Hopefully, this page will help answer some of the questions I've been getting over the last few years on how to get gigs or get "in the loop" of the local blues scene. Singapore still doesn't have a blues society per se, so there's no centralized source for local blues information and networking. The following list of resources is a hodgepodge of media outlets, contacts, studios, and potential sponsors. (To avoid repetition, I didn't list any nightclubs here; for info on venues, go to the Clubs page.) Generally, the url listed just points you in the right direction -- be prepared to do a lot of legwork, especially when it comes to bookings or sponsorships.
Resources for foreign blues bands.

• Resources for Local Bands
  BigO Magazine   e-mail: singbigo@singnet.com.sg
  I wouldn't advise buying a print ad in their mag (who would read it?), but for S$10 you can advertise your gig in BigO's e-mail newsletter.
  Borders   http://www.bordersstores.com/stores/223/
  Borders bookstore stages occasional gigs at the atrium near the back entrance. The acoustics are dreadful (no need for a delay pedal), but hey, a gig's a gig. Also: expect gift vouchers in lieu of cash.
  The Green Room   e-mail: greenroom@pacific.net.sg
  The Green Room is a recording studio located at 37B Circular Road (behind Boat Quay). It ain't cheap, but Tony Goh knows what he's doing. (He also has a nice Guild guitar signed by Buddy Guy.)
  Kolam Ayer Blues Club   e-mail: blues_club@hotmail.com
  Founded in Oct '01, the KABC is a small step toward a viable blues society in Singapore. The KABC operates out of the Kolam Ayer Community Club (3188 Geylang Bahru), organizing Sunday jams and performances. Contact: Al Chong or Ana J.
  National Arts Council   http://www.nac.gov.sg
  Act professional about it and, yes, you can pass off a blues gig as an arts event. If you're organizing a show or a festival, try applying for NAC funding. No guarantees, but they've got money to burn.
  Passion 99.5 FM  http://www.nac.gov.sg/passion/index.html
  If your band has a demo, then Passion 99.5 FM is your best bet for getting airplay. Passion is technically a branch of the NAC, so by all means the "blues is art, damnit" justification applies.
  Singapore Arts Festival  http://www.artsfest.nac.gov.sg
  A decade ago, bands like Calcutta Blues Experiment and Heritage were playing gigs at the Fringe program of the Singapore Arts Festival. Since then, the SAF seems to be pushing world music. Last time I checked, the Mississippi Delta was part of the world, too.
  Singapore Blues Festival   http://bluesfestival.today.com.sg
  Newbies to the blues scene can get a helping hand from R. Segar, who runs this site and was a co-organizer of the 2000 Muddy Waters Tribute concert.
  Straits Times  http://www.straitstimes.asia1.com.sg
  The "Gigs & Picks" bulletin in the Life! section of the Straits Times is a good way to announce upcoming performances. Better to get on the phone, but you can try e-mailing stlife@cyberway.com.sg.
  Thomson Jazz Club  http://www.thomsonjazz.com
  This pool of talent has been grossly overlooked by local blues players (with the exception of Siva Choy, who plucked sax man Steven Rufus from the Thomson Jazz Band). I guess we'll have to wait till that SRV thing dies down.
  The Substation  http://www.substation.org
  The Substation (which sponsored the Blues in the Basement revue for a year-and-a-half) is a great platform for music gigs. But it's no juke joint: come with a written proposal, try to get a sponsor, and be prepared to do your share of the organizing and publicity.
  Universal Blues Band  http://www.ublues.com
  Danny Loong of uBlues has organized blues festivals in both Singapore and Australia, founded the Chijmes Blues Series, and conducted seminars on music and the music business. He's been one of the more visible blues promoters in Singapore over the past couple years.

• Resources for Foreign Bands
  Singapore Blues Festival   http://www.bluesfestival.today.com.sg
  It always helps to have a local guy on your side. R. Segar can help pitch your band to Singaporean clubs like the Crazy Elephant, Voodoo Shack, and Sultan of Swing.
  The American Association of Singapore  http://www.aasingapore.com
  The most dense patch of blues fans in Singapore? It's probably at the American Club. The AAS runs a lot of promotional events, and it also has a large network of businesses that might be interested in importing an entertainment act from overseas.
  The Australian High Commission  http://www.aushighcom.org.sg
  Maybe it's a long shot, but an Australian blues band sure sounds like "cultural exchange" to me. There's also precedent: Junior Wells came to Singapore on an U.S. state department-sponsored tour, and French harmonica maestro J.J. Milteau made his Singaporean debut on the wings of the French Alliance.