Creative Capital: The Singaporean multi-hyphenate leaves an imprint on the international music and design stage
These days, we all desire to be multi-hyphenates. Virtually anybody y'all meet has a profession and at least i other passion which defines them. Similar the lawyer who is besides a DJ, or the surgeon who is too a piano thespian, the ceremonious servant who is also a poet, the fund manager who is also a charity leader.
Traditionally, the multi-hyphenate has a white collar profession coupled with something artistic, creative or perhaps philanthropic. The descriptor later on the hyphen imbues them with an element of cool that would otherwise insinuate them if they were just a professional person. But for most cases, that commencement vocation allows them the fiscal freedom to be creative, aspirational and inspirational.
But what happens when all the things you desire to exist are creative?
Dean Chew, also known in some circles as Funk Bast*rd, wears many hats. He's a respected DJ known for his genre-crossing and left field approach to mixing. He's the co-founder and artistic manager of his ain music label Darker Than Wax (DTW).
DTW, equally information technology is known, is respected globally as an underground electronic music label promoting diversity and artistic expression. Chew is also co-founder and partner of FUUR, an integrated design studio that has worked with a broad range of clients including the Les Amis Group, Papa Palheta, Massive Commonage, the British Council, the Lo & Behold Group, Jigger & Pony and the Wild Rice theatre visitor, simply to name a few.
Existence able to do all of these things, and practice them well, seems tough. Simply for Chew, the confluence of music and space makes sense. I was excited to speak to a true artistic multi-hyphenate whose projects are making our fiddling blood-red dot a much more exciting and interesting city.
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DEAN, YOU Clothing MANY HATS. WHEN SOMEONE ASKS Yous WHAT Yous Practice, HOW Practice YOU ANSWER?
That's i of the trickiest questions I get asked. It's extremely difficult to explain in tangible terms because it'southward all part of an ecosystem, so I quite simply say that I engage in a constant journey of exploring ideas and turning them into reality.
THAT'Southward A GREAT ANSWER. LET'S Go SPECIFIC THOUGH. WITHIN DTW AND FUUR, WHAT ARE YOUR ACTUAL ROLES, VIS A VIS YOUR PARTNERS?
Within DTW, I oversee the overall creative direction of the label, from the A&R – discovering new artists for releases – work on events/partnerships also as the artistic side of the imprint. Kaye, co-founder of DTW, manages the ops and financial matters. He frees me up to concentrate on the creative stuff.
In a similar style at FUUR, I am the lead design director, and alongside my business organisation partner Jasper, we handle our own projects and interface with clients on a regular footing. And because we go on our practice rather streamlined, we really get into the nuts and bolts of every project.
TELL ME Almost YOURSELF? WHAT KIND OF FAMILY LIFE DID You HAVE GROWING UP?
I have e'er been a very passionate person by nature. Highly emotional at times even. But I have learned to manage that function of me a lot better now that I am older. There'southward a kid-like curiosity within and I am excited by the unfamiliar which helps me learn and grow.
My family unit life was pretty colourful to say the least. Growing up in a family of architects, following my parents to their sites, has left an indelible marker. My grandfather was as well an established contractor, and he always took me to his projects and shared some really interesting stories most his life. All these components shaped the way I view the world.
WERE YOU E'er Creative? WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO PURSUE THE PATHS Yous'VE TAKEN?
I remember picking upwards the pencil every bit young as five or vi and I simply started to sketch and draw quite naturally. It was almost every bit if I could visualise the image or lines before me, and my hand was simply a tool for following that imagery.
I started cartoon my own comics at 11 – Mum being the proud collector of those early on comics – but the turning bespeak was when my dad brought back the VHS tapes of the first Gundam Mobile Suit anime. That was it. It instantly solidified my geek condition.
Architecture really wasn't my start preferred choice – I always wanted to exist a cartoonist or illustrator simply I estimate back then, there wasn't whatever real infrastructure that supported such a professional venture, and architecture simply somehow seemed similar the side by side most feasible option.
OF YOUR VARIOUS ENDEAVOURS, DJ'ING, RUNNING A LABEL, DESIGNING VIA FUUR, IS In that location 1 THAT MAKES YOU HAPPIEST OR GIVES YOU THE MOST SATISFACTION?
Both universes give me that happiness. Music and infinite have always been closely intertwined, and I meet them both essentially as extension of my Deoxyribonucleic acid, my world view, and they exist harmoniously in that timeline.
I Like THIS IDEA THAT MUSIC AND SPACE ARE INTERTWINED IN YOUR PERSPECTIVE. CAN You lot ELABORATE ON THAT?
They are both highly intuitive, merely besides extremely structured and methodical at the same time. Both have that transcendental quality of changing and shaping people, whether consciously or sub-consciously. It defines you, information technology colours you lot, and information technology can lift yous.
Also, if you expect back at the piece of work and compositions of musicians like John Zorn, Brian Eno and Karlheinz Stockhausen, they take also studied, and explored through their works, the intrinsic relationship between space, architecture and music. Music cannot exist without space, and vice versa.
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HOW DIFFERENT ARE YOUR CREATIVE PROCESSES WHEN DESIGNING A PLAYLIST, PRODUCING AN ALBUM OR DESIGNING THE LOOK AND FEEL OF A NEW BAR, Eatery OR BOUTIQUE? WHAT ARE YOUR PROCESSES?
Both processes aren't that unlike actually. Substantially, it is well-nigh problem-solving. Information technology is about placement and context. It is as well nearly doing your homework, stepping dorsum in fourth dimension to study the precedents, and harnessing a sketchbook of references and ideas. Ultimately, how you interpret and sample these past ideas and comprise them into your ain world view determines that artistic process.
In other words, the inventiveness or freshness if you lot similar, comes from the way you sample and recycle. It's akin to the idea of sampling in hip-hop – taking snippets of a classic soul number for example, and cutting that upwards into something that belongs to you. Aforementioned matter with designing a space really, or DJ-ing.
To me, I am not that interested in trying to create something 'new' because I think everything has been done already. It's more important to be aware of your place in the overall zeitgeist, and insert yourself into that puzzle. That'southward what I am obsessed with.
WHAT'South YOUR Accept ON THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE?
The music scene is really flourishing right now beyond all the different genres. The DIY culture in Singapore is extremely good for you; you know information technology'southward definitely thriving when there are a multitude of shows and events popping up all over the island on a weekly basis. I am very positive virtually where Singapore is heading. Sorry haters and skeptics!
I PERSONALLY Go A LITTLE ANNOYED WHENEVER ANYONE TELLS ME SINGAPORE IS BORING. I Like THAT FOR YOU IT'S A Matter OF JUST LOOKING DEEPER.
Similar yourself, my eyes roll a bit when I hear that now. I think the world has always bypassed this trivial island, and music platforms and journalism have always fixated themselves more on the likes of Japan, and more recently Prc and Due south Korea. I have been fortunate enough to travel extensively around the globe the past decade for music and work, and to a certain degree, the urban myth of 'the grass is greener on the other side' isn't always accurate.
Every sub-culture faces the caste of challenges, and ultimately, it'southward what you make of it. Singapore has a geographical advantage, and its 'hub' status has given it a strong international edge. Nearly people would have to transit here to get to somewhere else. And then, we are in this unique situation where we can constantly absorb ideas and trends. That's enabled a lot of creative enterprises.
But at the same time, I think nosotros need a stronger dialogue between the grassroots and the artistic community hither. What'south still lacking is the lack of funding for certain artistic pursuits or exchanges to accept place.
Yes, at that place are some already in place, but I would argue that this infrastructure can exist improved and cultivated to encompass a greater demographic, in order for Singapore to truly grow and evolve into a creative economic system. Nosotros besides have to believe more in the organic aspects of growth. And that we tin can't always measure value and quality by statistics, numbers and KPIs.
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HOW DIFFICULT WAS STARTING EACH OF YOUR BUSINESSES? WHAT WERE THE TOUGHEST CHALLENGES You HAD TO OVERCOME?
Information technology was quite daunting, I take to acknowledge. Because you lot offset to realise that ultimately, yous are responsible for your own decisions. The very idea of running one's own business in an extremely expensive urban center similar Singapore is pretty intense.
I withal experience rather surreal that somehow I have managed to carve a certain niche for myself! The challenges are very real – anything from worrying about the next paycheck, to covering overheads, paying your staff, following up with clients for payments, and keeping a constant lookout for potential projects to ensure a steady flow of work.
With DTW, I think the toughest challenge was to tell myself that I am as relevant every bit anyone else in the music world, and that my betoken of view and products might be able to inspire others.
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR PROUDEST MOMENTS PROFESSIONALLY?
I don't really know because I'grand constantly in the process of something. Perhaps some recent highlights would exist working with URA and Chye Seng Huat Hardware to curate our kickoff ever "Mash" Block Political party, where nosotros closed off a section of Jalan Besar and had an incredible turnout of approximately 700 people! It was an amazing feeling.
Other highlights would have been seeing our DTW x Grand-shock collaboration spotter come up to life; playing in the Dimensions festival in Croatia; and securing a regular radio spot on Gilles Peterson'south esteemed Worldwide Fm platform.
For FUUR, it was designing the now-defunct KYO club dorsum in 2022 – I always dreamt of designing a music infinite. It was a pretty moving moment when I stood in the heart of the dance flooring, taking it all in.
WHAT BUILDING OR PROJECT THAT YOU'VE SEEN LOCALLY Accept You lot BEEN Like, "DAMN, I WISH I DESIGNED THAT!"?
Whenever I become an invitation to a preview of architect Ling Hao's projects, I'k always reminded of how transcendental architecture that is executed with care and with an elaborate thought process is. He's truly a savant in my humble opinion!
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT Now? WHAT Can Nosotros LOOK Forrard TO FROM You?
On the FUUR side, nosotros take a few overseas projects in Burma, Cebu, Philippines and Ubud, Bali. They accept a scale that let us to test ideas. FUUR is in an heady stage right now.
With DTW, we secured a vinyl Press and Distribution deal with the legendary !K7 label that is based in Berlin. The team and I have been actively working with them on putting out some strong concrete releases the next few months and beyond. Go along an eye out.
FINALLY, TELL ME, Every bit A MUSIC PRODUCER, WHO SHOULD WE BE KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR MUSIC-WISE? IS In that location A Adjacent-Big-THING ON YOUR RADAR THAT SHOULD ALSO Exist ON OURS?
Plenty merely off the meridian of my head, Akid Amir and the guys from Kribo Records are doing some very interesting things at present – mixing up elements of soul, Rnb with their Malay music heritage.
On the electronic side of things, there'southward Halal Sol, this very shy and slightly awkward lad who'due south making some really strong House and Garage sounds that you would easily think it's coming from the UK.
At that place's too FZPZ whom we release on vinyl recently, and not forgetting the brilliant Fauxe, whose highly original and unorthodox style of fusing hip-hop, beats with tribal sensibilities have triggered some international ears on him. Go along a picket for female creative person Ashley ERI too – she's mad talented and is working extremely hard right now on her craft.
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Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/creative-capital-dean-chew-fuur-darker-than-wax-255831
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