16/03/2025
Peter Diaz from the band October Cherries, a famous rock band from the 60s is back in town for some performances. First up will be on the 17th March 2025 for The Coffee Morning and Afternoon Tea Show at the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay Recital Studio. There will be two shows, first at 1030am and the later at 3pm. Joining him will be some familiar folks from our local music scene! Ruby and Jacob from the Singapore Char Siew Bao! Melvin Wong on Bass, Razak on Drums and Yonglun on Electric!
We caught up with him and thought we should asked him some questions warming up to tomorrows show! 🙂 The band has rehearsed with him twice so far at Sam’s Studio. It was quite a treat to be jamming to some soulful singing 🎵
Gonna leave you with the interview:
JAM: How does it feel like being back in Singapore? 🇸🇬
Peter: You know I have this love/dislike relationship with my hometown. I absolutely love the people, it’s so easy to talk to anyone, to make friends, and I know that if I need help there will always be someone to lend a hand. Then there’s the efficiency and ease of getting things done here. But I dislike how things are getting so expensive and I wonder when is it going to stop? When kopi O costs $10?
JAM: How long have you been away?
What have you been up to?
Peter: I left in March 2023 so this year it’ll be 2 years.
For the first 10 or 11 months my guitar stayed in the case, I never thought of playing I was too busy getting acclimatized to my new surroundings in Spain and trying desperately to learn Spanish, which I still haven’t managed to come to grips with yet! I mean seriously why can’t the whole world just speak our Singlish! It’s so simple and easygoing where one word can convert our emotion and feelings! Aiyoh!
JAM: How has 2025 been for you so far?
Peter: Actually 2025 is turning out to be quite positive, exciting! I was so honoured to receive an invitation to perform at the Esplanade on the 17th March, and when I accepted I was so totally humbled when they told me that both the shows were sold out within a few months, and in fact they had to add an extra 10 seats. Such a privilege. I am beyond grateful!
JAM: How have you been keeping up with your music? Written any new songs? What are your plans for music in 2025 and next couple of years?
Peter: Well, as I mentioned earlier, I stopped playing for over 10 months and my hands and fingers got so weak and soft, but when I accepted the invitation to perform at Esplanade, I discovered, or rather rediscovered, the love, the passion for music again! Music is just pure magic, it’s everything. It is simply not possible to image a world without music, without the joy, the emotion, the sadness, the hope, and of course, love that music is to the soul. Yes pure magic and I have had the privilege of being involved in this art for all of my life! For the next couple of years I so very much want to carry on writing songs while I still can, perhaps explore new boundaries!
JAM: Do you miss being back here and why?
Peter: Singapore is just so very convenient to get around to visit nearby countries. In 2 hours you can be in bustling Bangkok or Bali. The most exciting part about being here is you are at the forefront of all the new technologies even in music. Yes AI will play a big role in modern music. Ya and of course I totally miss the food lah. Nowhere in the world can beat our food! Nice to be in warm weather again but I guess I don’t mind the cold too. The other day I was in an NTUC supermarket and I heard this young female singer ( I think she’s local?) over the sound system, and I really enjoyed her simple fresh, style. So ya, I wish I was back here to perhaps try and work and learn from these young new talents it could be so very exciting blending my old school with modern ideas, who knows it could be inspiring!
JAM: Any new gigs for you since you’ve been back?
Peter: Yes I have 2 gigs this March. One is for an old friend whose aunt will be celebrating her 80th birthday and on the 29th I will be performing a set for the Eurasian Association at Henderson Community Club.
JAM: Are you excited about the upcoming show and what will you be bringing on for us?
Peter: Oh my goodness I am totally excited for this Esplanade gig. This is my golden opportunity to get up close with my loyal fans and to perform for them is such a privilege. I am planning to take them down memory lane with these songs, in the hope that I can rekindle some amazing memories of the “good old days” like for example, the first time they met their wife or husband, or the day they took delivery of their first car or something like that.
JAM: Songs or any inspirations?
Peter: Let the songs be a surprise, shall we.
JAM: Any last words for your fans and friends who are coming for the gig?
Peter: To all of you coming to the 2 shows, I am honoured, I feel so grateful and blessed to be able to perform for you. Words cannot describe how grateful I am to you all but also, and most of all, to the talented musicians who will be performing with me, Jacob, Ruby, Razak, Melvin & Yonglun.
Thank you 🙏
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