However young Singapore’s creative scene may be, it is what it is today, not least because X’ho was there first. Armed with talent, passion and a bone to pick, Ho has been our nation’s cultural stalwart and an underground figurehead that won’t be stopping no matter how nicely you’ve asked. His is a fist raised to authority, a voice of extreme reason and rebellion, and a vision that dares to wander into the outré limits.
Ho joined his first band in 1979 and since then, has been forging a bold and forward path for local music and musicians. There’s been his seminal work with Zircon Lounge (on the band’s first and last album, Regal Vigor), his time as a radio DJ on Rediffusion, and his solo discography (No Ordinary Country is a gem), all of which have been significant contributions to Singapore’s alternative culture. And that’s not even mentioning his literary and filmic achievements: X’ has shot up to six films (tackling both experimental messages and mediums) and been an equally prolific writer of socio-cultural matters. More than a decade afte its first publication, X’s literary debut, Skew Me U Rebel, Meh?, a collection of his essays and critiques, remains a passionate skewering of hypocrisy and double standards that’s solidified his reputation on a foundation of fearlessness and righteousness.
X’ho continues to fight a tireless fight until this day, deftly spreading his word as a musician, club DJ, radio personality, author, filmmaker and commentator all at once. August saw him release Lucifugous, a collaborative album with ARCN TEMPL (the Singaporean pairing of Vivian Wang and Leslie Low), that gives vent to pain, anguish and redemption through black and grand musical movements. It won’t make for an easy listen, because it’s not meant to. In fact, in X’s own words, “I dare say there’s nothing else quite like it from Singapore.” And coming from a man who’s been as much of a singular and exceptional phenomenon on our local scene, we’ll have to take his word for it.
Buy and listen to Lucifugous at arcntempl.bandcamp.com, xhosux.com/lucifugous and facebook.com/arcntempl.
Photo credit: Olivia Sari-Goerlach
