Don Richmond

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Don Richmond
Don Richmond Singapore.jpg
BornJuly 1976
EducationDegree in Media Arts
Alma materSt. Joseph Institution, Lasalle College of the Arts, RMIT Melbourne
Years active2001 - present
Partner(s)Magdalene Liau
Parent(s)Brian Richmond (father), Susanne Ong (mother)

Don Richmond is a Singaporean award-winning singer, songwriter, music director, composer and producer. He is the son of veteran radio presenter Brian Richmond and Susanne Ong and the younger brother of Mark Richmond. As of October 2019, Don is an instructor at Ocean Butterflies (OB) Music teaching songwriting, song composition and music arrangement.[1][2] He is also a host with Clicknetwork alongside Rosalyn Lee and Paul Twohill.

Background

A younger Brian Richmond, Don Richmond & Mark Richmond. Photo from Don's Facebook page.

Education

While in Singapore, Don studied at St. Joseph Institution. He credited the school for providing a creative environment that encouraged him to pursue his dreams. In a 2017 interview, he recalled that the school allowed students to bring guitars to play during breaks.[3]


Don furthered his education at RMIT in Melbourne where he studied Media Arts.[4] While in university, he debuted as ‘Fibre’ with the “ultra poppy opening cut”, Stellar Blowout.[5] The record reached No. 2 Smash Back in 1998 on Singapore’s radio station 98.7 FM.[6]

Personal life

In 2007, Don dated Class 95 radio presenter Jean Danker.[7] However, they broke up sometime in 2008.[8] In 2009, he dated 987FM radio presenter Chew Soo Wei but they broke up sometime in 2011.[9]


Sometime in 2017, Don began dating Dr Magdalene Liau who is a practising medical doctor specialising in aesthetic medicine.[10] On 12 September 2019, Don proposed to Dr Liau and the couple are now engaged.[11]

Radio career

Andrew "Drew" Crothers (pictured) was Don's radio partner and the creative producer of a local radio station. Photo from Asia Radio Today.

Since 2004, Don was the Creative Producer and then the Senior Creative Producer at 987 FM.[12]

‘The Don and Drew Show’

In October 2005, Don started ‘The Don & Drew Show’ on 987FM together with his fellow creative producer Andrew Crothers. The one-hour show was podcasted and earned its popularity among some American listeners.[13] At the time, the duo was among the first Singaporean radio presenters to be interviewed on two American syndicated radio shows, ‘The David Lawrence Show’ and ‘The Net Music Countdown’. According to Mediacorp Radio, the show was the first Singapore radio show to be podcasted on the Internet.[14]


In 2007, the duo released a song titled 'Bouncy Bouncy Smack Smack' that won the 'Best Local Song' on 987FM Top 100 Countdown.[15] After a three-year tenure in radio, Don left radio and expressed his intentions of “going back to do music again”.[16]


In 2014, Drew passed away from a heart attack at the age of 40 years old.[17][18]

Music career

The album insert for SKROOLOOSE (2001) by Don Richmond. Photo from NLB.

'Skrooloose'

In 2001, Don changed his moniker from ‘Fibre’ to ‘Skrooloose’ after realising that there were many other artists with the name Fibre. Derived from the phrase “screw-loose”, Don explained that his friends described him as such due to the wide genre spectrum of his music. The name ‘Skrooloose’ represented the different sides to his musical personality.[19]


In the same year, Don released an album titled ‘Skrooloose’ under the label Planet MG. The album has been described as “a blend of sounds from early hip hop, ‘60s Motown music, ‘70s Rock and Latin, and ‘90s electronic music”. Most of the tracks were written and produced by Don himself.[20]


While in Melbourne, Don was recognised as “probably one of the best-known Singaporean dance producers”. Don has worked with artists and rappers in Melbourne such as Beatrix, Plutonic Lab and Mike Justice.[21]

Discography (Albums)

Year Album Notes
2011 Reset[22] -
2003 Bent[23] Inspired by the play “Bent”
2001 Skrooloose[24] -

Other musical projects

Don in the recording studio with ShiGGa Shay and Wheelsmith for 'Fire in the Rain'. Photo from Don's Instagram.

Other than releasing his own music, Don has produced music for local musicians like ShiGGa Shay, Mark Bonafide and Sylvia Ratonel. He has also composed music for large nationwide events like National Day and the SEA Games.

Year Album/ Song Description Role(s)
2019 Fire in the Rain A song for the National Council of Social Service's “See the True Me” Campaign Composer/Lyricist[25]
2018 Hero Jack and Rai’s new single Producer[26]
2016 Rise Song used during the “floating city” sequence during NDP 2016 Composer/Singer[27]
2016 Tomorrow’s Here Today NDP 2016 Theme Song Composer/Lyricist[28]
2015 LV/RBL Mark Bonafide’s album Producer[29]
2015 Unbreakable Songs of the 28th SEA Games Arranger/Producer[30]
2013 LimPeh ShiGGA Shay’s new single Producer [31]
2012 Lions Theme Theme song for the Lions XII Composer[32]
2010 Sylvia Ratonel Sylvia Ratonel’s debut album Producer[33]
2009 Nothing Also Happy Budak Pantai’s album Producer [34]
2009 The Bonafide Experience Mark Bonafide’s new album[35] Producer/Singer for “Back Home” and “2 is a # way too small”[36]
2007 Sounds of the Underground A lyric guide to driving safely on the KPE Singer[37]
2007 Bouncy Bouncy Smack Smack An original song by Don and Drew. Singer[38]

Career highlights

Events

Don (centre) was a judge for the 2019 Singapore Youth Festival - an inter-school arts competition. Photo from Don's Instagram.
Year Event Role(s)
2019 Singapore Youth Festival Evolution Finals Judge[39]
2019 The Bicentennial Experience Music Composer and Director[40]
2018 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals Singapore Music Director[41]
2017 9th ASEAN Schools Games Opening Ceremony Music Director[42]
2017 Civic District Outdoor Festival (CDOF) Designed the music for the exhibit “Hemera’s Dream”[43]
2015 2015 SEA Games Composer/Producer/Arranger on Dr Sydney Tan’s music production team[44]
2015 SG50 National Day Parade Composer/Producer/Arranger on Dr Sydney Tan’s music production team[45]
2012 Noise Singapore Judge[46]

Film

Don was the composer for the 2003 film City Sharks. Photo from IMDA.
Year Title Role(s)
2015 “3688” Composer

Acting cameo - Judge

2011 The Journey Himself[47]
2004 City Sharks Composer[48]

Performances

Year Title
2013 Concert in the Park[49]
2013 World Street Food Congress[50]
2012 Singapore Arts Festival[51]
2012 Budak Arts Revolution Festival[52]
2011 ‘Don Richmond’ showcase[53]
2011 Reset[54]
2011 Generations - A Journey of Local Music[55]
2011 MeRadio Rocks The Marina[56]
2011 Singapore Radio Awards[57]
2009 Soundwaves 2009: Eurasiana, A Musical Tribute[58]
2009 Down Memory Lane IV[59]
2009 Music Matters Advertising Forum[60]
2009 987 Life's a Beach[61]
2004 Live Hip Hop Showcase[62]

Television

Don appeared as a judge alongside Chua En Lai (centre) and Sheikh Haikel (right) on 'My Squad Is Better Than Yours'. Photo from Don's Instagram.
Year Channel Show Title Role(s)
2016 Channel 5 My Squad Is Better Than Yours Himself-Judge[63]
2011 okto Zero Hero “Pretty Boyz” - together with Sheikh Haikel and Gana Sebastian[64]
2005 Arts Central Frequency Of The City Himself[65]

Theatre

Year Title Role(s)
2017 Army Daze 2 Composer/Lyricist[66]
2014 Ah Boys to Men Musical Composer/Lyricist[67]
2013 High Class Composer/Lyricist[68]
2012 Army Daze - 25th Anniversary Composer/Lyricist[69]
2009 Sleepless Town Composer[70]
2004 East Side Story Sound Producer[71]
2003 Bent Sound Designer[72]

Awards & accolades

Year Award Results
2010 15th COMPASS Awards Presentation Top Local English Pop Song for “So Bonafide” (with Mark Bonafide)[73]
2007 987FM Top 100 Countdown Best Local Song for “Bouncy Bouncy Smack Smack” (Don & Drew)[74]
2005 10th Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS) Awards Presentation Top English Pop Song for “Bent”[75]
2005 Life! Theatre Awards Best Music/Sound Design for “East Side Story”[76][77]
2004 Life! Theatre Awards Best Music/Sound Design for “Bent”[78][79]

Other ventures

Clicknetwork host (The Click Show)

Don (second row, second from right) pictured with the Clicknetwork's other hosts including Paul Twohill and Rosalyn Lee. Photo from scene.sg.

Don is the host for ‘The Click Show’ on Clicknetwork where he would talk about entertainment and viral videos. He would occasionally appear as his female alter ego Donatella.[80]


The first episode of ‘The Click Show’ aired in 2013 and the last episode, thus far, aired in 2018. As of 2019, no new episodes of ‘The Click Show’ has been released.[81] However, Don continues to list himself as the host of ‘The Click Show’ on his Instagram bio.[82]

Noise Singapore (Mentor)

From 2008 to 2014, Don was a mentor for the National Arts Council’s Noise programme.[83] It was during this apprenticeship programme that he first met and mentored local rapper ShiGGa Shay which paved the way for their future collaborations.[84]

The Salvation Army Starbucks tumblers (Charity collaboration)

In December 2012, Don and renowned Singaporean celebrity photographer Kevin Ou collaborated with The Salvation Army to design two limited edition 12oz tumblers for Starbucks. Each tumbler cost S$5 and all proceeds went to the beneficiaries of The Salvation Army.[85]

References / Citations

  1. ↑ “Our Instructors”. Ocean Butterflies Music. Accessed 22 October 2019. Retrieved from obmusic.com.sg.
  2. ↑ don_richmond. Instagram. July 3, 2019. Accessed 22 October 2019. Retrieved from Instagram.
  3. ↑ “Don Richmond: Tips for aspiring musicians”. School Bag: The Education News Site. February 13, 2017. Accessed 22 October 2019. Retrieved from schoolbag.sg.
  4. ↑ Ho, Chris. “Electronica maestro has a Skrooloose”. The Straits Times. December 7, 2001. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  5. ↑ Ho, Chris. “Join Electro Nation now”. The Straits Times. May 8, 1998. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  6. ↑ Ho, Chris. “Electronica maestro has a Skrooloose”. The Straits Times. December 7, 2001. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  7. ↑ Tan, Jeanmarie. “DJ Danker finds love with Don Richmond”. The New Paper. January 24, 2007. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  8. ↑ Lim, Germaine. “Jean & Don’s break-up was all hush-hush”. The New Paper. March 7, 2009. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  9. ↑ Lim, Germaine. “Jean & Don’s break-up was all hush-hush”. The New Paper. March 7, 2009. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  10. ↑ don_richmond. Instagram. December 25, 2017. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from Instagram.
  11. ↑ don_richmond. Instagram. September 12, 2019. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from Instagram.
  12. ↑ Zul Othmanzul. “Lion CIty soundscape”. Today. November 8, 2005. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  13. ↑ “987FM The Don & Drew Show 4pm to 5pm”. Today. October 1, 2005. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  14. ↑ Chew, David. “Cult radio show reaches American airwaves”. Today. October 1, 2005. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  15. ↑ Don Richmond. Slate Entertainment. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from slateent.com.
  16. ↑ Tan, Jeanmarie. “It’s over and out for them”. The New Paper. June 6, 2007. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  17. ↑ "RADIOactive's Andrew Crothers dies aged 40". Asia Radio Today. February 10, 2014. Accessed on 24 October 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.asiaradiotoday.com/news/radioactives-andrew-crothers-dies-aged-40
  18. ↑ Juliana June Rasul. "Former radio DJ Andrew Crothers dies". The New Paper. February 11, 2014. Accessed on 24 October 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/former-radio-dj-andrew-crothers-dies
  19. ↑ Ho, Chris. “Electronica maestro has a Skrooloose”. The Straits Times. December 7, 2001. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  20. ↑ “Skrooloose”. NLB Music SG. Accessed 22 October 2019. Retrieved from NLB Eresources.
  21. ↑ Wee, Tommy. “Singapore’s hit makers”. The Straits Times. November 14, 2003. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  22. ↑ “Gig guide”. Today. March 10, 2011. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  23. ↑ Chow, Clara. “Bent on theatre fashion”. The Straits Times. July 17, 2003. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  24. ↑ “Skrooloose”. NLB Music SG. Accessed 22 October 2019. Retrieved from NLB Eresources.
  25. ↑ Shabana Begum. “NCSS launches inclusive campaign with music video featuring persons with disabilities”. The Straits Times. February 22, 2019. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from straitstimes.com.
  26. ↑ don_richmond. Instagram. February 9, 2018. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from Instagram.
  27. ↑ “NDP 2016 at The Hub”. The Straits Times. August 10, 2016. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from straitstimes.com.
  28. ↑ Yeo Sam Jo. “Tomorrow’s Here Today: This year’s NDP theme song and video look at Singapore’s tomorrow”. The Straits Times. June 19, 2016. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from straitstimes.com.
  29. ↑ don_richmond. Instagram. May 5, 2015. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from Instagram.
  30. ↑ “Unbreakable”: Songs of the 28th SEA Games”. SG Sports TV. April 9, 2015. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from YouTube.
  31. ↑ Juliana June Rasul. “Straight to No. 1”. The New Paper. June 28, 2013. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  32. ↑ Loh, Ronald. “A song for LionsXII”. The New Paper. January 28, 2012. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  33. ↑ Toh, Christopher. “Don’t stop believing”. Today. October 25, 2010. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  34. ↑ Toh, Christopher. “Voices that care”. Today. November 13, 2009. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  35. ↑ “The Bonafide Experience”. NLB Music SG. Accessed 22 October 2019. Retrieved from NLB Eresources.
  36. ↑ Toh, Christopher. “Kicker: New Album”. Today. February 26, 2009. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  37. ↑ Leong Wee Keat. “Sounds like a winner? Not to everyone”. Today. December 6, 2007. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  38. ↑ Don Richmond. Slate Entertainment. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from slateent.com.
  39. ↑ don_richmond. Instagram. July 7, 2019. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from Instagram.
  40. ↑ don_richmond. Instagram. July 7, 2019. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from Instagram.
  41. ↑ don_richmond. Instagram. October 28, 2018. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from Instagram.
  42. ↑ don_richmond. Instagram. July 13, 2017. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from Instagram.
  43. ↑ “Civic District comes alive with a new night-time outdoor festival”. Channel News Asia. August 4, 2017. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from channelnewsasia.com.
  44. ↑ Don Richmond. Slate Entertainment. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from slateent.com.
  45. ↑ Don Richmond. Slate Entertainment. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from slateent.com.
  46. ↑ “Backstage Pass”. The Straits Times. December 18, 2012. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  47. ↑ “What’s up this week and the weeks ahead (holidays)”. The Straits Times. December 23, 2011. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  48. ↑ “Look back in wonder”. The Straits Times. January 1, 2004. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  49. ↑ “Happenings - Gigs”. The Straits Times. January 25, 2013. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  50. ↑ “Music to munch to”. The New Paper. May 26, 2013. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  51. ↑ don_richmond. Instagram. June 1, 2012. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from Instagram.
  52. ↑ Toh, Christopher. “Enjoy yourself; For Budak Pantai, that’s more important than anything else”. Today. December 1, 2012. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  53. ↑ “Gig guide” Today. December 23, 2010. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  54. ↑ “Gig guide”. Today. March 10, 2011. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  55. ↑ “And the weeks ahead”. The Straits Times. August 5, 2011. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  56. ↑ Local artistes rock for MeRadio”. Today. November 7, 2011. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  57. ↑ “Top DJs honoured at S’pore Radio Awards”. Channel News Asia. November 25, 2011. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  58. ↑ Natasha Ann Zachariah. “Eurasian waves”. The Straits Times. June 11, 2009. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  59. ↑ Eddino Abdul Hadi. “Retro rocks”. The Straits Times. October 30, 2009. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  60. ↑ Toh, Christopher. “Help in hitting the right notes”. Today. December 9, 2009. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  61. ↑ brightonion. "Bouncy Bouncy Smack Smack LIVE in Siloso". YouTube. July 21, 2009. Accessed on 24 October 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv1RXA5CKUY
  62. ↑ Loh, Sherwin. “Monday madness”. The Straits Times. April 12, 2004. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  63. ↑ don_richmond. Instagram. August 24, 2016. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from Instagram.
  64. ↑ Kwok Kar Peng. “I’ll flaunt my big mouth”. The New Paper. October 17, 2011. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  65. ↑ Zul Othmanzul. “Lion City soundscape”. Today. November 8, 2005. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  66. ↑ Mayo Martin. “New Army Daze sequel to be staged in August”. Channel News Asia. May 8, 2017. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from channelnewsasia.com.
  67. ↑ Tan, Dylan. “Waxing lyrical over Ah Boys in musical”. The Business Times. January 17, 2014. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  68. ↑ Tan, Corrie. “So who wants to be a tai tai?”. The Straits Times. May 8, 2013. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  69. ↑ “Army Daze 25th Anniversary”. Michael Chiang Play Things. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from michaelchiangplaythings.com.
  70. ↑ Chia, Adeline. “Failed heroics”. The Straits Times. March 2, 2009. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  71. ↑ Chow, Clara. “The gang’s not all here”. The Straits Times. May 10, 2004. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  72. ↑ Chow, Clara. “Bent on theatre fashion”. The Straits Times. July 17, 2003. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  73. ↑ Fang, Joy. “Lifetime performer Julai Tan honoured”. My Paper. July 12, 2010. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  74. ↑ Don Richmond. Slate Entertainment. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from slateent.com.
  75. ↑ “Dick Lee is top composer”. Today. April 25, 2005. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  76. ↑ Don Richmond. Slate Entertainment. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from slateent.com.
  77. ↑ Hong Xinyi. “Theatre they wrote”. The Straits Times. March 15, 2005. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  78. ↑ Don Richmond. Slate Entertainment. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from slateent.com.
  79. ↑ Oon, Clarissa. “Ladies night”. The Straits Times. March 16, 2004. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  80. ↑ “The Click Show”. Clicknetwork. Accessed 22 October 2019. Retrieved from clicknetwork.tv.
  81. ↑ “The Click Show”. Clicknetwork. Accessed 22 October 2019. Retrieved from clicknetwork.tv.
  82. ↑ don_richmond. Instagram. Accessed 22 October 2019. Retrieved from Instagram.
  83. ↑ Don Richmond. Slate Entertainment. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from slateent.com.
  84. ↑ Syahirah Anwar. “When ‘raw talent’ meets a music pro”. The New Paper. November 24, 2010. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  85. ↑ “Tumblers for charity”. The New Paper. December 19, 2012. Accessed 15 October 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
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