"Infrared City" Exhibition in September.

Venue:

National Library Board

100 Victoria Street Singapore 188064

- The Promenade (Level 8)

Opening Hours:

Mon – Sun : 10:00am – 9:00pm

Date:
1st Sept - 16th Sept 2007

Admission: Free


Come and see Singapore through the lenses of the Infrared Photography Collective and experience a very specialized and rarely seen photography technique.

Consisting of professionals and amateur hobbyists from all walks of life

brought together by a common passion for Infrared Photography, the Infrared Photography Collective brings their specialized craft into the public eye for the first time.

So come down and experience a truly unique Singapore.

Contact IRPhotoSg@gmail.com for more details.

Come meet the photographers on the opening day, 1st Sept @ 3pm, and find out more about Infrared photography!

Stream of Consciousness

There are many preconceptions on Singapore and club life. Some of them are true. Indeed they are. I tell no lies. This is a state that is well run, highly efficient, safe and secure. Club life, a platform for hedonism and debauchery may therefore seem bland and uninspiring. That is, if one simply skims the surface. What one ‘in the scene’ will quickly find out is that in actual fact it only takes a paddle into the creative pool of Singapore to find that it’s diversity spreads like wild fire. From racial integration to the unparalleled variety of food, this environment of both shades and flavour leave a very special sense to grow. Sound. And with the pace at which this country moves it’s impossible not to imagine a partner to that element. Dance. Club life therefore, although undeniably in its infancy, when compared to Europe, is both absorbent and abundant on the island. But, what the discerning clubber who knows what is, what should and indeed what could be, will tell you, is that the majority of the clubs have succumbed to mass markets. Diversity is there while substance however, is not. Or so it might seem. Let us go back to Singapore’s image of sterility, or better put, succinct efficiency, which I will add is the only way for necessary parts of a society to work, such as hospitals, immigration buildings and civil service. The nature of creativity and enjoyment however, (two components I think absolutely necessary to any society as well as any clubbing experience) is about exploring. It’s about taking tangents and not looking back, making mistakes and learning as you walk the path. After traveling around the world and having lived here for seven years with a break in the middle, I can confidently say there is only one place, which really embraces this alternative vision on experience and achievement. This is HOME. You will find no exuberant facade for unknown needs, no unwanted cost for anything more than the purist elements of true nightlife.

loopinmotion live @ HOME 20/8/07

Our latest update for HOME's podcast is a Live recording from HOME on a Monday night by a dear friend, loopinmotion. A master of both decks and effects he puts together something different and refreshing for any electronic dancefloor. Going more towards the electro flavour than what those who know are used to. Here it is with the rest in an embedded browser, fancy hahaha...


Click here to get your own player.

Joe and Ginette play in Malaysia!

Both Joe and Ginette went up to Malaysia individually to play at different events recently. Ginette played with Twilight Action Girl at Loft, Zouk KL on Friday 13th July while Joe spinned at Juice Mag 5th bday bash at Passion on the 30th of June.

I sat down with them to ask them a few questions of their experiences.

1. What is unique about the Malaysian audience?

Ginette: The thing that's unique about our neighbours is that they'll dance to anything! Even to music they don’t know, so that's great!

Joe: It went like a flash and the few hours snapped to an end. Just like that. It was such a kick. I beleive if you drop in a good tune, audience from anywhere will react in similar berserk fashion.

2. How would you compare the indie scene to Singapore?

Ginette: From many times I've played at gigs with my band and that recent time when I went to spin with TAG, I would say that the Malaysian scene kids are very open and receptive to new forms of music and very very hospitable. Everytime I'm there, it's fabulous!

Joe: Malaysia has a super vibrant scene. The fact that the peninsula with a population close to 30 million and a huge landmass, is a hinterland of creative opportunities. Although Kuala Lumpur is still very much where it's at, all the major cities have their own scene. It creates a rich diversity, like a scene within a scene.

3. Did you have to adapt your play list to a different audience or were they as susceptible to the tunes you usually spin at Beat!?

Ginette: I didn't have to adapt at all. They knew everything and are crazy party folks!

Joe: Slightly. What I know from playing at Beat was that you never go in with a set playlist. You have to feel the crowd. That's what I did that night.

4. What did you think of the other acts that played that night?

Ginette: TAG are great, especially to have done this for so many years now. I've always thought them great and helped bring them down to our island to spin with Poptart back in '05.

Joe: Zack was the other guest dj/selecter that night. He's from KL and is in a band called the Desserters. He's a good friend. We got smashed but fortunately his wife who was sober drove us home.

5. Who is one Malaysian act you admire and would like to play with?

Ginette: I'm not very familiar with their DJs, but I am familiar with a few of their bands and are friends with them. I've been playing shows there with my various bands since '93. I like playing with KLPHQ, the guys are great!

Joe: The guys from Twilight Action Girl! We gotten them over a few weeks ago. Ginette went up to gig there last month.

6. Do you have many Malaysian trips planned in the future? What about other international destinations?

Ginette: I'll be playing the rock tent with TAG (Twilight Action Girl) in October in the Malaysian leg of the Global Gathering! So I'm really excited about that! My own slot! I hope to do Loft, Zouk KL again soon of course!

Joe: Yessss. 7th Sept at TAG. When TAG's main man Daryl smsed me that my date was confirmed, I immediately booked my bus tickets up.

I so super wanna go party at Bangkok's own indienight called Dudesweet.

Where is the Soul?

At long last a Sm:)e is launched within the heart of Singapore's underground. The silhouette of Singapore's true night grooves play loud into the late part of the night and early morning. Finally soul is brought back to dance floors.

Some may count success in numbers and return in profit. Yes, that is important but for some and it seems to be an increasing few, success was measured in the wideness of the collective smile that was shared on such a forward thinking yet undeniably nostalgic event.

Music, Colours and most importantly emotions flowed through the night as organizers strove to create something with more spine that skin. A stellar line up that night lets get on the way with what physically took place that night. The event and the acts that made it what it was.

The Karl Maka opened. (*Refer to the photos at an earlier post for more imagery than there is in this article). Their unique brand of synth pop always gets an early crowd rocking and tonight was no exception. Songs laden with saccharin synths and sing along vocals meant involvement and enthusiasm by the audience during the entire performance. If this wasn't enough there is always the signature move of Jon Maka bursting into the crowd freeing the mic up over that ever so familiar Depeche Mode song that everyone should know the name of. Anyone? Quite simply sweet and easy to take in, their performance could be compared to a sugar coated pill with much sweeter after effects.


The night had started and as punters tucked into the end of their hour long free flow, Smile resident DJR handed over the transition between synth pop rising up and comers to established international Podo, previously of Technorient HK and now running Love Da Records. A Smile resident of the highest caliber and experience (like all of the three behind this revival) he stepped up with a bag full of tracks spanning from early days of Technasia to secrets of the far reaching sounds of melodic techno and beyond. Not one to back away from a harder sound, he interlaced between seamless mixing into jackhammering tracks that left the few left on the floor in awe of such transitions. It's a shame that most needed a smoke break and so a collection of the floor went outside to enjoy cigarettes and a football game that was currently showing. Nevertheless, Podo continued on strong with a mammoth set, never backing down and pushing his sound forward.

An hour in, a good friend and Smile partner, loopinmotion came to join. A true veteran of the scene it has been none other than his hard work and continual perseverance that has meant an event like this could have taken place. Through both ups and downs he has stayed strong and continues to do so. There is nothing that is telling me his commitment will ever change. Between the seamlessness of Podo's mixing and the breakdowns of loop's now signature echos and delays they brought together a harmony in composition. A new energy came and with it new faces and feet. The two of them were obviously having fun as both smiles and records were exchanged with friendly yet powerful execution. Perhaps everyone had all finished their long awaited cigarettes, I'm not sure but, for whatever the reason, a crowd started to fill as energy and passion flowed through both of these individuals movements and track selection.

Next came and was what many had been waiting for. Deetron, who recently has had an incredible release on Music Man started off with a favourite track of mine 'I'm like a Child', a Carl Craig remix of a Junior boys track. It seems to me and rightly so that everything that Carl touches becomes gold wax, this is one of the latest ones. Deetron himself has currently been on such a mission, with his recent album and the increasingly successful singles that are being released afterwards it seems there is no stopping this spacious and evocative sound. Having said that by space i do not mean minimal so do not be confused, this is full bodied music with plenty of soul. Anyway, I'll stop my pigeon holing, its all House really.



Apologies for the tangent, I will, as was previously intended, go back to Deetron. Technically efficient but not without flare, he moved both quickly and smoothly without compromise. Chopping, layering and doubling up, he is, and I can now say this first hand, a DJs DJ. Impeccable selection with a sensitivity to the crowds needs he also possesses speed and precision while mixing three decks.

No, I can't say it was a full house that night even when Deetron came to take control. Can I ask a question now. In the words of Abe Duque's release, "What Happened?" What happened to the music, what happened to the soul?" I can safely say that is truly one of the goals of this event, to bring back both passion and soul to the dance floor. This is only the beginning. Smile for the future.

The Karl Maka @ Sm:)e

Opening up for Deetron last Saturday was The Karl Maka.

A band different than any other heard on this island. Brandishing their own form of synth-pop ballads they sound somewhere as a cross between Depeche Mode, The Postal Service and The Human League. Interesting indeed as they pulled off originals and covers laden with video games samples and never to be heard quite like this before.

Ken and Jon Maka, the Braun and Brains behind Karl:


That's what I call 'POP'!


Hit those keys, twiddle those synths:


The layout:


Let's get funky into that crowd:


Thanks to all those who made it down and stayed for the entire show, the few of you were cherished and we look forward to seeing you at the next one.

Until then, remember to Sm:)e.

Sm:)e is launched!

As many of you probably already know tomorrow marks the launch of HOME parties very own Sm:)e event. Our guest act tomorrow will be none other than renowned international DJ DEETRON.

To keep in the loop of our events in the future and to see documentation of tomorrow please log on to the official Sm:)e blog by clicking on the link http://smileathome.blogspot.com

Please support our local dance scene by making a presence tomorrow at an event set on bringing hearts and minds back to the days of warehouse raves with psychedelic art inspired backdrop, projections and lots of self-expression all in the name of DANCE. Somewhere to let it all go and be yourself.

It is about the music but more importantly, the communal spirit that makes people smile while dancing. Come on, we know you want to, is it really that difficult to let go and simply...



We hope not. See you there! Love from all at HOME.

King Kong Jane Umbrella

Yellow Party Video

Myspace Updated!

Our Myspace has been updated with a barrage of multimedia goodies. Go and check out Photos as well as Videos of previous parties. Info on upcoming parties is also available. Drop by and say hello, leave a comment, a message on any of your thoughts. We love to hear from you! Peace out for now, see you on the river!

Here is the link www.myspace.com/homeclubsg