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Three acts to see at Music Matters 2016

SINGAPORE — The sixth edition of Music Matters Festival returns this week and it will once again showcase Singapore acts in its Made in Singapore session. Featured acts include Stopgap, iNCH, Doves & Ravens, Linying, Jawn and The Summer State.

SINGAPORE — The sixth edition of Music Matters Festival returns this week and it will once again showcase Singapore acts in its Made in Singapore session. Featured acts include Stopgap, iNCH, Doves & Ravens, Linying, Jawn and The Summer State.

We spoke to The Summer State, Jawn (real name Jonathan Chan), and Doves & Ravens prior to their showcase to suss out what makes them furious, and whether they have any regrets. KEVIN MATHEWS

Q: What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?

Bryan Sta Maria (from The Summer State): I once said: “Are you guys ready to party with us tonight?!” at an afternoon show.

Jawn: At the EP launch, I was doing a really emotional introduction to a really emotional song I had written for a friend who passed and then two things happened: I forgot to introduce Kim, the violinist, so she had to run up when she heard the first few chords and then I think (singer-songwriter) Joie Tan ran across the stage to go to the bathroom. Story of my life.

Doves & Ravens: During our album recording, our bassist Moses almost got bitten by a mouse while sitting on the toilet.

Q: What was the most embarrassing personal moment?

Shaykh Akbar (The Summer State): My most embarrassing personal moment has got to be the time I fell on stage at the Esplanade Waterfront Stage. Worst part about it was that I fell cos my jeans were too tight!

Jawn: I can’t decide between replying happy birthday wishes with “happy birthday” back or that time when I launched into a Mr Krabbs impression on air.

Q: Tell us something that made you angry.

Bryan (The Summer State): We’re quite a high energy band and at our shows, we love it when the crowd feeds off that energy and moves too. So jumping around and crowd surfing are always encouraged. I witnessed a guard tackle an audience member to the ground from afar and held him in a submission just because he was crowd surfing. I had to hop off stage and stop the set to pull the guard away from the audience member. This happened twice in my time as a musician and it really upsets me.

Jawn: I absolutely hate it when artistes disrespect crew, or vice versa — either can happen when egos get in the way.

Edwin Wong (Doves & Ravens): Musicians who scorn each other’s music genres.

Q: Do you have any regrets about a moment you felt could have been better?

Edwin Waliman (The Summer State): We filmed the scene of us rocking out in the “Enough” music video at 12pm. Instant regret. We probably should have done it at night or at least when the sun wasn’t scorching hot.

Jawn: I really wish I’d listened to a whole lot more music growing up.

Doves & Ravens: How much money we spent on the entire album.

Q: Tell us one musical fantasy you have.

Bryan (The Summer State): Playing with Paramore or Taking Back Sunday.

Jawn: I want to sing with John Mayer.

Doves & Ravens: Glastonbury!

Music Matters Festival: Made in Singapore showcase is on Thursday at Millian, #01-05 St James Power Station, from 8pm.

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