Challenger #4 : Singapore Char Siew Baos

Musical Dim Sum?

You know how when you eat dim sum, you have a lil bit of this and a lil bit of that, its a meal made up of many lil plates of different delicacies. Well Singapore Char Siew Baos are apparently something like that - when I asked them what kind of music they play, the four-man band all replied at the same time ... with different answers (jazz, pop, rock, chinese, hokkien all came flying at me!)

Meet the Baos

From left to right, Bandleader-in-Pink/accoustic guitarist Jacob, 29; saxophonist Dominic, 28; singer-with-a-sweet-smile Ruby, 24; and 12-string accoustic guitarist Jason, 31.

So why are you called Singapore Char Siew Baos?

We wanted to come up with a name for the Shanghai Jazz gig. That was our first gig together, 2 years ago. We wanted something heartlander-ish.

How do you all know each other?

Some of us are band mates from school days or band mates in semi-pro bands.

What kind of music do you play?

We do everything! We sing hokkien songs, chinese songs, pop, rock, jazz, covers.

What will you be singing tonight?

Dancing In The Moonlight (by Top Loader). Its kind of a mash-up with Jason Mraz's 'Make It Mine'.

So why'd you join OMG?

Jason : We have an agent and he told us about the show and suggested we join. We said 'why not?'. We also want to challenge ourselves in terms of our musicality and our showmanship. We always perform for people who are dining or drinking. So its an opportunity to also get a different kind of exposure.

What would you do with the $50k if you win?

Dominic : Buy char siew bao and eat :)

Speaking of char siew bao, we all have nicknames you know. Char Siew Bao is actually Jacob's nickname.

Jacob : Dominic is Twa Bao (LOL - how adorably apt lor!). Jason is Lin Yong Bao (apparently cos he's a motormouth - but I don't get what that has to do with the sweet lin yong? Oooh, maybe he's a sweet talker?) and Ruby is Siew Mai (there was some private joke goin' here... so I'll just leave it to your imagination).

Who will you be challenging tonight?

Jacob : First choice would be Desert Roses. And second choice Vertical Dancers. I think. Actually we haven't really decided. We're just gonna go out there and watch their performances and decide on the spot!

Any OMG strategy at work here?

Thing is, naturally we want to challenge another musician/singer. But watching the first few episodes of the show, looks like maybe we should go cross-genre. Going up against a singer would be pure competition. We can't decide whether to go with the norm and stick to one genre or restrategise.

What do you think of the judges?

Dom : Aiya, Jeanette not here already ah? Ok lah, I will have to impress Tay Ping Hui now.

Any judges you think you may need to impress more than the others?

Beatrice and FD. FD is exposed to music a lot and Beatrice is quite cross-genre. They offer very good critiques and each judge has a different critique. Hopefully we can impress them with good music, strong showmanship and energy and rich, lush harmonies.

Catch the Char Siew Baos bring their music and harmonies to the OMG stage this Wednesday, 8pm only on Channel 5! Think your band is cooler? Or have you got a talent that will beat any of our contenders? Bring it on - we want YOU on the show! Email omg@mediacorp.com.sg and you could be the one to walk way with the $50k!

:: Pics courtesy of Shawn Pang, Channel 5 Marketing ::