01Profile
A Isa Ong Photo
Isa Ong
Musician — Singapore
03Interview
Name, what do you do?
I’m Isa Ong, a songwriter and musician. I compose music as a solo performer under the name Claude Glass, and I’m also a member of the bands, Pleasantry, Amateur Takes Control and sub:shaman.
Describe your style in three words?
Neutral, understated and quiet.
What does the Fred Perry Shirt mean to you?
To me, it has always been synonymous with individuality and the journey of self-expression. The shirt, with its longstanding history with subcultures, is a statement-making badge that’s versatile, yet still connects with the unique personality and voice of its wearer.
You can make a record with anyone from history?
This is a tough one. I’ve always thought it would be interesting to work with explorers of the past, specifically those who ventured into unchartered territories, like Yuri Gagarin, the first human who travelled into space, or Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh, who were the first people to dive down to the depths of the Mariana Trench. It would be amazing to understand and try to capture an ounce of what they felt at the time with music.
Songs that define the teenage you?
'Styrofoam Plates' by Death Cab for Cutie.
'Almost Crimes' by Broken Social Scene.
'Dead Disco' by Metric.
'Holding Someone’s Hair Back' by Circa Survive.
'Hummer' by Foals.
'Flim' by Aphex Twin.
'Louise Louisa' by Mew.
Song you wish you had written?
I probably have a new song for every week of my life. A more recent one was 'Famous Last Words' by James Blake. It’s beautiful both with its music and lyrics - so honest in arrangement, yet so effective, relatable and heart-wrenching all at the same time.
What has been the best gig you've been to?
I hope festivals count because it was likely Primavera 2013 in Barcelona. I was lucky enough to catch so many acts that meant so much to me, including My Bloody Valentine, The Postal Service, Death Grips and many many more.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
One of the most memorable ones was a festival I played with Pleasantry called Springfest 2016 at IIT Kharagpur, a university in India. It was just so different from anything we’ve ever experienced, from the colossal size of the stage, to the huge crowd (there were approximately 5,000 people in attendance, bigger than anything we’ve ever played!). It was an amazing experience, and I’d jump at the chance of doing it again.
The last music you bought?
Son Lux’s most three-part album, 'Tomorrows I, II and III' on vinyl.
What new music are you listening to?
Recently, I’ve been listening to some Japanese hip-hop bands and artists, like Dos Monos, skillkills, SMTK, Campanella and Kid Fresino. They’ve all got really interesting production and songwriting, and just have a unique edge to them which I find really inspiring.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
'Romeo' by Jungle (ft. Bas).
Love the carefree, feel-good vibe here. Also really dig the sampling on it, it’s musical and adds so much colour and fun to the piece.
'Sexy Villain' by Remi Wolf.
The vocal melodies on this track are insane, it’s hit after hit with this one, with a super vibey backing track.
'I’m On Holiday' by The F16s.
I adore the catchy guitar lines, vocal melodies and how everything comes together in such an incredibly honest and sincere mix. Another one that was played daily for a while.
'Hush (Still Woozy Remix)' by The Marias.
This track’s been on replay since it came out, it’s got great melodies, with simple hooky guitar lines in the chorus and outro that are so addictive.
'Life Is Not The Same' by James Blake.
Another one that has been on loop for me since its release. The production and all of James Blake’s choices on this track are incredibly tasteful.
'Cigarette Packet' by Sorry.
A huge fan of the vocals on this, it’s laidback and feels effortlessly cool. Also, there’s a cowbell in the chorus. What’s not to love?
'Estrus (feat. black midi)' by Dos Monos.
Amazing production with this one, it’s so wild, unpredictable and edgy, and while there’s so much going on in this one track, everything still seems to flow well.
'Galipette' by Lolo Zouaï.
Absolutely love the way the song transitions between cheeky, playful parts to heavier electronic sections. A super fresh and unique track.
'Superman That' by Injury Reserve.
The beat on this is on a different level. It’s out of this world, it’s so chopped up and disjointed, yet still carries a sense of familiarity with it. That, coupled with a mix of rap and sung vocals results in a really special piece.
'Chivalry Is Not Dead' by Hiatus Kaiyote.
Always been a huge, huge fan of the band – everything from their instrumentation to mix, to vocal melodies and performance. It’s technically insane, and yet still feels like a great, memorable song.
'tree in a sidewalk”’ by RⱯHM ⚉.
There are some crazy textures on this track, giving it a really unique production style. There’s also a hazy-yet-detailed feel from it, almost as if everything’s translucent. And the catchy vocal parts just ground and structures everything perfectly.
'A Different Kind of Love' by Son Lux.
Son Lux has been one of my favourite bands for a few years now. The vocals are so expressive, and the production is so textured, lush and instantly immersive. This song takes you from an intimate one-on-one and thrusts you into a massive cathartic explosion in less than four minutes.
03Interview
Name, what do you do?
I’m Isa Ong, a songwriter and musician. I compose music as a solo performer under the name Claude Glass, and I’m also a member of the bands, Pleasantry, Amateur Takes Control and sub:shaman.
Describe your style in three words?
Neutral, understated and quiet.
What does the Fred Perry Shirt mean to you?
To me, it has always been synonymous with individuality and the journey of self-expression. The shirt, with its longstanding history with subcultures, is a statement-making badge that’s versatile, yet still connects with the unique personality and voice of its wearer.
You can make a record with anyone from history?
This is a tough one. I’ve always thought it would be interesting to work with explorers of the past, specifically those who ventured into unchartered territories, like Yuri Gagarin, the first human who travelled into space, or Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh, who were the first people to dive down to the depths of the Mariana Trench. It would be amazing to understand and try to capture an ounce of what they felt at the time with music.
Songs that define the teenage you?
'Styrofoam Plates' by Death Cab for Cutie.
'Almost Crimes' by Broken Social Scene.
'Dead Disco' by Metric.
'Holding Someone’s Hair Back' by Circa Survive.
'Hummer' by Foals.
'Flim' by Aphex Twin.
'Louise Louisa' by Mew.
Song you wish you had written?
I probably have a new song for every week of my life. A more recent one was 'Famous Last Words' by James Blake. It’s beautiful both with its music and lyrics - so honest in arrangement, yet so effective, relatable and heart-wrenching all at the same time.
What has been the best gig you've been to?
I hope festivals count because it was likely Primavera 2013 in Barcelona. I was lucky enough to catch so many acts that meant so much to me, including My Bloody Valentine, The Postal Service, Death Grips and many many more.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
One of the most memorable ones was a festival I played with Pleasantry called Springfest 2016 at IIT Kharagpur, a university in India. It was just so different from anything we’ve ever experienced, from the colossal size of the stage, to the huge crowd (there were approximately 5,000 people in attendance, bigger than anything we’ve ever played!). It was an amazing experience, and I’d jump at the chance of doing it again.
The last music you bought?
Son Lux’s most three-part album, 'Tomorrows I, II and III' on vinyl.
What new music are you listening to?
Recently, I’ve been listening to some Japanese hip-hop bands and artists, like Dos Monos, skillkills, SMTK, Campanella and Kid Fresino. They’ve all got really interesting production and songwriting, and just have a unique edge to them which I find really inspiring.
04Playlist Notes
'Romeo' by Jungle (ft. Bas).
Love the carefree, feel-good vibe here. Also really dig the sampling on it, it’s musical and adds so much colour and fun to the piece.
'Sexy Villain' by Remi Wolf.
The vocal melodies on this track are insane, it’s hit after hit with this one, with a super vibey backing track.
'I’m On Holiday' by The F16s.
I adore the catchy guitar lines, vocal melodies and how everything comes together in such an incredibly honest and sincere mix. Another one that was played daily for a while.
'Hush (Still Woozy Remix)' by The Marias.
This track’s been on replay since it came out, it’s got great melodies, with simple hooky guitar lines in the chorus and outro that are so addictive.
'Life Is Not The Same' by James Blake.
Another one that has been on loop for me since its release. The production and all of James Blake’s choices on this track are incredibly tasteful.
'Cigarette Packet' by Sorry.
A huge fan of the vocals on this, it’s laidback and feels effortlessly cool. Also, there’s a cowbell in the chorus. What’s not to love?
'Estrus (feat. black midi)' by Dos Monos.
Amazing production with this one, it’s so wild, unpredictable and edgy, and while there’s so much going on in this one track, everything still seems to flow well.
'Galipette' by Lolo Zouaï.
Absolutely love the way the song transitions between cheeky, playful parts to heavier electronic sections. A super fresh and unique track.
'Superman That' by Injury Reserve.
The beat on this is on a different level. It’s out of this world, it’s so chopped up and disjointed, yet still carries a sense of familiarity with it. That, coupled with a mix of rap and sung vocals results in a really special piece.
'Chivalry Is Not Dead' by Hiatus Kaiyote.
Always been a huge, huge fan of the band – everything from their instrumentation to mix, to vocal melodies and performance. It’s technically insane, and yet still feels like a great, memorable song.
'tree in a sidewalk”’ by RⱯHM ⚉.
There are some crazy textures on this track, giving it a really unique production style. There’s also a hazy-yet-detailed feel from it, almost as if everything’s translucent. And the catchy vocal parts just ground and structures everything perfectly.
'A Different Kind of Love' by Son Lux.
Son Lux has been one of my favourite bands for a few years now. The vocals are so expressive, and the production is so textured, lush and instantly immersive. This song takes you from an intimate one-on-one and thrusts you into a massive cathartic explosion in less than four minutes.