The timing couldn’t have been more uncanny. ‘Nowhere’ was written at the height of the COVID-19 circuit breaker two years ago. After multiple revisions and post-production work, now it is ready to be heard – just as I finally got certified as a Rona member.

‘Nowhere’ came about from my jogs at Pasir Ris Beach Park. During the COVID-19 lockdown, when people were not supposed to be out for long periods, I spotted trolleys and tents peppered throughout the campsites and beach. Their owners and inhabitants were clearly not out for leisurely camping trips.

Though disconcerting, the scenes didn’t come as a surprise. And they drew a stark contrast to the isolation Zoom parties and stay-at-home activity posts that flooded my social media, of which I was also a participant. I hope you don’t take it the wrong way, but I’ve never felt the weight – and warmth – of class-ranked privilege and security more acutely than during the height of the pandemic.

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I don’t know if you know I’ve got nowhere to go
I don’t know if you think that it’s all just for show
You think you’re the only one who has a life?
I don’t know if we’ll make it but we just got to try

To push this further down the line
Hoping that nobody will show
Make it work just one more night
Before they tell me to go

Don’t know if it’s worth it but we’ll figure it out
Playing with fire when we’re out and about
Days on the bus and nights by the beach
The water’s clear but it’s so out of reach