A QUICK CHAT WITH HOUG
1: How would you explain your music to someone that is yet to
listen to Houg?
Introspective, resonant and curious. Thought provoking concepts and lyrics that try to capture the emotional field that’s inspired by the circumstances and struggles in my life.
But all those anxieties are contrasted against an almost ironic tone in its groove and instrumentation, sporting a more chilled-out vibe. I’ve had a lot of first-time listeners call my music “sensual” in the past, so I guess there’s that too.
2: How does the Singaporean music scene contrast with Australia?
Singapore’s music scene is, like Australia, filled with a broad range of talent. However, while you guys may be thinking Australia is too small a market, Singapore is MUCH smaller. Perspective: The population of the state of Victoria alone is more than half a million larger than Singapore’s. Of course, this has its perks. The community is Singapore is tight knit, and whatever resources are available are easily accessed regardless of where you live in the country.
Fun fact: Tassie’s nearly ten times the size of Singapore. At the same time, a smaller population has resulted in a more homogenous culture of music consumption, so there’s limited demand for local original music, especially if it’s in English and isn’t pop. However, I’ve had strong support from government bodies in Singapore providing opportunities for emerging artists. I’ve been fortunate to have been a part of 2 mentoring programmes in the past, by the National Arts Council and the National Youth Council, and that has benefitted my growth immensely.
Melbourne (Can’t speak for Australia at large), on the other hand has a significantly wider demand for different types of music and sounds. And that really helps someone whose craft is a bit more left field. However, a bigger community also means it feels a little more segregated and less fluid, since everybody’s in their own little community; so, it does feel harder trying to get involved.
One significant difference as well is that there’s also a bigger focus on gig venues and where you’ve played can raise a band/artist’s reputation. Singapore’s doesn’t have nearly as many gig venues as Melbourne (a product of its size and structure) so the approach to strengthen local reputation is emphasized through different means such as the aforementioned mentorships etc.
3: What is ‘ICBM’ about?
I’ve spent the last few years committing myself towards defining my sound and skill as an artist and producer. Part of that is allowing myself to be vulnerable, absorbing as much feedback from mentors of mine, as well as the general listener. Though subjective, I try to rationalise said feedback in a bid to develop myself further but that's where I usually struggle.
At what point in compromising does it take away the essence of my artistic vision or sound? The little quirks in production or my singing style that makes me who I am. Finding that balance has always been ideal, and I wanted to explore those themes in ICBM. Singing through metaphors, that struggle is narrated through a game of primal courtship between a prey and a predator. Adverse and incompatible in its own right, that faltering tension and anxiety is epitomised in the chorus with the line “I Can’t Be Myself”. Adding another layer of depth into the idea behind the song, it isn’t coincidental that the acronym of the line above could be interpreted as "intercontinental ballistic missile". Nuclear weapons, too, evoke the same fear, vulnerability and powerlessness that I've described earlier.
4: Who would you say your biggest influences are?
If we’re talking about direct inspirations, with my music being a combination of Chillwave, Neo-Psychedelia and Trip- Hop, it's inevitable that my inspirations include the likes of Gorillaz, Jamiroquai, Toro Y Moi, Massive Attack and Portishead.
Philosophically speaking, I’d say Radiohead. Their unbridled confidence in continuously creating music that may seem counter-intuitive to some critics initially. Always, the music winds up continuing their legacy of staying way ahead of their time.
My fear of no one understanding my music is usually dispelled, albeit temporarily, by just sitting down and soaking in the wonderment that is Radiohead. It gives me hope that if I can stay true and committed to my material.
5: How big of an impact has music had on your life?
Massive. It’s really been an output for some of life’s most difficult moments for me, as well as also serving as a platform for me to express myself. The fact that it is also a really good medium for release as well helps me keep in check. Aside from being a muso, I’m a big fan of music and just reading up about some of the most inspiring individuals who have any form of involvement in music, be it my local Singaporean hero or one of music’s biggest legends, is always a fun past-time of mine. I think there’s so many stories behind the art and I’m just really glad to be a part of it and sharing mine as well.
HOUG
'ICBM' LAUNCH PARTY
THU 12 DEC | EVELYN HOTEL, FITZROY VIC
