The Observatory (band)

The Observatory
Origin	Singapore
Genres	electronica, indie rock
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Independent
Members
Leslie Low Vivian Wang Dharma Evan Tan Victor Low
Past members
Adam Shah Ray Aziz

The Observatory is an indie space rock and electronica band based in Singapore consisting largely of alumni from significant 1990s Singaporean bands. They have toured throughout Asia and Europe and are influential in the Singapore music scene. The band formed in 2001, and performed for the first time at the Baybeats music festival in December 2002. They have released four albums, Time of Rebirth, March 2004, and Blank Walls, September 2005, A Far Cry From Here, April 2007 and Dark Folke, July 2009. The band uses electronic effects extensively, using several laptops during their performances across different countries such as Japan, Thailand and Singapore.

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 center)

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, Percussion

Music composer by profession. Low is former bassist of veteran local Singapore band Concave Scream [1]. Classical guitar specialist, and has also performed on drumkit since Ray Aziz left the band. Low is an Economics graduate of Boston University.

Ray Aziz - (former member) drums, percussion

Veteran drummer in Singapore, his former bands include Swirling Madness, Opposition Party, Sugarflies and Popland. He is currently also playing with Throb and The Blues Machine. Joining The Observatory during the A Far Cry From Here recording sessions, Ray contributed jazz/avant rock-styled drumming. He did not appear on Dark Folke and has since left the band.

Adam Shah - (former member) drums, percussion

Formerly the 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. Adam left the band after the release of Blank Walls and before A Far Cry From Here.

Discography

Albums

	Time of Rebirth Released: March 2004 Produced by: The Observatory & Rennie Gomes Mixed by: The Observatory & Rennie Gomes at members homes and at Yellow Box Studios, Singapore The debut album, Time of Rebirth, released in March 2004, is described by the band as "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.
	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, and is described by the band as "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."
	A Far Cry From Here Released April 2007 Produced by Jørgen Træen and The Observatory Mixed & mastered by Jørgen Træen at Duper Studio (Bergen, Norway) Recorded by Jørgen Træen at Boss Studio (Singapore), with Philip Wong Following on from Time of Rebirth and Blank Walls, this was the third album in four years. The band was influenced by Soft Machine, This Heat, Tortoise, Talk Talk, Shining, Jaga Jazzist, Supersilent, Brian Wilson, Robert Wyatt, Nick Drake and others. The album was described by the band as "a rich and imaginative musical vision, on which vocalist-guitarist Leslie Low builds his pensive, tender yet elliptical song-craft. The adventurous and epic exist in perfect tandem with restraint and intricacy. Exploring an ocean of sound and emotion, A Far Cry From Here should strike a chord with fans of experimental and progressive-minded classics such as Radiohead's OK Computer, Talk Talk's Spirit of Eden and Wilco's A Ghost Is Born." As with previous releases, the band chose a non standard packaging instead of the conventional jewel case. The outer package is a small box with flap, containing a foldout multipanel slipcover with information, and a CD holder in the last section.
	Dark Folke Released July 2009 Produced by Jørgen Træen and The Observatory Recorded, Mixed & mastered by Jørgen Træen at Duper Studio (Bergen, Norway) The fourth album was again recorded and mixed in Bergen, Norway with their longtime collaborator, Jorgen Traeen. The band describes the work as "a change in musical direction" and said "the math prog rock of The Observatory’s third album A Far Cry From Here has morphed into a fluid mystical beast called Dark Folke. Most songs have no drums on them. But there is rhythm. Only the type of rhythm associated with an invisible pulse. An implied rhythm. 5 folks sitting around a fire. A metaphorical fire. Chanting for the rain to come." The CD album is a hardbound book, designed and drawn by metal/hardcore/underground illustrator and designer, Justin Bartlett: http://www.vberkvlt.com, the artist behind the wicked art of SUNN O))), Moss, Aura Noir and more.

Compilations

City Sharks cover

City Sharks: Music From the Motion Picture Released: 2003 Executive Producers: Esan Sivalingam and Bratina Tay Music Supervisors: Vivian Wang and Esan Sivalingam An early incarnation of The Observatory contribute one song, "Sweetest Man" to the soundtrack of this film, written and directed by Esan Sivalingam.

External links

• Band website
• Band blog
• Style Asia 2005 winners of Motorola/Style Asia best Singapore local band award.
• MTV Asia writeup of second album launch
• Review of Blank Walls

Note: Some material for this article adapted from The Observatory Press pack(zip file), accessed 3 March 2006