It’s the end of another year and while that may mean a chance to look back for some people, I choose to look ahead. In terms of music-related events, 2012 was a banner year, but there’s a lot to look forward to in 2013.

Top of the list is next year’s Laneway Music Festival. First celebrated in different cities in Australia, the region’s premiere indie-rock music fest also returns to Singapore on January 26, and tickets are selling out fast.

Just like earlier this year, a diverse and impressive lineup of artists is scheduled to play at the Lion City, including Alt-J, Bat For Lashes, Cloud Nothings, Divine Fits, Gotye, Japan-droids, Kimbra, Kings of Con-venience, Nicolas Jaar, Of Monsters and Men, Polica, Real Estate, Tame Impala and Yeasayer.

The Manila Times had the exclusive chance to chat with Alex Bleeker of New Jersey-based indie rockers Real Estate about the upcoming festival, what he’d be doing if he’s not in music, and what he thinks of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe.”

The Manila Times: Where are you and what’s outside your window?

Alex Bleeker: I am in Brooklyn [New York] right now. And outside my window is a bunch of apartment buildings.

TMT: How do you feel about being included in the lineup for Laneway this year?

AB: I feel great about being included in the lineup. I don’t really know how it happened; I’m not really involved in the business side of things. But we are aware of the festival, and it’s something we’ve always wanted to do. We played in Australia and New Zealand last year and we’re happy to be coming back, I think the lineup’s really cool.

TMT: I sense a lot of emotion and nostalgia in the songs in your current album Days. What’s the process like when you create your music?

AB: It’s usually Martin [Courtney] who writes and comes up with a shell of the song, like the chorus or something, and then the rest of us will try to fill in everything around it and finish up the writing process. Generally the lyrics come first before the music.

TMT: How do you think has your music evolved since your debut album?

AB: I think the record now is a lot [more complex] and the songwriting is a little bit more three-dimensional. It’s really not that much different, but I guess we grew up a little from the time we were making the record and I feel like the record reflects that. Maybe it’s a little more mature record.

TMT: What do you think would you be doing if you weren’t in music?

AB: I used to be really interested in experimental theater. I started getting involved in that a little bit before I started touring heavily with the band. So hopefully I’d still be doing something like that.

TMT: How do you feel about digital music distribution, how music is freely available on the Net these days?

AB: I think it’s great. I don’t have any problems with online file sharing. A lot of people wouldn’t have heard of our band if it wasn’t for our songs being posted for free on blogs and stuff. It would be hypocritical of me to speak out against that sort of thing.

TMT: You guys are big fans of Bruce Springsteen. What is it about him that you like, besides being from the same home state?

AB: His passion, I think. He’s just a passionate performer and songwriter and he gets to this raw, central emotional force that really encap-sulates in a way what it’s like to be revved up and ready to go in a small town in New Jersey. It just sounds like home to me.

TMT: If you had to cover one song, which would you choose to do, Call Me Maybe or Gangnam Style?

AB: I’d definitely choose Call Me Maybe. Gangnam Style is really just about the video and stuff, but Call Me Maybe is just a great pop song.

TMT: What are you most looking forward to in Laneway?

AB: I’m just really looking forward to traveling with a bunch of other bands. I’ve never really had an experience like that before. So that’s really exciting to me.

The Laneway Music Festival happens at The Meadow at Gardens By The Bay in Singapore on January 26, 2013. A standard ticket is S$145, VIP ticket is S$350, while a 4-ticket bundle is S$493 (or S$123.25 per ticket). For more information, visit <sistic.com.sg> and <singapore.lanewayfestival.au>

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