Here we are – all set to go! “Dare” is the first track to be made public from the Emo Fascism recording sessions which took place mainly in September last year at Patrick Chng’s excellent home studio. The album will consist of ten tracks (with two bonus tracks on the Continue Reading
PoPTV: THE SUMMER STATE “I DO, I DON’T” (FEAT. ZAHIDAH) [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
I was interviewed by my former Budding Writer mentee Karen Gwee (now New Paper reporter) last night about the whole Ken Lim saga and she brought up an intriguing point about how the local indie scene may also have the commercial potential needed to save the local music industry from Continue Reading
PoPTV: HAYDEN “RAINY SATURDAY” [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
Good to see 90s indie artists still soldering on upwards and onwards. Case in point – Toronto’s Hayden has a new album – Us Alone – out now on Arts & Crafts. The hair may be visibly greying but the artistic vision has not diminished and the fire is still burning. This Continue Reading
FUZZY VOX – TECHNICOLOR [REVIEW]
The French rock n’ roll band known as Fuzzy Vox behaves as if no new music was made after 1969! This myopic vision provides incredible focus as this five-track EP amply demonstrates. The music here is simple yet powerful, straight-forward and visceral. If push came to shove, probably the most Continue Reading
GEEK OUT! JACK THE GIANT SLAYER [TRAILER]
Originally entitled Jack the Giant Killer, this latest Hollywood foray into the classic fairy tale update (Snow White and the Huntsman, Hansel and Gretel) looks like it might actually be worth the trouble. Directed by Bryan Singer – whose last two movies Superman Returns and Valkyrie were decidedly less than Continue Reading
PoPTV: THE OUTFIT “STRANGE BONES” [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
A name like The Outfit does carry with it a certain association with 80s American new wave, doesn’t it? The hype pronounces The Outfit as a band that ‘offers an earnest take on garage rock revival, building on the ground laid out by such acts as The Strokes, and early Kings of Leon’. Continue Reading
PoPTV: SUUNS “2020” [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
Experimental-noise-jangle-pop-drone is probably the closest description I could conjure for this new song from Suuns. Not only that but the video of “2020” will probably give you a headache as well. Contrarian art-punk anyone? At least, this is one aspect of the 80s that has been given less attention so Continue Reading
MY BLOODY VALENTINE – m b v [REVIEW]
After a wait of 22 years, without much fanfare, comes the third My Bloody Valentine album. The first three songs – “She Found Now”, “Only Tomorrow” and “Who Sees You” – sound like the band have always been around (which is probably true, legacy-wise) with the noise-drenched indie pop fans Continue Reading
S-ROCK: EXTINCTION WATCH – AKAN DATANG [NEWS]
According to Hype Records’ owner (and former Singapore Idol judge) Ken Lim, the local music industry is on the “verge of extinction” and that he is the man who will save the industry. We wish him all the best! As far as the S-ROCK scene is concerned, more evidence of Continue Reading
BLOC PARTY: LIVE IN SINGAPORE – FIVE REASONS WHY YOU CANNOT MISS THIS!
Power of Pop is truly looking forward to the Bloc Party concert at the Fort Gate, Fort Canning Park on Monday, 18th March and came up with the five reasons (below) why you just cannot miss this momentous gig. You’re ready?
BAYBEATS AUDITIONS 2013: ROUND TWO [REVIEW]
Just got back from the Round Two of the Baybeats Auditions 2013 and we wanted to put out a quick response whilst our thoughts and feelings are fresh in my mind. This is the seventh year of the Baybeats Auditions where young local bands are given an opportunity to Continue Reading
SAPPORO SAFARIS “FIGURES OF EIGHT” LAUNCH [REVIEW]
First off, let me get something off my chest. The SCAPE Gallery is a horrible avenue for live rock music performance. No two ways about it – the sound was so harsh and unbalanced at the venue that I felt physically nauseous at times. Which is a pity because certainly Continue Reading
SAPPORO SAFARIS – LIVE AT THE ESPLANADE
Sapporo Safaris will be playing at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre on 2nd February, this Saturday, as part of the Esplanade’s February Freshie series. Other artists that will be featured in this series are Weish, These Brittle Bones and Another Sunday Afternoon. They will be playing two sets at 8.45-9.30pm and Continue Reading
ST. JEROME’S LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2013 SINGAPORE [REVIEW]
THIRD TIME’S A CHARM! There is little doubt that St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival (Singapore edition) has become a landmark indie music event in SE Asia since it made its debut in 2011. Fans from all over the region flock to our shores to catch a glimpse of indie artists/bands hand-picked Continue Reading
IDENTITE 8.4: BIG NIGHT OUT LAUNCH PARTY [REVIEW]
Dan Chan, frontman of Xingfoo&Roy brings us his unique perspective of being a performer and audience member at Identite 8.4 I met Amir through a fellow local musician named Chris(also known as Bravepaper). After exchanging emails, Amir asked if our band would like to play at Homeclub’s Identite 8.4 and Continue Reading
PoPTV: ART DECADE “WESTERN SUNRISE” [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
Art students will find Art Decade thoroughly intriguing. The band describes its music as “neo indie classical, symphonic post-pop and rock” and the title track of its new album – “Western Sunrise” will certainly impress as it was made almost entirely using Procreate, a $5 iPad app. For the video, the Continue Reading
LISTENING ROOM: SAM PAGE “HOLD ON” [STREAMING]
Yes, we’re always on the look-out for good old-fashioned pop-rock sweetness here at Power of Pop! So here’s Sam Page, who’s got a new album in tow – Breach – and you can listen to “Hold On”, a charming lil ditty that recalls Dinosaur Jr and Matthew Sweet in a Continue Reading
BORED SPIES – “SUMMER 720” B/W 沙鼠E [REVIEW]
Who are Bored Spies? Well, think of the trio (Cherie Ko, Sooyoung Park & Morfin) as some kind of off-the-wall Canadian-Korean-Singaporean musical venture that somehow perfectly falls into contemporary indie rock space circa 2013. Privileged as always to be slightly ahead of the game, I am listening to the debut Continue Reading
STAGEFRIGHT @ ARTISTRY [NEWS]
Have been very excited by the many open mics/songwriter showcases popping up all over our little red dot in the past few months and I am glad to be involved in Stagefright @ Artistry together with Artistry Cafe and buddy Pat Chng. For February and March, yours truly will Continue Reading
CHARLES J TAN “ON YOUR SIDE” SINGLE NOW AVAILABLE [NEWS]
Charles J Tan is back with the first single from his upcoming album, Maybe Somewhere North. According to Tan, “the single is an upbeat tune that celebrates friendship, love and community”. The song features Aarika Lee (of SIXX) on guest vocals. It’s a toe tapper for sure, and perfect Continue Reading
IDENTITE 8.4: BIG NIGHT OUT LAUNCH PARTY – THE XINGFOO&ROY INTERVIEW
Another Friday, another Identite presented by Home Club and RSC. On 25th January, The Livid Sun, Xingfoo&Roy and Deon Toh take to the stage for the Big Night Out Launch Party. We managed to get hold of Daniel out of Xingfoo&Roy to respond to our queries… What is Xingfoo&Roy? Xingfoo&Roy is Continue Reading
DRU CHEN – SINGAPORE SOLO TOUR [NEWS]
(Press release) Modern Soul singer-songwriter Dru Chen will be on tour in Singapore from January 30 to February 8 leading up to the release of his Intentions EP. Dru Chen will be performing 7 shows, 2 radio spots and filming 2 videos during this trip, including collaborations with The Sam Continue Reading
ST. JEROME’S LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2013 SINGAPORE [NEWS]
Well, there is little doubt that the Singapore edition of the Laneway Festival 2013 coming to us this Saturday, 26th January is the first big music event of the new year. I am personally looking forward to Alt-J, Tame Impala and Real Estate, whilst keeping an eye (and ear) out Continue Reading
IDENTITE 8.3: THE OTHER SOUNDS LAUNCH PARTY [REVIEW]
Yes, this review is a little late. Yes, I had loads of fun with friends and new acquaintances, not to mention the delivery of good good music. What else do you need to know? Upfront let me just say that congratulations are in order to Other Sounds for hosting a fabulous Continue Reading
THE PINHOLES “SUNSHINE” [REVIEW]
The Pinholes have been active in the S-ROCK scene for some time now. Through personnel changes, singer and principal songwriter Famie Suliman remains the constant as the band continues to carry out its retro pop mission with aplomb and no small amount of fun. The single “Sunshine” is The Pinholes’ Continue Reading