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Biography
There is a fictional land called "ice-cream". You won't find it in any maps, on any road signs, through any masks. It stands between "reality" and "dream, without releasing yourself from the shackles of reality, without accepting the fiction-ness of dreams, you may never enter, for upon this land, we seek balance. Here, all is equal and all is fair, there will be no boundaries of rich nor poor, no useless, hypocritic status quos, there are endless choices that strecthes for eternity, limitless alternatives and possibilities, unbounded by neither reality nor dream.
Why is this "Ice-cream" named so? Ice-cream is a by-product of commercialism, but so is music. If there is no commercialism, no materialism, there will be no music to counter it. But though the packaging of ice-creams are multi-faceted, its essence remains: cold and sweet. It can be so beautiful, so multi-faceted with so many possibilities, yet it is also so fragile to hold. Should you find that balance between realities and dreams, we welcome you as the "Citizen of Ice-cream".
History
2001
Band started with members, Hwang, Kuan Seng, Choy and Phang. The band at this stage is extremely immatured, blindly playing some covers and some own compositions in search of a musical path. Band was named "Amnesia".
2002
Guitarist Tan joins the band, with him came new musical influences and inspirations. Band begins realization of the endless possibilities that music can be. Though still remained unsure of a musical path, and playing covers, band slowly sees a further musical horizon to strive for. To prepare for a college band performance, band was renamed "9:38".
2003
Band officially joins indie-label Soundscape Records with the name "Meng 'Shat". After much running about, band started music direction with heavy Brit-pop influence. First gig performed as an indie-band was in Penang's Greenhall. This gig served as kind of an eye-opener for us, making us realize how shallow our music was and how much further we must strive.
2003, August
Band performs at Soundscape's first large outdoor event, "Street Roar". Band music remains largely of Brit-pop influence.
2004
This year saw huge changes and development of the band's music. From Brit-pop to Post-rock to Dream-pop to Shoe-gazing. Band performed in various indie-music events, to name some of the more important events:
- The inaugural "Trans-regional Music Fest"- event also featured Taiwan indie experimental musician Lim Qiong.
- Soundscape's annual outdoor event "Street Roar 2004".
- "French Music Festival"
- Local Chinese indie-band Lang Mang's album-release event.
- Kuching, Sarawak's rock music concert.
2005
Performed at "Call To Action! Tsunami Fund Raising Gig". Began considerations and plans for more solid band identity and music direction, official band name changed to "Citizens of Ice-Cream".
Current Band Direction
Music as the platform to encourage thought and concept developments in both audience and among band members. To make music that becomes the stage and mental environment where thoughts, imagination and ideas may roam and develop freely. Explore further musical grounds where more musical possibilities are ventured.
Music Influences
Radiohead, Portished, Sigur Ros, Explosions in The Sky, Pink Floyd, etc. |
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Biography
Deng Deng is a collaborative effort of members from Chinese indie bands, Nao and Guan Yin. The band took part in the recent Chinese Independent Band Search organized by Soundscape Records, and emerged as the grand Champion.
It’s rare to find a local Chinese indie band that provides the thrills of punk rock legends like Fugazi, At The Drive In and Nirvana, with noisy and buzzing guitars and the aggressive elements of hardcore punk, the trio will certainly become a strong force of the local indie music scene.
The band recently embarked on a playing tour to Beijing and was invited to perform at 13 Club, one of Beijing’s hottest underground gigs venue, along with bands from Sweden, Norway, Japan and China.
LINE-UP
Hoong – Vocal, Guitar
Koon – Bass
Jimmy - Drum |
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Biography
Dzap Dau Dau, a PUNK band hails from Hong Kong, China. These girls have been around since 1996. In the early days, they had a different name “M2R” and a different line-up. They released their first single “Life” in “God Save The Canto Pop” compilations, released by Music Communication and performed in numerous music festivals in Taiwan, Macau and Guang Zhou.
However, in the year of 2000, the relationship between the band members turn sour and the band was forced to regroup, with a new name called “Dzap Dau Dau” (Pick Up Beans).
The band first EP album “Pick Up Beans” was released in 2001. With the new album released, Dzap Dau Dau was given a slot in the “Beijing vs. Hong Kong girls Band” program hosted by “Beijing MTV Channel”. To further promote their EP, DDD went for a China tour performed in major cities like Wuhan, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
In between 2000 to 2004, the band has performed in Taiwan’s “Spring Scream Music Festival” and in year 2002, they spend one month to tour around Taipei, Kao Xiong and Tai Chung.
Early 2004, DDD was invited to perform in “Hua Yi Music Festival” in Singapore. In April, the band spend another half month to tour Taiwan and also performed in the Spring Scream Music Festival. The Band also performed in Hong Kong music festival “Rockit Hong Kong Music Festival”.
The band’s debut album “Dog Days” was released on 18 July 2005. |
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Biography
FALSE ALARM was first started in the mind of two college mates, Billy and Ah Ling during the summer of 1999. Both of them were really passionate for playing guitars and wanted to have a band for years. They're bored by the never-ending life full of drag and distressed, so they wanted to leave some good memories behind and lead a more meaningful life. They're really bored and don't want their life goes to waste.
So they decided to start, both of them begin playing guitars, writing songs and practicing at home. Later, Billy introduced fox (who knows drum and bass playing) into the band. He was also a bored youth and don't want his life goes to waste. They're so suited to each other musically. All are creeps and love to make songs with sweet melodies, noisy and loud guitar sounds. So they started. FALSE ALARM, the title of a song from Yo La Tengo's album Electr-o-pura was chosen for the name of the band in October 1999. After a while, FA first-drummer ah to was introduced into the band also. At this point, they found themselves finally could functioned as a complete band.
They recorded their first album in 1999 and distributed by Monitor Records in Hong Kong. In 2004, they teamed up with members from 5 other Hong Kong bands to form an indie label called Harbour Records.
Official Website:
www.falsealarm.hk |
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Biography
Composer/pianist born in Tokyo in '74. Having learned classical piano since childhood, Hashimoto started to compose in high school while also making music on a computer. After majoring in composition at a music university in Tokyo, he has actively been performing live, creating tracks for compilations, and producing other artists.
In addition to two acclaimed individual albums, Yupi and Epitaph. He created an imaginative and fantastic soundscape on this record using piano, orchestra, electronics, and field recordings. His albums was critically acclaimed by magazines such as DE:BUG in Germany as well as other publications and websites around the world.
He released producing tracks for AUDIO DREGS label compilation, and a compilation overseen by Ekkehard Ehlers for the STAUBGOLD label in Germany. As a pianist, he has played on the album of Japanese electronica artist World's End Girlfriend, and he will also be participating on the World Standard project by world music artist Souichiro Suzuki.
On the live circuit, he has performed along with Sketch Show (Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi) at a "Code" event headed by Ryuichi Sakamoto in October 2003. In April 2004, he also supported the Tokyo show of the MORR MUSIC label tour in Japan. Now he is preparing his 3rd album that will be released from noble label, Japan.
Website: http://home.att.ne.jp/star/bd/ |
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Biography
Ladybug was Taiwan's pioneer seminal underground rock band. The band has inspired and influenced much of the independent music scene in Taiwan. They were the first Taiwanese rock band to tour The USA.
The raw energy of their 1997 debut was sensational, and even a couple years ago their songs can still be heard on the college radio in Chicago.
Later, Ladybug music was inspired by the post rock mania from Chicago, falling into an abyss of aimless guitar riffs and modulated feedback. The band was forced to take a break from 2003, due to band members’ commitments. In early 2005, the band re-grouped and two male members were in the new line-up, included Xu Qian Xiu, probably the most outstanding guitarist in the current Taiwan indie scene. Due to that, theirs music styles has changed, from noisy and avant-garde post rock to ska-punk, with elements of world music and flaminco guitar riffs.
Official website:
http://www.lady-tw.net/ |
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Biography
Established in the year of 2002, their music style is more towards funk rock, metal, grunge and post-rock. Due to the strong character of the front man, the band has gone through a few times of line-up change. In early 2004, the drummer and bassist of Zero Gravity and guitarist of Fire Ant filled up the void left by the previous band mates and the band has finally managed to settle down and carry on with the journey.
Their thoughtful lyrics mostly reflect the current situation of the society, including call for the abolishment of ISA, the struggle to save Chinese primary school.
Current Line-up:
Yap Lian Tat – Vocalist, Guitarist
Ng Kim Hoong – Guitarist
William Chong – Bassist
Jimmy Chong – Drummer |
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Biography
Formed in early 2002, Beijing’s hottest female-fronted punk rock band. The band comprised of female vocalist Kang Mao, guitarist Wu Hao, bassist Zhu Lei and drummer Shi Xu Dong. Musically, the band’s raw, aggressive and blitzing sound was built upon the influenced from The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fugazi, The Hives, The Make-Up and At the Drive-in.
The quartet has been actively giggling in pubs and live houses, and also major festivals in countries like Finland, Holland, Norway and Sweden. The band’s critically acclaimed EP was released early 2004, 4 tracks of well crafted garage punk, produced and mastered by Swedish engineer Mats Hammarstorm, from the band Isolation Years.
The band also performed in the recent Midi music festival in October, Beijing biggest out door music festival.
Past Performances:
- August 2004, performed on the same stage with Virgin Records’ signing artiste Rising Times.
- October 2004, performed at Midi music festival, Beijing biggest outdoor festival.
- May 2005, spend 28 days to tour around major cities in China.
- July 2005, took part in a music carnival held in Mongolia.
- August 2005, performed at OYA festival in Europe, tour around Northern Europe countries like Norway, Sweden and Finland.
- October 2005, invited to perform at Oriental music festival held in Amsterdam, Holland.
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Biography
The band got together somewhat haphazardly amongst a circle of friends. Leslie started writing and working on songs with Vivian. Their plan was to record as many songs as they could instead of drinking as many jugs as they could. Soon they built up a body of songs and were offered a chance to perform. They felt they needed more members to be able to perform live and to develop their music further. Dharma soon joined the duo.
The first gig they played as The Observatory was Baybeats 2002 at the Esplanade. After that first gig, Evan, armed with a laptop and a head full of ideas, joined. Completing the picture, Victor joined shortly before the group’s inaugural 2-night concert at The Substation’s Guinness Theatre. Realizing how much they enjoyed making music together, they continued to do so in a myriad number of ways, combining live elements with programmed sounds, much like most musicians who have embraced technology. The Observatory’s sound slowly began to take shape with this new line-up.
The challenge was to weave together a distinct sound that they could call their own. The result of this endeavor can be heard on their debut album, Time of Rebirth. Released in March 2004, this quiet, ruminating album of poignant songs underlined by delicate textures and subtle electronic elements, was the start of a wonderful comraderie and musical partnership.
The Observatory continues to pursue musical change with relentless energy and enthusiasm. Their newly released second album, Blank Walls, continues the group experimentation with song form, creating depths and layers in an album of wonderfully crafted music that non-formulaic, adventurous and challenging. Blank Walls is the product of a year of extensive experimentation, recording and arrangement amongst the sextet, of whom the most recent to join us is drummer Adam Shah. Fully embracing the group collectively sharpened creative edge, Adam has fast become an indispensable part of The Observatory rhythm backbone.
This was the challenge they took on, to make Blank Walls very different from Time of Rebirth. Undeniably, their new material still retains a lot of the melancholic overtones of the first album but hovering just below the surface is an unmistakable menace that charts a mood-shift towards a more palpable intensity, also evident in the lyrical themes of human displacement and loss.
The Observatory, are themselves in awe of the endless possibilities within music itself. What they have achieved they claim to have done so in modest measure. Their sights always set on the future, to venture far beyond the confines of trend and radio playability.
The Observatory is Leslie Low (vocals, guitars), Vivian (vocals, keyboards), Dharma (guitar), Evan Tan (keyboards, melodica), Victor Low (guitars, bass, glockenspiel) and Adam (drums).
DISCOGRAPHY:
Time of Rebirth
Time of Rebirth is a quiet, ruminating album of poignant songs underlined by delicate textures and lush instrumentation. Delivered in hush tones over layers of subtle electronic elements blended with a distinct acoustic feel. Written and recorded over a period of two and a half years.
Release date: March 2004
Produced by: The Observatory & Rennie Gomes
Blank Walls
Blank Walls is deliberately loose, eschewing particular themes or genres and embracing unconventional structures, progressive sounds and improvisatory forms, continuing our experimentation with song form into greater depths of musical and lyrical tension. A diverse, experimental palette of words, sonic layering, and musical contrasts. The subject matter signals a mood-shift towards a more palpable intensity, exploring various themes from anger to disenchantment, from the quaint and humorous to self-mockery or plain indignation.
Release date: September 2005
Produced by: The Observatory & Jorgen Traeen
Official Website:
http://www.theobservatory.com.sg/ |
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BIOGRAPHY
The laid back son of Penang. If love is food, music is snacks and White Light's a blend of different kinds of mono-sodized junk food you get in seven - eleven. White Light echoes 80s shoegazing and ambient-rock. Bonded back in 2003, their diverse music taste amongst them will leave you tingling for more.
LINE-UP:
Alvin Neoh – Guitar
Lee Fee Ren – Guitar
Omesh Mahtani – Bass
Darshen Ruban Chelliah – Drum |
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