How was Timbre started? How are the roles split between Edward and yourself?
I was a full time musician, starting with a band from West Australia in 1999 after graduating. That experience as a musician was very important in shaping his thoughts to set up my own place, which eventually happened with Edward.
Since I was 18, I’ve always wanted my own place. But I wasn’t that serious until we disbanded in 2004. When I was playing in Australia, we were the only Asian-fronted band, and it was about promoting the music from Asia, as we stood out in the scene that was dominated mostly by white musicians. In 2001, I came back to Singapore with the band, and were based here for three years promoting the album and playing at various shows here and overseas.
Thanks to the eight years I spent as a musician, it developed a drive within me to build a brand name like Timbre as a force to promote Asian musicians, Asian music, and also help guide the bands.
I eventually met Edward in 2003 when he was running youth arts organization, Arts For Us All, and he invited my band to play at his events. We kept in touch, and talked about the idea of having a place, and came across the Substation, which was the first important step to what it is now.
Edward is the Managing Director, while I am the Chief Creative Director. Together with my team, we play A&R role, artiste management and creative role and develop our musicians and bands, making sure that the listeners come back and to maintain the brand’s main objective to uplift and support Singapore musicians.