Motherloving

Introduce yourself!
Hi, I’m Isaac, also known as SINO IX and MOTHERLOVER from the band LONGKANG GINAS (LKG). I love music (I’m addicted to it, actually), and I love having fun and spreading kindness and charity.

What do you do in the band?
I would say that Deni, Kenneth and I, we’re the godhead—the three-in-one—of LKG, and my role specifically is to be a part of the music creation process. I’m also a prominent DJ, and I work on logistics, networking, and stuff like that.

How did LKG come to be?
Deni and I were drinking one night at a bar, and I asked him to start a Singaporean Drain Gang, and he was like “Drain Gang? Longkang Ginas (drain kids)?” and I was like “Wait, that’s genius!”. And that’s how we first got together lah. And then after that Deni was like “I know a guy who produces, we should get him on board too,” and the rest is history.

Were your music styles and preferences always aligned when you first started out as LKG?
Yeah, I think we all wanted to make rap music, and we were also really into the rave scene, so our tastes, I would say, have evolved together, yet also really complement each other.

That said, we all have different ideas of what a song should sound like. We also have different ideas or where our samples are going to be from, and the kind of aesthetics we want to convey, but overall, what unites us is definitely our sense of humour and creativity that channels our visions into one.

Do you hope to pursue music full-time?
I’m currently a student in the National University of Singapore (NUS) studying anthropology, so this isn’t even considered a gig for me right now, but yes, I love making music and I hope to do this forever. I’m a full-time musician, but also full-time student, you know?

But if music doesn’t take off for me, then I might pursue anthropology full-time.

That’s really interesting! Why did you choose this course?
I actually wanted to be a marine biologist as a kid, but it’s hard to pursue this in Singapore. Then I really fell in love with humanities and social sciences, and I figured anthropology would be the best way to pursue this interest.

Unlike sociology or political science, I think anthropology really brings you on the ground to meet people, and you can get really invested in the cultures that you study, which is what’s been really fun for me.

Would you say Isaac as a student is very different from Isaac as a musician?
No, I don’t think so. I think because the music that we make (hip hop, rap) is a study of the related culture and genre, and also working with people is an important skill in both music and anthropology. I’m a student of the game, man, so I lowkey think it’s one and the same.

With the year coming to an end, how has 2024 been for you?
It’s been great! We had our first live performance this year, as well as our very first gig. At the start of the year, I set a few goals for myself, and one of them was to perform live, so I’m very happy that we get to show the audience our music and our talents. I’ve also grown a lot as a person, in terms of charity, love, kindness, and whatnot, so I’d say I’m quite satisfied with how the year has gone.

Likewise, what are some goals you have for 2025?
Yeah, we’re going to go worldwide and play at Coachella, I guess (laughs). Okay, realistically, the goal for next year is to explore new genres of music. We’re thinking of doing a Christmas album—it’ll be hilarious!

I just hope to keep having fun and enjoy creating and performing for people.

We hear your girlfriend pretty much dressed you today. Tell us more about her!
Yeah, my shirt, pants, and one of my rings are from her, and she made my necklace (shoutout to @lus.tre__)!

We met through a fashion show in school, and first started hanging out as friends. Then we watched Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse and fell in love. She makes me really happy, and I think if you find someone who matches your vibe to spend every day with, has a good communication style, and is able to see you for who you are and hold space for you, that’s really all love is, you know?