It’s a blistering Saturday afternoon, and with all their gear all sprucely set up, the blokes of Singaporean post-progressive rock band, ANECHOIS, are spotted in a focused discussion of their setlist while patiently awaiting their turn for their soundcheck before their performance at Homeclub.

“Baybeats is like the biggest stage you can play here in Singapore and it has been a long time dream of ours even before this band started. I mean we’ve all been there over the years watching other bands we love. It’s like a dream we never thought could come true,” says Justin Koh, 24, guitarist.

Having impressed the panel of judges at the Baybeats 2012 auditions, the aspiring outfit has managed to clinch the long-anticipated opportunity to perform at the esteemed festival. Resonating wispy vocals against a backdrop of multiple dreamlike guitar riffs, and forcefully rhythmic and complex basslines contribute to the band’s distinctive sound.

“Sasha Grey! (American pornographic actress) No, don’t put that down! If I had to describe our music as a person, this person would be humble, exceptionally emotional most of the time, and not afraid to express himself,” Dale Roswald, 24, bassist, shares.

Photos courtesy of ANECHOIS and Danny Widodo for Baybeats 2012.

Though the group may appear a tad bit goofy with their eccentric wisecracks at first glance, you wouldn’t have thought that the boys of ANECHOIS were remotely close. However, it turns out that Justin Koh, Dale Roswald, vocalist Muhd Haziq, keyboardist Firdhauz Asyraft, and drummer Fadli Salim, treasure their close-knit relationship more than anything else.

“Friendship and the desire to make great music motivates us to do what we do. It’s also where most of our inspiration comes from, apart from our individual fantasies. And with Baybeats, it just gives us that added drive and boost too,” Dale tells HYPE.

Like any other local band, the band also faces numerous challenges in the Singaporean music scene.

“Money is definitely the biggest problem since we plan to tour and record in the near future. Considering that we have day jobs too, it’s pretty tough to juggle both music and our daily work,” Firdhauz shares.

“Well, as you grow up, it’s not conducive to be a musician here. People, and maybe even your family and close friends, have the perception that you cannot make a living out of playing music. They will bring you down and unfortunately it does affect us sometimes,” laments Dale.

“But we’re definitely not in it for the money, it’s more for the passion that we have and the sense of self-fulfillment that we’ll achieve,” Justin adds.

The band feels that Baybeats has certainly helped to foster the Singapore local music scene and are thrilled to have graced the festival’s Arena stage on Jun 30.

“It brings a lot of people together, that’s the most important thing it’s not what they actually do there and what the festival’s programmes are but it just gives you that platform for brilliant ideas and people to showcase their talents. And besides, we officially met during last year’s Baybeats too.”