Piercing The Void: A Vacant Affair explode from the ashes of crushing tragedy

The middle of 2007 should have been an exciting period for A Vacant Affair–the post-hardcore act had already established themselves as one of Singapore’s most breathtaking new bands. They put out a well-received EP, performed a stunning set at the Rock For Wayne charity gig (an event put together to honour the passing of indie producer and drummer Wayne Thunder) and were in the preliminary stages of planning for their debut album.

But then in August 2007, frontman Matthew Lim’s mother lost her two-year battle with cancer. Such a tragedy would have been reason enough for anyone to surrender all hope. But one and a half years later, Matt is now thrilled about the debut album Reasons To Leave that A Vacant Affair are releasing this month. "We are all very relieved and excited," he gushes. "Listening to the final product, it really feels like everything that we’ve done just to get this record out was all worthwhile."

Reasons To Leave is the lovechild of a band's relentless determination to overcome life’s vilest offerings. “Tell me now what exactly has become of us,” bellows Matt in ‘Fiasco’ and the band responds with a flurry of king-sized riffs, forging a colossal, sonic template that could rival Thursday’s. Yet it isn’t all gloom and doom, and the emphatic war cry on closer ‘Connecting The Dots’ is an apt summation of the band’s growth from its angst-filled formative days in 2004.

“We definitely have more belief in ourselves,” says Matt. “Tough times and struggles are bound to come but sometimes you’ve just got to grit your teeth, hold your head up high and try your best to make things better.” For Matt, those tough times could not have been more trying, yet today he is able to talk openly about his mother’s passing. “During the time when she was fighting it, I never felt so worried and afraid in my entire life,” he shares. “The thought of losing her was just so overwhelming. So when she eventually passed away, I was devastated and I found her loss almost too much to bear.”

Over time, and with the support of his dad and closest friends, Matt managed to move on. Parts of Reasons To Leave convey this experience, alongside others that Matt and the band have undergone. “I don’t speak about my problems and struggles a lot at all,” he says. “[So] the music that we create acts as a medium or an outlet to express the darker side.” Evidently, that darkness has brought with it rays of success. 2008 has already seen the band share stages with Funeral for a Friend, As I Lay Dying and Story of the Year, and will culminate in a headlining night at the Esplanade Recital Studio on 26 December.

Yet Matt remains grounded, finding satisfaction in knowing that his music helps other struggling youngsters. Plus, there is the ever-present belief that his mother beams down with pride. “I still miss her,” he says. “I don’t think I will ever miss or love anyone that much. But I know deep down inside, she wants me to move on. I still have such a long way to go.”

Words Chris Photo A Vacant Affair

www.myspace.com/avacantaffair

*Taken from JUNK's December 2008 issue