On 9 August 2009, local indie band Blind Meets Mute staged a gig at Starbucks at ION Orchard, performing a total of eight songs from 8.20pm to 9.10pm. While our island nation celebrated her 44th Anniversary that same evening, Starbucks held their own celebration for Singapore by going local. Just days after the opening of the highly anticipated ION Orchard mall [on 21 July 2009], visitors and passers-by stopped in their tracks right in front of Starbucks several weekends on end, delighted at the fresh sight of a local band performing live. All this is part of Starbucks’ recent campaign to ‘support local music while enjoying a cuppa’ from 26 July right up till National Day on 9 August. Other popular local bands and artistes were also invited to perform on Starbuck’s platform, including highly sought after local artiste, Dawn Ho. Blind Meets Mute is a local indie band formed in 2006 by five aspiring musicians: Ain 22 (Lead Vocalist and Keyboardist), Aliff 22 (Lead Guitarist, Backup Vocalist), Idham 23 (Bassist, Backup Vocalist), Didi 24 (Rhythm Guitarist) and Faizal 23(Drummer), who are inspired by music from the likes of Paramore [their favorite band], Dashboard Confessional, Penfold and more.
An hour before the gig, supporters consisting of peers and friends from other bands had already taken the best seats in the house [at Starbucks], eagerly awaiting Blind Meets Mute’s performance. The band did not disappoint, kicking off the show with their latest single, ‘Take My Breath Away’. Song after song, they continued to charm the audience, playing their own covers and renditions of Paramore’s ‘Here I go Again’ and ‘Fence’, along with their own original compositions ‘Waves’, ‘Time’s Up’, ‘Skyscrapers’ and ‘Design’. The atmosphere at Starbucks was very light hearted and enjoyable as the crowd swayed to songs about love and hope while sipping the latest Starbucks hit beverage, the Caramel Coffee Jelly Frappuccino provided on the house, courtesy of Starbucks. As the performance drew to an end, the crowd at Starbucks cheered. Among them was social entrepreneur, Elim Chew. The name Blind Meets Mute was given by Idham, lead guitarist and also the composer of all the songs, who revealed that the name came to him in a dream. The band met at a local competition known as ‘Operation Rockstar’ four years ago and the rest is history. Blind Meets Mute are also currently endorsed and supported by Gibson, a famous guitar manufacturing corporation. “It’s a win-win situation,” says Ain, lead vocalist. “They let us use their quality guitars while we promote their guitars during our performances.” From their humble beginnings of playing at places such as Golden Landmark, Blind Meets Mute have come a long way, performing for Noise 2008, Singapore Arts Festival 2009, Channel 5’s Live n Loaded and more.
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| PHOTOS: Richard Chong |
After reaching the milestone of performing at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre, Blind Meets Mute is set for their next target: performing in Malaysia to gain more exposure. To encourage other budding musicians who want to pursue their music dreams but are afraid of stepping out, Ain shares that the fundamental aspect of success is to “be one’s self and be patient; and not to do it for fame, but to do it for passion.” Blind Meets Mute will be releasing their very first Extended Play (EP) consisting of six of their very own tracks including hits such as ‘Take my breath away’, ‘Design’ and more, at the end of 2009. Local bands like Blind Meets Mute now have a platform to showcase their works, thanks to Starbucks’ worthy cause of supporting local talent!
