Moss Audio specializes in wireless speakers that are handmade from unusual materials like natural acrylic. Launched in May, the (super-stylish) speakers retail for 99USD each online. They will also be available at The Redundant Shop and The Assembly Store from the start of August. We chat with founder Nik Lee, to find out more. 

Producing a product like this must be hard—what’s the biggest challenge so far?

It took us over a year to develop the first range of speakers.  The manufacturing technique and material we use are quite unique, so there was a lot of testing and development involved.  It was also imperative that the sound quality was as good as possible, so spent weeks tuning and testing until it was right. We wanted to launch a product that was absolutely the best that we could offer.

Any expansion plans in the horizon? What are you planning to make next?

We are currently experimenting with materials to use for some new products launching towards the end of the year.  In the meantime, we’ll also be collaborating with local and international artists and designers to work on special edition ranges.  We aim to build a platform where we can work with other creatives, bridging the gap between music, art, fashion and design.

What fascinates you most about sound?

I come from a creative family—my sister is a talented artist and my younger brother is a singer-songwriter.  Art, design and music were a big factor when growing up.  I love music and have been designing and making speakers for years, even before I did it professionally.

Thanks to the Internet and streaming music sites like Spotify, people’s listening habits have changed.  We are moving into a new era of music listening and there is scope for developing cool products to meet changing needs.

Any tips for people looking to purchase a speaker system?

Go for quality.  There are a lot of speaker products out there, but they tend to use cheap components and materials.  Cheap speakers don’t sound very good and don’t last very long.  Spend slightly more and get a speaker system that is nice to listen to and that should also last for years.

What’s your experience of starting up in Singapore?

It’s perfect for me because most of my friends are here.  When you start a business, you need to pull favors from everyone you know.  I’ve been really lucky in that respect—practically everyone I know has helped me out in one way or another. In Singapore, everything you need is very close at hand, so you can always find the things you need.  It’s also very easy to network—it’s as if everyone knows everyone else in Singapore!

Singapore is also a very good place for young entrepreneurs who are starting a business straight from school.  There are several incubation centers attached to the polytechnics and universities—these centers can help you to secure office space and government grants.

Do you have any advice for budding entrepreneurs?

Have the confidence to jump into things that you’ve never done before.  I trained as a designer, but when I started this business, I found myself doing financial spreadsheets and all sorts of paperwork that was needed to run a business.  I had to learn every aspect of running a company and become a Jack-of-all-trades.  It’s really good fun, but you have to learn things very quickly and have the confidence to give anything a go.

EAT

Chin Sin Huan Eating House
Commonly referred to as the Tanjong Rhu bao, this place’s red bean and char siew fil lings have a fan following. They also have pretty legit lotus buns, siew mai and lor mai ga on top of that.

DO

Goodman Arts Centre
This seven-acre arts hub is home to the National Arts Council of Singapore, dozens of arts groups, theaters, ceramic studios and lots more. Sign up for batik painting or Bharatnatyam, sip wine at La Barca restaurant or see a contemporary dance performance here.

Marina Bay Golf Course

Marina Bay Golf Course
As Singapore’s first and arguably only 18-hole golf course open to the public, this 72-par, 91 pot bunker mini monster has an awfully nice view of Marina Bay and the Singapore skyline. Prices start from $52.50 per golfer per round.

Singapore Swimming Club
Founded in 1894, this cosmopolitan club features two Olympic-sized swimming pools (members only), tennis courts (from $2 per court per hour for members and $5 for non-members), bowling alleys (from $2 per game for members and $3 for non-members) and more. There’s even fine - dining establishment Jack Mil ler alongside six other restaurants and cafes. Lifetime membership starts from $15,000. Ouch!

Go back to the full Kallang guide.

EAT

Ban Heng Restaurant
The original branch of this legendary Teochew restaurant serves up classics like Cold Crab and Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. It recently underwent a renovation but has retained its signature dishes. They also do set menus for large groups.

Boon Keng Food Centre
There are some pretty great options here like the chee cheong fun or carrot cake from Yong Xiang stall. It gets pretty crowded during the weekdays when working-types congregate for lunch, but otherwise it’s a pretty idyllic place to get breakfast during the weekends.

L'Etoile Cafe
Inspired by the indie cafes of Japan, this quaint, off-the-beaten-track hangout features brunch staples like eggs benedict ($5.90) and banana nutella toast ($5.90), all at unbelievably affordable prices. We also like the vintage furniture adorning the space. 

The French Stall Bistrot
This quaint, unassuming cross between a restaurant and a kopitiam serves no-frills a la carte and set meals. We’re fans of the grilled beef entrecote with black pepper sauce and tasty stir-fried potato wedges. 

Jewel Cafe and Bar

Jewel Cafe and Bar
The second and larger branch of Jewel Coffee puts out drinks like the Portland ($7) ice coffee and white peach s angria ($16). Get the Praise the Lard ($18) burger, topped with bacon jam and apple slices or just a yogurt bowl with fruits and homemade granola ($9).

L.E. Cafe Confectionery and Pastry
You’ll find yummy traditional pastries here, such as pineapple tarts, rum balls and moon pies. The beancurd tarts are by far our favorite—they’re an ambrosial combination of silky beancurd custard and crunchy pie crust. 

Liberty Coffee
It’s a wholesale business most days, but around once a month, they open to the public. The coffee is amazing enough to stalk their Facebook page and figure out when they’ll be open next.

Ng Ah Sio Pork Ribs Soup Eating House
This popular stall has specialized in Teochew style bak kut teh since 1988. The soup base here is very peppery—just the way we like it. The tender ribs are served with various accompaniments like braised peanuts, fried dough fritters, kidneys and intestines.

Suprette

Suprette
Located in a charming boutique hotel, Suprette does American farelike chicken pot pie ($14) and the Suprette burger (from $19). They also do a mean brunch with ricotta pancakes with honey butter ($14) as well as corned beef hash ($14).

Tian Wai Tian Fishhead Steamboat
Started in the Serangoon neighborhood, this steamboat now has several branches around the island. Don’t miss the har cheong gai, or fried chicken with prawn paste while you’re here. They are fried to perfection. 

DO

The 1925 Microbrewery
We’re intrigued by this new restaurant and microbrewery, with its industrial steel vats and its peeling paint job. Check out the family-recipe pilsners and more brews in the coming weeks.

Central Sikh Gurdwara
Established in 1912, this pink granite and marble structure has become the main place of worship for around 15,000 Sikhs with its 13-meter high dome flecked in white, gold and grey mosaics. In the Sikh community, it is known as the Big Temple.

Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
One of the city’s oldest religious sites, dating back to 1855, with statues of Lord Vishnu, Lakshmi, Andal and Garuda. It was gazetted as a national monument in 1978.

Go back to the full Kallang guide.

EAT

Brewerkz
No on- site brewing at this branch of one of our fave local microbreweries, but there are waterfront views, lots of alfresco seating and a wood-burning pizza oven. The Indian Pale Ale may convert non-beer drinkers, too.

Kilo
The reincarnation of Raw Kitchen Bar sits comfortably just above Loysel’s Toy, possessing just the right laid back vibe and reasonably priced dishes like ceviche ($17) and Cognac beef tartare ($19). 

Long Beach King Seafood Restaurant
A starched Sunday-lunch-with-the-family type of place. Supposedly the creator of the black pepper crab, but we say go for the scrumptious butter lobster and the mouth-watering “dong bo” ribs with honey sauce.

Loysel's Toy

Loysel's Toy
An awesome weekend spot on the riverfront. A side from single-origin drips, French presses and syphons, they also sell beans and equipment including a Hario coffee syphon ($115) and the eco-trendy KeepCup ($16).

Myra's Beach Club
The popular East Coast bistro ventures to a new part of the city in July, with their comforting mix of North Indian and Mexican food. Decent veg options, too, if the old place is anything to go by.

Thai Village
They don’t serve too many “quintessentially Thai” dishes here at this regional chain, but there are Teochew-ish and seafood classics aplenty like black pepper crab, braised fish maw and fried vermicelli with seafood.

The Mushroom Pot
This family-friendly restaurant sells exactly what its name suggests—wild mushroom soup, wild mushroom fried rice, mushroom-heavy hot pot buffet, shitake mushroom with meat paste and lots more.

SEE

Kallang Theatre
A friend to the local arts scene, having staged homegrown shows like Singapura: A Lion City and Bendahara: A Betrayal. The 1,680-seat theater also plays host to international superstars like Charice and Sam Tsui.

DO

Bike Rental
Fun fact! Loysel’s Toy rents bikes for $10 per hour so you can slowly make your way to  East Coast beach after a lazy afternoon of self-caffeination.

Bowling at Leisure Park Kallang
We can’t decide if bowling is hot or not , but it’s hard to care with this awesome facility and its 22 competition-standard lanes.

The Cage

The Cage
Indulge in a friendly game of nocturnal indoor football. Book your own field for $50 per hour before 6pm, $90 per hour after 6pm.

Ice Skating Rink at Leisure Park Kallang
Constructed to match international competition standards, this is the place to go if you’re a die -hard ice skating fan. They even offer skating courses for all levels.

Kallang Cricket Grounds
A regular host of one-day international matches, this cricket field is home ground to the Singapore national team. 

Kallang Lawn Bowl Greens
Housed in the tennis center, this field hosts some of the island’s hobbyist lawn bowlers. It’s more strategic than you think with weekend teams pitting themselves against each other. If you’re interested in picking it up, there are even free sessions everyday 1-2pm.

Kallang Riverside Park

Kallang Riverside Park
Built on both sides of Kallang River, this park is a haven for water sports enthusiasts and boasts fitness equipment, jogging and cycling tracks. Nature lovers will appreciate the butterfly garden and bird-watching opportunities.

Kallang Wave
Located at the new Sports Hub, the mall is named after the iconic celebration that used to take place in the old National Stadium. Alongside international brands like Uniqlo and H&M and dining outlets including Poulet, and Soup Spoon, there will be sporting facilities like a rock climbing area and a rooftop water park.

Liferacer Swim Wears
This local swimwear boutique has lots of funky and patterned options, even thermal swimwear and those fashionable beach cover-ups. They have waterproof accessories, too. 

Little Provence
If you love French specialties, this retail store will delight you with its wide selection of olive oils, truffle delicacies, tapenades, artisanal jams, chocolates and excellent wines.

Singapore Sports Hub

Singapore Sports Hub
Located over 35 hectares of Kallang , the all-new Singapore Sports Hub is now home to the 55,000-capacity National Stadium, Indoor Stadium, Sports Museum, Sports Library, Water Sports Centre, a multi-purpose indoor arena, and a sprawling 41,000 sq. m. of retail space. See what’s happening there this year (below).

Singapore Sports Council
As the governing body to all things sport in Singapore, this place has some neat facilities for public use, from squash to tennis and netball. Book on their site.

WaterVenture
Whether you like kayaking, windsurfing , sailing, dragon boating or sea rafting, this is the place. Courses start at $25 for a one-day intro to kayaking.

Ukulele Movement
Supposedly the “first and only ukulele specialty shop in Singapore”, this place is also home to a community of enthusiasts. 

COMING SOON

The spanking new Sports Hub isn’t Kallang’s only new and improved hangout. In fact, according to the URA Master Plan, there are plans to revamp Kallang Riverside Park with the addition of more shops and cafes (hmm... more hipster coffee joints?). Plus, more work’s happening along the beach and there’ll even be a route connecting Gardens by the Bay to the Sports Hub. Also, the (now creepy-looking) old Airport Square, where the Kallang Airport Terminal Building stands, will be conserved and used as an enclave for office buildings, hotels, retail malls and other entertainment facilities. No dates yet. For more info, visit www.ura.gov.sg.

SPORTS HUB HIGHLIGHTS
Some of the biggest events in the coming months:

Singapore Selection vs Juventus FC (Aug 16, 7.30pm, National Stadium)
Watch some of Singapore’s best soccer players take on world-famous Juventus FC, who were last season’s Serie A champions, in what will undoubtedly be a thrilling match.

Singapore Swim Stars (Sep 5-7, 7pm, OCBC Aquatic Centre)
Olympic champions Ruta Meiluyte, Cesar Cielo and Anthony Ervin are just some of the stars who will be participating in this international swimming meet. 

Paribas WTA Finals Singapore (Oct 17-26, Various times, Singapore Indoor Stadium)
Catch some of the world’s best female tennis stars, including Serena Williams and Agnieszka Radwanska, at this prestigious sporting event, which will be held in Singapore for the first time. 

Opus 2 Jay 2014 World Tour (Nov 8, 8pm, National Stadium) 
Mandopop king Jay Chou will do a gig here as part of his Opus 2 2014 World Tour. Expect his usual dazzling pyrotechnics. 

Go back to the full Kallang guide.