Kiss My Culture

Top 10 Things to do This Week (Nov 21-27)

Little Fish
Nov 21, 7pm at Timbre @ The Arts House
Nov 22-23, 8pm at Timbre @ The Substation
Nov 24, 7pm at Timbre @ Old School

The Oxford rockers are anything but little. Frontwoman Juju Sophie has been compared to the likes of Patti Smith and PJ Harvey, the band’s organ player Ben Walker is a trained musician, and Little Fish has grown a massive community back home. The deeply rooted band has total disregard for musical rules, doing only what matters to them. Their DIY spirit has seen them leave a label that founded them, and gone on to play alongside Supergrass, Alice in Chains and Placebo. With appearances in Glastonbury, BBC Radio 1, and even on the video game Rock Band 3, Little Fish plays in a really big ocean.

Zee Avi “LIVE”
TAB l $55
Nov 22, 7.30pm

Izyan Alirahman has come a long way since the days of her YouTube video postings. 4 years on and the Sarawak-born singer-songwriter, going by the stage name Zee Avi, has been signed to Jack Johnson’s label Bushfire Records and released two albums with both enjoying global chart success. Her heartfelt lyrical musings delivered through honey coated raspy vocals layered over stripped-down folksy melodies have garnered a huge following.

[PICK OF THE WEEK] Syndicate Sessions
Esplanade Recital Studio l $25 from Sistic
Nov 25, 9.30pm

The revered audio-visual collective ups their ante with a distinguished invitation to take over the stage of the Esplanade Recital Studio. Pitted as Singapore’s best electronic music act to emerge over the last 5 years, Syndicate has grown from strength to strength with fresh tours in America, France, UK and South East Asia in this year alone.

Come Friday, Kiat and Max Lane will be delivering their “live” concocted beats and mash ups of aural pleasantries that threads through leftfield, broken beats, drum and bass and dubstep. Singapore’s turntabalist maestro KoFlow and jazz pianist Aya Sekine joins the duo to give an epic blend of musical diversity of mastery proportions. Added to the orchestral offering of electronic soundscape is Octover, made up of the sultry vocals of Vanessa Fernandez alongside legendary producer Jason Tan on the keys. Completing the whole set up will be Brandon Tay, an illustrious visual artist that manipulates videos and self-created motion graphics into a sight that opens the eye of the beholder.

Rare and exclusive Syndicate merchandizes will be on sale during the gig. Grab a limited edition t-shirt designed by Slint and a Syndicate album (out before its international release) featuring the likes of Cherry Chan, Max Lane and Strangeloop among others. Be part of a historical event that looks set to inspire the local electronic music scene to a whole new level.

Strictly Rhythm Presents Norman Doray
Zouk l $25/32 includes two drinks
Nov 25, 10pm

His upcoming release “Breakaway” is weaving a web of reach that is speculated to be nailed onto global dancefloor as a big-room anthem of the season. Already equipped with an arsenal of chart-toppers like “Tobita”, “Phazing”, “Chase The Sun” and the recently released “Kalifronia”, the Parisian producer is the man to watch and is likely to remain on fire heading into 2012 and beyond.

(BELVEDERE) RED: DJ Clinton Sparks
MINK l $25 includes one drink
Nov 25, 10pm

The Boston-based DJ is shaking up the celebrity world in Hollywood. Already known for his production duties for the likes of Akon, Pitbull and Ludacris among others, the multi-platinum producer will be dropping his commercial remixes and releases of hip hop-centric tunes decked with electro basslines. And as he does so, do your bit in raising awareness and fight AIDS in Africa by fuelling up with (Belvedere) Red vodkas. For every bottle purchased, 50 per cent of profits will go straight to the worthy cause.

Fischerspooner, Darren Emerson and D Ramirez
Avalon l $30
Nov 25, 10pm

The forefathers of today’s generation of electronic dance music will be gathering for a one-night only spectacular. Between them, house music producer and DJ D Ramirez, former member of Underworld Darren Emerson, and the electroclash duo of Fisherspooner have all conquered the minds of dance music faithful in their own right. Expect a blend of both educational and current dance music anthems to populate the floor.

Zirca & Rebel 3rd Anniversary feat. Zirca Residents
Zirca l $16-28 includes two drinks
Nov 25-26, 10pm

Celebrating their 3rd year of dancefloor mayhem and unadulterated nights, Zirca and Rebel pulls no punches for their anniversary. Featuring residents like Marcus, Inquisitive and Kennerve, the club keeps up to their standard of mesmerizing party offerings that no one seems to remember the morning after.

Zouk x Voilah! Festival Presents Mélanie Pain
Zouk l $30
Nov 26, 9pm

The chanteuse of the modern revival of the chanson (a French lyrically driven music), Mélanie Pain has grown successfully as a solo artist since her days with music collective Nouvelle Vague. Having released her debut album My Name in 2009, the indie pop singer is much loved for her welcoming charm as much as for her folksy vocal prowess. As part of the annual Singapore French Festival -Voilah!, expect a marriage of authentic French flair and new wave fervour.

Riva Starr
Avalon l $30
Nov 26, 10pm

The globetrotting DJ-producer is a stronger swimmer through different musical genres and has been described as the most versatile artist in today’s ever-changing musical soundscape. From house to techno and breakbeat to pop, the London based dance music chameleon is comfortable in any genres. This has made his production and sets even more appealing as he’s able to switch things up at a drop of a record.

Tiefschwarz
Zouk l $25/32 includes two drinks
Nov 26, 12mn

The Stuttgart brothers of Alexander and Sebastian Schwarz are known for their deep, dark and broody house music that has been compared to the likes of their neighbouring brethren, Frankfurt’s favourite sons, Booka Shade. Staying true to their name, Tiefschwarz (which means deep black) has returned to their distinctive sound after try-outs into a more edgy and electro production. Deep driving basslines, atmospheric drops and climaxing energies will be the mainstay of the night.