Singer-songwriter Gentle Bones has won two awards at this year's Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (Compass) Awards.
The 22-year-old, whose real name is Joel Tan, won the Top Local English Pop Song for his first single Until We Die from his debut EP, Gentle Bones; and Young Songwriter of the Year.
Until We Die, which was released in 2013, went to the top of the local iTunes singles chart.
Tan, who was unable to attend the event, thanked his record label, team and band in a pre-recorded message. He also thanked "everyone who has inspired me" such as other local acts.
The annual awards ceremony, which is in its 21st year, was held on Sunday night (Sept 25) at Resorts World Convention Centre.
Compass awards are given to local musicians who earned the highest royalties last year. Compass tracks the royalties musicians earn based on how many times their songs are performed live, played on radio and in nightspots and food and beverage outlets.
This year, 11 awards were given out to top-earning Singapore songwriters in various music genres.
Mandopop singer-songwriter JJ Lin, who has won at least one Compass award every year since 2006 when he was named Young Songwriter of the Year, kept his title as the top local songwriter. But he relegated the Top Local Artiste Of The Year award which he won last year to fellow singer Stefanie Sun. Both did not attend the awards ceremony.
Awards in four categories were also given to Singapore musicians to recognise their artistic excellence and contributions to the local music scene.
Singer and composer Mark Chan, 57, was one of three veterans who took home the Artistic Excellence Artist. Chan, who is putting out a new album next month, said: "Many people might not know me today, but there are others who remember. I never think of the awards. I just want to make music."
The other two were music arranger George Leong and the late singer-songwriter M. Osman, who was a symbol of the Pop Yeh Yeh era in the 1960s. His wife accepted the posthumous award.
Mr Tong Hong Tat, 34, who has produced, written and arranged music for superstars from Taiwanese singer Show Luo to Australian singer Troye Sivan, took home the Wings Of Excellence Award - given to an individual who has achieved an outstanding performance internationally.
The elder son of accountants was thrilled to have won his first Compass award. He said: "Winning this award is a validation of my work."
