Month: January 2014

PoP RECOMMENDS: BIBIO

BIBIO 

Psychedelic flourishes. Alt-folk quirkiness. Excellent mix between technology and organic sounds. Welcome to the modus oprandi of Bibio!

Watch the trippy video for “Dye the Water Green” below.

Michael Robinson (Director) – To me the video for “Dye The Water Green” held a certain identifiable quality linked with a sense of possibility and exploration – when there is a new place to go, another bend around the corner to uncover, or a different vista coming into view.

Off Bibio’s 2013 album, Silver Wilkinson. Listen below via Spotify.

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BLURB-O-RAMA

BOB

Time to make Blurb-O-Rama about the best of the month’s album releases methinks. So, here we are at the end of January 2014 already and here are some of the new albums you should check out. 

DAVID CROSBY – Croz

First album of new material in two decades – David Crosby, the legendary troubadour collaborates with his son, James Raymond, Mark Knopfler and Wynton Marsalis, to deliver a quality release filled with sophisticated compositions that finds Crosby in good form. Bedded nicely in a jazzy folk style reminiscent of the glory days of CSN, Croz is an essential listening pleasure for true blue fans of classic rock.

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GEEK OUT!

If you have never watched Paul Verhoeven’s classic RoboCop (1987), then you might find this reboot to be entertaining fare. Nothing special but passable movie entertainment nonetheless. Whilst the original film came across as a visceral satire of the role that powerful corporations play in the USA and worldwide, Brazilian director Jose Padilha’s re-imagination renders any such social-political commentary inert and most of the time, his RoboCop comes across as safe, family-friendly entertainment.

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DISCOVERED @ SPOTIFY

Fusion or jazz fusion or jazz rock is a ‘genre’ that came out of jazz musicians being influenced rock n’ roll music in the late 60s and early 70s. Even more impenetrable than progressive rock (which at least had song melodies and lyrical concepts), fusion concentrated very much on virtuosity and improvisation and thus is sometimes difficult to understand. So, here is an introduction of sorts to the ‘genre’ – hope it helps…

… still there’s more …

ELLIE GOULDING – LIVE IN SINGAPORE [NEWS]

British songstress Ellie Goulding returns to Singapore on Friday 13 June at The Star Theatre. Read Melissa Ng’s review last time out. Tickets available from SISTIC – Friday 7th Feb.

Mark your calendars!

Listen to Goulding’s best selling 2013 album Halcyon Days at Spotify.

TUBEWATCH

TRUE DETECTIVE (Starring Woody Harrelson, Matthew McConaughey & Michelle Monahan)

From the epic surrealistic opening credits, it’s clear that HBO’s new series True Detective is going to be something different. However, the moment one sees the first murder victim, one’s mind is immediately cast to the first season of Hannibal! In addition, for some bizarre reason, McConaughey’s Rust reminds me of an Americanized Sherlock Holmes (i.e. Benedict Cumberbatch).

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DISCOVERED @ SPOTIFY

Sound of Contact

It’s 2014 but that doesn’t mean we can’t still be listening to music from 2013 we might have missed. Especially if said music has nothing whatsoever to do with hipster indie pop. That’s where Spotify comes in handy…

SOUND OF CONTACT – Dimensionaut

Fronted by Simon Collins (scion of Phil), Sound of Contact is first rate neo-prog that recalls post-Gabriel Genesis, for the most obvious reasons. Dimensionaut is an eminently listenable for prog rock fans who like a high quotient of pop elements in their diet.

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REEL TO REAL

her-movie-poster

Is Spike Jonze’s Her a geek film? One could argue that it is a scifi movie but the elements are so marginal that in fact it’s probably more of a romantic comedy-drama with superficial scifi tropes. BUT. This last week, I have been speaking to my students about the purpose of setting in a story and I could not help but be distracted by the setting of Her.

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ALIVE & KICKING

Fairchild001

 

This piece was originally meant for publication in TODAY but due to miscommunication, it never was and so I decided to post it here on Power of Pop. 

FAIRCHILD/DEON | Home Club | 3rd Jan 2014

That Singapore is now a premier regional hub for high-end music entertainment is a given. But perhaps what needs further development is for Singapore to provide an avenue for up and coming foreign bands to cut their teeth at our smaller venues so that home audiences might enjoy these performances in a more intimate setting. Bring local bands into the equation as opening acts and the opportunity for healthy cross-pollination arises which can only benefit music lovers everywhere. Thus far, the likes of Beach Fossils (USA), The Cairos (Australia) and Mac Demarco (Canada) have made their way to our smaller stages and it is a promising trend that hopefully truly takes off in the immediate future.

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SINGAPORE ROCK FESTIVAL [NEWS]

Breaking news: Grunge rockers Alice in Chains will headline and close Singapore Rock Festival on 6th March 2014! The band completes the Thursday night lineup with Alter Bridge and Jason Newsted. Rob Zombie, Korn, Five Finger Death Punch and Black Veil Brides provide the metal entertainment on Wednesday 5th March.

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THE GATHERING WITH EMPIRE OF THE SUN [NEWS]

Pic by Kyle Dean Reinford
Pic by Kyle Dean Reinford

Forefront Asia is launching a new live music series, The Gathering, with their first act, Empire of the Sun. Scheduled to perform on February 21, 2014, at Fort Canning Green, this will be the award-winning Australian electronic music act’s first-ever headline show in Singapore.

Limited early bird tickets, priced at SGD85, are now available at Event Clique (https://tickets.eventclique.com/thegathering)

Details –
Date: Friday, February 21, 2014
Gates Open: 6:00 PM
Venue: Fort Canning Green, Fort Canning Road, Singapore 179618

More info at www.facebook.com/thegatheringasia

TUBEWATCH

Sherlock302

 

It is universally accepted that some of the best screenwriting can be found on the tube nowadays. The latest episode of BBC’s Sherlock (“The Sign of the Three”), it must be said is probably the best one yet. Using the platform of John and Mary Watson’s wedding, the writers manage to push pointed characterization, complex non-linear plotting and a dramatic whodunit with finesse and aplomb.

Throughout, Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a razor sharp performance that conveys all of Sherlock’s complicated thought processes, his other-worldly demeanour and ultimate sad loneliness, with Martin Freeman’s Watson the perfect foil, as usual. There is of course, a cost to being as brilliant as Sherlock is and the story never ever lets you forget about that. But that’s what makes the character completely relatable to an entire spectrum of misunderstood savants.

One wonders what is in store when the season 3 finale is dropped, very very soon. A mouth watering prospect!

 

SUZANNE VEGA – LIVE IN SINGAPORE [NEWS]

Suzanne Vega returns to Singapore in April. Only 245 tickets will be available for this special intimate performance. Vega is touring in support of her new album “Tales From the Realm of the Queen of Pentacles”, to be released on 2 Feb 2014.

Date : 1 April 2014
Time: 7.30 p.m.
Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio
Tickets: $148 on sale at www.sistic.com from 23 Jan 2014.

THE DOORS: R-EVOLUTION [DVD REVIEW]

Suffice to say that The Doors is one of the most important rock bands ever and if you’re a rock lover/scholar then one just cannot get enough of this seminal outfit. This DVD strings together The Doors’ use of the visual medium to convey not only commercial messages but also the core values of the band. From its earliest music with awkward TV appearances (John Densmore has hardly enough time to get behind his drums when “Light My Fire” kicks in on American Bandstand!) and innovative music film, The Doors quickly realize the potential of the visual medium as an additional promotional and creative avenue – Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek were film students after all. Bonus material include outtakes and a documentary recounting how The Doors began to use film to highlight their talents. Essential.

MING BRIDGES – MORPHOSIS PRESS JUNKET

Ming01

Singer-songwriter Ming Bridges is a force to be reckoned with – don’t be fooled by her smoking good looks – this young lady has a serious-minded head on her (lovely) shoulders. At this press junket held at Hood Bar on Thursday, 9th January – it was clear that Ming knows how the game is played but without losing the sweetness of soul that is within her.

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LANEWAY SINGAPORE 2014 [NEWS]

Here’s the schedule for St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival Singapore on 25th January. It’s heartening to see that Singapore acts have been given due respect and equal treatment as they should be.  Apart from The Observatory, Vandetta and Gema, I am looking forward to The Jezabels, Kurt Vile, Frightened Rabbit and Savages.

Get your tickets at http://bit.ly/GABVu4 or http://bit.ly/16ECcIQ before its too late!

PLAYFREELY+ 2014 [NEWS]

Screen shot 2014-01-09 at AM 11.03.49

“And now for something completely different…” – Monty Python

Three days of workshops, a panel discussion, deejay sets, and three intense sessions that bring together musicians from diverse genres and backgrounds to experiment in spontaneous group composition. This is what one can expect from Playfreely+ to be run over this coming weekend.

Playfreely+ is presented by The Observatory, in partnership with Ujikaji. Supported by the National Arts Council of Singapore, norsk jazz forum, Music Norway, Mackie, Electronics & Engineering Pte. Ltd.

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DISCOVERED @ SPOTIFY

Stephen Malkmus

2014 means new albums. Listen at Spotify!

STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS – Wig Out at Jagbags

Ex-Pavement frontman, Malkmus returns with a brand new solo LP. Idiosyncratic songs with quirky arrangements but never lacking in memorable tunes.

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STAGEFRIGHT X

Goes without saying that local original music needs more exposure and so I am pleased that STAGEFRIGHT @ Artistry is now into its 10th edition. Tonight, the lineup is –

8.00pm to 8.15pm Che Cereza
8.20pm to 8.35pm Hiroki Sunayama
8.40pm to 8.55pm Richard Philip
9.00pm to 9.15pm The Winged Butter Cats

Come on down and enjoy some mid-week refreshment. I will be playing a couple of new tunes from the upcoming #alpacablues ep at the end. See you there!

More info.

SINGAPORE ROCK FESTIVAL [NEWS]

SRF Artwork

Here’s a festival specially made for all you metalheads out there.

ROB ZOMBIE!

KORN!

Tickets for the first night on March 5 is on sale now while tickets for the second night on March 6 goes on sale 9:00 AM on January 10 at www.sistic.com.sg

Early Bird Doubleshot Package: $198 (both nights)
Early Bird Single Shot: $118
Standard Single Shot: $128
At the door: $148

Sistic booking fee not included.

To Book tickets in Singapore:
Online: www.sistic.com.sg
By Phone: +65 6348-5555
Agents: At all authorized Sistic outlets in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Tickets can also be purchased through the SISTIC Mobile and iNETS mobile apps.

SISTIC Mobile is available at the Apple App Store, Google Play store or Samsung Apps. Download iNETS mobile through the Apple App store or Google Play store or SMS to 76387.

DISCOVERED @ SPOTIFY

The Flower Kings

Neo-prog. Progressive metal. These are the descendants of the first wave of progressive rock that flowered in the 70s. Check ’em out at Spotify.

THE FLOWER KINGS – Desolation Rose

Hailing from Sweden, The Flower Kings have been making symphonic rock (echoing the sound of Yes, Genesis and King Crimson) since 1994.

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GEEK OUT!

MAGIC WORDS: THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF ALAN MOORE (by Lance Parkin)

It’s difficult for me to be objective about the writer Alan Moore. After all, the man had been responsible for many of my favourite all-time comic book stories viz. Watchmen, From Hell, Marvelman/Miracleman, V for Vendetta, Top Ten, Saga of the Swamp Thing and so on. Apart from Philip K Dick, Alan Moore is my favourite writer. Period.

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ALIVE & KICKING

LOWERCASE AND LINCH AGENCY PRESENTS AN EVENING WITH LYON APPRENTICE, GENTLE BONES, LOKIES & LINYING

The year has kicked off and the gigs are coming in thick and fast. A relatively low key event, this stripped down acoustic affair showcased Gold Coast brother act, Lyon Apprentice, as they made their debut appearance in Singapore.

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POWER OF POP INTERVIEW – ADAM LYONS

Screen shot 2014-01-05 at AM 11.21.28

The first impression I had of Aussie indie pop band Fairchild — by watching a YouTube video of “Burning Feet” (off new EP of the same name) — was that the band was a professional set-up with management & promotional support – the whole shebang! But the truth is that the Gold Coast sextet actually have day jobs (!) and ascribe to a D-I-Y aesthetic, depending very much on contacts and their own business acumen to make it this far. Frontman Adam Lyons not only has to juggle a full-time profession with Fairchild but also has a side-project Lyon Apprentice, with his brother Nathan (who is also in Fairchild). The band played in 2013’s Music Matters Live and more recently The MIDI Festival in Shenzhen and will also be showcased at the upcoming Canadian Music Week in May. All these overseas jaunts, virtually on their own dime. Quite an achievement. Over this weekend, I had the unique opportunity to watch both Fairchild and Lyon Apprentice and spoke to Adam about music, passion and how to finance it all by robbing a bank!

Why music?

I was forced to play piano when I was about 15 years old but I played guitar – I didn’t study it (music) at school – I wasn’t allowed to actually, I wasn’t even allowed to do PE – Maths and Science was my thing. I told them (parents) I wanted to do medicine, which I eventually got into. Music is a gateway to something else – it’s not a profession for me per se and I think things change when you switch music from a job to a hobby but we treat music as a job in the way we approach it. I look at my friends at work – 9 to 5 – and that’s all they do but it gives me another avenue to be creative.

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