JUICE October 2014 - Little Dragon| Issue #193 by JUICE

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ISSUE #193

FIERY FORCE

the ace futura issue

CONVERSE CHUCK TAYLOR ALL STAR RUBBER

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

HELLO EARTHLINGS,

contributing lifestyle writer laurie maravilla

Okay, so all that talk about flying cars, robot governance, hoverboards, and teleportation (still one of our favourite superpowers!) didn’t pan out as mankind predicted, but that’s not to say we haven’t come leaps and bounds in terms of technological advancement. Just look at all the gadgets humans are tinkering with today! From all-in-one music instruments (page 24), to the newest batch of smartwatches (page 92), to levitating speakers (page 87); we are indulging in our inner geeks this month for a taste of what the real future has in store.

contributors burton tang, chris ong ujine, daniel sassoon, den ng, mich makeover, teck lim

START

Tech gizmos aside, we also discuss musicians who’ve lent their names to some of the best video games; explore the intricacies of 3-D printing in fashion; and contemplate the could-be aliens living amongst us. Yes, there is a whole lot of forward-looking to do this issue so put on those Google glasses and jump in. The future is lookin’ bright.

editorial interns ling tay, sziying khoo

ART DIRECTION designer jackson kang [jackson@juice.com.sg] ADVERTISING & MARKETING sales & marketing manager lavonne lam [lavonne@juice.com.sg] DID 6325 8031 M 9747 2806 PUBLISHER & DIRECTOR david see [david@lumina-looque.com] DIRECTOR calvin cheng [calvin@lumina-looque.com] REGIONAL CONTACTS

06 Up, Up and Away!

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

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OCTOBER 2014 17

14 THEY COME IN PEACE

Of course we are not alone in this universe.

22 LITTLE DRAGON

CONTENTS

2MANYDJS 08

Moderation is key”; “too much of a good thing” – these phrases of caution do not apply to an established and self-aware act like these Belgian brothers. Fronting dance-punk incarnations like Soulwax and constructing monster soundsystems with James Murphy, this multimusical duo comes clean to us about monoliths, superstar DJs, and kidnapping their band. Image courtesy of Rob Walbers ©

18 years is a long time to sustain a glowing flame. Yet these Swedes have been radiant with their hybrid conception of trip-hop, synth-pop and neo-soul, even releasing a fourth record, Nabuma Rubberband, earlier in May. Before this dragon takes flight at the St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival next year, we caught some words of wisdom from frontwoman, Yukimi Nagano, on what keeps their furnace alight. Image courtesy of Nik Hartley ©

GAME ON

Music makers or v1d3o g@m3Rs?

THE FUTURE OF FASHION IS CODE

GIZMOS GALORE Music gadgets of the future.

How 3-D printing creates brand new aesthetics.

92 COOL TOOLS

FUTURE FORWARD

Nifty machinery for the beauty junkie.

The new era of plastics, metallics, and iridescent finishes.

10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR SOCIAL ETIQUETTE

Get in line for the future but don’t forget your manners.

TALKING TIME

We break down the latest crop of smartwatches.

PO BOX

Hi ! How do you guys keep your readers intrigued every month? The music is rockin’, the fashion is groovin’, the night life is sizzlin’ (see what I’m doing here?), and we just can’t get enough! Copies of the magazine are always snatched up and OOS when I’m out to grab one. Can you please put me on your mailing list so I don’t miss out on any copies? Die Hard Fan

“There’s a whisper in my ear, someone come and lift me out of here.” Whisper in our ears at inbox@juice.com.sg

Dear , The eyeliner is one helluva tough nut to crack. I’ve tried a gazillion ones only to have them slide down my face in the middle of a heat wave. But thanks to your guide, my eyeliner conundrums are over! Only thing though, how do I get a steadier hand when working on the lines? Veron

One word: practise, practise, practise.

MAIL of the

Yeah, we’re sizzlin’ hot stuff. No, no mailing list. #sorrynotsorry

INBOX

EYE-YOH!

month

GO WEST

LOVE YOU LONG TIME

Hey awesome people at , November’s coming up and a little bird told me that you guys will be celebrating your birthday with a big bash! What’s a girl gotta do to score some passes to the party of the year? I’m your numero uno fan and I NEED to be there! Wan Wan

Hell yes it’s gonna be grand. Stick around for more announcements to come :)

YO !! THANKS FOR GIVING US A RUNDOWN ON THE MUSIC ACTS FOR F1. IT CAME IN REALLY HANDY! OH, AND HOW FREAKING AWESOME WERE THE PET SHOP BOYS? AMAZING VISUALS AND SPECTACULAR DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY! I WAS BUSTIN’ MY GOOD MOVES THE WHOLE NIGHT. DO YOU RECKON THEY MIGHT WANNA HIRE ANOTHER DANCER? JACKY

WHOA HOLD YOUR HORSES TWINKLE-TOES. WE RECKON’ WE MIGHT’VE CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF YOU SO…LET’S JUST SAY NO. BUT IN THE MEANTIME, HERE’S A SET OF WORKOUT BUDS SO YOU CAN WORK YOUR MOVES TO OTHER “OPPORTUNITIES”.

NOODLIN’ GOOD TIMES

Hi , I gave all the ramen stores in your ‘In The Mood for Noods’ feature a go and I’m impressed by all your recommendations, they were all so yummy! Thumbs up! Now to get rid of all this weight I’ve put on… Ramen Addict

Well, there couldn’t be a better time to be bursting out of those skinny jeans. Oversized is so in this season.

THIS MONTH’S MAIL OF THE MONTH WINS A SET OF THE BACKBEAT FIT HEADPHONES WORTH $219, COURTESY OF PLANTRONICS.

SingTel’s exclusive Combo 2 and Combo 3 Youth Plans promise more bang for your buck with these special perks!

BONUS FOR READERS

Present this cut-out to enjoy this exclusive deal!

Exclusive Deal for LG G3 LTE worth $329! • LG Pocket Photo worth $229 • $50 SingTel Hello! Shop vouchers • $50 Discount for LG G3 Quick Circle™ Case + LG Wireless Charger *Promotion only available at selected SingTel shops AMK Hub #B1-54/56/57, Bedok Mall #B2-14, Comcenter 31 Exeter Road, West Mall #01-38/39

visit www.singtelshop.com/combo for more details

Terms & Conditions: Promotions are valid till 31 Oct 14 and will only be applicable for 1st 80 sign ups at Selected SingTel Retail Shops. Promotion offer is only available at AMK Hub #B1-54/56/57, Bedok Mall #B2-14, Comcenter 31 Exeter Road and West Mall #01-38/39 only. $50 discount with purchase of LG G3 Quick Circle™ Case + LG Wireless Charger: Customers must purchase both the LG G3 Quick Circle™ Case and LG Wireless Charger together in a single receipt. Not applicable with any other discounts and promotions. Only available at SingTel Retail Shops. Cut-out coupon must be presented at the point of purchase for all promotions listed. Please visit http://www.playbulb.com/en/playbulb-original.html for more details on Mipow Playbulb. Youth Plan: Youth Plan sign up is applicable to students and full-time NSFs with a valid student pass and 11B identity cards respectively (excluding SME business customers and CIS customers). Youth benefits are valid for 24 months from date of signup; thereafter prevailing rates will apply. Free unlimited SMS/MMS is valid for 24 months from the date of sign-up. Free local SMS/MMS are to any local mobile number. Each pass holder may subscribe for a maximum of one SingTel Postpaid line at the prevailing promotional plans at discounted rates. Subscriptions to additional lines are subjected to the prevailing public rate. SingTel WiFi: Service will be provisioned, free of charge, for Customers who sign up a new or recontract an existing Mobile Plan for Combo2, Combo3, Combo4, Combo6, or Combo12. Usage on SingTel WiFi is free of charge until 31st July 2015. From 1st August 2015, Customers on SingTel Combo Mobile Plans will get free 2GB SingTel WiFi bundle. Any usage in excess of this free bundle will be deducted from the Customer’s regular local data bundle. The prevailing Local Data Charges (as set out above) will apply if Customers exceed the local data bundle. Free 1 GB local data for Combo 2 (Youth) and Combo 3 (Youth) Plans: Customer will be given additional 1 GB of local data free every month for the first 24 months of their contract period. Customer’s data bundle will revert to the normal bundle from the 25th month onwards. Promotion cannot be redeemed in combination with other promotions. A one-time registration and SIM card charge applies for new sign-ups. Free 1 month TalkMore Unlimited: Applicable to NRIC registered Postpaid customers for outgoing local calls made to fi xed and mobile lines of any local operator. Not applicable to Corporate Individual Scheme Customers. Local talktime is deducted after price plan bundle talktime has been utilized. Prevailing promotion subscription rate of $19.90/mth applies thereafter. *TalkMore Unlimited is only applicable with prevailing Combo 3, Combo 4 and Combo 6 plans. Not applicable for MobileShare or other supplementary plans. This service is conditional on fair usage by customers and is capped at 10,000 local calls minutes per month. TalkMore Unlimited is not applicable for customers who have subscribed to Free v019 add-on. Exclusive $50 handset discount: The listed handset price excludes the exclusive $50 handset discount. Only NRIC registered customers can enjoy $50 discount off the advertised handset price during sign up of new line (Combo 2/Combo 3/Combo 4/Combo 6/ Combo 12) excluding SME business customers and CIS customers. Free 2 months AMPed Premium: FREE 2-months AMPed Premium is only applicable for new SingTel postpaid AMPed users with sign-up of SingTel Mobile Youth Plan. Applicable to new line sign-up or re-contract of existing line. Applicable to new line sign-up or re-contract of existing line. Handset models on offer are subject to change without prior notice. Handset models on offer are subject to change without prior notice. Other terms and conditions apply. Information is correct at time of printing. Copyright © 2014 Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (CRN: 199201624D). All rights reserved.

DATE. SATURDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2014

TIME.

VENUE.

8PM TILL LATE

All you gangsta girls and fly thugs be listenin’. is turning 16 and a ghetto wonderland is about to explode. Pumped up with pride and love for the streets, join us in an evening where deck-scratching, dance, rap and graff take over. One thing’s fo’ sho’: we gon’ be vibin’ in great music, free-flow drinks, plenty of swag to drop, and all-round fabulousness. So sign up for your invites to get down on the floor. It’s gonna be fancy alright.

MUSIC FIZZ WHIZZ Spilling outta the UK scene with effervescent visuals and a quirky perception of music as molecular gastronomy, Sophie exudes the impression of a sweet suburban girl working a lemonade stand. Except, Sophie is neither innocuous nor a girl…we think. Thing is, no one really knows who this puzzling producer is, only that he/she is mixing up a cocktail of futuristic tastes. “Hard” is a dizzying concoction of rapid-fire juke beats, topped with wonky crystal synths and grime-y raps warped by bubblegum filters. “Lemonade”, on the other hand, stands out as the intoxicating thirst-quencher, stinging with its manic twee outbursts and samples of – you guessed it – bubbles going *pop*.

msmsmsm.com

Text Kevin Ho Image Numbers

2MANYDJS

WAXING LYRICAL

“MODERATION IS KEY”; “TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING” – THESE PHRASES OF CAUTION DO NOT APPLY TO AN ESTABLISHED AND SELF-AWARE ACT LIKE THESE BELGIAN BROTHERS. FRONTING DANCE-PUNK INCARNATIONS LIKE SOULWAX AND CONSTRUCTING MONSTER SOUNDSYSTEMS WITH JAMES MURPHY, THIS MULTI-MUSICAL DUO COMES CLEAN TO US ABOUT MONOLITHS, SUPERSTAR DJS, AND KIDNAPPING THEIR BAND.

Being the astute net-surfers that we are, we chanced upon an article on DJBroadcast.net that analysed the sticky phenomenon of having “2ManyD*mnDJs” in the industry. Peculiarly enough, it was remotely related to our featured Belgians, yet it still echoed a blatant connection that we didn’t deem wise to ignore. “Are Superstar DJs worth it?” the Dewaeles began debating, “They are to the promoters as they help sell their event. But are they worth it to the audience? DJs might get into it for the cash and kudos, but they’re kind of missing the point”. An intriguing perspective indeed, from an outfit that’s been thrilling said audiences for nearly two decades. Digging deep into our souls with electro-house, indie-tronica and even Balearic, 2manydjs is one entity we can never get too much of.

TOO MANY HOURS But Soulwax hasn’t been that outta the loop though. Just earlier this year, the brothers propelled their Soulwax status with the 24th and final episode of Radio Soulwax – an audio-visual webcast of hour-long mixes – wrapping up the series by revisiting their 2002 mash-up compilation, As Heard on Radio Soulwax Pt. 2. “The entire Radio Soulwax experience was about deconstructing and reconstructing aspects of our record collection into a new consumable form, which was essentially the drive for the tracks that appeared on that record,” they explained. We figured they must’ve been elated upon finally completing their 24-hour marathon, one they first embarked on in 2011. “It was a mad experiment,” they triumphantly declared, “But we would also not advise watching all 24 hours in one go. It would surely drive you over the edge. We don’t want a lawsuit. Don’t do it kids”.

TOO MANY SOUNDSYSTEMS In addition, you know there’s fun to be had when you’re breaking boundaries with LCD Soundsystem captain, James Murphy. Together with the DFA-man, the Dewaeles spent the earlier part of the year on a momentous party series called Despacio, featuring a custom-made soundsystem comprising eight 11-foot stacks and a maximum power output of 50,000 watts – in other words, one amplified beast. “They are stunning objects,” they reminisced, “Sometimes they actually seem alive, like the monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey. They might achieve consciousness one day, and then we will probably have to negotiate their cut”. We might never see this ‘living’ beaut for ourselves, nor witness this dream collaboration, but at least we’ll catch these boys in action when they headline Day One of the Freqender Festival this month. TOO MANY FLIGHTS 2manydjs had nothing but chummy things to say when we asked about their return to our isle; a dialogue that was unmistakably mutual. The long plane rides on the other hand, those didn’t sit as well with them. “We want teleportation powers; no more travelling ever again,” they coincidentally uttered when we happened to mention our Ace Futura theme. “Don’t tease us with such notions, it’s too desirable,” they continued, “Can someone please invent this so we never have to get on a plane again? We’ll pay good money!”. Though we sadly couldn’t satisfy their demands, at least these guys were already making one fruitful contribution to the human race – doing what they do best. “Dancing to music is so integral to the existence of humanity; it isn’t going anywhere”.

2manydjs.com 2manydjs performs for Freqshow at the Freqender Festival, happening October 31 at Infinite Studios.

Text Kevin Ho Image & Interview courtesy of Freqender Festival

COVER

TOO MANY BALLS The Dewaeles brothers might be currently taking over the world with their comically self-deprecating alias, but devotees of this sibling duo will intuitively associate them with the dance-punk project known as Soulwax – an eccentric act that blurred the lines between rock band and EDM opera, albeit one we hadn’t heard from in a while. “Oh, 2manydjs are actually keeping Soulwax captive in our studio, and refusing to let them out until they’ve finished the album,” they clarified, “They’re power-crazed fame-hungry maniacs. They must be stopped”. After waiving our false imprisonment concerns, we proceeded to ask about that long-awaited record. “It’s hard to find the time,” they admitted, “Our life is basically one big juggling act, and someone is definitely adding balls without telling us. We need more arms”.

TOO MANY SUITS Not going over the edge however, is near-impossible when it comes to their 2manydjs sets, showcasing energies that parallel, if not surpass those of the band. “There used to be this notion that DJs could not generate the same energy as bands, but this is not the case with us,” they asserted with confidence, “In fact, we are probably wilder than Soulwax. We like to go batsh*t crazy, as long as we don’t mess up the creases in our suits”. But don’t let the suave formalities of their uniforms cloud your judgment, for they are barely as dry as your average work-obsessed corporate yuppie.“Jamming is not work at all, nor sourcing tunes,” the duo assured, “It’s all fun,” – a quality that charismatically translates into their tunes.

KLAPP OF THUNDER

LITTLE DRAGON 18 YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO SUSTAIN A GLOWING FLAME. YET THESE SWEDES HAVE BEEN RADIANT WITH THEIR HYBRID CONCEPTION OF TRIP-HOP, SYNTH-POP AND NEO-SOUL, EVEN RELEASING A FOURTH RECORD, NABUMA RUBBERBAND, EARLIER IN MAY. BEFORE THIS DRAGON TAKES FLIGHT AT THE ST. JEROME’S LANEWAY FESTIVAL NEXT YEAR, WE CAUGHT SOME WORDS OF WISDOM FROM FRONTWOMAN, YUKIMI NAGANO, ON WHAT KEEPS THEIR FURNACE ALIGHT.

“Breaking The Rules Can Be Fun.” Nagano began by enlightening us on her mentality for their new record, exhibiting departures from traditional forms of songwriting. “Making limitations for yourself can be inspiring, ’cos you wanna transform and make yourself new,” she elaborated. In fact, the construction of the name, “Nabuma Rubberband”, was a collision of ideas to begin with. “We just love the clashing sound of it. Our music is a lot about clashes and we like to add ingredients to different things. Also, we like the idea that ‘Nabuma Rubberband‘ was an un-Googleable combination of words [laughs]”. “We All Have That Fire In Us.” Confessed Nagano when we asked if their moniker was truly coined in 1996 due to her fiery temper. “It started so long ago that I don’t even remember the truth anymore!” she struggled to recall, “When we were in our early 20s and just started the band, everyone had this huge ego. But these days, we love being a band and having that collaborative spirit”. We warily asked if she was still a ticking time-bomb however. “Nah, I’m a little more zen these days”.

“Being With Someone You Feel Inspired By; That’s A Good Start.” Some love advice from the half-Japanese Swede, “and sharing nice moments that, I don’t know, make life memorable I guess”. But puppy-eyed counsel aside, Nagano’s bond with her bandmates is just as affectionate, at least, in an artistic sense. “I’m more like the back-seat driver,” she revealed, “I sit in the room while the guys produce stuff, but when I’m writing the lyrics or vocals, the guys are really good at guiding me”. Such is the love that nuzzles within Little Dragon. “I Love People Who Don’t Give A D*mn.” Nagano’s exclamation embodied the showy style of her stage persona, presented by her vocally soulful flexibilities and particularly, her sense of dressing. “It’s not about the brand or luxury of it, but more like what you wanna say about yourself and what you wanna express,” she commented about her vibrant garb choices. Though, having a home

“Make Something Silly And Pointless Into Something Fun.” Nagano was referring to the unusual Red Bull Rubberband Car Race campaign that accompanied the fourth record, encouraging fans to “build their own little vehicles with rubber bands and records”. But these, interestingly, weren’t the album’s only associations with automobiles, as evidenced by the humorous opening sample in “Paris”. “Our French friend was always cursing so much while driving,” Nagano divulged, “so I secretly recorded her on my iPhone. She said such funny things”. Apparently, they even snatched a vocal clip of their drummer’s daughter, adding a child-like element that’s not as detached as you might think. “Kids Don’t Have Walls Built Up Like Grown-Ups Do.” As cynical a proclamation as it seemed, it did illuminate the appeal of young ones to Nagano and the band. Hence, the welcome inclusion of the aforementioned sample, and even their record sleeve, which innocently featured their photographer’s bouncy lil’ girl. “When we saw that photo, it just really resonated with the music,” Nagano added, emphasising on the exploratory and imaginative nature of their creations. “I think kids are honest and awesome; I find them really inspiring”. And 18 years on, Little Dragon is still sounding as youthful as ever. “Be Both A Hero And A Villain.” ‘Cos despite whatever pre-occupations they possess towards puerile and untainted minds, you can’t expect them to be goody-two-shoes all the time. Like the mood-oscillating journey of Nabuma itself, Nagano is intrigued with the capricious projections of human consciousness. “I’m actually really geeky when it comes to books about consciousness, it’s super exciting,” she fan-girled, “I even read popular science books when I’m on the plane”. And since Nagano was rubbing science the right way – much like us this month – we asked if there was more untold geekdom to be discovered. “Oh I’m a big Star Wars fan, and I wish I could be Darth Vader – ’cos well, who wouldn’t want the power of The Force?”

Little Dragon performs for St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival 2015, happening January 24, 2015, at Gardens By The Bay. Check out singapore.lanewayfestival.com for full line-up and ticketing deets. little-dragon.net

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

COVER

“There’s Definitely Still, And Always Will Be Tension.” On whether, like rubberbands, their emotions in the studio were ever stretched to the point of snapping, Nagano conceded, “I think it’s a problem when you don’t have tension. Had it been one person making all the decisions, the album would’ve had less complexity to it. You don’t wanna have a bunch of yes-men or -women around you saying ‘yes’ to everything – it’s boring”. Nabuma Rubberband is indeed, complex – exuding everything from the trip-hop sombreness of “Cat Rider” to the techno-teasing “Only One”, to even romantic lullabies on key track, “Pretty Girls”.

studio also mean having the convenience of jamming in your PJs. “Sometimes I wake up and the guys are already there, so I just go straight in my jammies, or wear whatever that’s closest to me; slippers definitely”.

8 COOL FACTS ABOUT HEINEKEN GREEN ROOM 2014 Heineken doesn’t just celebrate the love for lager; it also brings the nightlife community together with its trend-setting electronic dance music parties – the Heineken Green Room. Here’s what to look out for this year!

HEINEKEN HEINEKEN GREEN GREEN ROOM ROOM PRESENTS PRESENTS

INTO INTO THETHE MUSIC MUSIC AND AND BEYOND. BEYOND.

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1 A Preceding Legacy Of Ace Acts

6 Unveiling The

From the indie-rock of The Rakes to the psychedelic folktronica of Caribou, Heineken Green Room’s always kept its privileged attendees sonically (and visually) entertained, with support from attuned local collectives like Syndicate and Darker Than Wax.

2 Be Part Of The Music

While we bellow off-key to a choon, we’re aware some of you actually put effort into lending those golden pipes of yours. For the first time, Heineken Green Room 2014 gives you the opportunity to be part of the music, by connecting your vocals to the DJ console itself, sampling your voice live to be instantaneously synced with the surrounding tunage. ‘Tis the future of EDM right here. The track will be shared on Spotify in end October so stay tuned!

3 Catapult Into The Future

Anything with a sci-fi theme gets our (laser)beams of approval! 2014’s the year of The Transporter, and no, it’s not some Jason Statham tribute, but a classy and cutting-edge music adventure that will truly usher attendees into the music and beyond.

4 Launch To Infinity And Beyond At Infinite Studios

Naturally, the setting’s gotta fit these futuristic festivities, and what better locale to pick than a neo-slanted facility called Mediapolis? The in-built Infinite Studios is renowned for being Singapore’s first world-class soundstage studio. Remember to smile for the cameras folks.

5 Take To The Skies With A Stunning Crew

What’s a vessel without its crew? Step up to the decks of The Transporter and be greeted by characters seemingly descended out of starships. As The Transporter launches you into the frontiers of the electronic dance music, expect to be wowed by the aerialists swooping by to prepare for its maiden voyage!

New igNITE Interactive Bottle

Holding a Heineken bottle in hand is as essential a party accessory as any rocking clutch. Heineken Green Room 2014 offers twice the fun with its latest invention – the Heineken igNITE Interactive bottle. The award-winning innovation makes use of micro-sensors, lighting up the bottle when it detects the motions of clinking and drinking. It even ‘dances’ to the music, responding to the output of specific audio and date cues by flashing and flickering. It’s a lightshow in your hands!

7 By Invite Only

It’s okay to get green with envy if you missed out on previous Heineken Green Room (HGR) events! Everyone’s been wanting a piece of this pie since its inception in 2002 – spurring Heineken enthusiasts to keep in the loop for its ‘by-invitation-only’ policy. Hover over to the next page to see how you can be one of the special ones!

8 Log Your Memories For An Unforgettable Experience

You’ve always gotta immortalise the memory when a journey’s complete. So tag your favourite moments with #heinekenSG and #HGRtransporter, and log your experiences so you can share them with fans across the galaxy. Keep in touch with facebook.com/heineken, and open your world to even more unique experiences!

CHINA SINGAPORE

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

CITY LISTENS WILLIAM J Caucasian or not, the musical essence of good Will is as local as laksa – creamy, smooth, with a punch of spice in every sampling. You won’t just find this ‘beardyman’ helming the decks of Canvas Singapore as its resident DJ, he’s also a core member of SG label, Darker Than Wax.

JAYDAH This bass-loving homegirl presents a breath of fresh air to the scene with some much needed girl power. FFF Girl DJ Bootcamp graduate and one-third of the ATTAGIRL! community, Jaydah’s also been electronically endorsed by local label, Phyla.

MAURICE SIMON Who says Singaporeans are all rat race slaves? Simon has performed at ZoukOut and Good Times, is one-half of The Electric Ambassadors and part of the Sublime collective. He juggles all these commitments with a legal career! Hang up your suits and tip your hats to this house maverick.

SINGAPORE LION CITY LINGO

A garden city; an urban jungle; a ‘fine’ island. Call her what you will, but the metropolis of Singapore is one gigantic mish-mash of cultures and hidden experiences. Getting past the iconic chilli crabs and extremity of durians, this young nation boasts not just an ultimate food and relaxation haven (think Infinity Pool at Marina Bay Sands), but also a bustling nightlife tucked away in its pockets. Zouk – ranked #7 amongst the top clubs – is a weekly mad nest for international DJs and partygoers alike, and not forgetting other clubbing haunts like the basement-banging Kyo, and the rooftop locale that is Loof. For a healthy dose of finger food alongside live music from bands, try Timbre @ The Substation, Hood Bar, Blu Jaz Cafe and Esplanade (again with the durians). This lil’ red dot even features open-mics for budding artistes to take centrestage, fostering Singa superstars in the making. Shiok!

HEINEKEN SPOTLIGHTS

LEGENDARY VIP EXPERIENCE AT HEINEKEN GREEN ROOM 2014 The year is 2014, and Heineken Green Room makes a return with The Transporter: an unprecedented sci-fi-inspired dance music experience that incorporates theatrics and you as part of the DJ set and music legacy. Experience the new frontiers of electronic dance music and immerse yourself in a cutting-edge audio-visual journey like no other on October 17, 2014.

To win an unforgettable VIP experience for yourself and three friends to the exclusive Heineken Green Room, simply share your favourite music experience on Instagram and hashtag #HGRtransporter and #HeinekenSG by October 10, 2014!

THEY COME IN PEACE

OF COURSE WE’VE NEVER BEEN ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE; BUT YOU WON’T FIND ’EM FLAUNTING THEIR OTHERWORLDLY IDENTITIES LIKE E.T. AND CHEWBACCA. HERE, WE SHINE OUR SUSPICIONS ON SOME LIKELY CANDIDATES.

SUN RA

We figured the pyramids had something to do with extraterrestrial life; just observe the legacy of this Pharaoh of jazz. Though this late prodigy might not have hailed from Egypt exactly, his back-story has always been iffy to say the least. The Arkestra maestro even claimed that aliens abducted him in the ’30s to Saturn, where he was instructed to reign through music. We just hope Ra’s in a better place now, or universe.

DEVO

FEATURE

Oh admit it, you totes wanted one of Devo’s futuristic headpieces in the ’80s (we honestly still do). We don’t know which alien technology these new-wave forerunners emulated their ‘energy domes’ from, but according to them, their hi-tech hats empowered them with the ability to absorb discharged energy from their brains and recirculate it down the medulla oblongata (lower half of the brainstem). It’s no wonder these “Whip It” warriors have been going strong for over 40 human years.

APHEX TWIN

There’s something about Richard D. James’ toothy grin that’s not quite from this world. With a set of pearly whites almost as distinctive as Chris Liebing, James has been known to clone his mug onto little children, bikini babes and even spectrogram waveforms – a creepy CTRL-V that parallels the idiosyncrasies of his musical substance. His mark on IDM is one that’s revered till this very day, proving that there’s indeed ‘intelligent’ life out there.

PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC

While most funk outfits were rounding up folks for the soul train, the P-Funk collective was recruiting for their mothership. Headed by boogie daddy George Clinton – a colourful character in his own right – the supergroup was a zealous advocate of Afrofuturism, obsessed with the notion of connecting black people to outer space; one that was unheard of in the ’70s. No one could tear the roof off these futurists of funk.

DIE ANTWOORD

When you can’t conform to the cultures of our world, you create your own. The Cape Town duo of Ninja and Yo-Landi Vi$$er embrace the counter-culture of Zef, representing it through their zany amalgamation of rap and rave. Dubbing themselves “next-level futuristic sh*t”, it’s an appositely described product that combines unconventional costumes and lingo-juggling wordplay that we fink is freeky – and we like it a lot.

MF DOOM

Even intergalactic villains roam this earth, and this emcee ain’t afraid to wear it on his sleeve; or in his case, all over his metal-masked face. In response to vile label fall-outs and a brother who got killed in a car accident, Daniel Dumile looked to sci-fi mythology and emerged reincarnated as an adaptation of the Marvel nemesis, Doctor Doom. His superpower: ill hip-hop rhymes that flip us into a frenzy.

WINNY PUHH

We’re vividly aware that the Republic Of Estonia’s an exotic nation, but this batty freakshow is slapping us with a ‘foreign’ impression. Boasting hysterical intensities that make System Of A Down look docile, this metal circus act once set themselves on fire, had two drummers play upside-down on a rotating platform, and well, dressed up like that. Also, we’re not amused how these guys have permanently ruined Winnie The Pooh for us.

DANGER

Not everyone monitors the concept of time the same way most do. For this French electronica artiste, time plays a most peculiar role in the perception and identification of his works. Instead of attaching witty names to his grandiose symphonies you’d likely hear in a sci-fi film, dates and timestamps – like his 09/17 2007 EP and “1:09” masterpiece – are used to archive his creations. And who knows what lies beneath that mask?

ANKLEPANTS

Sonically speaking, Anklepants is a total genius with an avant-garde application of vocal effects (he created his own mic) to his vast EDM tastes. His outlandish appearance though, now that’s bordering on the stuff of nightmares. A special effects whiz who specialises in prosthetics and animatronics, he’s designed a live set so traumatising that even Freddy Krueger couldn’t un-see. And err, about that nose…

PEELANDER-Z

One thing sci-fi action shows have taught us is that it’s socially acceptable to live out one’s Voltron and Power Rangers fantasies. Pursuing those dreams on behalf of every kid who once owned a Megazord, these punk-rockers have been blasting out tunes from the Planet of Peelander, one mighty morph at a time. Naturally, they’ve got choreographed wrestling sequences and dancing monsters too (and pssst, they’re secretly Japanese).

Text Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

GAME ON

Who wants to play…v1d3o g@m3s?? These geeky musicians did; chipping in to games that have spin-dashed across alien worlds, urban fight clubs and even the boundaries of time. Press ‘Start’ and enjoy.

WU-TANG: SHAOLIN STYLE

FEATURE

HOHOKUM

Merge the whimsical imagination of Lewis Carroll with the bizarre world of The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine, and glide through it all from the perspective of a kaleidoscopic one-eyed serpent – such is the splendour of this exploration-based adventure. Interactions with the alien environments produce musical layers that enhance the enchanted soundtrack, which, in our opinion, is this fantasy’s crown jewel. Tycho, Com Truise, Shigeto and Matthew Dear provide dream-pop and electronica accompaniments while you immerse yourself in these peculiar worlds. Please don’t wake us up from this slumber.

DEF JAM: FIGHT FOR NY Hip-hop’s always educating us about gangsta reppin’ and havoc in the hood, but it certainly didn’t prepare us for anything like this! NY had you playing puppet-master with your favourite rappers, allowing you to pit DMX against Ludacris, Redman against Snoop, Busta against Ice-T and so on. Shaolin on the other hand, indulges Wu-Tang’s Oriental influences with a classic beat-’em-up starring the clan members themselves. Can’t we all just get along? Y’all gon’ make us lose our minds up in here.

MAX PAYNE 3 Video games often rely on a solo composer for their soundtrack, hardly ever on a full band. Noise-rockers HEALTH were the ones selected for scoring this gritty Matrix-influenced shooter after directors witnessed their moody intensities live, and it was a move that smeared filth all over an already-dirty game. Vocals were mangled with guitar pedals and synths screeched like nails on a chalkboard, yet it was an experiment that won them nominations for awards aplenty.

ESCAPE TO PLASTIC BEACH It wasn’t enough for Damon Albarn to create a ‘virtual’ cartoon band with comic artist Jamie Hewlett; clearly he couldn’t resist turning Gorillaz into a game either. Players took control of Murdoc (the grumpy one) as they attempted to outrun the cops in a car chase, swim past ‘superfast jellyfish’ and hang-glide while blowing up pirate ships. Though the iOS project was regarded as a critical flop, at least it stayed faithful to Gorillaz fanatics with OST from their third album.

ROCK BAND

GREEN LANGUAGE Why duh, of course a wonky producer had to go and make a video game. In case this squiggly Scotsman hasn’t gotten you bleep-bloopey with his glitchy beats and geeky synths, Rustie lets you level up by inviting you into the world of his new album, Green Language. It’s an eye-popping pixellated universe scattered with colossal monuments, and part of the puzzle involves deciphering how to reach each one, upon which, you’ll be rewarded with a track from the record. All albums need to be streamed this way, pronto.

GUITAR HERO We can relate to having retarded fingers when it comes to a real Fender Stratocaster, so we were grateful for getting to live our rock star dreams when these music simulation games hit the shelves. And even sweeter than nailing those solos perfectly with a full gauge of ‘Star Power’, is getting to rip up the stage as one of your musical idols – including The Smashing Pumpkins’ frontman Billy Corgan, Rage Against The Machine axe-man Tom Morello, and even re-enacting that legendary rooftop gig as The Beatles.

MOONWALKER

HALO

SPACE CHANNEL 5

Anyone who’s part of the Xbox generation will be familiar with the saga of Master Chief and his first-person shooter odyssey. But were you aware that Halo’s sci-fi soundtrack was partially produced by the legend of funk himself, Nile Rodgers? Turns out this Chic guitarist is a le freak for video games, polishing the music of Halo 2 with the help of Breaking Benjamin and Incubus. Halo 4 also saw contributions from composer Neil Davidge, renowned for his works with Massive Attack. We wonder who’s locked and loaded for Halo 5?

Cha’mon, give us an “OW!” if you grew up on this Sega Genesis relic. Loosely based on his 1988 film, Moonwalker gets you kicking up stars and saving Annie as the late Michael Jackson, and even getting the baddies to mass-dance before transforming into a laser-zapping robot. And if that wasn’t enough smooth criminal action for you, Space Channel 5 had gamers saving the King Of Pop from a brainwashing race of dancing aliens. It was a lot cooler than it sounds, really…

Text Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

GIZMOS GALORE

String instruments are so passe, and no one wants to hit a real drum no more. Meet a handful of the music gadgets of the future; our cyborg descendants will be proud.

EIGENHARP What It Is: Without exaggerating? All instruments in one! It ain’t exactly a harp as you can see, but it does certainly parallel its complexity with numerous functions. This controller’s got a 120-key fretboard for solo-itchy fingers, a dozen percussion keys you can loop, and even a mouthpiece that transforms this thingamajig into a sci-fi saxophone. Musical masters have taken up the Eigenharp challenge all over the globe from Portugal to Belgium, and “Hallelujah” legend Leonard Cohen even incorporated it into his world tour. Good: It’s perhaps the only instrument you’ll ever need, not to mention bragging rights. Bad: Back-breaking learning curve.

FEATURE

REACTABLE

What It Is: Not a table you’d wanna be flipping for sure. The Spanish innovation consists of a table-top tangible user interface and a vibrant array of blocks called “tangibles”, which you scatter onto the backlit display like a broken jigsaw puzzle, or in this case, musical mahjong. Each block can be configured to control layers, filters, oscillators and whatever any capable modular synthesiser can conjure, and it’s a set-up that’s even been endorsed by Gui Boratto and Madame Mysterious, Björk herself. Good: Countless combinations at your fingertips, and heck, it just looks awesome. Bad: Good luck bringing it to your gigs.

TENORI-ON What It Is: A musical device that will test your Game Boy skillz all over again. In case this 16x16 grid looks awfully familiar to you, your guts tell you right ’cos this gadget is exactly what The Analog Girl uses, along with Little Boots and Peter Gabriel. You can create and activate loops by simply tapping any of the LED dots (they even ripple!), while the bouncing and parading silhouettes provide an enthralling lightshow for your hypnotised audience. Good: It’s entertaining for both performer and observer. Bad: You can’t play Pong on this gizmo.

THE GLOVES

SWARMATRON

What It Is: The fruit of Imogen Heap’s wildest imaginations. Being an ardent advocate of technology with her electronica wisdom – notably her vocoder wizardry in “Hide And Seek” – Heap is turning live musicianship into performance art with gloves that modify sound with movement. Effects can be punched in with a flick of the wrist, while stretching out your palm brings sounds to a stop, allowing the wearer to spontaneously map a musical environment with the fullest of expression; one the audience can see unfold before their very eyes. Good: You can be your very own interpretive dancer! Bad: This might not be suitable if you’re hyper-fidgety.

What It Is: An analogue synthesiser that makes the sounds of your nightmares, especially if they’re soundtracked by discomforting ambient drones. Nine Inch Nails’ frontman Trent Reznor however, had the exceptional foresight of turning this Pandora’s box of shapeless noise into a work of art on The Social Network, a remarkable feat that won him an Oscar. Sounds are controlled by sliding your fingers across its two pitch ribbons, and modified by tweaking its numerous knobs and toggles. Good: It’s pretty enough to fit in a Wes Anderson movie. Bad: Without note markings to keep your fingers steady, you might never get ‘music’ outta this croaking contraption.

Text Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

10 RULES OF SURVIVAL BINGO Life is an uncertain game of wins and losses. Maarten Hoogstraten – who now solely carries the legacy of the prog-house outfit – faced impending defeat after his partner, Paul Bäumer, succumbed to cancer last year. But he’s optimistically dodged the KO blow, and has returned to the EDM industry with a future that’s even brighter than before. Hoogstraten sheds some light on how he did it. Grieve the loss of loved ones where necessary. It’s hard to play the shows that Paul and I previously played together. It reminds me of the good times we had and it can be tough performing alone at the same venue. Also, when I have a great show, I can’t share the excitement and experience with him. I really miss that. However, I am determined to give all that I have to honour him and keep our music going!

Come to terms with the cruelties of life. It was summer 2013 when he was diagnosed with cancer. I was devastated by the news, but we all stayed positive and hoped for the best that he would recover. Playing alone in the meantime was tough; I was always hoping that he would get better and be back on the road with me soon.

Never forget the final words of a friend. I was not sure if I could carry on. Thankfully, we talked about continuing Bingo Players before he passed. He told me that if I wanted and could do it, I should.

Always look to the future. I took some time off after his passing and thought about it for a while, till I decided to carry on and continue under Bingo Players. I wanted to be touring and in the studio as soon as possible. I’m also trying to enjoy life more and not worry that much about the little things as I did before.

Knock out any apprehensions with a song. Paul and I worked on our track, “Knock You Out”, for a while and it was one of the last tracks we actually finished in the studio together. Of course it’s very emotional when I hear or play it, it reminds me of the last days in the studio together. I’m very happy with all the feedback it’s been getting. When I play it at shows and people sing along, it’s an indescribable feeling.

Don’t deprive yourself of any kind of experience. I have played at paint parties, but never a glow-in-the-dark one! I am really looking forward to party at Illumi Nation with everybody in Singapore.

Stay close to your buds in the industry. Dada Life (also performing at Illumi Nation) and I actually go way back. We’ve known the guys for quite a while now and they are great to hang out with. It’s gonna be fun sharing the stage with them!

Remain young at heart. I was a big fan of Transformers back in the ’80s. My favourite was Soundwave – the one that could transform into a stereo. If I could build a robot with special features, it will probably be something like that!

Don’t tempt Lady Luck if you don’t have to. Bingo is popular all around the world I guess, but mainly for the elderly. But to be honest, I’ve actually never played it. Gambling is not my thing. I always seem to win the first round (beginner’s luck) and then lose everything after that. I do, however, love playing video games.

Come up with your own Bingo strategy. 1) Work hard; nothing comes by doing nothing. 2) Be passionate about what you do; don’t force anything you don’t like. 3) Stay humble and grateful. 4) Don’t be afraid of the competition; be the competition (a great quote Laidback Luke once posted). 5) And be unique, ’cos that’s the only way to stand out from the masses.

Bingo Players performs for Illumi Nation, happening on October 11 at Siloso Beach. Tickets available at illumination.asia. bingoplayersmusic.com

Text Kevin Ho Image and Interview courtesy of Illumi Nation

CHAT

PLAYERS

THE RECIPE OF

SAUCE81

CHAT

Cooking’s fun as long as you’re not setting off kitchen fires and poisoning guests with your food failures. But after whetting our appetite with a hearty gumbo of funk, soul, house and hip-hop, we just had to deconstruct his multifarious formula, earning us a sharing sesh with the electronic gourmand himself. Begin preparation process: this is Sauce81. 26

Start With A Base Of Cultural Nomadism I moved to the US when I was seven, and I didn’t speak English so I struggled at first. I did experience cultural differences, and knowing these different cultures and mentalities sometimes bothered my behaviour and decisions. I was still young back then, so sometimes I was just forcing my different and ‘better’ ideas, but now I know how to share them and discuss what’s best for whoever is involved. Drizzle A Degree Of Sentimentality For Your Roots I think it still is an issue for Japanese musicians to reach out overseas. Though, there are young generations that are using the Internet and new tools very well to overcome these problems. In Tokyo, there are so many clubs and bars where everyone does their own nights. It’s healthy musically, but I feel that each of these local parties isn’t big. There are underground music lovers and new generations coming in, but I don’t think it’s big enough compared to what it was 10 or 15 years ago. I guess you have to go a bit ‘pop’ to get huge support now. Know Where To Pick Your Freshest Ingredients There are all kinds of electronic music in Tokyo. Some of the cosy spots I go often for glitchy beats – and sometimes deep house – are Solfa in Nakameguro and Hachi in Aoyama. For more experimental sounds, it’d be Superdeluxe in Roppongi and Soup in Ochiai. Big venues with more danceable sounds would be Air, Liquidroom and Unit. Marinate With A Formula Of Mystery I don’t really know what people call my music, but I often say that it’s electronic funk or soul music. For me, house, hip-hop and a lot of the things in between came from funk. Funk can be a tricky word if you only know funk from a certain era. For example, when I was a teenager and only thought James Brown and Sly was funk. People like Michael Jackson and Prince are categorised as

pop, but they’re godd*mn funky! I even feel that techno pioneers like Kraftwerk are funky too. Genre isn’t a big matter for me, as long as it grooves and has a soulful feeling – even machines can sound funky and soulful. Skim Off The Unnecessary I don’t listen to J-pop now; I think that term only came out in the mid-’90s and it doesn’t really fit the kind of music that I do. But Japanese pops from the ’70s and ’80s are still inspiring today. Fry With Plenty Of Futurism I do like to think of things in a physical and scientific way – the natural way – but I also like to dream about the future in a sci-fi way. I like to use synthesisers and try to make my music sound spacey and futuristic. You could even say that music is science. It’s about harmonies, dynamics and sonic waves, made with all kinds of oscillations. Keep A Counter-Approach Prepared N’gaho Ta’quia – my alternate alias – started out as a project to make a soundtrack for a ’70s movie that never existed. The sounds are based on ’70s funk, soul and jazz, but flipping it with a hip-hop and instrumental manner. It sure isn’t easy for anyone to say or remember the name, N’gaho Ta’quia. You swallow the “N” almost just like “Ngh…gaho”, and “Ta-key-a”. Garnish With Your Go-to Sauce [Laughs] My favourite sauces? Well, they’re more pastes than sauces, but guacamole and hummus are some of my favourites. If that doesn’t count, sesame sauce or simply soy sauce are things I definitely need in my life! I do like to cook, but I don’t like washing dishes…

soundcloud.com/sauce81

Text Kevin Ho Image and interview courtesy of Syndicate

TURNTABLE DRIFT DJ SPINBAD F1 fever will be all over the city during the weekend that you’re spinning. Do you have a need for speed yourself? I definitely love to drive fast, and I’m super excited about F1. It’ll be my first time seeing the night race in person! You’ve been in the game a long time. In your view, what’s the key to longevity, doing what you do on the decks?  I love music and I love to DJ, so it doesn’t seem like I’ve been doing it that long. I guess consistency is a factor. What sparked the interest in turntablism? Did you spend many years mastering your craft?   Growing up in Queens, New York, hip-hop was just a part of everyday life. I was always collecting vinyls and once I heard songs with scratching/turntablism on them, I knew it was what I wanted to do. I spent many, many hours working on scratches and routines. Speaking of routines, we chanced upon your tutorial video on YouTube. Do you reckon people in the scene regard you as a mentor figure of sorts? Or are you still learning each and every day?   I suppose that some may regard me as a mentor, but I’m a fan of the craft and of other DJs in general. Even today I am indeed learning constantly.

Do you think turntablism is a dying art? And will you ever retire from the turntable and convert to CDJs?   I always try to incorporate some level of turntablism whenever I’m out playing, although sometimes it may be very subtle. I don’t feel that I can play the way I want to on CDJs. I’ll always be a turntable guy. Most listeners would relate turntablism to hip-hop, exclusively. Do you think that’s the case? Turntablism can be applied to any genre of music! You can see how turntablism can be translated in other genres by watching sets from guys like A-Trak, Craze and others. Your touring stint with Russell Peters is no secret. How does touring differ from the nightlife circuit? It differs greatly. For starters, I can literally play anything I want. There’s no dancefloor to worry about. I do a lot more scratching and a capella blending at Russell Peters’ shows. Sometimes, I even do video mixing sets, which can be a lot of fun. Would you say you’re a comedic character yourself? I’m constantly around some of the funniest people in the world. Hopefully some of that has rubbed off on me! We read in an interview where you once said “there’s no one like mum”. Is family extremely important to you?   Of course. I hope that family is extremely important to everyone. And finally with a name like Spinbad, are you a self-confessed man of the sea? Not at all! I much prefer to admire the sea from afar.

spinbad.com Text Kevin Ho & Sziying Khoo Images Ku Dé Ta

CHAT

Never mind the countless puns we can unfold from his moniker alone, DJ Spinbad’s turntable wizardry proves how deftly adept he is at his craft. Back in town for the F1 festivities, he sheds light on what it takes to be the fastest fingers in the trade and why he’ll always be loyal to vinyl.

Hey Chris! You previously played at Ku De Ta back in March. Are you excited to be back in Singapore? Yes, definitely! It’s going to be kick*ss. It’s absolutely one of my favorite places to play at and I can’t wait to be back in Singapore.

CHAT

TERRENCE PARKER 28

HOUSE CALL

Early house music didn’t just thrive in Chicago. Besides Detroit’s prominent association with techno, stalwarts like Terrence Parker gave cred to the phenomenon of Detroit house, and he’s been doing so for nearly 35 years. We couldn’t resist tapping into the wisdom of The Telephone Man, who elucidated the genre’s origins, his blatant expression of religion, and his love-hate relationship with golf. Parker’s spiritual take on house music. I think all music can be spiritual depending on the circumstances under which it was conceived. House music has a history of bringing people from all races and backgrounds together in one place to enjoy the music. Early house music has roots in gospel, though this does not make all house spiritual. Nevertheless, these roots of house can generally be heard and felt in the music today. Parker’s distinction between Detroit techno and Detroit house. Early Detroit techno has many similarities to house music. The true sound of house was not a particular sound as much as it was a style that was played at clubs like The Warehouse in Chicago, by DJs like Frankie Knuckles. The Detroit techno style also contributed to the early development of house, just as house helped to develop techno. We have many producers such as Rick Wilhite and Moodymann, along with newcomers Jason Garcia and Golf Clap, all who help keep the unique sound of Detroit house relevant in today’s market. Parker’s history with techno. My first release was a techno EP recorded with TrackMaster Lou Robinson and Marc Kinchen (AKA MK)

under the group name Separate Minds. From there I released other techno projects with TrackMaster Lou under the name Shadow, and Chris Shivers under Tralopscinor/Polartronics. I also have several techno tracks on my current album, Life On The Back 9. I can honestly say I was and still am very influenced by techno.

Parker’s golf-referencing record. I don’t even play golf but I do like watching it sometimes. My parents really enjoy the game. The title, Life On The Back 9, came from a story my dad told to encourage me when I was going through a very dark, lonely and depressing time in my life.

Parker’s flexibility in performances. I just make music. I don’t think about trends when I am in the studio. Sure, I listen to all kinds of music and I may use various elements in the creation process. However, I do not set out to make music according to what is or is not happening in the marketplace. I just make what I am inspired by and feel in my heart. Therefore, I cannot say I keep my sound pure because I play house, techno, tech-house, funk, soul, and disco classics in my sets.

Parker’s unwavering faith. With all of the good and bad times I have experienced throughout my music career, one thing I know with absolute certainty – God is in control of everything. I pray about almost everything in my life – from waking up in the morning to something as simple as going to the grocery store. He always works it out for me.

Parker’s 35 years in the biz. It doesn’t seem that long at all. I guess it is like the old saying, “Time does fly when you’re having fun.” I’ve had so much fun and yet worked so hard for many years. I am grateful that people still enjoy my music.

Parker’s home away from house. Actually, I do not have a home of my own; I lost mine last year. I have been through some very tough times and have experienced some difficult days. Yet by the grace of God, I am still here. That being said, the place I call home is within my heart. In my home, there is my faith, humble gratitude and love.

terrenceparkermusic.com

Text Kevin Ho Image & Interview courtesy of Kyo

SIMIAN FUNKSTERS FUNGKIMUNKEES Your sizeable line-up is obviously a conversation starter. How did Fungkimunkees come to be? Fraser: Arvin, Sultan and I had been in another band together for about a year. Eventually we decided to jam with some of our favorite funk tunes combined, and it sounded great…but there was always something missing, and that was the horns, and a vocalist. So we called some friends together, and after that, things just escalated very quickly.

make for better musical choices – music never thrives under a dictatorship! While most of the players are born-and-bred in Singapore, our baritone saxophone/flute player, Pablo, hails from Venezuela but holds an Italian passport; our trombone player, Ashley, has parents from the Caribbean but he was born in the UK; and our hardworking bandleader and guitarist Fraser has an English dad, a mum from Hong Kong, and – the best thing about him – a Singaporean wife.

Does everyone share a similar love for funk? F: I think if we were to all list out what we liked about playing funk, there would be many similarities. The number one reason, which I definitely think we’d all agree on, is that funk music is just absolutely fun to play. It’s a sweet blend of groove, adrenaline and swagger.

We imagine being part of this group gives y’all a meaningful sense of reprieve from everyday life? F: You hit the nail on the head there. For us, even rehearsals are a sigh of relief from the daily grind, knowing that for the next two to three hours, the only thing you have to think about is the next part of the song that’s coming up – nothing else matters.

We’re well aware of how horns tend to...‘leak’. Do rehearsals ever turn into a messy affair? Edmund: Rehearsals are always messy affairs – all that blowing and oozing and dripping. But seriously, the horn section is always well-behaved and we do clean up after ourselves; these Munkees are toilet-trained. Does Fungkimunkees have a vast repertoire of originals, in addition to adapted covers? F: We’ve been writing originals ever since the band started, but being a young and new band, we have to capture our listeners’ attention first. So what we are left with is a lot more covers and rearranged songs, than our own originals. But having said that, we are in the midst of having a semi-complete album. We’ve already broken ground with the first few recordings being completed, so we just need to continue bringing more ideas in, and hitting the rehearsal studios. We realise that the band’s made up of an international line-up. Who’s from where? E: We have an awesome mix of local and foreign talents, and we love the combination of both; different perspectives and views always

Do Singaporean audiences show a reluctance to dance at your shows? Zrina: As long as the audience appreciates it – you can tell by their faces – it doesn’t matter if they’re not keen to get up and dance. Although, with our repertoire, I don’t know how one can not dance! We’re definitely not the kind of band you can sit, eat and listen to. We’re here to party! But honestly, with the exception of dancers, Singaporeans are generally more reluctant. They shy lah. And finally, do you guys go out for disco nights and boogie down the soul train every now and then? Z: I usually boogie on down to locking dance classes and whenever there are funk-/discothemed parties. Sultan and Arvin are salsa dancers, and Pablo is their salsa dance master. Edmund and Fraser only dance when they’ve got enough booze in their system. Boon Chye is too cool for dance, and Ashley is dance party central 24/7.

facebook.com/FKMKS

Text Kevin Ho Image and interview courtesy of The Creative Voice

CHAT

Afros are terribly out of fashion these days, and it’s been long since we missed the last call aboard the soul train of the ’70s, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still go bananas over the legacy of funk. Hailing from disparate backgrounds and parts of the world, FKMKS is a locally-based collective that celebrates funk’s tradition, though they’re barely just a case of monkey see, monkey do.

ORCHESTRATED MOVEMENT SUNO DEKO A change of scenery can do things to a man. In the case of Atlanta native David Courtright and his prolonged residency in New Delhi, India – artistic awakening. His years of being detached from creature comforts had him acquainted with more than just fine art – broadening his imagination as a studio assistant for Indian painters – but also with the beauty of Hindi linguistics. There, he truly learnt how to listen (suno) and look (deko); a gift he applied upon returning home in 2012.

FOCUS ARTISTE

Alias aside, Courtright’s creations are meticulously crafted, consisting of layers and loops that whirlpool around a singularity of infinite possibilities. His concepts echo the tech-tuned methods of Owen Pallett and Kishi Bashi, yet Courtright tosses in a traditional slant with instruments that are conventionally relatable. “Thrown Color”, the title track of his debut EP, blossoms with melodicas, strings, bells, horns and even a guitar solo, almost chronologically like petals vying for their time in the sun. Musically, this is chamber-pop at its brightest, but you can’t help but feel a shard of despair when Courtright’s voice wavers with the fragility of other bedroom vocalists like Youth Lagoon. Not to say that his vocals aren’t strong; on the contrary, Courtright’s jabs at being heard are enough to add flesh to the bones of tender numbers like “Bluets” – another key track that saunters with fuzz-guitars and hummable hooks. There’s a sense of displacement to be found in these figments of fantasy, and with Courtright guiding the way, rest assured you’ll be looking and listening in the right direction.

sunodeko.tumblr.com

IF YOU LIKE THAT, YOU’LL LOVE THESE…

MUTUAL BENEFIT LOVE’S CRUSHING DIAMOND

Readers of ours will recognise this singer-songwriter as our Focus Artiste back in January, and if you’ve duly noted our recommendation (of course you did), you’ll find the resemblance highly uncanny with Jordan Lee’s looped melodies, affectionate vocals and his multitude of instruments.

LOCAL NATIVES GORILLA MANOR

Beyond the boundaries of chamber-pop, Courtright also exposes an indie-rock edge, albeit in a deconstructed and more lo-fi manner, in songs like “Cinders”. And when he does, we can’t help but shake off the similarities between him and these wide-eyed veterans.

NIGHT BEDS

OWEN PALLETT

As demonstrated by Courtright, even singer-songwriters can match the symphonic grandeur of orchestras. Under his Night Beds project, Winston Yellen beefs up his introspective hymns with classical elements, adding majesty to his indie-pop musings.

Polaris Prize winner, Arcade Fire arranger and multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire, Pallett shares the innovation of Courtright with his ingenuity in looping. HIs one-man opuses meander between gusts of violins and electronic discordances, teasing listeners with his knack for wonder and melodrama.

COUNTRY SLEEP

Text Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

HEARTLAND

NOISE MAKERS OF THE MONTH VESSEL We’d urge you to set sail with these alt-rock swashbucklers, except you won’t spot any genre-reppin’ flag hoisted atop this ship. This quintet prefers to ride the current with no limitations on board, crossing frontiers with their torrent of distorted riffs, sharp vocals and brutally honest lyrics. We speak with guitarist, Hakim Lee, about National Service, the universal appeal of their music, and fighting giant aliens.

Hey there! Why the name Vessel? By chance, we found a ship figurine in our rehearsal space and thought Vessel sounded nice, and we ran with it ever since. There was no deep meaning to it at first but now it kind of translates to our music being a medium of expression. But more often than not, it means wreaking havoc and assaulting our neighbours’ ears once a week. Your press release states that your “music is just as attractive to anyone”. Why do you feel the need to make that clarification? Since our music is a hybrid of different genres, it makes it harder to put a finger on what kind of band we are. But instead of looking at it as a disadvantage, we keep our fingers crossed that what we have to offer is just as promising. Just because we’re not in thongs dancing in a jungle while sporting pink hair, doesn’t mean that we’re not making good music. How then, do you feel your music resonates universally with listeners? We write our music based on life experiences that probably everyone has gone through, and pair it with melodies that help us convey the message, and hopefully move audiences. Furthermore, no two songs we have are alike and that kind of ensures that there is a slice of cake for everyone. Was the Noise TMM experience insightful for you? Speaking as one of the guitarists in the band, we were very fortunate to be able to pick Daniel Sassoon’s brain on the various ways guitar parts could be written, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the band were at a loss. After all, Sassoon was a member of arguably the most successful local band to date (Electrico), so we were given insights as to how the industry works and what constitutes good standards when it comes to musicianship.

CALL OUT Thank you all who came down to the various exhibitions and concerts during the Noise Singapore 2014 Festival – we hope you were inspired by all the great art, design, photography and music on display! If you are interested in being featured in our next festival or other showcase opportunities, do send us your best works at noisesingapore.com/submission and it could be your name up in lights in the near future! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @noisesingapore to stay updated.

We hear y’all have been together long? Yeah, we’ve been together since ’08; it’s been almost six years together. Syazwan and I were in a band together before, and when that fell apart, we decided to start afresh and found Imran and Shaun on a music forum. Nabeel was friends with Imran, so everything fell in place pretty naturally. Considering the aggressive nature of your sound, are all of you very hot tempered in nature? I won’t say we are hot-tempered people, but playing FIFA on PS4 can get entertainingly heated with the trash-talking. In the rehearsal space, we do have small disagreements about how things should be done, but it’s no big deal; it hasn’t gotten to a full-blown fist fight (yet). Also, Nabeel has the biggest temper, but that’s only because he loses so much at FIFA. You recently released your single, “What Will You Defend”, which came accompanied with a rather controversial MV involving kidnapping. What’s up with that? With help from a close friend, Yusman Yusof, the video serves as a visual aid to metaphorically tell the story of what every Singaporean male can relate to. Being the one who wrote the lyrics of the song, I’m sure Syazwan had pretty surreal flashbacks while filming it. And since we’re on our future issue, what will you defend yourself with if you were pitted against a giant alien monster? I would choose my mum. I’m more afraid of her because she is a terrifying policewoman, so the giant alien won’t stand a chance. I love you, mum.

facebook.com/vesselsg

RESONATOR REEL VIVIAN WANG

No one melds music with art like The Observatory(see our gig report on page 42); and keyboardist Vivian Wang has been hanging with these avant-garde adventurers since their 2001 formation. A classically trained pianist with an Honours in music, Wang doesn’t just know her music theories, she dissects and distorts them, turning them into sonic-scaping constituents that have preserved the experimental superiority of The Obs all these years. Pianists, synth-geeks and connoisseurs of art have all benefitted from the wisdom of Wang.

SECONDCITY

DREAMERS

LISTEN UP

What are the odds of having a debut single that instantly tops the charts? Such were the euphoric circumstances that struck Chicago native, Rowan Harrington, who migrated from the Windy City to the UK at 12, and found success in his adopted domicile with his panache for house. Name-making track “I Wanna Feel” thumps like a blissful heartbeat, dipping its toes in the deep(house)-end with r&b vocals and piano-pumped hooks reminiscent of Huxley – who himself endorsed this smooth maverick on his Saints & Sonnets label. Other endorsing names include Disclosure and Route 94 – the latter a frequent collaborator – and Hot Natured vocalist Ali Love, whose disco-friendly timbre festoons the sunny warmth of “What Can I Do”. secondcityuk.com

It’s indeed the dream of every musician to make the big time, and these indie-rock Brooklynites have been chasing it ruthlessly like wolves on the hunt. Stirring carnage within the scene under their prior incarnation of Motive, the former four-piece embarked on their renewed path after a precarious shift in members, and they’ve had their eyes on the prize since. “Wolves” roams wild and free as an indie-rock earworm, putting teeth on a Fab Four foundation of doo-wop harmonies with distorted chord-work. “My Little Match” sheds light on the band’s darker edge – a post-punk poise that swaggers with Nick Wold’s brooding vocals and abrupt time signature shifts. And with the prospect of a debut album next month, these are baby steps that tramp with the clout of champions. dreamersuniverse.com

ON OUR PLAYLIST THIS MONTH THE YOUNG GENTLEMEN’S ADVENTURE SOCIETY

RUBY FRAY Double, double, toil and trouble; here’s one bewitching siren who’s leaving a burning impression on our playlists. Not afraid to go ghastly with her latest self-description of “psychedelic witch-wave”, Emily Beanblossom (yes, we’re aware her real name hardly sends shudders) has foregone her psych-punk squealing days with Christmas for an alias that’s more spooky than kooky. Already she’s leaked singles “Barbara” and “Photograph”, both brewing eerily with misty guitars and wispy synths – layers of psychedelia that fortify the lo-fi filtering of Fray’s Nancy Sinatra-esque vocals, even enough to make Lana Del Rey jealous. Churning out a concoction that’s hauntingly gripping, Fray is one enchantress you’ll be happy to keep close for Halloween. rubyfray.bandcamp.com

Forget Berlin or London, Mark Barrott founded his own label, International Feel, in the middle of Uruguay. Then again, the eccentric Englishman has never been known to linger in one spot, setting up headquarters in locales like Germany and Italy. But far from arduous isolation, Barrott’s been generously nourishing the EDM scene, hosting releases that include his posh-slanted solo project – again, indication of his endearing capriciousness, supplementing his bevy of anonymous identities such as Rocha, Bepu N’Gali and Boys From Patagonia. TYGAS’ “Adventure Party” (his sole single preposterously pegged at £200 on wax) is affluent in eclectic rudiments – comprising analogue synths a la acid, funk-fluent guitarwork and jazzy piano solos; all clustered together around a DFA disco beat that even comes complete with cowbells. Take all our money already! sketchesfromanisland.com

Text Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

“I realised that the synthesiser was probably the only kind of sound that would indicate ‘future’” – Giorgio Moroder

SON OF MY FATHER (1972)

SCIENCE OF SYNTHS GIORGIO MORODER

“My name is Giovanni Giorgio, but everybody calls me…Giorgio,” preached the Italian synth Godfather in a biographical monologue on Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories – an exchange that effectively propelled him into the spotlight, half a century after his ’60s debut. In a fascinating sense, Moroder’s re-emergence reflects a palindromic paradigm of time-travel; for he was then in the past orchestrating the symphonies of tomorrow, and has since lunged back into the present with a legacy that’s futuristically retro.

Everyone wanted more of Moroder after he radicalised the disco movement with Donna Summer, and this was the record that arose from that anticipation. The uninterrupted flow of the album’s first half exposed a cutting-edge dance mix instrumental to the shaping of house music.

Now before you go, “That’s heavy, Doc”, you gotta first recognise the fact that Moroder’s sound continues to be emulated today, by like-minded musicians such as Cut Copy, Kavinsky and The Juan MacLean. Trickling arpeggios, bulbous basslines and synth-fills that swell with just the right amount of white noise – these were techniques that this mustachioed Moog-maestro was applying before anyone else, ones that went on to establish EDM genres like Italo and subsequently, nu-disco.

EINZELGÄNGER (1975)

The release of this wild card in the mid-’70s rivalled German counterparts like Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream, swapping his customary 4/4 rhythms for nebulous arrangements. Less of a dance-y voyage, more of an expedition on an alien planet.

Moroder dropped out of school at 19 and left the tiny Italian town of Ortisei for Berlin, where he discovered his technological niche as a recording engineer. A following encounter with the late Donna Summer gave prominence to Moroder’s tricks on the circuitries, ringing in a new chapter of disco with the 1977 anthem, “I Feel Love”, which further rocketed the groundbreaking producer to an icon in demand. Other notable musicians who activated Moroder-mode include Bowie and Blondie, and classic Hollywood soundtracks like Midnight Express and Flashdance – yes ’80s kids, “What A Feeling” was a Moroder masterpiece too. What’s more astonishing? At 73 years of age, this Oscar/Grammy-winning producer can still be found gambolling around discotheques, lately displaying his rejuvenated transition into DJ-ing – a craft that he’s modestly admitted knowing zilch about. This coming from a virtuoso who deciphered the complexities of an analogue synthesiser? Yeah, Moroder’s got this in the bag. Always has.

moroder.net

Text Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

E=MC² (1979)

Einstein gets no credit in this experiment, dubbed as the first ever “live-to-digital” album. To pull it off, Moroder used unique gizmos that could program five mechanical pianos all at once, despite dealing with computer hiccups that thankfully, failed to hamper the Eureka-potential of his ambitions.

ESSENTIALS

Believe it or not, even a visionary like Moroder had to start from somewhere! Though it was not his first record, it was significant for being Moroder’s first foray into the synthesiser dimension. Clearly, he’s never ventured outside since.

FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1977)

SETTING COURSE FOR IT’S THE SHIP

SAIL LIKE A KING First things first, you’ll probably not be sleeping much on Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager Of The Seas. Surf the perfect wave at its FlowRider Simulator and bid goodbye to stuffy quarters with Virtual Balconies – gracing your rooms with real-time sights and sounds of the sea on a HD screen. SLOWLY DOES IT If the ship’s ice-skating rink ain’t slick enough for you, lose yourself in the Balearic beats of Aeroplane, or go exotic with the soca and reggae vibes of Jillionaire. And if you like it slow but crunky, trap’s the way to go with Tropkillaz and “Turn Down For WHUT” ambassador Lil Jon.

lil jon

chvrches

DIVE INTO THE UNDERGROUND aly & fila Bury into the indie-affiliated producer that is Alex Metric, while you’re busy checking out vocalist Lauren Mayberry from Chvrches. And if you can keep your breath held, pump it up (or down) a notch with the techno tunage of Louisahhh!!! RESURFACE WITH ELECTRO Fans of The Bloody Beetroots rejoice, for SBCR himself, alongside the wicked Crookers, will be dishin’ out a generous serving of sharp electro-house goodness on board. Be sure to save some extra adrenaline for their rock-climbing wall.

It’s The Ship sets sail on November 21 till November 25. For more information, visit itstheship.com.

CHECK WHERE’S YO’ HEAD AT Bingo bango! Basement Jaxx is slated to be one of the headliners with their exuberant house lunacies, while trance champions Dash Berlin and Aly & Fila will spin those senses 180 with yet another giddying tizzy.

ALERT

basement jaxx

alex metric

Text Ling Tay Images Various Sources

WHAT THE FREQ!

FREQENDER FESTIVAL

morgan page

marco v

zushan

doorly

When was the last time you found yourself in a themed music festival in Singapore? From the masterminds behind Club kyo comes a two-day jamboree of Halloween haunts and dancedelivered mayhem, with enough freaks and beats to zombie-fy you by morning. Pace those screams over two distinctive evenings, switching vibes as viciously as Jekyll and Hyde.

homeboy Aldrin and our Northern neighbour Indiego, Freqshow also plays host to house/techno wizard, Doorly, who’s known for firing his “Piano Weapon” with Shadow Child. Indietronica icons Hot Chip return with a DJ set that’s always ready for the floor, and electro-house/dance-punk headliners 2manydjs close the evening with some wax for the soul.

FREQSHOW Freqender first ushers in the vamps and wolves with a line-up that oozes with genres that creep within the underground. Besides supporting slots from local

MEKANIKA BY GODSKITCHEN Day Two keeps the goosebumps prickly with this godsend from the angels – a conceptual visual show heralded by international superclub brand, Godskitchen.

hot chip

Text Kevin Ho Images Freqender Festival wolfpack

Mekanika will have your senses soaring to the heavens with a world-class experience, sonically enhanced by electro/prog-house sets from Belgian duo Wolfpack, Grammy-nominated producer Morgan Page, and Dutch ravers GLOWINTHEDARK. Marco V also busts out a monster set of house, trance and trap, and we have the heebie jeebies for that b2b set between Andrew Chow vs. Zushan! The Freqender Festival starts spookin’ on October 31 till November 1, at Infinite Studios. Visit whatthefreq.com for more information.

FAR FROM FINAL

ZOUKOUT 2014 IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN FOLKS! ASIA’S BIGGEST DANCE FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH A BANG, AND IT’S A SOUND THAT’S SWEETER THAN EVER WITH #ZOUKSAVED. HERE’S A LOOK INTO ITS FIRST WAVE LINE-UP.

DANNIC

ABOVE & BEYOND

ALERT

Well that’s that then; you can toss out the prospect of going home early with these trance legends on the bill. Transcending beyond levels of godliness and euphoria, y’know you’re in for an unforgettable ZoukOut when you’re ringing in the sunrise with A&B – moments they immortalised at their 2008 and 2012 sets. Rest assured, you’ll be feeling like kings (and queens) for a day when these Anjuna bosses bust out some “Blue Sky Action”.

“Dear life, stop being boring and go to ZoukOut,” should be your mantra from now till Dec 12. Yet another reason to stuff into your ‘Why I Should’ checklist, Dutch prog-house producer Dannic will be making his much-hyped ZoukOut debut. Industry aficionados should recognise this hard-hitter as the protege of Hardwell, and it’s a reputation he’s proved worthy of with tracks like “Dear Life” and “Zenith”.

LOCO DICE

When this German DJ took a gamble by abandoning his early hip-hop habits following enlightening residencies in Ibiza, it made him one of the most sought-after house/techno decksmiths of our time. He’s since been a visionary in establishments like Ushuaia and DC10, reworked the likes of Neneh Cherry and Basement Jaxx, and even finds time to run his global series, Used + Abused (note: the feeling of your morning hangover).

MANO LE TOUGH

NICKY ROMERO

No standing still when this Dutch electronaut boards the decks! Romero’s “Feet On The Ground” single with Anouk has been fortifying his rightful spot on the charts and airwaves, with well-paced tension and big-room outbursts, executed impeccably for the frenetic needs of any psyched-up mosh. And lately, he’s even been voicing respect for left-field electronic producers like Disclosure and Flume. So who knows what to expect from this adept young’un!

For someone who’s been referred to as “the Morrissey of house”, you can expect Mano’s brand of music to be one of emotion-wrenching melodrama. Often you’ll catch hums of strings and snug pads that call for a good hug in his sets, armed with dense beats still explosive enough to get you grooving. Go mano a mano with this Berlin-based Irishman and you might find yourself shedding a tear or two. It’s okay to cry, just sayin’.

NINA KRAVIZ

So she turned some heads with her controversial bathtub interviews and Hugo Boss ads, but at least you’ll find this Russian beaut backing up her cred with classy performances ingrained in house and techno. Despite her all-smiles persona, Kraviz’s sets exude a dusky temperament, lurking sensually with crisp beats that skim on melodies, yet capable of hooking in listeners beguiled by its allure. And hey we won’t lie, having a pretty mug like hers doesn’t hurt either!

SHOWTEK

You’d best start finding your brothers-in-arms to last you through the ZoukOut marathon, ’cos things are bound to get mental once these hardstyle-turned-house siblings start firing their cannons. These two veterans divulged to us in June that their relationship with EDM began at just 15, so we guarantee these Booyah-bros know how to throw a helluva show – one that feels so good to be bad.

STEVE ANGELLO

While the big boys were shaping the European EDM scene from The Netherlands, Angello took a couple of his Scandinavian buds and formed a lil’ phenomenon you might know as Swedish House Mafia. Since their disbandment last year, Angello has been reaping the benefits of his solo freedom, teasing the release of his Wild Youth record with the rapturous single, “Wasted Love”, featuring The Temper Trap’s Dougy Mandagi.

STEVE AOKI

Altogether now…let there be cake! We’re sure Aoki won’t give a hoot about any F&B violations he might rack up during his delirious set – since in Aoki’s opinion, throwing cake in people’s faces is acceptable – but then again, this is the Aoki-san we’re talking about! Dim Mak daddy, pop culture icon and a bearer of a mighty fine beard, Aoki is one past ZoukOut-headliner who’ll have you raving with his electro-house riots.

W&W

Another mainstay of the Dutch EDM industry, this illustrious duo made festival history by coming up with Tomorrowland’s 2014 anthem, “Waves”, together with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. Their collaborative spirit also produced the hardstyle-honed blitzkrieg with Headhunterz, “Shocker”, and the electro-house deluge that is “The Dance Floor Is Yours” with Hardwell. Trust us, you won’t get no R&R with W&W, unless big-room drops are your form of therapy.

ZoukOut 2014 happens on December 12 and 13 at Siloso Beach, Sentosa. Tickets available at zoukout.com.

Text Kevin Ho Images Zouk Management

10 LANEWAY WE’LL ALUMNI NEVER FORGET

ALERT

The skippers behind St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival might still be keeping their 2015 line-up under wraps, but it won’t stop us from reminiscing our dearest Laneway moments over the last four years. Were you there too?

GIRLS (2012) Playing on a stage adorned with flowers, with a touching tribute to then-recently deceased Whitney Houston (we’ll always love you), the guys from the now-defunct Girls have never been shy about being the sentimental sweethearts they are. Chris Owens’ fragile vocals aroused the indie kids from Austra’s electro-goth stupor, and their sincere delivery schooled us on the unifying force of music that sunny and solemn afternoon.

38 BEACH HOUSE (2011) Who can possibly forget the very first ‘Rainway’? Dark clouds rolled in as Warpaint kicked off and by the time Ladyhawke took to the stage, a light drizzle had already set in. Thankfully, there was Beach House, who brought in a slice of sunshine with their stirring atmospheric sounds. Nonchalantly clad in a hue of pastel green, Victoria Legrand’s dreamy laments chased away the rain. Or maybe we were just too blissed-out to care.

OF MONSTERS AND MEN (2013) Icelandic collective with sing-along gang vocals and hair-raising trumpets, conducting a congregation in the middle of an open plain? All we needed then were mammoth medieval flags and we’d have had our very own Glastonbury! Every OMAM track is unashamedly designed for festive scenarios like these, and these lion-hearted folk-rockers certainly rose to the occasion with their accessible anthems and huggable personalities. What can we say? The magic of Iceland struck again.

SAVAGES (2014) Laneway has had many performances under its belt, but ‘performance’ is a word that takes a whole ’nother meaning with a frontwoman like Jehnny Beth. Watching these post-punk vixens was almost like theatre, featuring Beth in the starring role with lots of broody gazing, melodramatic gestures and shrieking war cries. These ladies didn’t care if it was a carefree atmosphere of flower crowns and cookie sandwiches; Savages was brutal in melting everyone’s faces off.

HOLY F*CK (2011) Blame the associations drawn from their name, or that their set took place at sundown, but Holy F*ck was a spiritual experience. The Canadian group raptured us with their bodies hunched over a host of odd gadgets and contraptions, tweaking their instruments fervently to produce a fully improvised set of trippy electrifying noise-rock. As the screen-relaying cameras panned over the euphoric crowd, we swear we saw some already on their knees. “Holy f*ck” is right.

JAMIE XX (2014) Note: Laneway is not a dance festival, though it seemingly felt that way when this xx producer took over the newly-assembled Cloud Stage! Beats weren’t being boosted by live snares and toms here, Jamie’s turntables were enough to launch Laneway into an all-out rave. Manufacturing a DJ set embellished with house and nu-disco earworms, Jamie set a precedent for the future of Laneway’s vision, and it’s one that we hope to see crystallised someday.

NICOLAS JAAR (2013) 2013 sure was a good year for moshing in the marshes to the noise-rock jams of Cloud Nothings and Japandroids, but it was this ex-DARKSIDE (*sobs*) chieftain who stole the Laneway show. A breath of fresh ambient air to the festival’s abundance of bands, Jaar’s slow house grooves infused with live saxophones and his sensual Elvis-tones had everyone sashaying in the fields like a hypnotised communion of air-dancers, jiggly flailing included.

FOALS (2011) By the time Foals came on, we’d been shivering in the cold for close to 10 hours, ankle-deep in mud and completely knackered. Suffice to say, Foals had a tough crowd. Taking swigs of Jim Beam throughout the performance, Yannis gave no heed to the rapid downpour, rousing the crowd into a wet, wild frenzy as the band thundered on with rollicking cadence. Not shabby at all, for their first-ever performance here.

M83 (2012) We truly yearned to get lost in space with M83 that evening. The psychedelic dance of lights created a galactic backdrop fitting for the French outfit’s space-y brand of ambient pop. Armed with his box of tricks, Anthony Gonzalez kept our spirits buoyed with soaring synths and smashing drum pads. It felt like magic when “Midnight City” roared through the speakers as we chanted along devoutly. Goosebumps galore.

JAMES BLAKE (2014) What was perhaps Laneway’s quietest of moments, ended up being one of our favourites. Blake’s headlining performance was contrastingly intimate; an emotional finale that crushed the momentum of prior rowdy acts like Haim and Chvrches. The enraptured silence was deafening in a good way, for no one dared burst the bubble of Blake’s precision with loops and vocoders. His ghostly rendition of “Lindisfarne” still replays in our heads, sending us shudders everytime.

St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival happens on January 24, 2015, at Gardens By The Bay. For more information and ticketing details, visit singapore.lanewayfestival.com.

Text Kevin Ho & Sziying Khoo Image Laneway Festival Singapore / Chugg Entertainment

HUMAN SPONGES BLUE HAWAII

Sundays are always tricky – stay home and mope for the Monday ahead, or muster your leftover adrenaline for a polished act like Blue Hawaii? It was a no-brainer, really. We chucked stay-home inertia away and found ourselves in Life Is Beautiful Kitchen & Bar, where Fzpz lurked with an opening showcase. Doing his Phyla family proud, the unassuming young’un warmed us up with slo-mo grooves of chill-wave and glitch-hop. After which, our September cover-gracing duo of Agor and Ra surfaced from their exhausting “nine shows in 10 days” slump, though they were clearly saving their best for last.

a discotheque, beginning with a house-y rendition of “In Two”. Agor fiddled with his controllers’ gazillion buttons, while Ra beefed up her ethereal voice with live loops, turning their otherwise introspective sound of witch-house and glitch into a full-on dance marathon. It was also charming to observe how the close-knit team would cue each other in with hand gestures, showing endearing synergy between their machines and mannerisms. “You guys are absorbing our energies like human sponges!” Ra quipped. “Sponges!” we yelled. “Yay sponges!” Ra yelled back. What can we say? ’Twas a fun night.

REPORT

Almost revitalised by the rousing reception from the crowd, Blue Hawaii transformed the diner into Text Kevin Ho Images Dawn Chua

GLAD WE CAME UP We love being on top, especially when perched above the snazzy al fresco establishment that is Loof. Whether it’s to watch rosy-cheeked revellers bounce, or getting rosy-cheeked ourselves with the milky, spicy broth of Loof’s crayfish laksa (a secret menu item!), Loof elegantly blends chilling-on-a-hammock vibes with a splash of debauchery – and that’s where Goldroom comes in. No stranger to the Looftop himself, the L.A. nu-disco producer came prepared for the tropical clammy air donning a light floral shirt, fitting for the refreshing spritz of sounds he was ’bout to let loose.

LOOF PRESENTS GOLDROOM

synths that cruise on a bed of 110bpm-beats; an audial scenery translated jauntily through Goldroom’s glossy numbers. The floor erupted into a wave of appreciative partygoers as Goldroom dropped perkier reworks of Chromeo and Niki & The Dove, together with a couple of his treasured originals like “Fifteen” and “Embrace”. The eclectic beatsmith even ushered us into harder territories of house, yet keeping it sensually sprightly for the summery moods throughout. And sure enough, everyone’s spirits were sizzling all the way till his final serving of MØ’s “Don’t Wanna Dance”, prompting a reaction that was exactly the opposite. Obviously.

’Cos that’s what you get with nu-disco – juicy basslines and sun-dipped

Text Kevin Ho Images The Lo & Behold Group

GODSPEED YOU! ANBERLIN: THE FINAL TOUR

Some bands thrive through the ages, while it remains painful for us to watch others struggle to stay afloat. Say what you will, but we have to admire Anberlin’s tactical exit after 12 years and seven albums of trusty alt-rock anthems. Don’t we all remember bawling to the symphonic croons of Cities? ’Twas a bittersweet evening as hoards of nostalgia-ridden youth descended upon TAB for a sold-out show to bid the Florida alt-rock legends adieu. A snugly-contained affair, Anberlin’s tendencies toward arena rock, accompanied by Stephen Christian’s soaring vocals, resounded within the intimate space.

rapturous rockers dived straight into the classic “Paperthin Hymn” and held steady for a solid hour and a half. As tribute shows should go, the band roared earnestly through their musical canon, rousing the audience into a fist-pumping frenzy with old favourites like “Godspeed” and “A Day Late”. But raucous guitar riffs aside, lighters were lit as Christian’s heartfelt lyricism cut through the dynamic acoustic strumming in “The Unwinding Cable Car” and climactic closer “*fin”. If anything, Anberlin’s got a knack for wistful endings. Taking lines from “Harbinger”, the band rounded off in most melodically memorable fashion as confetti peppered from above. Cue the waterworks.

Never mind that bassist Christian McAlhaney suffered an altercation with the mic (nosebleed alert!), the

FEISTY FEMMES

DEAP VALLY

#STANDFORSOMETHING It’s no secret that iconic footwear brand Dr. Martens has always had a foothold in music. Having debuted UK band The Heartbreaks last year, the successful #STANDFORSOMETHING campaign embraces powerful female energy by bringing Californian garage-rock duo Deap Vally to our shores. And boy were we pumped. SPACE Held at Beep Studios, the setting was suitably pared-down and minimal, providing a steely industrial vibe that matched the performance that was to come. But not before DJ Natalie Pixiedub warmed up the crowd with an artillery of rock

anthems, while sponsor Desperados well as new tracks (including a Beer ensured everyone got work-in-progress with YYY’s Nick swishingly boozed up. Zinner no less), engaging the crowd quickly with their captivating SOUND chemistry and striking stage The unapologetically edgy female presence. Watching Edwards duo – made up of Lindsey Troy on bashing and crooning along to Troy’s guitar and Julie Edwards on drums fiercely husky drawl and insane – unleashed a raw and skeletal set psychomotor prowess – Deap Vally that favoured their spunkitude, was a sight to behold. enabling fearless fluidity between the instruments; unafraid to push their sound into overdrive. Not to mention, those two incredibly wild and gritty voices! SPIRIT The twin sirens played old favourites like the blues-y “Baby I Call Hell” as

Text Sziying Khoo Images Dr. Martens

REPORT

Text Sziying Khoo Images Aloysius Lim / Muhd Haziq / Sweehuang Teo / Dawn Chua

KILLING TIME THE OBSERVATORY: OSCILLA LAUNCH

REPORT

“A scene without mettle and variety” – such throwaway proclamations become moot when you’re in the presence of legends like The Observatory. Despite the chilling auras of their unforgivably experimental opuses, the warm reception for the art-rock outfit turned The Substation into homeground – a haven where The Obs could pretty much, do whatever the heck they wanted. The prolonged introduction of “Distilled Ashes” for instance, lurked menacingly to the drumwork of Cheryl Ong (SA Trio), while “Autodidact” screeched and yowled amidst the electronics of Yuen Chee Wai.

These avant-garde excerpts from Oscilla were augmented by the band’s two newest members, enhancing the seasoned status quo of Vivian Wang on keys and Dharma on guitar – the latter turning music-making into an art with violin bows and kitchen spoons that he’d stuff in between his strings. Binding it altogether however, was the nostalgically downcast vocals of Leslie Low, though also executed unconventionally with minor-keyed melodies and lumbering nuances. And to appease the sentiments of those who know their scene history, there was even a surprise appearance from Hanging Up The Moon (Concave Scream fans rejoice!), complementing The Obs with a communal contrast to their otherwise alienating soundscapes – a habit we’re glad they’ve never broken since day one. Text Kevin Ho Images Martin Chua

CREATURES OF HABIT PLEASANTRY

colossally enhanced the sprightly exposed a moodier maturity symphonies. And who could ignore that thrived in tracks like that jolly horn section? “Channels” and “Spent”, and even compositions they’d revealed Keeping Things Near And Dear through their years of gigging like Pleasantry’s far-reaching the sing-along anthem, “Swan friendships extended to the Song”. Altogether, a pleasant backstage crew, including SSYSTM experience from one of the and Fhage on visuals and DUNCE greatest bands in Singapore. on stage management. We even caught producer Leonard Soosay cheering them on from the mixer, as did everyone in attendance when the band played crowd Super Supergroup favourites like “Ariel”, and No one could’ve fully anticipated the boggling marvel that was their “Windowgazer”. 14-pax line-up. Guest vocalists Excitatory Synapses Weish and Samantha Rui added This event was of course to jovial harmonies to the vocals, celebrate the launch of the violin virtuoso Josh Wei provided a classical edge, while sessionists group’s debut album, Synapses. Pleasantry’s latest material from ANECHOIS and Yumi Electrifying The Esplanade It’s a grand accomplishment for any local band to grace The Esplanade stage, yet a more superior milestone to host a ticketed event at the Recital Studio. But if there was any outfit of musicians that could pull it off, these cherished indie-poppers possessed the means of doing so, evidently exemplified by the hearty response.

Text Kevin Ho Images Hylman Suwandi / Fhage

CHARLI XCX SEXUALLY HARASSED ON RADIO Charli says “I Love It” to many things, but certainly not to pervs like Dutch radio host, Giel Beelen. For whatever deplorable and inexcusable reason, Beelen requested Charli to wish his listeners “Good Morning” in the most sensual way, and prompted her to “put her hands on her body” and “finger herself”. Despite keeping her composure on-air, the synth-pop singer-songwriter sarcastically expressed her disgust through Twitter, “s/o sexism. It's the best”. Seriously, what a d*ckwad.

TORN HAWK – LET’S CRY AND DO PUSHUPS AT THE SAME TIME

PICK

RUN THE JEWELS – RTJ2

KNIFE PARTY – ABANDON SHIP We haven’t been this excited about the phrase “Boss Mode” since…well, every video game we’ve played. These EDM Aussies leaked 90 seconds of the aforementioned track for fan service’s sake, and it was enough to get everyone stoked with its vehement fusion of dubstep, moombahcore and trap. The more generous preview of “Resistance” from their debut album however, has added fuel to the flames with its salvo of electro-house excellence. knifeparty.com

War between Deadmau5 and Disney rages on over trademark of mouse ears.

WATCH

PEAKING LIGHTS – “BREAKDOWN”

BROKEN BELLS – “CONTROL”

TY SEGALL – “MANIPULATOR”

Finally, a video that shows us how ridiculous our relationships with our smartphones have become! Texting while driving, swiping through Tinder on dates, even checking out Instagram on the can; the synth-pop duo have re-enacted these common scenarios with a super-sized twist.

There’re more mysteries of the universe than this unlikely collaboration between Danger Mouse and The Shins’ James Mercer, and this superduo’s exposing them in this oldies-themed clip on UFOs. Compiling footage of crop circle sightings and alien abductees, it’s a vivid reminder that the truth is out there.

So this is what Segall’s bedroom must look like. But if you don’t fancy the Einstein posters and Martians on the curtains, you can give it a makeover with just a click. This video’s fully interactive, allowing you to alter the scenic elements of three psychedelic set-pieces.

FLASH: MUSIC

The thrilling concept of superteams usually fizzes out after a novel one-off effort, but this is one partnership that ain’t running dry. It’s been only a year since rappers El-P and Killer Mike dropped their self-titled debut, yet they’re extending their all-star collaboration with a sophomore record featuring Travis Barker, Zack de la Rocha and the Foxygen-affiliated Diane Coffee. Brace yourself for a hip-hop blockbuster that will have you “running through the wall like Juggernaut”. runthejewels.net

AKA how we’re like when we’re exercising. But instead of getting loose in the gym, Luke Wyatt has been toning his technological chops for his Mexican Summer debut, fronted by aptly named single, “I’m Flexible”. It’s lo-fi electronica infused with dream-pop; wistful guitar hooks that shimmer through a sanctuary of synths, all strung together with snug puffy beats – much like slow-jogging on a cloud. tornhawk.com

DEERHOOF – LA ISLA BONITA After 11 albums, San Francisco’s art-rock foursome still strives to sound as off-kilter as possible. Ditching the pop-flavoured jingles of the ironically coined Breakup Song, Deerhoof returns with another eclectic offering. Their first single, “Exit Only”, is energetic and raw, with its smashing instrumentals deceptively off-set by Satomi Matsuzaki’s sugary vocals. If its jolly crushing sound sets the tone for what’s to come, it sure looks like an exhilarating return for the “best band in the world”. deerhoof.net

PICK

FLASH: MUSIC

ICEAGE – PLOWING INTO THE FIELD OF LOVE

No need to chisel these Danish post-punkers outta the glaciers, these rough-housing hooligans are thawing through our speakers once more, accompanied by Elias Bender Rønnenfelt’s signature savage drawl that meets Nick Cave and Pete Doherty halfway. And while “Forever” demonstrates the band’s perfected craft of carnage, “The Lord’s Favorite” says its Hail Marys with an invigorating folk-punk stance that will incite some tussling in the barnhouse. iceagecopenhagen.eu The Knife announces break-up with poem on axes to grind and elf pee.

GOTYE...THE POLITICIAN? Forget sex and drugs, Gotye’s cleaning up rock & roll’s bad rep by giving politics a whirl. Together with his band mates from The Basics, the musician we used to know is set to rally against the elitism in Australian politics. Apparently they’re promising to fight for better appreciation of music through improving indigenous education. However, with a tacky name like The Basics Rock ‘n’ Roll Party, we wonder just how much work will actually get done.

SAVAGES & BO NINGEN – WORDS TO THE BLIND Now we don’t necessarily get Dadaism, but one might say the incongruous collaboration between Savages’ apocalyptic post-punk sound and Bo Ningen’s psychedelic noise seems like an ear-splitting endeavour to revive the late movement. Taking inspiration from Dadaist poetry, the album features “a simultaneous sonic poem” – an intensely zen 37-minute long opus whereby two drum kits, three guitars and two basses fight to be heard amidst both vocalists belting cacophonously in different tongues. savagesband.com boningen.info

MARK KOZELEK HATES HILLBILLIES Gig etiquette folks – it’s that simple. But it looks like the frontman of Sun Kil Moon just couldn’t take the disrespect no more. Miffed by the chatter of an inattentive audience in North Carolina, Kozelek snapped by telling the “f*cking hillbillies” to “shut the f*ck up”, further inciting the unforgiving wrath of hecklers. In response to the negative controversy, Kozelek now sells tees printed with his famous QOTD. Nicely done, PR team.

5 MINS WITH

DJ RAE

PICK

KINDNESS – OTHERNESS

Let’s be kind and rewind. The last we heard of Adam Bainbridge, he was giving the world a change of mind with his disco-fied indie-pop debut in ’11. He’s since kept the classy mish-mash going, with a stellar sophomore record featuring Robyn, Dev Hynes, and Kelela on “World Restart” – a slowed-down soul ride that ambles with funky bass licks, sexy saxophones and house-y beats. soundcloud.com/kindness

LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy makes 400 hours of music from tennis algorithms.

TIM WHEELER – LOST DOMAIN

WEEZER – EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT IN THE END Rivers Cuomo and his power-pop pals have been winning us over since their time-travelling cameos in Happy Days and comical brushes with The Muppets. And with a ninth album that’s neither green nor blue, these endorsers of pork and beans are back with more mischievous melodies entwined with guitar-heavy arrangements. We hear Bethany Cosentino makes an appearance too, amidst tracks like the harmonica-helmed “Cleopatra” and “Back To The Shack” that screams ’90s rock all over again. weezer.com

Hands up if Wheeler’s still your shining light! It’s been a while since we last caught up with alt-rockers Ash, but we reckon it had something to do with their doe-eyed frontman’s family struggles. Wheeler’s dad lost a dwindling battle with dementia – a trauma that penned the heartfelt works of his solo debut. “First Sign Of Spring” reveals Wheeler’s positive acceptance of the departure, turning on the waterworks with its pensive odes and string accompaniments. RIP Papa Wheeler. ash-official.com

WHILE THE LIFE OF A GLOBETROTTING DJ MAY SEEM LIKE A NEVER-ENDING PARTY, MULTI-FACETED DJ RAE PROVES THAT THERE’S MORE TO BEING THE LIFE OF THE SCENE. WITH ENOUGH SPUNK AND ’TUDE TO MATCH HER SNAZZY TUNES, THIS CHART-TOPPING SINGER-SONGWRITER-PRODUCER-DJ SWUNG BY OUR SHORES RECENTLY FOR THE HEINEKEN CITIES FESTIVAL, WHERE SHE ’FESSED UP ABOUT HER LIFE IN FIVE MINUTES.

Reppin’ The Heineken Cities Festival I think Heineken is getting involved in a lot of really cool dance events around the world, and I play dance music around the world. I also mix live vocals into my set that adds to the vibrancy that Heineken wants to get across. That’s why I am here! Growing Up In House I think for a lot of people in house music, you are sort of born into it. There was a strong house scene when I started going into clubs and it got me my first experience, so naturally, I kept finding that everything I worked on musically was moving toward that world. It was fantastic to get an opportunity with Defected Records, which led me through my journey and brought me here. Working With Sandy Riviera We met in Ibiza, of all places. It’s the hub of all house music. We stayed in touch and since we were both living in London, we got the opportunity to get together in the studio. I started singing and writing and there was this connection so we ended up writing an album together. Being A Jane-Of-All-Trades Right now though, I have to say I call myself a musician, because I write, sing, produce and make the music. And I go out there and work it. It’s all a massive part of what I do and it doesn’t seem like one thing without the other. Juggling Sleep Sleep is so important. Being a girl, you really feel it the next day. The way I cope with my job when I’m travelling is like prepping for a marathon; I’m really healthy, eat good food and exercise. Picking A Favourite City I love London; it inspires me so it sits at the top. I also really love Amsterdam – which needs no explanation – that’s a close runner-up.

raedjartist.com Text Sziying Khoo Image & interview courtesy of Heineken Cities Festival

Text Kevin Ho & Sziying Khoo Images Various Sources

DISHING IT OUT BY DANIEL SASSOON

ON TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

If necessity is the mother of invention, then surely laziness must be its muse-whore. The advancement of technology might initially have been borne out of need, but somewhere along the way, collective humanity’s seemingly endless source of innovation became less about developing important tools to solve critical problems, and more about cluttering up our lives with contraptions that only indulge our inner lazy-a** sloth.

SOUNDS

There’s a big leap of logic between mankind’s triumphs in controlling fire, so early man could eat a mammoth steak without painfully dying from food-borne parasitic diseases – not to mention benefitting from that wonderful Mailliard reaction which made that seared hunk of mastodon trunk taste so much better – and processing perfectly acceptable raw ingredients to create a frozen TV dinner. You nuke it in a microwave for three minutes, have it emerge as a culinary bad joke with the texture of tree gum, and then proceed to eat that slop – just so you don’t have to actually head out to grab a bite at an establishment, or even call for home delivery, or, God forbid, actually cook something. Colour me unimpressed.

Take that one step further, and you have Soylent – touted as an “open source nutritional drink”, which is technospeak for a liquid meal that supposedly gives the human body all the nutrition it requires. It recently enjoyed a highly successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. A theoretically perfect substitute for food, it’s almost akin to those food pills depicted in The Jetsons cartoon from back in the day. But wait – can any argument for convenience ever trump the sheer essential goodness and simple pleasure that eating brings? This is a grave insult to our precious taste buds. Why would anyone voluntarily want to do that to themselves? Unless perhaps their only other option was the SAF cookhouse food (I went for reservist training recently, so pardon my snark).

LP1

FKA TWIGS

(YOUNG TURKS)

Mystique unravelled: artsy video singer FKA Twigs is Tahliah Barnett, former video girl dancer for Kylie Minogue and Jessie J. So fake, such a lie, ratchet. But that was who she was. Who she really is, is the neu avant Aaliyah+Kate Bush, the newest bloom in the neu trip-hop/r&b/ post-dubstep world. She sings a line from “I Find No Peace”, a poem by Sir Thomas Wyatt, a cherubic choralist in a minute post-dubstep opener. She plays sex siren in The Weeknd-esque, “Lights On” and “Two Weeks”, sounding at once both digitally cold and vulnerably seductive. It’s deliberate – the name, the videos, the image making – yet, we all still fall for tricks of the one Formerly Known As Twigs.

Speaking of The Jetsons, it’s almost eerily prescient how a number of now-classic movies and television shows portrayed the future. Some of those fictional predictions are already right here, right now. Video calling; portable device-sized flat television sets; these concepts alone are almost quaint in light of mobile phones and tablets. Those much-coveted personal jetpacks are already being commercially developed – now all we have to do is figure out how to stop us from accidentally crashing and killing each other mid-flight while strapped to a portable mini-rocket. As someone who was born in the last generation that will ever spend his formative years growing up in a world that isn’t already immersed in the Internet, I have to confess that sometimes, the rapid acceleration in technology across every aspect of our lives scares me almost as much as it awes me; and when I express even a hint of that, it’s like I’m being judged, and meant to feel that only an old fogey Luddite would say something that ridiculous. Are we so desensitised to innovation already that every leap forward ceases to be an event...in fact becoming something blase, almost expected? To those fearless advocates for unbridled technology, the last laugh might be on you. There’s still enough time perhaps to rue the day when U2 beam one of their subsequent albums into your Apple iBrain implant without your permission. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

BECK SONG READER

VARIOUS ARTISTES

(CAPITOL RECORDS)

A motley crew of 20 artistes. A benefit album for a kids’ charity organisation, 826 National. Bankrolled by Warby Parker, an American glasses company. The involvement of Dave Eggers, co-founder of said charity and founder of famed publishing house, McSweeney’s. And Beck, whose concept of releasing 20 songs as a volume of sheet music in 2012 (through McSweeney’s), is now realised as this compilation. A box of chocos or a packet of processed pain? A bit of both. With acts like Jack White, Laura Marling and Jarvis Cocker, the quality is high. But somehow, despite of all them, it’s a trudge through songs pressed in the same soft country-rock-folk mould.

PICKS OF THE THEY WANT MY SOUL Spoon

(LOMA VISTA) Two decades, eight albums – it is some kind of triumph for Spoon to have never made a ‘bad’ album. Their latest is, once again, a solid effort. It is a comeback of sorts, the band having taken a four-year breather after annoyance and weariness set in after their last album. Boppy, balanced and ear-friendly, it’s one made for mainstream recognition, packaged with the winning “Do You” and the title track.

PE’AHI

The Raveonettes

(BEAT DIES) Jangly rock mixed with retro girl-group pop and shoegaze, rolled in a carpet of fuzz – this has always been the template of Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo. They change it up with more surf-pop and loads of instrumentation, all awash in static still of course. Welcome moves, especially on “Sisters” where a singular harp of all things, precedes a wall of noise, and the industrial track, “Kill!”.

SPARKS

Imogen Heap

(MEGAPHONIC) The Himalayas, Hangzhou in China, her Internet website; Imogen Heap is everywhere at once, a techie adventurer connecting her music-making with her larger audience via her infamous Twitter dress and Mi. Mu gloves. Heap is a conceptual artiste making pop music, even if the breath of ideas may either diffuse or enhance the listening experience.

THE VOYAGER Jenny Lewis

(WARNER BROS) “Head Underwater” comes on, and we find ourselves thumping our feet and humming along, caught in a Fleetwood Mac reminiscent moment – we just need an open car, a long road and a Cali sunset to complete the picture. A voyage back into easy-listening vintage guitar-pop, with enough lyrical hurtin’ and yearnin’ to darken the sheen and deepen the listen.

BLACC HOLLYWOOD

WIZ KHALIFA

(ATLANTIC) Wiz Khalifa must love his smokes as much as his wife of one year, Amber Rose and son, Sebastian, ’cos several albums on, he is still rapping and singing about getting high. Lucky for his smoker-fans, not so much for the rest of us. Guests Juicy J, his forebear Snoop Dogg and the omnipresent Nicki Minaj, make this his true rap-popstar album, as current and commercially mired as it is creatively tired.

ROYAL BLOOD

Royal Blood

(WARNER BROS) A nascent Queens of the Stone Age, Jack White and Muse rolled into a Brighton duo, that’s who Ben Thatcher and Ben Kerr AKA Royal Blood sound like. Ones to look out for (according to BBC’s ‘Sound Of 2014’ list), making a satisfying crunch musically with their blustering “Out Of The Black” and “Figure It Out”, but a longer stew and more original meat’s needed.

RANDOM WHITE DUDE BE EVERYWHERE Diplo

(MAD DECENT) Call it a twist in perspective, a mood change or age even, but wethinks Diplo’s missing the creative mark ’cos he’s aiming squarely for the commercial masses, dangerously dipping his music into trap. The basslines still stomp and wobble, the synths sting, and the beats, strafing body bombs, all wired to be weapons of mass distraction for mega-raves. Still jumpin’, but not quite as high nor far.

WORLDS Porter Robinson

(ASTRALWERKS) Not sure if it’s a good thing, but Porter Robinson’s debut sounds like Owl City trying to make widescreen synth music for festival tents, or Zedd slowing down to breathe with ambient music. Either way, at least this one-time Skrillex protege is not making bro-step. File him alongside Passion Pit and M83, but a bit more down the line.

Text Chris Ong Ujine Images Various Sources

WILD ONION

Twin Peaks

(GRAND JURY) The newest, brightest 20-year-old rockers from Chicago re-emerge with a fuller LP, influenced by Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys... basically every big rock band since The Flintstones. But it’s no youthful joke, as the 16 tracks roll across quite a range, from the growling “Strawberry Smoothie” to the watery, psychedelic tropicalia of “Ordinary People”. Talent and time is on their side.

THE GOLDEN ECHO Kimbra

(WARNER BROS) Can’t blame Kimbra for being greedy; her ascent to the world stage via Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know” just meant learning more tricks to keep one’s feet treading the floorboards instead of meeting the bottom of the steps. Hence, the IMAX-ed pop music on her sophomore – stuff yerself on a glorious buffet of r&b, synth-disco and funk; “Goldmine” and “90s Music” being two of the mains.

WE ARE ALL AMATEUR TAKES CONTROL Amateur Takes Control

(HAIL SATAN) The troubles that afflict young bands (well, if existing for eight years constitutes as being young) – Amateur Takes Control went on hiatus last year since band member Adel Rashid decamped overseas for academia. Miss them not – a new compilation featuring their best-est and new songs, “Radon” and “Phosphorus”, should keep this talented instrumental rock band firmly in mind until they return.

ANGUS & JULIA STONE

(REPUBLIC RECORDS) This Sydney brother-sister intrigued us when they debuted, partly because of relations, and partly, because of their frayed-folksy music. After making a few solo albums, upon uber-super producer Rick Rubin’s behest, they now reunite to write new songs. They sound sophisticated, at ease even, but these mild songs lack the rough-hewn quality that made these Stones interesting in the first place.

DISCO:VERY PRESENTS YUKSEK

SATURDAY OCTOBER 11 AT VELVET UNDERGROUND, DANCE

Everyone’s got an amour affair with French house, and if you concur with a resounding “oui”, then you’re surely acquainted with this veteran disco darling. Endorsed by Kitsuné and seasonal partner-in-crime to The Magician and Alex Metric, Yuksek’s chiefly prominent for his perky and spry reworks of Blur, M83, White Lies and a dozen others. Plus you can’t say no to disco! zoukclub.com

SUBVERT SESSION SATURDAY OCTOBER 18 AT LOOF

VIBE BEACH SPORTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL You can only get EDM, beach v-ball and zumba all at one spot this month, and you’ll find all ’em vibes at this first-of-a-kind festival. This nexus of leisure will definitely help you lose a couple of pounds with some fit tunage from Potato Head Bali’s Yuki and Boujis HK’s Miles Slater, together with prog-house and trance headliners, AN21, John O’ Callaghan and Cosmic Gate. vibebeachfest.com

TRANSFIX PRESENTS ARTY SATURDAY OCTOBER 18 AT ZOUK

GIGS WE DIG

SPIN

THURSDAY OCTOBER 16 AT LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL

What’s with Nick Eriksen’s inclination towards phonetically puzzling identities? Dropping his Eim Ick moniker in 2011 for the more tongue-twisting Taragana Pyjarama, it’s a habit that’s at least consistent with his off-kilter doozies. Exuding the IDM complexities of Four Tet with pockets of chill-wave and deep house, it’s no wonder this Danish virtuoso once received the blessings of Cologne label, Kompakt. othersounds.sg

SATURDAY OCTOBER 18 AT SILOSO BEACH

It’s a Subvert HQ takeover at our favourite rooftop party pad! Contrasting with the slower 100bpm tempos of the establishment’s usual soundtrack of Balearic house and nu-disco, Subvert honcho, Zul Othman, cranks it up to a crippling 170. You guessed it seasoned beat-kids – this is gonna be one mental evening of drum & bass and jungle, so be careful not to hyperventilate! loof.com.sg

Zouk’s got an art attack from Mother Russia, and it’s gonna get splotched all over you with anthems from this prog-trance producer. Besides showering worldwide audiences with euphoria-inducing tracks such as “Flashback” and his Above & Beyond mash-up, “You Got To Believe”, Arty’s also got some prog-house fire in him, causing infernos 48 with his newest single, “Up All Night”. zoukclub.com

TARAGANA PYJARAMA LIVE IN SINGAPORE

THIS IS HOUSE FEAT. RAMON TAPIA MONDAY OCTOBER 20 AT KU DÉ TA Toss those gloomy Mondays out the window! Or in this case, 57 stories off the top of Marina Bay Sands (not literally, please). Coming from a family of social rebels – his musician dad causing cultural dissidence in dictatorship-plagued Chile – Tapia found his niche in the Belgian scene, stirring havoc of his own with tumultuous tech-house goodies. kudeta.com

REWIND FEAT. SUBB-AN

SNARKY PUPPY LIVE IN SINGAPORE

FRIDAY OCTOBER 24 AT KYO

THURSDAY OCTOBER 23 AT KALLANG THEATRE

Don’t let all those school band practices go to waste! Michael League – the ringmaster of this jazz-fusion troupe – certainly didn’t, graduating from the University Of North Texas with a globetrotting collective he could call family, consisting of like-minded alumni that’ve stuck together for a decade. Expect guitar solos, horn fanfares, funky licks, gospel organs, percussion breakdowns and… On second thought, just expect the unexpected! fest-events.com

There’s perhaps no better shepherd into the subterranean swing-fest that is Kyo’s Rewind nights than this tech-house DJ who founded his own UK residency called Below. Fully embracing his chip-in role towards the house community – also launching his own One Records imprint with Adam Shelton – Subb-an also possesses a sturdy grasp on how to stimulate the floor with crisp and classy sets. clubkyo.com

LATE NITE @ ESPLANADE: POEMS ABOUT CHAOS

FRIDAY OCTOBER 31 AT ESPLANADE RECITAL STUDIO

SYNDICATE FEAT. UNTOLD

Put together two musical geniuses in the same room, and magic happens. Barely needing any introductions individually, local experimenters Bani Haykal (b-quartet, The Observatory) and Darren Ng (sonicbrat, Kitchen) will be indulging in an unpredictable evening of improvisation and radical composition. ‘Accidents’ and ‘collisions’ will be transformed into audial art in the gifted hands of these two prodigies. sistic.com.sg

SATURDAY OCTOBER 25 AT KYO

As someone who once described himself as a “dubstep producer washed up on techno’s beach”, London’s Jack Dunning is quite a plethora of characters. Almost conjoining both influences to procreate some sinister form of amalgamation, Dunning’s sets are ice-cold, harsh and unapologetically experimental. The Hessle Audio-hyped producer will also be supported by Syndicate’s finest, including Kiat, Gema, Max Lane and Darren Dubwise. clubkyo.com Text Kevin Ho Images Various Sources

FASHION SPACE AGE Tsz Fung Kwok has a penchant for taking the modern man’s uniform into the future. Under his label Kay Kwok, he continues this journey with a Fall/Winter 2014 collection titled ‘It Is Not A Fake Story’. The Hong Kong-born, London-based designer presented his sophomore collection at this season’s London Collections: Men show with cutting-edge pieces heavily inspired by extra-terrestrials and their conspiracy theories. Known for his futuristic aesthetics, Kwok experimented with textures, proportions and cuts that went beyond the usual. Silhouettes vary from slouch to structured, with digital prints of the lunar landscape and cosmos on neoprene fabrics, paired with peculiar plastic orbs, visors and Perspex chokers. A boundary-pushing series that’s both quirky and cool.

kaykwok.com

Text Liyana Meer Image Kay Kwok / Wecouldgrowuptogether

WE ADORE THE night 1

With SPORT B.’s ‘On Adore La Nuit’ collection, rebellion has never looked better. Offering the perfect punk-inspired union of fashion and pop-culture, apparels feature edgy graffiti prints and bold tartan, and come in luxurious leather and rugged coated denim. Flaunt the free-spirited rocker ’tude and match key accessories like matte black cuffs and rings, with sleek leather shoes and bags for an ensemble that screams style.

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It’s time to head out to the woods for some serious action because staying in is so passé. And capturing the essence of the great outdoors perfectly is the ‘Natural Elements’ collection by SPORT B. Inspired by abstract art from and nature, the adventurous label creates ensembles ideal for chilly music festivals held on open grounds. Graphic patterns of stylised mountains pop with striking hues, while dark shearling leather jackets ground the look.

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SPORT B. is now available at Tangs Orchard, Level 3 and Isetan Orchard, Level 2. agnesb-sportb.com

STYLE REMIX

ADVENTURE TIME

Borrowing from the fashion vaults of the iconic ’60s, ’70s, and ’90s, Pull & Bear’s Autumn/Winter 2014 women’s collection puts a modern spin on classic silhouettes like leather jackets, oversized coats and flowy tops. Accented with contemporary and sophisticated finishes, these remixed essentials are just what your closet needs to see you through the season.

Undertaking an off-the-grid getaway is always a welcome experience. Inspired by the great outdoors, Pull & Bear’s Autumn/Winter 2014 men’s collection reflects an urban Nordic spirit through waistcoats, aviator jackets, and tribal print shirts. Complete your nature escapade with sporty accessories like chinos and running shoes then set off into the wild.

polycarbonate half-framed sunglasses, $39.90

acetate sunglasses, $25.90

beaded ethnic copper necklace, $29.90 long-sleeve aztec print shirt, poa polyester backpack, $69.90 tank top with zip detail, poa polyester iridescent clutch, $29.90

puffy quilted vest, $89.90

distressed high-waisted denim shorts, poa

textured knitted pullover, poa ribbed turtleneck sweater, poa

leather jacket with shearling collar, $139

denim bomber jacket with contrast sleeve, poa

acid-wash cotton jeans, $69.90 slip-on ankle boots, poa skinny jeans with zip pockets, poa

polyurethane chukka shoes, $109

canvas duffel bag, $29.90

The PULL&BEAR Autumn/Winter 2014 collection is available at all PULL&BEAR stores. Get more style inspo at pullandbear.com now! • #B2-04 Takashimaya Shopping Centre • #01-28A VivoCity • #B2-08 ION Orchard • #01-19 Bugis+ •

THE FUTURE OF FASHION IS CODE

THE FASHION WORLD HAS SEEN COLLECTIONS THAT SPRING FROM ART TO BIOLOGY AND IN TODAY’S WORLD, DIGITAL FABRICATIONS ARE OFTEN ADOPTED TO ACHIEVE EXPLOSIVE CREATIVE RESULTS. THERE’S NO STOPPING INNOVATION IN FASHION AND IT’S ABOUT TIME 3-D PRINTING JOINED THE GAME – GIVING WAY TO A NEW AESTHETIC OF ALGORITHMIC GARMENTS AND ACCESSORIES.

FEATURE

FRANCIS BITONTI

While 3-D printing has anchored itself in the arts scene, Francis Bitonti is taking it a step further by educating people on the benefits and potential creative possibilities this technology brings. A 3-D printing expert, the New York-based architect-turned-designer has been working with this design technique since 2007. Just last year, he blew the minds of sceptics with an impressive customised nylon 3-D printed gown for burlesque diva Dita Von Teese. This fall, Bitonti ups the ante with his first release of the ‘Molecule’ shoe collection for women, set to be released next February. Using Adobe 3-D printing technology – incorporated with precise calculated codes and digital specifications – each shoe in the collection renders a different system with unique structural configurations that support the wearer’s body, and is coated with a special secret layer that can withstand wear and tear. francisbitonti.com

GABRIEL LIGENZA

Having created the world’s first collection of 3-D printed hats, English milliner Gabriela Ligenza did not disappoint. As a firm advocate of hand-crafted artisanal fashion, Ligenza proves how traditional art and advanced technologies can complement and co-exist with one another with her Fall/Winter 2014 capsule collection. Developed through a collaboration effort with leading 3-D designers, her collection of headwear straddles the line between architecture and accessory, and are delicate works of art made from nylon and stainless steel. Noteworthy creations include a piece commissioned by Great British Racing (the biggest horse racing competition in the world) where Ligenza incorporated a poem written by racing poet, Henry Birtles; and a wedding hat that features words from John Tessimond’s poem, Day Dream, in a shape of a warm lamp. With a client portfolio spanning from royals to celebrities, we’re excited to see which head Ligenza’s creations will dress next. abrielaligenza.com

IRIS VAN HERPEn

If there’s one designer who has the ability to turn the fashion world on its head with her wildly futuristic approach, it’s Iris van Herpen. An avid user of 3-D printing, Van Herpen dabbles with high-tech fabrics and scientific studies to create her garments – often experimenting with the most challenging processes to achieve boundary-pushing results. This season, the Dutch designer presents her Fall/Winter 2014 collection titled ‘Biopiracy’, which explores the idea of self-conquest and a collaborative tie-up with Austrian architect, Julia Koerner. Now in their third partnership, the duo designed a corseted silhouette with soft, form-following feathers that was the highlight of 25 ready-to-wear and haute couture designs. Printed using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), powders are fused together and a rubber-like flexible material is employed to give the dress fluidity and motion. irisvanherpen.com

KRISTIN NEIDLINGER

Would you like to know what state your brain is in? While most would nonchalantly contemplate that thought, San Francisco-based designer, Kristin Neidlinger has already designed a headpiece that tells people just that. Called ‘Neurotiq’, Neidlinger, with the help from digital fabric consultants Machinic, designed and programmed an artistic 3-D headdress that responds to brain sensors, lighting up in different colours according to your mood. Combining 3-D printing technology and traditional knitting methods, Neidlinger and her team hid all the electronics behind a nylon knit to make the piece both comfy and agile. Within this remarkable structure are 14 light points called globules, made from a 3-D printer that took eight to 10 hours each to print out – resulting in a super modern and fantastically intricate head-turner.

sensoree.com

NOA RAVIV

In an industry where almost everything has been done before, bright-eyed Noa Raviv is intent on igniting a new wave in fashion, one that transcends creativity and technology. Earlier in August, the graduate of Shenkar College of Engineering and Design presented her avant-garde collection in Tel Aviv titled ‘Hard Copy’. Inspired by the beauty of classical art and its evolution, the Israeli artist incorporated her fascination for 3-D printing, in collaboration with Stratasys (one of the largest manufacturers of 3-D printers in the world), and created a seven-piece dress collection that was digitally manipulated. Revving up fashion into high-tech gear, she created vectors, grids and curved polygons that form voluminous shapes which are then hand-stitched onto fabrics like tulle, silk and organza – exploring the tensions between the real and virtual; between 2-D and 3-D. noaraviv.com

CONTINUUM

Driven and inspired by how fashion should express the way we live our digital lives, Brooklyn-based fashion designer/technologist Mary Huang has immortalised her fashion rendezvous into 3-D masterpieces – from bikinis to dresses and shoes under her brand, Continuum. For 2014, the design-label-slash-lab-company created its first ready-to-wear line of 3-D printed shoes, titled ‘Myth’, that is solely made from small desktop machines – where the shoes are created layer by layer in an effort to promote zero-waste sustainability. The collection is made from plastic and thermoplastic polyurethane, a rubber-like material, with hand-finishing kept to the bare minimum to ensure organic manifestation from digital to physical. Based on names from ancient and modern mythology, our favourites include Laurel Tree, inspired by Bernini’s statue of Apollo and Daphne, and another polygonal design inspired by Tron and computer graphics.

continuumfashion.com

Text Liyana Meer Images Various Sources

FOCUS LABEL

HONED CRAFT

DR. MARTENS FALL/WINTER 2014 COLLECTION

Everyone remembers the very first pair of Dr. Martens they own, and some would attest to it being a life-changing affair. Even after 50 years, Dr. Marten’s distinctive footwear stay simple, versatile, functional and stylish all the same. Yet what sets the brand apart is its incomparable bouncing soles, an air-cushioned support designed by namesake Dr. Klaus Martens back in 1945. Engineered solely to provide support and comfort for his broken foot, British boot-makers R Griggs and Co. made it as durable as it was lightweight, giving the original worker’s boot its trademark yellow stitch, grooved sole and heel loop. This season, Dr. Martens returns to its roots with its ‘Crafted: Made In England’ collection, using the finest materials, combined with long-established manufacturing techniques perfected in the legendary Cobbs Lane Factory – home of the original Dr. Martens boot. The old British classic is revived through the season’s retro colour palette of natural browns, with an attention to textures and handmade detail. With modern updates to classic styles and welted leather, the series does not spare its use of luxurious materials like hair-on and maracaibo leathers from Italy.

Lads, look out for premium materials and textures such as hair-on leather and 3-D croc prints, hand-finished to add character to each pair. A stand-out would be the Bertie Brogue Boot, in lush Italian hair-on with gold thread, and brogue-punched detailing. With a strong focus on textures, hand-finishing details and neutral palettes, the women’s range sees feminine metallic finishes that are predominantly low-cut and slender to create a sleek and elegant fit. The use of black bronze zucchero, a sparkly suede on the classic brogue silhouette, also makes an intriguing combination on the sedate upper with this outlandish material. Taking dapper to a whole new level, this season’s premium collection is more sumptuous and striking than ever, thanks to the unconventional materials that bring a modern edge to a collection that has withstood the test of time.

The men’s range start from $499 to $599, while the women’s range start from $89 to $129. Both are available from October 28 at Dr. Martens stores, #03-05 Orchard Central and #02-17A Wheelock Place. drmartens.com

Text Sziying Khoo Images Dr. Martens

SPIRIT OF 69 DR . M A R T E N S / A L P H A J A C K E T S / B R U T U S S H I R T S / E D W I N J E A N S / T R O J A N R E C O R D S

FOCUS LABEL

LIGHT MEETS DARK

FRED PERRY ‘AUTHENTIC SOHO NEON’ COLLECTION Every season, Fred Perry comes to us with fresh ideas that surprise and captivate, without veering far from its identity. Though it has crossed oceans and many miles to seek inspiration, this time, Fred Perry doesn’t stray far from its motherland for it. Instead, it took a little ride on the train, got off at Soho (no, not the hood in Manhattan), which is nestled somewhere between the royal bits and the West End of London. Soho, as many may know, is the birthplace of the modern jazz scene, where it was renowned for coming alive after dark and not sleeping till dawn; beat poets; and most importantly, for being the Kandang Kerbau to British Rock. What has that got to do with Fred Perry, you might ask. Well, the label has been out and about in the streets of Soho since ’52, a time when British subcultures wore the Laurel Wreath as a badge of honour. This alone makes it fitting for Fred Perry to revisit and pay homage to Soho, which can be considered both London’s most famous and infamous area. But enough of history here; this is really about the present. Soho during its heyday, as one could imagine, was filled with vibrant scenes crammed with all-night dancing. Fred Perry took that and interpreted it into splashes of neon against a black base; a nod to how the night was lit up in Soho. The neon accents, which see details such as rayon blend

Text

yarns, transparent buttons and Perspex form new looks with all-black Fred Perry classics such as the Fred Perry Shirt, V Neck Sweater, V Neck Cardigan and Kendrick Tipped Cuff Leather shoe. The unmissable Laurel Wreath has also been given a new lease of life, repeat-printed onto a Fred Perry Shirt using cut-and-sew methods. For ladies, more light-meets-dark items await. Everyone’s favourite Fred Perry Shirt Dress is boldened by neon yellow tipping and a Laurel Wreath that’s been embroidered and given a coat of contrast colour. In the shoe and unisex accessories department, products have also been updated in a similar fashion. Some examples: the Hopman leather and nylon shoe now comes in a black/neon combination, as do the Soho Neon tote, a billfold-and-coin wallet, and a coin wallet; all in leather. So go on, glow with the flow and dance into the night with these new offerings. And don’t forget to think about those glorious days of yore in Soho when you do that.

The Soho Neon is available at all Fred Perry Authentic Shops located at #03-07A Cineleisure Orchard and #B3-01 ION Orchard. fredperry.com

Images Fred Perry

FOCUS LABEL

ELECTRIC VIBES Having spent close to four decades in the business, Agnès b. continues to draw inspiration from everyday life with her diverse portfolio of fashion and accessory collections, as well as a cosmetics line. While the parent label has always kept things classy and timeless, SPORT B. embodies the unrelenting thirst for sartorial edge. What started out as a diffusion line for the French design house became so much more when SPORT B.’s casual apparel proved a fashion dream come true for its crowd of young and vibrant style-seekers. SPORT B.’s latest Fall/Winter collection draws its energy from the hype surrounding electronic music and the technology that goes into its production. Injecting vibrant hues of blue, red and yellow into the typically dreary autumnal palette promises a collection that is quirky, edgy and exciting. The collection can be dissected into three themes that explore the motley of nuances inspired by the vivid rhythms of electro-house – satisfying the hyper-modernist; the defiant tastemaker;

SPORT B. FALL/WINTER 2014 and the new-age nature lover. We dig the austere silhouettes in ‘D.i.G.i.T.A.L’, which offers clean lines and geometric embellishments in cool, clinical greys and blues a la Space Odyssey. Plaid is given an update in ‘On Adore La Nuit’, where iconic punk stripes deliver attitude against some of the sleekest slim pants. Impressions of the outdoors lend itself to ‘Nature Elements’ which, not surprisingly, features choice outerwear options made in chunky knit that is très eco-chic. This may not be the first or last time that music will provoke fashion, as SPORT B.’s electronica-driven collection has proven. It’s nevertheless an homage to futurism and the unlimited potential of art that continuously affirms the label’s place as one of the artistic greats.

The SPORT B. Fall/Winter 2014 collection is available at all SPORT B. stores.

Text Sziying Khoo Images SPORT B.

DISTRESS CALL LEE COOPER AUTUMN/WINTER 2014 MUSIC MAKERS CAMPAIGN

Original, stylish and well constructed, Lee Cooper has revolutionised denim in Europe throughout its 100-year legacy. Born in 1908, the brand was formed in the East End of London and cladded working men in tough, uncompromising workwear – evolving eventually into a lifestyle brand heavily influenced by rock ‘n’ roll in the ’50s and ’60s. Its classic denims were worn by music legends The Rolling Stones in the ’70s, and other subculture folks from mods to punks. More recently, emerging Brit band Coasts also sported the Lee Cooper jean. With deep roots in music, Lee Cooper welcomes Autumn/Winter 2014 with a collection made for the Music Makers – the people who live and breathe all things music. Celebrating clothes that are made for every aspect of life from working, dancing, to beat-making, the silhouettes were inspired by industrial artisans from Lee Cooper’s East London homeground, where workwear played a pivotal role in the collection. Throughout the modern series, dapper punk references are discernible for both men and women, where key items for the former includes a leather biker jacket, parka and boxy nylon jacket; and tartan and leather fabrics for the latter.

The brand’s love and nostalgia for denim has run consistently in all its collections and this season is no different. Marrying workwear and modern technical influences, the two legendary classic denim styles – Harry and Pearl are given fresh updates with crafted top-stitching to symbolise the present while still retaining the brand’s past – with stitches and patches on vintage workwear. Harry is a straight-cut fit for the cool, laidback musician who’s constantly inspired; while Pearl is a skinny fit silhouette for the spunky girl who’s constantly out and about seeking maximum comfort without compromising style. Iconic and timeless, both styles include edgy design features used in 1908 like copper hardware, red overlocking seams, red tabs on back pockets and branded rivets that’s quintessentially Lee Cooper. Arguably the most ardent of denim originators, Lee Cooper is a brand that’s stitched in time as a legend – one that will continue to push the boundaries of fashion while staying true to its core ethos.

Priced from $33.90 to $199.90, the Lee Cooper Autumn/Winter 2014 collection is available at all Lee Cooper Stores.

F U T U R E F O R W A R D ENTER THE NEW ERA WHERE SILHOUET TES AND FABRICS TAKE THE FORM OF PLASTICS, METALLICS AND IRIDESCENT FINISHES.

PHOTOGRAPHY TECK / LUMINA PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT BURTON TANG ART DIRECTION JAZMIN KELLY SIX STYLING LIYANA MEER STYLING ASSISTANT LING TAY MAKEUP MICH MAKEOVER USING M.A.C COSMETICS HAIR DEN NG / TURNSTYLES HAIR DESIGN MODELS ASIA P / LOOQUE & RADOVAN H / AVE

ASIA WEARS STRETCH COTTON TOP HEADLINE SEOUL AT FRONT ROW DENIM TOP WITH SEQUIN COLLAR (WORN UNDERNEATH) TEETEEHEEHEE X YESAH AT ACTUALLY PLASTIC SKIRT SPUNKPUNKFUNK FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS II MONKII LEATHER BELT COS METAL CUFF STYLIST'S OWN RADOVAN WEARS PVC & SLEEVELESS TOP YESAH AT SUPERSPACE JOGGERS KTZ AT LEFTFOOT ENTREPOT SUNGLASSES GRAFIK:PLASTIC AT FRONTROW LEATHER CUFF MANIQUE AT SECTS SHOP

MESH TOP & PLASTIC TANK TOP BOTH FROM SPUNKPUNKFUNK NYLON BERMUDAS JOYRICH AT SUPERSPACE SNEAKERS NIKE LEATHER LANYARD COS RUBBER NECKLACE (WORN AS BRACELET) TOPSHOP

JACKET WITH LEATHER PANELS ANGE REVOLTE AT W.E COTTON BODYCON DRESS(WORN UNDERNEATH) MISS SELFRIDGE SKIRT UNIF AT PREVIEW SOCKS JRUNWAY PLASTIC PLATFORM SHOES Y.R.U AT PVS METAL CUFF STYLIST'S OWN

COTTON TOP SPUNKPUNKFUNK LEATHER ZIPPER PANTS HUPOT AT SECTS SHOP VISOR (WORN AS NECKLACE) IVORY JAR AT SECTS SHOP BOOTS EGO & GREED AT LEFTFOOT ENTREPOT

LEATHER DRESS MM6 NECKLACE TOPSHOP BAG B+AB AT I.T RINGS SOCIETY A

WICKED ATTRACTION NAME US A COLOUR THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES WITH ITS STRONG DISPOSITION. CHANCES ARE, YOU WON’T VEER FAR FROM THE SULTRY OXBLOOD. THE POSH SISTER OF MAROON, THIS BURGUNDY SHADE IS NOT JUST RESERVED FOR LUSCIOUS PUCKERS. THIS SEASON, IT SATURATES EVERYTHING FROM DRESSES TO JACKETS, BAGS TO SHOES – DRIVING US INTO THE SOPHISTICATION THIS ALLURING HUE CHANNELS.

fabric scrunchie, $16, topshop

synthetic leather watch, $69, aldo

wool hat, $148.52, christy madison

MATCH

WARDROBE

lacoste fall/winter 2014

leather bag, $179, zara

leatherette shorts, $39, heart at volta

crystal metal cuff, us$120, charmandchain.com | metal alloy cuff, $24.90, sze accessories | plastic jewelled cuff, $47, diva

leather cross-body bag, poa, roger vivier

polyester skirt, $159, cameo at eclecticism

jacquard-weave jacket $79.90, h&m

polyester cut-out dress, $565, black halo at lauren jasmine

knit pullover, poa, sport b.

cotton blouse, $27, victoria jomo

knit jumper, $129, unif at preview

cotton dress, $35, editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market hall

suede slip-ons, $180, pedder red

stretch knit pencil skirt, poa, nina ricci

cotton pants, $125, free people at eclecticism

pvc sandals, $86.64, asos.com

gold-plated, crystal and resin cuff, poa, tory burch | bejewelled cuff, $58, twentyeightlane | metal gem cuff, $245, laruicci at gnossem.com Text Ling Tay Coordination Liyana Meer & Sziying Khoo

diesel black gold fall/winter 2014

HOT HARDWARE

70 studded earrings, $19, 77th street

cord bracelet, $15.90, func deko studded leather wrap bracelet, poa, balenciaga

MATCH

WARDROBE

FALL HAS ENTERED THE MAIN ROOM AND BOYS, IT’S TIME TO PULL OUT THE BIG GUNS. SWAP BASIC CHINOS AND PARKAS FOR GROWN-UP MOTORCYCLE JACKETS, LEATHER PANTS AND ERRTHANG TOUGH. TO ELEVATE YOUR REBEL GET-UP TO NEXT-LEVEL BAD BOY, PILE ON METAL ACCENTS, STUDS AND SPIKES AND BRING IT. THIS IS THE SEASON FOR THE EDGY AND WILD.

multi-row chain necklace, $33, topman

base metal ring, $23, design six | sterling silver ring, poa, seven london | base metal ring, $37, icon

cotton t-shirt, us$320, alexander mcqueen at mrporter.com

metal chain bracelet, $33, topman acetate sunglasses, $15, blackground

pvc sleeve baseball tee, $69, volta

denim jacket with pvc sleeves, $145, volta

bomber jacket, $360, lacoste

cotton t-shirt, $19.90, h&m

leather jacket, poa, g-star raw

denim jeans, poa, g-star

leather & felt combat boots, poa, maison martin margiela

leather chelsea boots. $123.70, desoul

leather trousers, $349, h&m

zinc ring, $19.90, 77th street | metal ring, $29.70, asos.com | burnished metal ring, $16, topman Text Ling Tay Coordination Liyana Meer & Sziying Khoo

ONE TWO STRAP WE’VE ALL GOT TOO MUCH STUFF TO CARRY AROUND. AND WHILE WE LOVE OUR ROOMY TOTES, SOMETIMES IT’S JUST EASIER TO DUNK IT ALL IN A TWO-STRAP SLINGER. A PRACTICAL OPTION FOR RUNNING ABOUT THE CITY, BACKPACKS NOW COME IN PUNCHY HUES AND PATTERNS, WITH GREAT STORAGE AND STURDY CONSTRUCTION THAT’S PERFECT FOR TAKING ON THE LOAD.

SHOP

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Text & Coordination Liyana Meer

HEGE AURELIE BADENDYK MAYBE IT’S THE HEAD OF BLONDE LOCKS OR HER AFFINITY FOR ASSEMBLING SIMPLE, EYE-CATCHING LOOKS – EITHER WAY, WE CAN’T TAKE OUR EYES OFF HEGE AURELIE BADENDYK. NOT ONLY IS THIS LOOKER A STYLIST, SHE ALSO HELMS LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE COSTUME NORWAY, AND HAS COLLABORATED WITH COVETABLE NORWEGIAN HIGH-STREET FASHION BRAND BIK BOK FOR A CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES LINE. GLOWING RESUME ASIDE, BADENDYK IS A STYLE MAVEN WHO MIXES PLAYFUL SEPARATES WITH WEARABLE ACCESSORIES, PERFECTING THAT SOPHISTICATED GIRL VIBE TO A TEE.

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Text & Coordination Liyana Meer

WARDROBE ICON

PICK: ONITSUKA TIGER X ANDREA POMPILiO With an impressive work resume that includes top labels like Prada and Yves Saint Laurent, it’s safe to say that Andrea Pompilio has learnt from some of the fashion greats. Following a successful summer collection, the Italian-born designer and Onitsuka Tiger meet again for a fall collaboration that plays with sportswear in a broad range of textures, layers and monochrome graphic prints. Inspired by an eclectic mix of space and street style, suede and nappa silhouettes are sprinkled with dashes of green and orange, revealing Pompilio’s sense of urban dandiness. Available at Onitsuka Tiger, #02-09 VivoCity.

FALL ESSENTIALS

H&M MODERN CLASSIC PREMIUM COLLECTION Taking a conscious step out of the trend cycle, H&M’s modern classic premium collection offers precise cuts in sophisticated materials – resulting in an array of timeless essentials that make up everyone’s perfect wardrobe. Key pieces we love include structured suits, boots and the modern LBD. But what’s style without some grit? Hardware trimmings and textured details further give a hardy dose of edge to the minimal, muted aesthetic. From $39.90, available at H&M Orchard Building.

FLASH: FASHION

SPORTING STAPLE

Playing with the mother material of sportswear that is fleece, the

74 Nike Tech Pack Fall 2014 Collection offers increased functionality

with modern designs, such as the Nike Tech Butterfly Jacket – a practical and flattering piece for women; and the upgraded classic Nike Tech Windrunner IRD for men. Perfect gym gear for the contemporary athlete’s wardrobe and #workoutselfie. $199 to 229, available at selected Nike Sportswear retailers.

PEDDER RED FALL/WINTER 2014 COLLECTION While staying notably on trend, Pedder Red has always kept its range of stylish soles distinctly classic. Sporty shapes, patterned prints and metallic influences are all the rage this season, effortlessly translated onto skimmer flats and chunky loafers. Take things one step further with the exclusive Fashion Collection, a limited range of styles that pay homage to the classic ’70s disco-age and all the glitter that comes along with it. Available at Pedder Red, #03-04 Ngee Ann City.

BREAST FRIENDS FOREVER In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are piling on the pink with some of our favourite brands.

Fossil Eye-popping pinks take over Fossil’s Holiday Collection in a selection of bags, small leather accessories and jewellery. Combining both style and function, Fossil brings a celebration of whimsical elegance in support of the Pink Ribbon. From $49, available at all Fossil outlets.

Charles & Keith We can never have enough of cute purses to and this gorgeous fuschia zippered clutch from homegrown label Charles & Keith just owns it. Plus, 10 per cent of its sale goes to the Singapore Breast Cancer Foundation. $49.90, available at all Charles & Keith outlets.

PAZZION The Pink Ribbon shoe, which comes with an accompanying leather pouch, is a ballet pump that comes with a diamante-studded bow. 30 per cent of all sales proceeds will be donated to the Singapore Breast Cancer Foundation. $76, available at all Fossil outlets.

Under Armour With a dedicated range of apparels from sports bras to leggings under the Power in Pink series, the sportswear stalwart will donate 10 per cent from the sales proceeds to champion the pink cause. Available at all Under Armour outlets.

CHECK OUT THESE NEW STORES IN TOWN!

The Redundant Shop Level 1 Tangs Playlab at TANGS Vivocity

Kate Spade Saturday #B1-27/29 Takashimaya Shopping Centre

The Wyld Shop #01-12B Clifford Centre

eye on you KICK BACK

BAD GIRL TEE TEE Partnering with the Hard Rock International group, seven-time Grammy Awards winner Rihanna has added from her concert garb vault exclusive pieces like a pink Swarovski crystal bodysuit and a custom floral dress into Hard Rock’s permanent collection of memorabilia. But in case you’d like to take home a piece of her, look out for the limited edition black unisex tee, complete with her likeness, an American flag, and her signature inside a skull. $42, available at Hard Rock Singapore.

ANYTHING BUT BASIC

Lee Cooper presents an urban take on the classic leather work boot for its newly launched boot collection, featuring two classic styles: the high-cut and low-cut moc boot design. A rugged mixture of full grain leather uppers and durable rubber outsoles for maximum support and traction, the masculine silhouettes include notable features like a removable latex sockliner with a mesh footbed for comfort fit. Blending the brand’s workwear aesthetic and traditional functionality, the boots are ideal for channelling the adventurous outdoors. $179.90 to $189.90, available at all Lee Cooper stores.

It’s true: Sunglasses do make you look way cooler. And they’re as adept as protecting you from vicious sun rays. Defy Empire, a homegrown street label understands that perfectly and is releasing its Hawaii collection, designed to reflect the sun, sea, surf and island life. The sunglasses all feature premier lightweight frames, polarised lenses and interchangeable temples for a fun and personalised combi that shows who’s boss. $89 to $179, available at SuperShades.sg and #B1-06 Marina Square.

KEEP WATCH

Cheers for Uniqlo! Our all-time favourite home of quintessential basics can do no wrong and even more so after bringing back its popular stylish +J collection. Adored for its precise tailoring and modern silhouettes, the +J collection has won hearts for over five seasons now. For Fall/Winter 2014, basic garments are elevated into functional and chic options that suit every lifestyle. Reissuing garments from past seasons, the much-coveted line includes classic button-down shirts for men and clean silhouettes for the ladies. Elsewhere, warm signature down jackets, knitwear and parkas complete the collection, creating a unanimous uniform for the world today, $42.90 to $299.90, available at all Uniqlo outlets.

Nixon Marbleized Collection Inspired by splatters of mixed paint, this fun series blends colours of nature to form a strikingly unique pattern. Thanks to the flowing gradient, no two colours are alike, just the way we like ’em! $168 to $309, available at all Nixon retailers.

Casio Baby-G Leopard Series As if the Baby-G series isn’t cute enough, the latest eye-catching Leopard collection features a sporty design with leopard print motifs. Available in three colourways – pink, white or beige. $189, available at G-shock Concept Store, #03-63 Plaza Singapura.

Text Ling Tay, Liyana Meer & Sziying Khoo Images Various Sources

Swatch SISTEM51 Clocking in a total of 51 parts, the revolutionary SISTEM51 automatic watches have finally landed on our shores. It sports a transparent disc that rotates freely around a central screw and comes in four colours like blue, red, black and white. $209, available at the SISTEM51 pop-up store at #01-01 Orchard Gateway.

MADE UP GOTH DROID A new moon has dawned and if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still searching for hints of what the trend tide might bring, take it from us: the future of beauty is dark. And pushing the noir cool backstage at Antonio Marras is makeup artist Tom Pecheux, who puts some vamp into vintage with a touch of blackened burgundy on the lips, easing ever so gently out towards the corners. Set on a canvas of flawless matte skin, brows are regally brushed up in place while bare eyes received vertical flashes of liquid silver down the middle, and smudged edges to bring out a look thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dark yet decadent.

Text Jazmin Kelly Six Image M.A.C Cosmetics for Antonio Marras FW14

COOL TOOLS

THE LATEST CROP OF NIFTY GADGETS FOR THE BEAUTY JUNKIE. BRAUN SATIN-HAIR 7 SENSOCARE STYLER

It may look like your regular styler but what stands out is its ability to adjust its temperature automatically to suit the condition and thickness or hair, which prevents precious strands from over-heating. Through a jet it delivers active ions onto hair to tame frizz and reduce friction, giving our mane a smooth, glossy finish. Use it as a straightener for a sleek finish, or as a curler for sexy, natural-looking beach waves. $160, available at leading electronic and departmental stores.

FEATURE

BABYLISS BIG HAIR 50MM

Forget struggling with roller brushes and hairdryers to set your mane. Here’s a handy barrel brush that dispenses hot air to shape and dry your tresses, while adding volume at the same time. Divide damp or nearly-dry hair into sections, and roll a portion at a time over the rotating brush head until desired shape is achieved. The result is an effortless salon blow-dry finish minus the hassle and cost. $159, available at Hairstylers.asia.

MIRENESSE ICURL

A fuss-free and extremely easy to use device. While it takes almost two minutes to properly heat up to a subtle warmth – it’s ready when the red rubber pad turns translucent – it delivers an absolutely natural-looking curl almost immediately; making it a quick and efficient tool for busy days. It catches lashes accurately at one go, and comes with an extra heating pad at the back that heats and positions lash tips in an upward direction. $55.44, available at Luxola.com.

BLINC HEATED LASH CURLER

It has a head that resembles a mascara wand, with tiny coils that heat up in under a minute. Start by holding it near the roots, then move to the middle section and finish at the sides; pausing for five seconds each time. We like that it delivers a natural curling effect, without the harsh bend on lashes that traditional curlers cause. $42, available at Superberry.me.

FOREO LUNA

It may look like an unlikely cleansing tool but this handy paddle is one mighty cleanser alright. It has mini silicone nodules on one end that act as a deep-cleansing brush head to gently pull out dirt from the skin. Its transdermal sonic pulsations also act as a relaxing skin massager – it comes with an antiageing massage mode – which promises to leave skin feeling firmer and more renewed. POA, available at Sephora.

CLINIQUE SONIC SYSTEM

Lightweight and comfy to hold, its unique angled brush head comes with two types of bristles: the soft white portion gently cleanses delicate cheek and eye areas; while the sturdier green portion is tapered to better lift dirt from corners like the T-zone, under the chin, and around the hairline. It operates on a one-button system (to turn on and off), running for 30 seconds per cycle, and can last up to six months on a single charge. $149, available at Clinique counters.

FABULIPS ‘POUT’-O-MATIC

It looks like a toothbrush except instead of bristles, it has a pea-sized silicone head with massaging nubs. Rotating in a circular motion, it buffs away at dry flakes in a firm but gentle manner, leaving the pout smoother and plumper-looking. We found it to be effective when used dry but for better exfoliation, smear on the accompanying Fabulips Sugar Lip Scrub before use. $77, available at Sephora.

FOR THE BOYS BRAUN WATERFLEX

Designed for men who love the ease of electric shavers but enjoy the feeling of a wet shave, this fuzz buzzer can be used together with water, foam or gel to deliver a closer, comfier shave. You can even take it in the shower with you – it has a water-resistance of up to five metres. It has a three-blade cutting system and a 33-degree swivel head to glide closer to the skin without tugging, thereby minimising irritation and friction burn. $179, available at leading electronic and departmental stores.

PHILIPS SHAVER 9000

Operating in a circular motion, it has three rotating heads – complete with contour detection capabilities – that flex and expand in eight different directions to effectively rid fuzz in a single sweep. Not only do its blades capture both long and flat-lying hairs, they also cut comfortably below the skin level for a closer, smoother finish. We like the ergonomic grip that fits well in the hand, and its gloss metallic body, which looks super sleek and smart. $389, available at leading electronic and departmental stores.

Text Jazmin Kelly Six Images Various Sources

CLARISONIC MIA 2

One of the most well-loved sonic cleansing brushes, the Mia 2 comes with two speeds for a customisable cleansing routine. It oscillates in a back and forth motion to extract grime from the surface and pores, and while it feels strong in the hand, it’s actually gentle on the skin. We also liked the T-Timer function, which pauses at various intervals during a 50-second cleanse cycle to tell us to move on to another part of the face. $220, available at Sephora, TANGS Orchard and Robinsons Raffles City.

Midnight Mayhem

SPOTLIGHT

“You’ve seen all kinds of movies. But you’ve never seen anything like The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” So says the trailer of the 1975 musical comedy horror film, and we couldn’t agree more. Known as a humorous tribute to the Golden Age of sci-fi and B movies from the ’30s to the ’70s, what started as a stage theatre production in 1973 eventually became a cult film that won acclaim all over the world. And it’s little wonder why. The film was well ahead of its time, exploring themes of drag queens, unorthodox sex, blood and gore. In fact, the movie did so well at the box office, fans returned frequently. Dressed as characters from the film, they’d toss items and talk back to the screen while acting out the scenes, which led to the birth of various Rocky Horror performance groups across the States.

This year, the film celebrates its 40th anniversary. And in the same vein of pushing boundaries and having a keen sense for the edgy

and provocative, M.A.C. Cosmetics rolls out its Rocky Horror Picture Show-themed collection this month, just in time for Halloween. Featuring psychedelic glitter, blood reds and inky hues, the 21-piece series is a fun and outrageous combination of colours designed to help you recreate your favourite characters from the flim. From the lovely Janet, played by Susan Sarandon; to Tim Curry’s cross-dressing mad scientist Dr. Frank N. Furter, known for his bold eyeliner and lipstick; to Magenta and Columbia, who sport smokey eyes, crimson lips and exaggerated cheeks. To complete your look, the collection also features nail lacquers, sculpting and setting powders, liquid and pencil eyeliners, falsies, and mascara.

From $25 to $80, available at M.A.C Cosmetics at #B1-36/36A Ngee Ann City and #01-05/06 Sephora ION Orchard from late October. maccosmetics.com

GET THE LOOK

While the collection is based on the film’s characters, you can also create a Halloween look that’s truly your own. M.A.C Cosmetics’ Senior Makeup Artist, Beno Lim, shows us how.

Oh ROCKY! GRAPHIC STYLE Carbon Black

Chromagraphic Pencil in Black Black, $43

Greasepaint Stick in Black, $40 VERDICT: This intense black crayon is super soft and glides on like a dream. It allows for easy, effortless blending to create both dark and light smokey eyes, and its retractable body also prevents wastage.

Riff-Raff Eyeshadow Palette, $80 VERDICT: With four shimmery and two matte pigments, this palette allows us to play with various combinations to create a myriad of looks. We especially liked Crystal, a pearlescent violet highlighter, and Graphic Style, a luxurious dark silver.

Powder Blush in Crazed Imagination, $42

Lipstick in Frank-N-Furter, $33

Lip Pencil in Vino, $32 Text Jazmin Kelly Six Images M.A.C Cosmetics

VERDICT: Its creamy texture allowed for an even, smooth application and the opaque cool red lasted a full day with minimal touch-ups. The matte formula did not dry out our lips and the deep red tone is flattering on both fair and tanned skin.

The VS Regional Pink Angel Competition Finals will be held in Taiwan in 2014!

See who will be

crowned the Next

Come! Join the top finalists of the Vidal Sassoon Singapore Pink Angel Competition as they battle to win the VS Singapore Pink Angel 2014 title held during the JUICE 16th Anniversary party on 8 Nov 2014, at Zouk. vidal sassoon singapore

Not only will the winners walk home with Vidal Sassoon products, they also get to represent vidal sassoon singapore Singapore in the final regional competition held in Taiwan. Be sure not to miss this exciting event! Visit the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Vidal Sassoon Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Facebook to find out how you can win tickets to the event.

VSI3270PIH

VS2810PH

TRUE BLOOD THIS SEASON, WE FALL INTO THE DEEPER END OF RED.

Nail Lacquer in Cardinal, $13, Crabtree & Evelyn A deep metallic crimson that looks luxurious without over-doing the shimmer. Artist Shadow Mono in M-846 Morello Cherry, $35, Make Up For Ever at Sephora Its ultra-fine matte gel-powder formula glides on with no fall-out, delivering a smooth, super-saturated, yet easy-to-blend colour.

Velvet Lip Liner in Belle Mare, POA, NARS Its creamy texture and pigment-rich colour fill and line lips with precision.

TREND

Gucci FW14

82 Lipstick in Charlotte Audacious, $44, NARS Its new packaging is sophisticated and the moisturising formula applies rich.

Rouge Allure Gloss in 21 Distinction, $46, Chanel A luscious deep berry gloss that matures into a stained-pout effect after a few hours.

Volume Effect Mascara in 5 Burgundy, POA, YSL Beaute It coats and ‘fattens’ lashes in a deep, subtle maroon hue.

Nail Polish in Oxblood, $30, Burberry Beauty A dark wine hue with a sheer jelly base. Apply three coats for perfect shade of vamp.

Shameless Bold Blush in 218 Tantalising, $30, Marc Jacobs Beauty at Sephora Apply with a light hand for a just-nice rosy flush. Comes with a mini brush and carry pouch.

Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres in N 41, $58, YSL Beaute A sexy high shine gloss that feels light on the lips and lasts.

Urbanista Lip Crayon in Dashing Diva, $14.90, Collection Cosmetics Soft, creamy, opaque colour that veils lips in a glossy finish.

Text & Coordination Jazmin Kelly Six

Rebecca Taylor FW14

NINA HAGEN WITH AN OUTLANDISH FLAIR FOR ECCENTRIC THEATRICALITY AND A COLOURFUL CAREER THAT SPANS FOUR DECADES, GERMAN GODMOTHER OF PUNK-ROCK NINA HAGEN CONQUERED HEARTS WITH HER CONTROVERSIAL OTT PERSONA, LONG BEFORE GAGA BECAME THE FAME MONSTER. HAVING DEFIANTLY PLUNGED HER WILD BLACK TRESSES INTO THE ALTERNATIVE SCENE AND EVEN PLAYED MUSE TO DESIGNER JEAN PAUL GAULTIER, THIS BRAZEN NON-CONFORMIST IS FAMED FOR HER ELABORATE HEAD PIECES, WISPY BANGS, STRAIGHT BLACK BROWS AND HEAVY KOHLED EYES – A HYPER RIOTOUS GET-UP THAT IS AS EXPRESSIVE AS HER HIGH-PITCHED PIPES. 1

8 5

6 7

[clockwise] 1. brow Ink in ash brown, $42, shu uemura | 2. hd mascara, $17.90, browhaus | 3. dual-intensity eyeshadow in sycorax, $44, nars | 4. vitalumiere loose powder foundation with mini kabuki brush, $100, chanel | 5. dramatic line 24hr felt liner, $20, sephora | 6. kill cover realest wear moist foundation spf35 pa++, $35.90, clio | 7. rouge dior in 096 pied de poule, $47, dior | 8. bamboo volume 2-in-1 volumiser, $36, alterna at sephora | 9. nail colour n in 327, $24, anna sui | 10. total effects pore minimizing cc cream, $32.50, olay

Text Sziying Khoo Coordination Jazmin Kelly Six

MADE UP ICON

4 9

PICK:

FRESH BLACK TEA COLLECTION We can’t turn back time, but we sure can try and slow it down. Using black tea ferment and extract, complimented by the natural goodness of collagen-boosting lychee seed extract, the range promises to re-energise, smoothen, firm, and protect skin. Star picks include the Black Tea Age-Delay Serum, which contains rice peptides and vitamin C and E to repair tired skin; and the Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask, which hydrates the skin and indulges the senses. From $78 to $156, available at Sephora.

FLASH: MADEUP

RED, RED WINE

Think of this as a hangover-free way to consume that cabernet. Instead of your usual nightcap, indulge your skin in For Beloved One’s Red Wine Antioxidant Night Jelly, formulated with French red wine polyphenols, grape seed extract and kudzu. It helps to combat harmful free radicals, reverse signs of ageing, while restoring suppleness and elasticity to skin. $78 (50ml), exclusively available at Sephora.

green with Envy

turn up the volume

As inviting as a rejuvenating soak in the river on a hot summer day, the L’Occitane Verbena collection exudes a sparkling burst of citrus and fresh spring waters with the limited edition Frisson de Verveine. Centred around the heart notes of organic verbena leaves extract, the scent gently bubbles down into musk and cedarwood. We love the Frisson Verbena Ice Gel for Legs & Feet, with its metal roll-on tip and natural essential oils for that well-deserved pampering treat. From $15 to $85, available at L’Occitane.

Always had trouble whippin’ yo’ hair back and forth spectacularly? L’Oreal’s Fall Repair 3X Anti Hair Fall Treatment contains the breakthrough salon secret, Aminexil, which combines with other active ingredients to become a triple-action formula that targets individual hair strands and problems such as malnourished roots, thickening of collagen sheath, and hair breakage. $39.90, available at leading personal stores and supermarkets.

A WARM WELCOME

Say hello to these two heritage brands. One’s making a sparkling return to our shores and the other’s a brand new entry.

CRÈME SIMON With its quintessential Activ-Fleur complex that contains the pure active plant extracts from seven carefully selected flowers, the brand is famed for its natural efficacy in boosting radiance and rejuvenation. Try the new Brightening Detox range, which offers lightweight textures specifically designed for hot and humid conditions. $25 to $109, available at Soon Lee @ Haji Lane and creme-simon.com.

POND’S At 160 years old, the brand that gave us the iconic Pond’s Cold Cream has been continuously at the forefront of skincare technology since its inception. Now with an even bigger arsenal of skincare goodies, some of our faves include the Flawless White range, which adapts and lightens skin in seven days; and the Age Miracle range, which renews and plumps up dull, slackened skin. From $9.90, available at selected Guardian and leading departmental stores.

BOING BOING

Two skin-reviving formulas to plump up your mien.

KIEHL’S HYDRO-PLUMPING RE-TEXTURIZING SERUM CONCENTRATE When the trials of everyday stresses get to us, our skin is the first to show signs. Give your mien the reboot it needs with this ‘moisture’ magnet formula, thanks to its plant-based glycerin within. Shiso leaf extract further retains essential moisture, locking it in its layers, while the lightweight texture ensures maximum penetration. $80, available at Kiehl’s.

ETUDE HOUSE MOISTFULL SUPER COLLAGEN AMPOULE ESSENCE

WATER BABY What was already a cult phenomenon just got even better with the latest upgrade. Meet the new and improved Hada Labo Hydrating Lotion, famed for its ultra-hydrating and moisture retention abilities. Enhanced with four interlocking hyaluronic acids, their various sizes work handin-hand to penetrate each layer of the dermis, while locking in and replenishing moisture at the same time – resulting in skin that is soft, smooth and healthy-looking. From $12.90, available at Watsons.

Infused with a specially formulated ‘Super Collagen’ ingredient, this refreshing jelly-textured formula contains baobab tree extract, famed for its moisture-retention capabilities. Besides being a nice treat at the end of a busy day, it also helps to firm skin up and reduce the appearance of fine lines. $34, available at Etude House.

WEAR A MASK You can’t deny the ease and convenience of slapping on a sheet mask and we’re lovin’ these new options from b.Liv. Absolute Matte uses active charcoal to tackle impurities and excessive sebum to impart a clean, refreshed feeling to skin; while Glow & Glory transfers nutrients deep into the dermis to deliver a boost of hydration and glow. $17.95 (7pcs) for Absolute Matte, $29.95 (3pcs) for Glow & Glory, available at all Sasa stores and bliv.com.

SKIN PERFECTOR For days when we need a little help to perfect our faces, look to Laneige, which is rolling out two new complexion perfectors. With 35 per cent moisture content, the Watery Cushion Concealer offers three Asian-adapted shades to provide long-lasting coverage, while the Brush Pact allows easy touch-ups on the go, thanks to its densely packed brush that picks up more powder to bring on an even, glowing texture. $35 (Watery Cushion Concealer) and $42 (Brush Pact), available at Laneige counters.

Text Ling Tay & Sziying Khoo Images Various Sources

SPECIAL DELIVERY We love Crabtree & Evelyn for its oh-soheavenly bodycare collections but this month, the brand ups the ante with not one, but two brand new product ranges to tease our senses. Its first ever Damask Rose Everyday Skincare Collection – comprising cleaners, toners, moisturisers and a mask – is infused with the deeply moisturising qualities of French damask rose, blended with a selection of botanicals to unveil radiant, healthy skin; while its 12-shade nail lacquer collection is fast-drying and delivers a high gloss finish. From $28 to $50 (Damask Rose collection) and $13 (nail lacquer), available at Crabtree & Evelyn.

ALL BOTTLED UP

THE LATEST CROP OF MAN SCENTS WE’RE INTO AT THE MO’. INTENSE HE WOOD DSQUARED2 EDT

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO ACQUA ESSENZIALE BLU EDT

Encased in a bespoke square block of Canadian red alder wood, the fragrance represents the contemporary city wanderer, yearning to break free into nature’s embrace. A window to the three key elements of the wilderness – musk blends with vegetal amber and crisp white fir as ‘air’; incense crystals dabble with violet leaves and bloom as ‘water’; and presence of cedar wood brings out the heady notes of sandalwood as ‘wood’. From $109 (50ml) to $149 (100ml), available at all Sasa stores.

Substance and style arrive in this shade of iridescent blue. The spicy buzz of cardamom, bergamot and lavender tingle enticingly, while the smokey leather notes of cypriol combine with the sensual scent of benzoin to create a powerful oriental fougère. An intense blend of citruses, aromatic herbs and precious wood, the fragrance awakens and explores the sensorial dimensions of masculinity. $137 (100ml), available at Salvatore Ferragamo.

LACOSTE L!VE EDT

MAN UP

POLICE THE SINNER EDT

Colours of red, white and blue adorn the cube-shaped bottle as Lacoste L!VE gives a playful nod to its impeccable French heritage. It opens with a dynamic burst of lime, an unexpected and energetic top-note that awakens the senses. Green leaves and aquatic notes at its heart add a touch of coolness, while the smokey warmth of Guaiac wood and dark licorice round off the fragrance with pizzazz. $117 (100ml), available at Lacoste stores.

This is the weapon for the adventurous and dominant; the assertive man no lady can resist. With compelling aromatic accords that are tamed by the resounding deep woody and amber tones at the base, the sensual blend channels playful, passionate mischief between lovers behind closed doors. This is your fifty shades of Christian Grey in a handcuffed bottle. Sexy, bold, and absolutely irresistible. From $49 (30ml) to $79 (100ml), available at all Sasa stores.

TRUSSARDI A WAY FOR HIM EDT

ZIPPO THE ORIGINAL EDT

Encased in a gorgeous flask of sapphire blue, the fragrance lures us to explore the silvery blue depths of the Mediterranean Sea. Like a balmy summer’s evening, invigorating splashes of citrus ease into a languid wash of marine notes that are enhanced by sweeter hints of green apple, balanced with the softness of blonde woods and vanilla. The delicate interplay of notes makes for a mysterious yet irresistible treat. $119 (100ml), available at all Sasa stores.

As sleek as the husky click of the Zippo lighter, this hardy blend ignites the ruffian in us. A sizzling concoction of bergamot, clary sage and cashmere woods set ablaze the woody hints of Indonesian patchouli and smoked vetiver of Haiti and Java. The warm, spicy fragrance is discreetly concealed within a masculine metal sheen, reflective of a scent as staple as its trusty pocket-sized counterpart. $59, available at all Sasa stores.

CLASSICS REMIXED BOSS BOTTLED EDT

Opening with the light, passionate fruity top notes of citrus and plum, the fragrance illustrates modern masculinity and further intrigues, building up to hearty accords of crisp cinnamon and the freshest geranium; much like the start of a dewy spring morning. Leaving gents with the strong rich notes of sandalwood and vetiver, it exudes depth and a comfortable stability. Like an immaculate suit, the glass flacon is elegant and cuts to the chase, dressed in a matte gunmetal coat. From $70 (30ml) to $193 (200ml), available at Hugo Boss.

PACO RABANNE INVICTUS EDT Invigorating at first whiff, the light concoction of refreshing grapefruit zest and bay leaves pulls you in and gradually melts away to unveil the enchanting chemistry between Guaiac wood, ambergris and patchouli. Taking you headfirst into the electrifying air of the winner’s circle, the fragrance is abundant with the euphoria and immense satisfaction of victory. Hold that silver cup up high, ‘cos once you have a taste of triumph, you’re never settling for second best. $137 (100ml), available at Sephora.

Text Ling Tay & Sziying Khoo Images Various Sources

NAVIGATE IN NIRVANA Get outta here. We may not be able to find the cure for cancer but we are certainly innovative in the field of defying nature. Case in point: gravity. Introducing Om/One, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first levitating speaker that floats effortlessly above its base. Dressed in a brushed metal finish with a diffused blue glow, the speaker looks as astonishing as the sound it promises. Both functional and beautiful, this portable audio device boasts 15 hours of continuous play and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity that makes stereo pairing and phone convos possible. It even allows you to change tracks and control volume from up to 33ft away. Direct translation: you can match two or more of these babies and run your own magic show. omone.com

Text Laurie Maravilla Image Om Audio

MUSEUM OF HORRORS V

THE RELIC

A mysterious 2000-year-old relic was unearthed in the deep sands of the Middle East, and believed to be the bane of the existence of a lost city it once belonged to. Although the idol-like ornament has been making its rounds in the academic circles, little is known of its origins – which race it belonged to, and why the race was eradicated so suddenly. Yet, this is a treachery of the highest order, which would put King Tut’s mummy and the Hope Diamond to shame. Word has it that the Relic possesses an evil curse so powerful, that befalls any who dares so much so as cast a glance directly at its eyes. While no one knows for sure if the rumoured misfortune is indeed true, many who have come in close contact with the Relic have met with strange, untimely demise. Freak accident or deadly truth? There’s only one way to find out. Equally as outrageous as flying an Ebola-stricken patient in a commercial flight, the Relic is set to journey to Asia for its debut at the Museum of Horrors exhibition – where local scientists and amateur researchers alike can get up close with the Relic. Needless to say, you’re in for an enthralling scream fest. Would you accept the challenge?

WHAT TO EXPECT The Medical Laboratory There’s no skimping of gore here, feel free to examine body parts casually lying around. If that doesn’t make you queasy, wait until you meet the doctors in charge. Cabin In The Woods As with any scary tale, you’ll find yourself asking why people always tend to walk in on their own misfortune (direct translation: obviously haunted spaces). The Living Dead Let’s hope they are the Thriller kind of undead, not World War Z. At this point, you are probably down to the last vestiges of your courage until you get to…

Zombies. Clowns. Dolls. We don’t know which is worse, but hopefully you’ll make it out in one piece and be safe from the evil clutches of the Relic forever after. Fingers crossed.

Quote MOHJUICE for $5 off standard tickets!

The Creepy Fun House Maze It’s like going to a club in a twisted parallel universe, with all the wrong company. One word: Clowns. Into Darkness Maze Guessing game time! Here, you will have the privilege of meeting ghosts out of the wackiest Asian horror flicks in pitch-black darkness. Revenge Of The Dolls! If you have kept yourself together at this point, congratulations. the distant cousin of Annabelle from The Conjuring will show you out.

Museum of Horrors V: The Relic happens from October 24 to November 2 at *SCAPE The Ground Theatre, Level 2, from 7pm to 10.30pm (extended till 11.30pm on Halloween, October 31). Tickets at $15 (student) , $20 (standard), and $60 (bundle of 4), available at moh2014.peatix.com or *SCAPE ticketing booth (L2/L4). For more scary deets, visit www.scape.com.sg/moh2014.

10 Ways

To Improve Your Social Etiquette

TECHNOLOGY IS ON A BLEEDING EDGE AND WITH A PLETHORA OF SOPHISTICATED GADGETRY ACCESSIBLE FOR ANYBODY IN THE WORLD WHO’S GOT MONEY TO BURN, WE HAVE EVOLVED INTO MULTI-TASKING CREATURES INDIFFERENT FROM THE SOCIAL REALITIES OF EVERYDAY. TIME TO RELINQUISH POWER OVER OUR GEARS, FOLKS! WE DON’T HAVE TO DITCH OUR SNAZZY GIZMOS ALTOGETHER, BUT WE CAN GET IN LINE FOR THE FUTURE WITHOUT FORGETTING OUR MANNERS!

FEATURE

THE MOVIE VANDAL

What you do: Someone buzzes your phone in the movies, and while you were considerate enough to put your phone on silent, the display light was bright enough to wreak havoc on your neighbour’s concentration – you just ruined his flick. What you need: Sony Stereo Bluetooth Headset SBH80 Why: Great for music appreciation as well as receiving calls, gentle vibrating alerts notify you if someone is calling – no screaming lights, no funky ringtones. And unlike the typical Agent Smith Bluetooth headsets in the market, this option is way more clear-cut and unobtrusive. Technically though, it is always better to turn our mobile phones off. POA, available at Sony Centres from November.

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POP STAR What you do: You’re hanging out with your buddies and you want to listen to some jams, so you put your headphones on. If that isn’t riling enough, you also start wailing relentlessly and nobody can decipher if that was even music that you were listening to in the first place. What you need: X-Mini WE Thumb-Sized Speaker Why: Despite its petite size, this chilli padi of speakers has got a serious audio game. Small means portable, so it’ll fit even in the tiniest of purses. Its undeniable likeness to a grenade makes it downright fresh too – it doesn’t kill alright, unless we are talking about an explosion of music, then yes, this thingamajig delivers what it promises. $59.90, available at Courts and leading electronic stores.

THE KEYBOARD WARRIOR What you do: You take all your complaints to the Interwebs. May it be mock-modesty or all-out character – personal or business – assassination, people like to turn to their newsfeeds to amuse themselves, not amplify negative vibes. What you need: Celluon Epic Why: This undersized widget projects a laser keyboard on any opaque surface and well, it types. Added mouse feature tracks natural movement that may slacken all that pent-up anger running in your veins. Tiny enough to chuck in your bag, you can take your virtual keyboard everywhere, even to the kopitiam, just in case you’ll have something against that chicken rice too. Look, if you’re gonna lose all your cool complaining online, you might as well do it like a pro. US$149.99, available at celluon.com.

THE POWER JUICER What you do: When meeting up with friends that you haven’t seen in eons, instead of saying “Hi! How are you?!”, you ask, “Do you have a charger?” What you need: Energizer 3-Way Portable Charger Why: Who in this world would lug around two phones and a tablet and drain all three of power simultaneously? Apparently, a lot of people. The Energizer charging port revives three dying devices all at once, which means you can now give your friends your undivided attention. $49.90, available at GainCity and leading electronic stores.

THE WALKING BOOMBOX

THE ACCIDENTAL PAPARAZZI

What you do: You love dubstep and you cannot lie – and everybody knows it, thanks to that heavy, insistent pounding from your cans. Your noise pollution just tramped that other guy’s Air Supply. What you need: Bowers Wilkins P5 Heaphones Why: This pair holds the promise of the ultimate bass experience with astounding noise control. It is that saving grace standing between you and your neighbour from tearing each other apart; it keeps the music in and everything else out. $494, available at the Apple Store.

What you do: You snap, post and tag photos of people indiscriminately, without their permission. Even if they look like Leather Face on a really bad day. What you need: Sony ILCE-QX1 Smartphone Mountable Camera Why: This smartphone mountable camera makes it possible to blur out people from the background simply by tinkering with the camera and the lenses that are compatible with it. Of course, it’s not as instant and magical as it sounds, but if the point of you taking a photo is to snap a photo of yourself, we don’t see why it has to be at the expense of other people’s privacy and dignity, It’s time to unleash those mad photography skillz and be more experimental. $649, available at Sony Centres.

THE NEWSCASTER What you do: You are over-sharing personified, flooding everyone’s newsfeeds with the darnedest things: what your train neighbour did in the morning, what your officemate said in the afternoon or worst of all, how it sucks to be jumping in a plane again in the evening. First of all, nobody wants a brag, and it certainly doesn’t make it better even if you are humble about it. The information highway is almost boundless, but it doesn’t justify jamming it with nonsensical traffic. What you need: Livescribe Notebook by Moleskine Why: Yes, we really did chuck a notebook into a pool of hi-tech gear. Behold, the diary of the 21st century. Paired with the Livescribe smartpen, it lets you rant and rave about anything and everything under the sun physically and digitally, in real time, but still with the feel of an old-school journal. We hope it all stays in there though. US$29.95, available for pre-order at moleskine.com.

THE PERPETUAL DUCKFACE What you do: You are ruthless in the selfie game. ‘Nuff said. What you need: Casio Exilim TR50 Why: You take many more selfies than the number of times you blink in a day, so here we are with one of the best selfie snappers. Thanks to Casio, going under the knife won’t be necessary: it’s equipped with the Beauty Mode Bracketing feature – the fairy grandmother of vanity, which, makes it possible to enhance your skin in six different ways. Who knows what lies behind this selfie obsession? If we can’t stop you, we’ll, at least, get to see better pictures on our newsfeed. Y’know what they say; if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. $1,199, available at Best Denki and Harvey Norman.

THE BROODING INDIE BOY

THE BIG BROTHER What you do: You don your smart eyewear in all the wrong places – like in public toilets. What you need: DVF Made For Glass Why: It’s still pretty much Google Glass but in a less freaky, non-Orwellian package. Designed by Diane von Furstenberg, the droid-ifying eyewear eases into casual lifestyle – we can finally stop laughing at the Google Glass unibrow. This device doesn’t really solve the privacy problem at hand but if we can’t stop you from diving deep into wearables, at least now there are less intimidating options. POA, available at net-a-porter.com.

What you do: Your in-ear buds are leaking the sound of your emotions. This isn't really a breach of etiquette, but life in the 21st century is already depressing for most – by default, and we could use more happy faces around. What you need: Zoro Wireless Noontech Why: Wearing over-ear cans is the best way to keep music to your own hearing. The Zoro gives you an easy-to-contain, controlled low-end and a solid mid-sound that results to a fun, vibrant and more wholesome listening experience. Lighten up! $649, available at Sony Centres.

Text Laurie Maravilla Images Various Sources

FEATURE

TALKING TIME

FOR THE BEST IN CLASS

FOR THE BEAT JUNKIE

FOR THE NORM-CORE TECHIE

FOR THE OBSESSIVE YUPPIE

Apple Watch, POA Having rolled out more features and custom options than its competitors, what we see unique is the Digital Touch function, which allows you to communicate with other users in a more intimate manner: sketch, tap, or if you’re into the cheese, you can also send a heartbeat. But if you ask us, the Walkie-Talkie function would come on top, exchanging sound bites is now easy-peasy. Sloths need not think twice, this watch is also a persistent physical trainer, and will tell you to move or stand up if you’ve been inactive too long. Now nobody can complain about not having enough time to be healthy anymore.

Sony Smartwatch 3, $298 A first in its series to be powered by Android technology, its specs are typical of the Androidwear OS cornucopia. It may sound middling, but what sets it apart is its Walkman app – this is newsflash for us, creatures of music, as this dawn of the smartwatches had forced the iPod to quietly pull off a French exit. The watch’s 4gb local memory allows you to sync playlists, hook it up to a wireless pair of cans via Bluetooth, and voila, a lifelog-worthy milestone. PS: You can sit on this version though, as Sony SmartWear collections from brands like Ted Baker, Barbour, and Roxy will be dropping in the near future.

Pebble Steel, $359 We love Pebble Steel for the same reason we love our old Nokia 5110 – the battery power just lasts for days, props to its Lithium-ion polymer juicer. Pebble is the world’s firstever successful Kickstarter smartwatch and this second generation basically does the same stuff as its predecessor, only, it’s made of steel. It has an EPAPER display, runs on Pebble OS, and has the right amount of charm as your childhood digital watch – only with a daylight readable display and a simple notifications overview for emails, text, and apps, and basic fitness tracking. Oh, and did we mention that you can play retro games like Tetris and Snake?

Google x Asus Zen Watch, POA Probably the most budget-friendly of the lot, the ZenWatch has a seamless AsusZen UI integration, a 1.6-inch AMOLED display, and similar features as any wearable powered by Androidwear OS. However, this timepiece will get more nods at the office than the club: it has an intelligent schedule manager and business presentation controls, which can come in handy for corporate pundits. It also monitors relaxation and activity levels, and boasts a handsome make: from the leather strap and fine stitches to its top quality internal components. However, our favorite feature would be the Tap Tap and Find My Phone function, which allows you to locate lost mobiles conveniently.

Available at leading electronic stores early 2015.

Available at Sony Centres and all telco stores end October.

Available at Epicentre, Challenger, and leading electronic stores.

Available at leading electronic stores in December.

THE ONGOING SMARTWATCH BLOODBATH BETWEEN TECH GIANTS HAS LAUNCHED THE POPULACE ONTO A FRENZIED TECH TOSS-UP, BEATING EVERYONE’S BRAINS TO A PULP IN PIXELATED CONFUSION. THERE MAY BE NO ONE ULTIMATE SMARTWATCH OUT THERE, BUT THERE CERTAINLY IS ONE FOR EVERY TECH-HEAD STEREOTYPE.

FOR THE EARLY ADOPTER

FOR THE CLOSET DIGI-QUEEN

FOR THE SUN-SOAKED BEACH BUM

Samsung Gear S, POA This is practically your Samsung phone’s wearable mini-me, although it can still be hulking for the average-sized wrist – it has a two-inch curved AMOLED display. Running on Tizen OS, Samsung Gear S provides the usual full text and call notifications and is equipped with a built-in 3G radio, making it fully independent from your phone. Integrated Bluetooth, 4G, and Wi-Fi functionalities make actual callbacks and replying emails via the smartwatch possible. Heads up to those with man-hands though, the keyboard can be a tad challenging for stumpy digits – making it clear why predictive text was conceived in the first place.

Intel x Opening Ceremony MICA, POA Truth be told, sporty and masculine smartwatches aren’t exactly the best time-tellers to reach for when you’re all made up and dressed to the nines. MICA – My Intelligent Communication Accessory – is primarily a luxury item, utilising swanky materials like snakeskin, obsidian, pearls, and lapis stones, giving it a classy, sophisticated edge. It is also a terrifically stealthy stalking device – no one would ever suspect that you actually give a hoot about mundane stuff, you know, like Facebook notifications. Plus it’s completely independent from your phone, which means more space in that tiny purse.

LG G Watch R, POA Looking most like a traditional watch, the LG G Watch R has a robust design and is, ostensibly, the world’s first full-circle smartwatch that cuts away the edges of usual rectangular versions – which we don’t really see as much of a problem unless someone has got bad case of OCD. Also running on Androidwear OS, it has a built-in chronograph and is water-resistant at a depth of one metre for 30 minutes, making it the perfect accessory for lazy arvos by the beach or a quick splash in the pool. Just remember to swap out the leather straps with rubber ones; you don’t want them smelling funky!

Motorola Moto 360, $429.99 The alternative that has the most ironic, but useful, primary selling point: it stays true to the quintessential wristwatch, and has the same features as most Android Wear watches. Made with stainless steel, horween leather, and corning gorilla glass, the sleek timekeeper has basic functions like weather, flight alerts, traffic, and is easily compatible with most thirdparty apps – a no-digital-frills kind of smartwatch that also comes with a basic pedometer and heart monitor. This is a decent transitional piece for anybody taking their first leap into smartwatches, thanks to its fuss-free UI.

Available at leading electronic stores early 2015.

Available at openingceremony.us in December.

Available at leading telco stores in December.

$429.99, available at expansys.com.sg and leading electronic stores.

Text Laurie Maravilla Images Various Sources

FOR THE SAVVY BEGINNER

NOT WITHOUT sPUNK+

ALERT

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in Singapore and fresh from last month’s twin launch of its Raffles City flagship store and the Agnès b. x Polaroid limited edition Z2300 camera, our favorite French apparel brand is back to wrap up its two-month birthday bash, this time with a tinge of rebellion.

AGNES B. PUNK+ PHOTO EXHIBITION TOUR Over the years, Agnès b. has set the standards of what a true blue French apparel brand is all about, while keeping up with the times. Having the label favoured by arty renegades and pop icons like David Bowie, Yoko Ono, Thom Yorke, and Helena Bonham Carter, it goes to show that the brand’s ideals encompass not only that of fashion, but also art, film and music. Snaps From The Scene Before becoming a prominent photographer and creative for music and entertainment, Boston-fresh Sheila Rock found her fledgling self at the heart of the pandemonium that is the London punk scene in the ’70s. Armed with a film camera, Rock snapped the garden-fresh DIY, yet sardonic atmosphere in its purest form, before it was off the hook. In spite of being at the right place and time in the company of the scene’s forerunners, Rock maintains that she wasn’t part of punk history but its scribe — immortalising its provocative and bleeding defiance against social norms on film. Hers was a time when the hoi polloi obviously cared less about scene points and more about individuality. Rock muses that 199 of these never-before-seen snaps of The Clash, Chrissie Hynde, Paul Weller, The Sex Pistols, Generation X, Siouxsie & the Banshees, The Subway Sect, The Damned, The Buzzcocks, among other punk dieties, were sitting in a box of archives in an unassuming shed at the bottom of her garden. This is exactly why archaeologists are important, although in Rock’s case, it wasn’t Indiana Jones but Agnès herself. God bless the fashion designer, as these curated photographs are now amassed into a book

called PUNK+, 28 of which will be showcased at the Agnès b. PUNK + Photo Exhibition Tour, which will be making its stops in Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Shop The Lot All 28 portraits will be up for grabs at The Substation, the prices have not been released, but as with any art masterpiece, it sure is worth your hard-earned bucks. And to get in the true spirit of the movement, a pop-up store will also be hawking vintage punk culture paraphernalia like paperbacks, period trappings, and vinyls – who knows, this might end your quest for that rare anarchopunk record. If you are a serial snapper like designer Agnès, get them digits on the new Agnès b. x Polaroid limited edition Z2300 – a 10-megapixel instant digital camera with a built-in 32MB memory and 6x digital zoom – to capture creative inspo or simply to take spur-of-the-moment snaps. It’s a limited edition run, so make a beeline to the nearest Agnès b. store. For Bromley Contingent wannabes, ex-Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock will also have a special appearance and performance at the unveiling. That makes two punk prodigies in one building, it might as well be an apparition.

The Agnès b. PUNK+ Photo Exhibition Tour and pop-up store opens at The Substation Gallery, 45 Armenian Street, from October 2 to 26, 12 to 9pm daily.

Text Laurie Maravilla Images Agnes B.

NEW LAUNCH

ATH-AX5iS Over-ear headphones for smartphones www.audio-technica.com.sg

THE FUTURE IS NOW

HOMEGROWN

MERVIN TAN

NOW IN ITS EIGHTH YEAR, ARCHIFEST HAS GIVEN THE NATURE OF ARCHITECTURE AND ITS DIRECT INFLUENCE ON OUR COLLECTIVE HEALTH. THIS YEAR, ITS FOCUS LIES IN THE THEME OF ‘CROWD’, WHICH AIMS TO FOSTER INTIMACY BETWEEN DESIGN AND PEOPLE TO FUEL MORE COLLABORATIONS. WE SPEAK TO MERVIN TAN, THE EVENT’S FESTIVAL DIRECTOR TO FIND OUT MORE 96

Hi Mervin! You and your team have been involved in activating spaces over the last few years. Tell us more about PLUS Collaboratives. PLUS is a collective formed by my friends and I in school to share design, and when we graduated, there were job offers to us as a collective. Though we were schoolmates, we have very different interests and perspectives to design – mine is in the idea of system thinking, while the others include photography, digital fabrication, graphics and messaging. Activating spaces fall under the larger idea of making design approachable, which is one of the key common interests of our collective. We believe that design should be appreciated by everyone, even if not understood, the idea of experience and messaging through design is one key aspect of our work. Taking cues from your work with the Singapore River One project, what are your views on interdisciplinary collaborations?   To us, being in an interdisciplinary scenario is what keeps ideas fresh and flowing. We learn new things from people we collaborate with and in turn keep our interest in art and design growing. Interdisciplinary collaborations are definitely difficult because of the different viewpoints each brings, but then again, it is also these different viewpoints that create fresh ideas. Key thing is to set aside personal agendas and be open to new ideas and perspectives.

How is Archifest 2014 coming along and how is it shaping your perspective of architecture in Singapore?   This year’s ‘Crowd’ theme is one that is pretty close to heart for us. It talks about the idea of people power, of collaborations and of a ground-up intimacy between design and people, which incidentally is one of the key operatives of our collective. With regards to the architecture scene in Singapore, I would say that this idea of ‘Crowd’ is a shift that we are moving towards, that there is an understanding of the dynamics of a built environment that goes beyond the architect’s role and also, to including the end-users and other specialists that will bring the design to a greater level. We’ve noticed that nostalgia has been a recurring theme in different cultural practices locally. Thoughts? I guess familiarity is something very important to most because our city is one that is fast changing. We tend to be backward-looking to find some sort of an anchor whether is it in nostalgia or in a search of identity. Sometimes I think creatives form some of the most patriotic people, though we don’t necessarily sing the national anthem and say the pledge; our attachment is reflected in our work and often hopes to capture a local specificity to what we do. What role can architecture play in this scenario? The business of nostalgia happens in two

Text Laurie Maravilla Images Mervin Tan

ways in architecture. The first of course is physical conservation. However, this method of nostalgia alone is purely romantic and has no sustainability. While I’m all for the idea of conservation, I rather indulge in the second, which is to reflect the qualities we recognise to be nostalgic as reinterpreted and updated forms in architecture. An example would be tropical architecture, which is evident in old attap houses, the qualities of high roofs, overhanging leaves, and cross-ventilation creates a comfort-ability that some modern buildings are trying to emulate. That, although subtle, I think is a more practical aspect of nostalgia. We’re pretty sure you’ve seen your fair share of well-designed structures both at home and overseas. Any favourites? I don’t really have a favourite building locally sadly, but I do have a project that I quite like: The High Line by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in New York. I appreciate the manner in which the idea was conceived and how it makes use of an abandoned railway track, changing it into a usable green belt for the masses and crowds.

Archifest 2014 will be running from September 26 to October 11. For more deets, check out facebook.com/archifest. plus-collaboratives.sg

RENEWED BEGINNINGS Lifestyle emporium PACT has gotten an update and what used to be a group of three is now eight. Joining resto KILO, apparel label Sifr and Japanese salon PACT+LIM are Singapore’s first artisanal perfumery, CODE DECO (try unique scents like A Minor, a sombre mix of bergamot, dark plum and cinnamon; and George’s uplifting mix of ginger and rebellion.); SPUR Hauswerks, a design studio that incorporates the idea of slow-design into its products; and Kiyone + Lim, a nail salon that specialises in gel nails; amongst others. We’d suggest you set aside a considerable chunk of time to explore this place – there’s definitely lots to see. And eat. And experience. #02-14/23 Orchard Central, tel: 6884-7560.

GLOW AND GO

FLASH:NAVIGATE

COLOUR BLAST

Adding a dose of cute to your wireless, outdoor listening experience are Yamazoki’s Moktak portable speakers. With silicone exteriors, you can twist it, bend it, do with it what you must. There’s no question about its portability. The two hemispheres that deliver full, rich sounds can be joined together magnetically into a ball. Hang it anywhere, everywhere you need to blast some tunes. $149, available at #02-323 HMV Marina Square and TANGS Technobay.

Time to stretch! Serious health buffs, party monsters, multi-taskers, and pyros hear ye! Illumi Run is back in its second year with an expected turnout of 18,000 strong. If you missed out on last year’s wild running party packed with beats, sweat, and neon, sign up now for the 5km noncompetitive run, which will showcase different-themed music zones with sporadic UV paint splashes in between. Happening on November 28 & 29 at the F1 Racing Village. Registration is ongoing till October 21 at $78 per person. For more info check out illumirun.com.

SOMETHING’S COOKIN’

WE HEART ART

With the amount of art that goes around, it’s time to get out and get cultured.

WOVEN WALLS

SINGLED OUT

While graff pundits might raise eyebrows at the idea of street artists showing at a gallery, local urban arts collective RSCLS is doing just that. Check out works by local heroes Antz, Clogtwo and Trase One, who take their craft indoors and onto canvasses to challenge the idea of what makes the street art identity. From now to October 26, at Fost Gallery, 1 Lock Road, #01-02 Gillman Barracks.

Creative Agency fFurious will have vinyl record aficionados on their knees: 50 artists were each challenged to pick out a song that has made an impact in their lives and turn them into artworks. The result is 2-D and 3-D pieces that are painted, sculpted and deconstructed. From October 17 to January 6 2015, at The Connoisseur Concerto ‘The Gallery’, 4 Robinson Road.

Self-confessed foodies and serial gluttons will be stoked at the new addition to Marina Bay Sands’ already-impressive celebrity chef party. Michelin star chef Gordon Ramsay, will be launching his successful Bread Street Kitchen concept – modelled after its London counterpart – featuring a BritishEuropean menu and garden-fresh seasonal produce. And if your brain is wired like ours, you’d know that we’re not just anticipating top-notch grub; this is also a chance for us to rate his cooking with our sophisticated, kopitiam-trained tastebuds. Check marinabaysands.com for official opening details.

HAPPY HELL-OWEEN! Itching for Trick or Treat? Head to Downtown East and join in on one of the longest-running Halloween events in the country, may it be to have another excuse of jumping into costume or simply to play Sherlock Holmes pretend. But this year, we advise you to leave your ditzy guise at home, as serious thinking and detective skills are required to crack the crime solving challenge, ‘I Know Who Killed You This Halloween’. From October 31 to November 2, at the Begonia Pavilion at Downtown East, 1 Pasir Ris Close. Tickets at $22, available at ticketbooth.com.sg and all Lockdown outlets.

FLYING HIGH If your smartphone usage is leaning more to instant photography and videography for online sharing, the HTC Butterfly 2 has got you covered. Its Duo Camera, featuring a 13MP camera and a dual flash, when used with functions and effects like the UFocus and Foregrounder makes it possible to snap with depth, similar to that of a proper cam. And the full 1080p HD Video Recording captures rich, high quality videos. Our favourite camera feature would be Copy & Paste, which allows you to, well, copy and paste elements from different photos. Now a photo with virtually anyone in the world – or out of this world is possible. Trolls be joyful. $898, available at major telcos and selected retailers.

SOUND DECISIONS

YOU’VE GOT MAIL Royal Mail Bar just launched a new menu and some of the items that flew with us include: Cubed Beef – a must-try for any steak snob, it’s a no-fuss salt and pepper prime roast that emphasis es on the importance of texture in meat cooking: simple, tender, and juicy. Another favourite would be the Straight Cut Fries with Truffle Mayo. According to popular belief, fries are the perfect grease to match with your tipples and we have to say that the Truffle Mayo was the star of this dish: they didn’t skimp on the prized ingredient and the result was a distinctive earthy taste with velvety mayo: it was subtle and overwhelming all at once. You might want to drop by for A Day Of Summer too: orange and Bailey’s just got married in this martini, and it looks like a lasting union. Ascott Raffles Place, 2 Finlayson Green, tel.: 6509-3589. theroyalmail.sg

NEW HOUSE RULES Yes, Thursday is the new Friday and here’s another addition to your weekly party memo. Attica is rollin’ out House Rules this month, alternating with Tropic Lab – a local collective-slash-melting-pot of house and electronic music lovers infamous for hosting some of the best parties in Asia – featuring the club’s new resident DJ Iain Thompson, flown in straight from Ibiza. It’s technically not the weekend yet but it’s just the right time to ease into party mode with pulsing beats, instead of heavy bass drops. Ready for the take over? Don’t worry about that hangover, it will sort itself out. 3A River Valley Rd, #01- 03 Clarke Quay, Tel. 6333-9973. attica.com.sg Text Laurie Maravilla Images Various Sources

Kronenbourg is 350 years old; we don’t want to know what that looks like in human years, but, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

FLASH: NAVIGATE

Portability is a good quality to have in an audio product, but sometimes we simply need speaker systems with big sounds that can warmly saturate the entire room. Enter the Samsung M7 Wireless Audio Multi-room Speaker – with its multi-room audio solution, you can install a few of these sleek babies and rock the entire house down. It offers Bluetooth and WiFi support, with consistent audio streaming as well as a user-friendly app. But most importantly, it’s the solid sound quality and very modern wedge shape that makes this great both in terms of form and function. $549, available at all leading electronics stores.

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ull Full terms terms and and conditions conditions apply apply , visit , visit www.citibank.com.sg/ZoukOut14 www.citibank.com.sg/ZoukOut14 for more for more details. details. Citibank Citibank full disclaimers, full disclaimers, terms terms and and conditions conditions apply apply to individual to individual products products and and banking banking services. services. ©2014 ©2014 Citibank. Citibank. Citi, Citi, Citibank Citibank and and Citi and Citi and Arc Arc Design Design are are registered service marks of Citigroup Citibank Singapore Limited Co. Reg. No. 200309485K Printed on 10/2014 gistered service marks of Citigroup Inc. Inc. Citibank Singapore Limited Co. Reg. No. 200309485K Printed on 10/2014

FRANCOIS K AT KYO TRÈS BIEN

DR. MARTENS #STANDFORSOMETHING PRESENTS DEAP VALLY AT BEEP STUDIOS BABY WE CALL HELL

HEINEKEN CITIES FESTIVAL AT CLUB STREET/ ANN SIANG #OPENSG #HEINEKENSG

OPEN YOUR CITY OPEN YOUR WORLD 002262 HKN Cities_35x205.indd 1

heineken.com/OpenYourCity

19/9/14 2:08 pm

CATALUNYA LATE NIGHTS LAUNCH AT CATALUNYA SPICK & SPAIN

GUILTY PLEASURES (LADIES NIGHT) AT ATTICA AS CHARGED

SNOW LEOPARD VODKA X ALLEY BAR PRESENTS A COCKTAIL EVENING FOR A GOOD CAUSE

SHOP AT THESE

STOCKISTS II MONKII FAR EAST PLAZA, #03-95

PULL & BEAR ION ORCHARD, #B2-08

ACTUALLY ORCHARD GATEWAY, #03-18

PUMA ION ORCHARD, #B2-23

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

PREVIEW CATHAY CINELEISURE, #03-03A

ALDO ION ORCHARD, #B2-02

PVS CATHAY CINELEISURE, #02-05

BERSHKA ION ORCHARD, #B2-09/10/11 BIMBA Y LOLA ION ORCHARD, #B1-04 CELIO BUGIS+, #01-05 COS ION ORCHARD, #03-23/23A DESOUL FAR EAST PLAZA, #03-24A DOROTHY PERKINS WISMA ATRIA, #01-27/28 DR. MARTENS WHEELOCK PLACE, #02-17A FOREVER 21 ORCHARD EXCHANGE, #B1-01 TO 18 FUNC DEKO FAR EAST PLAZA, #B3-01 G-STAR RAW ION ORCHARD, #B1-06

ROBINSONS ORCHARD 260 ORCHARD ROAD ROCKSTAR BY SOON LEE CATHAY CINELEISURE, #03-08 SECTS SHOP ORCHARD GATEWAY, #04-14 SOCIETY A ORCHARD GATEWAY, #03-07 STRADIVARIUS ION ORCHARD, #B2-15 SUPERSPACE ORCHARD GATEWAY, #02-18

NEW LOOK 313@SOMERSET, #B2-34/37

Looking for ? juice.com.sg/find-juice

ICE COLD BEER

180 Orchard Road, Peranakan Place T: 6738 8828 www.peranakanplace.com Music: Live acoustic

ALLEY BAR

180 Orchard Road, Peranakan Place T: 6738 8818 www.peranakanplace.com Music: Nu-groove, lounge, acid jazz and funk

AQUANOVA

The Cannery Clarke Quay, Block C, #01–03, T: 6305 6733 www.aquanova.sg Music: Live

ATTICA & ATTICA TOO

3A River Valley Road, #01-03 Clarke Quay T: 6333 9973 www.attica.com.sg Music: Classic dance anthems, R&B and hip-hop

AVALON

Marina Bay Sands Floating Pavilion T: 6688 7448 www.avalon.sg Music: Dance

THE ARENA

3B River Valley Road, #01-08, Clarke Quay T: 6338 3158 www.thearenalive.com.sg Music: Live music

BARRACKS & TIPPLING CLUB 8D Dempsey Rd T: 6475 2217 www.dempseyhouse.com

BAR COCOON

3A, Merchant’s Court, Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd, #01-02 T: 6557 6268 Music: Eclectic, new-wave, electro, uplifting house, big tunes & deep house

BAR OPIUME

9 Emerald Hill Road T: 6735 9929 50 Stamford Road Singapore Management University Lee Kong Chian School of Business #01-01 T: 6837 3585 www.emeraldhillgroup.com Music: Classic, alternative and adult contemporary rock

INK CLUB BAR

Raffles The Plaza 80 Bras Basah Road T: 6431 5315 www.inkclubbar.com Music: Sexy funky house

J BAR

QUE PASA

7 Emerald Hill Road T: 6235 6626 www.emeraldhillgroup.com Music: Modern & traditional jazz guitar instrumental & acid jazz with female vocals

THE RABBIT HOLE

3C Harding Road T: 6473 9965 www.thewhiterabbit.com.sg

ROYAL ROOM MINK

7, Raffles Boulevard, Pan Pacific Hotel Music: R&b and hip-hop

SUPRETTE

383 Jalan Besar, Singapore 209001 www.suprette.com Music: Top 50’s, R&B

M-Hotel, 81 Anson Road, Level 9 T: 6500 6119 www.millenniumhotels.com.sg Music: Live acoustic, pop, rock, R&B, jazz, contemporary

STELLAR BAR

JIGGER & PONY

442 Orchard Road, Orchard Hotel T: 6493 6952 Music: Live music

101 Amoy Street T: 62239101 www.jiggerandpony.com

KU DÈ TA

1, Bayfront Ave, Marina Bay Sands Skypark T: 6688 7688 www.kudeta.com.sg

KYO

133 Cecil Street, Keck Seng Tower, #B1-02 Music: Dance Anthems, Hip-hop/ r&b, House, Tech-house, Techno

LANTERN

The Fullerton Bay Hotel, 1 Fullerton Road T: 6597 5299 Music: Live cuban band nightly

LOOF

331 North Bridge Road, Odeon Towers (extension rooftop), #03-07 T: 6338 8035 www.loof.com.sg Music: Eclectic, chill-out

9 Emerald Hill Road T: 6735 9929 www.emeraldhillgroup.com Music: Classic rock

TAB

TAKÉ

3 Nanson Road, Studio M Hotel T: 6808 8888 Music: Live music on Fridays and Saturdays

THE CUFFLINK CLUB

6 Jiak Chuan Road 089262 T: 9694 9623 www.thecufflinkclub.com

THE LIBRARY

47 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089151 T: 6221 8338 Music: Chill-out

THE MAD MEN ATTIC BAR 11 North Canal Road,#03-02, Singapore 048826 T: 6222 3529 Music: Live music

THE VAULT

BLUJAZ CAFÉ

11 Bali Lane T: 6292 3800 www.blujaz.net Music: Live jazz, funk, boogie

The Cannery Clarke Quay, 01-10 Block C T: 6305 6726 www.mulliganspubs.com Music: Live Music

45 Armenian Street (The Substation Garden) T: 6338 8277 www.timbre.com.sg Music: EIC, Ngak & Jack, Timmy and Alemay Fernandez

TOPMAN/TOPSHOP KNIGHTSBRIDGE, #01-05/06

THE BUTTER FACTORY

NEW ASIA BAR

WALA WALA CAFÉ

NIGHT&DAY

WAVEHOUSE

VOLTA THE CATHAY, #01-18

MM6 ION ORCHARD, #01-08

ACID BAR

50 Cuscaden Road T: 6235 5232 www.hardrock.com.sg Music: Live acoustic and rock

THE EDITOR’S MARKET CATHAY CINELEISURE, #03-04/06A

I.T ORCHARD GATEWAY, #B1-13, #01-18, #02-24

MISS SELFRIDGE WISMA ATRIA, #01-27/28

HARD ROCK CAFÉ

Level 63, 1 Raffles Place T: 6438 0410 Music: Chill-out

THE MANSION

UNIQLO 313@SOMERSET, #03-27 TO 34

LEFTFOOT ENTREPOT THE CATHAY, #01-19/20

1-ALTITUDE

TO CHECK OUT

1, Empress Place, ACM T: 6323 1043 www.indochine.com.sg Music: Rosanna & Her Jazz Players, Mon - Sat from 9.30pm

SPUNKPUNKFUNK THE CATHAY, #01-15

H&M ORCHARD BUILDING

LAUREN JASMINE WHEELOCK PLACE, #B1-06

CLUBS, PUBS & BARS

W.E 313@SOMERSET, #03-01 ZARA LIAT TOWERS

One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Road, T: 6333 8243 www.thebutterfactory.com Music (Fash): Eclectic-Indie, electro Music (Bump): Hip-hop, R&B

COASTES

50 Siloso Beach Walk #01-05 T: 6274 9663

DREAM

Block C, The Cannery Clarke Quay T: 6305 6768 Music: Hip-hop, R&B, electro

EM BY THE RIVER

1 Nanson Road, #01-05 Gallery Hotel T: 6836 9691 www.em-n-em.com Music: Weekdays- Down Tempo, Bar Sounds, Weekends- Bar Sounds, Soulful and Deep House

EM STUDIO

1 Nanson Road Gallery Hotel #02-05 T: 6836 9691 www.em-n-em.com Music: All genres of house

FABRIKA

Klapsons The Boutique Hotel, 15 Hoe Chiang Road, 17th Floor Sky Terrace T: 6521 9029

FENIX ROOM

3C River Valley Road T: 6305 6768 Music: EDM, hip-hop, indie

Pacific Plaza, 9 Scotts Road #01-01 - T: 6234 2276 Music: Soul, lounge, hip-hop

MULLIGAN’S

Level 71 Swissotel The Stamford T: 6431 6156 www.equinoxcomplex.com Music: Top 40s & R&B 139 Selegie Road, Singapore 188309 T: 6884 5523 www.nightandday.sg Music: Live music

NO.5 EMERALD HILL COCKTAIL BAR

5 Emerald Hill Road T: 6732 0818 www.emeraldhillgroup.com Music: Acid jazz, blues, R&B and classic charts’ hits

OVEREASY

1 Fullerton Road, #01-06, One Fullerton T: 6423 0701 www.overeasy.com.sg

PLAYHOUSE

3, River Valley Road Music: Hip-hop, R&B, electro

POST BAR

The Fullerton Singapore, 1 Fullerton Square T: 6877 8135 Music: New age and chill-out

POWERHOUSE GALLERY BAR BELLINI ROOM

St. James Power Station 3 Sentosa Gateway #01-01 T: 6270 7676 www.powerhouse.sg Music: Pop, house (Powerhouse), Disco, funk (Gallery bar), Jazz (Bellini room)

23 Circular Road, Singapore 049379 T: 6222 5001 www.thevault.com.sg

TIMBRÉ MUSIC BISTRO

31 Lorong Mambong, Holland Village T: 6462 4288 Music: Live band plays nightly from 9pm onwards 36 Siloso Beach Walk T: 6377 3113 www.wavehousesentosa.com

WOOBAR

W Singapore Sentosa Cove, 21 Ocean Way www.wsingaporesentosacove.com/ indulge

YING YANG

28 Ann Siang Road, The Club Hotel T: 8518 3156 www.yingyang.sg Music: Bar grooves & house

ZOUK PHUTURE VELVET UNDERGROUND WINEBAR

17 Jiak Kim Street T: 6738 2988 www.zoukclub.com Music: Techno, electro (Zouk), hip-hop, R&B (Phuture), deep house, soul (Velvet Underground), downtempo (Winebar)

10 THEORIES THAT GOT THE FUTURE WRONG

FINAL WORD

WE’RE LIVING IT RIGHT NOW, AND NOPE, THE FUTURE AIN’T AS GLIMMERING AS HOLLYWOOD HINTED IT WOULD BE. HOVERBOARDS, DINOSAURS AND HI-TECH CARS; WE EXPOSE MORE FUTURISTIC FLOPS. ALL EXCEPT THE APOCALYPSES – WE’RE GLAD THOSE MISSED THEIR MARK.

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MANKIND PERISHES IN SOME CATASTROPHIC FORM OF ARMAGEDDON Remember all that fuss about the world ending in 2012? We may have gotten the jitters and brushed up on our breaststrokes after The Day After Tomorrow and 2012, but as it turns out, Mother Earth’s not about to give up on us yet.

THERE WILL BE HOVERBOARDS D*mmit McFly, you spoilt us with your ‘skating’ stunts in Back To The Future! Sure 2015 is just a year away, but the prospect of hoverboards seems terribly unlikely, along with blow-dry jackets and time-travelling Deloreans. Bah.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TAKES OVER To say our society is a tad reliant on technology would be a massive understatement. Rebelling against machines or robots (think The Matrix and Terminator) though? We’re probably too proud a species to succumb to that sorta governance; try harder next time Schwarzenegger!

DINOSAURS WILL ROAM THE EARTH ONCE MORE Tyran-NO! Dr. Hammond might’ve had good intentions with his dino-reviving ambitions in Jurassic Park, but we’re glad we’re not having to flee from velociraptors and pterodactyls. That’s it – keep smacking ’em mosquitos.

YOU CAN ENTER YOUR VERY OWN VIDEO GAME All your base are belong to Tron? Too bad. You can’t button-mash and get yourselves zapped by a laser that teleports you into a cyberworld of lightcycles and Daft Punk discotheques. The Oculus Rift ain’t the same.

MONOLITHS WILL CONTROL THE FATE OF HUMANITY It’s been 13 years since 2001: A Space Odyssey, but we’re still not getting any cosmic epiphanies from giant black domino blocks. Maybe NASA needs to send an astronaut to Jupiter…oh wait, hasn’t happened yet either.

6 HOME SWEET HOME IN OUTER SPACE We couldn’t even afford a monkey, let alone a whole family to be shipped across space for the colonisation of alien planets. Cool concept Lost In Space, but unless R&D itself moved at hyperspace, no one would’ve bought this farce in 1997.

Text Kevin Ho & Ling Tay Images Various Sources

WACKY RACES GALORE Sorry to disappoint Hanna-Barbera, but your animated fantasies of missile-blasting jeeps and buzzsaw-swinging wagons weren’t any less fictional in its real-life adaptation, Death Race 2000. One thing it did predict though: Stallone’s horribly stiff acting.

THE DEAD WILL WALK Admit it, we all have a fear of zombies, especially since the probability of them getting to us is just a nibble away. But unlike poor Will Smith in I Am Legend, it’s already 2012 and we haven’t yet dwindled down to a mere one per cent of the population. Hallelujah!

WE’LL WITNESS CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND As much hype as there is of extraterrestrial life, truth is, we haven’t been held hostage or entirely wiped out by their visits, as was the case with Independence Day. So take that xenophobes! Peace out.

25.SAT ZOUK

ZOUK

ZSS PRESENTS MIXMAG ALLSTARS UK & HONG

VELVET UNDERGROUND-DANCE

PARA//EL PRESENTS PAUL RITCH (LIVE) FRA,SG DEBUT! + MIXMAG ALLSTARS UK & ADRIAN WEE

PHUTURE

100% BULLETPROOF WITH GHETTO & ROUGH FEAT. SHIGGA SHAY

ZOUK

TRANSFIX PRESENTS ARTY RUS WITH HONG

SOLID GOLD FEAT. DJ IZOH JPN & KO FLOW

THE GREAT TGIW: ONCE UPON A TIME (HALLOWEEN SPECIAL) WITH GHETTO FEAT. MC EJ 31.FRI

ZOUK

SINGAPORE 169420

THE M.O.B. HORRORS WITH LINCEY 29.WED

18.SAT

VELVET UNDERGROUND-DANCE

CUE UP WITH JEREMY BOON & LINCEY

VELVET UNDERGROUND-DANCE

ZSS PRESENTS HONG & LINCEY

ZOUK

ZOMBE:FORMATIVE X OFFICIAL RACE THE DEAD POST PARTY PHUTURE

DROPIT!!! WITH MATTHEW & JUN FEAT. MATTHIAS (WICKED AURA) LIVE PA

WWW.ZOUKCLUB.COM

17 JIAK KIM STREET

05.SUN

17.FRI

THE ZOUK SLAUGHTER HOUSE: HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL 2014

ZOUK

10.FRI

SOUNDCLOUD / ZOUKSINGAPORE

POPTART 'EVERYTIME I STARE INTO YOUR EYES'WITH WEELIKEME & KIDG

VELVET UNDERGROUND-DANCE

FACEBBOOK / ZOUKSINGAPORE

ZSS PRESENTS HONG & FORMATIVE

DISCO:VERY PRESENTS YUKSEK FRA WITH ALDRIN & ADRIAN WEE

VELVET UNDERGROUND-DANCE

Zouk / TGIW with Ghetto feat. MC EJ Phuture / CHARGED with Hong & Lincey

Velvet Underground-Dance / Cue Up! with Jeremy Boon & Lincey Phuture / DROPit with Matthew & Ghetto

ZOUK

VELVET UNDERGROUND-DANCE

EVERY WEDNESDAY TGIW

EVERY SATURDAY

24.FRI

04.SAT

ZSS PRESENTS BASSJACKERS NED,SG DEBUT! & HONG

EP!C PRESENTS R3HAB NED WITH HONG

Velvet Underground-Dance / Cue Up! with Jeremy Boon & Lincey Phuture / Bulletproof with Ghetto & Matthew

(EVE OF P.H.)

ZOUK

EVERY FRIDAY

ZOUK #THANKYOUPARTY FEAT. MAMBO JAMBO

11.SAT

TRANSFIX PRESENTS PAUL VAN DYK GER WITH HONG

TEL / +65 6738 2988

21.TUE

03.FRI

TWITTER / ZOUKSINGAPORE

ZOUK

SINGAPORE LAND TOWER, LEVEL 45

MASSIVE COLLECTIVE MAKES ITS DEBUT IN THE CBD The team behind Filter, Mink, Fenix Room, Match and Bang Bang debuts its newest concept, a chic indoor / outdoor penthouse lounge with this stunning view of Marina Bay right at the heart of the CBD.

FOR ENQUIRIES, EMAIL EMPIRE@MASSIVE.SG