Dru Chen co-runs a funk & soul benefit gig for migrant worker charity HealthServe

Featuring some of Singapore's finest artists such as Dru Chen, Shak & the Baits and bittymacbeth - next month's beCAUSE showcase should already be a prime attraction on the local gig calendar. But beyond the impressive talent on offer, the show takes on even more importance when one learns of its commendable cause.

Presented by promoters Melodrumatic (made up of Dru himself alongside partner Melyssa Goh) this charity gig was admirably set-up to support Healthserve, a non profit organization dedicated to providing healing and hope to migrant workers!

Taking place at The Sultan Hotel's Singjazz Club on 2 December, beCAUSE promises to be a groovy night of folk, funk and blues. Performing originals and the artists' own take on classics tunes by the likes of Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, James Brown and more, this talented triple-bill should be a brilliant night of soulful jams and sexy licks.

The concert itself will start at 7pm and tickets are already available for purchase via Peatix. But before the fun begins, we spoke to the event's co-organizers to learn a little bit more their project, the talent involved, and of course, their personal connection to the mission behind HealthServe.

How and why did this charity gig came about?

Dru Chen: Sure! It was a very natural thing for my partner Melyssa Goh and I to do. It combines her love for philanthropic events and my passion for quality soul, jazz, and funk music. We also want to showcase our local musicians with a wider demographic - targeting young working professionals who don't normally go out to local "indie" gigs!

We empower the people we work with, and they contribute in ways that they take pride in, all in the name of charity.

Who are the principals participating in this project?

bittymacbeth and Shak'thiya (and his band The Baits) were handpicked for writing tasteful and socially conscious music. Singjazz Club graciously sponsored us their venue - a perfect intimate setting for high quality live sound. Keith Chia from The Analog Factory has allowed us to rehearse at his *SCAPE facility. Audio Technica will be supporting us with microphones, and we will be auctioning of a few of their products to help us raise even more funds.

We keep our costs down to zero, with 100% of the earnings benefiting HealthServe.

Talk to us a little bit about the talent involved...

Allow me to feature the musicians who will be performing. Drummer Teo Jia Rong, pianist Euntaek Kim, and bassist Ben Poh are some of the finest musicians I've met. They inspire me with their endless artistry, skill and downright badass-ness. Raf and Khalis from The Baits put so much heart and soul into their blues playing. bittymacbeth’s set will be a reunion of sorts with her cousin Brayton Goh and brother Ian Yap backing her, as well as Afterglow alumni Yap Ting Wei and Ryan Ang. 

Our young and talented graphic designer Ezra Tham has generously created our brand identity and posters. Our mentor Vanessa Yung who has had a plethora of charity and fundraising experience has been our main advisor. So far she has helped us raise $6.2K with her amazing and generous network of friends and colleagues. Wow!

Video by Ong Wei Ting, Lim Jia Xiang & Garrick Ong.

Healthserve is an excellent cause! Please describe why you chose that particular charity, and what does it mean to you personally?

Melyssa Goh: Well, despite the advancements in technology and science, we cannot say that society has advanced if these advances have not minimised or eradicated inequality or improve the lives of the marginalised. Dru and I may not be scientists or at the forefront of technology, but what we have, is music and a conscience.

So this is a start, small start to what we wanna do. We made the choice to support HealthServe, a organisation that provides healing and hope to migrant workers. We felt an affinity with HealthServe after meeting Nhaca Le Schulze, their communications manager, and discovering that we shared a passion for good music and giving back in an unconventional way!

Watch bittymacbeth perform 'Beauty For Ashes' on the Bandwagon Sessions below