19th March 2009: MOSAIC Music Festival
This is a 10 day local music festival featuring musicians from different parts of the globe as well as local talents. A very wide genre, from jazz to pop to rock. But most importantly, they have a big variety of programmes, you can choose between 5 (i think) venues, where 2 venues are open and free events.
As contributing members to the increasing unemployment rate, we settled it the truly Singaporean way, the FREE and yet GOOD shows. Held at the Nokia Music Station, which is a outdoor theatre which sits just outside esplanade and in front of the gorgerous Singapore river.
Reached at near 9pm, to see Almost Alive (formerly Intone) already starting and rocking their set out. All i can say about this 4-piece band from Canberra, Australia, is, just pure awesomeness. They don't just give the audience good music, they also appeal to your visual senses, your sight. Their stage charisma and prescence is the x-factor why they are just one of the top notched acts. Well honestly, majority of the crowd were other music fans checking them out or some tourists passingby, so we didn't do enough justice to their awesomeness by not being very enthusiastic in the mini-activities here and there (like yelling along or repeating what she sings, or even at the least keep the clapping beat.).
Every single band member has a very unique identity you can recognise. The front(wo)man has very powerful vocals which in my personal opinion, is definitely comparable to hayley from paramore. (any paramore fans which may be probably thinking, 'what nonsense are you talking, nobody comes even close to half the standard of hayley'. well i say, 'fuck mainstream, fuck mtv, fuck you'.) Very pretty as well, and attached to the drummer.
The bassist just reminds me of Bart Simpson. That uncle looking dude with that beer belly thumping on the strings. Where else the drummer gives me a very wise and calm feeling with his straight long hair and neat dressing, very composed. He doesn't show any signs of attention seeking nor even try to impress, sitting quietly at the back of the stage providing the groove, beat and rhythm for his mates.
Ah, and of course not leaving out a highlight of the band, the lead guitarist cum keyboardist. Not trying to support the stereotypes that the lead guitarist is the most important member of the band (every member is equally important), but indeed his charisma and his desire to perform and entertain is all shown clearly on the stage. Showing off his awesome shredding skills for a moment, and next playing on the keyboards without looking the the keys, kneeling down with his head ducked under the keyboard. And its not for a short showoff, like 5 seconds and thats it. He did that for an entire intro and verse of the song! It just tells you all about his level of technical proficiency!
Music is damn good as well. Extremely easy to headbang or groove your hips to. You need you check out the ang moh dude standing in beside me. All getting into the mood man. Its tough to describe it in words, and definitely how it sounds LIVE.
So, must check them out at http://www.myspace.com/almostalivesound !
My sister is hogging the laptop (as the desktop kaput-ed again), so hardly got chance to update. :(
Will update asap about the next band at the show, Ruby Tigers, as well as my mom's birthday, the awesome (and scary) impromptu house-visit and other miscellaneous stuff which i do hope i still can recall.