Singapore Indie Band Obedient Wives Club Composes The Most Vintage-y Tunes
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 indie band Obedient Wives Club.
(From left) On Tan: Polyester suit and cotton T-shirt, Calvin Klein Platinum. Onitsuka Tiger x Andrea Pompilio canvas and rubber sneakers, Onitsuka Tiger. On Mak: Polyester bomber jacket, H&M. All other items, her own. On Lee: Silk shirt dress and vinyl belt, H&M. Denim plimsolls with crystals, Roger Vivier. On Ko: Cotton top and embroidered satin wrap skirt, H&M. Boots, her own. On Supian: Cotton field jacket and matching pants, H&M. Onitsuka Tiger x Andrea Pompilio canvas and rubber boots, Onitsuka Tiger. T-shirt, his own
Who they are: Formed in 2011, this quintet comprises of (from left) guitarist Keith Tan, drummer Lennat Mak, vocalist Yinqi Lee, guitarist Cherie Ko, and bassist Sulaiman Supian. While they’re keeping mum about their respective ages, they gleefully describe their music as “the soundtrack of a vintage ’60s film (with) wistful laments of an innocent time long gone”.
Know them ’cos: Ko’s the local music scene’s It girl of the moment with her own six-month-old noir pop band Tomgirl – and everything the Obedient Wives Club’s been up to has been equally rad. Cue two well-received EPs, headlining 2015’s Wondersound Festival, and opening for acclaimed Spanish lo-fi band Hinds at Kult Kafe last May.
What’s next for 2017: Their third EP Cinematica, out in March. Guitarist Tan promises “a much bigger” – and newer – sound: “Gone are the fuzz and lo-fi vocals. Instead, expect strings, horns, synth and a glockenspiel.”
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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