Singapore mums with alternative lifestyles

We feature some headbanging, bodysurfing, moshing, pogo dancing, inked and pierced Singapore mums with alternative lifestyles and their rocking little ones!

Singapore mums with alternative lifestyles

I let my three year old daughter listen to Rock, Metal and Punk music, dress her mostly in band t-shirts and when she’s older, I will tell her about my experience working backstage at various Metal concerts and meeting legendary bands and musicians such as Dio, Slayer, Megadeth, Yngwie Malmsteen, Slipknot, Motley Crue, Dream Theater and many more.

As a Work At Home (Metal) Mom myself, I get the occasional stare when I am with my daughter out in public, decked in my usual black attire, boots and sporting bright purple (or green, or blue, or red…) hair.

But mothers come in all shapes, sizes and walks of life. Although wild-coloured hair, body piercings, mohawks, visible tattoos and loud music are not what you normally associate with motherhood, Metalheads, Punks, and Skin Girls can be great mummies too!

We are showcasing some Singapore mums with alternative lifestyles and ask them to share what motherhood is like for them.

(Image source: Fey Cho, Samuel Mudohori, Ary Amry, Elsa Faith)

Lily T.L - Bombshell Rioter

Lily is a Punk who organises gigs in Singapore showcasing bands from other countries, such as the upcoming Jenny Woo Live in Singapore acoustic Oi! gig from Canada.

Ever since Lily had her son in 2014, her involvement in the music scene has actually expanded as it was the same year she started her merchandise distribution label, Bombshell Riot, which offers music-inspired clothing and accessories for the scene, as well as everything "punk and disorderly".

Lily is also a professional and certified Make Up Artist who runs Devotchess MUA and offers make-up services for bridal events, special FX make-up and even pin-up girls photoshoots.

(Image source: Lily T.L)

Lily as a mum

Being pregnant did not stop Lily from going to gigs and her son has been moshing since he was inside! She shares that he has been listening to different genres of music and enjoys dancing to his favourite songs. He attended his very first gig when he was only 11 months old and this little Punk baby can be seen sporting denim jackets with studs and patches.

"During a visit to Indonesia when I was four months pregnant, I had my first personal encounter with other local bands as well as the Punk and Skinhead scene outside of Singapore. The next thing I knew, I invited the band, The End, from Indonesia to play my second show which I organised when I was around six or seven months pregnant. That’s where all the fun began!", she says.

Lily hopes that when her son is a little older, he will attend gigs with her and help to sell her merch, but expects that by then he will be at the front of the crowd moshing to the music!

(Image source: Lily T.L)

Juliana Elisa A – Death Metal Momma

A former vocalist of a hardcore death metal band called, Meth, Juliana has performed at the Arts House and attended several local gigs and Metal concerts.

She once worked as backstage crew for American thrash metal band, Slayer, when they performed in Singapore in 2006 and had the privilege of meeting the band.

Although this Metal mum has stopped going to gigs after having her baby girl, she still loves listening to music.

(Image source: Juliana Elisa A)

Juliana as a mum

Juliana has not introduced her daughter to Metal, as she feels it is up to her to explore on her own in future.

"I wouldn't mind if she found interest in the same kind of music although I would prefer if she has interest in pop music instead and have a singing career abroad in the Philippines as she is half Filipino and half Singaporean."

Juliana works as a model and still had photoshoots during her pregnancy, but is currently taking a break from the modelling world as she is focusing her time on her daughter who recently turned one.

(Image source: Juliana Elisa A)

Nisa Mohamed – Soulful Sister

Nisa has been an avid fan of the indie scene since secondary school, and listens to Ska, Reggae and Northern Soul music.

Ever since becoming a mother, Nisa has been a little less involved in the music scene, but still goes for gigs here in Singapore if there are any international acts and likes to spread the message online about good music events.

After switching to part time position shortly after her son was born, she currently works as an Early Childhood Education consultant, teaches part time at Temasek Polytechnic and KLC International Institute, and also helps plan preschool programs for her husband’s company, SG Cartoons.

(Image source: Nisa Mohamed)

Nisa as a mum

Nisa occasionally attends local events such as the annual Singapore Modswing, which is a 60s/ Mods dance party with live band performances, which also aims to bring the Mods of different generations together.

"We saw The Pinholes performing live at the Singapore Night Festival which my son enjoyed! He's also a fan of The Bois, which is an Oi! band started by my brother, who is my music influence. I also get my son band t-shirts if I happen to see them. I love dressing him up!", she shares.

Nisa also listens to a lot of music at home with her two year old son who likes dancing to the tunes of Johnny Marr, Kasabian, Oasis, Bob Marley, and The Specials amongst others.

(Image source: Nisa Mohamed)

Jana Zilcayova – Inked Mama

Originally from Slovakia, Jana is married to a local tattoo artist whom she met while living here in Singapore.

This unique mum mainly listens to electronic music such as Drum and Bass Dubstep, Digital Hardcore, Breakcore, and also likes Rock music.

She works as a photographer at EnsofPhoto and recently curated an exhibition featuring the artworks of 10 tattoo artists.

(Image source: Samuel Mudohori)

Jana as a mum

When asked about her prominent black tattoos, Jana says that back home in Slovakia she would probably receive some negative remarks, but while living in Singapore, she notices that no one really seems to mind and people are actually just curious to find out the meanings behind her ink.

She feels that in future if her son wanted to get tattoos as well, she would be fine with it because her husband is a tattoo artist so she’s sure he will get the best information he needs.

Her advice for other mums with alternative lifestyles is, "You don’t live your life to please other people, love your life to be happy with yourself. Hence if tattoos make you happy, ink away!".

Jana also runs a wedding, family and lifestyle blog for the tattooed community called, Inked and Hitched.

(Image source: Samuel Mudohori)

Rina Tahar – Mummy Punx

A big supporter of the Singapore music scene, Rina listens to a little of everything and credits her husband as her biggest music influence.

Before she had kids, this modest mum would attend numerous local gigs and is the number one fan of her husband’s Hardcore Crust Punk band, Minus, which was formed in the early 90’s.

When she’s not touring the world with her husband as his band performs in other countries, Rina runs her own fashion brand, Sufyaa, which specialises in modest apparel and was recently part of a fashion show in the UK.

(Image source: Rina Tahar)

Rina as a mum

When Rina and her husband became parents, they agreed that some of the gig venues were not child-friendly and that the kids must always have one parent with them at all times, so she is usually the one who makes the sacrifice to forgo a lot of gigs now.

"My husband usually receives band merchandise which are not of his size and so I’m always the lucky one to have them instead - and ever since we had kids, some bands have even sent us the cutest kids’ merchandise. We've travelled with my husband's band for the overseas tours and will try to pop by a show or two to give him our support", she shares.

(Image source: Rina Tahar)

Azean Malik – Mrs Grindcore

Azean is from the Grindcore scene and is the Band Manager of her husband’s Singapore-based band, Wormrot, and has travelled with them on tour to various countries such as the UK, Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Switzerland and many more.

When she’s not going on tour with the band around the world, Azean also works as an Admission Management Executive in Shichida Method.

(Image source: Infecció Grindfest)

Azean as a mum

When asked if there are changes to her involvement in the scene after becoming a mother, she says, "There are actually no changes really. I usually contact our recording label which is based in UK and US, via phone or email. If we have to go on month long tours, a show in Singapore or our neighbouring countries, the show organiser or our US and UK/ Europe booking agents will get in touch with me via Facebook or email and I will plan the tours from the comfort of my home. My work usually requires a lot of planning and communication. So I really need the internet in order to get things going".

Her son is only six months old so she has yet to bring him to any gigs but will do so when he is a little older - although he does occasionally tag along to the band’s jamming sessions.

(Image source: Azean Malik)

Elsa Faith – Madame Torment

This Singaporean singer and songwriter has been performing since the age of six in various groups and ensembles ranging from doo-wop to death metal.

Currently residing in the USA with her husband, Elsa is the lead singer for the all-female Hard Rock band, Madame Torment, and is involved in multiple musical collaborations in the local scene there.

Besides gig organizing and attending local gigs, this scream queen works from home, designing websites for local businesses and also does a lot of background acting for TV shows and commercials.

(Image source: Dawn Baker Holen)

Elsa as a mum

Elsa became a stepmum to three teenagers about nine years ago.

She says, "I'm blessed that they all love music! They shared their own compositions with me, and even let me collaborate with them. I am more involved in the music scene now than before, especially learning the business side of things. Whatever I've learned, I will share the knowledge with the kids".

Elsa once invited one of her twin boys, Jayke, to join her band, Madame Torment, on stage as a guest rhythm guitarist and her stepkids have attended quite a few local gigs, where she introduced them to other musicians in the scene as well.

"They have also made their own connections, and I am very proud to see them on stage, doing their thing! One of the other twins, Jayme, is actively doing his music, has released an album and is currently working on a new release as well", she shares.

It is clear that this rocking stepmum loves her music just as much as her kids.

(Image source: Elsa Faith and Twisted Eye Photography)

Zuby brahim – Punk Preschool Teacher

Since her secondary school days, Zuby would attend various gigs in Singapore and Malaysia with her Punk boyfriend, who she is now happily married to, and would help him sell band merchandise.

She fondly recalls selling band pins, patches and t-shirts at the gigs in Johor Bahru and with the hard-earned money made, they would go on a "fancy date" at Pizza Hut.

Zuby is a former preschool teacher and shortly after her daughter was born, she made the decision to become a fulltime Stay At Home Mum.

(Image source: Zuby Ibrahim)

Zuby as a mum

After having her daughter, Zuby rarely attends gigs anymore as most of them are held at night, which is past her little one’s bedtime.

But she occasionally plays some of the music from her husband’s Crust Punk band, Blinded Humanity, and dresses her toddler up in some of the local bands t-shirt to show their support for the local scene.

When her daughter turned one year old, she even attended her very first concert, and watched American Heavy Metal band, Metallica, perform live in Singapore - but from a safe distance in the open-air carpark.

(Image source: Zuby Ibrahim)

Nameera Hashim – Nesting Skinbyrd

Former Punk who embraced the Skinhead lifestyle and music in recent years, Nameera is an avid gig supporter and organiser in Singapore.

She recalls back in 1997 when she was first introduced to Punk music and attended a concert by No Doubt, an American Rock band with Ska roots, when they performed here at the Indoor Stadium, which she says made her "feel pretty awesome".

But after some time, she discovered that she leaned more towards the Skinhead ideologies, lifestyle and preferred to listen to Oi! music.

This Skinbyrd is a former F&B Supervisor and dabbled in retail before becoming a Stay At Home Mother of three.

(Image source: One Shot Photography)

Nameera as a mum

Nameera’s involvement in the local Skinhead scene has changed a lot ever since she had her third child.

She says, "I have even started listening to Taylor Swift now even though I don’t like her because my baby girl loves the song, ‘Shake It Off’, which I must dance to just to amuse her."

Even though she brings her kids to gigs sometimes, as for the skinhead ideologies, she feels it’s best to let them think for themselves.

"I’m not willing to let my own idealogies be a restriction to their own thoughts", she shares.

(Image source: fFurious)

Ary Amry – Grunge Growler

Ary is from the Grunge and Punk scene and used to be a gig organiser with Arduous Child Bookings.

She is a great supporter of the Singapore music scene, attends gigs regularly and can often be seen moshing in the circle pit amidst all the other leather jackets, studs, spikes and boots.

Ary performs as a sessionist Vocalist for various bands and this talented mum is also able to play various instruments.

She currently works as a freelance Sales Designer for a renovation company.

(Image source: Ary Amry)

Ary as a mum

Ary once brought her young son to a gig but felt that it was "terrible idea".

"I probably will try not to let my son know about our past or what our scene is like – I want to let him choose his own lifestyle instead and let him explore on his own. I do not wish to force him into our scene or previous lifestyle".

(Image source: Ary Amry)

Shahidah R – Hardcore Mum

Shahidah is from the Hardcore music scene and besides going to local gigs and helping out as a "door bitch" (ticketing staff) she is also part of a hardcore music show promoter, Prettig Productions, which was launched in 2008.

This all-girl show promoter first started out as an apparel line which was, "for the girls, by the girls", endorsing girl-fronted bands in Singapore such as My Precious, Misissued, and My Writes - but the team later went on to book, promote and tour-manage regional and international hardcore bands.

Shahidah works fulltime as a Marketer at the National Gallery Singapore and attends gigs whenever she can.

(Image source: Shahidah R)

Shahidah as a mum

Shahidah feels that there hasn’t been much change to her involvement in the music scene after becoming a mother, as her daughter is usually happy-go-lucky with music.

On the topic of introducing her daughter to the music scene, she shares, "We started out by playing music on vinyls at home to test out her taste. Misfits was her first band t-shirt from her uncle who played in Recover! We also try to bring her to gigs to watch bands".

(Image source: Shahidah R)

What do you think of these mums with alternative lifestyles? Do you find them as fascinating as we do? Are you a non-mainstream mother too? Leave your comments in the section below!