When Hanesh Manoharan welcomed live gigs at Treble Cube Productions, his neighbours were not too fond. Complaints led to a shutdown but that did not dim his passion's flame.
By Fairul Afzal Zainurul, Natalie Alyssa Loo Jia Yin and Nurul Insyirah Bte Mohd Shukor
Hanesh Manoharan, 31, started Treble Cube Productions out of his combined passion for music and IT. (Photo: Fairul Afzal Zainurul
The burnt, musty smell of cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes from passing lorries linger in the air as you make your way into the area. Continuing, you start getting a clearer sight of the coffee shop, where there will usually be a few workers sitting at tables to take a break from the day’s labour. Not long, rows of grey buildings and a few parked vehicles that line them greet your eyes.
The environment of this industrial park nearby Kaki Bukit MRT looks similar to any other. The only difference is you may occasionally spot a few people carrying guitar bags on their backs and perhaps others lugging some equipment. In such a quiet area, what could they be doing with their instruments in an industrial place like this?
Tucked away between automotive shops and electronics supplier businesses hangs a sign above lift doors which is warmly illuminated by small lightbulbs. It reads: “Treble Cube Productions”. Taking the lift to the third floor, the scent of paint from its interior wafts into your nose. Soon, you are greeted by a faint sound of music and a tight walkway leading to the band rehearsal space, better referred to by patrons as a jamming studio.
Those who rehearsed at the studio may know 31-year-old Hanesh Manoharan, the down-to-earth founder and owner of Treble Cube Productions. Despite having to close the doors to live performances at Treble Cube in October this year due to numerous neighbour complaints, the spirited owner still sees a bright future for his passion.
Manoharan and his former girlfriend, Denise, were musicians themselves and ventured into the idea of opening their own jamming studio in 2019, right before the pandemic hit. The aim was to provide others with an outlet since other similar studios were closing down.
The dedication to Manoharan’s passion and business shines through even in the tiniest of details to provide musicians with a one-of-a-kind experience, from the type of equipment he provides to the convenience of a fully automated system.
Shortly after Manoharan launched Treble Cube, he had to close for one month for Singapore’s first circuit breaker. (Photo: Fairul Afzal Zainurul)
WHEN MUSIC HARMONISES WITH IT
Before Treble Cube became the studio it is today, Manoharan pondered a way he could make use of his background in information technology (IT) and his love for music together. This was how he came to the idea of creating an automated jamming studio experience, a goal he describes as a “service that patrons cannot find elsewhere.”
“I fuse my passions, my music and IT — so I combine them together and have Treble Cube, a fully automated jamming studio,” explained Manoharan.
For a place whose main elements and purpose are music, you would not expect it to involve so much IT work. With his studio being automated, it means Manoharan does not have to be there 24/7, all thanks to coding and technology.
On days he would be at home, he works on backend tasks like improving the studio’s system, testing digital functions to implement in jamming rooms and tweaking the web application for those functions. Manoharan simply explains how he uses a coding language to write information into his network of connected computing devices and a cloud system to function the features in his jamming studio.
One feature would be the randomised six-digit PIN code you must enter to access the room you booked. Another useful one would be how you can use Treble Cube’s web application to do a multi-track recording of your session and have the audio files sent to your booking email for personal use.
One of Manoharan's unique inventions in pursuit of creating new experiences for bands — they would be warmly welcomed with their band name on the screen and be able to play with the recording features. Manoharan describes coding these features as a fun but tiring process. (Photo: Fairul Afzal Zainurul)
Details like these may seem like a norm if you visit the studio often, but they still provide great convenience and efficiency at every step. The amount of effort Manoharan puts into making Treble Cube unique is truly evident and the most commendable part of this is that he does all this out of pure interest.
Without any hesitation, Manoharan expressed: “I would say Treble Cube is more IT than music.”
ELECTRIFYING GIGS AND UNDERGROUND BANDS
Treble Cube is currently made up of three jamming rooms: two smaller rooms and one big room that can comfortably fit up to 70 to 90 audience members. The latter is known as Room 3 and it has played host to numerous shows of different alternative genres.
From hardcore to mellow indie shoegaze, Room 3 has given opportunities for the local alternative and underground music community to come together and have fun for the night by supporting the acts playing on stage. It almost feels therapeutic for showgoers when they feel the music’s vibrations thumping in the hollows of their chests.
Events like these are a reminder that live gigs are back in full force and music lovers may be more enthusiastic than ever since new shows are being announced more often. This is contrasting with the cancelled or scaled-down events in 2019 and 2020 where ticketed attendance at performing arts events fell from 1,991,950 to 181,217 respectively as told by statistics from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) website.
Showgoers coming together and enjoy the local alternative band performing each week. Non-stop crowd-surfing could often be seen in each set no matter the genre that is being played. (Photo: Instagram/heylookitznub)
At Treble Cube’s lively gigs, Manoharan would be there in person to make sure every part of the event goes smoothly. He tells us how he would have to sacrifice time to come down to the studio to facilitate every show though he does not mind doing so. Opening Treble Cube has also been a way that Manoharan has discovered many unknown musical talents in our midst.
In an amazed tone, he smiled and praised: “Singapore got so many talents that I didn't even know of.”
Manoharan faced his fair share of challenges when Treble Cube held shows in Room 3. He shared an incident when a showgoer accidentally broke a wooden support that held a stage monitor, but he kindly brushed it off as he recounts the story. Yet, the more crucial obstacle lay in how he had to prevent breaking laws and regulations.
According to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and a classification known as Business 1 (Industrial), there are specific categories of the kind of uses for industrial areas. One of the approved categories is named Core Media. Its list of permissible activities includes studio production, location production and audio recording.
To adhere to this, Manoharan would allow shows to proceed on the premise that it would be a recorded production. For each gig, he would ensure that audio or video would be recorded while the bands played.
With this solution, Manoharan’s space could continue functioning as both a jamming studio and a gig venue. However, after less than a year of welcoming live performances, Manoharan announced on Instagram that the studio would be bidding goodbye to Room 3.
THE TROUBLE WITH NEIGHBOURING UNITS
When news broke, it was no surprise that the Treble Cube’s supporters and patrons shared bittersweet emotions in the comments section of the post. The announcement was written with rhymes and reminiscence as Manoharan thanked showgoers, bands and crew members for bringing such life to Room 3. He also teased about what is new to come to the studio.
Still, one question was not answered: why is Room 3 closing? Thankfully, Manoharan clarified that it was not because he ran into any trouble with the law, instead, it was his personal decision that led to it. Besides being a precautionary action to avoid legal issues, he revealed that it was due to multiple complaints from neighbouring units and businesses.
Before Treble Cube’s Room 3 was available as a show venue, Manoharan would frequently 5get noise complaints from other workers. Some would go to Manoharan’s landlord to put them on the phone with him while others would take the upfront approach of knocking on his door.
To his surprise, Manoharan received a noise complaint one day but at a time when no one was even at the studio yet. With his laid-back personality, he simply let out a quizzical chuckle at the thought of this incident. Luckily, his landlord also shared the same puzzlement and was always understanding of Manoharan's struggles with the complainants.
Things changed when Room 3 started having shows, but not for the better of the complainants. After shows, trash would be spotted in different parts of the area; cigarette butts and beer bottles could be seen around the first floor of the industrial building.
“Places we didn’t think the trash would be at, it was there,” said Manoharan, referring to how trash would unexpectedly be found in nearby lorries of neighbouring businesses.
Multiple complaints about litter became more regular even with him sweeping the area by the road with his broom. Despite placing trash bins at Treble Cube, people would still find ways to litter. Although four different units were sounding their discontent, Manoharan reasoned that he would still be forgiving to showgoers who unintentionally fail to discard their trash appropriately.
He understands that some people just wish to return home as soon as possible and may be reluctant to go out of their way to find another available trash bin. However, Manoharan made it clear that he may not spare his sympathy for those who purposely vandalise the area.
Not wanting to tempt fate with each complaint and being pressured by the community of nearby businesses, Manoharan decided to close Room 3 and stop hosting shows at his venue. When we asked him how he felt about it, he shared an optimistic answer that he believes more opportunities are waiting for him in the future.
Manoharan just wishes that people like his complainants would be more understanding of showgoers and the lesser-known local alternative music community in general.
“Accept that everyone is just having fun and we all have our own place to vent out our… just vent out your stress and everything,” he commented.
FROM CUSTOMERS TO COMPANIONS
Manoharan’s passion project is a one-man show, so he is grateful that he has always been receiving support ever since day one. Having met many patrons from the underground scene through Treble Cube, some of those individuals have become great company to him.
Those customers gave him endless support for his passion and played a vital role in his journey. Manoharan explained the early days of Treble Cube, where his friends Jian Liang and Jian Ming from Aeonix Productions helped him to do analytics of the jamming rooms to improve the sound acoustics. They even introduced him to certain equipment he did not know of which he exclaimed was a game-changer for the studio.
Syamsul Bahari, 29, from the local pop-punk band Circline Line Kid, visits Treble Cube as often as three to four times a week to spend time with the friends he has made there. Initially just a regular patron and rehearsing there with bandmates, one of which is mutual friends with Manoharan, he began to form a bond with Treble Cube’s owner. As time passed, Syamsul soon became a reliable friend who would help Manoharan with organising shows and offer him advice.
A musically aesthetic wall curated by Manoharan's ex-girlfriend when it was first opened. The studio gives a unique experience where you can chill and hang out after your rehearsal session and talk to other musicians who are often there. (Photo: Fairul Afzal Zainurul)
In a virtual interview, Syamsul talked about how Treble Cube has impacted the local alternative music scene; he opined that it gives its people an outlet to gain inspiration from past shows, especially for the show attendees.
Knowing about the few complaints Manoharan had received about littering, Syamsul emphasises how crucial it is for not just show organisers to be responsible but the showgoers and bands too.
“As much as it is good to have shows, you have to be smart. You don’t want to perform and not care about the space,” he said.
Syamsul went on to acknowledge Manoharan's hard work, dedication and passion for Treble Cube. He also described him as a good mascot and spokesperson for what he does for the local alternative music scene.
“Whatever Hanesh is doing, I just feel that he needs to keep on going,” encouraged Syamsul.
He also hopes that more people in Singapore will give local alternative music a chance and become fans of the bands organically.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
This is not the end of Manoharan’s passion project and business. Manoharan eagerly shared with us how he will be converting Room 3 into two separate jamming rooms with newer, better equipment and instruments.
Pacing around Room 3 he showed how he envisions the room being split in two. His actions and words showed his motivation towards his future. Hoping to appease his neighbours, Manoharan also plans to improve the soundproofing for all rooms so businesses can continue peacefully for everyone.
Besides the renovations, he wants Treble Cube to still be in the business of a live show venue but also confesses that he cannot just survive on a gig space alone. Instead, Manoharan wishes to have a space one day where he can have a live performance venue that includes a pub so the space does not stand quiet on days when there are no shows.
Having high hopes for the future of Treble Cube, Manoharan's desire to succeed in his passions gives him the motivation he needs. He recounted a time when he mustered up the courage to begin his Treble Cube journey, he was sad that a friend was unsure about the success of his venture. Nonetheless, with a bright smile, Manoharan offered us the encouraging words he told himself then: “If you believe in it, just do it. Then I did it, I went all out.”
Room 3 witnessed its last show on Oct 15 and the room now stands quiet as Manoharan prepares for the renovation works to come. The big space will be converted into two separate jamming rooms, eventually totalling a number of four available rooms at Treble Cube. (Photo: Fairul Afzal Zainurul)
The energetic person behind Treble Cube Productions is living proof that everyone starts somewhere and that sometimes, our passions do pay off. Even with complaints and a halt to live performances, Manoharan did not sound discouraged as he shared his thoughts.
In an ever so simple manner, he remarked: “When the door closes, two more open, man.”
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