Local singer Gentle Bones shuns public appearances, speaks against celeb culture, and loathes being loved for anything other than his music. Reluctant celebrity, much?
Who is he? Singer-songwriter Joel Tan, who goes by the stage name Gentle Bones, 22. His musical style has been compared to Ed Sheeran, and he’s the only local artiste to make it on the inaugural Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list, alongside G-Dragon, Choi Siwon and Angelababy. “I’m most stoked to be placed with G-Dragon [on the Forbes list] ’cos I’ve been a BigBang fan since I was in primary school and I really look up to them,” he says. His original music, including the tracks off his 2014 eponymous debut EP, has topped iTunes charts, infiltrated local airwaves, and earned him a cult following. Last May, he became the first homegrown act to be signed by Universal Music Singapore and is set to stage his maiden solo gig at the Esplanade in June.
8 DAYS: Gentle Bones is an oxymoron. Are you saying you’re a walking contradiction?
Joel Tan: Yeah, I contradict myself all the time. (Laughs) I wouldn’t say that I’m a hypocrite but my beliefs change all the time. The reason why I chose Gentle Bones was also ’cos I wanted [a moniker] that people couldn’t [glean] any meaning from. I’ve always used that nickname to represent my music, rather than me. I see myself, Joel, as more of a third party in that whole picture.
Has anyone ever told you that you look like Jay Chou?
Yeah, since I was in Secondary 1. Maybe I should start singing Mandarin songs.
Last year, you roped in your rumoured girlfriend, The Sam Willows’ Narelle Kheng, to star in your ‘Settle Down’ MV. Is that song about her?
Esta historia es de la edición April 7 2016 de 8 Days.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 7 2016 de 8 Days.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
What a G.E.M.!
Hongkong singer and new Tag Heuer global ambassador G.E.M. TANG, in town recently for F1, has a “guilty indulgence” that will just make you feel more guilty about yours.
The Twins Effect
Is the local showbiz scene big enough for both JAYLEY and HAYLEY WOO to twin and win? We compare and contrast.
Wake-Up Call
Following SHINee frontman JONGHYUN's suicide after a long struggle with depression, fans and celebs are urging the K-pop industry to pay more attention to the well-being of their artistes.
Coming Clean
Chart-topping British band CLEAN BANDIT, in town on Jan 22 for a gig, may be famous for using classical music in their hits, but that won’t stop them from collaborating with Beyoncé, as bassist Jack Patterson tells us over the phone.
Wong Time Right Target
The always-glam FANN WONG goes glum for her first major movie role in three years.
Star Ship Troopers
Space Travel is about to get more exciting. Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence, two actors already in Hollywood’s Stratosphere, take off this week for the Sci-Fi Romance Passengers.
Sandra Riley Tang, 25
The Sam Willo ws singer works out because “I really love to eat”. Yes, The Yoga Cofounder’s fad diet days are definitely over.
Comme What May
The man behind the Comme des F***down streetwear, Rusland Karablin, is so Zen (check out the mantra emblazoned on his swag), he doesn’t mind that everyone from Bugis to Bangkok is bootlegging his stuff.
“My Parents Told Me: You're On Your Own Now”
Getting cut off financially by her folks turned Asia’s Next Top Model alum AIMEE CHENG- BRADSHAW into a “super frugal” model. Except when it comes to yoga and shoes.
A Slice Of New York In Singapore
WOLFGANG’S STEAKHOUSE at the new Intercontinental Singapore Robertson Quay offers an authentic NYC steakhouse dining experience. But be prepared to leave with a much emptier wallet and smelling of beef fat.
