In order to move forward, can the past ever be an inspiration or should it be abandoned? This constant negotiation occurs in Singapore as we play tug-of-war with our cultural traditions and the competitive spirit to be the face of the future in the aspects of architecture and The Arts. However, there are groups of artists working towards a vision of melding the two together to forge another path for themselves, with one of them being SAtheCollective.

SA (仨) is a triplet band trained in traditional Chinese music, with their own space at Goodman Arts Centre.

SA: We played in the same orchestra outside (of) school, active in the amateur Chinese Orchestral scene during our school days (when we were 15-20 years old).

With this training as a foundation for their work, the trio explores the concept of identity through the creation of original soundscapes with an inventive approach to Chinese musical instruments. Through their original music, they seek a point of convergence between multiple pasts, presents, and futures. They embrace plurality and can be seen actively pursuing collaborations and spontaneous improvisation work.

At the moment, they are expanding beyond their own musical instruments of choice and incorporating other sounds.

SA: Andy, being the main founder of the collective had always been innovative in his approach towards Ethnic Chinese forms of music. Prior to SA, he was already actively creating different forms of Chinese music such as that of a jazz band, and a fusion band thereafter. SA could be said to be his 3rd “invention” or re-imagination of what Chinese music could be. 

We have moved on from thinking of ourselves as a trio to a collective (and therefore the name SAtheCollective as an extension of SA). We’ve started to see ourselves working increasingly frequently with collaborators and the public can expect to see more works produced by SAtheCollective that transcends disciplines and boundaries.

Currently, all three members of the band - Andy C on the Dizi (Chinese flute), Natalie Alexandra on the Guzheng (Chinese zither) and Cheryl Ong on the drums and percussion, are all full-time musicians. Despite the difficulties such as financial instability that comes with being a full-time musician, their passion and optimism keeps them going.

SA: However, difficulties/challenges exist in any job or industry and if we dwell on them we would never move on to experience other wonderous things. So if one were to pursue music performance full time, one just need to manage expectations.

Having chosen the path of artists, SA seems more than prepared to conquer whatever difficulties come their way. Though the Singapore climate may not be ideal for artists yet, the diversity and melding in culture alongside other challenges make fertile ground for creative possibilities.

The goal for the near future is to move beyond the perceived image of SA as a band to a collective, moving beyond creating concerts to creating productions.

‍

Specifically to SA and their brand of music-making, they mostly work within three components:

‍

Collaborations

Trailer for Anticipation of One

Most recently, SA is a part of the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) together with Brandon Tay and NADA called Anticipation of One. On other occasions, they have also collaborated with OrkeStar Trio and Nizar Fauzi.

Their philosophy that guides collaborations is simple.

SA: Being really open-hearted. We jam and improvise during the process.

Anticipation of One is an initiative by SAtheCollective. Bringing in producer Mok Cui Yin to help produce the show, it was a 15 month process and both shows as part of SIFA 2018 were sold out. Prior to this final showcase, it was featured at Baybeats Festival by Esplanade.

SA: The formulation of the show was in multiple parts, including a week long residency at “Goodman Arts Centre” followed by a showcase of part of the work as part of SA’s “Studio Sessions” and “Open Jam”.

‍

Improvisations

This belief seems to hold true with their improvisation sessions as well, though they do work within certain guidelines to guide the process of creation.

Improvisation is when the work is created spontaneously and with no/minimal preparation beforehand.

SA: We do work with some parameters, such as length of tones, intensities, densities amongst others. We wouldn't consider our improvisations as songs. We stop when we come to a mutual agreement musically that it’s time to stop.

You might find some of their improvisations recorded and documented on their SoundCloud and Bandcamp pages.

SA: Only some of our improvisations are up there. Most are still only available in our private archival for us to reflect and review. Anyway, improvisation is all about the moment so we are not precious about keeping it to ourselves.

‍

Studio Sessions - Open Jams

SA: Actually, Studio Sessions are events that we organise for industry development, where we invite collaborators to come and make art with us, with the option of opening the floor up to audiences after that.

Open jams are for community building where anyone, artist or not can come and jam with us with no baggage, in any style or form.

It doesn’t specifically inform our work as a trio (not in the way where a concept or creative workshopping process might), it shapes us as artists, shapes the industry and community no matter how little the extent.

Through their work, they have earned quite the reputation for their work - travelling overseas to share their sound with overseas audience. Having represented Singapore on multiple occasions, due to their unique appeal of the modern and traditional sounds, do they think there is a Singapore Sound?

SA: We are who we are and we sound however we sound like. There’s no need for a label neither is there a need to impose boundaries on the Singapore sound (or not) with tags.

Then, if there is no such thing as a Singapore sound, what exactly is the vision of SA for itself and its work?

SA: SAtheCollective gathers like-minded creatives who embody a diversity of cultures and experiences to create artistic works that transcends disciplines and cultures in contemporary ways.

We create, produce and present dreams connecting people with people. We connect people and nature through artistic creations, productions and presentations. We re-imagine possibilities through creative, experimental and collaborative processes embracing the unifying nature of the Arts. We relate to culturally diverse people and processes through sonic visions, embracing and expanding our cultural roots as global beings of the future.

SA will be performing next for ETHNI-CITY III, held at the newly refurbished Stamford Arts Centre on 19th and 20th October 2018 to celebrate the space’s official opening.