The Observatory (band)

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This article refers to the Singaporean band. For the album by Cadet, see The Observatory.

The Observatory

Country	Singapore
Years active	2002–Present
Genres	electronica, indie rock
Members	Leslie Low Vivian Wang Dharma Evan Tan Victor Low Adam Shah

The Observatory are an indie space rock and electronica band based in Singapore. They have toured throughout Asia and are influential in the Singapore music scene. They first performed at the Baybeats music festival in December 2002, and have released two albums, Time of Rebirth, March 2004, and Blank Walls, September 2005. They use electronic effects extensively, using several laptops during their performances.

1 Members
2 Discography
- 2.1 Time of Rebirth
- 2.2 Blank Walls
3 External links

[edit] Members

Leslie Low - Lead Vocals, Electric + Acoustic Guitars, Programming, Bass, Harmonica

Former frontman of veteran local band Humpback Oak, Leslie is the singer, guitarist and occasional bassist in the band. He is a music composer and sound designer by profession. Low graduated from the School of Film and Media Studies at Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a Diploma in Film, Sound and Video.

Vivian Wang - Vocals, Piano, Keyboards, Melodica, Percussion

Classically trained pianist Vivian Wang sings, plays keyboards and generates sonic effects on laptops and synthesizer. Wang is a former TV presenter of the arts programme “Artitude” on local channel TV12 and also a host of Cathay Pacific’s inflight series “World of Travel”. Music supervisor and film producer by profession. Wang graduated with an Honours in Music.

The Observatory have appeared at multiple music fests within Singapore, including several times at the Esplanade (at left)

Dharma - Electric Guitar

A Nanyang Technological University Engineering graduate, Dharma is currently a mechanical engineer at Epson. A guitarist with the band Heritage from 1995 - 1998, he is also the frontman of local funk band, Throb.

Evan Tan - Programming, Keyboards, Melodica, Percussion

An archivist specialising in audio-visual restoration at the Singapore National Archives. Tan toured overseas with former band The Padres during their album promotion organised by Rock Records. An active performer/programmer in the digital music scene.

Victor Low - Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Bass Guitar, Glockenspiel

Music composer by profession. Low is former bassist of veteran local Singapore band Concave Scream [1]. Classical guitar specialist. Low is an Economics graduate of Boston University.

Adam Shah - Drums, Percussion

Youngest member of the group. A sessionist since 15, Shah is musically adept at guitar and bass as well. He joined in January 2005, bringing with him a style that reflects his eclectic influences such as Bloc Party, Radiohead, Broken Social Scene, Lamb of God, Mastodon, John Coltrane, John Butler, The Mars Volta and Pat Metheny, to name a few.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Time of Rebirth

Released: March 2004
Produced by: The Observatory & Rennie Gomes
Mixed by: The Observatory & Rennie Gomes @ our homes & Yellow Box Studios, Singapore

Their debut album Time of Rebirth, released in March 2004, is a quiet, ruminating album of poignant songs underlined by delicate textures and lush instrumentation. Delivered in hush tones over layers of subtle electronic elements blended with a distinct acoustic feel. It was written and recorded over a period of two and a half years.

It features nonstandard packaging, rather than coming in a jewel case, it was released in the form of a diary, complete with paperclipped photos and "torn pages". The band all had a hand in assembling the packaging.

[edit] Blank Walls

Released September 2005
Produced by: The Observatory & Jorgen Traeen
Mixed by: Jorgen Traeen @ Duper, Norway

Their second album, Blank Walls, elaborates on the band’s philosophy of perpetual change.

Blank Walls is deliberately loose, eschewing particular themes and genres while embracing unconventional structures, progressive sounds and improvisatory forms, continuing an experimentation with song form, delving into greater depths of musical and lyrical tension, creating a diverse, experimental palette of words, sonic layering, and musical contrasts. The subject matter signals a mood-shift towards a more palpable intensity, exploring various themes from anger to disenchantment, from the quaint and humorous to self-mockery or plain indignation.