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SINGAPORE – Music, like art, is about expression. It’s about holding a belief so strongly that we can create something out of nothing that allows us to connect and relate to each other.

We decided to explore this interconnected indie spirit by gathering a group of Singapore indie musicians and asking them, on the spot, to express how they feel about the very essence of being part of the local music scene. The result is a group illustration and some collective thoughts from a group of indie all stars. It’s about the process, spontaneity, spirit and passion. It’s the interwoven unity of all the elements that bring us all together.

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Patrick Chng, The Oddfellows: (Being indie) is about having fun, making a statement, doing things for yourself and not being part of the machinery, being true to yourself, honoring the craft and not believing the hype. Believe that you can play music with a passion and do not let obstacles hinder you from doing it.

Jonathan Fong, The Karl Maka: Indie is an attitude, a belief. It is part of you, something that you don’t have to force and something that you can’t fake. It defines the way you do things, make choices and live your life. It is everything and nothing, all at once.

Gerald Sim, Waiting For Nothing: Indie means creating music that possibly has no genre or could start a new genre of its own. It is a fun journey to have minimal influence and start something of your own.

Love Jets: Indie to us still means being independent. We have been INDIEpendent from the moment we started our band. Being a musician is tough, in Singapore and everywhere else, it is an unpredictable path that we take. 

The Pinholes: It is an independent way of going about doing things. In Singapore, the scene is small as is and we all need to work to make the community as close-knit as possible. As long as the electric guitar still can be heard and the creative juices are still flowing, we should carry on despite the odds.

KittyWu Records: The indie spirit thrives on the community supporting it. As long as it’s fueled by the belief and the passion, “indie” will always be the alternative to the mainstream.

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Roland Lim, Sound Engineer: It’s the expression of my personality and soul. To know I’ve made a change or given people the belief to follow their dreams and passion is a huge driving factor for me.

Ginette Chittick, Astreal, Beat! DJ: The song “Breather” by Chapterhouse is the epitome of the indie spirit for me. The soaring licks and lyrics “Teenage lessons set me right, Taught me how to dream tonight” When I first heard it I felt like anything was possible and the future was going to be huge! 

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Joe Ng, Beat! DJ: Be fiercely independent and never compromise.

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Eileen Keh, music fan: It’s a free spirited feeling that makes you feel that you belong to a sub-culture and you’re always looking for new things to distinguish yourself from the rest.

Heng Wei Wei, music fan: Being indie is simply not conforming to what the society expects of you. Go do what you want!