May 2012 – Starfish Stories

I learned of this event (from a friend’s tweet; can’t remember who now) which pointed me to this post. After which a FB event page was created:

“Hey folks, just so you know who’s behind this meetup – I’m pulling this together with itinerant muso-artist-writer Fernando Gros (with special thanks to Brian Leery and the Pigeonhole, of course). We’re not a formal organisation, we’re just a couple of guys who have never even met face-to-face! …”

Folks could upload their tracks to this page.

So came 17 May evening. Nice cozy setting at the Pigeonhole.

Saw familiar faces. And plenty of very new (and younger) ones. I went with one of my colleague, Isaac Teo (he used to perform, btw). Met Chinmay and Carrie. Nice short catch-up session that evening.

Before the session started, I had a chance to look at the gear that was set up for the evening’s performances.

Then it kicked off with Jerry Chen (www.expressinmusic.com) and Marcus Wong (soundcloud.com/marcuswong) doing a short intro.

First up was Shaun Khiu (soundcloud.com/shaun-khiu). Seems to me he’s a seasoned ‘live’ performer, being at ease in front of an audience.

Then he and Kevin Lester (SIXX) gave a collaborative performance (improvised, I think).

The third set was Shaun and Lyndsey Long.

A short panel discussion with (L-R) co-organiser Fernando Gros (soundcloud.com/fernandogros), Graham Perkins, and Esmond Wee. They talked about (as I remembered) their hopes for Singapore musicians to set differences aside and form a coherent group, the new Singapore Music Society, and an [then upcoming] Music Matters conference.