Figure8 Agency – White Shoes & The Couples Company Concert

White Shoes & The Couples Company (ID) Singapore Concert – 8 November Supporting acts: SAYCET (FR), B-Quartet (SG) By Figure8 Agency

Figure8 Agency – White Shoes & The Couples Company Concert

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Figure8 Agency: a new promoter in Singapore www.facebook.com/F8Agency [email protected]

Figure8 Agency aims at developing the indie music scene in Asia by promoting an alternative culture and helping local bands reach their potential within Asia, and beyond. Fact Box Figure8 Agency is proud to be presenting White Shoes & The Couples Company, and B-Quartet to Singaporean audiences as part of the Voilah! Festival, an event organized by the French Embassy in Singapore.

 Date: 8 November 2011  Venue: Main Theater @ La Salle, Singapore 1 McNally Street - http://www.lasalle.edu.sg/

 Capacity: 500 pax

Inviting two South-East Asian bands to play along with a French act is no coincidence. Figure8 Agency is committed to cultural and artistic exchange, and to the promotion of the most innovative, and original emerging artists. White Shoes & The Couples Company, Saycet and B-Quartet embody these values, and will come together for the first time at this unique event.

 Line up:

Figure8 Agency is a Singapore-based organization specializing in the management of international and local artists; the production of indie events in Singapore; tour coordination in Asia merchandising and promotion (online and offline).

 Ticket

o Main act: White Shoes & The Couples Company o Supporting act: Saycet o Supporting act: B-Quartet

 Open: 7.30pm price: $30 at the door

Start: 8pm SG$25

with

reservation

 Reservation: [email protected] Or: +65 986 69259

Figure8 Agency – White Shoes & The Couples Company Concert

MAIN ACT 3 (ID): The White Shoes and the Couples Company “A deliciously anachronistic sound” The Times Magazine Formed in 2002 in Jakarta, White Shoes & The Couples Company blend 1960’s Burt Bacharach-inspired melodies with winsome indie pop to create a truly unique sound that bring us back to the 1970’s or even to the 1930’s, with charming, distinct melodies and orchestration. While their muses come from blasts from the pasts, their sound is original, fresh and fun. Their story and whole aesthetic is so endearing that it shines through in their music. Singing in both English and Indonesian, this sextet makes pop songs that you'd be excused for thinking had come straight off the soundtrack of Katamari Damacy, or a tender Sonny Chiba movie. But while the Indonesian lyrics of most White Shoes songs may limit comprehension, the band’s effervescent music is crafty in its simplicity and has universal appeal. Hooky, catchy pop on the surface, White Shoes songs also incorporate tricky time signatures, swinging solo breaks, lush orchestrations and vintage keyboard tones.

Music: http://www.myspace.com/whiteshoesandthecouplesco mpany

Allmusic.com: “The White Shoes & the Couples Company is hands down the best indie pop band to call Jakarta home.”

Website: http://www.whiteshoesandthecouplescompany.org

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Figure8 Agency – White Shoes & The Couples Company Concert

SUPPORTING ACT: Saycet Saycet is on track to become a safe bet amongst the most captivating acts of this year. Saycet is the project of Pierre Lefeuvre, a French music composer hailing from Paris who cut his teeth listening to Boards of Canada and Mum. Warmly acclaimed by the critics (One Day at Home has received special attention from the national press, notably from the printed media references TRAX and Les Inrocks), Saycet’s first full-length has managed to capture the frailties of a lifetime. Both fleecy and tensed, elusive and introspective, the songs that compose One Day At Home sublimate melancholy and solitude. Saycet’s music is an invitation to daydreaming and would perfectly lend itself to the soundtrack of a contemplative walk. Now joined by vocalist Phoene Somsavath who brought her delicate signature, Saycet embraces vivid arrangements and crafts a brand of experimental pop. With discrete vocal samples that breeze in and vanish, waltzing melodies, layered keyboards and detailed electronics, Saycet takes the listener on a timeless journey. The one-year-long collaboration has given birth to a second album Through The Window released in 2010. As a live act, Saycet also comprised of VJ Zita Cochet, whose video projections emphasize the cinematic aspect of their music. The images are colorful shapes and shades, bright lights fading out playing hide and seek with the melodies, and underline the poetry of their universe.

Music: http://www.myspace.com/saycet

LES INROCKS: “Recently CQFD winner (award from the French magazine Les Inrocks), Saycet opens the window of his cocoon studio for a wonderful soundtrack of big spaces.”

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Figure8 Agency – White Shoes & The Couples Company Concert

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SUPPORTING ACT: B-Quartet “B-Quartet’s music is a graceful concoction of progressive rock and whimsical poetry.” Since late 1999, B-Quartet has been wandering. The band disregards genres and conventions in search for the proper musical language to express the ideals which they hold dear to their hearts. The language conveyed isn't about being unconventional but about challenging conventions varying from songwriting to delivery. Being winners of the 2002 Yamaha Asian Beat band competition, B-Quartet is made up of two pairs of brothers who happen to be cousins as well. They blend jazz, folk and rock into a blindingly tight set, reflecting their eclectic tastes in music. Playing with a telepathic ability, their technical prowess on their instruments and their exquisite vocal harmonies have enchanted and mesmerized audiences, winning them fans everywhere they go. B-Quartet's Conformity has replaced consciousness (released in 2010) sees the rock band taking a different approach to their trademark sound. Eschewing the electronic elements and synthesizers used in their debut LP, they opt for a more organic and mellow sound for the second offering. While the signature bombastic rock tunes might be stripped down, they form the overall sombre and dark mood of the album.

YAHOO NEWS SG: “Their eclectic mix of sounds is both artistic and unique and their works, truly original in every sense of the word.”

Music: http://www.myspace.com/bquartet http://b-quartet.bandcamp.com/

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Figure8 Agency – White Shoes & The Couples Company Concert

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VENUE: Main Theatre @LaSalle College of Arts

“Contemporary in focus and innovative in approach, LaSalle has been nurturing some of Singapore’s leading creative practitioners.”

LASALLE was conceptualized and designed by Singapore-based architectural firm, RSP Architects. It represented Singapore in the architectural section of the Venice Biennale in 2004. It is a living sculpture and contemporary architectural masterpiece that serves as a major landmark within the cityscape. Founded in 1984, LASALLE College of the Arts is a specialist tertiary institution leading contemporary arts education in fine art, design, media and performing arts in the Asia Pacific. It aims at developing links with the creative industries of Singapore as a partner, as a provider of advice, expertise and education, and as a facilitator of new ventures. It is therefore the host of the public this concert is aimed at and the ideal location for it to take place. This space has a flexible seating system, lighting and sound facilities that make it suitable for experimental performances and events. In matches every criteria to host the performance of the White Shoes & The Couples Company, B-Quartet and Saycet both in terms of atmosphere and infrastructure.

Photo by Muhammad Firdaus Mohd Noor

Figure8 Agency – White Shoes & The Couples Company Concert

In partnership with:

www.figure8-agency.com Contact: [email protected] + [email protected] + [email protected]

Figure8 Agency is a Singapore based company specializing in management of artists, production of indie events in Singapore, tour coordination in Asia and merchandising and promotion (online and offline). We aim at developing the indie music scene in Asia by promoting an alternative culture and helping local bands reach their potential within Asia and beyond.

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