For a while now, rock groups Astreal, Tiramisu and The Great Spy Experiment, and DJs Akien and Debbie Chia, have been wooing music lovers with good and loud music. We grabbed these Motorola Street Style Awards 2006’s music nominees for a quick banter and give you the lowdown on these acts.

Astreal

What’s the one song that says everything about your band?
Ginette Chittick: It would probably be “This is Dormant.” It’s got its quiet bits and its sonic assault, and that’s the epitome of our sound.

Who are your current music heroes?
Chittick: Enon, Cansei de ser Sexy, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, Editors and Curve.

What is your secret weapon to winning the Motorola Street Style Awards?
Chittick: Good shows and an original sound!

Complete the sentence. “A good song is like…”
Chittick: Beautiful afternoons that never end.

Debbie Chia

What’s the one song that says everything about your band?
There isn’t one that exists currently. But I will make a song that says everything about me!

Who are your current music heroes?
DJ Soulja, Alex Smoke and Kerri Chandler.

What is your secret weapon to winning the Motorola Street Style Awards?
Putting my cards on the table.

Complete the sentence. “A good song is like…”
A living entity.

Tiramisu

What’s the one song that says everything about your band?
Rizman Putra: “Mr Fantesticles.” The song is about a man who loves to carry balls with his bare hands and feels proud of it at the same time.

Who are your current music heroes?
Putra: Stephanie Sun, Kit Chan, Dick Lee, Tanya Chua, Dreamz FM, Hardy Mirza and Rui En.

What is your secret weapon to winning the Motorola Street Style Awards?
Putra: Vote for yourself, just meddle around with different IP addresses, and you can get as many votes as you want!

Complete the sentence. “A good song is like…”
Putra: Doing the “running man” in reverse and giving yourself a sudden gyration from out of nowhere.

Akien

What’s the one song that says everything about your band?
Aldrin and Akien’s “Dig This (Original/Regrooved Mix).” It’s a big room sounding track and the vocal line is “I wanna see how you all dig this in.” This is precisely how I want to express my music.

Who are your current music heroes?
They are Trentemoller, BT, D Ramirez, Switch and not forgetting, our homegrown talent Electrico.

What is your secret weapon to winning the Motorola Street Style Awards?
Working hard and following my motto, which is, “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can also achieve.”

Complete the sentence. “A good song is like…”
A journey through life that has been compressed into a short span of time.

The Great Spy Experiment

What’s the one song that says everything about your band?
Fandy Razak: It would be “Dance With Me” because that’s exactly what we want to do to people. We want to make them dance like they’ve never danced before when they are at our gigs.
Saiful Idris: Errr.. On a personal note, “Late Night Request.”

Who are your current music heroes?
Razak: We are Scientists, Stellastar* and The Cure.
Khairyl Hashim: All hardworking musicians in the future, past and present.
Magdalene Han: Goldfrapp, Ladytron and Peaches, to name a few.
Song: Duran Duran, New Order, Depeche Mode and Camouflage.  Yes, I’m on a ’80s synth-pop trip. Don’t you judge me now!
Idris: Chuck Schuldiner. 

What is your secret weapon to winning the Motorola Street Style Awards?
Idris: Having computer expert friends.
Han: The only thing I can reveal is that we are true believers.
Song: The sexy bassist.

Complete the sentence. “A good song is like…”
Han: Recreating a bygone era. The song that the next few generations will play or remix and it will still get everyone dancing.
Razak: Good sex.

A new animation form called machinima is taking flight. With this, you can play computer games and make a film at the same time.

Can you tell us briefly what machinima is?
“Machinima” is derived from the words “machine” and “cinema” and is about creating films using video game engines instead of live action or traditional animation. You treat the 3D game world as your “set” and the game characters as your “actors,” manipulate them, record the footage, and then edit it just as you would a video production. There are other ways to make machinima, but at some point, it all involves “recording” or “shooting” 3D environments.

So what video games are most often used?
The popular ones are Sims2, Halo, Quake II, Unreal and Battlefield 1942.

Has any machinima maker put their stuff up on YouTube and got famous yet?
Yes, there are numerous clips uploaded by enthusiasts on YouTube. Popular machinima clips include “Better Life,” “Silver Bells and Golden Spurs” and a clip on male restroom etiquette which currently has a view count of 2.8 million!

How do you think machinima is going to change the animation world?
While the techniques may be different, the key essence of animation and machinima is the same; which is good storytelling. In many ways, machinima is complementary to animation. It can help to develop a better appreciation for animation and build a stronger talent pool for the animation industry.

So Pixar won’t close down?
Ha ha. I believe Pixar will get only stronger, due to the complementary nature of machinima and animation!

Comprising Ng Yu-Ying (violin), Ang Chek-Meng (violin), Lionel Tan (viola) and Leslie Tan (cello), The T’ang Quartet has been diligently bringing their brand of chamber music to Singapore since the group got together in 1992. The group is currently the resident quartet of Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and has released two albums to date. Ang spares us a few moments to talk about critics, the Singapore Biennale and their coming concert Black Russian by the T’ang Quartet.

If you had to identify one lesson that you have learned from having worked with celebrated artists such as Norman Fischer, Sergui Luca and Horia Mihail, what would it be?
That there is no substitute for hard work! All these great musicians still live for their performances and are always trying to improve although they are really established. Also, their love and respect for the music is not diminished even after so many years at the top!

And what is the most unusual praise or criticism that you guys have received?
Some have criticized us of being too “flashy” for the music. Some have criticized our costumes for our concerts. We have also received praise from Norbert Brainin of the Amadeus Quartet. He said: “I didn’t know they play chamber music so well in Singapore.” As if we still live in trees!

For the Singapore Biennale’s opening party, you guys were playing inside a tent. Some people said it was a bit pretentious. Any comment?
It was a collaboration with installation artist Ana Prvacki. I guess the point was to have musicians playing within a confined space and challenging the norm. Well, as much as we care about people’s perception of what we do, it’s all beyond our control! But I guess that’s what art is all about right? It’s about provoking a reaction from the audience!

How are you guys finding the experience at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music so far?
It has been really hectic yet satisfying! The general standards of students are amazing! It has always been our mission to help the next generation of string quartets. We hope we can guide them along and help some of these students build a career in chamber music.

Tell us about your coming concert Black Russian. What’s the concept behind it?
It’s been a long year of traveling and performing, so this is our little festive offering to our Singapore audience! The concert is titled Black Russian because we are playing a piece by American composer Michael Daugherty about an African-American communist sympathizer Paul Robeson who was given an honorary citizenship by the Soviet Union. In it, you will hear Paul Robeson on tape singing along to the String Quartet. The rest of the concert includes a very energetic and folksy work by Prokofiev. Of course there will be familiar favorites like Shostakovich’s Elegy and Polka and Tchaikovsky’s sensuous Andante Cantabile and other “white” Russian compositions!

Made up of vocalist Shane Ross, guitarist Steve Balaban, bassist Ganapatya (Glenn) and sequencer Saito, Divine 9 is an industrial band whose influences range from NIN to The Prodigy. They arrive to put up a show in the coming event Flow, sharing the stage with local bands such as Concave Scream, Plain Sunset, Saw Loser and West Grand Boulevard. We quiz Shane, Glenn and Saito to see what the band is made of.

Is there any story behind the name Divine 9?
Saito: Yes. Nine is a significant number from a numerological standpoint and it bears a degree of biblical significance. The symbol of the band is derived from the Japanese Kanji and Chinese character for Divine/Spirit/God, merged with a Celtic cross. Ha ha. Who am I kidding? To be honest, I was off my face and dreaming of a higher power when I came up with the name… and it rhymed!

Glenn, you’re the most experienced member in the band. We heard that besides the bass, you play the piano and guitar too. Which is your favorite instrument?
Glenn: The bass I would say, simply because I play bass a lot better than guitar or piano. I used to be good at piano but that was many years ago!

Personally, what’s the best thing being in this band? And the worst?
Shane: The best part is being able to work with brilliant musicians. The worst part is Saito being in Singapore and not with us. We’ve tried bribery and blackmailing to get him back to Australia on several occasions!

So what’s the process of making music for the band then? Since Saito is in Singapore.
Shane: It is tough, but modern technology helps. He designs the songs, emails us, we add to them as a band. Sometimes we’ll edit his arrangements to suit a live situation.

This is Divine 9’s second time playing in Singapore. What was the response when you guys performed previously at Home and Gashaus?
Shane: It was very positive, especially when we played at Home.
Saito: Well, a girl followed me to Zouk after our gig at Gashaus on Christmas Eve last year. She ripped my shirt off in the middle of the dance floor and I got blamed for it!

Veteran musician George Benson is often loved for his enthusiasm and deft improvisation. Though he’s known primarily as a jazz musician, his sound cuts across various musical genres, keeping things fresh. With a string of albums and eight Grammies behind him, Benson talks to us about Jack McDuff, his latest release and his coming concert.

You worked with Jack McDuff in the early ’60s. How influential is he to your music?
Wow. That’s a long time back! I thought this interview is about me? And now we’re talking about him? (Laughs) But seriously, Jack Mcduff gave me the foundation in improvisation. Improvisation can be anything. It’s your interpretation of the song, when you improvise from bar to bar, and sometimes that can lead to a lot of meaningless notes that don’t necessarily tell a story. He told me how important blues was. He said, “If you play a blues lick every now and then, everybody will listen and understand. You can play that in China and people will take notice!” I’ve put that to the test, and he was right. So I always make sure I put some blues licks in everything I play. It works very well. It brings the tune to life and gives it a reality.

Yes, we noticed that blues influence. Though you’re primarily known as a jazz musician, your music has elements of R&B and pop as well. What other genre do you hope to experiment with next?
I find that every country has a kind of music that is purely its own. I pick up bits and pieces of things from different places. That’s what kept music interesting… I like classical and flamingo. I’m now stealing things from both genres to put into my music.

What do you think could have contributed to your staying power?
I listen to what’s going on around the world. I listen to young people because they are the future. They tell us where their hearts and minds are. But I have a lot of experience, and I played with a lot of older masters. I think I am able to connect these different generations together in a way that people can appreciate. I like what I do, but I also like what others have done.

Let’s talk about your latest release Giving It Up. You and Al Jarreau go back a long time way. Why release a collaboration CD only now?
We’ve wanted to do that for a long time and we finally got around to it. The reason that we didn’t get to it earlier is that, it is only after many years that we are back in the same record company. We started off at Warner Bros. together, and went off to other companies separately after that. The fact that we’re back in the same company is a catalyst to making that album.

Tell us more about your coming concert. What can the uninitiated look forward to?
Well, in my experience when I stick to what people know about me, people are happy. So we’ll make sure we have plenty of that. We know how to have a good time. We’ll be bringing the older songs to a new level of interest, playing the new things I’ve discovered, and more. I have a formidable band with me and we know how to make people happy!

How did you first get into flamenco dancing?
I got into flamenco when I was nine or 10. I was introduced to it by my tap teacher, Rose Borromeo. She kindled my interest in the dance and has been a very great influence in my journey to master flamenco.

Ever stepped on your flowing skirt?
Many times, but thank goodness not during a show!

The dance involves quite a bit of clapping too. Do your hands hurt?
It wasn’t just my hands which hurt. As the beat gets faster, my arms started aching too. There is a certain technique in which you clap, and then it was just a matter of mastering and getting used to it!

Why do flamenco dancers stand motionless for the first few seconds, before jumping into action?
Dancing is like telling a story. Standing still builds tension in a dance. It gives a dancer a chance to immerse herself further in the story she is telling, to get the audience’s attention. In a very intense choreography, it provides the dancer a gap, a chance to catch her breath before she explodes into action.

The flamenco dance is supposed to be hot and sexy. Do you have to be subdued in your moves since you’re only 14?
I think that the moment I start performing, it doesn’t matter what age I am, because I’m not Kimberly anymore. I am playing the part of someone else. I believe that I should play every part I am given to the best of my abilities, even if it calls for me to be hot and sexy. Besides, not all types of flamenco dancing needs to be sexy. Some may need me to express the intensity and sadness of a grown-up. Either way, it’s a challenge.

It’s time to get your dancing shoes on and find your groove again as ZoukOut is here. Whether you are a mambo babe, a trancer, a house lover, an electro fan, an indie head or anything in between, rest assured there’s something in this boisterous yearly ritual to keep you suitably entertained. Here’s what to expect.

Main Arena

Headlining the Main Arena is megastar Ferry Corsten. This Dutch globetrotter, who has bagged a string of accolades such as “Best Dance DJ 2005” and “Producer of the Year,” is one of the world’s top DJs. He has produced several hits under numerous monikers, and worked with Tiesto, Vincent De Moor and Robert Smit. And his remixes for U2 (“New Year’s Day”), Duran Duran (“Reach Up For the Sunrise”) and Moby (“Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?”) have taken the world by storm. Corsten is most known for his trance, but has portrayed skillful musical dexterity in an array of genres!

Steve Lawler has graced the hottest clubs around such as Twilo in New York, Pacha in Buenos Aires and Space in Ibiza. He has thrown underground parties, played eight hours sets, got spotted by Darren Hughes, and was crowned as “The King of Space.” With his quality house, this man has shown an imitable ability to (almost always) bring the club down.

Another name to look out for at the Main Arena is Ben Sims. This techno Londoner started DJing at 10, and his three-deck wizardry is celebrated, hurling him to stardom within the international dance community. Come expecting groovy and funky music from this spinmeister to make you giddy with joy.

We say Matthew Dekay is going to be the next big thing (if he isn’t already). This Holland export plays house beats with trancy rhythms, seducing all to move to his addictive sound. And his fan base is growing fast, expanding with every dance floor he wrecks.

Aldrin needs no introduction. This famous Zouk resident has punters going wild at his monthly One with Aldrin gigs, placed Singapore on the international dance map with his distinctive house and has even won the praise of the famous Danny Tenaglia.

Velvet Underground Arena

Four-piece act Cuban Brothers is a riotous bunch. This outfit fuses comedy with music, and this, coupled with fun dance moves, is enough to make the most jaded clubber get onto his feet. Checking out their soulful, sexy tunes is a must if you are at the Velvet Underground Arena. See how they whip up frenzy—effortlessly.

And if you are into deep house, don’t miss Kerri Chandler. Especially familiar with garage music, he creates bass lines that go from heavy and invigorating to teasing and fun. This is intoxicating music to make you drunk with excitement.

Ibiza veteran DJ Pippi has shared decks with Danny Rampling, Erick Morrilo, Jose Padilla, Franky Knuckles and more. He started out in Ibiza, distributing tapes of his music, and one of them ended up in the hands of the management of the club Pacha. A swift ascension to fame followed.

And hailing from Belgium are brothers Stephan and David Dewaele who make up the act 2MANYDJS. With music that draws inspiration from progressive rock to R&B, hip hop to techno, this duo will get you shaking your booty within moments. Joining them afterwards are Stefaan Van Leuven and Steve Slingeneyer, and together, they form Nite Versions. Party to mash up sound.

Mambo Jambo/Hip Hop Arena

B-boys, fly girls, together with Mambo babes and dudes who know the hand signs to “Square Rooms,” should definitely hang out at this space. Jazzy Jeff (after a last minute cancellation at last year’s ZoukOut) headlines, with a promise to drop urban beats to make everyone wild. This turntablist is most known for his works with Will Smith.

Zouk’s kick-ass umbrella of residents Andrew Chow, Sonny, Tony Tay and Brandon will play you ear candy at the Mambo Jambo/Hip Hop Arena too. They will take their turn at the other stages as well (except Live Stage).

Live Stage

Like last year’s ZoukOut, there’s an entire stage dedicated to bands. Australian pop punk outfit Stars Don’t Fall will be playing this year. This band has played at Big Day Out 2006, and has shared stages with Funeral for a Friend and The Used.

A must-catch is Bangkok-based Futon. This excellent electro punk band, with drummer Simon Gilbert (ex-drummer of Suede), is hot, hot and hot. Its members sizzle on stage, performing with reckless abandon and getting everyone all keyed up just watching them.

Adding to the music mayhem are local bands Electrico, Plain Sunset, Astreal and The Great Spy Experiment. It’s an aural treat comprising rock, power pop, indie, punk, alternative and shoegaze. These bands will rock your socks off.

With such an amazing lineup of both local and international acts, ZoukOut is set to be a blast. To up the hip factor, Resfest is screening some of the most cutting-edge short films from its 10 year history too. There will also be foot massage services (especially useful when you’ve been dancing for hours), palmistry, drumming lessons, games, carnival rides, art installations and performers to keep things at a high. So fun, that you just can’t blame us when we open up another can of beer and a bottle of champagne to celebrate.

FreakyZ fell in love with hip hop in his secondary school days. Since then, he has won the Eminem Rap-A-Like contest, performed in shows, cut an album called The First Draft and produced for local hip hop artistes. He’s hitting the stage again for the MTV Vagary Hip Hop Countdown Party on Nov 30. Drawn by his cheerful music and infectious tunes, we grabbed him for a quick chat.

Tell us something about you that’ll freak people out.
I am so skinny that I’m two-dimensional. In a few years time, I will disappear!

What’s your must-have hip hop accessory and who’s your style icon?
My must-have hip hop accessory is a microphone. I can go on and on rapping and talking on it. Plus, when I hear some beats, I will get all crazy. Honestly, I am the worst dressed hip hop artiste in Singapore. But if there’s one person I would want to copy for style, it would be Johnny Depp because he’s so cool!

What’s your favourite dance move?
I can do the Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” move, and I’m really good at it. Seriously!

What are you working on right now?
I’m working on my second release On Second Thought, which will consist of 18 tracks. It’s a continuation of The First Draft. Other than that, I’m working on a compilation called The F Dept which consists of some of the best rappers in the local hip hop circuit. I’m also working with local rappers like Bless, Ishaaq and XS:1 on their upcoming EP or album.

Cool. And what can the uninitiated expect from you at the coming MTV Hip Hop Countdown Party?
Pure local hip hop done FreakyZ’s style, loads of fun and if you’re lucky, I might even show you the “Beat It” move!

Tell us about your ultimate dream.
Besides marrying Anne Hathaway and having Oprah Winfrey pay for the wedding, I just want to make good music for as long as I can, and I want people from all around the world to know who FreakyZ is and where Singapore is!

Tell us about your team. How many guys are there?
None. Unless you count our coach! We’re an all girls’ team, and it’s double the hard work. Girls do everything from basing to tossing. Yes, and the bitching. Ha ha.

Ok, so do you girls get the hunks?
Sadly, no. But we do get tons of encouragement and acknowledgement from the boys after the Standard Chartered Marathon!

Why must cheerleaders wear such short skirts?
So that we won’t trip over them. Ha ha.

What do you do when you have a sore throat, but you have training in an hour’s time?
We don’t practise cheering every session, so a sore throat’s not an excuse for skipping training. But if I’m really that “lucky,” I’ll just mouth the words and do the actions!

What is the most clichéd and cheesy cheer you’ve ever heard?
It’s gotta be the “North, South, East, West. Who’s the best?” cheer. So over used!

Last question, ever thought of acting in a movie like Bring It On?
Nope. Stunting isn’t half as easy as it seems. And neither is acting, I think!

The classic story Jack and the Beanstalk is about to be given a Singaporean twist. In this brand-new musical by W!LD RICE, Jack and his mother, Widow Neo, are in dire straits, with loan sharks already practicing their handwriting on their void deck. We chat up Widow Neo (played by Ivan Heng) for a lowdown on money issues and looking hip.

You look really hip. Where do you do your shopping?
Only the best for me—clothes by Gianni Bosacheng, shoes by Ferrarigamo, handbag by Herpes.

OK. What do you think makes a hip mother?
I don’t even try. Once you try to be hip, sure to fail. You got see those new MPs?

What happened to your husband?
People say the Giant made Roti John and ate him. But I think he ran away with my best friend, and they live in Batam.

Is it hard playing the roles of both the father and mother for Jack?
I work three jobs. In the day, I stuff pamphlets into HDB letter boxes —very siong now they have anti-junk lock. At night, I work at Lau Pa Sat as Singapore’s oldest Tiger Beer Girl. STB just gave me an award for balancing my big jugs. I’ve started pyramid selling—even though I have not seen a pyramid in my life.

What are your aspirations for Jack? Good grades or…
Jack is taking his N-levels for the third time. Last chance already. I think I might be barking up the wrong tree.

Well, do you believe in corporal punishment?
I have a boyfriend who likes to dress up as a corporal and he likes me to punish him. I like!!

Last question, what have the loan sharks done to you so far?
They say I die die must service my loan. So I service them lor!