Text and interview: Lennat Mak

They started as buddies. According to reports, their first meeting was at a Handsome Furs show in Portland back in 2007. Britt Daniel is the guy from indie rock band Spoon while Dan Boeckner was at the helm with his now ex-wife Alexei Perry in the electronic rock duo, as well as part of another Montreal based rock band, Wolf Parade. But things were winding down for Dan. And when Britt heard the news, his first reaction was, “We need to start a rock ‘n’ roll band!”

And cue Divine Fits. Together with Sam Brown (drums) and Alex Fischel (synths), Britt and Dan formed the perfect rock ‘n’ roll outfit that sounds like the best of all their bands being blended in together. “My Love Is Real,” the opener to their debut titled A Thing Called Divine Fits, kicks in with a huge dose of Dan, bringing to mind the electro clash attack reminiscent of Handsome Furs. And the rest of the album trudges on with a full load of Spoon swagger that only Britt could bring. You want to talk about rock ‘n’ roll? Divine Fits is a lesson to remember,  as we’ve found out from our little chat with Britt over phone.

Text and interview: Lennat Mak
Transcript: Natalie Yeo

Japandroids. Brian King and David Prowse. Guitars and drums. Two-piece. They hate being called minimalistic because they play maximum rock ‘n’ roll. And the Vancouver, BC duo has been trail blazing their way since their two self-released EP titled All Lies (2007) and Lullaby Death Jams (2008). Because being a fiercely independent band comes with its fair share of trials and tribulations, the band nearly called in a day in 2008. That’s until Pitchfork suddenly decided to brand their 2009 full length titled Post-Nothing as “life affirming.” And indeed it is. Their official biography says they were “cautiously seduced” by the new-found acclaim and went on the road with countless shows in another city, another day for the next two years. And all that experience of traveling and touring became a constant celebration and main inspiration for their second album aptly titled Celebration Rock. It’s all very fists in the air, take on the world, sleep when we are dead and live like we are going to die young. It’s the soundtrack for the indestructible and unstoppable youth with the world happening right in front of their eyes. One of 2012’s best albums? Celebration Rock is definitely so much more.

And in the midst of all that touring, the duo has always wanted to play Asia for a long time. And it’s finally happening with the 2013 Laneway Music Festival and all the side shows around Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. We sped dial to Brian King (who was then doing the touristy thing in a mall in Hong Kong when he picked up the call) about playing their first traveling festival, Pitchfork, intense relationship with his band mate David, and of course, sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll!

Text and interview: Lennat Mak
Transcript: Natalie Yeo

“Hello, this is Kimbra!”greets the voice over the phone. The 22-year-old Kiwi sounds a lot like her music – quirky, soulful and a whole lot of fun. Having released her 2011 Vows, Kimbra Lee Johnson has been making waves around the world, winning accolades from her hometown (Critics’ Choice Prize, 2011 New Zealand Music Awards) as well as in Australia (Best Female Artist and Best Song, 2011 ARIA Music Awards), touring with Foster The People, and scoring a famed collaboration with Gotye on the multi-platinum single titled “Somebody I Used To Know.” Come this Saturday on January 26, Kimbra will also make her live Singapore debut at the 2013 Laneway Music Festival. If you have seen her live performances online, you will be definitely be charmed and mesmerized by the musical intricacy and the powerful combination visual and vocal theatrics. To quote the young chanteuse in our short chat, a live Kimbra show is all about “Smash, Bang, Alakazam!” Read on to find out more on Kimbra’s approach to music, her forthcoming new album and more!

Hi everyone! Another maddening Zoukout weekend has come around to devastate Singapore’s shores yet again! But in a good way of course! This will be my third ZoukOut and I tell ya, there is no event in this region that gets the blood boiling and opinions racing like this one.

I always enjoy talking to people in Singapore about their ZoukOut feelings and experiences, and EVERYONE always has something to share. Veteran partygoers will declare their war triumphs to me going all the way back to 2001. The burying of friends in the sand, the make-out with a random stranger on the way to the portaloo, the dropping of an iPhone 5 in a portaloo, having a DJ look at them during a set, the 9am march back to Vivo City, the list goes on.

Text and interview: Natalie Yeo

15-year-old Greyson Chance sure has grown up to be a fine young man. First entering the limelight in 2010 after his cover of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi”, Greyson already has one album, a newly released EP and an upcoming new album to his name.

Compared to his older songs “Waiting Outside The Lines” and “Unfriend you” off his debut album Hold On ‘Til The Night, which carried youthful desire and curiosity, Greyson’s new musical direction showcases a more mature and conceptual approach, as evident on his new songs “Sunshine & City Lights” and “Leila” (just to name a few) off his new EP Truth Be Told – Part 1.

All pumped and ready to show the world how he has grown over two years, Greyson had a chat with us before he took the MTV Sessions stage. Read on to find out more about his new EP, who “Leila” really is, his inspirations and his cereal eating habits!

For Spanish indie songstress Lourdes Hernández, landing in Singapore from Switzerland and playing an exclusive showcase on the same day was no easy feat. However, the folk-pop-rock performer still had it in her to laugh it off: “Actually, I just looked at myself in the mirror and I am completely pallid. My lips are white! It’s like I have no color. But it is fine; it’s exciting to do this, as long as you’re young!”

Known affectionately by her stage name, Russian Red, and known for her soulful, classic-contemporary sounds that won her the MTV EMA 2011 award for Best Spanish Act, Lourdes reveals more about her upcoming new album, her influences and experiences in composing and talks about falling in love and her love for sports!

Stirring waves in the indie music scene since January in the United Kingdom and making a name for themselves with the release of their debut album Enjoy While It Lasts in August this year, Spector has proven all that buzz was not unwarranted for. From the supersonic sounds of “Chevy Thunder” to the melodramatic tones of “Never Fade Away,” Spector successfully draws listeners on board their catchy wave of melodic indie rock. Since their formation, the band has been nominated for the acclaimed BBC’s Sound of 2012 Poll, toured with Florence + The Machine and played to huge festival crowd at Coachella in the States, as well as Reading and Leeds in the U.K.

Christopher Burman, guitarist of the rock quintet, had just grabbed coffee and set out to clean up his house for the day back home in London. He, however, took time to have a chat with MTV Asia on behalf of the band and gives insight to the new album, reveals deeper thoughts about going on tour and expresses how he hopes fans would respond when they listen to their music!

Calling all the way from Madrid, Spain, Lourdes Hernández, better known as Russian Red, took a few moments to chat with MTV Asia prior to her arrival in Singapore for MTV Sessions on September 30, 2012. Read on to find out more about Lourdes and get a glimpse of what is to come at MTV Sessions!

Singapore was recently blessed with a “living legend”, in case you didn’t know! The real Kyle Patrick, aka SnackDragon, aka SnackyD was in town to record MTV Sessions. He’s without a doubt one of the nicest guys I’ve met since I started here at MTV Asia. If his inspirational ode to get up and ‘Go For Gold’ doesn’t make you want to stand up, bang your head against the wall and conquer the world, you’re not human! We decided to invite him on The MTV Show to go mano e mano with another living legend, Dick “The Rampage” Johnson. What followed was truly EPIC.

You could cut the testosterone in the air as I witnessed the two titans, The Rampage and SnackyD square off in 3 games of skill, which sadly are not yet Olympic events.

Call him a boy next door or one with desirable hair, Kyle Patrick (front-man of The Click Five) was the featured artist for the third installment of MTV Sessions which took place at Waterfront Studios, Resorts World Singapore earlier in August.

Decked in a bright red shirt, black skinny jeans and high-cuts, Kyle walked into the room, proving personable by extending his hand to greet everyone personally. Carrying an air of positivity, he cheerfully proceeded with the interview.

Shaking off the dark shades of black, dark blue and grey, Kyle brings new energy and color to his solo journey as a budding artist. Read on to find out more as he talks about his new EP, what he loves about the music industry and about his hopes to settle down and whether he is really who he portrays himself to be!