Benjamin Kheng, 32, of Singapore and James Reid, 30, of the Philippines have released their collaboration song “Rock Bottom Blues.” It is the first release from “Gloomy Boogie“, the upcoming two-part album of the former.
Kheng and Reid co-wrote “Rock Bottom Blues with Olivia Knox and Saint Kid. The song delves into the depths of emotions experienced during difficult times and toxic relationships and explores the pain of feeling stuck in a cycle of self-redemption and longing for redemption.
Barnabas Chua directed the “Rock Bottom Blues” music video transports viewers to a mesmerizing, kinetic dream world. Its oscillating visual language guides viewers on a captivating journey, encouraging exploration of the contrasting yet enthralling world inhabited by the duo.
In 2020, Chua graduated from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore with a bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies. He has been the creative director of Murk & Marrow Films in Singapore since June 2021.
Chua also studied film, cinema and video studies at The University of Texas at Austin in Austin, Texas, United States. He will also work on visualizers for other tracks on “Gloomy Boogie”, which will be released before 2024.
On July 28, 2023, “Rock Bottom Blues” will be available on all digital streaming platforms. Charlie Kurata and Saint Kid produced the song, which marks the first time Kheng and Reid have joined forces.
Born in Singapore, Kheng started training is a former national swimmer and the keyboardist, rhythm guitarist and vocalist for The Sam Willows. He has been performing as a solo artist since the band announced its hiatus in May 2019.
“Benjamin is a talented musician and it’s been an honor working with him on this track,” Reid said. “The song holds a serious topic but Ben’s playful personality couldn’t help but shine through. We aimed to infuse a playful energy into the song while staying true to its heartfelt essence.”
Born in Sydney, Australia to an English Australian father named Robert James Marquinez Reid and a Filipino mother named Maria Aprilyn Marquinez, James is a former swimmer and gymnast. Through James’ own label Careless, he released his studio album “Palm Dreams” in 2017 and his second studio album “Lovescene” in 2022.
“It’s been amazing getting to work with James on this track not just to witness up close a superstar of his caliber be the amazing talent and human that he is but also how beautiful it is to be able to make music across borders and draw parallel lines between our journeys,” Kheng said. “Here’s hoping we build more music roads across our barriers and get to see more Southeast Asians working together.”
CONAN Daily 