Excellent and reasonably priced source for techno dance, trance CDs. Specializes in imported electronica with a good range of singles featuring Drum & Bass, Acid Jazz, Ambient, Jungle, Industrial sounds. Also sells some local demos. Recently moved with a more cosy decor. Talk to nice guy, Perry.

Buzz Words: Ninja Tunes, ColdKrushCuts, Sukia, Photek, Wipeout 2097

Chua Joo Huat is a good place for all sorts of stuff. Has CD players for you to try sounds out but in a narrow and squashy walkway, (don't mosh!). You may have to spot some CDs to see whether a its a worthwhile buy, most are. The counter people are Dick Lau and Min Latiff.

Buzz Words: Ichiban Dance Mix (yuck!), Chemical Bros, Romeo & Juliet

Been around for quite some time distributing all sorts of pop rock stuff. Popular place for local acts to drop off their demos for distribution. Has largest collection of local demos at the back of the shop. That helpful dude is Paul Lim.

Buzz Words: Local Demos, Blur, Oasis, Metallica, Vinyl Records

A good selection of everything in one big store. Most CDs and magazines have unimpressive price tags so look out for the numerous offers and promotions happening at Tower to get the best deals.

Buzz Words: Tower Books, Magazines, Loads of CDs!

Humongous place to hang out! Loud storewide music with DJ spinning records and videos. Numerous CD players for you to plug in and tune into their new stuff. The well-displayed HMV music charts are really helpful for newbies to choose what's recommended. Relatively cheap source for recommended stuff, but some imports can be pretty steep compared to competition.

Buzz Words: Has Everything! Limited but good selection of magazines.

Japanese record company which was a pioneer in bringing local music to commercial grounds. Handles marketing and distributes a good range of music local and abroad. Most of the local music recordings are now managed by their subsidiary, SpringRoll. Talk to Ms Wati and she'll clue you in on how to market your music well.

Buzz Words: Ms Wati, Promotions, CD Albums

Works with PonyCanyon in producing local CDs and promoting local music through concerts and gigs. "Flush After Use", "Dazed & Confused" and Concave Scream's "Erratic" are some of their titles. Actively managing gigs for special events (e.g. Anti-Drug Campaign). Speak to Ray Aziz for enquiries.

Buzz Words: Ray, Local Alternative Music, Gigs

A Taiwanese record company which markets mostly Chinese Pop music. Also into techno dance music compilations. Currently "The Padres" are signed up with them. They might be interested to market more local material. Joe Ng's working there so you might wanna give him a buzz.

Buzz Words: Chinese Pop Rock, Techno-dance, Joe Ng, Padres

Startup record company by Roy Ong which produces albums and compilations. Holds gigs to promote music too. Wants to help local bands distribute their material. Roy claims that many bands are afraid to approach record companies to market their material so he'd like you to give him a call for free advice.

Buzz Words: Menagerie, MIS Compilation, demo distribution, Roy Ong

An indepedent record company which produces and distributes mainly hardcore, surf rock, heavy metal stuff. Alvin also distributes imported hardcore music which you can mail order from him through the Straits Records Homepage. Email Alvin to find out what's up in the hardcore scene.

Buzz Words: JABS album, Alvin, hardcore gigs, mail order

MYX Music Studios claim to offer professional sound at amateur price. Well, if you want quality, MYX offers 3 fully equipped jam studios, capable of digital recording for live band demos, albums, jingles and karaoke. Incidentally, The BigO Singles Club CD was recorded and mastered here. MYX also lets you record your own premastered CDs and create your own CD archives from cassettes, DATs or vinyls. Talk to the expert Jerry Chua for booking availability.

Buzz Words: Jam sessions, Great equipment, BigO Singles Club

It's a Cafe! It's a Music Studio! No, it's BOTH! For the best BLUES music, great food & booze in a fun, friendly atmosphere... this is where it's all at! Try the house specials like the popular "Grillhouse Blues", spicy "Fish 'n Chips", the "Gatemouth Chips" or "Spicy Wedges". Speciality drinks: Muddy Waters or Cream Licks. The Jam Studios!! Rates from $18 ~ $22 (Min. 2hr bookings) Student concession at half price from Mon-Fri, 11am-5pm, except Eve of Public Holidays & Public Holidays. Midnight Jams by appointment only.

Buzz Words: Food, Drinks, Music, Airconditioning (ahhhh!)

The Substation has been a reknown venue for the monthly series of "Rock The Garden" concert. As part of The Substation's "Endowment Drive", the gigs not only raises money for the arts centre, but helps to raise awareness of local music. Young bands and their audiences have always found it a ready welcome. Bands such as Stompin' Ground and Concave Scream played there in the early years. Held at the back of the building where exists a colourful courtyard covered with shady trees, The Substation is an enjoyable venue for sitting back and taking in the vibes. Contact Audrey for the latest programme.

Buzz Words: Audrey Wong, the Arts, theater plays, fresh music, gigs

If you don't know about Comics Mart, then dare I ask where have you been? I pity you for missing out on the cheapest magazines in town and the widest range of cool comics. A real meeting place for "MAGIC - the gathering" fans and comic collectors. You'll love this place for the wide selection of reading material, ranging from Star Trek to Spawn, The X-men to WildC.A.T.S., The Face to WIRED, MacAddict to Computer Gaming World, VOX to BigO, and the list goes on! I think that because they bring in comics direct, they started doing the same for magazines, thus the lowest prices you can find locally! The great thing about direct importing is that should the overseas magazine come with a music CD or free novel, it would! Other local distributors can't bring them in!

Buzz Words: Cheapest magazines, incredible comics, magic cards, RPG haven

With branches in Singapore and Malaysia, 77th Street is quite a major retailer of "Cyberspace Future Apparel". This is a great place for you to refine your image... that's if you dig Airwalk/Vans/Chipie/Catepillar shoes, alien merchandise, rock/pop/surf apparel and accessories, shades, caps, posters and much more! Wanna get groovy? Call Elim now!

Buzz Words: Earrings, groovy shirts, Star Wars toys, cool dudes/babes

Paul Zach, writer for the music column in "Life!", presents an hour of alternative music in his own radio friendly style. Listen to him talk about what he believes makes good music and why he thinks other local stations aren't doing enough for the local music scene. The end result is a radio show that's heavy on what's NOT being played enough on commercial airwaves, which is a fantastic effort by Zach! If you think local radio programming sucks, you need to tune into him for a bit of relief. Call in to win various Tower Record prizes!

Buzz Words: Beck, Tower Record prizes, Zach's strange sense of humour

Ear Wax is Chris Ho's "Hip Parade - Sound of the Future". Featuring cutting edge music for the future, namely electronica. In the hands of expert DJ Chris Ho, Ear Wax shows us how this new genre of music can be very soulful, hip-hop, very fun and exciting. If the year 2000 is coming then you're bound to know this new sound sooner or later... why not sooner? Listen to this show and you'll learn to accept this new music.

Buzz Words: Atomic Moog 2000, Sukia, Roni Size, Massive Attack