Singapore Local Music
Ask anyone on the street about the “Singapore sound” – and some will be able to name much more than the patriotic lines to Home, Where I Belong, and other NDP songs and the list of Stefanie Sun ballads we’ve all turned into ritualistic screech-fests at Teo Heng.
The truth is that local music has been quietly but steadily growing – while it still receives significantly less radio airtime than American or Korean tunes, local bands such as The Sam Willows, Hanging Up The Moon and The Observatory have each racked up a sizable following.
Talent on our shores is plentiful – seek, and you will find. Here are some of my favourite 50 songs from the last 5 decades of Singaporean local music, and the talents behind them. Plug in your earphones and get ready for an aural treat!
60s: A Golden Era
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve most probably caught the gem that is the #SG50 promo video, “You’re the Boy”, and heard the legendary Shirley Nair’s maudlin crooning on its soundtrack. But Shirley Nair & The Silver Strings weren’t the only musical acts making waves back in the 60s!
In fact, the swinging 60s was by far the most remarkable period in the history of local music – this era saw the birth of not only the Singapore’s first international recording artiste, but also legions of adoring fans who frequented the many tea dances and nightclubs where their favourites regularly performed.
1. “The Thrill to Love You” – Veronica Young with The Moonglows
Growing up in the sleepy island of Pulau Brani, Veronica Young’s only exposure to popular music was that of the warbling tunes that drifted from her neighbour’s stereo set into her house. It was not until her family moved to mainland Singapore at Cantonment Road in the early 60s that she had her first taste of city life. At a tea dance at Southeast Asia Hotel, Veronica met the frontman of The Cyclones, Siva Choy, who fatefully coaxed her to hum a tune for him – and the rest is history.
Veronica’s star power climbed through the 1970s and 1980s as she swept up talentime trophies and performed at tea dances all over Singapore Vietnam, Kuching, Jakarta and even London. Eventually she got hitched and migrated to France. Talk about a fairytale ending!
2. “Silver Threads & Golden Needles” – Susan Lim and The Crescendos
![The Crescendos (Singapore) - Silver Threads & Golden Needles [*Audio*]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/03Q4ejz90dM/hqdefault.jpg)
The band was first formed in 1961 by members John Chee, Leslie Chia and Raymond Ho. Susan Lim, then a 14 year old schoolgirl from Raffles Girls’, joined the team in 1963. They made their first foray into the music industry in the Radio Malaya Talentime, nabbing second place and becoming the first Singaporean group to land an international record deal. Their popularity surged – by the late 1960s, they had sold over 10 000 copies of their original singles, snagging them a spot on the Philips World Top 10 List.
Alas, their success story was cut short when Susan, aged 20, was swept away by strong waves along the coasts of Trengganu while she was holidaying with her fiance and family. Her body was never recovered, and the group promptly disbanded, citing her irreplaceable talent.
3. “The Dew” – The Cyclones
![The Cyclones w/The Checkmates (Singapore)- The Dew [*Audio*]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SiQSsFZ9yu4/hqdefault.jpg)
Bring on the disco lights!
This strapping pair of brothers began singing together in 1957, before debuting in 1962 as The Cyclones, and eventually became the talk of the town when they released their wildly successful EP with The Checkmates. At the height of Beatlesmania, “The Dew” struck a chord with the public with its simple harmonic progression and fresh chromatic inflection.
Siva Choy, the older of the two, went onto write the humorous tune littered with colloquial Singlish, “Why U So Like Dat” with Kopi Kat Kian. Nostalgia, anyone?
4. “Bengawan Solo” – The Sundowners
![The Sundowners (Singapore) - Bengawan Solo [*Audio*]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TE6rIKIDtq0/hqdefault.jpg)
Yes, this song shares its name with that islandwide chain that sells your favourite kuehs and cakes! Before you start salivating, I have to disappoint you with the news that this song isn’t about the fluffiness of a freshly baked pandan chiffon slice or the joy that comes with tearing off each layer of a rainbow-coloured kueh lapis – this song existed way before the bakery even opened!
Originally sung in Bahasa Indonesia, “Bengawan Solo” was written in the 1940s describing the tranquility of the legendary Solo River, which flows through central and eastern Java. The Sundowners recorded the English language version of this oft-covered classic, adding a contemporary twist and an accelerated tempo. The tweaks paid off, and the three St Andrew’s School boys’ vinyl single was distributed worldwide.
70s: Decline
The 70s signified the demise of many popular local singers. In 1965, Singapore’s separation from the rest of Malaya and the withdrawal of British troops from our island saw the pool of audiences for local singers shrink drastically. There was little market for the talents of the 60s to continue expanding, and recording studios were losing out to the fresh competition popping up in KL.
To make matters worse, tough government clamp-downs on the “hippie culture” and drug use led to 40% taxation on live bands in night clubs and an unequivocal ban on disco lights and “promiscuous” dress-codes.
The result was a sharp decline in local live performances – but still, talentime competitions remained all the rage, scoring us some musical gems. This decade marked a lasting period of “dark times, illuminated by some light”.
5. “Fried Rice Paradise” – Dick Lee
Long before we first sang along to the tunes of Home (which Dick Lee wrote) or watched him judge aspiring singers on Singapore Idol, Richard “Dick” Lee was just a young school boy from St Joseph’s. He was competing in various talentime contests alongside his siblings when he wrote this classic song and its iconic lyrics – which was, incidentally, the first Singlish song ever created.
“She opened Fried Rice Paradise, Nasi Goreng very nice/ That’s her speciality, 99 varieties!”
Dick Lee released this catchy number in his debut album in 1974, although he claims he isn’t proud of any of the other songs featured in it. The cultural icon has since gone on to release a multitude of self-written albums as well as dabble in musical directing, writing, and visual art.
6. “Sausolito” – Western Union Band
Luscious long locks, flapping bell-bottoms, gold chain necklaces and shirts buttoned up to the navel – you name it, they had it. The five-piece band was the epitome of Singaporean hippie culture, replete with lyrics about wanderlust and psychedelic guitar riffs.
WUB was a hit along the Orchard Road circuit, and found themselves performing in the greatest night hotspots of the time along Katong and and at the Hong Kong Hilton. Eventually, successfully releases 4 EPs and 4 LPs, proving they were more than a one-hit wonder.
7. “Singapore Cowboy” – Matthew and The Mandarins
Singapore might have become an industrialized city by the 70s, but country music remained all the rage. This folksy and sentimental song is heavily influenced by Western hillbilly music, and topped with just the right amount of twang and potency. For all the Singapore Cowboys and line-dancing aunties out there, this local brand of country music will be right up your alley.
80s: The Music Scene Stagnates
We remember the 80s for the big hair and boxy shoulder pads, but perhaps our parents best recall it by the music of their generation – xinyao, loosely translated as “Singapore Folk Songs”, that emerged as a prominent trend amongst the Chinese youth through songwriting and talentime competitions across the local Junior Colleges.
The music was clean, simple and light, and characterized by lyrics specific to life in Singapore. It grew so popular as a genre that it spawned regional stars like Liang Wern Fook and Billy Koh – but it ultimately saw its demise with increasing levels of commercialization.
Despite the unprecedented boom of xinyao, the trends of decline persisted in the English local music scene. While local rock and soft pop bands came to the fore and attained some regional success, their popularity never hit the heights of the 60s.
8. “Within You’ll Remain” – Tokyo Square
“Wo ai ni… I love you…”
Even though most of us young ‘uns have never heard of Tokyo Square, nobody will have trouble singing along to the familiar chorus anytime this song comes on!
Formed in 1985, this five-piece band kickstarted by siblings Max Surin and Linda Elizabeth was amongst the first of its kind – its sound, reminiscent of most soft-pop from the 80s, featured heavy synths and soulful crooning. But what sets this song apart was its unique blend of East and West, fusing a delicate Chinese melody with brassy Western instrumentals.
9. Heritage
Check out this vintage clip! This eclectic unit is Singapore’s answer to the Rolling Stones, replete with an experimental spirit, thoughtful lyrics, and appeal that has outlasted its contemporaries. Since its conception in 1968, these rock veterans have been performing nightly at pubs and peaked in the 90s with their album “Out Here…”, featuring original compositions and covers.
Today, the band is still going strong, which is a tremendous feat in an indie music industry where most bands only experience the fleeting fancy of the public and face a struggle to make ends meet. On top of their inclusion of 3 new members in the 2000s, they continue to take on nightly gigs at the JJ Atlante Pub even after the loss of their leader Atwell Jansen.
90s: Alternative Music Takes Centre Stage
The 1990s marked a pivotal era for the indie music scene – our musicians were fed up with the unending influx of foreign pop tunes, but struggled with both the lack of public recognition and proper equipment. Armed with their electronic gadgets and an spirit of experimentalism, indie bands slowly crawled out of the woodwork. They began recording bold and ambitious music despite little support from local media platforms.
Over time, their quality improved and a transformative musical expression came into being. However, their talents failed to attract the attention of the general Singaporean public, and remained secondary to international acts. Ultimately, many bands of the 90s faded into obscurity and their members eventually reverted into conventional career paths.
But as the inaugural 90s music appreciation fest Where Were You held at the Substation in 2014 show, these bands may have lost their lustre, but their memories remain fresh as ever.
10. “Lost Boy or Girl” – Humpback Oak
This four piece band, touted the ‘Greatest Band from Singapore’, solidified its metaphysical cult status in the eyes of many a melancholic teen of the 90s. Their sentimental pieces were, as poskod.sg writes, “folk-tinged confessionals that went from a single locked bedroom to many others”. With their deeply haunting melodies and introspective lyrics that speak directly to the heart, each song crafted by this quartet is astonishingly sincere.
There is little wonder why this quartet is still being revered today by local music lovers 14 years on.
11. “What About” – Sugarflies
Delightfully retro, light-hearted and laced with nostalgia. June Koh and Stella Tan were just teenagers when they first took the local indie music scene by storm – by 1998, the pair of schoolgirls were already performing to hordes of indie music fans and recording tracks with local guitarists and drummers like Patrick Chng, Ray Aziz and Evan Tan. You can find them on soundtracks of local film classics like Eric Khoo’s Mee Pok Man and 12 Storeys.
12. “Fade” – Concave Scream
Concave Scream once again features a talented pair – Sean Lam and Pann Lim were classmates who kickstarted the band in 1994. Inspired by the likes of U2 and the New Model Army, the band has created a medley of melancholic and bitter-sweet tunes on love gained and love lost. Their sound is mature and resonant with emotion.
13. “November 91” – The Padres
The Padres was effectively an assembly of the biggest names in 90’s indie music, consisting of Joe Ng, Abdul Nizam and Jong Aik (The Nonames), Patrick Chng and Vincent Lee (The Oddfellows), Francis Frightful and Ray Aziz (Opposition Party), amongst others – it is a no-brainer for this iconic alternative rock outfit to find a place on this list. And for a cast of such big names, one can only expect great things – indeed, their music is youthful, unabashed and highly energetic.
00s & 10s : A New Golden Age?
Enter the new millennium, when the growing trends of independent music of the past decades have culminated in the boom of music sharing through the internet, ushering in a mini renaissance in the indie scene.
Today’s musicians are far more expressive, experimental and daring. Unlike the singers of the past, they no longer need ‘recording deals’ and producers to hand-hold them towards finding a voice and an international audience.
14. Leslie Low
With his straggly raven hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, gaunt cheeks and an enigmatic gaze, Leslie Low is the very vision of the cult hero he has come to embody in the underground indie scene. This veteran kickstarted his solo forays upon the dissolution of the 1990s’ Humpback Oak in the new millennium, and has since built up a repertoire of songs that was heralded by Poskod.sg as the ‘saddest music in the world’.
Don’t believe it? Just plug in your earphones and close your eyes – as soon as the reverb of his guitar and his plaintive vocals drift into your consciousness, your mind’s eye will conjure an image of a lonesome figure worn down by the weight of his desolation and pain, pensively crooning to the stars in the dead of the night.
See also: Aside from his solo forays, Leslie Low has been busy fronting the highly-regaled avant-rock band The Observatory. Check out The Observatory’s Accidentagram.
15. “Just Say So” – Tanya Chua
![蔡健雅 Tanya Chua - Just Say So [Official Music Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bhdjeUCrVkM/sddefault.jpg)
As they say, old is gold. To date, 2001’s ‘Where I Belong’ is easily one of the top few NDP songs that will stir up the most emotions in any Singaporean. It comes as no surprise that Tanya’s English originals are equally as evocative and soulful. “Just Say So” from her 4th English album is a slightly edgy and incredibly catchy piano-based pop rock tune that calls singer-songwriters like Sara Bareilles and Lily Allen to mind.
16. “Fly” – Vanessa Fernandez (Vandetta)
Powerful, sultry and oh-so-seductive. This 987FM DJ is yet another presenter making waves outside of the world of radio. Under the moniker “Vandetta”, Vanessa Fernandez has for years been performing with local hip-hop groups and has come into her own as a solo act and as a half of the indie-electronic duo, Octover.
See also: Octover’s Satisfy Me
17. “Shoebox” – B-Quartet
Despite what their name suggests, B-Quartet actually consists of 6 rather than 4 – two pairs of brothers (one of who is 53A’s Bani Hidir!), who were later joined by Luqman and Siraaj.
Although B-Quartet have bade their farewells to audiences since 2012, they continue to inspire active local musicians today. Backed by Bani Faizal’s drawling tones, “Shoebox”, off of their EP , is a inspired and pensive number.
18. “Landscape With A Fairy” – Aspidistrafly
Their moniker might be difficult to remember, but this ambient-folk duo consisting of vocalist and composer April Lee and producer Ricks Ang churns out records that leave an impression. Ethereal, otherworldly and haunting, their tunes often feature gracefully cascading sounds of the piano, an echoing violin, ambient sounds of nature or sometimes, indistinct mumbling.
Coupled with April’s breathy voice, these diverse elements come together in incredibly chill and transcendent pieces. Sit back, relax and meditate.
19. “Preferably” – The Pinholes
This energetic and adorable band is so unique you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone else on this list that sounds like them. Their style is saturated with nostalgia, harking back to the golden days of the 60s with their Beatles-esque grooves, hammy delivery and fabulously retro gear. In “Preferably”, their guitar riffs bring a spunky rock ‘n roll twist to the song’s simple pop melody, creating a number so kooky and quirky it’s sure to put a smile on your face!
20. “I Want You” – Electrico
There is no disputing that Electrico is one of the best known indie groups in Singapore, as a result of 2009’s “What Do You See?” and mrbrown’s side-splitting follow-up, Le Kua Simi. The alternative-rock trio has been electrifying audiences since 2003, well before they became a household name.
In fact, these veterans had already been staging performances all over Southeast Asia and were part of the SXSW lineup in 2007! Their debut song, “I Want You”, is an energetic piece that shot to the top of the local radio charts and catapulted them to the fore of our indie-rock scene.
21. “Sky’s The Limit” – Taufik Batisah
This homegrown star needs no introduction.
How many of us remember flailing our arms wildly in the middle of the school hall as Rui En and Taufik empowered us to “reach out for the skies”? Fast forward 8 years and the duo are back to tell us that the “sky’s the limit” – and they proved it by climbing to the peak of 98.7FM’s Top 20 Countdown Chart for two consecutive weeks. No mean feat for a local artist!
22. “Breathe” – Daphne Khoo
A lesser known alumnus of Singapore Idol’s inaugural first season, Daphne Khoo was noted for her doll-like, nasally vocals. To borrow Dick Lee’s words, “a little bit on helium, but not an overdose; just enough to [be] different from everybody else.” Despite being knocked down by a bout of cancer in early 2012, the 28 year old has bounced back with her strongest showing yet in her latest EP, “Wonderland”.
23. “Thinkin Bout Love” – Nathan Hartono
With his blinding smile and chiseled jaw, Nathan Hartono has steadily earned himself a ‘heart-throb’ status of sorts within his fanbase over the past 8 years. But he is not just a pretty face – this dreamy boy-next-door has a voice as charming as his mug!
The Berklee College of Music student has a repertoire from delicate, melancholic tunes waxing lyrical about the fear of losing love like “Weight of Love” to soothing, feel-good jazz numbers like “Thinkin Bout Love”. Girls, prepare to swoon.
24. “I, A Nomad” – The Psalms
Next on this list is the eerie and unorthodox progressive-rock quintet, The Psalms. While their sound might not sit well with conventional audiences, they are a visual and aural spectacle to those who can appreciate them – in “I, a Nomad”, Suhaili’s sumptuous drawl is rapid and fiercely aggressive in parts, but slow and sensuous in others, creating a hypnotic piece that utterly enthralls the listener.
25. “Welcome the Ironists” – Caracal
“Welcome the Ironists”, off their full-length album of the same name, was initially meant to be this gritty band’s fond adieu to the local rock scene. Give this song a shot and you’ll realize that these guys have more than what it takes to stay. It features a smorgasbord of sounds including monstrous guitar riffs, classically grungey tones and frontman KC’s raspy howl, fuelled by bundles of high-octane energy.
As I went through their LP, I admit with a measure of guilt that the sheer quality of their records and videos completely took my breath away. I even caught myself marveling at how this could possibly be the product of an independent local band! Without a doubt, Caracal is deservedly the crowning glory of Singapore’s indie rock movement, and possess all the makings of a future household name.
26. “Lion City Kia” – ShiGGa Shay
Perhaps you’ve heard ShiGGa Shay’s cocky verses off of his wildly popular “Lim Peh”, but have you caught his latest offering? “Lion City Kia” is packed with the same, if not more, dark humour and irresistible spunk, scattered liberally with colloquial references and crude Hokkien phrases.
This time round, he also shares the spotlight with other local rap stalwarts, Lineath and Akeem, who add to the chapalang rap with their own mother tongue verses – local music can’t get any more Singaporean than this.
27. “Class A Love Affair” – The Great Spy Experiment
This charismatic quintet is a mainstay of the local indie scene since their conception in 2007, but their members modestly reject the title of “Singapore’s Indie Icon” that has been conferred on them by their adoring fans and numerous media outlets.
“Class A Love Affair” is an invigorating and uplifting tune, featuring their characteristic blood pumping guitar riffs and addictive hooks that will worm their way into your mind. Saiful, the lead singer of the band, has a drawling voice that exudes power and energy in each song, rounding out a sound that is extremely distinctive. If you haven’t heard of them before, it’s time to embark on a brand new love affair with these Class A musicians.
28. “Just What I Was Looking For” – Corrinne May
Here’s a homegrown talent you ought to know – the NUS and Berklee College of Music graduate served as the brains and voice behind 2010’s National Day Theme Song, ‘Song for Singapore’. With her enchanting vocals that the Performing Songwriter Magazine once likened to “the haunting otherworldiness of artists like Sarah McLachlan and Sting”, Corrinne May’s songs are uplifting, feminine and evocative of calming Christian gospel tunes. (Which are part of her repertoire as well!)
29. “Anthem for the Ordinary” – Astroninja
A warning for all the prudes out there: this one’s ridden with expletives! The members of this J-rock inspired five-piece band are unabashed rebels of the rock scene and don’t take themselves too seriously. Their repertoire boasts a mash-up of grungey rock and headbanging screamo, with noteworthy songs like “Anthem for the Ordinary”, “Thunder” and “The Ballad of Chuck Norris” etc. in the cheekily titled EP, Kiss My Astro!.
30. “Artful Dodger” – Inch Chua
Back in 2011, the then 22 year old Inch Chua took to Facebook to vent her longstanding frustrations with the inflexibility and incapacity of the Singaporean public to accept local artists. In her note, she slams local audiences for being “the only country where ‘local’ has so much negative connotations tagged with it… where the press and media will have to intentionally highlight that a local musician plays an original composition”, before announcing her move to LA. Despite this, she has since followed up by saying that, “I’ve never once given up or will give up on Singapore.”
And boy are we glad she never did. Four years on, the former leader of local rock band Allura has come a long way from the bygone days of recording covers within the confines of her bedroom and stumbling her way through Garageband software. Her most recent single, “The Artful Dodger”, is an stylish and inspired piece, endearingly kooky and utterly captivating.
See also: Allura’s Gamajazillion.
31. “I Want You Again” – Nicholas Chim
It is difficult enough trying to carve out a living in Singapore as musical band, let alone as a solo act having to shoulder all duties on your own, from songwriting, to recording and handling gigs.
Indie-folk solo Nick Chim is doing all that and more – with 2 albums under his belt, he has managed to reach out to international audiences with tours to Germany, Australia, and Malaysia. His sound is honest and cathartic, both for the listener and himself. In songs like “I Want You Again” and “The House Still Stands”, Nick supplants personal stories and reflections into his self-written lyrics and backs it up with a jangly, folksy guitar, creating some of the most sentimental melodies you can find here.
32. “Underwater” – Monster Cat
This band touts more than a whopping 100 000 views on their 2012 single “Underwater”, and has a solid 17 000 likes on Facebook. And yet, if you went about asking anyone on the streets if they’ve heard of local rock outfit Monster Cat, you’ll most likely be met with a blank stare. In fact,this three-man band has achieved greater success internationally than they have locally – since they were formed in 2011, they’ve set up shows across Europe, Japan, Australia and America.
Check out this number from their debut release – it’s so good it makes me wonder why Singapore hasn’t sat up to take note of these guys yet.
33. “Owls” – Pleasantry
This dream-pop band are an amalgamation of talents from old bands like Lunar Node and Amateur Takes Control, consisting of Samantha, Ariff, Adel, Daniaal, Isa and Zeek. Their music is lucid and otherworldly, synthesizing Sam’s floaty vocals with a jazzy guitar and a steady drum beat.
The team has racked up an impressive repertoire over the past 5 years, and have proven their mettle as serious musicians with their two EPs to date (and more in the making!) as well as their longstanding presence in the gig scene.
34. “Parallel Lives” – Sarah Cheng-De Winne
![[HD] Sarah Cheng-De Winne 郑雪梅 - Parallel Lives Official MV (Album: Brand New)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yfD6EG3hKJ0/sddefault.jpg)
You might have heard this voice somewhere before. Despite her sweet appearance, this ex-938 Live DJ wields one of the strongest and most distinctive set of pipes in the industry. Her self-written songs are decidedly thoughtful and a delicious mash-up of Pop, Soul and R&B – creating, in her own words, a “dramatic canvas of audial landscapes”.
35. “Tiny Movements” – Hanging Up The Moon
Rising from the ashes of Concave Scream is the acoustic-folk quartet Hanging Up The Moon – the team is led by Concave Scream’s frontmen Sean Lam and Dean Aziz, and joined by fellow indie veterans Leslie Low (The Observatory) and Victor Low (Affixen). Their sound is delicate and quaint, softly expressing Lam’s introspective thoughts and poetic observations on life through his fragile, almost wistful voice and delicate guitar finger-plucking.
Hanging Up The Moon’s latest album, distributed under Kitchen. Label, can be found at Cat Socrates, Books Actually and Vinylicious.
36. “Bitter” – Charlie Lim
If you haven’t already heard of him, it’s time to be charmed by this charismatic 25 year old’s heartfelt tunes and delicate falsettos. Charlie Lim wields his enchanting vocals with formidable prowess, holding it in a constant state of ebb and flow that erupts with unfettered bursts of energy and raw emotion in one moment, and magically dissolves into silent nothingness in the next.
“Bitter”, like many of Charlie’s other originals, is disarmingly soulful, encapsulating melancholy, longing, grace and a certain sense of earthiness in each beautiful note.
37. “Not In Love” – Cashew Chemists
Calling all residents of Bukit Panjang: there is some serious talent brewing right in the heart of your neighbourhood! These boys from Cashew Road – also the namesake of their pop-rock quartet – kicked off their musical journey humbly by recording their music at home.
Today, the feisty four have since released an EP and become the indie music darlings of both audiences and their contemporaries alike, due to their characteristically energetic performances and laidback vibe.
38. “Supersonic” – Sixx
Have you ever daydreamed of skyrocketing through the air in a flowy cape, or captaining an interstellar voyage into the great unknown? Well, I think I’ve found the soundtrack for your very own movie montage. “Supersonic” is what its title suggests – an incredibly energetic and youthful number, delivered in a fun blend of spunk and cool arrogance.
The 9-piece band behind it, led by rapper Kevin Lee and vocalist Aarika Lee, are true dreamers – four of them gave up lucrative corporate careers in pursuit of their ambitions, while the rest struggle to strike a balance between their commitments and music. Now, that’s real dedication!
See also: Before “Lion City Kia”, there was “Lion City Boy” ; check out Kevin Lester’s badass solos like Overdrive.
39. “We Should Be Together” – 53A
Duets hold a special place in my heart. There’s something special about a graceful harmony grafted together by two powerhouse vocals that makes the romantic in me swoon. “We Should Be Together” is a beautiful number by local pop-rock/alternative band, 53A. With Alvin on the guitar and Irwan on the drums, Sara’s delicate, lilting tones and Bani’s gruff vocals intertwine perfectly to create a dreamy and soaring chorus of a conflicted love.
There is a palpable sense of yearning in gorgeous, swelling duet which is absolutely genuine – Sara and Bani are romantic partners in real life!
40. “About Forever” – Lost Weekend
In their own words, the indie-pop quartet was ‘born from a mutual restlessness with tax-paying adulthood and a particularly vicious round of Beer Pong’. Together, Rachel, Mark, Zj and Jonny exude a certain sense of coolness and nonchalance without losing their relatability, whether in their rhapsodic lyrics in tunes like “About Forever” and “Craigslist” or their frank humour.
41. “Maze” – The Livid Sun
Frontwoman Mai’s magnetic voice shines brightest in this record – backed by a strong foundation cast by band members Ashri, Fazree, Abdul and Lionel, she breathes life into the lyrics and forms the core spirit of “Maze”. The result is an incredibly energetic song that drips with angst and blazes a trail with each note.
42. “Glasshouse” – The Sam Willows
If by some chance The Sam Willows happened to escape this list, I would probably get mauled with exasperated comments from their droves of enthusiastic fans. The popularity of the indie-folk quartet, consisting of Ben, Narelle, Jon and Sandra, has been soaring as of late, and for very good reason. Collectively, these guys are the complete package: they offer an affable sense of humour, gorgeous harmonies, poetic lyrics and eye-catching good looks with stylish flair to boot.
The quartet has been recognized time and again, even by the international audience (getting nominated for 2014’s MTV EMA Best Southeast Asia Act, and being selected for SXSW lineup in 2013) – it comes as no surprise that the band has come to the fore as the face and sound of Singapore’s new wave of indie music, despite their relative infancy.
43. “In My Sleep” – Weish
Weish is definitely one of my favourites on this list. Despite making her debut just two short years ago, she has taken local indie scene by storm both on her own terms and as the frontwoman of progressive groups like .gif and sub:shaman. Her sound is incredibly unique and inspired: in tracks like ‘In My Sleep’ and ‘Tick, Tick’, she hovers between dreamy languor and heartbreaking despair, and stunningly bares all in a stream of unadulterated human emotion.
With an amazing deftness, Weish utilizes little more than her voice and a keyboard to produce her haunting loops, creating hooks, melodies, and beats all at once that somehow meld together seamlessly in one clean sound.
See also: .gif’s (pronounced dot gif) slightly left-field but intoxicating Juvenile.
44. “Choose” – The Auditory Effect
Remember the iconic Tokyo Square? It seems like musical talent runs in the family – Max Surin has passed on his gift to his son, Adam Max Surin, who kickstarted The Auditory Effect in 2008. Fronted by Helemy, and joined by Jon, Audrey and Joey, this five-piece rock outfit offers a real punch with their colossal rips and explosive drum beats.
These guys have not just captured the fancies of local rock fans, but also the attention of international heavyweights like acclaimed producer Steve Lillywhite, and the wildly popular Foster The People – they were invited to open for the latter at their 2012 gig in Singapore.
45. “Physical” – Gareth Fernandez
And another Fernandez strikes again! (Last I checked, they aren’t related.) If you love John Legend, Justin Timberlake and Stevie Wonder, it’s time for you to give with this homegrown smooth crooner a listen. Fernandez is every inch a star, from his slick suits to his full, rich baritones. Backed up by a team of musicians, his recent single Subliminal Love is a groovy blend of R&B, pop and soul.
46. “Until We Die” – Gentle Bones
At the forefront of what has been heralded as the great “indie music revival” is the increasing popularity of Gentle Bones, the moniker that the broody-faced Joel Tan goes by. Whether you are part of his ever-expanding legion of fans, or if you’ve just heard of him for the first time, there is no denying that his earnest voice and addictive hooks will find its way to your heart almost effortlessly.
And it is precisely his simplicity and sincerity that has cemented his appeal – the much feted wunderkid has soared to the top of local iTunes charts time and again, yet he remains resolutely grounded, once proclaiming that “having more than 50 people in venues singing each and every line to [his] songs will never stop making [him] ever so grateful and inspired”.
See also: Check out the video we made when Gentle Bones visited our office!
47. “Giant” – Hilary Yang (The Little Giant)
On her Bandwagon profile, Hilary Yang, also known as The Little Giant, has little to say of herself – it simply reads “I love to sing and make art!”. Yet, as unassuming as this description may seem, it speaks much of Hilary’s style: minimalist, enigmatic and uncomplicated. Perfect for that winding, lonely bus journey or just a chill Sunday afternoon.
48 “Skin” – Jaime Wong
“Skin” is an intimate, visceral piece by Jaime Wong, 2012’s recipient of Noise Singapore’s Award for Music. For this folk-pop singer-songwriter, her music takes centre stage – she chose to nestle herself in the background and not star as the lead in her own music video.
49. “Stay” – Joie Tan
For all the staunch disbelievers of love out there, I might have found just the thing to restore your faith. Check out “Stay”, Joie Tan’s self-written ballad, featuring lovey-dovey real-life couples (including 53A’s Sara Wee and Bani!) making sweet confessionals and cheeky jibes at one another. Paired with Joie’s saccharine sweet and slightly husky vocals, “Stay” is a lovely, lilting melody that calls to mind the swoon-worthy tunes of David Choi and Kinna Grannis.
50. “Rabbit Hole” – Theodora Lau
Rounding out this list is a budding talent you’d want to keep your eye on. Despite being only 17 years of age, Theodora has a voice that reveals maturity and control beyond her years. As 2014’s Noise Singapore Music Mentorship recipient, her first original “Rabbit Hole” is a promising start – it is a raw, intimate piece that draws you in. With the $5000 grant under her belt, this singer-songwriter is set to expand her potential in time to come.
True Singapore Idols
If you’ve always believed there is a dearth of musical talent on our shores, I hope this list has made you think again – and this is truly only the tip of the iceberg! Perhaps we might not be churning out international recording artists as we did back in the 60s, but Singapore’s music scene is increasingly diversifying, ranging from acoustic folk, to darkwave rock and even heavy-metal.
Our homegrown musical acts have made leaps and bounds in terms of quality, and deserve our attention more than ever. So log onto Bandwagon.sg and tune into LUSH99.5 FM, and start exploring!
Support Local At House of Riot
Looking to support local music in present day Singapore?
This June, House of Riot presents an ambitious live show in homage to made-in-Singapore music, at The Esplanade’s grande dame The Concert Hall. With unparalleled, state-of-the-art acoustics in The Esplanade’s Concert Hall, the bold endeavour is set to define a new benchmark for local content and promises an unforgettable musical riot.
The show boasts a triple billing of stellar local artists featured in this article, including Charlie Lim with his latest sophomore record “Time/Space”, iNCH, and The Great Spy Experiment, who will be taking their final bow that evening. Tickets are on sale now at Sistic.
Date: 6 June 2015, Saturday
Time: 7.30pm – 10.30pm
Ticket Prices: S$50 for normal admission, S$40 for NSFs and students
Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news.
