flat rice noodles with spicy dried shrimp) and Pu Jah (blended crabmeat and pork with Chantaburi peppers). 160/11 Soi Sukhumvit 55 (Thonglor), tel: +66-2-714-7508.

With Nikon’s intuitive Picture Control image creation system, we didn’t have to wait to eject the memory card before adding finishing touches to our shots. Options like ‘Flat’ and ‘Clarity’ sharpened and balanced images to capture the right mood, while special effects like ‘Night Vision’ and ‘Miniature Effect’ could occupy us all day.

All images taken with the D7200, unedited. $1,469 (body only), $1,699 (kit with 18-105mm lens), $1,799 (kit with 18-140mm lens). Available at all authorised retailers. For more information, visit nikon.com.sg.

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N O O M O V ER T H E

OON MIDNIGHT M

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KY OLE SMO

Born into a family of moonshiners dating back to the Whisky Rebellion in 1791, NASCAR legend Junior Johnson now brings his own rebellious streak to the traditions of the once-outlawed spirit. Delivering a smooth and clean taste, owed to its five-step water filtration process, the subtle sweetness from American corn can be enjoyed in its 80-proof original recipe, or in a number of trendy updates like Cherry, Blackberry, and even Apple Pie. Could it get any more American?

Sticking to smooth-sippin’ tradition by housing its ’shine in mason jars, Ole Smokey’s 100-year-old recipe has both adhered to its legacy, and kept up with the times. While its Original 100-proof white whisky recipe is a clean, highly-drinkable Apalachian mountain-moonshine, the family distillery is fearlessly playful with its brew – offering softer sips like the tart Lemon Drop Lightnin’ and the fruity Hunch Punch Lightnin’, while serving up hard-hitting classics such as the alluring 128-proof Blue Flame.

juniorsmidnightmoon.com

olesmoky.com

TTON POPCORN SU Named after the late Tennessee bootlegger, Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton, you can now find the legend’s 100-year-old recipe on shelves rather than in the back of his truck. An 88-proof unaged whisky that seeks to preserve Sutton’s legacy, the white whisky is tough like its namesake, but clean and crisp enough to allow the natural sweetness of corn to come through. Smooth on its own or with the classic combination of lemonade, this ‘likker’ will be long remembered.

popcornsutton.com

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STILLHOU

Bringing over 150 years of experience in the game to the present, Platte Valley looks as authentic as it tastes. Bottled in a distinctive earthenware jug that harks back to the Prohibition era, the 80-proof, 100 per cent straight corn whisky spends three years aged in a barrel before delivering its clean, sugary taste. For those longing for a spicy finish to the sweet spirit, the distillery’s Fireshine adds scorching cinnamon into the mix.

Preserving the art of making moonshine from estate-grown corn and a proprietary recipe, Stillhouse Moonshine isn’t stored or aged in barrels. Releasing the ‘spirit’ of the corn through copper-pot distillation to produce a mellow flavour profile, this 80-proof ’shine prides itself on its premium flavour and purity. While the original boasts the sweetness of corn, alternative takes on the recipe have produced flavours including the spicy cinnamon-infused Red Hot and the cooling, Southern-inspired Peach Tea.

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YOU’RE UNLIKELY TO FIND THE KIND OF HOOCH THAT THE BACKWATER SHINERS IN DELIVERANCE WERE SWIGGING IN THIS DAY AND AGE (WITH GOOD REASON – YOU’D PROBABLY GO BLIND), BUT CROWDS ARE CERTAINLY TAKING A SHINING TO PROHIBITION-ERA LIQUOR. TRADING IN CAR RADIATORS FOR TOP-NOTCH DISTILLERIES, LEGAL MOONSHINE HAS SEEN A RENAISSANCE OF SOPHISTICATION OVER THE YEARS, AND IS BOUND TO HIT OUR SHORES ANYTIME NOW. WHILE WE WAIT, FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH THESE NAMES BEFORE RIDING THE WHITE LIGHTNING.

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Taking an ancestral recipe and dressing it up with modern flair, the Moonshine edition of the Virginia Lightning corn whisky recipe is a new take on an old classic. Undergoing the same small-batch processing with family farm-grown corn as its parent spirit – a twice-distilled, 100-proof moonshine – Virginia Lightning Moonshine kicks it up a notch by distilling the white whisky once more, offering a refined 90-proof reinterpretation of the smooth and sweet ’shine.

Based on a 200-year-old recipe conceived by early American explorers, this updated concoction of corn, rye, and malted barley is distilled where buffalo once crossed the Kentucky River. Powerful like a buffalo at 125-proof, this family-owned recipe delivers the unmistakable sweet aroma of corn and familiar burn in a distillate, bottled before it takes the form of Buffalo Trace Bourbon. Though its label reads Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, there’s no question that this is moonshine at its best.

belmontfarmdistillery.com

buffalotracedistillery.com

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As Alabama’s first legal distillery since Prohibition, High Ridge Spirits worked arduously to produce the state’s first moonshine by the book. Placing focus on the quality of water used in the distillation process, this subtly sweet, 100-proof handcrafted grog takes the clear waters of its namesake from the southern part of Bullock County, a historic spot for ‘shiners in the past and an enduring source of Stills Crossroads’ award-winning quality and superior taste.

highridgespirits.com

NTY KINGS COU

Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

NS TROY & SO

Straight out of NYC’s oldest whisky distillery, Kings County Moonshine offers a unique reinterpretation of the typically Southern spirit. Blending 80 per cent New York State organic corn and 20 per cent Scottish barley, the 80-proof distillate takes on notes of pepper, roasted nuts and vanilla, amidst the characteristic sweet corn aroma. Produced in a Brookyln loft at little more than two gallons a day, this ’shine is as exclusive as it is refined.

From the traditional shape of the bottle to the heirloom ingredients within, Troy & Son’s Platinum honours tradition in almost every way – even asserting to be “the first true American Moonshine”. The Asheville distillery uses pure Appalachian spring water in the same way that mountain moonshiners did during Prohibition. As the only distillery in the world to produce the spirit with Crooked Creek open-pollinated white heirloom corn, the 80-proof distillate assumes a unique, oaky vanilla character.

kingscountydistillery.com

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SMART SAFETY

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AVAST MOBILE SECURITY AND ANTIVIRUS In the same way our bodies need vaccines to protect us from bugs and viruses, so do our smartphones. Avast keeps harmful viruses, Trojans, and malware from getting through the gate with automatic file scans, privacy reports on installed apps, and a Web Shield that ensures safe surfing. In the event someone runs offs with your data the oldfashioned way, the app’s Find My Phone anti-theft feature allows you to track your device’s movements, activate a siren, or wipeout its memory.

MALWAREBYTES The next step after getting ’em nasty bugs out of your smartphone is to get rid of any unwanted attention. While an antivirus app will cover you for viruses, Malwarebytes scans and identifies apps that track your location or send private information to those who shouldn’t have it. Not only does that keep corporations from targeting you with unwanted advertising, it also protects you from anyone else who might be using malware or spyware to get to your sensitive information.

FIREFOX

APPLOCK

While you might be inclined to think that any ol’ web browser will do, Firefox is the only one available for Android that’s addon friendly. Why is that important? Ad-blockers, for one. Aside from eliminating pesky pop-ups that freak out your phone, Firefox’s add-on library also features a number of programs that’ll keep you cool while browsing, including Ghostery – which detects and blocks trackers and bugs designed to monitor your activity – and SelfDestructing Cookies – an automatic cookie killer to prevent unconventional tracking methods.

Whether it’s an intrusive thief or a nosy partner, there are certain apps that you just don’t want other people opening. We all have our reasons; no judgement here. But if you are going to keep your unmentionables on your smartphone, then you best equip yourself with AppLock. Able to lock any app of your choosing, the software can even hide particular pictures and videos with PIN access that you don’t want to make privy to prying eyes.

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LASTPASS We’re all familiar with the pain of remembering passwords for countless accounts, but there’s nothing worse than using the same key across your logins (even Edward Snowden attests to this). To avoid relying on ‘forgotten password’ features on a weekly basis, LastPass keeps your unique password codes locked in a digital vault. With the ability to save and autofill usernames and passwords for all of your online accounts, the only password you’ll need to remember is the master key to access LastPass.

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SMARTPHONES HAVE BECOME ESSENTIAL TOOLS IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES – FROM SERVING AS DIGITAL WALLETS TO CAPTURING INTIMATE PERSONAL MOMENTS. IF THAT DATA FALLS INTO THE WRONG HANDS, YOUR LIFE COULD UNRAVEL IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. BEFORE MR. ROBOT ADDS YOU TO HIS COLLECTION OF HACKS, PROTECT YOUR DIGITAL LIFE WITH THESE 10 ESSENTIAL SECURITY APPS FOR ANDROID – ALL FOR FREE AT THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE.

UNLIMITED FREE VPN – BETTERNET

Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

VPNs are useful for a lot more than streaming videos from country-restricted locations. For one, they keep you anonymous where your identity or opinion could land you in hot water. Though there are plenty of services out there that charge a premium to surf anonymously, Betternet’s Unlimited Free VPN Service requires no personal information to sign up and is ready to go from just one tap. Providing anonymity across all your internetdependent apps, you can breathe easy without governments, corporations, or hackers on your back.

ORBOT

REDPHONE

TEXTSECURE There’s no shortage of messaging apps on the market that achieve the same end result, but you'll never know who’s listening in on your conversations. While many tote privacy protection until you get down to the fine-print, TextSecure offers instant communication without any of your conversations being stored on a server. Utilising an advanced endto-end encryption protocol that keeps every message arriving safely to its intended recipient, the app is open source, allowing users to audit its code should anyone have doubts about its security.

From the same developers of TextSecure, RedPhone makes sure you won’t be listening out for any suspicious clicks or voices on the other end of the line. Pesky usernames are eliminated and your phone number intact, while each phone call you make from your number is private and secure with end-to-end encryption. RedPhone also alerts you when one of your contacts is also using the app, allowing you to identify which calls are safe and which ones you need to keep a low-profile in.

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CRYPT4ALL LITE (AES) Backing up your data to a cloud storage service is all well and good, but if history has taught us anything, it’s that even the cloud is vulnerable to hackers and troublemakers. If you don’t envisage ending up like one of those poor celebs who were left feeling a little bare, Crypt4All Lite encrypts your files, making them inaccessible to those without permission. Using a 256bit AES algorithm, your sensitive data is equipped with password protection, whether on your phone or in the cloud.

Onion routers are more 097 widely known for the shady activity that goes through them (R.I.P The Silk Road), but they’re an invaluable tool for those who value privacy and may face unjust persecution should their identities be revealed. Creating a truly private Internet connection, Orbot uses the anonymous TOR network to encrypt internet traffic and protect you from network surveillance — meaning the source of communication you send or receive can never be known. It may be overkill for many, but a little extra protection never hurt.

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EVEN AMERICA’S MOST NOTORIOUS SERIAL KILLERS HAVE THEIR DOWNTIME, AND, LIKE THE REST OF US, ENJOY A BOOZY BEVERAGE BEFORE EMBARKING ON A NIGHT OF DEADLY GOOD FUN. BASED ON WHERE THEY’D PICK THEIR POISON – AND IF THEY GOT AWAY WITH THEIR HEINOUS ACTS – HERE’S WHERE WE THINK YOU’D FIND ’EM.

JOHN WAYNE GACY Infamously heralded as the ‘Killer Clown’, there was no clowning around when it came to Gacy’s choice of liquor (after all, it was whiskey that he’d guzzled before confessing to his crimes). The Single Cask, a cosy Scotch whiskey specialist nestled in a discrete corner of CHIJMES, would have Gacy ’fessing up to his dirtiest deeds in no time with a Scotch Old Fashioned ($22) – a timeless blend of Glen Moray Single Malt, bitters, orange peel, and a dark cherry to top it off. His portly figure suggests he’d delight in the smooth, honey-tinged notes of Wemyss Malts’ The Hive ($21), before diving into a lethal dose of The Single Cask’s own Glenrothes 25 Year Old ($50), a dram of peaty single malt with a high ABV and burn to match, paired with Scottish Highland water and 80 per cent cacao dark chocolate. #01-25 CHIJMES, tel: 9134-6051.

When he wasn’t succumbing to indulgences of the human kind, the Milwaukee Cannibal could usually be found knocking back a rum and Coke. But with Lime House’s assortment of Caribbean rums and exotic ambience on offer, we doubt he’d be meddling with a simple soda when he could be sipping a Mai Tai ($22), a concoction of aged Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum, triple sec, and orgeat syrup that straddles the line between sweet and sour. Adept at deconstructing the human body, Dahmer would undoubtedly delight in deconstructing a tweaked classic – the Rum Sour ($18), with spicy notes of Sailor Jerry’s and foamy egg white. And to match the darkness of his soul, we bet he’d finish the job with something top-shelf, like the stealthy Angostura 1919 ($25) – smooth but deadly. 2 Jiak Chuan Road, tel: 6222-3130.

EDMUND KEMPER

TED BUNDY

One of many muses for Silence Of The Lambs’ Buffalo Bill, Big Ed’s enormous build meant he was able to knock back countless shots of tequila before a murderous night out. Therefore, we’re guessing Kemper would be licking salt and biting limes at Peruvian rooftop bar, Tiger’s Milk. While the inventive Pisco-oriented cocktails – like the sweet, frothy Pisco Sour ($18) and the laidback Coco Con Pisco ($24) – might serve to cool down Kemper’s temper, the El Diablo ($20) would have no trouble knocking him back with its devilish mix of Don Julio Blanco Tequila, muddled blackberries, cassis, lime, and thyme. It wouldn’t be long before he racked up the shot glasses with the bar’s extensive selection of Don Julio – including the fruity and spicy Reposado ($15), and the full-bodied, double-distilled Anejo ($18) – to reconcile his fatal family matters. The Club (Rooftop), 28 Ann Siang Road, tel: 6808-2183.

Just like his affection for putting people in the ground, Bundy’s fondness for beer was fittingly down-to-earth. In keeping with his undeniable charisma, Little Island Brewing Co. has beer and charm aplenty. Not unlike Bundy’s birthplace of Vermont, organic furnishings and the smell of an open firewood kitchen adorn the seaside microbrewery, juxtaposed by industrial chic decor and a forward-thinking tap-card system to make self-service pouring criminally easy. A self-proclaimed “cold-hearted son of a b*tch”, he’d undoubtedly start with an ice-cold Cockies Surf Coast ($1.80/100ml), a bright, crisp golden ale with notes of wheat. Moving on with a palate cleanser to keep his head on, Bundy would delight in a Sheppy’s Somerset Draught Cider ($2.80/100ml) – a sparkling, sharp, and easy-drinking apple cider – before ending with a Cockies Pale Ale ($1.80/100ml), a balanced blend of malt and hops, but with a suitably bitter end. 6 Changi Village Road, tel: 6543-9100.

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Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

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JEFFREY DAHMER

ÂŠ Sony Pictures Releasing GmbH. Jan Rasmus Voss

Host venue / In partnership with

Supported by

Venue Support

arty Hey Brodie! How did you get into tattooing? I was always into art and loved drawing in my spare time. I was getting tattooed a few times a month, so I got to know the guys at the shop pretty well and they found out I could draw. Their boss announced that it was time for a new apprentice and asked if anyone knew someone who would be interested, so the guys thought of me. The next day, I got a phone call from one of the tattooists and they asked me to come to the shop with all my scribbles. Not thinking anything of it, I rolled up and the boss offered me a job after looking at my drawings. What inspires your personal inking style? I have a few favourite tattoo artists that have the most amazing style, and looking at the way they blend and sculpt their pieces to looking almost 3-D is what really drives me to progress; it inspires me to challenge myself with every tattoo and to try new techniques and products. You’ve done some incredible works of fictional characters, like Bender from Futurama and an entire sleeve of Batman villains. What made you pursue putting these images on skin rather than on paper? Most of the recent ones have been from people who’ve seen my work and have personally asked for me to do these types of tattoos on them. I love doing cartoon and movie characters with a twist, especially superheroes and villains. There is just so much you can do with these images especially in a tattoo. Anyone can draw on a piece of paper, but when someone wants me to permanently mark their skin and are so happy with the end result that they come back time and time again, it really makes me feel proud.

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Do you think tattoo parlours are the right targets in the government’s attempt to crack down on organised crime? I know quite a few owners who just want to have a well-respected shop full of great artists that do amazing tattoos. I’ve never seen anything dodgy happen in one. A tattoo parlour is not a money-laundering business or a front for other illegal activity. By cracking down on tattoo parlours, it will not only cause a lot of people to become unemployed, but they’ll also have their rights and freedoms taken from them. I will be forced to give up my passion, or I’ll be punished with fines and even jail time. The government doesn’t realise that getting rid of these legitimate businesses will only make the so-called “problem” worse. They should be focusing on the real criminals and money-launderers, like big companies that are dogging hundreds of thousands of dollars. If they do bring these laws in, they don’t need to paint everyone with the same brush – at least give us the opportunity to prove that we are legit before messing with our livelihoods.

See Brodie’s work on Instagram at @cursed_colours.

GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION

THE LINK BETWEEN TATTOOS AND GANGS HAS ENDURED A LONG, COLOURFUL HISTORY. DESPITE BODY ART MAKING ITS WAY INTO THE MAINSTREAM, TATTOOS STILL FACE STIGMA IN THE STATE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA, WHERE THE GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO CRIMINALISE ARTISTS AND PARLOURS RELATED TO OR ASSOCIATED WITH OUTLAW BIKIE GANGS THROUGH BROAD, SWEEPING LAWS. ONLY THREE-AND-A-HALF YEARS INTO HIS CAREER AND AT THE RISK OF GIVING UP HIS PASSION, 23-YEAR-OLD TATTOO ARTIST BRODIE RUSKIN EXPLAINS HOW A TATTOO GUN IS NOT A WEAPON.

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Text Trent Davis Images Emily Barnett Photography (Portrait) & Brodie Ruskin

How would the South Australian government’s Tattoo Industry Control Bill affect you? These new laws would be the worst thing that could possibly happen to my career. If they are passed, everything that I have worked so hard for will end. I don’t have any family members that are bikies. I’ve previously worked alongside a member of an outlaw motorcycle club, and this could make me a criminal. Just because I wanted to learn from one of the best in the industry, I’m labelled as a criminal? I’m not committing any crimes, I haven’t got a criminal record or a criminal conviction – yet the government has all sorts of labels and thinks they can go over everyone’s heads.

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big screen bounties

Our choice of film festivals this month.

FREEDOMFILMFEST

19TH GERMAN FILM FESTIVAL

Conceived in 2003 with the intention to bring

Showcasing the finest new films of contemporary

human rights-focused documentaries to light,

26TH SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

German cinema, the festival returns with yet

the film festival shares real-life stories from

Opening with the award-winning portrayal

another lineup that spans themes and genres.

around the world with a unifying humanitarian

of indigenous Taiwanese communities and

Kicking it off with the heartwarming Honig Im Kopf

perspective. While films like The Human Scale

gentrification, Panay, the premier film event

(Head Full Of Honey) – the story of a young girl

serve as a reminder of the liberties we often

of the year will once again treat audiences

and her Alzheimer’s-afflicted grandfather – the

take for granted, others like 1987: Untracing

to a number of intimate master classes and

festival is not without its thrills, including the V For

The Conspiracy unravel the injustices done to

showcases, including the Silver Screen Awards’

Vendetta-inspired cyber thriller, Who Am I –

political exiles in our own backyard.

tribute retrospective for acclaimed Iranian

No System Is Safe.

November 14 and 15 at The Projector. For

filmmaker, Mohsen Makhmalbaf.

From November 5 to 15 at various venues. For

more info, visit freedomfilmfest.komas.org/

From November 26 to December 6 at various

more info, visit goethe.de/singapore-filmfestival.

singapore.

venues. For more info, visit sgiff.com.

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Cosily sequestered on the outskirts of Dempsey, Open Farm Community takes pride in its backyard, featuring 150 varieties of crops and herbs. Described as a ‘working garden’, these organic greens constantly change throughout the seasons, eventually making their way onto your plate. We recommend the Mud Crab Spaghettoni With Thai Curry Sauce ($28), a creamy tongue-tingling serving enhanced with coconut and crunchy yellow squash. For something heavier, the Charred S.A. Lamb Rump ($32) doesn’t disappoint in the tenderness department − zestfully complemented with a dense salad of peas, lettuce, mint, bacon and rosemary thyme jus. 130E Minden Road, tel: 6884-6884. We expect there’d have been no disagreements on toppings between the TMNT gang if they’d known about the The Pizza Collective. Handing you the chef’s hat, the Peperoni Pizza offshoot gives you creative control over your pizza pie, with two types of dough, three sauce bases, and 28 toppings to choose from, including tantalising options like honey ham, blue cheese, and even kimchi. If topping it off with a Coke Drizzle is your game, ain’t nobody gonna stop you – but if your culinary confidence is low, then Signatures like the spicy pork Chor-Lita or the fragrant Rendang Power are at your disposal. #01-12 Bugis+, tel: 6509-3850.

Returning for its sixth year, The Generalist teams up with dinner-theatre extraordinaires, Andsoforth, for a special edition of Market Of Experiences. Delivering the same interpersonal activities that the lifestyle market is known for, this year’s highlights include flower workshops by With Every, fashion-forward threads by Hyphen, and fingerlicking grub by Uncle G’s Handmade to get the good vibes going and shift connectivity back out of your smartphone. Happening on November 7 at 16 Lorong Ampas. For more information, visit generalist.com.sg.

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Decked out in a lavish gold interior, the classy yet playful Raven serves as both a pit stop for impending revelry and a sit-down session to spoil your taste buds. Pair a refreshing and powerful Patron-fuelled Agave Smash ($17) with the triple-fried goodness of the Fried Chorizo Croquettes ($13) − a savoury harmony of chorizo, béchamel and stretchy mozzarella cheese. For something more substantial, try the delicate Cripsy Nori-Wrapped Salmon ($29) – a melange of textures with fresh salmon, crispy seaweed, and ponzu sago – or the Herb-Crusted Rack Of Lamb ($37) that’s so tender it falls off the bone. #B1-01/02 CHIJMES, tel: 8798-2724.

10 YEARS OF BOOKS ACTUALLY

Whether you’ve only just discovered the literary genius of Hemingway or are a dedicated reader of local legends, BooksActually has been the go-to store over the last 10 years for bookworms to find solace in between the pages – a feeling that can’t be simulated browsing an e-book website. To thank its devotees and supporters, the bookstore has recreated its previous homes at other locations in an introspective exhibition at The Substation titled ’10 Years Of BooksActually’. Rediscover the past iterations of the bookshop as it celebrates its milestone, or take a book with you and cosy up to rediscover your favourite fiction.

For those of you who’ve spent countless hours awakening your craving for knowledge watching TED Talks, now’s your chance to be in the audience. The largest TEDxSingapore event to date, themed ‘The Undiscovered Country’, gives way to new ideas, talents, and stories from Singapore’s past and present. With a diverse lineup of speakers and performers – including co-founder of The Lonely Planet Tony Wheeler; data visionary Professor Hans Rosling; singer-songwriter Inch Chua; and artist Eugene “The Dude” Soh – the two-day event promises to spark not only conversation, but also a thirst for new perspectives. November 6 and 7 at Nanyang Technological University. For more information, visit tedxsingapore.sg.

When your Kickstarter campaign rockets to the highest-funded project of all time, you know you’re onto something special. Taking a different approach from the usual suspects with functional design and intuitive features, Pebble Time has landed in Singapore to change up wearable tech trends. Sporting good old-fashioned buttons to keep functionality when submerged, the smartwatch’s e-paper colour display, seven-day battery life, and water-resistant microphone mean it can take on almost any situation – without the need to carry a smartphone. Smart thinking, eh? $179 (Pebble Classic), $269 (Pebble Steel) and $329 (Pebble Time), available at authorised retailers.

YOUTUBE RED PROMISES AD-FREE VIDEOS, THE ABILITY TO SAVE CONTENT OFFLINE, AND CAN FINALLY BE PLAYED WITH YOUR SCREEN OFF – IF YOU’RE WILLING TO PAY US$9.99 A MONTH.

From November 18 to 22 at The Substation. For more information, visit substation.org.

Text Trent Davis Images Various Sources

In With The Old

Celebrate the new look of Chivas Regal 12 Year Old and redefine your cocktails with these simple recipes.

CHIVAS JULEP

12’S LITTLE SECRET

What you need: 60ml Chivas 12, 15ml simple syrup,

What you need: 45ml Chivas 12, 20ml egg white, 30ml

5 sprigs mint leaf

pineapple juice, 15ml fresh lemon juice, 15ml simple

1. Measure Chivas 12 and syrup into a glass.

syrup, 1 fresh strawberry

2. Slap mint to release oils and add to the mix.

1. Muddle half a strawberry in syrup in a mixing glass.

3. Fill the glass with crushed ice and stir well.

2. Add all ingredients and shake well without ice.

4. Top up with crushed ice and garnish with a

3. Add ice and shake till well-chilled and strain into a glass. 4. Garnish with half a strawberry to serve.

mint leaf to serve.

Available at selected restaurants, nightlife venues, and liquor stores. navigate

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ROAD TO ULTRA SINGAPORE PAVING THE WAY

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SURGEON & ROK DA HOUSE AT K YO GOOD OL’ TECHNO

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SOLID GOLD 1ST ANNIVERSARY AT ZOUK ALL THAT GLITTERS

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CIRCUIT PARTY AT ALTIMATE REFUEL AND REVEL

GLAM LADIES NIGHT AT ATTICA LADIES FIRST

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SKY HIGH BRUNCH AT CÉ LA VI ELEVATED ELATION

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RESPECT WEDNESDAYS WITH NASHD FEAT. RATTLE AT REFUGE JUST A LITTLE BIT

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REWIND FEAT. NICK HÖPPNER AT K YO UNDERGROUND SOUNDS

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TRACE NATION FEAT. HEATBEAT AT TRACE STUCK IN A TRANCE

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AW3SOME AT W SINGAPORE SENTOSA COVE HAPPY B’DAY W!

S H O P AT T H E S E ADIDAS ORIGINALS PACIFIC PLAZA, #01-09 TO 12

GIVENCHY PARAGON, #01-41

SANDRO ION ORCHARD, #03-18

AGNES B./ SPORTS B. WISMA ATRIA, LEVEL 2

H&M ORCHARD BUILDING

SCOTCH & SODA NGEE ANN CITY, #B1-31

ALEXANDER WANG FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, #01-09/11

KENZO TAKASHIMAYA, LEVEL 2

STEVE MADDEN VIVOCITY, #B1-04

ALICE & OLIVIA ION ORCHARD, #03-17

MANGO 313@SOMERSET, #02-23/24

STRADIVARIUS ION ORCHARD, #B2-15

BALENCIAGA PARAGON, #01-07

MARC BY MARC JACOBS MANDARIN GALLERY, #01-11

SWAROVSKI RAFFLES CITY SHOPPING CENTRE, #01-09/10

BIMBA Y LOLA ION ORCHARD, #B1-04

MICHAEL KORS VIVOCITY, #01-21

CHARLES & KEITH 313@SOMERSET, #02-46 TO 49

MSGM TAKASHIMAYA, LEVEL 2

CLUB 21 FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, #01-07

NIKE ORCHARD CENTRAL, #01-01

COACH TAKASHIMAYA, #01-03

PAUL SMITH MANDARIN GALLERY, #01-08

UNIQLO 313@SOMERSET, #03-27 - #03-34

FOREVER 21 ORCHARD EXCHANGE, #B1-01 TO 18

PEDRO ION ORCHARD, #B3-10

VANS ION ORCHARD, #B3-61

PULL & BEAR ION ORCHARD, #B2-08

ZARA LIAT TOWERS

TOPSHOP/ TOPMAN KNIGHTSBRIDGE, #01-05/06 TED BAKER ION ORCHARD, #B1-22

BARS & CLUBS

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F&B

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final word

112

THE FRISKY GRINDER Marvin Gaye taught us that music can arouse the thrill of sexual healing, but these touchy-feely horn-dogs always take it too literally! Nothing kills our mojo more on the dance floor when we’re rudely interrupted by a ‘bulge’ from behind. All you need is love? Nuh-uh. We need our space too. So dudes, keep it in your pants. And ladies, thongs in your tights please.

THE TAPAO TROOPER Even if you can’t see them, you can definitely smell them. Usually found sitting cross-legged atop a comfy picnic mat, they enjoy setting up a small, elaborate feast of their own treats, even when the plethora of in-venue food stalls should’ve whacked them with the notion that outside food ain’t allowed.

THE YOUTUBE RIPPER We get that you want to show your Snapchat followers you’re at a really cool concert, but is a video of every single song really necessary? Not only does it obstruct the view of the hundreds behind you, let’s just be honest and admit that the gigabytes worth of footage would probably be long forgotten after a few days of incessant squealing.

THE LINGERIE PITCHER While it’s less prevalent here on our conservative little island, lingerie pitchers are real – Lana Del Rey and JT would know! There have been weirder things flung (like tampons and sex toys), but since panty-pitching is fast becoming quite the common occurrence, we’d advise you to keep those knickers on and toss something more creative at the performers. Or y’know… don’t.

THE BLAH-BLAH CHIT-CHATTER Here comes the legendary guitar solo…“OH MY GOD, like, I need to tell you about yada-yada…” [laughs loudly]. Nothing spells anti-climax more than a jarring distraction from nearby loudmouths. We’re not saying talking ain’t cool, just that no one wants to hear your hour-long life story when we’re trying to hear the music, ’kay?

THE KTV REQUESTER Besides the drunk sing-alongs, jubilant jumps and the endearingly fanatical dancing, the KTV requester’s regimen of workouts also include innumerable trips up the stage to request for their personal favourites. While it’d be sweet if the requests were our faves as well, we say give it a rest and let the performers work their magic. This ain’t karaoke.

THE WASTED ZOMBIE There’s always one in your group, isn’t there? After one drink too many, these empty-eyed lost souls can be found wandering through the crowd like sheep emancipated from the herd. Let them be though; they’re usually having too much fun to care. Just watch out for vomit radius.

THE MOSH BULLY It’s bad enough that mosh pits are usually overcrowded with tonnes of people smearing their sweaty bodies up against yours. To make things worse, there’s usually the mosh bully – the burly dude with a perpetual chip on his shoulder, seeking to dethrone anyone who’d dare challenge him as the toughest guy in the crowd. Whatever happened to the solidarity we were supposed to find in music?

THE ELBOW RESTER As if vertically-challenged people didn’t have enough to deal with with taller folks plonked in front of them. Just ’cos your chest is at our head level, doesn’t give you the right of reclining your sharp bony elbows on our shoulders. You don’t see us using you as a backrest, do ya?

THE SELFIE SPAMMER As annoying as The YouTube Ripper but in reverse, these narcissists would rather face the camera than the topclass action that’s slaying it right before their eyes. No, we don’t want our vision abruptly obstructed by your freeze-frame mugs. Nor do we wanna be a part of your Instagram feed. Oh well… photobomb!

Text Hannah Tang & Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

THE USUAL SUSPECTS

IMAGINE THIS: YOU’RE CHILLING OUT AT A GIG WITH YOUR MATES; YOUR FAVOURITE BAND’S PERFORMING LIVE RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU; YOU SCREAM AND CHEER. EVERYTHING’S GOOD. BUT EVER SO OFTEN, THERE’D BE ONE OF THESE REGULAR CULPRITS LOOKING TO RUIN THE EXPERIENCE. HERE’S THE SUSPECT LINE-UP.