Centre Stage

Can you introduce yourself?
I’m Galadriel, I’m a polytechnic student doing biomedical science, and I’m also a singer in the band stereoblu.

How did your passion for music come about?
I’ve had a strong passion for music from a very young age. I started learning classical piano when I was nine, studying under teachers and taking ABRSM exams all the way to Grade 8. I also picked up classical violin, which meant a lot of sight-reading and structured learning through exams.

So music was always a big part of my life, but as I got older and was exposed to more media, I started discovering other genres like indie, pop, and rock, and realised that this kind of music resonated with me on a different level. It felt like it fed my soul in a way that classical music couldn’t quite reach. That’s when I started thinking about performing in those styles. But making the shift from classical to pop wasn’t easy—it’s a very different approach, both technically and emotionally.

And since then, your voice has become your main instrument instead of the piano or violin! Was there any difficulty transitioning in this aspect?
I actually started singing quite early on. I would join random competitions just for fun—I wasn’t professionally trained, but I always felt I had a natural aptitude for singing, and people recognised that. Technically speaking, I didn’t have formal training in things like vocal tone, projection, or using my diaphragm properly. Most of what I learned was self-taught. I did join a choir for about a year, which helped me pick up some skills here and there. But overall, it was more of an exploratory process—getting to know my own voice and learning through feedback from others, rather than being guided by a teacher correcting my technique.

There are pros and cons to that. The good part is that it’s given me more freedom to express myself and develop my own style. But it’s also a longer journey, and sometimes people might critique my singing more harshly because it doesn’t follow conventional training.

How do you think your voice fits in the band?
Since we’re an indie-pop band, the music tends to be more instrument-driven, with the vocals acting more as a layer that ties everything together, creating a mellow and cohesive sound. It’s different from mainstream pop, where the vocals are usually front and centre. That softer, more blended approach suits my voice better, especially since I’m more in the alto range, so my higher register isn’t the strongest. I think this style really complements my vocal tone and makes it easier for me to express myself musically.

How do you see the band evolving in the coming years?
What’s really special about this band is how different it feels compared to the previous bands I’ve been in. We all come from very different walks of life, and I’m actually the youngest in the group. But it doesn’t feel like they’re just taking care of me or anything like that—instead, there’s a strong sense of family and camaraderie. We genuinely respect each other as equals, while also appreciating that each of us bring different experiences and expertise to the table. That dynamic helps us work really well together because we give each other feedback in a very respectful and constructive way.

Beyond just making music, I really admire how talented and experienced everyone is. For example, Sufi, the oldest member, has been in many bands before, and his experience has been a huge asset. He’s helped guide us toward more performance opportunities and pushed us to reach a wider audience. We’re all hoping that our music can connect with more people.

What’s a dream stage for stereoblu?
A dream stage, wow! I mean, the dream stage would probably be in the States, but that’s really far away (laughs). Maybe doing the National Day parade, I think that’s workable. We’ll see how (laughs).

We can’t wait to see that! Finally, what do you see yourself doing career-wise?
My personal passion really centres around helping others—whether it’s through the medical field or music. Of course, from a practical and financial perspective, a career in the medical field is more stable. But even so, I could never fully set aside my passion for music. Being in the band is such a meaningful outlet for me—it allows me to express myself and share that passion with others alongside a group of people I truly care about. It’s something that feels irreplaceable in my life.