Lion City Rock

The Fast Colors, Chris Toh, Kevin Mathews
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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!

  1. Aug 30

    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 Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) and arranged Dr Liang's xinyao songs, which they performed and recorded on the album, Encounter, out now on streaming platforms. How did xinyao come about? What was the significance of xinyao? And did you know you could make a musical instrument using a coconut husk and a cockle shell? To find out the answers, you need to listen to this episode on the Lion City Rock podcast! Special thanks to the Singapore Chinese Orchestra; Pearl, Wen Li and Ryan of The Nutgraf; and Pok from The Substation (for his invaluable help) --- LINKS Listen to Encounter Buy tickets for Indie Pride Lion City Rock Facebook Lion City Rock Instagram Lion City Rock YouTube Buy us a kopi on Buy Me A Coffee The Lion City Rock Playlist

    Ep140: Encounter with Dr Liang Wern Fook & Wang Chenwei

  2. Aug 30

    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

    Minisode: Our Collab with The Substation on Indie Pride

  3. Aug 8

    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 Rock on Spotify Lion City Rock on Apple Podcasts The Lion City Rock Playlist Buy Us A Kopi Email us your thoughts about the show: lioncityrocksg@gmail.com "I ❤️ Singapore" written by Kevin Mathews. Performed by The Fast Colors.

    Minisode: Happy National Day!

  4. Jul 27

    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 past. Real talk: We actually recorded this gem of an interview back in 2025, but the chat is so gold we just had to recover it, dust it off and share it with our Lion City Rock audience. We’re diving deep into his album Mirror Work 2, catching up on his plans for the future, and getting into a massive fanboy session over why he respects the legendary Leslie Low so much. Here, in all its edited glory, is that conversation. If you love Singapore music history and hearing from the people who make the scene what it is, this one is for you. ---- LINKS Remember to subscribe, hit the Notification Bell, and let us know what you'd like to see us discuss on future episodes. Support us by buying us a kopi on Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lioncityrock Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lioncityrock/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lioncityrock/ The Lion City Rock Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0hEeVayaKAf9mDQXtScz4U?si=1707ddabeab54bed Follow Dru Chen: https://www.instagram.com/druchenmusic/ "Lion City Rock theme" performed by Kevin Mathews & Chris Toh; written by Kevin Mathews.

    Ep139: "Finding Meaning in What I Do" with Dru Chen (From The Vault)

  5. Jun 29

    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 c**k about local music history; you can now actually see what we’re obsessing over on our official YouTube channel! We're still the only podcast dedicated to Singapore’s pop music scene with the same Lion City Rock goodness, including special guests, music reactions and a couple of surprises that we have to keep under wraps – for now.  ----- Watching on YouTube? Remember to mash that Subscribe button, hit the Notification Bell, and drop a comment below to let us know your thoughts. Listening on Spotify or Apple Podcasts? Rate us 5 stars, follow the show, and if you want the full visual experience, come join the party over on our new YouTube channel. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get our latest updates. "Lion City Rock theme" performed by Kevin Mathews & Chris Toh; written by Kevin Mathews.

    Ep138: We're Baaack! It's the return of the pod!

  6. 09/18/2025

    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 great on the night. (And vice versa if you're being a turd to them.) Like our guest, Mark Jason. Mark has helmed the soundboard at pubs of past and present, including Balaclava, Wala Wala, and Blackbird. You've also probably heard his handiwork at many events, including this year's BigO 40 festival and the SG50 show at the National Stadium.  But why did he become a sound engineer? What were his most memorable gigs he's worked on? And what does a sound tech do, anyway? In this episode, he answers all those questions, and as a bonus, reveals how you can get on the good graces of your sound tech (note: adult beverages may be involved). *this episode was recorded in August 2025 -- "Screen Scars" performed by K. Mat. All other live audio was recorded at Blackbird. ****** LINKS Follow Mark Jason here: Instagram Follow Writers' Hall and Blackbird Follow Lion City Rock: Facebook / Instagram  What would you like us to talk about? Email us: lioncityrocksg@gmail.com Update: The Lion City Rock Playlist (new tracks from Shye, Dru Chen, Namie and more!) Read Kevin's Power of Pop Substack / Bizarro World Read Chris' Full Sput Ahead! (Substack review) ****** Like, share and subscribe to Lion City Rock on RedCircle, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Give us a 5-star rating and review – it really helps others discover some good ol' Lion City Rock!

    Ep137: Sound Advice with Mark Jason

  7. 09/09/2025

    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 Namie & The Waves and a jazz singer in her own right, takes the hot seat to answer these questions and share her jazz odyssey. (PS: Namie & The Waves' new EP, Tides, is expected to drop later this year.) *this episode was recorded in May 2025 -- "Screen Scars" performed by K. Mat. "Postcards" performed by AWOL. "The Lion City Rock Theme" performed by Kevin Mathews and Chris Toh. "Gone", "Wander", "Queenfisher", "What's The Beauty" performed by Namie & The Waves. ****** LINKS Follow Namie here: Instagram Follow Namie & The Waves here: Instagram Listen to Namie & The Waves here: Spotify / Apple Music Follow Lion City Rock: Facebook / Instagram  What would you like us to talk about? Email us: lioncityrocksg@gmail.com Update: The Lion City Rock Playlist (new tracks from Shye, Dru Chen, Namie and more!) Read Kevin's Power of Pop Substack / Bizarro World Read Chris' Full Sput Ahead! (Substack review) ****** Like, share and subscribe to Lion City Rock on RedCircle, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Give us a 5-star rating and review – it really helps others discover some good ol' Lion City Rock!

    Ep136: Jazz Odyssey with Namie

  8. 09/04/2025

    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 drink alcohol in pubs until 4am" scheme (but only in selected areas, T&Cs apply) and pick their choice gigs that you can spend your Culture Pass on. -- "Screen Scars" performed by K. Mat. "Postcards" performed by AWOL. "The Lion City Rock Theme" performed by Kevin Mathews and Chris Toh. "You're The Boy" performed by Shirley Nair & The Silver Strings. "Let 'Em Come" performed by Mike and Herb & The Silver Strings. "Angel In The Night" performed by Lovehunters. ****** LINKS Get tickets for Silver Strings: WhatsApp Audie Ng at 9818 4198 Get tickets for Concert Lovehunters Renaissance Get tickets for Sing60 Get tickets for Welcome To The Machine's The Wall Follow Lion City Rock: Facebook / Instagram  What would you like us to talk about? Email us: lioncityrocksg@gmail.com Update: The Lion City Rock Playlist Read Kevin's Power of Pop Substack / Bizarro World Read Chris' Full Sput Ahead! (Substack review) ****** Like, share and subscribe to Lion City Rock on RedCircle, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Give us a 5-star rating and review – it really helps others discover some good ol' Lion City Rock!

    Ep135: Ketchup II – Bigger, Longer, Stronger
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About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    The Fast Colors, Chris Toh, Kevin Mathews
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    157
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Lion City Rock