SINGAPORE: Launched in October 2024, Blank Canvas is a music platform designed to strip away the pressures of perfection, offering both emerging and established artists the space to embrace authenticity.

According to founder Shawn Chew, his goal was to promote the local music scene in Singapore. As a big fan of Tiny Desk Concerts and their “simple” and “down-to-earth” setup, he thought, why not create something similar to showcase music?

Chew, who has a background in advertising, has produced a variety of commercial campaigns, including music collaborations with international artists, including The Calling, Honne, and Metropolitan Festival Orchestra.

He shared that he used to struggle with gaining recognition and self-doubt, which fueled his desire to create Blank Canvas—a platform that reimagines the live music experience by presenting intimate, unconventional performances in unexpected settings.

From a recent episode filmed inside a retro camper van to another set against the stunning Singapore Flyer, the platform showcases the art of performance without boundaries.

According to Chew, he scouts artists through referrals and social media, but there’s no formal audition process. Musician...