Zai Tang

Performance

My live sets stem from an improvisational approach towards using a turntable & ‘prepared’ vinyl records. These vinyls have been melted, scratched, punctured with guitar strings and covered in other materials and substances, to create a gritty, textural sound palette which leans towards the abstract. I explore these crackly, warped surfaces with a contact microphone attached to various implements (e.g. rubber bands, styrofoam, pen knifes) in search of interesting or unexpected sounds. The contact mic becomes a needle in itself, moving across the disfigured memory of a record that once was, and unveiling a new sonorous world between the grooves.

This year, I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate live with many inspiring people from Singapore’s experimental music and performance art scenes. I’d like to thank Zai Kuning, Shark Fung, Fuzz Lee, Bani Haikal, Angie Seah, Lee Wen, Reef, Kai Lam, Mark Wong Wenwei, Yuzuru Maeda and Jeremy Hiah, for the opportunity to play together.

These are photographs of various performances from 2010 onwards, both in London and Singapore. Venues pictured; Singapore Art Museum, Night & Day, Blackhole, Chapter 6 and Emmet’s Warehouse.

Below is an excerpt from Amino Acid Orchestra+, recorded on 5th July 2011 at Night & Day, Singapore. Artist’s performing; Zai Kuning, Shark Fung, Fuzz Lee, Bani Haikal, Angie Seah and me.