In the finale episode of Project Zero, join host Shabir Sulthan as we delve into the journey from competition winners to established music artists with Sezairi and Shabir. They discuss the challenges and transitions from being an Singapore Idol or a Vasantham Star to carving out a lasting career in music. Adding depth to the conversation, legendary judge and artist Dick Lee shares his insights on witnessing these trajectories first hand.

They consider whether a strong sense of identity and connection to roots empowers Singaporean artists on Asian and global stages. Additionally, they engage in a thought experiment on creating a project that defines the Singapore sound or a truly Singaporean work with unlimited resources. Join us for an insightful conversation uncovering the stories, challenges, and creative visions shaping Singapore's music scene.

Chapters :

00:00 - Intro
00:26 - What does it take for a Singaporean artist to lean into their roots?
04:46 - Does exploring your roots impact your art?
07:39 - The story behind the iconic song "Home"
09:00 - How did Singapore's National Anthem inspire Sezairi when he wrote his album?
10:45 - Reality TV singing competition and the REALITY after
16:47 - Leaving the country to discover our Singapore Sound
29:58 - Using the soundtrack approach and meld a Singapore Sound.
34:32 - Closing Words
36:47 - Credits

Guest Artistes:
Follow Sezairi Sezali
Follow Dick Lee

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 the 1st part final episode of Project Zero, join host Shabir Sulthan as he sits down with two icons of Singapore's music scene: Dick Lee, the legendary singer-songwriter known for pioneering the integration of Asian elements into pop music, and Sezairi Sezali, a celebrated musician and singer-songwriter who won Singapore Idol in 2009. Together, they explore the concept of the "Singapore sound" and what it means to be a Singaporean artist.

Dick Lee shares insights from his illustrious career, discussing how his music ranges from distinctly Singaporean themes to international appeal, with hits like "The Mad Chinaman," "Home," and "Fried Rice Paradise." Sezairi reflects on his journey from reality show winner to established artist, his experience at the Java Jazz Festival, and the bilingualism in his album "Self Soothing."

The conversation also delves into the challenges and opportunities for Singaporean artists branching out into international markets. They examine the unique blend of cultural influences that shape Singaporean music and consider whether a strong cultural identity empowers artists on the global stage.

Chapters :

00:00 - Introduction
02:07 - What does it mean to be Singaporean?
05:36 - Tracing your cultural roots to form your own musical identity.
13:48 - How Sezairi brought in his Singaporeaness into his songs
17:43 - Dick's journey in creating his rendition of the Singapore Sound
23:11 - The Story behind Shabir's Singai Naadu
28:27 - Chan Mali Chan is from Indonesia ?
32:01 - How important is ha
35:20 - Bilingualism in Singapore and Its Impact on an Artist's Creative Process
39:11 - Leaning into your cultural backdrop and using that as an impetus to write new songs.
45:57 - Credits

Guest Artistes:
Follow Sezairi Sezali
Follow Dick Lee

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 enriching episode, we delve into the evolution of a unique Singapore sound with two stalwarts in the local music scene: Professor Jeremy Monteiro and Dr. Samuel Wong.

Professor Jeremy Monteiro, often hailed as Singapore's "King of Swing," is one of the key pioneers of jazz in the region. With over 25 jazz albums and collaborations with international artists, Jeremy has creatively blended various ethnic music traditions with jazz, crafting a distinct rendition that resonates with the multicultural fabric of Singapore.

Dr. Samuel Wong, co-founder and creative director of the TENG Company, brings a scholarly approach to his work with Chinese classical music. Through his research and innovative projects, Sam explores the therapeutic aspects of music, such as using binaural beats for mindfulness and anxiety reduction. He has also documented unique musical instruments and styles within Singapore's Teochew community, contributing to a broader understanding and appreciation of these cultural expressions.

Together, Jeremy and Sam discuss how their respective works—exploring the fusion of jazz with ethnic music traditions and the integration of classical elements with contemporary innovation—have helped them in their discovery of the "Singapore sound." This episode offers an insightful look into the lesser-known aspects of Singapore's musical landscape, highlighting the rich cultural tapestry that makes the city's soundscape truly unique.

Join us as we uncover the stories, influences, and creative processes behind these groundbreaking musical journeys.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction
02:47 - Early days of Singapore Music
05:26 - Navigating between the different generations
18:41 - Getting addicted to Instant Gratification with Social Media
27:23 - How has the Jazz scene evolved in Singapore?
31:41 - Music, Spirituality & Human Evolution
39:49 - How can Music & Art help build our Singaporean identity?
49:10 - Introducing Singapore's rich musical diversity to a global audience
54:45 - TENG's role in empowering Singaporeans through music
01:10:19 - Closing Words
01:15:31 - Credits

Guest Artistes:
Follow Prof. Jeremy Monteiro
Follow Dr Samuel Wong

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