Hear. Here. Singapore. Episodes

July 13, 2023

068613 Thian Hock Keng Temple

One of the oldest and most beautiful temples in Singapore is Thian Hock Keng temple in Chinatown: it used to face the beach and ocean, and sailers and merchants would come to give thanks or seek blessings from Mazu, Goddess …

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July 3, 2023

270020 Durians - The King of Fruits

The smell has been described as old socks, rotten eggs, and dead grandmothers, but for those who know, it reigns supreme with it's hard as nails spikes on the outside and custardy fleshy seeds inside. We hang out with Ah …

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June 26, 2023

169208 Singapore English

Of all the things you hear in Singapore, the one thing that's most likely to catch your ear is the English accent here: hear comparisons to major English accents (US, AU, UK) and dive into the unique qualities that set …

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June 8, 2023

270020 Hawker Centre Coffee 101

For those thinking of visiting Singapore, our welcome mat is always out! This episode is for those who come to our sunny island, and want to know how to order coffee... like a local! Visit Singapore - Order Kopi Like …

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May 22, 2023

638404 Raffles Marina Lighthouse

If you're willing to go west - really, really west - you can get an awesome sunset snap at one of the iconic spots in Singapore. Keeping guard on the breakwater of the Raffles Marina is a lighthouse that keeps …

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May 10, 2023

639937 Tuas Checkpoint

Singapore's border checkpoints are among the busiest in the world, with a total of 450,000 travelers every day across the 2 land crossings. Join me an hour before dawn at the Tuas Checkpoint in the west as the waves of …

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May 3, 2023

058793 Archanai at Sri Mariamman Temple

The oldest Hindu Temple in Singapore is the Sri Mariamman Temple on South Bridge Road, in the Chinatown district. It's famous for the annual firewalking festival and the daily poojas. More low-key and intimate is the Archanai...

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April 24, 2023

058793 Pooja at Sri Mariamman Temple

Listen to the mesmerizing soundtrack of a pooja, as a nadaswaram (long horn) and thavil (double-sided drum) add syncopated beats, drifting tempos and intricate phrases to the ringing bell as devotees seek the blessing of the ...

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April 11, 2023

179861 The Padang

In the heart of the downtown core of Singapore is an open field where many historical events took place as Singapore bloomed from British Colony into the vibrant, thriving, independent city-state that it is today. It's big en...

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March 28, 2023

049178 Yum Seng

One of my favourite highlights at a Chinese Wedding Reception in Singapore is the Yum Seng, a toast to the newlyweds where going LOUD and LONG is great. If you've never been to a Chinese Wedding Reception, I'll give you …

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March 21, 2023

599938 Bukit Timah Railway Station

Has the search for the perfect sound spa for the ears finally found a winner? I visit Bukit Timah Railway Station, part of the Rail Corridor, and if you walk 500m from the road, you'll find yourself in tropical forest, …

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March 14, 2023

169879 Pearl's Hill City Park

I explore a park that's right in the city, with a major expressway running along its western perimeter. It would seem a foregone conclusion that traffic noise bleeds into the park, and while that does happen, you don't notice...

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March 7, 2023

479266 Bedok Reservoir

Singapore has Four National Taps when it comes to water sources, and the cheapest is local catchment water, i.e. natural rainfall. Rain water is carefully diverted into the reservoirs around Singapore, and in the east, the bi...

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March 1, 2023

179618 Fort Gate

Covering 18 hectares in the heart of the downtown core, Fort Canning Park is an unlikely candidate for a quiet spot to relax, but the trees do an admirable job of blocking traffic noise. While wandering in the area behind …

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Feb. 21, 2023

549854 Japanese Cemetery Park

In this ep, I visit a 132 year old cemetery surrounded on all sides by residential housing. The Japanese Cemetery Park in Hougang is a gazetted memorial park and offers a sound spa for your ears, as the houses form …

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Feb. 7, 2023

238839 Huat Ah! Lion Dance Troupes

Every Chinese New Year, lion dances take place all over the island in the 2 week festive season that starts every CNY. On Day 5, I was in Plaza Singapura on Orchard Road, and one troupe performed for hours as …

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Jan. 31, 2023

608532 Walla Walla Walla

Walla is the buzz of voices created by Hollywood sound designers so a nice sonic atmos can be added to a scene where the extras had to be silent. It got me thinking - how does walla made by Oscar-winning …

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Jan. 24, 2023

699816 Things That Go Bump in the Night

Asian horror films like Ringgu, The Eye and Shutter revolutionized the genre, with Hollywood studios remaking these classics for English audiences. One common trope is cemeteries, which made me think: what does an actual Asia...

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Jan. 17, 2023

198833 Sultan Mosque

The landmark of the historic Kampong Glam Malay Heritage District is Sultan Mosque that dates back to 1824. It was the first mosque in the world to use a microphone & loudspeaker system to amplify the recital, and because of …

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Jan. 10, 2023

498991 On Silver Wings

In 2019, Changi Airport handled over 1,000 flights a day, which meant a take off or landing every 83 seconds. Then the pandemic took a heavy toll on the aviation industry, and Changi was reduced that to just 80 flights …

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Jan. 3, 2023

089065 Bergama Stereo In Singapore - SAM

One of the best open spaces you can enjoy are museums, many in classic older buildings. Singapore Art Museum's 2 buildings in the downtown core are renovating, so they're over at Tanjong Pagar Distripark. The best exhibit for...

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Dec. 28, 2022

179558 Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall SIFA 2022

The last of my series of soundscapes for the venues for Singapore International Festival of Arts 2022 is for Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall. Commissioned by Arts House Limited for the Singapore International Festival of Arts...

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Dec. 25, 2022

439053 Goodman Arts Centre SIFA 2022

I was commissioned by Arts House Limited to create soundscapes for 6 of the venues used for Singapore International Festival of Arts. This is for Goodman Arts Venue, which had an opening air performance space, and features th...

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Dec. 22, 2022

038981 Esplanade SIFA 2022

The 2022 Singapore International Festival of Arts marked the first major festival in Singapore since the relaxation of Covid-19 safety measures. I was commissioned by Arts House Limited to create soundscapes for 6 of the venu...

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