01Profile
A Jonathan Fong Photo
Jonathan Fong
Label Owner — Singapore
03Interview
Name, what do you do?
Hello, I’m Jonathan Fong. Co-founder of Sole Superior and Street Superior Festival. I run a tiny music label called Sweetness Follows and am also a father to Damon and Gemma.
Describe your style in three words?
Rad Glad Dad.
What does the Fred Perry Shirt mean to you?
A classic garment that exemplifies value, timeliness and quality.
Which subcultures have had an enduring effect on you?
Skateboarding, shoegaze, punk, indie, britpop, record and book stores.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Patti Smith.
Which music genre defines you?
Probably a mix of morose indie and upbeat alternative.
song lyric that has inspired you?
“It takes strength to be gentle and kind”
From 'I Know It's Over' by The Smiths.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Vertigo Flowers' by Nothing.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Tonight the Streets Are Ours' by Richard Hawley.
Any new music you are into at the moment?
Quiet Quiet and Carpet Golf are two Singaporean bands that I’m currently loving.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
'Assisted Harakiri' by Home Is Where.
Quite possibly my favourite song of 2021. A cathartic burst of fury, rage and joy to tide through these strange current times.
'Close To Me' by The Cure.
I’ve had the privilege to see The Cure live on three occasions and my hope is to see them once more with my kids.
'Baby I’m Bleeding' by JPEGMAFIA.
My first few listens to Peggy scared me, in a good way. A very exciting artist to watch.
'Like Someone in Love' by Björk.
A timeless tune by an absolutely generational legend. BTW I do believe it is pronounced bee-yerk (google her introducing herself in videos/interviews).
'Complainer' by Choir Boy.
A band I’m dying to see live. Every note from singer/songwriter Adam Klopp’s voice is pure magic.
'Lay_Up.M4a' by Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats.
I was a whole year late to the genius that was UNLOCKED but man, these two superheroes combining made for a wicked stellar rap classic.
'Don’t Know How to Keep Loving You' by Julia Jacklin.
I personally treasure sad songs for their ability to empathise and connect, to be able to make someone feel slightly less alone in their loneliness. Julia J pours a gentle juggernaut here in sharing the sadness of falling out of love and the need to leave, however much it hurts.
'Tater Tots' by Forests.
It's been a long strange trip for the worst band in Singapore and for better or worst, I’ve been part of that journey. Watch the video for this one.
'The Start Of Something' by Voxtrot.
Before the bursts of youthful exuberance could even wash over like a cold beer, the band broke up; leaving behind questions, longing and love seared into the recesses of the heart.
'gb/ol h/nf' by Oso Oso.
A sunny song I recently discovered that has the knack of making gloomy days a little better. I don’t know much about this band except that the singer’s old band was called State Lines which my friend Nick Wong highly rates.
'A Change of Heart' by The 1975.
If this song was a cassette single I would have played it till the Walkman fell apart. A disarmingly perfect pop tune that is as earnest as it is clever. My daughter at the age of three is a mega-fan of the band and I look forward to accompanying her (she probably will be too young to be embarrassed yet) to a show the next time that’s possible.
No Surface All Feeling - Manic Street Preachers
In the complex sea of life we need songs like this to remind us that there can be no greater love than one that is all feeling, no surface.
03Interview
Name, what do you do?
Hello, I’m Jonathan Fong. Co-founder of Sole Superior and Street Superior Festival. I run a tiny music label called Sweetness Follows and am also a father to Damon and Gemma.
Describe your style in three words?
Rad Glad Dad.
What does the Fred Perry Shirt mean to you?
A classic garment that exemplifies value, timeliness and quality.
Which subcultures have had an enduring effect on you?
Skateboarding, shoegaze, punk, indie, britpop, record and book stores.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Patti Smith.
Which music genre defines you?
Probably a mix of morose indie and upbeat alternative.
song lyric that has inspired you?
“It takes strength to be gentle and kind”
From 'I Know It's Over' by The Smiths.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Vertigo Flowers' by Nothing.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Tonight the Streets Are Ours' by Richard Hawley.
Any new music you are into at the moment?
Quiet Quiet and Carpet Golf are two Singaporean bands that I’m currently loving.
04Playlist Notes
'Assisted Harakiri' by Home Is Where.
Quite possibly my favourite song of 2021. A cathartic burst of fury, rage and joy to tide through these strange current times.
'Close To Me' by The Cure.
I’ve had the privilege to see The Cure live on three occasions and my hope is to see them once more with my kids.
'Baby I’m Bleeding' by JPEGMAFIA.
My first few listens to Peggy scared me, in a good way. A very exciting artist to watch.
'Like Someone in Love' by Björk.
A timeless tune by an absolutely generational legend. BTW I do believe it is pronounced bee-yerk (google her introducing herself in videos/interviews).
'Complainer' by Choir Boy.
A band I’m dying to see live. Every note from singer/songwriter Adam Klopp’s voice is pure magic.
'Lay_Up.M4a' by Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats.
I was a whole year late to the genius that was UNLOCKED but man, these two superheroes combining made for a wicked stellar rap classic.
'Don’t Know How to Keep Loving You' by Julia Jacklin.
I personally treasure sad songs for their ability to empathise and connect, to be able to make someone feel slightly less alone in their loneliness. Julia J pours a gentle juggernaut here in sharing the sadness of falling out of love and the need to leave, however much it hurts.
'Tater Tots' by Forests.
It's been a long strange trip for the worst band in Singapore and for better or worst, I’ve been part of that journey. Watch the video for this one.
'The Start Of Something' by Voxtrot.
Before the bursts of youthful exuberance could even wash over like a cold beer, the band broke up; leaving behind questions, longing and love seared into the recesses of the heart.
'gb/ol h/nf' by Oso Oso.
A sunny song I recently discovered that has the knack of making gloomy days a little better. I don’t know much about this band except that the singer’s old band was called State Lines which my friend Nick Wong highly rates.
'A Change of Heart' by The 1975.
If this song was a cassette single I would have played it till the Walkman fell apart. A disarmingly perfect pop tune that is as earnest as it is clever. My daughter at the age of three is a mega-fan of the band and I look forward to accompanying her (she probably will be too young to be embarrassed yet) to a show the next time that’s possible.
No Surface All Feeling - Manic Street Preachers
In the complex sea of life we need songs like this to remind us that there can be no greater love than one that is all feeling, no surface.