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Meet KT The Word Guru
I am hopeless in technology. As much as I know of its importance and usefulness in the world today, I just can’t seem to get the hang of it. As much as I’m fascinated, I remain distanced from it.
So, when my good friends and partner at Room for Dessert Deborah Soh suggested she could do a website for me, I was puzzled by it. I didn’t really know the potential of such an undertaking.
Now, I do. Debs did a great job, putting in pictures, and adding information and quotes which everyone can have access to. I’ve gotten good responses through the years and I’m really grateful to her for having done it.
Wang Jian Bin (aka Bin) has continued his good work by creating a new site for me. An interactive artist I respect, Bin has managed to upload some of my music, and also put more graphic visuals and photos to it, and a blog, with links to different sites. Last I heard, he’s uploaded EX-TOIL, video artist Toh Hun Ping’s (also a good friend) visual creation of the remix of my music. I love Hun Ping’s work and am honored that he would even consider using my music for his work. I thank Bin and Hun Ping for their hard and beautiful work!
Through the years, I’ve taught at Lasalle College for the Arts, and have met and made friends with some of the finest artists that have come out from Singapore or any part of the world. Painters like Sia Joo Hiang, Rossalyn Tan, painter and musician Jeremy Sharma, and of course Hun Ping and Bin. I believe in the true power of friendship and Art put together, and that it can transform Art and communities as a whole.
Making Art in Singapore is a very surreal experience for me. When you are interested in reality, your own personal vision, and to plunge the depths of art, you are often greeted with disinterest, puzzlement and ignorance. Especially if you decide to be indifferent to the status quo, and to the upper echelon of bureaucracies.
50 albums, 2 books, and a few plays later, I held on to what I believe. Skeptical and questioning, I am also hopeful and determined to push the envelope and to be as uncompromising, if not more than before, in my Art, and in my life.
Perhaps this new website is an embodiment of those traits, and perhaps not. But whatever it is, it is here for your perusal. Check it out if you want. Don’t if you won’t. It may make no difference to you. We live. We die. But if it does, then it’s my gain, as much as it is yours.
STRAIGHT UP!
Kelvin
2006
*This current site is designed by Sia Joo Hiang.
So, when my good friends and partner at Room for Dessert Deborah Soh suggested she could do a website for me, I was puzzled by it. I didn’t really know the potential of such an undertaking.
Now, I do. Debs did a great job, putting in pictures, and adding information and quotes which everyone can have access to. I’ve gotten good responses through the years and I’m really grateful to her for having done it.
Wang Jian Bin (aka Bin) has continued his good work by creating a new site for me. An interactive artist I respect, Bin has managed to upload some of my music, and also put more graphic visuals and photos to it, and a blog, with links to different sites. Last I heard, he’s uploaded EX-TOIL, video artist Toh Hun Ping’s (also a good friend) visual creation of the remix of my music. I love Hun Ping’s work and am honored that he would even consider using my music for his work. I thank Bin and Hun Ping for their hard and beautiful work!
Through the years, I’ve taught at Lasalle College for the Arts, and have met and made friends with some of the finest artists that have come out from Singapore or any part of the world. Painters like Sia Joo Hiang, Rossalyn Tan, painter and musician Jeremy Sharma, and of course Hun Ping and Bin. I believe in the true power of friendship and Art put together, and that it can transform Art and communities as a whole.
Making Art in Singapore is a very surreal experience for me. When you are interested in reality, your own personal vision, and to plunge the depths of art, you are often greeted with disinterest, puzzlement and ignorance. Especially if you decide to be indifferent to the status quo, and to the upper echelon of bureaucracies.
50 albums, 2 books, and a few plays later, I held on to what I believe. Skeptical and questioning, I am also hopeful and determined to push the envelope and to be as uncompromising, if not more than before, in my Art, and in my life.
Perhaps this new website is an embodiment of those traits, and perhaps not. But whatever it is, it is here for your perusal. Check it out if you want. Don’t if you won’t. It may make no difference to you. We live. We die. But if it does, then it’s my gain, as much as it is yours.
STRAIGHT UP!
Kelvin
2006
*This current site is designed by Sia Joo Hiang.
Portrait by Jeremy Sharma
Facts
1964
Born 22 Aug 1964, Singapore.
1971-81
Attended Anglo-Chinese Primary & Secondary Schools
1982 - 83
Served as President of the 2nd Student Council, Jurong Junior College.
1982
Awarded Merit Certificate for ‘Swan Leda’ in 1982 Shell National Short-Story Competition
1985
Wrote play ‘Tramps Like Us’. Awarded 3rd Prize in 1985 Shell Short Play Competition.
1989-90
Joined ‘The Oddfellows’ as lead guitarist. Wrote ‘She’s So Innocent’, recorded by the band.
1990
Graduated with Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Literature from National University of Singapore.
1992
Published first book ‘All Broken Up and Dancing’.
1993
Wrote play ‘Flights Through Darkness’.
1995
Formed 3-man experimental band ‘Stigmata’. Article ‘Artistic Individualism Defiled’ published in book ‘No Finer Time To Be Alive?’.
1997
Co-founded Aporia Society, a multi-disciplinary arts society, together with Wong Kwang Han.
1998
- Released first solo album ‘The Bluest Silence’. Wrote plays ‘Life is an Angel’ and ‘Vermeiden//a(Void)’.- Invited to and perfomed at the 16th North Korean Spring Art Festival.
1999
- Performed solo at NUS Esso Campus Concerts.- Formed 2-man experimental band ‘Path Integral’. Released solo album ‘Alone, Descending… Sisyphus’, and ‘Plumbing’ by Stigmata.
2000
Released ‘Songs In Search of an Other’.
2001
Published ‘the Nethe(r);R’. Released ‘Disembowelling Brecht’ and ‘Being; In the Light of Convergence’.
2002
- Released 4 solo albums - ‘Understanding the Lion’, ‘Mortal Songs for Believers’, ‘Meta(axis):In Reverse’ and ‘Remnants form the Cities of Reason’.- Started lecturing (part-time) at LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts.
2003
- Performed first solo concert at the Esplanade: Music Box. Performed with Path Integral at the Esplanade: Music Box.- Released 3 solo albums - ‘Myths from the Wilderness’, ‘Truths and Consequences’ and ‘Dreams of the Enigma Revealed’.
- Started ‘Room For Dessert’ - an online bakery specializing in American-style carrot cake, together with friends.
2004
- Formed band Prana vs r-H together with Patrick Chng, of The Oddfellows, and Rajesh Hardwani, a dance musician. Performed at the launch of the President’s Challenge, and at the Esplanade’s On The Waterfront series of outdoor performances (17-19 Sep & 29 Oct).- Released 4 solo albums in “The Wilderness Quartets” - ‘…and the hope painted the sky grey…’, ‘Hosea’s Tears’, ‘Reclaiming: The Double’ and ‘Notes to the Infinity’.
2005
- Performance by Prana vs r-H at the Esplanade’s On The Waterfront series (21 Jan).- Invited to perform at the KL Sing Song 2005 in April - a festival featuring singer-songwriters from around the South East Asian region.
- Released Path Integral’s first album (****)!!!.
- Performed solo at the Esplanade’s ‘On The Waterfront’ series (8 & 9 July).
- Room For Dessert opens its very own storefront at Waterloo St in July.
- Released 4 solo albums in “When We Our Spirits Awaken I- IV”- ‘Embracing The Abyss’, ‘Grace-Centred Soul’, ‘Explorations in View of the Mercy Seat I & II’.
2006
1st solo performance “Embracing The Abyss” held at the Esplanade Recital Studio on 24 Feb 06.
Born 22 Aug 1964, Singapore.
1971-81
Attended Anglo-Chinese Primary & Secondary Schools
1982 - 83
Served as President of the 2nd Student Council, Jurong Junior College.
1982
Awarded Merit Certificate for ‘Swan Leda’ in 1982 Shell National Short-Story Competition
1985
Wrote play ‘Tramps Like Us’. Awarded 3rd Prize in 1985 Shell Short Play Competition.
1989-90
Joined ‘The Oddfellows’ as lead guitarist. Wrote ‘She’s So Innocent’, recorded by the band.
1990
Graduated with Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Literature from National University of Singapore.
1992
Published first book ‘All Broken Up and Dancing’.
1993
Wrote play ‘Flights Through Darkness’.
1995
Formed 3-man experimental band ‘Stigmata’. Article ‘Artistic Individualism Defiled’ published in book ‘No Finer Time To Be Alive?’.
1997
Co-founded Aporia Society, a multi-disciplinary arts society, together with Wong Kwang Han.
1998
- Released first solo album ‘The Bluest Silence’. Wrote plays ‘Life is an Angel’ and ‘Vermeiden//a(Void)’.- Invited to and perfomed at the 16th North Korean Spring Art Festival.
1999
- Performed solo at NUS Esso Campus Concerts.- Formed 2-man experimental band ‘Path Integral’. Released solo album ‘Alone, Descending… Sisyphus’, and ‘Plumbing’ by Stigmata.
2000
Released ‘Songs In Search of an Other’.
2001
Published ‘the Nethe(r);R’. Released ‘Disembowelling Brecht’ and ‘Being; In the Light of Convergence’.
2002
- Released 4 solo albums - ‘Understanding the Lion’, ‘Mortal Songs for Believers’, ‘Meta(axis):In Reverse’ and ‘Remnants form the Cities of Reason’.- Started lecturing (part-time) at LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts.
2003
- Performed first solo concert at the Esplanade: Music Box. Performed with Path Integral at the Esplanade: Music Box.- Released 3 solo albums - ‘Myths from the Wilderness’, ‘Truths and Consequences’ and ‘Dreams of the Enigma Revealed’.
- Started ‘Room For Dessert’ - an online bakery specializing in American-style carrot cake, together with friends.
2004
- Formed band Prana vs r-H together with Patrick Chng, of The Oddfellows, and Rajesh Hardwani, a dance musician. Performed at the launch of the President’s Challenge, and at the Esplanade’s On The Waterfront series of outdoor performances (17-19 Sep & 29 Oct).- Released 4 solo albums in “The Wilderness Quartets” - ‘…and the hope painted the sky grey…’, ‘Hosea’s Tears’, ‘Reclaiming: The Double’ and ‘Notes to the Infinity’.
2005
- Performance by Prana vs r-H at the Esplanade’s On The Waterfront series (21 Jan).- Invited to perform at the KL Sing Song 2005 in April - a festival featuring singer-songwriters from around the South East Asian region.
- Released Path Integral’s first album (****)!!!.
- Performed solo at the Esplanade’s ‘On The Waterfront’ series (8 & 9 July).
- Room For Dessert opens its very own storefront at Waterloo St in July.
- Released 4 solo albums in “When We Our Spirits Awaken I- IV”- ‘Embracing The Abyss’, ‘Grace-Centred Soul’, ‘Explorations in View of the Mercy Seat I & II’.
2006
1st solo performance “Embracing The Abyss” held at the Esplanade Recital Studio on 24 Feb 06.
© 2013 KELVIN TAN