A Love So Grand
We take a closer look at what inspired one of Dominic’s recent tracks, ‘HERE’ and explore the touching relationship between him and his grandmother.
Story by Peter Sharvin | Photos by I-zak Rugdee, Jayden Tan, Josslin Yang
If you had to pick between having a heart of gold or being blessed with golden pipes, you’d have a tough time deciding. However, for 25-year-old singer-songwriter, Dominic Chin, it’s a double threat. “I think singing is just something which came very naturally to me,” he said confidently. Dominic currently produces music under Singapore-based indie record label, Umami Records, while working full time as a performing artist with the Music and Drama Company.
After graduating from Republic Polytechnic, Dominic experimented further with songwriting, based on his daily experiences and matters of the heart. From Electro-Pop to R&B, his distinct voice brings out emotions for different genres. His recent track, ‘Here’, taps into his R&B side, tackling the grief of losing his late grandmother.
“I never really came to terms with it, so singing it out was so surreal. The challenge was getting over it because I spent weeks crying after every songwriting session. I’d be on the way home and suddenly realise: I can’t believe I’m working on such a song,” he said, recounting the months prior to the song’s release. Nonetheless, Dominic learnt that there is no answer to grief. It isn’t something one gets over but gets through.
He always had a special relationship with his grandmother. She lived with him all his life, hearing him sing ever since he was young. “My grandma was the closest anyone was to me,” he added, momentarily glancing away. For Dominic, this song was an outlet for expressing emotions he faced due to her passing. He channelled all the fond memories, experiences and cherished moments they had together into his lyrics. This is especially evident in the beginning of the song, where a voice recording of his grandmother asking him if he has eaten, or wants her to cook or buy something for him is played.
“I have immortalised that memory of her and I will never forget her voice, I’m just so glad that I did this,” he said. Dominic’s desire to tell his grandmother his happenings and achievements since her passing was amplified when his national anthem performance during the 2019 National Day parade was broadcasted nationwide.
“I was thinking to myself: if only she could see the boy that grew up dreaming of singing, is now singing on the biggest stage in the country,” he said.
Looking ahead, Dominic is excited for his album launch ‘License to Cry’ with a new track, ‘Alone’. “I hope that through the album, which addresses issues that I’ve cried about but don’t talk about, I’ll be able to open up conversations for people,” Dominic said. Check out his songs on Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer. Remember, grab a speaker and some tissues.
