Make sure you arrive at Jon Chan’s concert on Jul 25 with all your senses switched on to the max. Trust us, you’ll need them.

This isn’t your typical “sit back, relax, and keep your ears open” type of concert. Be prepared for music so intimate and illustrations so intriguing; Ears and Eyes with Jon Chan promises to be a sensory treat for all.

Did you say there’ll be illustrations?

Surprise surprise! The concert at Esplanade’s Recital Hall will also feature a gallery of Jon Chan’s illustrations. He shares with UrbanWire that the works that will be on display is “a collection of whimsical drawings, which is more to reflect certain aspects of the music – more of the eclectic side.”

Curtains drawn aside and reservations melted away, Jon steps out of the limelight from bigger stages to deliver a more personal feel to this late Friday night concert. Through his drawings, you’ll meet what he describes as “certain parts of [his] personality – insecurities, defensiveness and sense of injustice at times”.

The gallery aims to provide a multi-sensory experience for the audience. “Most people either react [to] visual or audio [in] their surroundings. I found out that I can’t have one without the other,” adds Jon.

Will we get to hear songs from his EP?

Definitely! The lead singer of Plainsunset marked out his own path with a reflective folk-rock solo album, Pencil Tracings featuring the acoustic versions of Water Line and Security. Jon Chan’s trademark calm, soothing voice shines through with Water Line, a song he finds describes him best.

Want a preview? Pencil Tracings, the free digital EP is available for download at Jon’s webpage.

Going solo, is it scary being onstage alone?

Without Plainsunset behind him, it sure is scary, even for our local music hero. Despite his encounters with punk rock, Jon shares with UrbanWire, “to jump up onto a platform is not the most comfortable thing in the world to me, still.”

”It’s even worse when I turn around halfway and realize I’m all alone on the stage. Solo sets are internal battles every single time I have to get up. [I] can’t think of one where it hasn’t been, really.”

With Jon baring his soul to show the more intimate side of himself at the concert, UrbanWire can’t help but wish for comfy beanbags, cushions and soft lighting to add to the cosy atmosphere.

Think “Simon and Garfunkel on one hand, MewithoutYou on the other [and] Bruce Springsteen on one end of the pitch. I’m playing a lot with arrangement and dynamics too, so hopefully it’ll not be too predictable, I suppose. Hopefully, it’ll be all good!”

Oh, we know it will be.

Ears and Eyes by Jon Chan will be staged at the Esplanade Recital Hall on Friday, Jul 25, 9.30pm. Tickets are sold at SISTIC for $25.