the last letter...

by Lounge Lizard

Photos by Shahran Ali

After breaking up for more than 2 years, marchtwelve (www.myspace.com/marchtwelve) reformed in early 2006, unleashing upon us their unique brand of upbeat rock’n’roll. Armed with a new line-up and slight change in direction, Dewi-Marie Vincoy (vocals), Joseph Cinco (guitars), Symon Fong (keyboards, laptop) and Helmi (drums) have been making the gig circuit for the past few months. Dewi and Joseph take some time out to speak to Aging Youth about their latest EP Not Just A Date, the reason of the break-up and that disco guitar.

The past 2 years seem to be a good year for reunions. It was a year which many Singapore veteran acts such as Concave Scream and Plain Sunset emerged from their hiatuses or reformed. What made Marchtwelve decide to hop onto the reunion wagon?

Dewi : The band broke up cos’ honestly, there were internal problems. And in those two years or so, we pretty much went our own ways doing our own things. For example, Jo and Farizwan went on to form dearxarson and I wasn’t involved in anything else other than shooting bands and shows. But I guess over that course of time we grew up and resolved our differences. And reforming the band was part of that resolve.

Joseph : Back then, it was hard trying to write good music together when everyone in the band had unresolved issues. Before the “reunion”, Dewi and I actually wrote a couple of songs under the moniker of The Canary And The Robin. It was basically me fooling around with a laptop and an acoustic guitar. We realized that we still have that chemistry and decided on getting the band together, even if it was just me, her and Hazmee in it from the original line up.

Farizwan was the only one not back in the line-up. And it was interesting to note that quite a few Singapore indie musicians served time in the band before.

Joseph : Farizwan is currently holding bass duties for Concave Scream, and if I’m not mistaken, I Am David Sparkle as well. I did ask him if he wanted to play for Marchtwelve again but he was busy with school and his other bands. I don’t think there’s any bad blood or whatsoever, because at the moment, he and I are in the talks of playing for dearxarson again. Honestly, which red blooded guitarist wouldn’t want to write songs about sex and sleaze and REAL rock and roll?? It’s all about Stoner Rock baby!

The other guys who have played for Marchtwelve previously were: Saiful (drums, Return To Fall), Madnoor (bass, The Moderates), Satish (guitars, The Moderates), Ronny (drums, Plainsunset), John Chiong (bass, Surreal) and Shain (bass, mysquaredcircle).

The music direction has remained rather constant since the reunion, concentrating on energetic emo-rock tunes. On the other hand, Marchtwelve has added a keyboardist to the line-up recently. How did that affect the working dynamics?

Dewi : The direction has its subtle changes. If we were to look into the songs we wrote from the very beginning to now, we’re not so pop punk or screamo-ish. Before the breakup, we were establishing our sound and that’s probably something we were thinking of sticking with, if not, then deriving from. There’s a slight maturity to it, I think.

Joseph : Songwriting wise, it’s been the same. I bring a riff into the studio and everyone works their way around it. I guess I’ve matured in my guitar playing as well. But I’m trying to adopt a simple verse-chorus-verse-bridge formula. Adding Symon to play synths and work the laptop (musichappyhappyjoyjoy) was the final piece for me to realize the direction the band should be going into. Working dynamics is still pretty much the same, but with an extra input from Sy. I’m glad that he’s finally incorporating electronica that I know he has in him into our music.

Emo? We don’t wear make-up, not even Dewi. Haha

I’ve caught your acoustic show. It was just Dewi-Marie, Joseph and Symon performing. I thought some of the programming and electronic elements added a very Postal Service vibe to the proceedings.

Joseph : Oh. That was purely Symon's avenue. I actually stressed and pressurized him to come up with those beats like less than a week prior to the show. Haha. My bad. Serious. We are still learning a lot from each other and how much we can actually push the bar for each and every show we play, both musically and in the presentation of the songs!

Dewi : Oh my goodness… Jo and I practiced the songs for an hour without Symon in a park in Choa Chu Kang 3 days before the show. I had no idea what Symon was gonna come up with and I didn’t have a chance to even get the idea. So when we did the show, Symon’s beats came as a surprise. And I think it was quite obvious cos I was trying to adapt and work my way round it. In my head, I was so ready to start rapping. It was funny...

How did you guys get Symon to join the band?

Joseph : Symon and I work very near each other. Our offices are near Tanjong Pagar. So there was a lot of decent cock'n'bull talk happening. I asked him to play guitars to back me up for our very first acoustic shows. If I’m not mistaken, it’s the first one (we ever played) cos we've done quite a number of acoustic shows! I knew he dabbled in electronica and figured, “I don't really need another guitarist in the band but it sure would be nice to have some ambient background stuff and some keys.” Everything thereafter was history.

Dewi : This has nothing to do with the question. But few people know this. Before the band reformed, I called up Symon up to do some indie-tronica (as I like to call it) and we wrote one song with break beats and all. I like beats!!! We recorded it and were supposed to start a MySpace page with a really cool (band) name which I forgot!!! But that didn’t happen. Anyway, Symon’s just really easy to get along with and work with too. So there was no objection to him joining the band on my part… Even though, I was the last to know… Gee, I wonder why??

How has the interpersonal relationship in the band changed over the years?

Dewi : We’ve grown up definitely. Joseph has become one of my best friends. Everything is fine now. It’s quite light-hearted. The jokes are flying off everywhere here and there. And during jamming or when we were hanging out, there’s always gonna be like a five minute period where we will be laughing a hell lot. Cos we’re all having a go at disturbing Symon or just joking with each other. It’s just sad that (bassist) NoorHazmee is leaving cos this has probably got to be the best band to be in and with, for me.

Joseph : Yup, (I’m) really sad abt Hazmee leaving us. He and I have a really tight connection musically because of his guitar roots. He is by far the better guitarist in the band. He does the (guitar) sweeping shit! With perfection! I’m gonna miss having him around. And he gets bonus points for having a hairy body. Hahaha. I guess the whole band, well, sans Symon, is hairy. Seriously, H, Hazmee and Sy are my buddies and Dewi-Marie is my best friend. What more can I ask for in the band? We are la familia…

You guys are currently looking for a bassist. What happened to Hazmee?

Dewi : We, the band, have talked about this. Hazmee could choose to stay and him being around, although ideal, would be unfair as his commitments and priorities will change once he gets married. But now, we will just have Hazmee to take nice photos of us.

Joseph : I guess the band never really had nice photos live since we reformed. Now we will, thanks to Hazmee! Heh. He will always be a part of the band; it’s just that he would be working with us from a different angle lah.

Marchtwelve recorded Not Just A Date with indie producer Nick Chan. What made the band decide to work with him?

Joseph : I really like the guitar work he’s done with the previous I Am David Sparkle recordings. But it was MUON that finally got me thinking, “Should I record with someone I’m comfortable with or somebody who can push us as a band to develop and redefine ourselves?” I chose the latter and I got the former as well. Nick is a great guy. We are in the woodworks for our (full-length) album with him.

From what I understand, this EP is just a prelude of things to come. What can we expect from the band in the upcoming months?

Joseph : Certain discussions have been made on whether there should be an electronica side of the album but I guess you guys just have to wait! And playing shows are definitely on the list!

Besides electronica, I heard that Joseph is quite into hip-hop as well.

Joseph: I used to be a closet hip-hop and R’n’B fan. I’ve always been a fan of good grooves. It was only till recently that I decided to come out of the closet and truly accept the fact that I’m a Filipino and hiphop is in our blood! I really love Kanye West's stuff. He is pioneering a whole new concept of how hip-hop should be with a dash of electronica at the side! Check out his latest album Graduation, especially the track ‘Flashing Lights’!! Dope shit man!

I remembered that Dewi-Marie used to be extremely shy on stage in the earlier days. You used to take a lot of pictures at gigs and concerts. Are you still as uncomfortable on stage as before since you are back fronting the band again?

Dewi : I’m still getting used to it. I do feel the pressures of having to live up to expectations but at the same time, living up to my own expectations. And being able to hold my notes in key. But as long as I’m comfortable on stage, then I think I’m alright.

Joseph : I’m really proud of Dewi. She’s been able to overcome some of her shyness on stage as of late. She’s a work in progress!

Joseph used to tote a Gibson Explorer with a mirror pickguard. For fuck’s sake, why did you sell that guitar away, you infidel!? It was the most Goddamn disco guitar I’ve ever seen!

Joseph : Bro, do you know that it was breaking my back? Haha, like seriously, I’ve had back problems with that bloody guitar! But fret not. A more disco guitar may be on the way lah! I’ve been looking at the New Century Explorers.

Dewi : Jo kept checking himself out in that bloody mirror.