Pop culture musings by Kevin Mathews
Got to hand it to Gentle Bones (a.k.a Joel Tan). The Singaporean singer-songwriter first came to public attention in late 2013 with his Ed Sheeran-channeling debut single, “Until We Die”.
Continue reading “SINGAPORE MUSIC SPOTLIGHT : GENTLE BONES – JU1Y”
Music fans are already aware that the likes of Kylie Minogue, Queen + Adam Lambert, Imagine Dragons, Bastille, Halsey, KC and the Sunshine Band and Pentatonix, will be the heavy-hitters at this year’s F1 Singapore.
Gentle Bones (a.k.a. Joel Tan) returns with his second EP, Geniuses and Thieves.
Singer-songwriter, Gentle Bones returns with a new street single, “Geniuses & Thieves”, taken off his upcoming as yet-to-be titled EP.
Bennett Bay releases debut single entitled “Komorebi”
Universal Music Singapore has announced a new date for Gentle Bones’ concert this year.
There were three emails from major labels that I received in this past week that indicates that Singapore English pop may just be turning a significant corner. Three releases from Singapore bands that have already made an impact on a pop fan base in Singapore. That is something that has not happened since… the 1960s and the 1990s?
Granted, there is not much rock ‘n’ roll evident from the new batch of popstars-in-waiting but perhaps that is a reflection of the audience’s taste more than anything else. In any case, what we have are three singles viz. “Sixty Five” by Gentle Bones, “Take Heart” from The Sam Willows and Trick’s “Some Girls” with their obligatory accompanying videos. So let’s take a look, shall we?
First off, Gentle Bones’ “Sixty Five” is a musical tie-in to the upcoming 1965 movie and is rather downbeat and dramatic amidst its lush orchestration. The video matches the somewhat sombre mood showcasing obtuse dancing and moody lighting, capturing the tone well. Look out for a cameo from producer Leonard Soosay (with cat).
Next, The Sam Willows’ “Take Heart” emphasises all the manifest strengths of this lively quartet with the video deftly highlighting energetic dancers as the song’s hybrid hipster folk/EDM hedges all bets well enough. With its bright rainbow colours, it’s seems to provide an interesting counterpoint to the Gentle Bones’ video. Coincidence or design? Mm??
Finally, “Some Girls” finds Trick hoping to emulate their American hip-hop cousins with some T&A and risque lyrics. Somewhat daring by staid Singapore standards, at least one cannot accuse Trick of not trying to provide a visual representation of the song itself. Considering how popular hip-hop is worldwide, it’s a commendable effort.
Watch the video
Taken in the context of mainstream pop, these singles can stand up to anything out there and hopefully with a certain amount of marketing muscle from the major labels involved, these pop star hopefuls will become household names in Singapore and beyond!
… still there’s more …
“Sixty Five” is Gentle Bones’ major label debut single and is a track to be featured on the upcoming movie 1965.
In that context, it is suitably over-dramatic but contains sufficient elements familiar to fans.
Now available at https://itun.es/sg/m5DJ8
https://www.facebook.com/gentlebonesmusic
Here’s an update from The Grizzle Grind Crew!
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CONFESSTIVAL X #2ndGGC Anniversary [A *SCAPEmusic Programme]
Venue: *SCAPE The Ground Theatre (2 Orchard Link Singapore 237978)
Date: Sunday 5 April 2015
Time: 7:00pm
Admission: Free
Doors open at 6:00pm
Indie folk-pop act Gentle Bones will be celebrating with us on stage. Malaysia-crossover pop sensation Sleeq will make a special appearance! Malaysia’s biggest rapper Joe Flizzow will be throwing down his jams while Los Angeles’ top underground rapper Dumbfoundead will be rocking the stage as well!
Yeah, the 200 moshpit spots are redeemed. BUT you still should register cause we are giving out totebags with goodies from our partners JUICE, Nando’s and Fleshimp. The totebags are for the first 500 registered pax who showed up at the show.
Now here’s the fun part! In the 500 totebags, there will be the following:
a. 28 x Bronze Totebags (GGC T-shirt)
b. 20 x Silver Totebags (GGC T-shirt + GGC poster)
c. 1 x Gold Totebag (GGC T-shirt + GGC Poster + 1 Pioneer DDJ Wego MIDI Controller)
d. 2 x Platinum Totebags (GGC T-shirt + GGC Poster + 1 pair of stage view passes – where you and your friends get to watch the entire at the side of the stage!)
For exclusive entry into the moshpit/Meet & Greet session, Workshops and merch giveaways (#2ndGGC totebag), register at: www.scapers.sg/confesstival.
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Only one contender for PoP Album of the Year. JPNSGRLS epitomizes the best hope for the continuing history of Rock ‘n’ Roll even as the tsunami of prefabricated pop threatens to wipe our beloved music off the face of the earth. Nothing remotely hipster-ish about Circulation and thank GOD for that! Find out why below!!
I must confess that when I first heard about Bandwagon‘s intention to feature bands in the bus on the way to Urbanscapes, I was skeptical. But after the actual experience, I must admit that they pulled it off, despite my reservations. The road trip itself had quite a few unnecessary delays but probably expected. And yes, that was my only quibble!
The lovely Aarika Lee was the ‘hostess with the mostess’ on my bus (consisting mainly of media folk) and we had a blast there and back. There was quite bit of banter and fun was had with spontaneous open mics where caution was thrown to the wind to make a long coach journey a whole lot of bearable and some.
I must applaud the selection of artists – Pleasantry (above), iNCH (below), .gif and Gentle Bones – and they did themselves and our awesome indie scene proud with intimate performances that were unique (and well improvised), to say the least.
What about the Urbanscapes festival itself? It was a refreshing time in rarified atmosphere of Genting Highlands with scattered showers for good measure. It was definitely excellent weather for music enjoyment and the likes of our very own Cashew Chemists, reformed Lemonheads (Evan Dando even commented on my Flying Burrito Bros tee), Local Natives and Kimbra (pictured at top) providing primo entertainment!
Thanks to Bandwagon for making this all possible. A parting note – check out the video I shot of iNCH performing “Dear Paramour”.
“If you build it, they will come”
How to improve the local music scene? By building fan base. Once the numbers are there, then the promoters will come to you. Case in point: Gentle Bones (aka Joel Tan). Ever-increasing fan support has now had promoters looking to add to their audience numbers by having the popular artist open for foreign acts.
Thus, on 10th December, Gentle Bones will open for Us the Duo at Kallang Theatre and on 27th February 2015, Joel will support Christina Perri at The Coliseum. This is exciting news and signs of a developing local music scene.
Get your tickets from SISTIC.
… still there’s more …
SGMUSO is proud to present SONGWRITERS WEEK
Our friend Adam Lyons (Lyon Apprentice/FAIRCHILD, Alumni of Music Matters Live) has informed us that he will be coming to town for a week in October for a songwriting collaboration project with a few Singaporean acts at the amazing Beep Studios! At his request, SGMUSO will be helping to facilitate a couple of side events to open up the opportunity to even more Singaporean musicians to get together, know their community, perform and also encourage cross-collaboration amongst each other locally and internationally.
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SONGWRITERS OPEN CIRCLE
7th October 2014, TUESDAY
7PM – 9.30PM
LITHE PARALOGUE STUDIO
We will be kicking off the week with an intimate SONGWRITERS OPEN CIRCLE, a sharing session in which we would like to invite all songwriters, producers and music-makers to join us for a chat and jam. We hope to provide a small creative space for everyone to get together to know their community, discuss and exchange ideas, stories and processes, tips on getting ideas on paper and then in the studio, to collaborate musically – all in an relaxed and improvised setting. The intimate vibe of the songwriter’s circle will allow for a unique discussion and improvised performance. Musicians can choose to bring along their own instruments to share a couple of songs at the open circle. Musicians that attend will be encouraged to sign up for our open jam at the Songwriters Night at Timbre Barbershop at the end of the week. Special guest, Adam Lyons will be present to drive this Open Circle session!
Big shout-out and love to Lithe Paralogue Studio for letting us use their lovely space!
*Limited seats only. Send your RSVPs to info@sgmuso.org by 6th Oct to reserve a seat!
Bring your own food and booze!!
… still there’s more …
By Nikita Wong
The usual hustle and bustle filled the streets along Orchard Road, by 6.30 pm approximately 400 fans were embracing the heat as they queued to catch the Gentle Bones (aka Joel Tan) Ep launch. As the doors opened, avid shutterbugs and fervent fans scouted for perfect vantage points to catch a glimpse of their idol. Held on the 30th of August 2014, TAB was teeming with mostly school girls who were die-hard fans of Gentle Bones. The crowd huddled together with approximately 700 over people within the room.
Gracing the stage was none other than Samantha Rui, the audience was certainly deceived by her reserved and shy composure. Being captivated by her soulful voice that held a great semblance to Ellie Goulding everyone was left awe inspired. The forested graphics complimented the acoustic set up, often exuding a magical feel through her voice. It was an intimate performance as the crowd amassed together at the front of stage, and Samantha drew the audience towards her as she crooned to “All I Want” by Kodaline and “Blue” which was one of her originals. Despite the thick crowd, the vibe was generally relaxed.
Known as Singapore’s version of Justin Timberlake, Gareth Fernandez had the girls bouncing off their feet as he interacted with them throughout his set. He sashayed, cooed and pouted coquettishly as he reminisced on his inspirations which dawned upon him for a few of his original songs such as “Subliminal Love”. Taking on Top 40 hits such as “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse and “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith, it was a reflex action for the crowd to groove to the sunny beats as they sang along with Gareth. His flawless runs and falsetto was spot on without any room for errors and it was phenomenal for a live performance.
Banners were being raised in the air as the crowd chanted Gentle Bones, starting off strongly the crowd echoed to “Settle Down”. Shattering the atmosphere with the remarkable guitar parts played by Wai Huin and thumping beats by Ritz Ang, Joel’s backing band complemented him. A mellow approach was taken too with his solo performance as he interacted with the crowd through his acoustic showcase occasionally inviting guest singers to join him for a song such as Joie Tan and Samantha. The duets were simply stunning as both singers harmonized for covers such as “Poison and Wine” by The Civil Wars and on “Undecided” which is an original song composed by Joel and Samantha.
Leaving the stage half way, many thought that it was an end. Encore was being echoed throughout the room as they sang in unison to “Until We Die” to beckon the band to perform once again which they did. The ending brought a tear within most fans as the band ended with “Elusive”, fans whipped out their hand phones as they waved the torches in the air and swayed away.
As the concert drew to an end, beelines were made by eager fans as they anticipated the meet and greet session with Gentle Bones and other musicians. Local bands are certainly on the rise and more people are willing to pay for local acts! Joel has journeyed a long way from where he first started out, his humble approach also draws his fans closer to him.
(by Nikita Wong)
A throbbing mass of fans, pulsating with the energy that was carried with a throng of people at the front of the stage. Snaking queues were formed from 6.30pm as fervent fans of Alex Goot and Against The Current rushed to get the best spot to catch a glimpse of their idols. Held on the 21st of August 2014, from 7.30pm – 11pm at Scape The Ground Theatre, Gentle Bones and The Summer State graced the stage as the opening acts for the night.
We have been hearing a lot about Gentle Bones (aka Joel Tan) in the last nine months or so. I am digging the way Joel’s music has captured the imagination of our young people. It’s so exciting to witness! Joel himself is such a humble, self-effacing young man but dead serious about his music. I feel like I am living the dream vicariously though him! Truly amazing.
Well, more good news as the pre-orders for Joel’s upcoming debut EP has placed the release at #1 on the iTunes charts (release date – 19th August)! If you haven’t already, pre-order now! Get your tickets for the EP launch here. In the meantime, watch the music video for the new single – “Save Me”. It’s a good time to be a #sgindie fan!
#sgindie fans will be thrilled to learn that Gentle Bones and The Summer State will be opening for YouTube sensations Alex Goot and Against the Current on 21st August at The Ground Theatre at SCAPE.
Tickets info: –
Online: Peatix (http://alexgootandagainstthecurrent.peatix.com)
Retail: Inokii, Far East Plaza #03-30 (only Standard tickets available)
Now that was a music weekend to remember! I had been under the weather for a while and it was good to finally catch #sgindie gigs again! But before the gigs, I attended an intriguing (albeit ultimately bewildering) meeting with the local arts community and had a quick chat with Vivian Wang and Leslie Low of The Observatory. I did learn that the proximity of timing between the new Oscilla and Leslie’s own new solo LP was borne out not of design but of circumstances. Not that I am complaining… the more, the merrier…
“I aim to satisfy myself musically and if it happens to relate to the masses I cannot be more than ecstatic. because nothing is more fulfilling than to have people adore the songs that you first came to fall in love with.”
Gentle Bones has come a long way since releasing his debut single “Until I Die” in mid-December last year. Steadily building up a loyal fan base through a subsequent follow-up single “Elusive”, well-received music videos, maturing live performances and genuine grass-root buzz, the affable young singer-songwriter has made his mark on the Singapore music scene.
And there’s more to come, as Gentle Bones launches his debut EP at TAB Singapore on 30th August supported by Samantha Rui and Gareth Fernandez. Tickets now available at http://gentlebones.peatix.com/
The EP will be on sale via iTunes on the 19th of August 2014 and limited autographed physical copies will be available online at http://gentlebones.bigcartel.com.
RSVP
After the heady month of local gigs that was June, the #sgindie goodness continues to flow. So heads up on a couple of shows coming your way in the coming weeks.
Red Kite & Beer Market have earmarked four Sundays in July as Original Sundays with an intriguing lineup of #sgindie bands for your viewing and listening pleasure.
The next stage of the evolution of the Singapore music scene took place on Sunday when two SG bands (Take Two, Gentle Bones) and three Western Australian counterparts (The Brow, The Amani Consort & The Disappointed) played at Beerfest 2014. Before that, there was a casual exchange of ideas between both sets of musicians with the promise of more exchanges and even collaborations in the months and years ahead!
I met and interviewed the three WA bands and found them all to be talented, committed, friendly and easy-going. I intend to do a spotlight on each band in the days ahead together with the audio interview. Stay tuned…
I love Timbre. It’s been amazing what Danny Loong and Edward Chia have been able to achieve in the last seven years or so. Beginning from the first outlet at Substation, the Timbre Group has expanded to more outlets across the island, organizing popular festivals like Rock & Roots and even providing the backline for the recent completed Music Matters Live.
I know personally that Danny has the best interest of Singapore music in his heart and has always wanted to link the music scenes of Singapore and Western Australia (where he also spent a significant part of his life) together and this weekend’s Beerfest 2014 sees the culmination of that dream with SWAM (Singapore-Western Australian Music Exchange) where three Aussie bands and two Singapore bands (see above) play at Beerfest 2014.
On Sunday 15th, I will be moderating a panel discussion amongst these bands where hopefully there will be a healthy exchange of ideas of how we can – in each respective music scene – help out the other, all for mutual benefit. Believe me, there’s nothing more magical than when musical people come together! So if you’re a local musician and SGMUSO member (natch!) make a date with Beerfest 2014 for Sunday, where the fun begins at 4pm. Please register your interest with SGMUSO at info@sgmuso.org and look forward to seeing you there!
In conjunction with the launch of the Adaro Audio Series, this event features Charlie Lim and supported by Gentle Bones, Gareth Fernandez, Stopgap and .gif. The festivities begin at 7pm at Lowercase on 30th April. See you there!
RSVP
A picture paints a thousand words. Allegedly. So enjoy the latest music videos from the latest singles out there from the modern rock wasteland.
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.