December 2020

Before end of this year 2020, this has been a rough year for everyone and this year has been full of surprises. Cross Ratio Entertainment as a label hopes that homegrown prolific singer-songwriter and Singaporean’s Gentle Bones teams up with Benjamin Kheng on ‘Better With You’ will bring in some good cheer and will relieve the pain for all music lovers.

Fresh off the heels of Gentle Bones successful debut Mandarin single, “Don’t You Know Yet?” which grossed over a million digital streams within a month after its release, this EP has two special highlights for fans to look out for as it consists of a collaboration single with Benjamin Kheng, titled “Better With You” and solo pop track “Put My Hands Up.”

Focus track “Better With You”is a heartfelt conversation with a loved one. Relatable to a time period of uncertainty, “Better With You” is a frank, thoughtful attempt at reaching out to a loved one and checking in on them – letting others know that the people around them value and appreciate them and that life indeed is better when they are around. With the soothing vocals and pop groove, the duo will woo your hearts with their warmth as they sing this meaningful song in this festive season.

The duo also highlighted that they managed to fit in a popular meme in the music arrangement with another producer of the track.

Gentle Bones shared that it was a pleasure learning experiences, after working with 5 local singer-songwriters that he had been a huge fan of ever since diving into the world of Singaporean music. He said, “Writing ‘Better With You’ with Ben was such a journey – much of the lyrics was inspired by how much Ben has inspired me in life. He is such a bright light in this world and every time I am reminded of my troubles with pursuing a career like music in this side of the world, I have the pillar of Benjamin’s strength in his own journey to seek comfort from.”

It was an open secret that both Gentle Bones and Benjamin Kheng had been close friends. The stars were often seen interacting on their socials. The duo had worked on a song called “FATHER, FATHER” in 2014, which both called it their ‘first baby” and shared the stage of YouTube fest in 2015. Kheng shared that both of them met at a wedding and he was stoked when Gentle Bones brought up the collaboration. He joked that “Joel is obviously so much more assured of himself and a complete superstar in his own right. He knows what he wants and he’ll say it. Quietly, but he’ll still say it. He has such a keen eye for these things. He won’t accept this title, but to me he’s one of, if not the best pop writer we have in Singapore. But he wouldn’t let me call the project Gentle Beng.”

The other track in the EP is ‘Put My Hands Up,” Gentle Bones’ experimental dive into the hip-hop genre. Written and composed by Joel, the song denotes the light-hearted aspect of having an infatuation on a person, and is the written expression of the googly heart-eyes emoji.

To date, Gentle Bones has released two solo tracks “dear me,” and “Why Do We” and four collaboration tracks with talented Singaporean artiste: debut Mandarin track “你還不知道？Don’t You Know Yet?” with Tay Kewei, “Two Sides” with Charlie Lim, “Shouldn’t Have To Run” with Joie Tan and “Be Cool” with Gareth Fernandez. These past releases of this year prominently showcased his songwriting talents. It’s interesting to note the versatility of genres he crossed, to fusing contrasting styles with different local collaborators. Yet he steadily retains the authentic and uniqueness of the Gentle Bones’ sound.

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Saint Nine, Bangkok-based Korean electronic producer has officially released his new single, “Don’t Call Me Sugar.” The eclectic artist is the newest addition to the growing roster of Umami Records, an independent record label based in Singapore.

A tropical electro-pop track infused with Latin-Cuban melodies, suave instrumentation, and a vocal performance by an unnamed two-time Grammy nominee, “Don’t Call Me Sugar” deep-dives into a compelling narrative about romantic betrayal and trust issues.

The upcoming producer explains, “The song is about a man who was cheated by his girlfriend. He’s probably a lot better off without her. It will just become another bittersweet memory at the end of the day for him.”

As for the musical structure, Saint Nine’s wrote a catchy chorus that is easy to sing along to. He adds, “I wanted sad lyrics for the song but with an irresistible beat that would put listeners in the mood for dancing. Nothing too energetic, just enough to make people want to move and dance.”

Having studied music from a young age, Saint Nine is also a classically trained pianist and vocalist. The multi-talented producer also listens to different types of music, and is inspired by sounds from different parts of the world. ”I’m not sure how to express them in terms of harmonics, but some melodies lure me into various genres like cinematic music, meditation music, EDM and hip hop. I try to make music that transcends genres.”

Listen to Don’t Call Me Sugar via Umami Records: https://www.umamirecords.sg/dont-call-me-sugar/

About Saint Nine

Bangkok-based Korean electronic producer Saint Nine crafts music that transcends genres and moves the listener, constantly experimenting and borrowing elements from hip hop, future bass, lo-fi and even classical music. Having studied music from a young age, Saint Nine is also a classically trained pianist and vocalist.

Christmas songs is essential to get you in the Holiday Spirit and brings festive warmth to music listerners all around the world. Get in the Christmas spirit with the relese of IN REVERIE: A Lilystars Christmas Compilation is now available on all digital platforms worldwide via Lilystars Records, the Philippine indie music label. In keeping up with the tradition of spreading Holiday cheers, the 11-track album offers heartfelt music that evokes the reassuring comfort of home and togetherness even in the unlikeliest of circumstances.

According to Clem Castro, the CEO of Lilystars Records, the compilation release is more than just a reflection of longing, hope and love. “It’s a call to keep our spirits alive no matter what we are facing. There are also tracks about celebration, optimism, loneliness and even dismay.”

While Christmas can mean a lot of things to different people, IN REVERIE: A Lilystars Christmas Compilation isn’t afraid to explore themes that indirectly address the current pandemic situation. “We can’t say if this release will have an impact for those who are having a difficult time with the pandemic, but we are hoping it does make a difference, Clem shares. “This serves as our gift to music fans this holiday season.”

Helmed with Hallmark-inspired melodies, vibrant arrangements, and intimate songwriting, the songs in Lilystars Records’ IN REVERIE offer an alternative listening experience for discerning music fans who want their Christmas jams a little bit on the obscure side. It covers a diverse selection of tunes with genres spanning pop, folk, blues, jazz, indie rock, twee, electronic pop, post-punk, and alternative music.

Clem admits that there was no selection process for the compilation album. Instead, he challenged some of the artists in the roster to write and produce their own original Christmas songs. “We have a high regard with the capacity of our artists and their contribution exceeded our expectations. We commend their commitment to produce the tracks on their own, either recording at home or with help of friends or people they work with to bring life to their record.”

Eleven artists from Lilystars Records participated in the call for submissions, which is more than enough to complete a proper album. The result is a unique collection of songs, defined by the sound of each artist and their own personal sentiments about the season. The track list includes:

1. Christmas Daydreams – Orange & Lemons

2. Blue For Christmas – Meagan Trees

3. The Kids Are Out – The Bloomfields

4. 1225 – Project Orange

5. Feliz Navidad (I’m Falling Apart) – Dey Rose

6. This Christmas Time – Dustybuns

7. A December Afternoon – Parasouls

8. Yo! Santa! – The Charmes

9. Christmas Mourning – The Geeks

10. Xmust – Kubra Commander  

11. Good Night – Starry Eyed Cadet

The “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita Manila” online concert held last December 13 was a resounding hit! Aiming to promote Manila’s cultural heritage sites, the highly anticipated virtual concert succeeded in taking both local and international audiences at the edge of their seats for a unique and totally breath-taking spectacle.

Hundreds of thousands of viewers of “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita Manila’s” live online broadcast were thrilled to watch and listen to great local artists perform the groundbreaking Manila sound of Hotdog, at different Manila heritage sites. Bras Pas Pas Pas Pas and Bing Austria performed the song “Annie Batungbakal” at the intimately charming Paco Park, Raymund Marasigan and Yeng Constantino gave an animated performance of the song “Beh, Buti Nga” at the Museo Pambata, Bea Lorenzo showed off the walled city of Intramuros as she sang “Langit Na Naman”, and Nicole Laurel Asensio provided an elegant rendition of Hotdog’s “Panaginip” at the gloriously restored Jones Bridge.

Equally magnificent were Ebe Dancel and Blaster Silonga who serenaded viewers with the Hotdog classic “Ikaw ang Miss Universe” at the National Planetarium. Gary V and Armi Millare regaled audiences with the Hotdog standard “Manila” at Rizal Park, Luneta and,Team Vibe dancers who performed to “Bongga Ka ‘Day” at Manila City Hall’s Kartilya ng Katipunan, Lagusnilad and Kapetolyo in the finale.

The mastering of the music was made possible by Rubber Inc and the foundation of all the songs, instruments, and arrangements were played by Bras Pas Pas Pas Pas, who also performed their rendition of “Una Sa Lahat”, “Pandesal Sa Umaga” and their own original tribute to Manila sound, “Disko Na.”

The music videos presented at the concert’s satellite locations were creatively directed by Juno Oebanda, RA Rivera, Paolo Valenciano, Jason Tan, Alco Guerrero and Quark Henares. The concert was produced by Juno Oebanda, Dindin Araneta and Jezreel Apelar with Department of Tourism Culture and Arts of Manila Chief Charlie Duñgo and National Parks Development Committee Executive Director Cecille Lorenzana Romero at the helm.

Tourism and the creative industry has been one of the hardest hit sectors of the economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But with the support of the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, City of Manila, Juancare Foundation Inc., and Viva Music Publishing Inc. working together with the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila (DTCAM), National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), Intramuros Administration (IA), National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), Nayong PIlipino Foundation (NPF), and Museo Pambata to mount concerts like “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita Manila”, revitalizing the Philippine tourism sector is well within grasp.

If you missed “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita Manila” or simply can’t get enough of it, check out the entire concert by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/NPDC.PH/videos/957576161435920/