Sarah Tan, co-founder of online and pop-up boutique Robe Raiders, talks about raiding fashionistas’ wardrobe, then reselling their designers’ goods.

How did Robe Raiders come about?
One of my partners, Resham Melwani (center; pictured), wanted to clear her wardrobe without having to give her designer clothing and bags away when they were still in good condition. She came to me with an idea of a luxury resale pop-up event—which I’ve done several before. Our third partner, Claudia Sondakh (who’s behind multi-label online store Retail Therapy, far left; pictured) was on the same page, so we all joined forces.

How did Robe Raiders become so successful?
What appeals to our customers is being able to own a Hermes top, Prada skirt, Bottega Veneta bag or Givenchy dress for a fraction of what it costs, though the bulk of our stock are past season. It also helps that most of our consignors are well-traveled and fashion savvy so we have managed to carry apparel from it labels like Azzedine Alaia, The Row, Alessandra Rich and Opening Ceremony, in addition to the more well-known designer brands. We also do stringent checks on brand, condition and desirability.

How often do you hold a physical pop-up sale?
We always aim for around three to four a year. During our pop-up sales we work with other vendors who we feel complement Robe Raiders—like Curated Editions, an accessories retailer and F&B sponsors such as like Swirls Bakeshop and La Tarte Tartin. Now that we have a permanent showroom, customers can also check out our goods in between pop-up events.

Any nasty experiences?
We almost sold a fake designer item! A new shipment came in from a consignor and before we could check it thoroughly, a customer, who was present at that time, wanted to buy it immediately. Thankfully, we hadn’t priced it yet, so we couldn’t release the product. Thereafter we scrutinized it, realized it was a replica, and returned it to the consignor who told her she wasn’t aware as it was a gift.

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American singer-songwriter Adam Young, or more famously known as Owl City, is ready to rock the stage for The Closing Concert at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. We caught up with the small-town artist before the gig.

You’re often described as deeply shy and introverted. How’s it like being popular?
It is a really weird concept to me because I still am that "deeply shy and introverted" kind from a small town. I don't think I will ever get used to the idea of people recognizing me and knowing my name outside my hometown.

Are you even a fan of fast cars?
Cars are actually a major passion of mine. Adding fast cars and racing together is a dream.

Excited to rub shoulders with the likes of Rihanna and Justin Bieber?
They are such major international stars that I am humbled to be sharing a stage with them.

How do you juggle between Owl City and your other solo projects like Port Blue and Swimming With Dolphins?
Currently, Owl City has taken the majority of my time. Everything else has just been side projects and different outlets for me to express different forms of music and art.

You have plenty of touring members. The more the merrier?
Creating the music has always been a singular task but when I perform, it’s a different experience. I wanted fans to get something they couldn't get from just listening to the album. I like that the live show is a bit more of a loud rock show.

Anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
Enya.

What’s on your playlist?
Right now, I’m so behind in music. I have just gotten off tour so I am not sure what new music is out.

What would you be doing if you’re not a music artist?
Probably working at a gas station, or still at my first job—loading boxes at the Universal Postal Service store.

Small town dude with a twist of fate that got you to where you are today. Inspiring. If there’s something you’d change, what would that be?
Nothing.  I get to do something I love everyday.  It’s not even work to me.  It’s just fun and who wouldn't want that?

Most outrageous fan mail?
Someone sent me cereal once. That was pretty outrageous… outrageously awesome.

Owl City performs at The Closing Concert at The Padang on Sep 23. Tickets at $98 - $4226.50 from the F1 Singapore Grand Prix website.

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We talk to Australian choreographer James Batchelor about the new gallery-style performance art installation Ersatz Thailand, which examines the relationship between body and space by allowing the audience to walk among the six performers. The hybrid installation, with visuals by Thai artist Kobored, can be experienced on Sep 13-15 at Paragon Cineplex (5/F Siam Paragon).

How do you find working in Thailand for the first time?
James: It is great that we have the opportunity to display the third development of Ersatz in Thailand, to a completely new audience. It will be a new experience for us and for them. Because contemporary dance is abstract, to have the visual element that will compliment it to convey meaning is an exciting development for us. 
 
How have things progressed?
James: We got only three weeks for preparation so it’s been intense because, despite all the support, we have to arrange everything ourselves from finding the location to promotion.
 
What will we take away from Ersatz Thailand?
James: I think you can count on things you haven’t seen before. It’s new, exciting and free as well. So you should come along and embrace what the next generations of artists are doing in Australia and Thailand—all at a very intimate level, too. 
 
Can you explain the premise a bit more?
James: The audience will be gathered outside before entering the space in which three separate installations are activated and deactivated at different times. You are free to move between each of the set-ups which have different concepts and approaches regarding media and performance. In this way, you can really take a journey of experience, not just sit and watch from the outside.
 
What is the message behind it?
James: Whatever is perceived is valid, but from my perspective, it is definitely how we relate to the environment and space around us. Hopefully it will encourage people to think of the value of the relationships we have with our surroundings and how easily things can change because sometimes we take it for granted.
 
What kind of an impact do you think it will have?
James: Hopefully it will pave the way for more collaboration between Thai and Australian artists and give people here the courage to do uncompromised kinds of art, which you don’t see too much of at the moment.

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New three-piece KOBE quickly became a band to watch after the release of their debut EP Here which featured the intriguing folk-rock single “The Ballad of a Man and His Sorrow.” BK briefly caught up with Bain Choppoowong (composer, vocals and guitar), Tawan Chiraseepanya (bass and vocals) and Aryu Charuburana (drums and vocals) ahead of their next gig on Sep 15 at Play Yard by Studio Bar. For details about this event, click here.

How did the band form?
TK: We’ve known each other since the seventh grade when we started playing music together. While still at school we formed a band with a couple of other friends and entered various music contests for fun. When we got to college, we started to think seriously about making our own music. But the problem was we all went to different universities and it was hard to catch up. In our third year, we recorded a bunch of CDs and sold them at the Fat Fest. Then when we were about to graduate, the other members quit, so it was just the three of us left to pursue our dreams. 
 
Why do you release your songs in English?
Bain: We think that our lyrics are best understood and flow more naturally in English. 
Tawan: When we make music, we write in Thai and English. We used to translate English into Thai but then we realized that our songs are a much better fit when expressed in English.  
 
What’s the inspiration behind your sound? 
Tawan: We listen to all kinds of music; I mostly like folk, but we never want to label our sound as one genre. I would say our music is folk-rock and reflects the things that we face in our everyday lives and that anyone can relate to.
Aryu: We sing about life, relationships and other stuff that people can really get into. Our sound is a combination of acoustic folk and rock. I listen to a lot of 90s rock—I love Travis and other rock bands that remind me of our teenage years.  
Bain: In the end, when people hear our music, they can sense we’re an independent act.

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Ahead of Blackhead’s White Line comeback concert on Sep 14, BK talks to the rock band’s frontman Aanon Saisaengjun, aka Pu BlackHead, 43, about his bout with depression, the beauty of coincidences and the secret to his band’s longevity. 
I loved doing activities at school, whether it was classic masked plays, soccer or music. My dad wanted me to learn to play the piano, but I wasn’t interested. This was around middle school and my friends were really into playing guitar, so eventually we formed a band.
 
My high school teacher ignited my passion for music. Our band would join music competitions held by the government and he would always encourage us. He made me realize that this is what I wanted to do: sing and play guitar.
 
It was a long road to Blackhead. It all started when I met the guitarist from a band called Blue Planet. By coincidence we met again at Saloon Pub, a well-known rock pub in Pattaya, where I asked if they needed a singer. Blue Planet agreed to let me sing for them, which kick-started my music career.
 
Things don’t always happen the way you want them to, but you have to keep going. After joining the band for a while, the record company we were signed to went under. Just like that, Blue Planet was no more. 
 
I went to live in Koh Samed alone for a year, only telling a few close friends, not even my family. It was supposed to be a short trip, but none of my friends could go with me. I didn’t plan to stay for long but the care-free lifestyle there got me hooked for a year. 
 
I did all kinds of jobs there, from being a song-taew ticket guy to singing in a pub in exchange for a room to stay in and being a beach boy selling water sports packages. I slept where I could on the beach using a coconut as my pillow.
 
I was lying on the beach looking scruffy and dirty. My close friend looked me straight in the face and didn’t even recognize me until I shouted, “It’s me, Pu!” He told me that my parents were really worried and my friends were looking for me. I realized then that there’s more to my life than myself.
 
I joined another heavy rock band called Uranium, where I met bassist Tong. It was another series of unfortunate events as Uranium’s record label also went out of business. Everybody went their separate ways. But my encounter with Tong got us bonding and jamming. Eventually we formed a new band, today known as Blackhead. 
 
I wouldn’t be where I am today without certain people: Chucky Thanyarat for being such a huge inspiration, Blue Planet for giving me a chance, Pong Hin Lek Fai for guiding me through the life of a musician filled with temptations and obstacles.
 
Making music is like writing in a diary. Some people can’t handle a band changing its musical direction, but forget that we, as humans, go through different stages in our lives. Each chapter is not going to be the same. 
 
I was depressed for years before Blackhead’s big break. We needed to sell singles and didn’t even think about making albums anymore. Rather than craft our music, we were pushed to think of big choruses that would sell. We literally didn’t even think about the rest of the song. 
 
As a musician, it kills me to not do things the way I know is right. It was then that we decided to only do concerts instead of making up new hooks.
 
The most important thing for a musician is support. It doesn’t matter if it’s a million fans or ten fans, I’m happy knowing there’s someone out there listening to our music. It helps us forget the hard times and focus on what we can do to give back to our fans. A band is only as good as the relationships between its members. We’re still active all these years later because we love each other like brothers. Bands tend to fall out when one member feels they’re doing more than the others, and there are times when that’s certainly the case. Fighting and arguing is all well and good, but you have to remember to communicate. 
 
Without passion, a musician is dead. Everything starts from your love for it: without it you won’t practice as hard, won’t be as thirsty to learn and won’t take criticism. And this is reflected in your music.
 
Lullaby Entertainment gave us the push we needed for this concert. We know the younger people working for Lullaby and also know that they’ve brought in many quality international bands. We weren’t so sure if we could do it, but the Lullaby guys came back and said, “We’ve seen you play before, we know you’ll rock it.” 
 
Our true fans ensure our name will go down in history. They pass on our music to their children and it’s just amazing. I met a fan once who came to our concert with his son—it was truly heartwarming. This is why we don’t get bored of what we do.
 
Taking a step back doesn’t mean you’re running away from the problem. It can give you a fresh perspective to get you through the hard times. 
 
I want to open my own hotel— nothing fancy just a small and cozy place. It’s been a dream ever since I lived on Samed. I’ve bought land in Prachinburi and plan to open one there.
 
There are no boundaries when it comes to love. If you love someone and make them happy, and vice versa, that’s really all you can ask for. I don’t care what people think about me dating someone much younger; if we’re happy and our parents are okay with it, nothing else matters.
 
I used to think the perfect picture was being married with kids. But I just got off the phone with Tong [Blackhead bass player] and I asked him, “If I do have kids, how am I going to send them to school and raise them in this chaotic city?” It’s just not for everyone. Now I just try to make the best of the present.
 

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Uber-talented local singer-songwriter Weish is set to entertain the crowd at this year’s F1 with her funky looper instrument, keyboard and voice. She tells us how she got started ahead of her upcoming gig.

How did your journey begin?
In terms of starting to make my own music and becoming active, it was only in mid-2012 when some friends bought me a looper for my birthday. That excited the hell out of me because it offered so many possibilities. But it wasn't till local band Plainsunset found an old cover I did of their song that I become visible at all; I was invited to play a show alongside local musician Jon Chan and was generously given my own set time, which I used to debut my looper stuff. The response was great, and things have miraculously picked up since.

Where do you draw your musical inspirations from?
Musically, it's hard to say. I grew up on Bach and The Beatles, spent my teenage years with everything from Eminem to Death Cab, Justin Timberlake to Radiohead, Zero 7 to The Strokes. I also am tremendously inspired by various people that I've worked with in the local scene. We've got some really amazing musicians, poets, and playwrights.

How do you feel being in an entertainment lineup with the likes of Rihanna?
It feels pretty darn weird. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would happen. I’m way more stoked about The Killers though! But I doubt we’ll be on similar stages nor share holding rooms, or anything like that. So I’ll be spending all my off-stage time slinking around tents to stalk them down.

Weish performs on Sep 21-22 at various locations around Zone 1 and 4 of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. For tickets and more info on the entertainment lineup, log on to the Singapore GP website.

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Upside Motion’s Beatriz Barreto sheds light on Pilates’ role in recuperation.

Pilates as physiotherapy—how does it work?
The primary purpose of Pilates in healing is to provide a more stable inner core for the spine and limbs, permitting safer, better function and facilitating a return to physical activity.

What are some Pilates-related exercises readers can do in the office on the days they can’t make a class?
The Standing Hip Extension—an Xtend Barre exercise—is great for strengthening your glutes. Stand at the desk with your feet hip-distance apart. Check that your ears, shoulders, hips and ankles are in alignment. Using your desk or chair as support, extend your right heel behind while keeping your back straight. Engage your glutes—lift and lower on eight counts. Repeat on the other side. Do four sets of this.

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Terry Ong talks to Dr. Eugene Tan, Programme Director (Lifestyle Programme Office) from the Singapore Economic Development Board.

What’s new and upcoming at Gillman?
Just opened is Yeo Workshop by Audrey Yeo who studied in Columbia as well as Sotheby’s Institute. With her extensive contacts and expertise, the gallery will play a developmental role to grow the local art cycle’s system and industry. I am also looking forward to the Centre for Contemporary Art which will open in October. This special project by the Nanyang Technological University will hold various residency programs with nine studio spaces for artists to produce new works. Then there is Pearl Lam opening in November, which will be concentrating on Chinese art are informed by Western art forms.

Are you making any changes based on the last year?
Based on the feedback that we’ve received from visitors, one of the main issues is connectivity throughout the belt. Right now, discussions are ongoing to fill the existing spaces. So once that is sorted, walking through Gillman Barracks will feel less of a stretch. We also want to keep the nature element here, which is why we’d rather not have too many walkways connecting the different blocks, but we have just created new sign postings so that new visitors will have a better sense of where the galleries are located. There might also be more F&B outlets here in the near future.

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The legendary DJ-producer, one-half of Orbital, will be dropping Brit dance classics at the upcoming 1 World Music Festival. He talks to us about the state of electronic music.

The dance music industry is… thinking big.

What moves me today is… simple raw music and good drama.

Nightclubs today are… the same as they've always been.

Modern music today is… too compressed and manicured.

The last time I got drunk I…listened to the 40 part motet by Tomas Tallis while sitting round a camp fire watching a meteor shower. It was a real moment.

Orbital plays Sep 20 at 1 World Music Festival, which takes place Sep 20-21 at the Marina Barrage. $98-188 from the website.

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Indonesia’s leading street artist is now one of the country’s most sought after, named by Art+Auction magazine recently in its list of “50 under 50 Most Collectible Artists”. His works are clever parodies of Indonesia’s socio-political issues, reminiscent of the UK’s Banksy, focusing mainly on the downfall of Suharto’s regime in the ‘90s and its repercussions. He waxes lyrical about today’s art world and his latest show We Are What We Mask, now showing at the Singapore Tyler Print Institute.

What is the current state of Indonesian contemporary art?
The young have a lot to offer and it’s all very interesting because the art scene is continually evolving and keeping pace with the times and our political developments.

What is your working process like?
I always start with communication, whether it's physical communication or communication with myself.  

Who or what are you influenced by?
People that I’ve met, places I've visited, situations I've found myself in, things I’ve learned and the issues that I've encountered.

What can you tell us about your current show?
I worked with a lot of different techniques and media like paper-making, sewing, sculpturing, printing, drawing and photographing. I carried out what I would call "small communication" about Singapore's culture and society. It was very interesting for me as an observer because the issues that occur in Singapore are similar to the situations in Indonesia. I hope that this little “research” I’ve conducted can be accepted by artgoers here.

What's your pet peeve about art?
The tricky art market and various gallery trappings.

Who would you like to work with?
Everyone and everything. I am very flexible.

We Are What We Mask is on through Oct 9 at the Singapore Tyler Print Institute. Free.

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