GET READY FOR YOUR LOCAL FIX

Don't be surprised if the voice on the radio sounds like the singing coming from your neighbour's bathroom. It might just be the latest local act to be featured on Power 98FM's new weekend show, PowerSG.

Singaporean musicians often sing the blues about how challenging it is to find willing and suitable channels to showcase their talents.

To provide a nurturing platform for local performers, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Music and Drama Company (MDC) and SAFRA Radio have teamed up to produce PowerSG, an hour-long radio show dedicated to showcasing Singaporean musicians and music.

Starting 8 Jun, listeners will be able to tune in every Sunday from 1pm to 2pm for their local music fix. Fans of local music can expect acoustic performances and interviews from a variety of talented up-and-comers, many of whom are from MDC, as well as popular local artistes. They will also get the latest news on upcoming gigs.

"MDC is a hotbed for Singaporean talent, having produced many well-established performers, and it continues to be a source of young budding talents.

"(So) it only seemed natural for Power 98FM and MDC to work together to showcase our local talents," said Mr Leong Teng Young (also known as Mister Young), Power 98FM's DJ and Assistant Programme Director, on why the radio station had decided to team up with MDC.

Mr Loh Aik Khoon, Head MDC, agreed: "Both of us represent the SAF and national servicemen. We are about entertaining them, so it's only natural for us to come together to create a show that they can identify with."

Hey Miss DJ!

Helming the show is a brand-new DJ duo who, collectively, look too good to be on radio.

One half of the duo, Ms Biwa Mastura (pictured above in green), is a recent addition to the MDC family. Trained in theatre, she has chalked up an impressive resume acting in shows such as the Ah Boys to Men movies and various MediaCorp television programmes.

Her partner in crime is Power 98FM DJ Jacqueline Thibodeaux (pictured above in red), or Jacqui, as she is better known. A familiar voice on air over the past seven years, she co-hosts weekday show The Ex-Factor with Mister Young from 4pm to 8pm.

Hot like sambal

So how will this new show be heating up our airwaves?

"It's going to be fun, interesting and spicy! We're gonna add our own flavour to it, and the acts we're bringing in are going to be mind-blowing as well!" Jacqui offered with a cheeky smirk.

She added, more seriously: "Because I know some of the artistes (appearing on the show) personally, it will also be a warm, casual and personal show."

As this will be the first radio show to showcase MDC performers, Biwa is also looking forward to interviewing her colleagues: "We have great talents in MDC that people don t know of, so this ll be a good platform."

They ? local talent

As public personalities who work closely with Singaporean performers, both Biwa and Jacqui empathise completely with artistes who face difficulties trying to hone their craft and make a name for themselves.

Thus, they are thrilled about having this platform for new musicians to showcase their talents.

Said Jacqui: "What it all boils down to is talent, and we're proud to have them represent Singapore musically."

Musical memories

For these two Singaporean girls, what was their first memory of local music?

"It was probably in my teens, when I heard people singing in school, and I thought, 'oh my gosh, they could have a career!' And I encouraged my friends to 'go, try lah'. As I got older, I realised that these people did try to pursue a career in singing," Jacqui reminisced.

As for Biwa, it was the first edition of Singapore Idol that left a deep impression. "I remember one girl named Nana (Zakaria), whom the judges called the 'soul diva', but she didn't make it to the Top 12. Years later, she had a single out, and when I heard her voice I remembered her and how strong her voice was.

"That's the kind of feeling I want to give listeners: to rediscover singers that they heard of before but had slipped under the radar."