Standing for “Out-of-Bounds,” the term OB originated from golf, where the bounds designated the area of play. Essentially, when a ball is hit out of bounds, it’s no longer in play. Unofficially adopted by Singaporeans officials, the term has been used to describe “no-go” zones (or topics) in public discussion, media and other forms of expression in Singapore. Officials have admitted that the markers will move depending on the perceived acceptance or tolerance of the public.

The OB Index has been I-S Magazine’s way of subjectively charting the ups and downs of openness, tolerance and freedom of expression in Singapore since 2003. Each week we scour the news to see if anything has happened that will affect the Index. Generally, happenings that promote freedom of expression, personal rights, tolerance and progressive policies make the Index go up. Likewise, happenings that trend in the opposite direction make the Index go down. The editors determine a subjective numerical value (e.g. +100 or -100) based on the significance of the event.

So, your band’s on the radio? Oh, my. How passé. In an age where people’s attention spans are like humming birds on speed, music outfits are taking marketing to a new level to make an impression. Many of these bands are taking the alternative route and using tech and the Internet as a means of getting their sounds out, and a select few have gone a little further—as we found out.

Live...Or Something Like It

Who: Local ambient outfit Embryo
How: Live performances? Boooring. Audiences were treated to an intimate set from Embryo when the band took part in Audioreload.com’s Red Bean Sessions late last year. Instead of playing a cafe or pub, however, Embryo played a set in a cozy studio which was streamed via the website directly to fans’ computers. To make it feel like a proper live set, Embryo even offered a bit of commentary about their music. And in case you missed the performance, the set is still available online.
Related Links: www.audioreload.com; www.myspace.com/the_embryo

Virtual Insanity

Who: UK-based independent industrial band DeathBoy
What: Instead of touring England to support their 2006 release “End of an Error,” DeathBoy opted instead to play a “gig” in Second Life, the online world that simulates an exaggerated version of the real world, giving those in attendance an almost authentic concert experience. While the gig was not actually performed live, but streamed with animated versions of the band dancing along to the songs, it came with real-time commentary before each track.
Related Links: www.deathboy.co.uk; www.secondlife.com

Diesel Powered

Who: Singaporean electronica band Muon
What: A band putting their music online used to be a surefire way of getting their sound to a much larger audience. But these days, with so many unsigned bands online—some good, some utterly crappy—there’s always the risk of getting lost in the crowd. Muon, however, took the smart approach and attached itself to well-known fashion label Diesel last year, as part of the brand’s U: Music online music competition. Through this partnership, Muon’s music traveled well beyond Singapore’s shores and has brought them international recognition. The U: Music competition is opening again on Apr 2.
Related Links: www.muonmagick.com; www.diesel.com/#/cult/music

Thumb Nail

Who: Popular rock band Nine Inch Nails (NIN)
What: As a concept album about a paranoid, almost 1984-esque future, hidden messages seemed like the perfect platform to market NIN’s upcoming release Year Zero. They took the form of letters in bold on a tour T-shirt that together spelled the URL for a site about the album’s story (www.iamtryingtobelieve.com). Soon after, European fans started posting messages online about finding hidden USB devices at toilets of NIN concert venues, which contained promotional material and MP3s of new songs.
Related Link: www.nin.com; www.yearzero.nin.com

Films and television shows tagged with creative marketing promotions

The Matrix

Tapping into the cyberpunk feel of this 1999 cult-classic action flick, the filmmakers included a password at the end of the movie that allowed fans to “hack” into the official site (www.thematrix.com) and access hidden sections.

The Blair Witch Project

Pretending to be a real documentary, this 1999 horror flick started scaring the pants off popular culture’s psyches before it even hit the screens, when the website (www.blairwitch.com) started documenting the “legend” of the Blair Witch as a serious phenomenon. To add more to the feel, the three main actors were listed as “missing, presumed dead” on film site the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com).

Heroes

To add another layer to this popular television show’s mystery, the Heroes website (www.nbc.com/heroes) also features an online “graphic novel” that runs parallel to the show’s events.

We look at the quirky and cool ways that bands have been using tech to market their music—guerrilla style.

Recently playing one of the leads in director Christopher Guest’s comedy For Your Consideration, she spoke with us about her career, Guest and who’d win if she and co-star Parker Posey really do throw down.

How does it feel like working with Christopher Guest over the years?
I love working with Chris and I’m honored to be in his company. There is no other job like it. We get to develop our characters based on Chris and [co-writer and actor] Eugene [Levy]’s inspiring script outline and then express those characters organically through improvisation, all under the sure-handed guidance of our fearless leader, Christopher Guest.

Would you consider him the funniest man on earth?
Chris is more than just funny. He is wise and confident. He is caring and generous. To top it off, he never repeats an improvised line from take to take and every one of them is funnier than the last.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from working on so many films over the years?
I like to think I’ve learned a lot from my work, but one thing that stands out is the importance of choosing your jobs and co-workers wisely. The work should be worthy of your efforts and you can do a better job yourself if you can trust others to do theirs.

How do you pick your scripts?
I try to choose scripts that have good stories to tell, but sometimes I just fall for a big laugh. I’ve made mistakes but I also try to work with talented, confident people. I’m not attracted to good roles in bad scripts. I’d rather be a part of something wonderful.

Do you ever see a point in your life where you’ll just stop acting?
I hope acting will be the death of me. But not until many years from now, please, God.

Who’d win in a fight: you or Parker Posey?
Parker would beat my ass.

Motorola and Oakley O-ROKR

What is it:
Bluetooth-enabled eyewear from Motorola and Oakley.

Why you need it:
Because sometimes jogging on treadmills just doesn’t cut it. If you’re looking for a change of scenery, you might want to strap on this shades-cum-Bluetooth device before heading out for a run. Aside from filtering UV, this baby’s also got stereo sound, whether you’ll need it to answer calls or listen to music while jogging.

The details:
$434. MOTO Service One, #B2-23 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Rd., Hotline: 1800-882-8828.

Nike Triax C8

What is it:
The stylish heart-rate monitor from Nike.

Why you need it:
This baby’s customizable helps you know when you’ve reached your target heart rate. Also, unlike other bulky or clumsy heart-rate monitors the Triax C8 is ergonomically designed to fit your wrist and the chest strap. Likewise, it’s comfortable and feels neither constricting nor clunky.

The details:
$259. Nike Cineleisure, #03-08 Orchard Cineleisure, 8 Grange Rd., 6235-4125.

Nike + iPod Sports Kit

What is it:
A pair of Nike shoes that synchs up with your iPod Nano.

Why you need it:
You mean aside from looking oh-so-cool while you work out? Well, how about the fact that this combination allows you to keep track of essential fitness information like distance, time, pace and calories burned, via your Nano? A sensor that slips into a built-in pocket in the shoes keeps track of all this info and sends it to a receiver that you can plug into your iPod and—voila—it’s that easy to keep track of how your workout’s going.

The details:
While it’s been the talk of the town in the States for a while, it isn’t in stores here just yet. But keep an eye out: This great combination is set to hit our shores some time this year.

Samsung K3

What is it:
The new, super-slim MP3 player from Samsung.

Why you need it:
The last thing you want is a bulky MP3 player making peculiar shapes in your itsy bitsy exercise shorts. (It might make things a little awkward in the locker room.) Measuring in at a diminutive 44 x 96 x 6.95mm, you’ll barely even notice the K3’s there while you hit the treadmills or go for your run around the neighborhood.

The details:
1GB, $178; 2GB, $248; 4GB, $348; 8GB; $428. Aik Leong Electrical Enterprise, #01-16 Blk. 121, Bukit Merah Lane 1, 6271-9365.

Sennheiser MXL 70VC Sport

What is it:
The headphones that have been tailor made for the sporting life.

Why you need it:
Designed for comfort while you’re working out, these headphones will assure that no stray wires start bouncing around and smacking you in the face while you’re pumping weights. With the sound quality that the brand’s become known for and a secure fit, this one’s a must for sporty types who need their grooves while working out.

The details:
$69.90. Challenger Superstore Funan, #06-00 Funan DigitaLife Mall, 109 North Bridge Rd., 6336-7747.

Tech-ercise

Alright, so maybe some techies are a bit too lazy to get out and enjoy a good workout. Nevertheless, here are some “exercises” designed for all you laptop jockeys out there.

• Stretching your fingers and turning your wrist. Hey, you don’t want to get carpal tunnel syndrome from all that gaming, do you?

• Regular brisk walks—to the kitchen or the toilet while waiting for videos to load on YouTube.

• Stretching your arms—to reach for your CD-Rs.

• Work those arms by constantly banging your computer in frustration every time the damn thing “hangs.”

Goth—the dark and morbid subculture that’s synonymous with music from the likes of Depeche Mode, The Cure and Nine Inch Nails—has never had a very vocal presence in Singapore. Mark Koh, marketing manager from Gas Haus, however, decided to change that recently when he launched Heart of Darkness (HOD), the first ever night dedicated purely to the Goth/fetish/alternative subculture.

“The Gothic subculture has always been close to my heart,” says Koh. “I get nostalgic every time I recall the experiences I had, particularly those abroad when I was part of the Perth Order of Gothic Societies and Submerge, both non-profit gothic community bodies. I got to see Marilyn Manson, Covenant, KMFDM and even the Prodigy live! The atmosphere of these concerts was so dark and romantic. My wish is to see this vibrancy emerge in Singapore as a cultural movement. Moreover, no one has attempted to do a dedicated Gothic night, so if I, with all my opportunities, don’t do it, I believe no one will.”

Debuting earlier this month, HOD features a mix of DJ sets and live bands. While acts like Absence of the Sacred rock the crowd with metal, Koh himself, Singaporean icon X’Ho (under the guise of DJ Mentor) and Australian DJ Saito Nagasaki work the decks, providing an even more eclectic mix and bringing in other genres synonymous with the subculture like ’80s synthpop, industrial, hardcore and EBM.

With all these nasty sounding labels, of course, the next question would be the sort of crowd HOD attracts. While, yes, there are the metal heads and the punks, there’ve actually been tons more “normal” people than devoted Goths showing up, offering a nice blend.

“We have had more of the curious than the actual scenesters,” says Koh. “I do know for sure that the fetish community had representatives, but they don’t wear their gear in public. Funnily enough, more than half of them have given me business cards hailing from major banks! I’ll never look at a trader the same way again.”

With a one-for-one on Jack Daniels and beers during Happy Hour (8-10:15pm), some great music and, most importantly, an interesting crowd, Goth may be the dark and gloomy subculture, but that’s not going to stop HOD from being one hell of a party.

How did you get involved with The Namesake?
I was actually getting ready to do another movie in Montreal called The Last Kiss, when my agent said that Mira [Nair] was going to direct The Namesake. I loved the book, so I was so excited to hear about it.

As someone who moved away from your home at a young age, did you feel a connection to the film?
Absolutely. A lot of people ask me if I connect to my scenes, but I feel that I connect more to the main character Gogol (Kal Penn), who is part of two stimulating and different cultures. I’ve spent all of my adult life in a different country, so I can also relate to Ashima’s experience of feeling uncomfortable and out of synch because I remember feeling that way when I moved to Germany when I was just 18.

What did you do to prepare for your role?
I obviously reread the book again. I did rehearsals with Mira a lot and even flew to New York earlier to get comfortable with her.

While we’re talking about Mira Nair, tell us what it was like working with her.
It was fantastic. She has this incredible creative energy and a warm encompassing spirit. She brings everyone on set close and makes them feel that their creative input is valid. She also has an incredible eye; the way she sees the world is so beautifully, vibrantly lush.

And what was it like working with Kal Penn?
We had a lot of fun. He worked really hard and was very dedicated to the part. It was a really challenging role for him. We would joke around and tease each other when we weren’t filming, but when we had to work, he was really committed.

Did you pick up any Hindi while working on the film?
No! I wish! I didn’t, but it was really great for me to be around and listen to different people speaking Bengali on the set.

What’s next for you?
I don’t know yet. I did four movies back to back, and I’m literally exhausted because they were all shot in different parts of the States and Canada.

PLUS: see our movie review of The Namesake

We guarantee that you’ll only have a vague recollection, at best, of life without the Internet. While the World Wide Web is probably one of the most universal examples of how technology in general has completely altered the way we work, play, communicate and think, it won’t take you long to think of other tech inventions that have done the same. We take a look at ways that tech has rooted itself in our lives—and will continue to do so.

TOY STORY

There’s the good and there’s the bad. Everyone’s got their favorite tech toy (heck, some freak-shows even name their darling gadgets), but on the flipside, most people have suffered their fair share of tech-related embarrassments–oddly enough, thanks to their aforementioned favorite tech toys.

WHO: Ian Purnomo, 25, Public Relations Executive

FAV TECH TOY: “My 60GB Apple iPod”.

D’OH MOMENT: “One time, my ex-girlfriend borrowed it to store her big college assignment. I didn’t mind, until one nerdy, smartass friend of hers un-hid the hidden folders in the iPod that contained videos and pictures of good-looking ladies in improper manners and showed them to her. What followed were lots of scoldings and “cold turkey” nights. She wiped out all my ‘collection’ too, but thankfully left all the music intact.”

WHO: Nadia Daeng, 24, Senior Account Executive

FAV TECH TOY: “Not really a tech toy, more of a social network service called VelvetPuffin—stop asking me about the name!—that I use on my mobile phone and PC.”

D’OH MOMENT: “I was happily looking through some of the pictures on my buddy list and, to my horror, I found an old picture of me back then when I dressed up as one of Taufik Batisah’s ‘Brides’ for finals of the first season of Singapore Idol. Talk about having my past coming back to haunt me. Let it friggin’ go already!”

WHO: Cheryl Chin, 27, Marketing Communications Executive

FAV TECH TOY: “Though a little outdated, my fav tech toy is my battered Sony Ericsson K750i. Being able to listen to my MP3s on it helps me survive public transport.”

D’OH MOMENT: “I lent it to a male friend without deleting the messages and photos that I was receiving from another friend—a passionate and adventurous female. I only found out he knew because when he returned my mobile, I found text messages in the Inbox where he had mentioned his find to another mutual friend. We never spoke about it, but things were a little weird between us for a while.”

WHO: Steph C, 32, Unemployed

FAV TECH TOY: “My Nokia 5300 XpressMusic handphone.”

D’OH MOMENT: “None with my 5300 yet, but I could tell you what led to me acquiring it. Being exceptionally butterfingered, I dropped my Motorola V3 in a bowl of soup in my haste to pick up the call. So it was hellooo 5300. Mind you, this isn’t the first time a handphone of mine kena death by drowning. Conclusion: me, handphones and soups within close proximity of each other do not bode well.”

Upcoming tech toys

Professional Help

THE GOOD: HUMAN INTERACTION

“The use of Information Technology (or IT) has made human interaction more accessible to many people and this provides a good source of social support, which has a beneficial influence on one’s psychological and physiological health. People who are bedridden have other ‘inconveniences’ that hinder them from leaving their homes, or shun face-to-face interpersonal interactions can access online support groups.”

THE BAD: STRESSED OUT

“However, less research has been done on the negative consequences of IT use on interpersonal interactions. Most research has focused on the negative consequences of IT use on the user. For example, technology is also a source of stress; a survey of 257 personnel employed in the IT industry in Singapore found that system maintenance was one of the sources of work stress. Long term use of IT has also found to be associated with psychosomatic disorders. Due to the sedentary nature of computer usage, it has also been found to be positively related to percentage body fat among children. Hence, there are both positive and negative effects for the use of technology.”

THE UGLY: ANONYMITY ONLINE

“Several studies have consistently found that anonymity increases the likelihood of hostile acts or aggression. The reason for this is likely to be, with increased anonymity, there is decreased accountability (that is, they’re less likely to be “caught” and “punished”). Whether this is due to bringing out the worst in people is more of a philosophical question than a psychological one.”