Clearly unaccustomed to Singapore’s humidity but still insistent on looking dashingly stylish, Ben Blondel sweats profusely while donned in a vintage Levis denim jacket and skinny chinos. More popularly known under his moniker of Death and A Cure, and his position as keyboardist-cum-vocalist in Australian post-hardcore band, In League, the meek young lad is spotted inspecting the fun fact written on the flipside of his peach Snapple’s bottle cap with an unexpected childlike eagerness in his expression.

Ben recalls, “It was in 2008, when I wrote my first five songs and I decided that I should make an EP (extended play) since my music garnered pretty good responses and people enjoyed it as much as I did writing them. And who would have known that In League would hit me up soon after on Myspace while I was doing my solo thing. Everything just looked up from then on.”

It is indeed hard to imagine how Ben Blondel manages to juggle both his commitments. Playing two completely varying genres of music, the differences in both projects are vast for the Australian singer-songwriter. However, he certainly enjoys the experience and exposure, such as his debut Singaporean tour that happened from May 2 to May 6, at venues like Homeclub and The Pigeonhole Café.

“With In League, I could jump around and onto the audiences during our live sets, but I can’t do that at my own shows cause people would get angry. But it’s also really amazing because I can play intimate gigs and share a lot more of who I really am through my songs at a personal level. As far as writing goes, writing for In League is tougher as there’s more people putting down different ideas,” Ben explains.

Drawing inspiration from the tranquil splendor of nature and social issues occurring around the globe, Ben’s debut full-length “Oceans, Lovers and Empires”, released earlier this year in May, is an amalgamation of his sincere emotions and thoughts.

The songster proceeds to explain, “The album’s a summary of the last three years of my life. I don’t really talk about it but the meaning behind the name, Death and A Cure, is how I desire to seek a cure for the many things that are so wrong in the world. The name also sounds a little provocative because many would think it’s a metal band, since it has ‘death’ in it but when they take a listen, they’re shocked because they get really mellow music that contrasts the name.”

Like any other man in his twenties, Ben has his hefty share of relationship problems and life’s never-ending difficulties that have changed him. Embracing these sentiments, he channels his feelings towards a healthy avenue, that is, his music.

“A lot of my songs are quite melancholic, and often talk about the crappier things in life. As morbid as it sounds, that’s where I usually get my inspiration from. It’s not that I’ve had a super tough life but I find that people are able to connect with these things. Like how one loves but is never being loved back,” chuckles Ben like a bashful lad.

Listing the popular Japanese anime “Naruto” as one his interests on the Death and A Cure Facebook page, Ben is more than just the farouche musician he appears to be. With quirky interests that might surprise his fans, the singer feels that he has too little time to do the many things he wishes to.

Photos Courtesy of Ryan Chang.

“I’m part of a community of people that discuss about religion and philosophies, while trying to solve the world’s problems, bettering ourselves and working hard to make the world a better place. It’s definitely not something a lot of people my age do during their free time. But one thing that I can be really sure of, is that I will always be playing music,” Ben shares with HYPE.

Apart from that, writing new music and experimenting new things with his music are on Ben’s to-do list.

“I’m hoping to create a live DVD with live footages and songs off my album so I can finally take down all the dodgy iPhone vidoes off my Youtube account and have something substantial.”

It’s a blistering Saturday afternoon, and with all their gear all sprucely set up, the blokes of Singaporean post-progressive rock band, ANECHOIS, are spotted in a focused discussion of their setlist while patiently awaiting their turn for their soundcheck before their performance at Homeclub.

“Baybeats is like the biggest stage you can play here in Singapore and it has been a long time dream of ours even before this band started. I mean we’ve all been there over the years watching other bands we love. It’s like a dream we never thought could come true,” says Justin Koh, 24, guitarist.

Having impressed the panel of judges at the Baybeats 2012 auditions, the aspiring outfit has managed to clinch the long-anticipated opportunity to perform at the esteemed festival. Resonating wispy vocals against a backdrop of multiple dreamlike guitar riffs, and forcefully rhythmic and complex basslines contribute to the band’s distinctive sound.

“Sasha Grey! (American pornographic actress) No, don’t put that down! If I had to describe our music as a person, this person would be humble, exceptionally emotional most of the time, and not afraid to express himself,” Dale Roswald, 24, bassist, shares.

Photos courtesy of ANECHOIS and Danny Widodo for Baybeats 2012.

Though the group may appear a tad bit goofy with their eccentric wisecracks at first glance, you wouldn’t have thought that the boys of ANECHOIS were remotely close. However, it turns out that Justin Koh, Dale Roswald, vocalist Muhd Haziq, keyboardist Firdhauz Asyraft, and drummer Fadli Salim, treasure their close-knit relationship more than anything else.

“Friendship and the desire to make great music motivates us to do what we do. It’s also where most of our inspiration comes from, apart from our individual fantasies. And with Baybeats, it just gives us that added drive and boost too,” Dale tells HYPE.

Like any other local band, the band also faces numerous challenges in the Singaporean music scene.

“Money is definitely the biggest problem since we plan to tour and record in the near future. Considering that we have day jobs too, it’s pretty tough to juggle both music and our daily work,” Firdhauz shares.

“Well, as you grow up, it’s not conducive to be a musician here. People, and maybe even your family and close friends, have the perception that you cannot make a living out of playing music. They will bring you down and unfortunately it does affect us sometimes,” laments Dale.

“But we’re definitely not in it for the money, it’s more for the passion that we have and the sense of self-fulfillment that we’ll achieve,” Justin adds.

The band feels that Baybeats has certainly helped to foster the Singapore local music scene and are thrilled to have graced the festival’s Arena stage on Jun 30.

“It brings a lot of people together, that’s the most important thing it’s not what they actually do there and what the festival’s programmes are but it just gives you that platform for brilliant ideas and people to showcase their talents. And besides, we officially met during last year’s Baybeats too.”

Insouciant and clearly laid-back, the lads of MY DISCO are slumped onto a snug couch in the restful interior of Homeclub as vocalist-cum-bassist, Liam Andrews, leans forward idly to lift his mug of chilled Tiger beer to his mouth.

He licks his lips and recalls, “It has got to be the teh tarik, it’s such an oddly interesting and refreshing beverage that we would look forward to having plenty of in Singapore, since we could never find it back in Australia.”

Having performed in Singapore in January last year, MY DISCO has travelled miles to grace our shores once again, in conjunction with the release of their latest record ‘Little Joy’, and part of their 2012 Australian/Asian tour.

Though they may appear nonchalant at times, the group are aficionados at what they do, evident from their dynamic performances. The blasé mannerisms of Liam and his brother, guitarist Ben Andrews, are reflected in the minimalist music that the band conjures. It is no wonder the band feels strongly towards the adage “less is more”.

“It’s a good saying in many aspects of life because some people simply talk too much and they get annoying, considering they tend to not translate their words into actions, which is pretty thwarting,” Ben tells HYPE as he pets his fleecy beard casually.

“Quantity doesn’t necessarily equate to quality, I mean we’re pretty good for a three-piece band!” drummer, Rohan Rebeiro, adds jokingly.

Sparse yet dystopian vocals and droningly repetitive guitar riffs comprise the trio’s bizarrely hypnotic yet gripping sound. Their cathartic live sets see them attacking their instruments ferociously, evoking sounds minimal enough to settle within listeners gradually, yet complex enough to quiver dust wherever it lands. However, for the band to get to where they are presently, was certainly not a simple feat.

Taking another sip from his ice cold brew, Liam shares, “We’ve been a band for almost 10 years, and I feel that with each record we put out, it evolves into something new that we’ve never planned for but something that just naturally occurs to us.”

“Besides, with all that extensive touring over the years, we hardly have girlfriends or places to live in,” Ben adds.

Having a sibling in the band has its benefits. “There’s always someone I can count on and trust when we’re on stage and on tour, I mean we’ve been playing music for more than 20 years,” expresses Liam.

Rohan interrupts the awkwardly adorable brotherly moment, “I mean even if they do detest each other, they’d still have to go to family dinners together!”

Photos courtesy of MY DISCO and KittyWu Records.

On top of music and performing, as well as their bartender day-jobs, the outfit still harbours goals that they wish to achieve for themselves.

“Ever since we started the band, we’ve always wanted to travel all over the world to play to different people, and along the way, I’ve decided I’d like to learn more languages and become multilingual,” Liam says.

Liam kids that we can all expect new material from the band once they’ve had enough teh tarik here in Singapore.

“It’s something a bit different but you can be sure that it’s definitely something new, and it’ll come as a pleasant surprise.”

Shopaholics and bargain hunters would be pleased to know that there will be a total of 60 stalls for you to shop at. From thrift items, vintage trinkets, and even brand new clothes and shoes, you will be spoilt for choice by the variety of items and vendors available.

You won’t be shopping in silence either with a performance lineup that includes some prominent names in the local music scene, such as A Vacant Affair, Jack and Rai, For This Cycle, Juice in my Guitar and Cashew Chemists. Prepare to rock out and celebrate some homegrown talent.

As if the prospect of shopping and watching your favourite local bands aren’t enough to draw you in, you surely won’t be able to resist a goodie bag worth $245, including vouchers from Active Red, Jay Gee and Play Nation (among many other sponsors)! But you know what they say, the early bird gets the worm. So make sure you’re among the first 200 to arrive in order to receive these goodies.

If you’re unsure of what to wear, look to the ocean for inspiration. Turn up wearing blue with 2 or more of your friends (the more the merrier!) and if you’re spotted by the HYPE team, you could win a 6-month supply of FreshKon Colors Fusion cosmetic contact lenses! If you prefer having to work for your prize, we’ve got the perfect contest for you beach bunnies. Join the flow-riding competition and be the last man standing, to win a grand hamper with goodies you will have to see to believe. Everyone wins at HYPEd Up!

The party doesn’t stop as the sun goes down, however. Nightfall is when the real fun begins. From 6-7pm, catch magicians from ATOM and The Singapore Magicians roaming around, adding that little bit of magic to your night! Stay on past 7pm for the Sunset Beach Party, with fantastic drink promotions and musical accompaniment from hip-hop mix master DJ Kernaiva and bombshell DJ Tinc all the way till 11pm!

Not forgetting the reason for all of this: the launch of the 35^th issue of HYPE! Grab a copy of your favourite lifestyle and entertainment magazine, hot off the press!

What are you waiting for? Clear your schedules and set aside Aug 12 for HYPEd Up! 2012. A fun-filled day (and night) awaits you. See you at Wavehouse!

The HYPEd-Up Flea Market, organised and ran entirely by youths for youths, was a resounding success with an overwhelming turnout of over 2000.

Held on Jul 31 at *SCAPE, the flea market saw over 65 vendors and performances from local bands such as Trella, Postbox, Duxton Plains and Run Neon Tiger. Not only that, many walked away with goodie bags filled with vounchers from Wallet Shop, Active Red, Frolick and Once Upon A Milkshake.

Lim Jim Kai, who attended the flea market hoping to pick up a new pair of headphones, said, “I didn’t manage to find what I came for but the performances from the bands were awesome.”

The bands were feeling the positive energy from the crowds as well, some of who had come down to the flea market to show their support.

Mohammed Nooradzuan, drummer of Postbox said, “The audiences were really sporting and it was great to see that they were appreciating the music, great event!”

Putting this event together was no mean feat either, considering that it was only a small team of 25 youths from m:idea, Singapore’s first youth led media conglomerate.

Lee Lunxi, who is the main organiser of HYPEd-Up Flea Market expressed her joy at the success of the event, “I’m really happy that everyone had a good time at this event and also that we managed to get HYPE’s name out to so many people.”

HYPE is available at over 30 locations islandwide like Timbre, Minds Café and Island Creamery.