Meteoor: Interview with Sheralyn Tay (The Singapore Mag)

Is Singapore all about work and no play? Are all of us too preoccupied with monotony that the word 'fun' has become extinct in our daily vocabulary? In the upcoming issue of The Singapore Mag, Society delves into the various subcultures and groups that's full of colour beneath the stonic veneer most Singaporeans perceive the country to be and the Singapore Dark Alternative Movement is honoured to be featured in the article and giving an insight on what the Gothic subculture is all about. To tell us more about the publication is Miss Sheralyn Tay, a former TODAY journalist turned freelance writer and editor for The Singapore Mag:

Q:Why did you choose to cover the gothic movement in Singapore?

Sheralyn:The inclusion of the Gothic Movement was an obvious choice - it has grown and become more prominent over the years to gain some critical mass. The Movement was also included because it offers a great example of an interest group/lifestyle trend that certainly breaks with convention and goes beyond 'hobby'.


Q:Do you see a similarity between the gothic movement and the other subjects of your article?

Sheralyn: Yes. Passion! The idea of community, shared beliefs and camaraderie.


Q: What did you perceive of goths prior to the interview and did it change after that?

Sheralyn: My perception of Goths were of loners and outsiders. It was good to see that a community had formed and is flourishing.


Q: In your opinion, what makes the gothic movement stand out from the rest?

Sheralyn: The Gothic Movement goes beyond a hobby or mere interest. It is a lifestyle that encompasses fashion, sensibility, literature and music - certainly it offers more points of commonality, an element that creates a stronger sense of community.


Q: Did you ever toyed with the idea of going Goth?

Sheralyn: I was - to some extent - 'Goth' when I was in my late teens and early 20s, complete with dark eyeliner, black clothes, ankhs, and angst! I kind of 'grew out of it', but I still count Gothic authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, Poppy Z Brite and some 'dark music' among my faves (London After Midnight, HIM, Sisters of Mercy). I was never 'fully' Goth because I was also such a Britpop kid (probably still am). I still welcome the occasional chance to dress up like I did!


Q: Finally, will the local goth scene able to match up to other countries such as Germany and America in the near future?

Sheralyn: I am no expert but in my honest opinion, it'll take some time before the Movement can attain the true critical mass that exists in the States and Germany. Nevertheless, the fact that those who identify with the Gothic lifestyle no longer mope alone in their rooms or hang out with only handful of friends says something for the Movement and shows growth and promise.

Sneek peek on the upcoming article:





(The Singapore Mag is a quarterly publication of the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) and is available in print and the Internet
singaporemagazine.sif.org.sg. Look out for updates here & at sdam.sg once its released)