Tag: umami records

Filipina-Singaporean R&B star Gail Belmonte channels personal heartbreak on new single “Restart”

“Restart” is the most personal of Gail’s releases so far, and takes a slower pace, music-wise.

Filipina-Singaporean singer-songwriter Gail Belmonte has finally dropped “Restart,” her last release for 2020. The electro-R&B ballad caps off a trio of singles that mark her debut as a solo artist signed under Umami Records. 

“Restart” immerses listeners into a harrowing tale of breakup and romantic dissolution. Written by Belmonte based on personal experience, the poignant track dissects a kind of love that the singer-songwriter thought was the only thing that she’ll ever get to have. “It was deeply upsetting at the time but I learnt so much, including the fact that there will be new beginnings, even if it seems like it won’t be happening anytime soon or in the ways we want,” reveals Belmonte.

“Restart” is the most personal of Gail’s releases so far, and takes a slower pace, music-wise. A steady 808 kick plays throughout the song, while the mood flows with a more sober approach. “I wanted this to be like the sound of a heartbeat, grounding the song musically from start to finish,” shares Gail. 

“Please, don’t forget one thing – it’s to remember me. I’ll love you for eternity”, Gail sings at the end of the bridge, and reflects, “those words seem to stop time for me for a little while. They really highlight the weight that love and heartbreak hold.”

Gail is currently working on her self-titled debut EP scheduled for release in 2021, as well as an upcoming collaboration with R&B singer Angelo Martinez on an acoustic EP.

Listen to Restart via Umami Records. 

About Gail Belmonte

R&B/soul singer-songwriter Gail Belmonte makes music full of heart, with a voice that radiates beauty and effortless delivery.

Born and raised in Singapore, of Filipino descent, Gail Belmonte loved singing and performing from an early age and has been practising professionally from the age of 18. Gail was champion in the vocal solo category of Singapore talent competition Impresario 2016, a finalist of China Super Vocal 2016, a finalist in Mediacorp Singapore’s The Final 1 (2013), and also appeared in Season 4 of ABS-CBN’s Pilipinas Got Talent (2016). Gail made her theatre debut in Pangdemonium’s staging of the Tony award-winning musical, Fun Home, in 2017.

Gail Belmonte has featured on tracks by artists like fulses, thecolorfractal, Fingerfunk and Tim De Cotta, and is finally ready to put out her own music with 3 singles planned for release in 2020 via indie label Umami Records, in which she explores the effects of love, heartache, falling apart and putting yourself back together again.

About Umami Records

Umami Records is a Singapore-based indie record label founded in 2013. Much like the “5th taste” reputation of its namesake, the label strongly believes in discovering new, interesting sounds that run underground and away from the mainstream. The label’s tight-knit, curated roster includes releases from Linying, The Steve McQueens, brb., Evanturetime, CampFire, Martin Baltser, Phoria, Oriental Cravings, and more.

Image and details provided by Umami Records in a recent press release

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Singapore alt-pop newcomer Naomi G drops her debut single “Cage The Animal”

Merging the broody minimalism of Lorde and Banks with the chameleonic tendencies of artists like Halsey, Naomi G’s latest track begins rather unassumingly with nostalgic, flatlining keyboards and ethereal soundscapes, and evolves into a vindictive anthem that turns emotional scarring and pain into a source of strength.

It’s official! Naomi G joins the growing roster of indie label, Umami Records.

The eclectic newcomer marks her official debut with the release of “Cage The Animal”—a gothic pop-R&B tune that chronicles the cycle of abusive and toxic relationships, and how to get away from it triumphantly in order to rebuild one’s dignity.

Merging the broody minimalism of Lorde and Banks with the chameleonic tendencies of artists like Halsey, Naomi G’s latest track begins rather unassumingly with nostalgic, flatlining keyboards and ethereal soundscapes, and evolves into a vindictive anthem that turns emotional scarring and pain into a source of strength.

Given that she already seems to have her stylistic stamp on lock, Naomi G is destined to take the world by storm with her bold,assertive take on women empowerment, never treading lightly on important social issues that degrade, discriminate and disrespect people of her kind. It’s an accomplishment worth taking seriously, a statement of self-love and confidence from someone who
initially seemed to have lost it all.

“Cage The Animal” is the lead single for Naomi G’s debut EP which is scheduled for release over 2021.

About Naomi G

Alternative and alternating, Naomi G is one of Singapore’s rising Dark Pop songstresses rendering her most symptomatic coming of age experiences, wherever it takes her. The singer / songwriter unblinkingly stays her mind and allows her Freudian Slips to take entre stage. The rhythm that comes of it is a moody downbeat electronica, flavoured with slick notes of Alt-R&B, frothed by
ethereal Dream Pop, and enlightened by Soul. At times unsettling, her hypodermic words are indeed a salt to her own melancholia – one that slurs mystique sexuality and breaks down brittle emotions afoot.

She’s radiantly inflamed by the terrestrial experience she is treading through, unafraid of undressing intensity and honesty- owed to herself. Naomi describes her music as a “body- caressingly raw sonic prelude to my own deeper tensions” and that running them through music is the cathartic shatter she needs to figure them out. Other times it’s all about expressing that untimely and noise-cancellingly loud message that is often contemplative, combative and cynical. The young singer now begins her journey by flirting with themes of balance such as that between innocence and sensuality, relationship and isolation as well as nature and oppression.

About Umami Records

Umami Records is a Singapore-based indie record label founded in 2013. Much like the “5th taste” reputation of its namesake, the label strongly believes in discovering new, interesting sounds that run underground and away from the mainstream. The label’s tight-knit, curated roster includes releases from Linying, The Steve McQueens, brb., Evanturetime, CampFire, Martin Baltser, Phoria, Oriental Cravings, and more.

Image and details provided by Umami Records in a recent press release.

Blahza teams up with OnlyM for another chillhop crossover

“The song has a classic mid-2000s crack rap feel like you could play it back-to-back with Nelly‘s ‘Grillz’ and no one would flinch.” – Surviving The Golden Age

Asian American hip-hop artist Blahza and Malaysian lo-fi producer OnlyM come together for another chillhop crossover: ‘Drugs’.

‘Drugs’ is a laidback track that envelopes the listener in waves of relaxation. Driven by moody but minimalist soundscapes and smooth beats, the latest collaboration between Blahza and OnlyM settles comfortably into a simmer, taking a step forward in its attempt to embrace subtlety and introspection sonically and lyrically.

Blahza shares about the inspiration behind it: “Everything in life is going good and everyday I’m getting closer to my goals. I used to relax by numbing my mind with intoxicants and I reference that heavily throughout the song. By the end of the song I ask what’s a better high than you? It means that you can get a high from the people around you, like your significant other, or from yourself. You don’t need drugs to get high.”

To complement Blahza’s vision, OnlyM decided on a vibe that makes people feel good, highlighting a more optimistic but steady approach in terms of sound and feel. “I wanted something to make people feel good,” the underrated producer shares. “That you could chill out to as summer winds down, and reflect on the good times not just this year, but in life thus far.”

Blahza’s upcoming EP, Sad Songs For Happy People, is scheduled for release in 2021. He is also working on several collaborations dropping every month.

Listen to “Drugz” via Umami Records here. 

Image and details provided by Umami Records in a recent press release.

Singapore hip-hop producer Wovensound drops brand new single “Sickleberry Sunsets”

Singapore hip-hop producer Wovensound has released his new single “Sickleberry Sunsets” via indie label Umami Records.

With its exquisite fusion of lo-fi, jazz, and hip-hop, Wovensound’s latest jam exudes a feel-good summer road trip vibe while leaning towards a classic, stylistic lineage in terms of production and overall sound.

According to the underrated producer, the song was recorded during the lockdown period in Singapore, with no access to the studio. He collaborates extensively and roped in 4 artists from Singapore on this track, including rappers Ihasamic!, SHAK, Andrew Marko, and singer Raina Sum. “I just love how this song takes different turns throughout its different sections, with each
artist bringing their own flavour to the table and bouncing off each other,” Wovensound shares.

Lyrically, “Sickleberry Sunsets” doesn’t adhere to bland compromises. It’s a slickly produced hip-hop anthem that tackles two sides of a familiar persona. “In the song, there are two stories playing simultaneously: a cynic’s struggle with staying optimistic as a realist, and an optimist’s struggle of dealing with a loss of innocence and ignorance”, shares Wovensound. “I was in a very Nujabes mood when creating the track. The horns at the end is me paying some tribute to an artist I love dearly.”

“Sickleberry Sunsets” is the lead single of Wovensound’s 6-track debut EP Vertigos Fulfilled, dropping in June 2021.

Listen to Sickleberry Sunsets via Umami Records.

About Wovensound
Singapore hip-hop producer Wovensound weaves his love for music with other artists, collaborating extensively and producing
something unique every time. Wovensound AKA Vinod Dass is also a veteran of Singapore’s underground metal scene, playing guitar in various bands including Truth Be Known and Mucus Mortuary. He decided to establish this moniker in order to pay tribute to his love for other forms of music, mainly hip hop and rap. Wovensound’s 6-track debut EP Vertigos Fulfilled drops in June 2021.

About Umami Records
Umami Records is a Singapore-based indie record label founded in 2013. Much like the “5th taste” reputation of its namesake, the label strongly believes in discovering new, interesting sounds that run underground and away from the mainstream. The label’s tight-knit, curated roster includes releases from Linying, The Steve McQueens, brb., Evanturetime, CampFire, Martin Baltser, Phoria, Oriental Cravings, and more.

Image and details provided by Umami Records in a recent press release

Filipina-Singaporean singer-songwriter Gail Belmonte reclaims her happiness on new single “You Don’t”

A song about knowing one’s worth

Following her well-received debut single ‘Tonight’ in July, Filipina-Singaporean singer-songwriter Gail Belmonte chronicles her struggles of reclaiming happiness on her new single “You Don’t”– released today on all digital platforms worldwide via indie label Umami Records.

“You Don’t” tackles the importance of not taking anything for granted, but at the same time knowing one’s worth. “In the relationships I got involved in, romantic or platonic, I always gave so much of myself,” the R&B artist says. “Sometimes I would give so much of myself that when these relationships break down, I would feel so lost, like I lost a part of myself. I looked for happiness in other people and it was not until I wrote this song, that I decided to reclaim that happiness by finding it within myself.”

A rallying cry for self-discovery, “You Don’t” endears listeners with its compelling, soulful delivery and radio-ready pop hooks. It’s the second of a trio of singles Gail Belmonte is debuting in late 2020. The last of the series, ‘Restart’, is scheduled for release on 13 November.

About Gail Belmonte

R&B/soul singer-songwriter Gail Belmonte makes music full of heart, with a voice that radiates beauty and effortless delivery.

Born and raised in Singapore, of Filipino descent, Gail Belmonte loved singing and performing from an early age and has been practising professionally from the age of 18. Gail was champion in the vocal solo category of Singapore talent competition Impresario 2016, a finalist of China Super Vocal 2016, a finalist in Mediacorp Singapore’s The Final 1 (2013), and also appeared in Season 4 of ABS-CBN’s Pilipinas Got Talent (2016). Gail made her theatre debut in Pangdemonium’s staging of the Tony award-winning musical, Fun Home, in 2017.

Gail Belmonte has featured on tracks by artists like fulses, thecolorfractal, Fingerfunk and Tim De Cotta, and is finally ready to put out her own music with 3 singles planned for release in 2020 via indie label Umami Records, in which she explores the effects of love, heartache, falling apart and putting yourself back together again.

About Umami Records

Umami Records is a Singapore-based indie record label founded in 2013. Much like the “5th taste” reputation of its namesake, the label strongly believes in discovering new, interesting sounds that run underground and away from the mainstream. The label’s tight-knit, curated roster includes releases from Linying, The Steve McQueens, brb., Evanturetime, CampFire, Martin Baltser, Phoria, Oriental Cravings, and more.

Image and details provided by Umami Records in a recent press release.

Dominic Chin lays bare his struggles with anxiety on ‘ALONE’

“It’s a song to let people who struggle with anxiety issues like me to know that they are not alone, and that I too struggle with it on a day to day basis and I’m still here.”

Singapore pop artist Dominic Chin has released ALONE, the 6th single from his upcoming debut EP License To Cry, via Singapore indie label Umami Records.

In this deeply personal song, the singer-songwriter lays bare his struggles with anxiety disorder.

“Dear don’t let me go, let me go tonight,” he whispers desperately in the chorus, accompanied by a minimalist, gentle electro-pop beat that gives the track its melancholic, intimate vibe. ALONE takes a step back from the dance floor and finds a way to get through life’s darkest tunnels one step at a time.

“The song is about my anxiety order and how it affects all the relationships in my life,” Dominic Chin shares in a statement. “Finding love and peace with good healthy relationships but feeling tremendously undeserving of it, resulting in me wanting to sabotage the relationship. The song talks about feeling conflicted about my relationships, being totally defeated and yearning for some help while I fight my battles with feeling disorientated by all that is going on in my mind.”

The acclaimed Singapore-based artist also clarifies that ALONE is not a song meant to uplift anybody. “It’s a song to let people who struggle with anxiety issues like me to know that they are not alone, and that I too struggle with it on a day to day basis and I’m still here.”

Dominic Chin’s debut EP License To Cry is scheduled for release on 9 October 2020, followed by his debut show at the Esplanade Singapore on 26 December 2020.

Listen to ALONE by Dominic Chin everywhere here.

About Dominic Chin

Singapore based pop artist Dominic Chin creates music with his distinct voice and a blend of electro-pop, soul and r&b. Fuelled by life and all its awkward contradictions, Dominic writes songs from the heart that resonate deeply with his audience.

The 24 year old singer-songwriter from Singapore started covering songs on YouTube in 2010, and his channel has more than 9200 subscribers and 1.3M views. After the viral success of You First Believed, a tribute song he wrote for Singapore founding father Mr Lee Kuan Yew in 2014, he was compelled to start writing more originals. He released his first single CLSE2U in 2018, followed by SHY, HERE, AWARE and BETTER, and his songs have been featured on major Spotify editorial playlists including ‘Electro Mix’ and ‘Singapore’s Top Acts’.

About Umami Records

Umami Records is a Singapore-based indie record label founded in 2013. Much like the “5th taste” reputation of its namesake, the label strongly believes in discovering new, interesting sounds that run underground and away from the mainstream. The label’s tight-knit, curated roster includes releases from Linying, The Steve McQueens, brb., Evanturetime, CampFire, Martin Baltser, Phoria, Oriental Cravings, and more.

Image and details provided by Umami Records in a recent press release.

Asian-American rapper Blahza drops new single “Bandz”

Los-Angeles based Asian-American rapper Blahza recently released his first solo single ‘Bandz’ under Umami Records on all digital platforms worldwide.

The latest single follows his previous collaborations with Singaporean electronic producer Xinister on ‘Break’ and with Malaysian lo-fi producer OnlyM on ‘Perfect.’

On the sparse, trap-influenced track, Blahza rhymes about hustling in life, minding your own business, and keeping your cool when the chips are down. Blahza shares the story behind ‘Bandz:’ “The hook is about not worrying about what another person has. And when you don’t have it yourself don’t hate – just go out and get it for yourself.”

According to the Umami Records hip-hop artist, the first verse was written to document his struggles and humble beginnings, trying to make a fortune out of hard work and perseverance. He lays down the second verse with details about his romantic preference, seamlessly changing subjects like a pro. Blahza says, “When the beat played the hook came to me instantly, I felt the message so clearly when I was writing it. The cadence is so catchy.”

‘Bandz’ is the lead single from Blahza’s upcoming EP, Sad Songs For Happy People, scheduled for release in 2021. Blahza also has several collaborations dropping later this year.

About Blahza

Los-Angeles based Asian-American hip hop artist and producer Blahza makes music with a larger than life sound about his afflictions, aspirations, and accomplishments, inspired by the American counterculture of the late 1960s and music from the early 2000s.

Blahza recorded, mixed and mastered Blueface’s record ‘Next Big Thing’ in 2018. In 2019, Blahza opened for Members Only at the first stop of their album tour, and released his EP ‘Bloom’. Blahza has been featured on major playlists including Spotify’s Beats & Rhymes, New Era: Asian Hip-Hop, Border Beats and 都会の空と音楽と.

Born and raised in Van Nuys, of Chinese and Puerto Rican parents, Blahza grew up surrounded by music and diversity. He fell in love with rap music and especially how it bridged different cultures.

About Umami Records

Umami Records is a Singapore-based indie record label founded in 2013. Much like the “5th taste” reputation of its namesake, the label strongly believes in discovering new, interesting sounds that run underground and away from the mainstream. The label’s tight-knit, curated roster includes releases from Linying, The Steve McQueens, brb., Evanturetime, CampFire, Martin Baltser, Phoria, Oriental Cravings, and more.

Details and image provided by Umami Records in a recent press release.

R&B/Soul singer-songwriter Gail Belmonte releases debut single ‘Tonight’ via Umami Records

Gail Belmonte’s voice is a formidable instrument that fits the song’s easygoing charm and brimming sensuality. Her singing style works pretty well in the context of flowy arrangements and vintage sounds, and it somehow finds fascinating corners within Tonight’s urban pop appeal.

R&B/soul singer-songwriter Gail Belmonte has released her debut single ‘Tonight’, via Singapore-based indie label Umami Records. 

A chill track with that feel-good fairy dust sprinkled on top, ‘Tonight’ is about enjoying the night, slowing down and taking the time to soak in its magical beauty. 

“I’m quite the night owl and work best during the nighttime, so I decided to write a whole song about how much I love the night,” Gail shares the details about her new song. “In writing ‘Tonight’, I felt a sense of safety in the night, and I wanted to portray that in the most comfortable and magical way possible – and that’s throwing a bit of love in there. The most important thing to me is that it’s completely okay to feel vulnerable on your own in the dark of night, and it is okay to slow down every once in a while and let the night time take over.”

Gail’s voice is a formidable instrument that fits the song’s easygoing charm and brimming sensuality. Her singing style works pretty well in the context of flowy arrangements and vintage sounds, and it somehow finds fascinating corners within Tonight’s urban pop appeal.  

Born and raised in Singapore, of Filipino descent, Gail Belmonte started singing and performing from an early age, and has won and appeared in numerous singing competitions in Singapore and Philippines since 2016. The upcoming singer-songwriter made her theatre debut in Pangdemonium’s staging of the Tony award-winning musical, Fun Home, in 2017.

Gail Belmonte has been featured on tracks by artists like fulses, thecolorfractal, Fingerfunk and Tim De Cotta. The R&B artist is finally ready to put out her own music with 3 singles planned for release in 2020, in which she explores the effects of love, heartache, falling apart and putting yourself back together again.

Tonight by Gail Belmonte is available everywhere at this link.

Image and details provided by Umami Records in a recent press release.

Singapore nu-jazz outfit The Steve McQueens drop soulful new single ‘Firefly’

Singapore nu-jazz band The Steve McQueens have released their long-awaited brand new single ‘Firefly’ via Singapore based indie label Umami Records, exactly 143 weeks after their last release, full length album ‘TERRAЯIUM’ in 2017. The release comes fresh off the band’s ‘Nerd Lounge’ tour at the start of the year where they played shows at the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival, Tokyo Big Romantic Jazz Festival and the Esplanade Singapore.

The Steve McQueens have provided the following statement announcing the new song:

“Firefly generates its own light
Firefly generates its own beauty
Passion flies like fire
Passion dies with no desire
Passion is beauty
– The Steve McQueens”

‘Firefly’ is the lead single of The Steve McQueen’s new EP ‘Nerve Endings’, scheduled for release on 7 August 2020, featuring music from the band’s ‘TAPE’ tour in 2018. The band is currently writing and recording new material for their fifth album, ‘The Observer’, to be released in 2021. The band provides some insight into the thinking behind the project: “The Observer stands apart, an indifferent spectator at the ongoing culture clash between the jazz traditionalists and the new guard, smiles quietly to himself and just makes music.”

‘Firefly’ by The Steve McQueens is available everywhere at this link.

About The Steve McQueens

The Steve McQueens refuse to be pedestrian; they don’t live in the transient, or the touch-and-go. Swerving between cool seduction and gripping magnetism, they are ambitious to light the world up with their progressive brand of self- titled neo- vintage soul- funk. They have played to growing attention at festivals like the Tokyo Jazz Festival and Summersonic (Japan), Java Jazz (Indonesia), SingJazz (Singapore), Melbourne International Jazz Fest (Australia) and Jarasum International Jazz Festival (Korea). The quartet formed in 2013 as a forging of four mercurial talents in Singapore, a small country punching above its weight in Southeast Asia’s music scene. Critically acclaimed, The Steve McQueens will leave an indomitable mark on any listener with their music.

About Umami Records

Umami Records is a Singapore-based indie record label founded in 2013. Much like the “5th taste” reputation of its namesake, the label strongly believes in discovering new, interesting sounds that run underground and away from the mainstream. The label’s tight-knit, curated roster thus far has included releases from Linying, The Steve McQueens, brb., Evanturetime, CampFire, Martin Baltser, Phoria, Oriental Cravings, and more.

Singapore electronic producer Xinister teams up with Asian-American rapper Blahza on new single “Break”

Singapore electronic producer Xinister collaborates with Los Angeles based Asian-American rapper Blahza on ‘Break,’ released via Singapore based indie label Umami Records.

The lo-fi rap tune emphasizes the importance of staying humble while grinding and hustling for that big break. Blahza shares, “Rappers nowadays feel like they have to be loud and obnoxious to get on. This song has a similar message, but approaches it in an opposite style. Plus, with the whole COVID-19 thing going on now, I feel hating is at an all-time high. People seem to be so quick to point fingers.”

Known for his intense, high-energy trap/dubstep tracks which have already been featured on Spotify’s Bass Arcade, Beast Mode, Dubstep Don, and Trap Mojito, ‘Break’ is Xinister’s first hip-hop production. “I want to be more versatile and to keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone”, shares Xinister. “With ‘Break’, I was going for a chill COVID-19 stay home vibe. Blahza definitely killed it.”

In the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown, from their homes on opposite sides of the world in Singapore and Los Angeles, both artists went back and forth to write and produce ‘Break’ without ever having met each other in person. Xinister says, “it’s just two guys from different countries, only talking to each other online, yet we connected with each other instantly.”

“It was pure musical chemistry”, adds Blahza.

Xinister has 3 more singles planned for release in 2020, and Blahza will be releasing his LP, Sad Songs For Happy People over the next 12 months.

Listen to ‘Break’ by Xinister and Blahza everywhere at this link.

About Blahza

Los-Angeles based Asian-American hip hop artist and producer Blahza’s makes music with a larger than life sound about his afflictions, aspirations, and accomplishments, inspired by the American counterculture of the late 1960s and music from the early 2000s.

Blahza recorded, mixed and mastered Blueface’s record ‘Next Big Thing’ in 2018. In 2019, Blahza opened for Members Only at the first stop of their album tour, and released his EP ‘Bloom’.

Born and raised in Van Nuys, of Puerto Rican and Chinese parents, Blahza grew up surrounded by music and diversity. He fell in love with rap music and especially how it bridged different cultures.

Blahza is currently working on his full-length debut album ‘Sad Songs For Happy People’ slated for release later this year.

About Xinister

Singapore electronic producer Xinister is known for his intense, high energy trap/dubstep tracks which have already been featured on Spotify’s Bass Arcade, Beast Mode, Dubstep Don, and Trap Mojito.

With more than a million Spotify streams, Xinister’s music has also been featured on Russian football club FC Zenit Saint Petersburg’s YouTube channel totalling more than 4 million views.

‘Break’ is Xinister’s first hip hop track and will not be his last as he continues to develop his versatility with several more releases planned across genres the rest of this year.

About Umami Records

Umami Records is a Singapore-based indie record label founded in 2013. Much like the “5th taste” reputation of its namesake, the label strongly believes in discovering new, interesting sounds that run underground and away from the mainstream. The label’s tight-knit, curated roster thus far has included releases from Linying, The Steve McQueens, brb., Evanturetime, CampFire, Martin Baltser, Phoria, Oriental Cravings, and more.

Image and details provided by Umami Records in a recent press release.

 

Hong Kong R&B artist Gareth.T releases his first single ‘best me i can’

Hong Kong R&B artist Gareth.T has released his first single ‘best me i can’ via Umami Records. A smooth R&B song filled with lush harmonies and soulful grooves, ‘best me i can’ is about making the most of our short lives, and always striving to be the best version of ourselves.

Hong Kong R&B artist Gareth.T has released his first single via Singapore based indie label Umami Records – ‘best me i can’. A smooth R&B song filled with lush harmonies and soulful grooves, ‘best me i can’ is about making the most of our short lives, and always striving to be the best version of ourselves.

Currently based out of Boston while studying at Berklee College of Music, Gareth.T shares his personal story behind the song: “I wrote this song after my grandma passed away recently. Even though we weren’t that close and it didn’t emotionally affect me too much, it really got me thinking about how short and fragile life is, and that time doesn’t really stop for anyone. So in the song I kinda reflect on my 20 years of life, and I’ve come to a conclusion, that I’m going to try to be the best me I can, everyday.”

Being a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and producer allows Gareth.T the complete creative freedom to express his own unique style, and you can hear this throughout his repertoire. In this self-produced track, Gareth.T takes influences from 80s/90s R&B and combines them with modern elements like the drums and 808s, creating a novel blend of new and old.

“I think the line ‘best me I can’ would be the most important thing in the song, and the part I like the most as it’s a really simple concept to get. But with some lush harmonies and the soulful groove, the cheesiness of the line is taken away.”, said Gareth.T.

Gareth.T has been releasing a track every month in 2020 and will be keeping up this prolific pace moving forward.

‘best me i can’ by Gareth.T is available everywhere at this link.

About Gareth.T

Hong Kong R&B artist Gareth.T coalesces the smooth tones of R&B and the rough edges of hip-hop music, using his diverse musical experience to tell his unique story. Currently based in Boston while studying at Berklee College of Music, Gareth.T was born and raised in Hong Kong, bringing an eastern metropolitan perspective to his music. A classically trained violinist, Gareth.T is also a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and producer, allowing him the complete creative freedom to express his own unique style. Gareth invites you to accompany him on his journey throughout this year as he  continues to craft his soulful, experimental soundscape.

About Umami Records

Umami Records is a Singapore-based indie record label founded in 2013. Much like the “5th taste” reputation of its namesake, the label strongly believes in discovering new, interesting sounds that run underground and away from the mainstream. The label’s tight-knit, curated roster thus far has included releases from Linying, The Steve McQueens, brb., Evanturetime, CampFire, Martin Baltser, Phoria, Oriental Cravings, and more.

Image and details provided by Umami Records in a recent press release.

Singapore pop artist Dominic Chin releases new single “Better”

Singapore pop artist Dominic Chin has released BETTER, the fifth single of his 7-track debut EP License To Cry, via indie label Umami Records.

BETTER is a poppy, free-spirited song about the joys of being high on love. Dominic Chin shares: “This song is inspired by love! There’s a quote that says ‘falling in love is the best high without breaking the law’, and I fully agree! The whole chorus talks about how flowers smell better, time passes much slower, the sky is BLUE-ER. How you don’t ever want time to stop when you’re with the person you love.”

Fun, playful melodies accompany Dominic’s beautiful and infectious vocals, leading up to unapologetically brash and compelling choruses which he proudly belts out. “I felt like it needed a quirky aspect too, and that’s why I sang ‘You-you-you’ with a slight yodle. AND I love showing off my whistling skills. I have been practicing for years, finally I can properly show it off!” shared Dominic.

Dominic Chin invites us to embrace the unbridled joy and warmth that emanate in his song: “Sometimes we are afraid to love because we are afraid to be hurt, and we don’t say what we feel as much, we don’t communicate enough. Let this song be a dedication to your significant other. Being in love is scary but it’s one of the most beautiful things in the world for humans to experience. ‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.’”

A music video follows this release, as well as a custom Instagram AR filter, which fans can use to get the same “hearts on face” makeup (without the mess) as seen in Dominic’s music video and album art. The rest of Dominic Chin’s EP will be released in the second half of 2020, leading up to his debut show at the Esplanade Singapore on 21 August.

BETTER by Dominic Chin is available everywhere at this link.
Try out the Instagram AR filter here.

About Dominic Chin

Singapore pop artist Dominic Chin creates music with his distinct voice and a blend of electro-pop, soul and r&b. Fuelled by life and all its awkward contradictions, Dominic writes songs from the heart that resonate deeply with his audience.

The 24 year old singer-songwriter from Singapore started covering songs on YouTube in 2010, and his channel has more than 9200 subscribers and 1.3M views. After the viral success of You First Believed, a tribute song he wrote for Singapore founding father Mr Lee Kuan Yew in 2014, he was compelled to start writing more originals. He released his first single CLSE2U in 2018, followed by SHY, HERE and AWARE, and his songs have been featured on major Spotify editorial playlists including ‘Electro Mix’ and ‘Singapore’s Top Acts’.

 

Israeli indie-folk singer-songwriter VANNA releases ‘Let Me Fall’, the second single from her upcoming debut EP

Israeli Indie-Folk singer-songwriter VANNA releases Let Me Fall, the second single of her 5-track debut EP High Hopes released via Umami Records. This song explores the meaning of embracing the vulnerability that one has while falling in love. The ambient production centred around a finger picked acoustic guitar and pulsating bass lines exudes a powerful calming feeling to listeners’ ears throughout the song.

Produced by Roy Avital of Tel Aviv based indie-electronic trio Garden City Movement and mastered by Matt Colton (James Blake, Muse, Coldplay), Let Me Fall is an ambient-folktronica song about letting yourself fall completely in love, and embracing the vulnerability that comes along with that. “When you fall in love, you expose yourself to getting hurt. It’s an endless paradox. When you let someone enter your inner world, you’re allowing them to gently break down your walls and then amazing things can happen.”, shares VANNA, “I was scared that one day I’d lose this feeling, and when it really happened I felt so alone trying to move on. This is the risk you take for falling in love.”

VANNA builds up the energy from the verses to the choruses, culminating in the bridge. “And all I could ever ask is to be someone else / To know what I am for you to feel that you want me too / And I wanna clear my head I don’t wanna be so scared / To leave all my fears behind / To know you’re on my side”, she sings, before releasing all that tension in the final instrumental drop.

VANNA tells the story about how she wrote the song: “At one of my gigs I did a cover of RY X’s Deliverance, adding a minimal beat and playing on my keyboard. When I finished singing the cover I kept going with the beat and sang a new song, which became Let Me Fall. It was a special moment. After I finished singing I told the audience that I felt like a rapper improvising lyrics on the go. I said I hoped that someone in the audience recorded it because this would become my new song.”

A music video accompanies the release of this single, directed by award-winning independent filmmaker Matan Balalty and French-Israeli artist Noémie Dahan, shot at the Beit Talal In Jaffa featuring four professional contemporary dancers.

Born and raised in Tel Aviv, of Indian and Iranian parents, VANNA grew up immersed in music, culture and diversity. Creating music is her way of confronting and understanding the turmoil she feels within herself, and she hopes her songs will touch others going through the same struggle. She is also a graduate of the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music.

Over the last 3 years, VANNA has been working closely with producer Roy Avital on her debut EP High Hopes, delivering a delicate fusion of indie electronic, pop, and folk influenced by artists like RY X, Oscar and the Wolf, SYML and Sóley.

‘Let Me Fall’ by VANNA is available everywhere at this link.

Photo and details provided by Umami Records in a recent press release.

HubbaBubbas teams up with Korean indie star Kwak Pareunhaneul on new single

Singapore indie-pop trio HubbaBubbas collaborates with K-Indie darling Kwak Pureunhaneul on their brand new single Rumble Under My Toes, released via Singapore based indie label Umami Records. The release also includes a Korean
version of Sunset In My Pocket featuring Kwak Pureunhaneul, of which the original version has just been nominated for five categories at the Singapore Youth Music Awards 2020.

HubbaBubbas’ first show in Korea was when they played at Seoul’s indie music festival Zandari Festa in 2017. They loved the country so much that they went back again to tour in 2019, and that was when they wrote this song with Kwak Pureunhaneul, also known as “Hongdae IU”, a nickname she picked up from her time on Korean television talent show series Superstar K.

Stephanie of HubbaBubbas shares about the story behind the song: “When we were facing uncertainty, we weren’t able to find much music to relate to because a lot of the music that we were listening to always had a clear feeling of the artist’s emotions – joy, sorrow… and for good reason. But we felt this was a part of ourselves that was not so clear, and we wanted to encapsulate it in a song. We also thought that perhaps there were people out there who felt the same way, and we found Kwakpu. She shared with us her personal reasons for being on a hiatus from music, and you can feel her emotions from her performance in the studio.”

A music video accompanies this release, as well as several behind-the-scenes videos telling the story of this collaboration and the band’s Korea tour.

HubbaBubbas are working on their new EP titled ‘New Home’, which they will start releasing at the end of 2020.

Rumble Under My Toes by HubbaBubbas is available everywhere here.

About HubbaBubbas

Singapore indie-pop trio HubbaBubbas comprises lead vocalist Stephanie Lim, guitarist Ryan Chan and beatboxer Mervyn Ye. The band is the recipient of the inaugural Singapore Youth Music Awards 2019 for Best Cover Artist, and have been nominated for five categories at the Singapore Youth Music Awards 2020. Their debut EP Amy(gdala) was released in Aug 2016 at a sold-out EP launch.

HubbaBubbas have been called upon to perform at events like the 2015 SEA Games, the ASEAN Paralympic games, Singapore Night Festival, Music Matters 2018, Bangkok Music City, as well as Zandari Festa, South Korea’s largest music festival, among others.

“Now what sets HubbaBubbas apart is that they aren’t your typical band. With siiiick guitar playing, crazy intense beatboxing and insanely beautiful vocals, they bring something totally different and fresh to the table” – Native Entertainment

“Quirky indie-pop ditties bookend the five-track EP, including the infectious feel-good electro-pop tune ‘Dancing on the World’, which was composed for the 28th South-East Asian Games in Singapore last year” – Time Out

About Kwak Pureunhaneul

Kwak Pureunhaneul is a singer-songwriter, also known as the IU of Hongdae. She talks about her honest life stories with her acoustic guitar and soothing voice, which helped her quickly establish her realm in the industry. Despite her young age, Kwak Pureunhaneul is capable of singing, composing, writing lyrics and even arranging. Let’s find more about her beautiful musicality.

Kwak Pureunhaneul first picked up the guitar when she was a high school student and then released her first album, “Without a Present,” upon graduation. She made herself known in the indie scene with the project gig “Hongdae IU” and secured her spot with the EP,

This singer-songwriter also took part in the audition program Superstar K7 and is set to release her second full-length album this fall.

About Umami Records

Umami Records is a Singapore-based indie record label founded in 2013. Much like the “5th taste” reputation of its namesake, the label strongly believes in discovering new, interesting sounds that run underground and away from the mainstream. The label’s tight-knit, curated roster thus far has included releases from Linying, The Steve McQueens, brb., Evanturetime, CampFire, Martin Baltser, Phoria, Oriental Cravings, and more.

Singaporean electronic producer Foxela and singer-songwriter Chelsea Cara release ‘wanted you so bad’ via Umami Records

Seventeen-year-old Singaporean electronic producer Foxela and singer-songwriter Chelsea Cara have released their brand new single ‘wanted you so bad’ today via Singapore indie label Umami Records.

Chelsea decided to write the song after experiencing rejection from someone she really liked. “I tried to show the dilemma I was facing and the painful choices I had to make,” the alt pop singer-songwriter shares, “I had all these emotions I was trying to make sense of.”

“Am I building a wall just to break it / am I strong enough to hold it down / but with one look, oh no you got me now”, sings Chelsea, building up to Foxela’s cathartic instrumental drop. She channels her frustrations with a delicate but soulful performance that feels at home with the song’s tropical house-inspired production.

“The drop is definitely my favourite part of the song”, shares Foxela, “I wanted to push myself outside of my comfort zone and I’m really happy with the result.”

‘wanted you so bad’ is the second single the 2 classmates have worked on together, the first, ‘Live On’, was released earlier this year. Foxela will be keeping up the prolific pace of his work through 2020, with a new release planned for every month, including upcoming collabs with Dr. Boomy, DNAKM and Tyraz.

‘wanted you so bad’ by Foxela and Chelsea Cara is available everywhere.

About Foxela

The alias of 17-year-old Singaporean electronic producer Nigel Quah, Foxela is a non- Grammy-winning artist, crafting music with a blend of future bass, future house and a touch of pop. At the age of 17, Foxela became the youngest Singaporean to reach a million streams on Spotify.

Nigel ventured into the realms of music production at the tender age of 9, sharing his older sister’s Macbook when she didn’t need it for school. Since starting the Foxela project in 2016, his prolific pace has led to more than 40 releases already under his belt. In 2019, he released As You Do, which reached #13 on Spotify’s official Singapore Viral 50 chart, surpassing Billie Eilish and BTS, both of whom have yet to respond to his offers for a collaboration. This was followed by Wild Love which has more than 330K streams on Spotify.

Foxela has also been featured on various Spotify editorial playlists such as Top Hits Singapore, Singapore’s Top Acts, Electro Mix and Party Life.

“His is a sound that is informed by the titanic sweep of the spectrum of electronic music, where ‘dance’ is only a signifier and not the endgame.” – Hear65 (SG)

“With well over a dozen tracks under his belt, it is safe to say that you can expect more from this talented up-and-coming producer in the near future.” – Orange Magazine (PH)

About Chelsea Cara

A bright new upcoming talent hailing from Singapore, Chelsea Cara debuted in 2020 with her first feature, ‘Live On’, with Foxela and brittle bear. She is an aspiring singer-songwriter who mainly writes pop songs while exploring other genres such as r&b and lo-fi.

Writing songs from her own personal experiences, she wishes to touch and inspire young hearts through her music.