It’s 24 hours later even as I type out my thoughts on last night’s Time Trails gig. Considering the behind-the-scenes issues that led up to that magical 85 minute set where Cheating Sons demonstrated once again why they are one of the most exciting musical prospects on our little island. Wearing my two hats (manager & session musician) was never difficult as I savored every single second of that long day. From unloading of gear, to sorting out dressing rooms, stage setups, line/sound checks and rehearsals it was steady progress all the way. Much of this had to do with the professionalism of the Esplanade crew and for that we are grateful. What was also particularly gratifying was the inclusion of extra talents into our Cheating Sons family viz. backing singers Rachael, Xue Yi, Narelle, horns section Joel, Ying Da, Erik, not to mention Wan on occasional bass and acoustic guitar. It was an amazing time of bonding, sharing and making beautiful music together as we all came together as one to celebrate the power of rock n’ roll.

The 13 songs whizzed past in a flash during which the crowd lapped up every moment – from Renyi almost forgetting to play “Amber Lights” to dropping his guitar (!) to our talented dancers (Fay and Yeong Wen) illuminating “End of the Day” and “Shadow Opera” to the sold-out crowd receiving warmly every new song that was delivered to them. And when the band walked off stage it was obvious that the crowd wanted more and the band returned to provide a two-song encore of “The Last Queen” and “Last Rites” before accepting the well-deserved standing ovation.

To the people who played their part in the background – Frankie, Nick, Goose, Caryn, Faizal – I salute you. Your contribution to making Time Trails a success was just as vital as the talented musicians on stage! And of course, the enthusiastic crowd who bought tickets, CDs and T-shirts, thank you very much!

… still there’s more…

(Photo by Lionel Ng)

In the Singapore indie music scene, playing at the Late Night @ Esplanade series is a benchmark for any local indie band. For Cheating Sons, a band that only released its debut album in February last year it’s been a quick ascent to this particular summit. Of course, as its manager (and biggest fan), I’m probably expected to say that! That all said, Time Trails has certainly given the band the opportunity to flex its artistic and creative muscles to present a music show it can call its own. In this respect, we must thank The Esplanade for its faith, belief and support.

The first quarter of 2012 has been spent on two fronts – recording the new album and preparing for Time Trails - this process somewhat overlaps as the gig will only feature new material – the new album in fact – and so it has been a challenge for these two processes to be undertaken in parallel. Apart from the usual administrative and logistical headaches (all settled now, I hope!), the added pressure of working in several guest musicians (including yours truly) has also presented exciting possibilities. All things considered, the guest musicians have added a dimension to the new music that it’s safe to say that fans of Cheating Sons will be pleasantly surprised by how different the band sounds now.

For me personally, this will also be the first time I’ve ever performed at the Esplanade Recital Studio and I am going to savour every minute, believe me. It’s been a thrilling ride with The Sons so far and based on the new material that’s coming together it feels like the journey has only begun! All that’s left for me to say is that I hope you will get your tickets whilst they’re available cos it’ll be Cheating Sons as you’ve never heard them before and all the craft and artistry that everybody involved has put into Time Trails will make your $25 investment a worthy one…in the meantime, check out the wonderful video teaser by Nick Pan (if you haven’t already) and we want to thank SONY Electronics for its generous loan of the NEX-VG10E handycam that made it possible. Still there’s more…

Tickets on sale at SISTIC. Like Cheating Sons at Facebook.

Poster design by Andy Yang.

The Mosaic Music Festival (MMF) is back bringing to our shores bands/artists that cover a wide range of ‘genres’ and musical styles. Some are world-famous and some are obscure but the unifying tread amongst them is the programmers’ belief that these bands/artists can provide that ‘one magical musical moment’ as Esplanade chief Benson Puah states in the official MMF programme.

Certainly, MMF appears to cater to every taste imaginable and scanning through that programme, I would like to highlight the events that would probably appeal to PoP visitors.

OMD Saturday 10 March Theatre

Elbow Saturday 18 March Concert Hall

Russian Red Sunday 11 March Recital Studio

Blind Pilot Sunday 18 March Recital Studio

Architecture in Helsinki Friday 9 March Theatre Studio

Craft Spells Saturday 10 March Theatre Studio

Los Campesinos! Saturday 17 March Theatre Studio

Also of interest will be ‘up close and personal’ sessions with OMD, Russian Red, Craft Spells, Blind Pilot and Los Campesinos! at the Esplanade Library on the day of the performances.

For more information, check out the official site.

Designed by Frankie Pan

Slightly more than a year after Cheating Sons released its well-received debut album – Masters, Wives, Daughter – the band will be playing its sophomore effort in its entirety at the Esplanade Recital Studio for Late Nite @ Esplanade – Time Trails. Unfortunately, that second album will not be completed in time for this event but think of it as a extended teaser of the delights to come.

In addition to my role as band manager, I will also doubling up as keyboards player for this gig and believe me when I say that if you liked the tracks on the first one, the new material will blow your minds away! If you have caught any of the Sons’ shows in the last year you would be familiar with the likes of Jefferson, Amber Lights, Pale Rider, To Dance with the Devil and The Shadow Opera. As great as the aforementioned tracks are, the new songs up the ante somewhat and mine 60s rock n’ roll wonderfully as traces of the Beatles, Stones, the Band and Dylan are clearly evident together with the Sons’ own inimitable style and sound.

Of course, Power of Pop (together with the newly minted Cheating Sons website – to be launched soon) be showcasing the Sons’ preparation – both for the new album and the upcoming gig. It’s going to be exciting 2012 for Cheating Sons fans. If that’s you then first thing you need to do is quickly purchase your tickets for Time Trails at SISTIC.

… still there’s more …

We Singaporeans may complain about many many things (with or without just cause) but there’s no way any music lover can grumble at the veritable sonic feast that will be coming our way in the first quarter of the upcoming new year. Just gawk at the awesome lineup for 2012′s Mosaic Music Festival for heaven’s sake! Personally, I will be happy to be able to catch OMD (!) and Elbow. Sometimes, British is best. Tickets on sale tomorrow (8th Dec)!!!

The latest installment of the Esplanade Youths Budding Writers begins in mid-December 2011, leading up to coverage of Baybeats Festival 2012 in June next year! As with this year’s program, I will be your willing mentor so… what are you waiting for? Apply now! Full information at the Esplanade Youths site.

I will be waiting…

Honestly, folks, this is one of the BIG ones this year in the S-ROCK scene! From its unique moniker to its catholic approach to instrumental progressive rock, Singapore quintet In Each Hand A Cutlass (IEHAC viz. Daniel Sassoon – guitars, Amanda Ling – keyboards, Roland Lim – guitars & Jordan Cheng – drums) offers an epic cinematic take on so-called ‘post-rock’ – although to be fair, that term scantly does IEHAC any justice.

The band has been enthralling local audiences with several memorable gigs – for me personally, the opening slot for Russian Circles at Zouk and a recent performance at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre left indelible marks on me. Finally, IEHAC has completed its debut album – A Universe Made of Strings – and stand at the ready to launch the same on 24th June 2011 at the Esplanade Recital Studio in The Amaranthine Voyage!

Suffice to say, this is an S-ROCK event not to be missed! Get your tickets at SISTIC and prepared to be boarded!

RSVP at Facebook

GOOD NEWS! Want to know what it takes to be a music journalist? Here’s your REAL last chance!

If you love music and writing and want to combine both your passions, good news! We’ve re-opened the deadlines and are extending ONE MORE LAST CHANCE to send in your submissions to be selected for the Esplanade Youths (EY) Budding Music Writers’ Programme!

As an EY Budding Music Writer, you will have an exclusive opportunity to be mentored by experienced music writer Kevin Mathews, gain practical experience in various aspects of music journalism as well as have your writing published on different online platforms!

About Kevin Mathews:

Kevin Mathews is a well-respected music writer and has written for Singapore newspapers like the New Paper & TODAY, print magazines like BigO (Singapore), Amplifier, Pop Culture Press (USA) & Bucketfull of Brains (UK) as well as online zines like his own www.PowerofPop.com, MTVAsia.com & PopMatters.com.

Scope of the EY Budding Music Writers’ Programme:

The EY Budding Music Writers’ programme is an exclusive opportunity for Junior College and tertiary-level students with a passion for music and writing to be mentored on music journalism.

The programme will run from April to August 2011 and all participants must be committed to attending several workshops, performances, interviews with music artists and submitting various pieces of writing over the four-month period.

Programme structure:

Apr 2011: – Attend a one-day Music Journalism workshop where you will learn more about different pop and rock music genres

May 2011: – Submit three profile interviews on Baybeats 2011 audition bands for critiquing by your mentor.

- Learn how to formulate face-to-face interview questions and put what you’ve learnt to

practice in an interview session with a local band and submit an article for critique by your mentor after.

Jun 2011: – Attend a performance by a local band and write a review to be submitted for critique by your mentor.

Jul 2011: – Learn how to formulate email/phone interview questions and practice what you’ve learnt through a phone/email interview with one of the regional and international bands performing at Baybeats 2011.

20 to 22 Aug 2011: – Attend all three days of Baybeats 2011 and write stories covering the festival and its happenings for a daily newsletter to be uploaded on the festival’s website and on the Esplanade Youths website at the end of each day of the festival.

All articles written by EY Budding Music Writers during the mentoring programme will be published on the Esplanade Youths website and the Baybeats 2011 festival website after editing.

What are the must-haves to be considered for the Esplanade Youths Budding Music Writers’ Programme?

A passion for music and the written word and the ability to commit to the programme as stated in the above structure.

Want to sign-up?

Send us two review articles (about 300 to 400 words each) of Singapore rock or pop music performances you’ve recently caught.

Please title your email “I wanna be an EY Budding Music Writer!” and send it in by Tue 19 Apr 2011 to ksianeng@esplanade.com with the following details:

Your full name

Your contact number

Your email address

The name of your current school, and the course you are currently studying.

Please write to ksianeng@esplanade.com if you have any enquiries about the programme.

As an EY Budding Music Writer, you will have an exclusive opportunity to be mentored by experienced music writer Kevin Mathews, gain  practical experience in various aspects of music journalism as well as have your writing published on different online platforms!

About Kevin Matthews

Kevin Mathews is a well-respected music writer and has written for Singapore newspapers like the New Paper & TODAY, print magazines like BigO (Singapore), Amplifier, Pop Culture Press (USA) & Bucketfull of Brains (UK) as well as online zines like his own www.PowerofPop.com, MTVAsia.com & PopMatters.com.

Scope of the EY Budding Music Writers’ Programme:

The EY Budding Music Writers’ programme is an exclusive opportunity for Junior College and tertiary-level students with a passion for music and writing to be mentored on music journalism.

The programme will run from April to August 2011 and all participants must be committed to attending several workshops, performances, interviews with music artists and submitting various pieces of writing over the four-month period.

Programme structure:

Week of 11 Apr 2011 – Attend a one-day Music Journalism workshop where you will learn more about different pop and rock music genres

Week of 2 May 2011 – Submit three profile interviews on Baybeats 2011 audition bands for critiquing by your mentor.

Week of 16 May 2011 – Learn how to formulate face-to-face interview questions and put what you’ve learnt to practice in an interview session with a local band and submit an article for critique by your mentor after.

Week of 6 Jun 2011 – Attend a performance by a local band and write a review to be submitted for critique by your mentor.

Jul 2011 – Learn how to formulate email/phone interview questions and practice what you’ve learnt through a phone/email interview with one of the regional and international bands performing at Baybeats 2011.

20 to 22 Aug 2011 – Attend all three days of Baybeats 2011 and write stories covering the festival and its happenings for a daily newsletter to be uploaded on the festival’s website and on the Esplanade Youths website at the end of each day of the festival.

All articles written by EY Budding Music Writers during the mentoring programme will be published on the Esplanade Youths website and the Baybeats 2011 festival website after editing.

What are the must-haves to be considered for the Esplanade Youths Budding Music Writers’ Programme?

A passion for music and the written word and the ability to commit to the programme as stated in the above structure.

Want to sign-up?

Send us two review articles (about 300 to 400 words each) of music performances you’ve recently caught at Esplanade. There are many FREE performances taking place at Esplanade’s Concourse and Outdoor Theatre as part of the Mosaic Music Festival (http://www.mosaicmusicfestival.com) this weekend (18 – 20 Mar 2011) and after that, other FREE performances every weekday evening At The Concourse (http://www.esplanade.com/whats_on/esplanade_presents/series/at_the_concourse/index.jsp) and On The Waterfront (http://www.esplanade.com/whats_on/esplanade_presents/series/on_the_waterfront/index.jsp) every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening so you have plenty to choose from!

Please title your email “I wanna be an EY Budding Music Writer!” and send it in by Mon 4 Apr 2011 to ksianeng@esplanade.com with the following details:

Your full name

Your contact number

Your email address

The name of your current school, and the course you are currently studying.

Please write to ksianeng@esplanade.com if you have any enquiries about the programme.

Charles J Tan is a folk-pop singer-songwriter from Melbourne, Australia. Tan is Australian with roots from Singapore and has just released his album, The Pelham Sessions and is currently on tour to support the release in Singapore and Asia. His next show is on 31st Jan 2011 at The Esplanade, with a two month long residency at TAB Singapore to follow in February and March. Admission is free.

Review of The Pelham Sessions to come.

Official Site

TypeWriter plays at the Esplanade Recital Studio this Friday, 28th January and it’s an event not to be missed. Tickets available at SISTIC. Power of Pop caught up with TypeWriter’s Yee Chang Kang to find out more…

2010 was a good year for TypeWriter – what were your personal highlights?

The biggest highlight would definitely be getting our album out! It feels just wonderful to be able to finally hold a copy of the finished product in my hands. On top of that, performing together with Jon Auer of The Posies for Baybeats last year would be another one. Writing our last 2 songs for the album, Sunlight Takes Over and That Deepest Blue, and hearing how both songs have come alive and materialized, along with my bandmates – that’s definitely a great highlight too!

How is the band gearing up for the upcoming gig?

Just last night, we had our final rehearsal before our concert day on Friday. We have been rehearsing once every week, for about 5 hours each night. Everyone’s really anxious and looking forward to the concert, and we have all been putting our best efforts to make this special event work. Given the time frame and resources that we have, it is really as good as it can be already. Now, we will just have to keep our fingers crossed, enjoy the ride and hope for the best on the actual night.

Is there anything special being planned?

As we are definitely your usual, good-looking poster-boy band, TypeWriter has been pondering hard on how to make our show extra special and memorable for the audience that will be coming on Friday night. Last night, a great idea came to us during our after-rehearsal tea/chill time. We, together with our session musicians, have decided that we should all chip in some money, and we will be having a couple of pole-dancers to grace this occasion! We are all making the necessary phonecalls now as we speak. Really hope that they will be giving us a good discount to us, since we are these poor indie rock musicians.

On a more certain note, they will be a few cocks on stage as stage props. Roosters, I mean. (Hahahahaha! – KM)

Can fans expect to see any special guest performers?

Yes, we will be having 4 talented musicians helping us out on stage on Friday night. They are Chris Toh (ex-AWOL) on keyboards, guitars, accordion and backing vocals, Donovan Loh (Cheating Sons) on slide guitar, pedal steel guitar and banjo, Natalie Soh (Serenaide) on violin and Chris Yong on trumpet. Not just for our audience, it has been a joy for the band ourselves to hear TypeWriter’s songs so rich and fully-realised in a live setting. They really helped us to push our sound/colour palette further.

What else is in store for TypeWriter in 2011?

2 things so far fo 2011.

We have another gig lined-up on March 6, which unlike the usual gig places, it is being held at Hong Lim Park! (Speaker’s Corner). It is called LOVE-IN, and it is an event for the cause of against domestic violence.

And we are also planning a Beijing tour and a CD distribution there (Just imagine! A China-edition of the CD!), which will probably happen in the 2nd part of 2011. We are definitely looking forward to that!

Myspace

The late great rock iconoclast Frank Zappa famously said, “Most rock journalism is people who can’t write, interviewing people who can’t talk, for people who can’t read.” Whether this quote was made with tongue firmly in cheek is probably debatable but it certainly highlights one perception about writers who write about music.

I have been writing about music since 1992, when I submitted a review to BigO magazine of Ride’s Going Blank Again. In those almost twenty years, I have reviewed countless albums and concerts. In addition, I have interviewed many bands and artists – both local and foreign – including Brian Wilson, Robyn Hitchcock, Ian McCulloch (Echo & the Bunnymen) and Sean O’Hagan (High Llamas).

Besides Power of Pop (which I started in 1998), I have also contributed to newspapers, magazines and online zines from Singapore and abroad. Definitely, it is an activity I take great pride in and pleasure from. Now I get a chance to talk about my favourite activity for about 90 minutes in Esplanade’s Bitesize: Music Journalism 101, which will take place at the Esplanade Rehearsal Studio on Sunday, 6th March from 2 – 3.30pm.

I would love to see you there especially if you are a regular PoP visitor and a music lover. It’ll be fun!

Tickets are on sale now at SISTIC.

Greenhorn Productions has announced two intimate concerts lined up for the Esplanade Recital Studios and judging by previous similar gigs (notably by Lloyd Cole and Patrick Watson) discerning music lovers are in for an absolute treat.

First up, Aussie songstress Sarah Blasko appears on 8th November and then on 7th January 2011, Owen Pallett will perform.

More information at Facebook.

Reviews/interviews to come…