Roots & Fusion - Unearthing the Essence of the Singapore Sound

Music stalwarts Wang Chenwei and Chok Kerong explore Singaporean musical roots, fusion, and the existence of a distinct "Singapore sound." They discuss their own compositions and performances, reflecting on Singapore's musical identity. In this episode, the participants don’t shy away from getting technical as they roll up their sleeves to break down fusion and more.

Episode 2 Chapters:

00:00 - Intro
01:37 - Merging classical music with the Singapore sound(s)
03:53 - Becoming genre fluid
06:25 - What is musical fusion?
10:30 - Ensuring authenticity when approaching fusion music? Part 1
13:56 - Is fixing a core genre before starting fusion a problem?
15:20 - The 4 types of fusion
17:25 - Inventing a raga inspired by Indian classical music?
23:44 - Why do we not hear fusion music as often as we should?
27:42 - Ensuring authenticity when approaching fusion music? Part 2
35:00 - Is there a Singapore sound?
42:57 - Conclusion
48:34 - Credits

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Follow Wang Chenwei
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Project Zero is a thought-provoking podcast series conceived and hosted by Shabir Sulthan, a multi-talented artist renowned as an award-winning film composer and singer-songwriter. Supported by Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth, this series delves into the unique musical landscape of Singapore, exploring the rich tapestry of sounds that define the nation's cultural identity.

Follow our host Shabir Sulthan
Follow Shabir Music Asia for more updates on Project Zero

In this episode of Project Zero, we delve into the triumphs and challenges of crafting Singapore's iconic National Day songs and the artistry behind defining the "Singapore Sound."

Joining us are Don Richmond, an award-winning composer and music director known for his work on NDP theme songs and TV series, and Evan who has worked with renowned artists and brands, and co-arranging and co-producing NDP music from 2018 to 2021.

Explore the challenges, inspirations, and creative processes behind these national songs and discover how these producers / composers approach the idea of a Singapore Sound(s).

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:31 - What is the Singapore Sound?
07:24 - How can we infuse cultures authentically and compose a musical piece?
15:47 - The Musicians’ Collective Consciousness
18:22 - Shabir penetrates the highly competitive Kollywood industry
23:18 - What does it mean to be uniquely Singaporean?
25:12 - The evolution of National Day Parade (NDP) songs over the years?
49:08 - The "Singapore Sound" thought experiment.
59:24 - Could NDP songs shift focus from a general theme to a specific individual?
01:04:57 - Conclusion
01:06:02 - Credits

Follow our Guest Artistes:
Follow Don Richmond
Follow Evan Low

Project Zero is a thought-provoking podcast series conceived and hosted by Shabir Sulthan, a multi-talented artist renowned as an award-winning film composer and singer-songwriter. Supported by Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth, this series delves into the unique musical landscape of Singapore, exploring the rich tapestry of sounds that define the nation's cultural identity.

Follow our host Shabir Sulthan
Follow Shabir Music Asia for more updates on Project Zero

Scoring Success - Redefining the Singapore Sound through Film scores

Alex Oh and Buvan are film composers and producers from Singapore. They discuss the impact of film music and its potential in uncovering the unique Singaporean sound. The supremely talented composers discuss the Black Panther score, their film score works and ask big questions that challenge our perception of what the Singapore Sound could be.

Episode 2 Chapters:

00:00 - Intro
01:44 - The Singapore Sound X Film Score
05:04 - What techniques can film composers apply to tell a story better?
15:44 - What could be the Singapore Sound in films?
19:46 - Singapore as "David" in a world of "Goliaths"
23:12 - Creating a musical score for Singapore?
29:03 - Is that our traffic light sound in a cinematic score?
30:05 - Creating a musical score for Singapore? (Cont'd)
36:18 - Conclusion
37:15 - Credits

Follow Guest Artists:
Follow Alex Oh
Follow Buvan

Project Zero is a thought-provoking podcast series conceived and hosted by Shabir Sulthan, a multi-talented artist renowned as an award-winning film composer and singer-songwriter. Supported by Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth, this series delves into the unique musical landscape of Singapore, exploring the rich tapestry of sounds that define the nation's cultural identity.

Follow our host Shabir Sulthan
Follow Shabir Music Asia for more updates on Project Zero