Lion City Rock
by The Fast Colors, Chris Toh, Kevin Mathews
How did Singapore's pop scene come about? Is there a difference between LionCityBoy and Lion City Kia?If you don't know, then you need the Lion City Rock podcast - the best podcast that looks at Singapore's pop music scene: past, present and future.Find out all about music made in Singapore as hosts Chris Toh and Kevin Mathews – and their special guests – plug into important Singapore music moments in this kopi tiam conversation.New episodes go up (or drop) every week.Don’t say bojio, ah!
Episodes
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Ep142: The Substation Is Here (and they're not going away)
Friends of the podcast Kim, Pok and Denise are back to share details about their new fundraising campaign to keep The Substation going. As one of the most recognised institutions and supporters of the arts since the 1990s, they have faced (and overcome) many challenges over the years. But this…
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Ep141: Cats, Chaos & Rock 'n' Roll | Ultra Mega Cat Attack
What has Loud Guitars, Big Energy & A Little Cat Chaos? Ultra Mega Cat Attack, that's what! When we saw them at the launch of their EP, The Future Is Meow, we just knew we had to get them on the pod. So we did! Hear from the Singapore alt-rock band as they chat about their music, their...
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Ep140: Encounter with Dr Liang Wern Fook & Wang Chenwei
We're excited about this episode because one of our guests is a local music icon: Dr Liang Wern Fook, one of the key voices of xinyao (meaning "Singapore songs") – which became a national musical and cultural movement. Alongside him is Wang Chenwei, who was the composer-in-residence for the...
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Minisode: Our Collab with The Substation on Indie Pride
A special minisode featuring Friend of the Pod, Patrick Chng, who's back with us to share all about Indie Pride, the new gig collab we're doing with The Substation! --- Links: Buy Indie Pride tickets Facebook Instagram YouTube Buy us a kopi on Buy Me A Coffee
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Minisode: Happy National Day!
A little minisode to wish our country a Happy 61st Birthday, Singapore! 🇸🇬 🎉🎂🎇 Plus, we've got a few different things going beyond our usual podcast. Deets to come soon. ---- LINKS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lioncityrock/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lioncityrock/ Lion City...
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Ep139: "Finding Meaning in What I Do" with Dru Chen (From The Vault)
📺 Watch the episode now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/J7tsd9gKzbY --- Eyes-Free Listening. Originally recorded June 2025 Dru Chen latest effort may be "Sparkle", the new song he co-wrote with singer Gareth Fernandez for the 2026 National Day album. But this episode, we take a time machine to the...
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Ep138: We're Baaack! It's the return of the pod!
Check out the new Lion City Rock YouTube channel WE'RE BACK! (and this time, can see our faces! 😜 ) Welcome back – or if you're new, welcome in – to a new season of Lion City Rock! It's been one hot minute, and we're kicking off with a bit of an upgrade. No more just listening to us talk cock...
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Ep137: Sound Advice with Mark Jason
Who's the most important person when it comes to a live performance? No, not the singer. Not the band manager. Not even the guy who removes all the blue M&Ms. If you're in a band about to do a show, the sound engineer or sound tech is the person you want on your side. They can make you sound…
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Ep136: Jazz Odyssey with Namie
What is it like being an experimental jazz singer-songwriter in the Lion City? How does one navigate a musical niche in a space like Singapore? How easy is it to explore out-of-the-box musical inspirations in a place where traditional forms seem to be favoured more? Namie Rasman, lead singer of...
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Ep135: Ketchup II – Bigger, Longer, Stronger
With nightlife and entertainment spots closing over the past few weeks – Projector, Vertigo26, and for one hot minute, even Wala Wala – Kevin and Chris ask the hard question: How can dis be allow? In this special extended episode, the TCSS returns – iykyk – as they also unpick the "now you can...
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Ep134: Shining On with WTTM
What do echoes, money, dogs and time have in common? What's the dark side of tribute bands? And how much stroking is necessary before a podcast episode can actually begin? Laurence and Noel of Welcome To The Machine, a Pink Floyd tribute band from Singapore, answer those questions and more. Their...
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Ep133: First Beliefs with Dominic Chin
Dominic Chin has been singing ever since he was in his teens. His first original song, "You First Believed" – a tribute to Singapore's founding father and first Prime Minister, went viral. Now, 11 years later, he's back with a new single, "Needy" and plans for a new album drop at the end of the...
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Happy SG60!
Can you believe that it was 60 years ago when Naomi and The Boys released their megahit, "Happy Happy Birthday Baby"? That same year, the Lion City decided to make its way in the world by itself! Coincidence? Maybe. But to mark SG60, we decided to do what all Singaporeans do best: go makan…
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Ep132: The One with Leslie Low
It's been a long time coming, but we finally did it! We have Leslie Low on the show! Sure, it took us the better part of three years – specifically three years, seven months and 3 days – but hey, who's counting? Leslie one of Singapore's finest songwriters, and if there ever is a Rock 'n' Roll…
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Ep131: The LCR Ketchup Episode
WE'RE BACK! Welcome to the new phase Lion City Rock, which is... pretty much like the old phase Lion City Rock, if we're being honest – but with more sprinkles! We've quite a few things in the pipeline, though, and we're going to do our best to make sure they all come to pass. Just what are they...
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Passing: Leslie Low in Concert for The Substation's 35th Year
DID YOU KNOW that Leslie Low's music journey kinda sorta began at the same time as one of Singapore's influential arts companies, The Substation? Well, we didn't – until we were asked to support this cool event on 10 Aug, 5pm at the Esplanade Recital Studio. Passing is a lyrical and sonic journey...
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Ep130: BigO 4-0 (a review part 2)
Was there a better way to spend a Sunday than having your eardrums blasted and your face melted by some of the biggest bands of the 1990s? Well, if you're not into that sorta thing, then yes, probably. But for us at the Lion City Rock pod, Day 2 of the BigO 4-0 show brought the house down as six...
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Ep129: BigO 4-0 (a review)
As crowds throng the spaces to listen to political candidates wax lyrical about how they plan to improve Singapore, the LCR team look back on two days in April when crowds thronged The Blackbird Singapore to listen to veteran indie rockers who came together to wax lyrical about the 40th…
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Ep128: Surath and Joanna (The Blackbird, Reverie)
Where can you go to hear a live band play Steely Dan's "Reelin' In The Years" or the 11-minute opus that is the live version of "Sultans Of Swing", complete with sax solo? Well, The Blackbird at Gillman Barracks, that's where. The Blackbird's resident band, Reverie, plays songs that aren't always...
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Ep127: It's The Oddfellows! (BigO 40 Special)
What a show we have for you! Yes, you and only you! Our featured guests on the podcast are none other than The Oddfellows! They helped spearhead the Singapore indie scene in the late 1980s and have garnered much acclaim and accolades through the years. But what exactly are they doing now? Well,...
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Ep126: The Great Spy Experiment (BigO 40 Special)
We're continuing our Lion City Rock x BigO 4-O series for the 40 Years Of Counter-Culture music festival, which will be held on 12-13 April at The Blackbird to celebrate the 40th anniversary of BigO Magazine, one of the cornerstones of Singapore's indie music scene of the 1990s. The line-up...
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Ep125: Disko Biscuit (BigO special episode!)
It's the first of our Lion City Rock x BigO 4-O episodes for the 40 Years Of Counter-Culture music festival. Happening on 12-13 April at The Blackbird, it's two days of music remembering and celebrating one of the cornerstones of Singapore's indie music scene of the 1990s: BigO Magazine. Bands...
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Ep124: We Can't Believe It's Astreal!
IT'S FINALLY HERE: Our monumental mega-episode with ASTREAL! As one of the key shoegaze bands here in the Lion City over the past three decades, Astreal has been going through thick and thin, releasing three albums and performing at every major gig you can think of. Ginette Chittick (bass/vocals)...
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Ep123: No Excuse For Sexism Review
Happy International Women's Day! To mark the occasion, we're looking back at an album that made a splash back in the day: No Excuse For Sexism. Released in 1998, it was the first album to feature an all-female line-up, with all-female or female-fronted bands: Clothes Peg, Flying Pills, Sideshow...
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Ep122: Robin (KiDG) and Joe (Ng)
We're honoured to be part of No Finer Time To Be Alive, a music event on 15 March 2025, 6pm at Vertigo26 where The Substation will kickstart celebrations for its 35th anniversary. To share more about this lively do is the lively duo behind it all, DJ KiDG, aka Robin Chua and award-winning…
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Rewind Episode: Yuni & Kim of The Substation
We're honoured to be part of No Finer Time To Be Alive, a music event on 15 March 2025, 6pm at Vertigo26 where The Substation will kickstart celebrations for its 35th anniversary. Featuring iconic Singaporean music curated and mixed live by DJ KiDG (Robin Chua), the five-hour non-stop set will…
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Ep121: Taledrops
It's a tale of Taledrops this week! One of Singapore's freshest bands has been rocking the Lion City with their very own "Drama Rock". In this episode, the female fivesome—Shan, Jingmin, Kiara, Zee, and Pearly—spill the beans on their journey. They reveal what made them form a band, how the name...
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Ep120: Live At The Green Room Review
We travel back to 1998 to see, or rather, hear, what happened on 15 December of that year at the Green Room, a studio run by veteran Lion City Rocker Tony Goh. The result was an album recorded live and distributed by BigO magazine, featuring music by four young bands: Electric Co. (later to…
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Ep119: Sanny Veloo's Brighter Tomorrow
Friend Of The Pod Sanny Velloo is back to share more of his continuing journey as a solo musician. Fresh from launching his latest single, "A Brighter Tomorrow", Sanny shares what it has been like going solo, what his new album is about, and the chances of becoming the world's only Rock 'n' Roll...
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Ep118: New Year, New Ideas
It's our AAR episode! And then some! In 2024, we had over 2,000 downloads from more than 40 countries! That's not something we thought we'd ever achieve and we don't take it lightly! Thank you listeners for making it all worthwhile! But we aren't just patting ourselves on the back for a job well...
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Ep117: 2024 Wrapped (feat. Shye)
Oh, what a year it has been! As we say goodbye to 2024, we thought we'd reflect on the year with our top five fave moments on the pod. Unsurprisingly - or perhaps, surprisingly - Chris and Kevin had four same items out of the five on their list. But what was the different one? PLUS! A special...
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Ep116: The Return of Isaac Chiew
You know it's a fun day when Friend of the Pod Isaac Chiew returns to share more thoughts about the Lion City's music scene. How have his experiences working with record labels and youth organisations shaped his mindset? Which Lion City Rockers rock his boat? And when will his band, Cactus…
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Ep115: Busking with Pat Chng
We’re so happy to have friend of the pod Patrick Chng, back for another episode! This time, the Oddfather of Singapore Indie Music spills the beans about his new journey into the world busking in the Lion City. What does it take to be a busker in Singapore? Where are all the hot busking spots?…
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Ep114: Iman's League
It's punk rock like you've never heard it before! With fans from all over the region, power trio Iman's League have been rocking the stage with their high-energy performances and ballsy bangers. Iman, Bat and Lal got on the pod to share their thoughts about the best and worst gigs, what peeves…
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Ep113: The Story of Shanty with Henry Chua and Wee Guan (The Quests)
IT'S ANOTHER BUMPER EPISODE! Lion City Rock legends Henry Chua and Wee Guan tell us the story of "Shanty", the song that changed the Singapore music landscape. Written by Henry and recorded by The Quests, it was released in Oct 1964 and became the first original composition by a Singapore band to...
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Ep112: 1964 - 60 Years of Rock & Roll (Part 2)
It's Part 2 of 60 years of maximum rock and roll! In July, The Beatles caused a minor riot as 3,000 teens flock to the airport to see the Fab Four's... plane. In Oct 1964, The Quests reached #1 with "Shanty", knocking The Beatles off the top spot! That same month, local and international bands…
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Ep111: 1964 - 60 Years of Rock 'n' Roll
Can you imagine when Singapore wasn't Singapore, but Malaysia? We can't – but luckily, we read history books. In 1964, the Lion City hadn't achieved independence. The geo-political and socio-economic landscapes were still on shaky ground. But the pop scene was already making inroads. The…
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Ep110: Dawn Parry and Joe Eades
"It's a new dawn comin' round..." And she's right here on our podcast! Our guests are Dawn Parry, host and presenter on newdawn.fm, and Joe Eades, the A&R Coordinator of Jukebox Judgement, a show where some of the top producers in the world give their reviews about new music from around the…
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Ep109: Yuni & Kim of The Substation
Back in the 1990s, The Substation was The Place To Be for many musicians, artists, actors, filmmakers, performers and well, just about anyone who was into the arts. But while the building may be gone, it's thanks to people like Yuni Hadi and Kim Dy-Liacco who ensure that The Substation is still A...
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Ep108: Tan Peng Sing (Club Mild)
How can young musicians develop their brand? Should we follow what's trending in the music scene? What does it mean to "make it" as a musician? Find out the answers to these questions and more with our guest, Club Mild guitarist Tan Peng Sing. Peng Sing has worn many musical hats – not only is he…
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Ep107: Benny's
We're sorry this is so late. The past few weeks have been strange at the Lion City Rock pod. But we're back with this new episode featuring a chat with young singer-songwriter, Benny's. A true music fan, Benny's wears her musical heart on her sleeve and her songs reflect her thoughts about life,...
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Ep106: Josh & Leonard of Tumbleweed Studios
It's the return of Leo! Yup, Leonard Soosay is back! This time, he's joined by Josh Wei to talk more about their plans for 'Weed - Tumbleweed Studios, that is. The pair started Tumbleweed (conveniently located at The Esplanade) because they felt younger musicians needed a conveniently located...
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Ep105: The Great Catch-up Episode
Chris and Kevin took time to catch up in this episode where they talk about the LCR schedule, money money money, our guitar-toting PM, Chris' new anime fetish – Bocchi The Rock!, and Kevin stacking up his Substack. They prattled on for so long we just had to cut it sho- ****** LINKS The Lion City...
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Ep104: Bellied Star
It's all about Star power! Bellied Star, that is. Young rockers Audrey, Ethan, Marco and Mitch have been making a splash on the scene in the last 18 months with their exuberant rock and energetic live performances. With their debut album, SPUT, just out, Bellied Star is keeping the Lion City...
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Ep103: Art Fazil (he's back!)
We're a few weeks late with this one, but hey, that's Life. Our guest is returning friend of the pod, Art Fazil, who's back to share more about what's been happening in his life, the Ramadan Moon album he recorded earlier this year, and what it takes for the Singapore scene to get off the ground....
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Ep102: Orchard Road Special ft. Li Lin Wee, Shaiful Risan & KK Liew
Orchard Road – Singapore's most famous road! – is more than just a shopping belt. Back in the 1960s, it was the home of tea dance venues like the famous Golden Venus. In the 1980s, shopping malls like Far East Plaza and Centrepoint were hubs for scores of teens. And for four years running…
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Ep101: Time of Rebirth (a review)
When The Observatory's debut album, Time Of Rebirth, was released in 2004, it was an eye-opening (ear-opening?) experience for listeners. Filled with rhythms and grooves, along with a smattering of the experimentation that the band would go on to do, it was lauded by critics. It was even picked…
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Ep100: Shazza
Who's that girl who blew up the Internet singing with Crash Adams? Why, that's Shazza, our Lion City Rock guest today! The singer has been making waves in recent times, and she shares all about her music journey so far: dropping her debut album last year, appearing on the Times Square billboard,...
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Ep99: Steve Ferzacca
Anthropologist and author of Sonic City Steve Ferzacca joins us this week to talk about his book and why a Canadian academic (that's Steve, btw) ended up writing about the Singapore music scene. Along the way, he shares his memories of the late Jimmy Appudurai-Chua; gigging with a Straydog in...
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Ep98: Coming Up Roses
Everything is Coming Up Roses this week! The band have been busy over the past 12 months: they released a single, 'Utopia Reimagined: These Corners', saw personnel changes, did several gigs to hone their chops, and put together a new eponymous EP, which will drop on 5 April (or has dropped…
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About this show
How did Singapore's pop scene come about? Is there a difference between LionCityBoy and Lion City Kia?If you don't know, then you need the Lion City Rock podcast - the best podcast that looks at Singapore's pop music scene: past, present and future.Find out all about music made in Singapore as hosts Chris Toh and Kevin Mathews – and their special guests – plug into important Singapore music moments in this kopi tiam conversation.New episodes go up (or drop) every week.Don’t say bojio, ah!
Hosted by
The Fast Colors, Chris Toh, Kevin Mathews