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"The Drop with Danno" on GFN 광주영어방송 98.7FM in Gwangju & 93.7FM in Yeosu, Korea. An eclectic radio curation of all things musical spanning the spectrum every week. Broadcasting 8-10pm KST nightly.
ROUND TRIP – Singapore with Dunia Al-jawad (Flight TD110)
10/18/2023
Part 1
Nightwalkers – Chock Chock Kundong
The Peels – Modjang Priagang
The Thunderbirds - My Lonely Heart
Shirley Nair & The Silver Strings - You’re the Boy
Wormrot - Fallen Into Disuse
Xingfoo&Roy – Growing Pains
The Padres - November 91
Part 2
Stefanie Sun – What I Miss
Charlie Lim - Zero-Sum
Sam Rui - Better
Kekko – Past Lives
The Steve McQueens – Like Coltrane
Part 3
Dick Lee - Fried Rice Paradise
brb. – on & on
iNCH - Simple Kind of Life
Woes – Bikini Bottom
Coming Up Roses – All Our Time
Part 4
Shye - One Fine Day
Yung Raja - Mustafa
Tokyo Square - Within You’ll Remain
yeule – sulky baby
REMAINs - 니가보고싶다
Wooin – That Night
Part 1
Nightwalkers – Chock Chock Kundong
The Peels – Modjang Priagang
- Not a lot on either of these bands out there at all, and it seems that back in psychedelic 60’s they both only put out a smattering of singles before disbanding.
- However, both these tunes are featured on a great compilation of Singaporean psyche and soul called Pebbles, which goes and finds old rarities in countries all over the world and commissions these amazing compilations, this being their 13th with a focus on old Singapore.
The Thunderbirds - My Lonely Heart
• A classic blast from the past, this laid-back 60s tune is an original by The Thunderbirds, one of Singapore's most enduring bands, established in 1962.
- It features the vocals of Harvey Fitzgerald and the distinctive guitar sound created by Derrick Fitzgerald using a comb. who used a comb to produce that distinctive guitar sound you hear."
Shirley Nair & The Silver Strings - You’re the Boy
• Some old school to shake this list up – this sentimental pop record was no stranger in Singapore’s swingin’ sixties. The song has had countless airtime, primarily because local radio couldn’t get enough of Shirley Nair’s sweet vocals. You can’t take a walk down memory lane in Singapore without mentioning the legendary singer and The Silver Strings
• Formed in 1963, the Silver Strings comprised of 4 students who were encouraged by their music teacher to pursue their dreams of playing music. Not long after, lead singer Shirley Nair was recruited into their ranks.
Wormrot - Fallen Into Disuse
• Wormrot, a Singaporean metal powerhouse, enjoys international acclaim and made history in 2017 by being the first local band to perform at Glastonbury Festival.
• Their achievement is even more remarkable due to their unique grindcore style, known for its aggressive riffs, vocals, intense drumming, and overall ferocity, as showcased in their track "Fallen Into Disuse."
Xingfoo&Roy – Growing Pains
- This is a tune from last year and again, a moniker obviously inspired by mass media from America, this being a Chinese twist on the Vegas magic duo Sigfried & Roy.
- The band themselves are normally a trio that live add a drummer to make four, and still a very nascent indie phenomenon in Singy, although they do have a couple of albums and an EP under their belt, the latest coming just last year.
The Padres - November 91
• In the 1990s, Singapore was crafting its unique indie music style, and The Padres were at the forefront of this movement. Their frontman, Joe Ng, earned the title 'the Godfather of Singapore alternative music.'
• The band's youthful, chart-topping tracks, featuring lively guitar riffs, upbeat rhythms, and accessible lyrics, as showcased in songs like "November 91," were emblematic of their contribution to the era's music scene.
Part 2
Stefanie Sun – What I Miss
- One of Singapore’s most famous musicians, a veteran of the game who’s only a few months older and once again makes me wonder what I have done with my life.
- This featured on an album called Against The Light, released in 2007, and Sun Yanzi as she is truly named made debut back in 2000 with Yan Zi. The album won her a Golden Melody Award for Best New Artist. In 2004, she released her eighth studio album (and let me just point out, that’s FOUR calendar years later, unbelievable), Stefanie, which won her another Golden Melody Award for Best Mandarin Female Singer.
Charlie Lim - Zero-Sum
• Charlie Lim, the singer-songwriter, remains as dynamic as ever in his career. His 2018 album "Check-Hook" features the lively track "Zero-Sum," which incorporates UK garage influences and showcases Charlie's emotive singing.
• In the past decade, he has racked up several achievements, such as having his two albums, Time/Space (2015) and Check-Hook (2018), reach No. 1 on the iTunes Singapore album charts.
Sam Rui - Better
• In 2017, Sam Rui launched her debut EP Season 2, featuring the powerful lead single "Better" accompanied by a passionate, red-themed music video, making it a perfect post-breakup anthem for belting out in your bedroom.
• Her song ‘Better’ ranked first on Spotify’s Singapore Viral 50 Charts when it was first released as a single.
Kekko – Past Lives
- This is an on-the-rise artist who’s signed with one of our favorite labels Spirit Goth, which is based in NYC & run by Josh Hwang.
The band is the duo of Cherie Ko and Tim Kekko, with this joint having dropped in 2021. Only one album to their credit thus far, but a name in Singapore to watch out for.
The Steve McQueens – Like Coltrane
- This is a jazz-inspired veteran trio that have been plying their trade since 2013.
- Not sure what inspired them to name the band after the famed American antihero film actor who passed long ago in 1980 and was a massive star in the 1960’s, but any band that has the King of Cool as their moniker inspiration is something I’m personally 100% getting behind.
Part 3
Dick Lee - Fried Rice Paradise
• This list isn’t complete without the 70s hit song by the man behind the music for movies, musicals and National Day, Dick Lee.
- The music veteran’s Singapore-esque pop tune – think Singlish lyrics – has even been immortalised in a feel-good musical as well as a TV series of the same name.
brb. – whoops
- This is a Singaporean R&B trio consisting of Clarence Liew, Auzaie Zie, and Marc Lian.
- The group came about because of their mutual love for R&B, hip-hop and soul although they’re on the poppier end of that sound for sure.
- They debuted back in 2018, and this tune is from a couple years after that in 2020.
iNCH - Simple Kind of Life
• This multi-talented artist, who wears many hats including musician, actress, artist, and co-founder of Invasion Singapore, presents her 2017 hit "Simple Kind of Life" from the "Letters to Ubin" EP, yearning for simpler times.
• The music video for this track is a nostalgic trip down memory lane, featuring arts and crafts props and vintage filters that transport viewers back to the past.
Woes – Bikini Bottom
- This is a tune that appeared on the 2020 album Wake Up Pls, which features a rather sad dog lying down on a bed in front of a moonlit window giving a thumbs up although clearly, the dog is not going anywhere by choice anytime soon.
- The band themselves are a veteran 5 piece, having released quite a few albums over the years, with the band saying they weave sincere narratives with their math rock inspired sound.
Coming Up Roses – All Our Time
- This is a tune from last year that appeared on the band’s album Everything Is, which was their 2nd EP after debuting in 2019 with the Waters.
- Amazingly, the trio were commissioned earlier this year to put together an orchestral piece inspired by UTOPIA, which is a 47 minute choral symphony which they’re calling UTOPIA Reimagined, which is a series commissioned by the Singapore Foundation.
Part 4
Shye - One Fine Day
• The rising star began her journey in the local music scene after being selected for Vans Musicians Wanted (Competition) in 2018. Her ethereal track "One Fine Day" showcases her dreamy Billie Eilish-inspired vocals and light synth arrangements.
• This song is part of her "Augus7ine" EP, a project she created in just three weeks. All seven tracks were written and produced in her bedroom using only an earpiece and microphone. She described the process as both enjoyable and challenging.
Yung Raja - Mustafa
• Yung Raja's popular song "Mustafa" carries a significant message, drawing inspiration from the bustling 24-hour shopping hub in Little India. The track playfully introduces Yung Mustafa, an extravagant alter ego, while skillfully weaving Tamil references into the English verses, highlighting the rapper's cultural roots.
• In "Mustafa," you'll catch nods to renowned Little India establishments such as Muthu’s Curry and traditional South Indian dishes like thosai, adding a flavorful touch to the song's narrative.
Tokyo Square - Within You’ll Remain
• This East-meets-West soft-pop one-hit-wonder was played on repeat in the 80s and a fraction of the 90s. From TV commercials to fun fairs, this undeniably irresistible track has somehow ingrained itself into our minds, automatically joining in at the chorus.
• the track did not receive much airplay here when it was first released in 1985. It was only after it topped Bangkok's pop charts in January 1986 that the song became an earworm among the Singapore audience.
yeule – sulky baby
- This is the work of Nat Ćmiel, who’s released their debut album Softscars as of September 22.
- A self-described “fourth generation goth,” the sound is an amazing meld of Asian post-pop influences, post-metal, and glitchy electronic.
- This single released August 11 is an interesting trip into borderline schizophrenia, with a layered vocal track creating a sense of frenzy and desperation that is palpable. In a statement, the artist noted that, “Love without obsession and an undying innocence, like shattered memories and floating so empty, finally, I am enfleshed after being so hollow.”
REMAINs - 니가보고싶다
• A Korean indie band of 3 members. The band describes themselves as modern pop rock, but the way Ray flows over verses, it sounds like a mixture of rap and pop.
• The first digital single album of "Remains," "니가 보고싶다" (I Miss You), carries a love story that couldn't be concluded after parting, filled with longing and sadness.
Wooin – That Night
- This is an artist who made debut back in 2018, and that same year put out this single.
- WooIn is completely independent and self-recorded, but not much has come out since the pandemic, although the artist is still listed as active.