Singapore Band Specific Islander Write The Most Melodious, Feel-Good Songs
There’s no denying the appeal of the female pop chanteuse/rock star or female-fronted band. Add a dose of rebelliousness, a quirk (or a few) and an indie spirit, and the cool factor goes off the charts. We speak to seven ruling the Singapore scene, including "tropical pop" band Specific Islander.
(From left) On Hamid: Wool coat, H&M. Polyester shirt, Cos. Wool-blend jogger pants, Calvin Klein Platinum. Onitsuka Tiger x Andrea Pompilio canvas and rubber sneakers, Onitsuka Tiger. Socks, stylist’s own. On Tann: Wool suit, nylon bomber jacket, and polyester shirt, Calvin Klein Platinum. Boots and socks, his own. On Cheah: Wool pinafore, H&M. All other items, her own. On Kumar: Wool trenchcoat, H&M. Cotton T-shirt and wool jogger pants, Calvin Klein Platinum. Onitsuka Tiger x Andrea Pompilio canvas and rubber sneakers, Onitsuka Tiger
Who they are: Just over-a-year-old “tropical pop” group made up of (from left) guitarist Fahruddin Hamid, 28, bassist Nicholas Kent Tann, 25, lead singer Joanne Cheah, 25, and drummer Surin Kumar, 28.
Know them ’cos: Despite being millennials, this quartet produces a melodious, feel-good blend of “dream pop, shoegaze, bossa nova and world elements” that brings us right back to the heyday of Singapore’s indie music scene in the ’90s. It might explain the high-profile – and ultra cool – gigs they’ve raked up in their young career so far: Fred Perry’s Subculture Live at the National Gallery last August, and Isms & Schisms, a Singapore Night Festival highlight that included industry veterans such as The Observatory’s Leslie Low in the same month.
What’s next for 2017: The “Islanders” are working on their first EP, tentatively titled Span Specific. According to Cheah, it’ll revolve around “beach vacation vibes, elevator shoegaze, and lots of fruits”.
Photography Zaphs Zhang & Vee Chin Styling Imran Jalal, assisted by Sapphire Chin Hair & Makeup Sha Shamsi, Laea Hidayah, Karen H & Zoel Tee, using La Biosthetique & M.A.C
This story first appeared in Female's February 2017 issue.
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