Terima Kaseh, Sondre Lerche!

Norwegian singer songwriter wooed the crowd effortlessly
by Mavis Ang

SONDRE Lerche and his musical band The Faces Down kicked off their 11 th hour live performance last Friday at the Mosaic Music Festival a tad too sloppy, with slightly pitchy vocals and feedback from the speakers.

The band looked uncomfortable as Sondre tried hard to work up some chemistry between his band members. It all looked forced, and with two voiceless guitarists and a lethargic drummer backing him up, Sondre came across as the only one who was genuinely enthusiastic about performing.

Despite some glitches in the opening, Sondre made it up to the audience by amping up his usually sweet melodic tracks several notches with elaborate arrangements by the band. The crowd loved its refreshing energy, and some were soon on their feet, grooving to every song.

Read more on Terima Kaseh, Sondre Lerche!

Múm’s The Word

How the Icelandic band spellbinding performance perfected the art of experimental live music
by Mavis Ang

Múm’s musical performance last Thurday on March 13 at the Mosaic Music Festival is the kind that would linger for weeks. Track after track with haunting vocals and a magical cacophony of musical instruments, Icelandic experimental group múm brought forth a powerful and moving experience for the audience.

From the first note of the opening track “Winter (What We Never Were After All)”, múm laid a quiet spell on the spectators, and transported them across the icy mountains of Iceland through its droning beats and hypnotising hums.

Injected with quirky dance moves by Hildur and Silla, repeated thank you’s from Örvar, and Gunnar’s sprinting bursts across the stage between instruments, múm were far from a bunch of dull musicians who made down tempo music. They were natural entertainers, who kept busy by switching from one strange instrument to another all within a song, and displaying peculiar antics while playing it.

Read more about Múm’s The Word.

Sondre Lerche, The Part-Time Crazy Singer Songwriter

25-year-old Norweigan sensation performs at the Mosaic Music Festival
by Mavis Ang

“IT’S still a mystery to me how music travels and how I end up in the most unusual places,” says Sondre Lerche, the 25-year-old singer from Norway who has endured a long flight to Singapore to perform at the Mosaic Music Festival. “The songs, they’re really fast. I have to sit on a plane and read, and my back hurts, but the songs have different ways of getting there.”

Having toured a great deal in 2007, Sondre Lerche intended to slow things down this
year, but when the Mosaic Music Festival invited him he couldn’t turn it down. “It’s terrific to perform in a country for the first time. It’s quite a kick, and a sensation. When the audience knows the songs, and some shout for other songs, for an artist, it’s the biggest privilege of all,” he confesses.

Read more on Sondre Lerche.

Metrofunk.com Launches Club Metrofunk

Invite-only online social network for trendsetters in NY launches its own ‘Club’

NEW YORK — Metrofunk.com, the first metropolitan-based online social network built by trendsetters for trendsetters, has announced that they will celebrate the company's launch into public beta on Wednesday, March 19th at Club Metrofunk, located at 532 West 27th Street. If the address sounds familiar, that is because it is the address of the popular Manhattan nightclub, Home.

New York nightclubs have been known to be at the forefront of style, culture, and class. Many trends in the late 80s and early 90s such as break dancing, various fashion fads, and music artists like: Prince, C+C Music Factory, George Michael, Wham, and Information Society were born from nightclubs when the nightlife scene encouraged outrageous personalities and unique styles. Metrofunk.com and Home have collaborated in an effort to revitalize this long lost New York nightlife culture by dedicating Wednesday nights specifically to trendsetters in the nightlife, fashion, film, and music industries. Starting Wednesday March 19th and continuing every Wednesday thereafter, Home will officially be renamed Club Metrofunk.

Read more about Club Metrofunk.

Losing Weight But Still Have Belly Bulge?

Getting rid of stubborn belly fat takes more than diet and exercise. Popular "feel-good" pill, Relacore, may be solution
Send2Press(R) is the originating wire service for this story - www.Send2Press.com

YOU diet. You exercise. You're taking the latest diet pill...and you're even losing weight. But take a look in the mirror: You still have that unsightly belly bulge. Twenty pounds lighter and you still look...fat! How in the world can that be possible? As it turns out, the same diet that's helping you lose weight might actually be causing you to retain figure-destroying belly fat. That 's because dieting is stressful. You worry about what to eat, when to eat, how much to eat. All that worry leads to "diet stress," according to the experts at the Carter-Reed Company, the makers of America's most popular "Belly Fat" pill, Relacore.

"As we all know by now," says Gina Daines, spokesperson for Carter-Reed, "stress increases that nasty little stress hormone, cortisol, and cortisol increases belly fat. That's why you can go on a diet, lose weight, but still look thick around the middle."

Read more about the "belly fat" pill Relacore.

Múm is made up of joys, friendships, animals, and plants.

What to expect – or not – of Múm’s debut performance in Singapore.
by Mavis Ang

There’s a slight shroud of anonymity which surrounds Icelandic band, Múm (pronounced "mooom"). Made up of two main members Gunnar and Örvar, who sometimes include more friends into its lineup during tours, most identify them as the group who play soothing electronic ambience music with many strange traditional instruments.

For this Thrusday’s concert at the Esplanade as part of the Mosaic Music Festival, Gunnar and Örvar would be joined by vocalists Hildur and Silla, as well as Eiríkur, Róbert, and Samuli on the instruments.

Inspired by joy, friendship, and all living things, Múm tells us that their latest album go go smear the poison ivy was made very easily, with more vibrancy than their previous works.

Read more about this Icelandic band, Múm.

Lumont’s Top 10 flavours

The best of coffee, classic, and fruity chocolates
By Cheryl Chia

When I heard that I was going to try out chocolates from Lumont Chocolatier, I was excited – no, not just because I had an excuse to stuff my face with chocolate, but I remember admiring their pieces through the glass and thinking how colourful and interesting they look.

Lumont’s chocolates are made from the finest Belgium chocolate, and I can definitely vouch for that, having experienced all the goodness of their chocolates and its bite-sized joys.

Seriously, if there’s one thing that I’ve discovered about Lumont, it’s their attention to details. Each piece is handmade and crafted to perfection, unlike most of the up-market ones, which only has well designed packaging. Besides its flowery appearance, Lumont’s chocolates are also made up of innovative flavours and textures.

Read more about Lumont's Top 10 flavours.

How to shop for a “perfect” pair of jeans

It may be a myth, a perfect pair, but here are some tips to bring you closer to that find
By Ronald Wan

Don’t just marvel at the brand and check if the zipper works. Know the right fit when you shop for a pair of jeans.

Jeans is no longer simply a pair of trousers made from denim. It has become a fashion icon and an apparel staple for everyone. In fact, most of us wear it every other day. We wear it to school, to the workplace, to parties, to restaurants, and heck, even to sleep (usually after a drunk night out).

And since we see and wear jeans everyday, we might forget how to wear them right. It isn’t just a case of slipping into a pair of jeans picked from the wardrobe when you can’t find anything to wear. Jeans have different cuts and fits because we have different body types. The jeans need to fit not just the waist but also the thigh and the backside (yes, we need to flaunt the ass).

Hence, the fitting (pun intended) question here is not, “Do you own a pair of jeans?” but “Do you own the right pair of jeans?”

Read the 10 tips on how to get the right look for your pair of Levi’s.

Used cars vs New cars

Let us weigh the pros and cons for you
by Xpert, powered by SG Car Mart

Advantages of New Car

Perhaps the most attractive advantage of buying a new car is its warranty. Usually, the car warranty comes with free car servicing. A new car is equip with new paintwork, new tyres, new engine and the likes. Considering that the car is brand new, you can rest assure that the car is accident-free. The owner is at liberty to customise the accessories for the car, such as its car bodykit and car spoiler. Psychologically, the owner of a new car will probably experience a euphoria high from purchasing a brand new item. Lastly, new car interest rate is relatively lower, translating to lower interest paid for a new car loan compared to a used car loan.

Advantages of Used Car

Purchasing a used car means that you are paying much less as compared to a new car of similar model. Furthermore, a used car depreciates less as the first owner has already absorbed most of the loss. More often than not, additional car accessories do not raise the price of the car. You probably be able to get a fully-equipped used car with super stereos and racing add-ons at a greatly discounted price. For some models that are no longer in production, they can still be found in the used car market. If the previous owner takes good care of the car, you may be buying a used car at almost new condition, but at a much lower price.

When buying a used car, LTA will impose a transfer fee of $10 + 2% of the value of the vehicle. Buyer to borne the transfer fee.

Learn more about the differences between used and new car.

Orchard Road’s best-kept secret shop – yet

Get your cutest knick knacks here this weekend
by Mavis Ang

IF YOU’RE looking for a bookstore along Orchard Road, only two names come to mind: Borders and Kinokuniya. Too predictable? The quintessentially quirky shoppers can now forget about those two because there’s WoodWould.

“We wanted it to feel like your grandmother’s house, where you can find all sorts of hidden treasures,” WoodWould owner Grace Ng quips. “You know how most bookstores are pretty standard and boring? We tried as much to stay away from that idea.”

Most of WoodWould’s products are imported from USA, Japan, and Korea, so you can feast your eyes on unique journals, planners, graphic books and cards, and gift items which previously could only be bought online.

When it comes to indie brands and items, most Internet-savvy Singaporeans would go to online shops and pay costly shipments. Now that WoodWould has brought in unusual stationery for all to see, touch, and feel, shoppers can now buy them over the counter easily.

Read more about this specialty shop on Orchard Road.

Canon Promises Cinema-quality Video with HV30

New camcorder sets new standards for movie making with new features in a handy and user friendly design, says manufacturer

DISCERNING video enthusiasts can now share their stories in high definition with the launch of the Canon HV30 high definition camcorder. Featuring powerful functions in a stylish form that delivers cutting edge visuals, the HV30 camcorder goes beyond the needs of moviemakers who want to make an impact with a high-definition production.

Building on the success of the highly acclaimed Canon HV20 camcorder, the Canon HV30 offers cinema-quality video recording with a resolution up to four times more details than standard definition cameras, along with a host of advanced professional features and controls that are powered by the advances of Canon’s unrivalled expertise in video technology. Based on the HDV standard that records on MiniDV tapes, the Canon HV30 offers the highest possible super-sharp video quality that will do full justice to HDTVs.

Read more on the review of Canon HV20.

Entertainment For Hire

A balloonist can contribute a different kind of fun vibe to your party, especially if it’s ‘Mr. Lightning Finger the Balloon Clown,’ who sculpts balloons so fast you won’t know what hit you
By James P. Ong

IF YOU’RE looking for party entertainment or events management, you can’t go wrong with Mr. Lightning Finger, recognised as one of the best local party entertainers in the island. As a balloonist, “he is not only good in twisting balloons to various shapes,” his publicity material claims, “but is also very good in twisting [them] into various cartoon characters, for example: Road Runner, Bugs Bunny, etcetera.”

He also holds ginormous appeal to both children and female adults. He’s a babe magnet! Balloons are doing for him what Golden Retrievers do for hunks in sweatshirts: attracting the crowd and garnering the attention.

Read more about this Entertainment for Hire.

Design Your Own Cupcakes

Learn to make cute animal faces and more at Bake It Yourself’s pre-Easter cupcake decoration classes
By Mavis Ang

FORGET Easter egg hunting. Cupcakes are the way to go this Easter. And if you’re the type who wants to design their own cupcakes, then you should sign up for Bake. It Yourself’s cupcake decoration classes where you can learn to make cute animal faces and more.

Although it targets children, adults are welcome to join the class, but only if you’re an inexperienced baker like myself (and I enjoyed it tremendously), or you might get bored while the entire class goes crazy designing cupcakes using beginner-level ingredients and techniques.

Learn more about how to design your own cupcakes.

Crash Course On How To Draw

Make someone's portrait in less than a minute, using either numbers or doodles
By James P. Ong

IF abstract is the closest thing you can get to producing art, then you would have been clapping your hands in glee if you were at Momentous Arts last Friday. The international artist Rene Robles, who founded the painting style called "assertionism", entertained the crowd attending the opening of his exhibit "The Art Of Making Visible" by showing us some neat tricks he's picked up in his over 40 years of being an artist.

These tricks are best for people who've never drawn anything in their entire life, or those who've always wanted to attend children's art classes but never found time to.

Learn more on how to draw.

Rosalyn Lee & Shan Wee, DJs at 987FM

Get to know 987 FM’s atypical, slightly evil radio presenters
By Mavis Ang



First introduced to us as television personalities, Rosalyn Lee, 29, and Shan Wee, 26, have moved on to being among the few likeable DJs on local airwaves. To me at least, for I’m not a fan of DJs who constantly speak in exclamation marks and try hard to make jokes on air all the time.

The 6-month-old Shan & Rozz show is what radio should be like – maximum music, minimum repetitive radio games and tiresome sound bites, and interesting discussions. Although their 4pm to 8pm weekday slots on 987 FM may sound like it lacks personality, you’ll be surprised by the spontaneous and unusual insights on day-to-day topics by Shan and Rosalyn.

Talking to both personalities behind the console made me realise that Shan and Rozz carried themselves exactly like they do on the show. Rosalyn is open, willing to share her experiences, and voices out her genuine opinions, whereas Shan’s more laidback and private. Plus, both were as easy on the eyes as they are on the ears.

We got around to talk about music, dealing with criticism, family planning, and toilet paper, as we got to know the voices behind the Shan & Rozz show.

Read to know more about these radio DJs.

Animal Star Signs

Understand your animal companion through astrology
By Esther Teh (Pets Magazine)

GIVEN that astrology has a profound effect upon our human world, so it also influences the lives of our pets. And just as the zodiac is divided into 12 very different personality types, it is perfectly natural that this should extend to animals.

For example a homely Cancerian dog is much more likely to prefer curling up by the fire than an adventurous Aries of the same breed who will constantly yearn to explore the great outdoors.

It’s the same with cats. Cats can be hedonists, lazy, friendly, aggressive or timid. All these different traits can be explained by studying the astrological influences that determine their character and behaviour patterns. Now check out your own pet’s horoscope to see what the stars say....

Alternative Fuel - ChaNGe Fuels, Save the World!

As petrol prices look set to hit astronomical levels, mere mortals are frantically looking for alternative fuels. Fear not plebians! The answer is here...
By Fandy, SGCarMart Team

ENVIRONMENT-friendly vehicles are quite the rage nowadays. Everyone, from superstars to the regular dude on the street, is talking about it. Bio-diesel, Hybrid, CNG, Solar, electric cars all seem like the “it” words for the moment. Spearheaded by celebrities like Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Ellen Degeneres and Will Ferrell, there has been no better time to talk about environment-friendly cars than right now. I mean, if celebrities are doing their part, shouldn’t you? Now, if only they would stop jetting about in their private jets, I would be the first to commend them on being really environmentally conscious.

Read more about Alternative Fuel.

Mosaic Music Festival Is Back, A Hundred Performances Better

Get your groove on in March with performances from Harry Connick Jr., George Clinton, Broken Social Scene and Fujiya & Miyagi at the annual Mosaic Music Festival
By Mavis Ang

For 10 days in March, 107 underground (and underrated) artists from all over the world will be performing at seven venues around The Esplanade.

Mosaic Music Festival’s fourth edition kicks off on March 7 with silky crooner Harry Connick Jr., who will be singing tracks from his latest album Oh, My Nola. I’m sure yuppies would be looking forward to watch this triple Grammy Award-winner put on a Sinatra groove to his big-band-style pieces.

The festival has always been heavy on jazz and world music. This time around, it is actually bringing in indie artists like Broken Social Scene, Sondre Lerche, Múm, and Fujiya & Miyagi (whose tickets are selling as fast as MacDonald’s Hello Kitty stuff toys). They’ve already been written down in my to do list.

Read more about the Mosaic Music Festival.

This Caddy Don't Need No Tiger

Over the past few years, many people have turned to powerful turbodiesel Eurovans, which can fulfill dual roles as business and leisure vehicles. Just how good to drive are they?
Team SGcarmart takes a look at one...
By SGCarMart.com

GOING to a garage does not make you a car, and going to McDonalds does not make you a Big Mac. So people realized driving a van does not make you a delivery man. Eurovans have grown in popularity due to their unique styling and powerful but fuel efficient diesel engine. The Volkswagen Caddy TDI is just one of the many that have flooded the market. So the team at sgcarmart decided to step out of the comfort of passenger cars and try their hand at driving such a commercial vehicle, and got more than they bargained for...

Read more on This Caddy Don't Need No Tiger.

Art In Everyday Objects

This is a chair. A what? A chair. A what? A chair. Oh, a chair!
Rene Robles gives mundane items like tables, light bulbs and chairs their 15 minutes of fame in The Art of Making Visible
By James P. Ong

ARE you familiar with the “This is a what?” parlour game? A group sits in a circle and the person who starts the game picks up any object (for example, a pen) and passes it on to the person to her right. The giver says, “This is a pen,” and the recipients says, “A what?” and the giver again explains, “A pen.”

This routine repeats two more times and then the recipient, exclaims, “Oh, a pen,” then passes on the pen to the next person to his right. At the same time, the original giver picks up a new object and passes it again to the person to his right. Pretty soon, the entire group in the circle is passing objects left and right.

The point of the game — and this lengthy introduction — is not only to test the player’s memory, but also to focus the spotlight on ordinary, everday objects: a pen, a key, a chair, a table…Which brings us to real point of this story: the art exhibit in Singapore by international artist Rene Robles, entitled The Art Of Making Visible.

Read more of Art In Everyday Objects.

DIY, 8-step Manicure

Grab a set of chill out music, a handful of basic tools, and enjoy the stay-in weeknight with a DIY manicure session
Photos courtesy of Media Flair Communications.

WORKING late again with no time for your bi-monthly fix of a manicure services? Pamper your nails right at home with the following steps.

1. Start by trimming your nails to a desired length with a nail cutter or scissor.

2. In order to shape and smooth the edges of your nails, use a nail file. (Tip: Do file nails in one direction from each side of the nail toward the center as this helps in preventing fingernails from splitting.)

3. Proceed to soak fingers in warm water to soften cuticles for about 10 minutes. Pat nails dry, but do leave the cuticles moist.

4. To remove cuticles, apply a cuticle remover before gently pushing back cuticles with a cotton-wrapped cuticle stick or a cuticle pusher. Carefully nip away excess nail cuticle and hangnails. To finish grooming of nails, thoroughly wash off excess cuticle remover and pat dry.

5. Remove any traces from nails before applying nail treatments or color by applying cuticle treatment and massage gently.

6. Before colouring your nails, remember to apply a nail treatment or base coat. It protects your nails, smooth nail surfaces for even application of colour, and help manicures last longer. Then proceed to apply two coats of nail colour.

7. Finish your masterpiece off with a top coat to seal nails and add brilliant shine. When applied between manicures, these top coats add strength and protection, while keeping your nail colours looking shiny and just-applied fresh.

8. Keep hands soft and supple by using hand or foot creme after your brilliantly executed DIY nail manicure!

Read more on how to perform a basic manicure.

Amazing How The Race Ended

88DB.com attends the finale screening of AXN's Amazing Race Asia
by James P. Ong

PERHAPS it was the testosterone and adrenalin brewing in the air, but we sure had fun last night at the finale party of AXN's reality TV show, Amazing Race Asia. There was bottomless Singha beer, Vietnamese spring rolls and something that looked like prawn croquettes. Oh, and there were also the finalists! All six of them: Rovilson and Marc from the Philippines, Collin and Adrian from Singapore, and Pamela and Vanessa from Malaysia.

While AXN screened the last episode of Amazing Race Asia Season 2, our eyes were busy scanning the room and monitoring the reaction on the faces of the finalists to see if we could guess who the winner would be, ahead of everyone else. We asked the organisers, but all we got was "it's going to be a fairy tale ending."

Read more of Amazing How The Race Ended.

Cancer Prevention and Cure Are Topics In Year-Long Talks

Free cancer monthly cancer fora by Breast Cancer Foundation and West Medical Group hopes to help totally eradicate cancer as a life-threatening disease in Singapore
By James P. Ong

WITH the aim of increasing awareness of cancer and, consequently, its prevention and treatment, the premiere American cancer centre West Medical Group has tied up with the local Breast Cancer Foundation for a year-long series of free talks called “Life Matters.”

The talks will be held every last Wednesday of the month at Camden Medical Centre, where West Medical Group Singapore holds office, and is open to everyone, with a suggested donation of $20 for the Breast Cancer Foundation.

In January, the topic was “Cancer 101”. This 27 February, it will be “Cancer Prevention.”

According to West Medical Group, cancer is one of the most prevalent illnesses in the world and the most deadly illness in Singapore. Statistics from the Ministry of Health claims it was the cause of 28.5 percent of all deaths in 2006. In 2007, it took the lives of 4,762 Singaporeans.

Read more on Cancer Prevention and Cure.

How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Paint The Ways

Painted like a fashion magazine spread, Ronald Caringal's works are tongue-in-cheek renditions of his own encounters with love

FORGET jewelry, flowers, chocolates...forget everything you thought that would make a sweet Valentine's Day gift. Why don't you surprise your lover with a Ronald Caringal painting instead? In the artist's first overseas exhibit (he is from Manila where he runs his own art gallery called "The Cubicle"), he rips open his heart, dips his paintbrush into the blood, and comes up with a witty, tongue-in-cheek collection that looks like they were torn from the pages of a fashion magazine.

The reference to chic and style should come naturally to Caringal, who has spent many of his nights in Manila's wild party scene; even hosting some all-nighters at his gallery, where local bands perform on the top floor of the three-storey apartment building, to the chagrin of his neighbours.

Read more of How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Paint The Ways.

In Search Of Eurasian Food

It’s widely believed that the only way to taste authentic Eurasian cuisine is by visiting a Eurasian household—Quentin’s challenges that belief
By James P. Ong / Photographs by Leigh Mojares

BY THE time we reached Quentin’s, the avenue alongside it was already enjoying a reprieve from vehicular traffic and the skies were ready to turn sunset orange. So when the waitress offered to sit us inside the dimly lit dining area, in one of those elegant tables covered in two layers of cloth, red and black, we opted to dine al fresco. You know, the way people used to in Singapore back when they still lived in proper houses with balconies?

For those who are unaware, Quentin’s first opened in November at a charming shop house along East Coast Road. It immediately attracted a cult following; such is the rarity of restaurants that serve Eurasian food. It is widely believed that the best place to have this type of cuisine is at a Eurasian household. Quentin Pereira, the restaurant’s owner, is said to use recipes from his grandmother.

Read more of In Search of Eurasian Cuisine.

Watch Out For Our Buses!

88DB.com rolls out bus 2008 campaign with 15 buses
By James P. Ong

ON January 16, we finally rolled out our 2008 bus advertising campaign: “Shop For Services” at 88DB.com”. The buses illustrate the different kinds of unique services that can be found in your favourite website—including party entertainment, dog training, real estate brokerage, wedding photography, gown making, golf training and auto repair.

To achieve the colorful illustrations and straight-to-the-point copy, we collaborated with the super talented and patient folks at Religion advertising. “The campaign reflects the infinite number of services that can be found in the 88DB.com marketplace,” says JobsDB.com Managing Director Steven Seek. 88DB.com is a member of the JobsDB group of companies.

So watch out for these Bus Service Numbers (if you like, you can even take photos of it and submit to editor@88db.com.sg):

* 12 * 21 * 28 * 51 * 74 * 88 * 107 * 133 * 147 * 161 * 198 * 65 * 143 *

Read more on Watch Out For Our Buses!

There's More To Dog Massage Than Pampering

Rhythmic strokes, joint movements and deep kneading-yes, dogs deserve a massage too, whether it's for therapy or relaxation, and they can get it at Pawsitive Sensations, $25 for 30 minutes
By James P. Ong

MONTY is an 11-year-old corgi who has been going for his weekly 40-minute dog massage since March 2007. The moment he enters the doors of Pawsitive Sensations, he goes straight to the dog massage room and assumes the lying position in front of owner and therapist Zoe Gan, who begins the session with long strokes on Monty’s body, and then progresses to rhythmic strokes, joint movements and deep kneading.

While Monty lies on his side, two ladies wait after him: Gemma, his master, and a helper. Every so often, the two pluck out fresh tissues from a plastic container and wipe the drool off Monty, who is fast falling asleep despite the constant rumble caused by two other dogs in the room.

For canine owners in Singapore, dog massage is something whose time has come. As more and more single people acquire dogs as a companion, those with a considerable dispensable income would like to pamper their bundles of joy not just with toys and accessories but also services.

Read more on There's More To Dog Massage Than Pampering.