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On May 31 Cronkite Satellite, a seasoned one-man-band man armed with songs, beats and musical instruments will improvise live loop backings and soundscapes for the poets as well as a brief musical item or two of his own. If you have any trepidations about performing with music - relax. This is probably going to be one of easiest and most enjoyable poetry performance experiences of your life. Don't miss out!  How and why did you start composing? My Grandparents had an old, out of tune piano in their basement I used to bang around on. I had no idea what I was doing, I just knew I wanted to do it. That was back in the days before cable TV and WIFI, so I had to find unique ways to entertain myself in their small town. I still remember the first (and possibly the only) song I wrote on that piano. I was maybe 7 years old and the feeling I got throughout my body for making something no one else had ever heard before was life changing. I instantly became addicted to art and the idea of creating something out of nothing. I’ve always known that I see the world differently than the majority of the people around me so pursuing the arts seemed to be the direction to head. Ever since those days in my Grandparent’s basement, I’ve been experimenting with different types of art, but most especially in the area revolving around sound. Whether it’s hitting guitar’s strings with Lincoln Logs or annoying my classmates by playing a drum solo on my desk with pencils, I’ve always had music flowing through my blood. When creating, do the words come first or does the music come first? I get this question a lot. Because every song I compose is built off of different experiences, the process is always unique. The track I’m currently working on is recreating a song I heard in a dream. One night I jumped out of bed, ran to my studio and recorded everything I heard in the dream as quickly and as precisely as I could, before it disappeared from my memory. In my dream I could hear all of the words crystal clear, but when I tried to record it, I could only hum out the syllables and a few lyrics mixed with harmony. Another song I’m working on was written and recorded in one afternoon. I even performed it at a show that same night. Most times my writing process is like a puzzle where everything is written separately, then I lay everything out on the floor in front of me and see where it all fits together. Before the days of cell phones, I used to walk around, collecting sheets and sheets of paper in my pockets. Every corner of a receipt, napkin or airplane ticket was covered with my random poetic scribbles. I am always working on another instrumental in my head. I can put the song together, rearrange it and try out different lyrics all inside of my head until I feel it’s ready (or not ready) to be mass produced. To this day I literally have bags of unused verses and hard drives of unpublished instrumentals that I bring with me as I move from country to country. So I guess I cannot definitively answer that question with one solid answer because each song is an exception to the rule. These days music production and multimedia are like twins joined at the hip. Has this stretched your range as a performance artist? It’s always been a goal of mine to incorporate a more visual experience in my live shows. I went to college for the visual arts, so I most certainly classify myself as a multimedia artist. But being an independent musician who basically has a budget of zero, there’s no way I could obtain or transport all of the equipment I’d like to have onstage to bring my live show into the next level. I do like having limitations though, because I think restrictions bring out the best of my creative side. Being said, I hope to find more time to utilize my graphic design skills to their fullest, rather than only making album art, posters and the occasional music video. I used to bring a projector on stage and designed my own visuals to shine on the ceiling or walls. This would give the audience another experience while enjoying my musical performance. When I do bigger festivals or stadium shows, I usually show a montage of all of my music videos in the background, on a provided LCD screen. Long story short, once my time and resources open up, I look forward to incorporating a more focused multimedia aspect to my musical performances that truly showcases my full range of artistic styles. - Dub and then rap poetry has made its impact riding on the back of music. What are the challenges of working with other forms of poetry? I feel challenges bring the best out of an artist. After all, true art is taking risks. Being a solo, live looping musician, I am constantly running into obstacles that cause me to step back and look at the challenge from multiple perspectives. How can I break the rule but still entice the audience? Furthermore, “Rap” stands for rhythm and poetry. Personally, I am extremely driven by rhythm. You can hear its influence in my verses and lyrical patterns. With that said, I don’t want my songs to sound like one another so I constantly try to break away from my comfort zone. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t, but without that external force pushing me to try something new, I feel my art would become sterile and dull. I think it goes without saying that this belief is echoed by multiple other artists, in a variety of different fields. What is your driving ambition as a cross music/multimedia artist? And where does Asia fit into your scheme of things? Truth be told, it’s long over due that I get back into creating visual art. I am always inspired about the endless possibilities regarding what I could do. Especially in the context of my live show. I pride myself on presenting a professional, entertaining, high energy performance, overflowing with emotion but there’s always a way to kick it up a notch. For example, I want to do live painting on stage as well as incorporating interactive video projections around the venue. There are so many things I want to do onstage with the visual arts, dancing and live looping but at this current time I don’t have the resources to pursue most of these multi-media visions. This doesn’t mean I throw up my hands and give up. On the contrary, I write these ideas down and save them for later. You’d be surprised how much is able to manifest after a little time passes. I try to make each live show and music video unique, so these ideas always come in handy when planning my next move. I do hope to make more music videos but as of now I simply do not see them as a high priority. Something I see more beneficial is continuing to make tutorial videos teaching different live looping techniques. Making more of these educational Youtube lessons about the art of live looping not only helps other musicians advance their skills, but it also allows me to take a step back, look at my art more critically and see what I’m doing (or not doing) and how I can improve my own craft. I always have irons in the fire and “next steps” for my artistic journey. But looking through the lens of my current musical aspirations, I plan on doing some tours around Asia. With this in mind, I have significantly minimized my live looping set up I use on stage so it’s lighter, more compact and doesn’t require the purchasing of extra baggage when flying. It’s true that my live show is a bit more restricted with this new, condensed equipment set up, but by keeping it simple I am able to bring my musical experience to more parts of the world.    A big congratulations to the winners of the Hook-up Slam Gabbi Wenyi Ayane and Kok We Liang who won $50 and $25 respectively. Also, a big thumbs up for those like Joey Teo (third place) who earned 3 extra points for memorising their three poems. Keep it up. Next month, its The Geek Speak Poetry Slam. Keep an eye out for the event page on FB for sign-ups.
 'Are you lonely tonight?'... The brain forms 10,000 new cells daily, but unless they hook up with existing cells, they die. That's the neurological truth: hooking up is a matter of life or death! Time to write that 'come-on' poem, talk recharging (your phone or bank balance.... #$%@ etc). 'Hooking up', getting hooked, or hanging by a hook etc are all deas with endless possibilities for the literal and the non-literal. It's up to you, poet! Hook up with the Muse! Or if you don' feel the love and are just scratching your head for inspiration 20mins before the event, no worries. Just bring along any 3 poems you have, or jump into the Open Mic. In any case, the Singapore Poetry Slam™ is still one of the coolest spots around for the literary-minded, each last Thursday of the month. Who knows who you might hook-up with? Slam Prizes and Guidelines: NEW: MEMORISE YOUR POEMS AND GET 1 EXTRA POINT PER POEM in the SLAM. The two best poets on the night will win $50 and $25 respectively, slammers need 3 poems up to 3 minutes each, with no props or music allowed. Sign up below for a spot in the Slam or on the Open Mic (3 min slot), and arrive by 7.45pm to claim it. Don’t worry if you’re not signed up; If you’re early, we’ll squeeze you in! $10 for entry to this wonderful place, as well as a chance to win a special lucky draw prize! Students will get 10% off F&B too!.  Feature this month: music+spoken word from Nupur Saraswat and Abbey Simone Spoken word luna/tics gathered in force on Thursday night at the Singapore Poetry Slam™ and performed before another 100+ capacity audience. Elizabeth Ho proved she had the winning formula with stunning performances of well-honed texts delivered passionately from memory. She took out first prize ($50) to runner-up birthday man, Riqi Hanzrudyn, ($25) a new rising talent. Roshni Raheja came in a close third. Well done all. In addition, four lucky lottery winners took home Victoria Lim's spoken word collection 'Dreadful', from the Red Wheelbarrow Books, Loudmouth Series along with Michelle Turberfield, a sixteen year old poet with the makings who received the new monthly award 'Most Promising Poet of the Slam'. Poet Nupur Saraswat with Abbey Simone on vocals guitar did a very fresh musical spoken word piece. Look for their feature at the upcoming Poetry Slam™. Make sure you come early to secure your seat on Thurs, March 29. We will be posting the event's page on Facebook within the next week.  From L to R: Ajay Menon, Elizabeth Ho, Riqi Hanzrudyn, Roshini Raheja, Chris Mooney-Singh (PiC CREDITs Saiful Anuar - top, centre left. Other photos: Word Forward/
 February is here and it's time for another Poetry Slam™ at Blu Jaz Cafe. This month is of course, special. It started off with a blood moon, then we had Chinese New year. So all the relatives were out in full lunar lunacy. "So when am I getting grandchildren, when are you going to find a job, why are you earning so much less than your cousin?" Come on down and tell us all about your lunar lunacy. Oh, and Valentine's day too, but who even writes about that anymore?
Slam Prizes and Guidelines: The two best poets on the night will win $50 and $25 respectively, slammers need 3 poems up to 3 minutes each, with no props or music allowed. Sign up below for a spot in the Slam or on the Open Mic (3 min slot), and arrive by 7.45pm to claim it. Don’t worry if you’re not signed up; If you’re early, we’ll squeeze you in! $10 for entry to this wonderful place, as well as a chance to win a special lucky draw prize! Students will get 10% off F&B too!  Twenty five poets took to the stage last Thursday at the first Slam for 2018, entertaining a full house audience. The veritable riot of poets, ranging from newbies to returning open micers, all the way to the constellation of celebrated Slam heroes. As always, Ajay Menon dazzled on the mic as he kept the crowd entertained in between the poets and Deejay Dominic worked the music.
As the first Slam of the year it was natural that a fair number of pieces were about resolutions; resolutions made and kept, made and forgotten, and the valiant efforts of all concerned. There were also a few surprise pieces, all brilliantly delivered to a raucous audience, all equally eviscerated by a panel of brutal judges. In case you missed it, Kevin Wong came up on top, followed closely by his self-professed inspiration; Neil Basu tied with the talented newcomer Anukriti Banerji. All delivered powerful performances and captivated the audience. If you missed the Hit Refresh Poetry Slam, don’t worry yourself; The Luna Poetry Slam is coming right up at the end of February. If you’ve never come by, or never go up on open mic, come on down; you’re more then welcome to unleash your inner Lunatic!  Here's a piece from Miran Ng, in case you need some inspiration for the upcoming Hit Refresh Poetry Slam on Jan 25 at Blu Jaz Cafe.
It's January of 2018, And we are here again. This quiet corner of Singapore This island of misfit toys and broken things, Where everybody knows your name. So tell me friends, what resolutions made Will you eventually break? Have you stopped drinking, hit the gym, called friends and family more? No? Well come now friend, hear my tale And see if that inspires some New actions on your part This year I told myself I would break free Of my boring old mould. All my life I've listened to my gut Both literally and metaphorically But this has gotten me nowhere. My intuition's pretty good, My gut's quite solid too. But it has always been Kiasu and kiasee too. Conservatism has long held firm, Playing safe, my middle name. But last year end, I told myself, Next time think twice my friend. When your heart says no way no how, Stop right there and say yolo. This February sees me flying off To Phuket for a bender Something I would not think to do So this time I said yolo when else would be so opportune, As when I'm still flying solo? By this time, i will have tried To start a martial art. I thought it might just be a dream To never realise, But this year I held strong and true To my resolution new. So far I've still held up my end, Of fortnightly writing, My second resolution still On track and going strong! Now back to you, my silent friends You dear poets hushed, come then, on down to the Blu Jaz, To slam your poetry On The last Thursday of the month, The twenty-fifth, of January. Miran Ng, Slam Crew  Sign up here on FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/2021076844825692/
January. The month of new beginnings, non stop rain, and ultimately fleeting faith and dedication to the New Year resolutions we made and are /Definitely/ going to keep this year. How has January gone for you? Signed up at the gym yet? Stopped drinking, getting more sleep and exercise? No? You've quit already? Come on down to the first edition of the Singapore Poetry Slam in 2018, on the 25th of January at the Blu Jaz Cafe. Come tell us how you feel and how you're doing, of resolutions made, and kept, and broken. Come on down, we'll lend you our ears and hearts to start the year right. Slam Guidelines: The two best poets on the night will win $50 and $25 respectively, slammers need 3 poems up to 3 minutes each, with no props or music allowed. Sign up below for a spot in the Slam or on the Open Mic (3 min slot), and arrive by 7.45pm to claim it. Don’t worry if you’re not signed up; If you’re early, we’ll squeeze you in! $10 for entry to this wonderful place, as well as a chance to win a special lucky draw prize! Students will get 10% off F&B too!  Photo credit: Jared Ho The final episode of the Singapore Poetry Slam took place on the 30th of November at the Blu Jaz Café. Budding poets from all across Singapore descended upon the Blul Jaz, everyone clearly eager to end the year with a bang! There were seven open mic poets and a total of fifteen slam poets, all glamourously belting out their chosen pieces, wowing the judges and audience alike.
The True Confessions Poetry Slam was properly special. The audience was blessed that night, with performances by up and coming Slamers such as Amber Lin, Anukriti Banerjee and Natalie Wang, as well as veteran Slammers like Jennifer Anne Champion, Kok Wei Liang, and Ang Shuang. The open mic poets also brought their A game, clearly inspired by the end of the year. The night was headlined by the luminous Cyril Wong, who read several pieces, much to the adoration of all in attendance. Cyril read piece after piece to a spellbound audience, holding everyone there in deepest thrall and brilliantly cutting the slam performances like a sharp vinaigrette The Slam lasted long into the night, only ending close to midnight, and this despite only two rounds instead of the usual three. Late into the night, Jennifer Anne Champion was crowned her own namesake, with Anukriti dashing into second place on her first time at bat. With that, the Word Forward team ends 2017. We have had a long year, starting a little bit late in February instead of January, but with our new members Ajay and Miran joining, we have gone from strength to strength. We competed in the Straits Slam, a cross border slam with Malaysian, Indonesian and Singaporean teams going head to head. Atiq Lukman, Shilpa Dikshit Thapliyal, Amber Lin, and Michelle Chua all made the trek over to Johor Baru, and represented Singapore’s Poetry Slam scene. The team performed exceptionally well, with Amber and Michelle coming out first and third overall. We also sent a team to the Ipoh Slam. Nadia Alsagof, Kevin Wong, Michelle Chua and Dane Zainal went tearing into the battle, drawing blood at every turn, and coming out with their heads held high. They truly defended the honours of the Singapore Poetry Slam scene, capping off their performance with a harmonious group piece about their personal dragons. Thank you for coming to the slams, and proving that there Is a more interesting facet of Singapore, deeper in the hidden corners of the concrete jungle. We are planning more iterations of the Singapore Poetry Slam in 2018, with the first slam coming in January. Keep a close look-out here and on the Facebook page, where we will release more details soon! |
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