Trust the process

Featuring NADA, Intriguant and Forests

Every artist’s journey is different—not least the paths trod by each of these Singaporean musicians. NADA, the duo of Rizman Putra and Safuan Johari, began nearly a decade ago as a project interrogating nostalgia by turning old Malay music into new forms. Intriguant is the producer and DJ Louis Quek, who has gone from hip-hop and turntablist roots into ambient, downtempo and breakbeat directions. Darell Laser is the vocalist and bassist of Forests, who play a blend of emo and math rock that has been described as ‘party emo’.

As NME speaks to these musicians, each loved and respected in Singapore’s music scene for different reasons, we find a shared emphasis on process—and a deep gratitude for the journey, and for those who help them embark on it. “In the world of art-making, process is king,” as Rizman of NADA puts it. Intriguant, who treats his music as “a stepping stone to where I’m going next”, wouldn’t change a thing about the “ups and downs” he’s experienced. Darell, too, finds it important to learn from the early, frustrating times – “You need to go through that phase” – and, above all, to keep creating and releasing music.

A cornerstone of culture

Featuring Subsonic Eye, Motifs and Nicholas Wong

Together with music publication NME, we explored the impact of Baybeats and its importance to community, since its inception in 2001.

NME approached four musicians (and Baybeats alumni) to discuss their relationship to the long-running festival and its place in Singapore’s music scene. Nur Wahidah and Daniel Borces of the indie rock band Subsonic Eye reflect on Baybeats as a multi-genre gateway to local and regional music, and share their experience playing as part of Baybeats Budding Bands programme for new artists. Like Subsonic Eye, Elspeth Ong of shoegaze act motifs too was part of Baybeats Budding Bands programme, which helped give rise to an opportunity to play abroad and forge connections within the region.

Nicholas Wong, who plays drums in the bands Blush and Marijannah, shares how significant Baybeats is to youth in Singapore’s underground and independent scenes—in his case, “punks growing up not thinking that you would be put on a stage at the local arts hub of Singapore and play to thousands of people”—and its role as a constant in the country’s music scene.

Catch Blush's album launch concert at Esplanade Annexe Studio on 11 Nov 2023, Sat, 7.30pm.

This series is produced by NME and commissioned by Esplanade Offstage for the 22nd edition of Baybeats in 2023, presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.