Etc's next: 'X's Cassettes

"...critically-acclaimed indie-rock duo of Etc celebrate the legacy of a friend 'X', whose mix tapes were shared amongst Singapore's fledgling alternative music community over two decades ago, possibly influencing the course of local music as we know it. Etc have yet to reveal the identity of their special guest, X, but the band may even venture beyond their own bittersweet originals to include covers of songs first heard on X's mixes, so don't be surprised to hear them take on the likes of Sonic Youth and The Gun Club, or even local heroes like Oddfellows and Zircon Lounge..."

Etc :: X's Cassettes
Thursday, January 29, 2009 :: 9:30pm
P.O.W: The Prince of Wales, 101 Dunlop Street, Little India, Singapore 209420
Tel: (+65) 6299 0130 :: Email: ents.pow@gmail.com
MRT: Little India / Bugis

Etc :: Ex's Cassettes acoustic

First take of the first song Etc played on the last date at Blacksteps' HQ (4004 Bukit Merah, Singapore). 30 Dec 2008.

Many things that are advertised as 'unplugged' these days: seldom are. But you can be sure that this is. The lighting is candles. The guitar is acoustic. The camera is wind-up. And Etc's brain is off.

'Ex's Cassettes' is written by Ben Harrison / Etc

Etc :: After Stars / Second to Bee-Gees

From Etc Diaries (15-Jan-09):

"Over a week has passed since Etc's "Before Stars" set-lists were posted. "After Stars" proved much harder to recall. During the break, when I would normally try to remember what I just did and then make vague plans for second set: I was introduced to a former Singapore Idol contestant who complemented the loop, layer & e-bow version of Trans*end and then -naturally- asked if I was interested in writing songs with her. Told her to get in line (I think this one of those instances where one is meant to act all enthusiastic even if you have no intention of acting on a proposal; and it's ok too because no-one is going to pursue it later anyhow).

"Second set: instant fluster for me during the first song I saw some attentive listeners being escorted out (two people were a notable fraction of the night's tiny audience). Why? Because they had returned to their seats with a cup of tea! Stopped my song and protested over the PA so the security guard could hear: "IT'S OK! I SIGNED A RELEASE FORM! THERE'RE ALLOWED TO DRINK TEA TO ETC!" This didn't change a thing though. The last I saw those kids was when they were smiling and waving back at me after their long march across the huge Concourse...

"Oh well, Esplanade DOES have their protocols (in the same way that Etc plays under the "Etc" moniker and no other - so why be surprised if we dispute being billed as anything else?), and so I am thankful they let to play the second set even though I had not provided my set-list beforehand.

"Just as well really. If I did provide a set-list, how many brows would have raised once I deviated from it to honour the requests of a kind soul sat on the front row? His name: Patrick. And how could I say no to someone who not only asked for my autograph, and posts appreciative documents of Etc including this about November Reign; and this from the start of December; and now this about 'After Stars', but who also states that meeting me on 7th Jan comes a close second to his meeting the Bee Gees.

"And it's also thanks to him that I can now provide this set-list for 'After Stars'. He's a Prince.

BUNGALOW
TRANS*END / BOW END
SUPERHERO, INCOGNITO
(ERECT) SHELVES
FUNNY BONES

BI(G) GIRL'S BLOUSE + the Release Form Blues
LAIRY CANARY
WILL UNTIL
MALAYSIAN TRUCKS
GUILTY PARTY
ASTROGAL
JUST A DREAM / JUST TO DREAM
Encore: DANCING TO THE SMITHS

Etc:: Set for Yesterday; Not for Today (yet)

Esplanade loves paperwork. I signed a lot of paper yesterday: 30 pages of contract, form for keys, form to give permission for someone to film me... (and don't come and talk to me if I am on the black carpet after the show or a guy w/ a walkie-talkie will come and get you). So it's no surprise I have to type up what Etc played yesterday. And since I did, here it is. Obviously I will post it everywhere I can. Especially flattered I had requests to honour. It's also handy since it shows how many Etc didn't get played. They'll be more likely contenders for tonight's "Etc After Stars" show. I might do the LEA SALONGA one again since we're sharing the same backstage.

PADLESS (for Lea Cinderella Salonga)
FARE DODGER
BRING ME MY DUNCE'S CAP
PRETTY FALL
(BITCHING IN THE KITCHEN) SHELVES
BIG GIRL'S BLOUSE(D)
EX'S CASSETTES

half-hour break during which I wrote out the lyrics to a brand-new song I didn't then play

I WANNA BE YOUR DOG (Stooges cover in memory of Ron Asheton)
JUST A DREAM
DUMB WAITER (dedicated to Harold Pinter?)
HANDPHONES ON THE DANCEFLOOR (request)
DANCING TO THE SMITHS (request)
PETER PANIC

"Encore" NOTHING LIKE EXPECTATION (request)
(...ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD excerpt)

Etc :: Before & After Stars

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ETC.

Having played some of the loudest gigs of 2008, Etc ushers in '09 by turning down the volume to explore their unique songbook with a sequence of rare unplugged sets at the Esplanade Concourse. Touted by local media as being the most literate act playing in the region, Etc will draw from their extensive catalogue to play 'semi-acoustic' versions and ambient reinterpretations of their witty bittersweets across a series of intimate sets.

Esplanade Concourse:: The Esplanade, 1 Esplanade Drive:: Singapore

7 Jan 09 (Wed) "Before Stars": 7:15-7.45pm
7 Jan 09 (Wed) "Before Stars": 8.15-8.45pm
8 Jan 09 (Thur) "After Stars": 7:15-7.45pm
8 Jan 09 (Thur) "After Stars": 8.15-8.45pm

Each set will feature different songs from the other. Depends. May all your nicest #9 Dreams come true.

Etc in KOKO's Top 3 (and at the end of 2008)

A nice way to end a year: find yourself in good company in KOKO's charts (as seen at www.kokoasia.com); and then play a gig with friends on New Year's Eve.





STRAITS RECORDS PRESENTS: GOODBYE BALI, HELLO 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 8:00pm
traits Records / 22 Bali Lane (near Bugis MRT) Singapore
ALL AGES. Entry: $5

Etc's favourite friendly local music emporium signs off on 2008 and kickstarts 2009 with notably no-bull gig - the last show to be held at the Straits Mates' Bali Lane HQ (before they move to North Bridge Road tomorrow). Band order puts us on after Pinholes... talk about bringing the party down. Maybe we'll switch and steal one of them to play that Etc song they cover.

• Straits Records' GUEST BAND
• Tactic Area TACIT ARIA
• THE PINHOLES
• ETC we're scheduled for 10pm
• AMATEUR TAKES CONTROL
• THE ZOZI

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Last Christmas I gave you my heart etc

Etc is pleasantly surprised to be berated for not posting aftershow reports on recent gigs. Due to this and similar comments from others (with valid excuses for not-attendance): Ben's been trying to piece together what Etc ended up playing on Christmas Eve 2008 at Prince of Wales.

-> Harvey was calling the shots re: most of the songs played. Almost every name he announced took Ben by surprise.
-> Most audience members' requests were granted. But why they expected Ben to check SMS mid-gig? No idea.
-> There was a request for "James Blunt". Ben: "Is that the name of a song?"
-> Hoped to play BRING ME MY DUNCE'S CAP. Thought it might amuse Etc-pal Des - the Tom Waits fan.
-> Forgot to play FARE DODGER. Maybe just as well since it might break the windows.

Almost correct order (corrections welcome):

• WILL UNTIL (DON’T EVER NEVER) i will love you until i don't, and if i can't it don't mean i won't
• BIG GIRL’S BLOUSE how can you expect to find your feet when you've so many pairs of shoes
• JUST A DREAM i'm hoping for the best when i should expect the worst
• SHELVES leave the women bitching in the kitchen son
• DUMB WAITER i think that i got what your last servant died of
• MALAYSIAN TRUCKS i know people in Ipoh
• GUILTY PARTY you've been hurting behind net curtains
• LUFTGUITAR god's lost movie rushes shown on the sky
• LAID some bloody valentine this is
• BUNGALOW my bed's unmade and i feel the same
• I’M WITH STUPID dum-dum-dum dumb down
• STUPID SUPERMARKETtears in her eyes and booze on her breath
• ASTROGAL do do do
• SUPERHERO, INCOGNITO my grandma says i'm the bastard son of someone famous but won't tell me who because it won't save us
• UNSURPRISED ETC a heart broken by sheer boredom
• DANCING TO THE SMITHS she cut out the lyrics from Smash Hits back in 1986
• HANDPHONES ON THE DANCEFLOOR you send me semi-colon and a capital P
• PETER PANIC oh my track-tied maiden, never mind the chains
• NOTHING LIKE EXPECTATION things never work out the way you intend, but things always work out in the end

Also in there somewhere several attempts at SILENT NIGHT - especially after it became the 25th.

Etc has since been asked to join a fab bill for tomorrow night's New Year's Eve bash at Straits Records featuring: AMATEUR TAKES CONTROL, ETC, THE PINHOLES, TACIT ARIA and THE ZOZI. They're moving shop the next day. Shame.