Hundreds of thousands of listeners in the UK tune into his weekly Saturday night slot on BBC Radio 1 to prime themselves up before a long night of partying. Not only a renowned radio DJ, he is also a veteran of the turntables and is a regular on the Ibizan clubbing scene. Known as the people’s DJ, he is not just one of the dance world’s finest, he also seems one of the nicest as we talk to him about his family and all that fan mail.

Do you prefer being on radio or on the decks in a club?
It’s impossible to compare them. Although they’re both described as deejaying, the similarity ends there—one is in front of a visible audience with tangible and immediate reaction, the other is to a larger but invisible audience.
 
What’s it like being able to talk to well over one million people worldwide who tune into your BBC Radio 1 show every Saturday?
I count myself extremely lucky, particularly on a Saturday night, when folks are at their most receptive to dance music.
 
Is it true that you answer all the emails sent to you on your blog?
Yes—it takes 10-15 hours per week, but it’s worth it...
 
You have partied at such places like the Pyramids in Egypt. What do you think the Pharaohs would have thought?
I was more concerned with what the local police, mounted on camel back, where thinking as the 4,000 strong crowd went crazy in the desert.

You are well known for being the people’s DJ and being able to electrify the crowd. What is your secret?
Always interacting with the crowd, and never taking myself too seriously. Plus playing the right combination of tunes that appeal equally to hardcore music heads and those who simply love a good party.

How do you juggle your family and your mountain of work?
Careful time managment, and spending the minimum time away possible on trips. It’s not easy, but they keep me grounded. More DJs should think about it!

You have so many awards where do you have enough space to keep them all?
I’ve got a big loft...

Some people have called your dress-sense “garish.” What do you say to that?
It’s got a little more sedate recently, but in the past I’d have to admit that they were probably right.

“Eclectic,” “funk,” and “soulful” are all used-to-death phrases in the dictionary of musical jargon. However, no band breathes new life to those tired sentiments or represents the funky Mardi Gras spirit more than The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Danny Loong of Timbre, part of the team responsible for bringing them here, feels that Singaporeans deserve their own Mardi Gras. And what better band to bring that spirit here than this New Orleans band whose tremendous and, indeed, varied musical talents will dazzle and spoil local audiences.

Formed almost three decades ago in 1977, this band is a slice of living musical history. They have played with the likes of the great revivalist Danny Barker and the ethereal rocker David Bowie. They also count an immensely diverse bunch of musical talents as fans and collaborators: Like the father of bebop and modern jazz, Dizzy Gillespie, and the renowned rocker, Elvis Costello.

The sheer variety of performers they have played with is a reflection of their musical style. As you would expect from a brass band, they were originally inspired by the typical brass band sound of the time, playing the standard brass repertoire of second-line jazz funerals and parade anthems. They quickly branched out, however, bringing the brass band sound to previously uncharted territory. Their genius lay in being able to incorporate contemporary jazz sounds from the likes of Duke Ellington, James Brown and the more avant-garde, like John Coltrane and even Michael Jackson, into their music.

This cacophony of different musical sounds creates what the band’s saxophone player Roger Lewis calls a “musical jumbo,” which is given The Dirty Dozen Brass Band signature up-tempo makeover. In the words of Lewis, during their second-line parades people had to “have their jogging suits on just to keep in step!” The band also have some truly awesome originals to their name as well, such as “Hannibal,” making this is a band that reminds us what is really meant by “genre-defying.”

If the pedigree of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band is anything to go by, we can expect great things from Timbre’s new concert series.

It has been a bad start to the millennium for guys. With equal pay in most sports between the sexes, guys could at least rest content that all things tech was still safely in their domain. But with a plethora of gadgets now in bright pink, flowers galore and even decked in shiny stones, is nothing sacred anymore? Here are some that even your mum might dig.

HANNSPREE PEARL – 15”

What is it? This is a TV courtesy of Taiwanese brand Hannspree’s style range.
Why Your Mum Will Love This? This design focused TV does not have anything out-of-this-world about it in terms of hardware, but any girl who has a Little Mermaid inside them (and who does not) will love the seashell inspired design on the back of this TV.
The Details. $999. Best Denki, #05-01/04 Ngee Ann City Podium, 391 Orchard Rd., 6835-2855.

ASUS S6F PINK LEATHER LIMITED EDITION

What is it? Part of the Asus’s collection of leather-bound notebooks.
Why Your Mum Will Love This? This 11.1 widescreen, Pentium powered compact laptop is a winner of the Red Dot design award, and with leather crafted onto the aluminum body, this is a fashion statement for mums who want to flaunt their girliness at work, too.
The Details. $3,888. All authorized dealers at Sim Lim Square (1 Rochor Canal Rd., 6338-3859) and Funan Digitalife Mall (109 North Bridge Rd., 6336-8327).

SAMSUNG PINK WEP180

What is it? One of Samsung’s latest BluetoothTM headsets.
Why Your Mum Will Love This? Weighing in at a mere 11 grams and with around six hours of talk time, your mum can do what she does best, and gossip over the phone and still look stylish with this number—after all what need is there for earrings when she can adorn her ears with this pink number.
The Details. $98. Samsung Flagship Store, #02-28/29 VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, 6376-9150.

JBL SPYRO

What is it? Three-piece powered satellite speakers and subwoofer system from the people at JBL.
Why Your Mum Will Love This? Why get her flowers when you can get her this floral-inspired sound system? They will not screw with her sinuses but will pound out rich sounds to drown out her nagging—priceless.
The Details. $218. Song Brothers Marketing, #04-13 Sim Lim Square, 1 Rochor Canal Rd., 6339-8622.

NOKIA 7373

What is it? This 3G mobile phone is part of Nokia’s l’Amour collection.
Why Your Mum Will Love This? Because the ethnic and tribal inspired design is one which any self-respecting guy (and even metrosexual) would not touch with a barge pole.
The Details. $558 without operator plan. Nokia Concept Store, #03-29/30/31 Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Rd., 6738-0618.

For those who forgot their mum’s special day, try telling her that you were waiting for these oestrogen packed devices not yet available in Singapore:

EGO LAPTOPS

These laptops are made to look like handbags and the screen can be turned to an all important make-up mirror, courtesy of an on-board camera. Not only will the design bring a tear to the mascara-ed eye but so will the price—the diamond-encrusted version retails at around $500,000.

ACTIVE CRYSTALS

Sashaying into stores in Aug, this range by Philips and Swarovski adds the bling factor to the humble USB memory stick and in-ear head. No longer will ladies have to endure the ignominy of using a plain-looking USB memory stich when transferring data with a Swarovski be-jewelled memory stick.

The most obvious question to ask is, with so many other causes in the world, what made you choose to go to an Indian red light district?
I first went to India in 1995 to photograph women and I spent five months photographing around the subject of unwanted girls and female infanticide. I returned to India in 1997 to continue photographing and I was unexpectedly invited to visit a project in the red light district. I knew as soon as I went there that this was the place I needed to be and I spent two years trying to gain access to be able to live in a brothel with the women so I could fully understand their lives.

What was it like, for someone who is both white and a woman, to live in an Indian red light district?
I don’t really identify myself as a “white woman” or as a “photographer” or “filmmaker.” I went there with the intention of deeply listening and understanding and in order to do that I put myself in the “shoes” of the people there as far as possible. It is very evident to me that if I had been born in slightly different circumstances, I too could have been an Indian prostitute. In fact, I’m sure I was in a past life!

What made you decide to move from just giving lessons to making a documentary?
I didn’t intend to teach photography when I first went to the red light district. It was the kids who asked me to teach them and of course I responded. But I was blown away by their enthusiasm, their hunger and their talent and I knew I had to document what was happening. So I picked up a video camera for the first time in my life and started filming as I was teaching. I didn’t even realize I was making a film until much later.

You obviously understand the power of the photo, but it is with film where the cause of the children has truly been brought into the public domain. Any other such projects in the pipeline?
I have just self-published my first photography book of my original work from the red-light district called Brothel, which is available on my web site www.zanabriski.com. I do not plan to make another film right now, but I am happily back to my own photography after five years of exclusively focusing on the kids and the film and the non-profit organization I founded, Kids with Cameras. Film is a powerful medium but I am more of a lone photographer than a filmmaker.

Lastly, can you tell us how the children are doing?
The kids are doing very well. Most of them are in school in India and Avijit is finishing his second year of high school in the U.S. One has chosen to be a prostitute but that is her choice and one that I respect.

To find out more about the non-profit organization Kids With Cameras, which is teaching marginalized kids elsewhere in the world about photography, check out www.kids-with-cameras.org.

Ah Beng Says:

Hello all, how are you today? Think you all know me, Ah Beng, because I very famous one. But for those don’t really know—let me tell you, you always see me at local kopitiams or KTV bars downing beer or drive my favorite car (the Honda Civic yellow color, by the way) all over town. My girl, Ah Lian likes all the cute cute things like fashion, shopping and concerts. For me, it’s all about drinking, eating, tattooing and all the fun macho stuff, lah.

Entertainment for Boys

You know, our little city is full of all things Cina and they’re quote cool, OK. Have you all been to the mammoth five-in-one nightlife institution St James Power Station? Wah, I tell you—it’s the biggest and most happening place in Singapore at the moment, and its trendy outlet Dragonfly (St James Power Station, 3 Sentosa Gateway, 6270-7676) is like the best place
for cool Mandopop acts like that ex-Singapore Idol contestant Sylvester Sim and the band Queen, all flying the Cina flag and great to pick up chio bus too. Wah, and I tell you the Sylvester guy his voice is damn power one.

For karaoke-ing, I recommend Mono (St James Power Station, 3 Sentosa Gateway, 6270-7676)—very high-end KTV bar where I can impress the girls with my Jay Chou impression—and that’s where all the chio bus are so captivated by my voice and come talk to me. But I have to say, sometimes too high class not good, so if you want to croon your favorite Mando-,Canto- and Hokko-pop ballads and still wanna be Cina hip head like me (but without the snob factor), go down to K-Box (#08-00 Cineleisure Orchard, 8 Grange Rd., 6756-3113) or Party World (#B1-00 Crown Prince Hotel, 270 Orchard Rd., 6333-6050) to sing your heart out with your friends. Here, hoh, you can find thousands of Chinese hits and pay an average of just like $10 per hour—very affordable right?

After all that KTV-ing, I also like to go chill out with my friends at Dag Thai Disco & KTV Lounge (#B1-01 Golden Mile Complex, 5001 Beach Rd., 6293-9310) and Thai Disco & Karaoke (#02-81 Golden Mile Complex, 5001 Beach Rd., 6295-1611). I say, so what if it’s Thai? All my Cina friends frequent the place week after week, and it’s here where we, 21st century Ah Bengs, get the most kicks when it comes to nightlife. After that, I go chase after more chio bus at Babyface Disco (One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Rd., 6236-5120), where I dance away all night wearing my brand new floral tops and rugged Giorgio Armani jeans.

The same with billiards sia. The very cheem sounding Master Cue Snookerium (#01-02, 5 Marina Grove, 6323-6024) is where I can gawk at chio bus, throw darts and drink beer. The vibe here very happening—I say it’s very underground, but a lot of people also like it for it’s very relaxed atmosphere, leh.

Our Makan Places

But Ah Bengs in general just can’t just survive on chio bus, Cando-pop songs and billiards, right? We’re also human so sometimes we also need to eat. And from our spiritual home in Hong Kong comes the biggest craze since Bubble Tea—called the Cha Can Ting, which basically stands for Hong Kong street cafes, lah. The best hangout places are Sin Wang HK Cafe (#01-04 Marina Sq., 6 Raffles Blvd., 6337-5297) or Tong Shui Cafe (54 Zion Rd., 6737-6946)—quite high class dining one judging from my usual standards—as they serve some of the best instant noodles soup served with luncheon meat, fried egg and the sweetened bread—shiok, ah! Who cares about latte and cappuccino when I can have my own silk milk tea here as well, which I can drink while watching chio bus in their mini-skirts.

But if I want to meet my home boys, hoh, then I usually make an appointment with them at Geylang Lorong 9 for the famous beef hor fun, fried oysters and tau hui (bean curd). Just tell the taxi driver Geylang Lorong 9—they sure know where it is one. If they don’t know what’s going on, ask them to look for me, I hentam (hit) them, OK?

AH LIAN SAYS:

Hello all, my name is Ah Lian. As you know ah, my boyfriend Ah Beng likes all this KTV and showy things like clubbing, but I am bit more cultured, so I prefer other stuff like fashion, the arts, attending concerts, music and watching films. My friends at school always say I a bit of a snob. But aiyah, I am a modern day woman, so I must like a bit more modern things also right?

Entertainment for Girls

I think with the latest slew of Chinese concerts with big names happening all over town—those of you who missed the recent concert by my favorite singer Taiwanese Jolin Tsai, I tell you now that you missed a really happening one—there are a few more shows than you can still check out, so don’t cry OK?

One really good one that I will making a beeline for is the Alan Tam 30th Anniversary Concert (Apr 28, 7:30pm, Singapore Expo—The MAX Pavilion, 1 Expo Drive, 6580-8308), where this grandfather of Canto-pop will belt out Chinese hits like “Friends” and “Love in Autumn.” Tam is the undisputed dancing king, and this concert happens really soon on Apr 28, so go buy your tickets now, OK? But also don’t forget Tam’s counterpart Jacky Cheung’s upcoming concert The Year of Jacky Cheung World Tour (Jul 13-15, Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk, 6344-2660). Cheung is most well-known for his heartrending Chinese ballads. Also a must are the cuties who form the threesome group Grasshoppers, who are performing at the Forever Grasshopper In Concert show (May 19, 8pm, Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk, 6344-2660). These guys are so talented as they sing and dance really well. I’ve liked them since I was, like, 10, so yeah, am really looking forward to the concert where I will scream and sing along until I run out of voice.

For something more old-school, veteran singer Liza Wang will also be performing with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra for the Liza Wang & The Singapore Chinese Orchestra—A Mother’s Day Celebration show (May 11-12, 8pm, Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk, 6344-2660). I think Wang is cool because she epitomizes all there is about glamorous Hong Kong in the olden days—so I will definitely be there to see her outrageous costumes! Kumar, eat your heart out!

Art Retreat

Talking about glamor, I think what’s glamorous and atas (snobbish) these days are the contemporary Chinese artworks that you simply must get your hands on. Prices for these beauties have skyrocketed recently, so I advise you to buy them now before they get even more expensive! Go get Chinese artist Yang Yongsheng’s provocative drawings of the human figure from his exhibition Lost in Thoughts held at Art Seasons Gallery (5 Gemmill Lane, 6221-1800). He explores the human condition, and breaks his paintings down to themes that capture the reality of the silent, secret world that we live in. Wah, cheem (deep), right?

Also check out contemporary artist Ming Jing’s fun and colorful paintings of women, which possess a musical quality that is almost seductive, at Art Retreat (#01-45/47, Lobby C, Ubi Techpark, 10 Ubi Crescent, 6749-0880). More collectible contemporary Chinese artworks can also be had at other cool galleries like Ode to Art (#01-36E/F Raffles City, 252 North Bridge Rd., 6250-1901), as well as the current exhibition Idealism by Zeng Fanzhi at the Singapore Art Museum (71 Bras Basah Rd., 6332-3222), which feature more than 30 works from the great artists’ celebrated series like Hospital, Meat and Mask—sounds interesting, eh?

Fashion and Movies

When it comes to fashion I like the cute stuff only. So I recommend you shop at This Fashion (#01-02 Oriental Plaza, 291 New Bridge Rd., 6324-8260) at Oriental Plaza for girly tops and skirts so that you can look as stylish as me—no problem. This is one of their biggest outlets at Chinatown, so definitely got lots to buy here one. Also check out show haven D & C (#01-20 City Plaza, 810 Geyland Rd.). D & C, which is short for Dot & Comma (so clever, hoh?), near Geylang for some killer shoes. I swear, they’re the best. Oh, City Plaza is also where me and my girlfriends hang out to look for more clothes—trust me OK, you all will like it one.

After all that shopping, I usually get very tired, which is why I like to stay home and watch Chinese TV series and concerts once in a while. I always frequent Visma Video & Trading (#01-21 Pearl’s Centre, 100 Eu Tong Sen St., 6224-9592) because they sell a wide array of Chinese concerts in VCD and DVD formats. A lot of its stock consists of mainland Chinese parallel imports, which makes them more affordable, lah.

Poh Kim (#B1-16 Katong Mall, 6440-6115) is also very good for girls with special needs like me. Its range of TVB (a HK broadcasting station) serials is especially comprehensive, with lots of old ’80s and ’90s serials available. And what’s best, most of them are in Cantonese—so shiok, hoh? Other good VCD stores to check out include TS Video (#01-79E People’s Park Complex, 1 Park Rd., 6538-8550) and Blue Max (#02-47 Chinatown Point, 133 New Bridge Rd., 6438-7412).

Deeper insight into the Cina culture with our very own Broadway Beng

A Day in Chinatown

What would it take to become the next Micky Galliano?
A natural interest in music and production. Really a talent you must be born with or develop at an early age.

We hear that you have hooked up with production outfit Sugar Shake—care to divulge the exciting projects you are working on with them?
I recently worked with them on a remix of the amazing Robert Owens track called “Come Together”—just a special project.

You have worked with so many accomplished DJs such as Pete Heller and David Piccioni to name but a few—anyone left on the wishlist?
Danny Tenaglia and Frankie Knuckles.

What's the most outrageous thing you have ever done?
I was once at DC10, a crazy club in Ibiza, with a group of mad Italian friends. We were all wearing sunglasses and wigs and they introduced me to everyone as the wife of a famous DJ.

What's the worst pick-up line you have ever heard?
Are those mirrors on your shoes? Why? Because I can see myself in your knickers.

Where do you see yourself 10 years?
Still working as a DJ as being surrounded by people and perhaps more time in the studio involved in production.

Any advice for aspiring DJs just starting out?
Believe in yourself and your musical instinct, and try not to give up when times are not so good.

New York-based DJ extraordinaire Satoshi Tomiie first came to everyone’s attention when he collaborated with legendary Frankie Knuckles to create the house classic “Tears.” He has moved on to work on projects like Animatrix, with such luminaries as David Bowie, and has literally partied everywhere in the world.

You started off with the piano and some jazz. What made you take the leap into hip hop and DJing?
I loved playing piano and was really into jazz when I was young, at the same time I was (and I am still) open to new styles of music. Hip hop was introduced in Japan and for some reason it grabbed me and opened the door to dance and electronic music. Later on a lot of hip hop tunes sampled the music I used to listen to (like jazz) and created a totally different form of music which fascinated me.

What can we expect from your new album?
An eclectic collection of dance and electronic music. Almost like producing two 70-odd minutes songs on each disk by using 24 tunes. I spent a lot of time choosing these songs very carefully and put them in the mix with techniques like key matching and reconstructions of loops to make it flow nicely.

Considering that you are joining the illustrious company of DJs such as Hernan Cattaneo and Dave Seaman in delivering this current installment of the prestigious Masters series, did you put more effort into it?
I always put extra effort into all the projects I am involved with. It's an honor to be part of this series and I worked very hard for it just like the other compilations and productions I have done.

As a DJ now based in New York, do you feel any connection with the scene back in Japan?
I have been residing in New York throughout my entire professional career and I go back to Tokyo three or four times per year. The foundation of my musical taste was established in Japan and even though I don't live there, my spiritual home is still Tokyo.

Outside Europe and the US, where in the world do you get really excited about playing?
Argentina. Without any hesitation or a doubt, the best crowd of the world to me. Simply amazing.

(Top Row, Left to Right)

Entitled the Orange Slice Chair, this is a must for those die-hard citrus fans who want to bring their love for Vitamin C to another stylish level. $4,590 from Mod.Living.

Tree-huggers can now bring their work home in the form of this lamp. Not sure how easy it would be to commune with it though. $903 from Haier Living Styling Haus.

Deforestation getting too much for you? Get this stand to fill that big hole in your environmentalist heart.
$599-969 from STYLE:NORDIC.

Think back to nature, The Blair Witch Project-style—this lamp will have you reeling in delight. $2,630 from Mod.Living.

(Middle Row, Left to Right)

Irritating pigeon feeders can now do it in their own homes. Bird feed not included. $650 from Air.

This mollusk-inspired fan is testament that being a slimy-slug-ologist has never been cooler. $700-1,000 from X·TRA RESORT.

Safari maniacs will dig this metal elephantine tusked lamp immediately. $4,770 from Mod.Living.

Certainly One for the botanists. Who needs to live in a tree when you have this? $4,695 from STYLE:NORDIC.

(Last Row, Left to Right)

The tulip range is one where floral-empowered hippies can rest their organic posteriors and think up their next big plan to save Mother Nature. Chair, $7,200, Ottoman $2,320 from Mod.Living.

For those who dig nature’s out-of-this world side, this hardcore chair from Moroso’s Fairytale Collection is just for you. $10,200 from Mod.Living.

Those more interested in the consciousness-altering properties of the natural world should try out this psychedelic tree which would have made Austin Powers proud. $1,200 from Haier Living Styling Haus.

Address Book

Air, #01-18 Park Mall, 9 Penang Rd., 6352-7307.
Haier Living Styling Haus, 105 Amoy St., 6441-3345.
Mod.Living, #02-01/08 Odeon Towers, 331 North Bridge Rd., 6336-2286.
STYLE:NORDIC, 39 Ann Siang Rd., 6423-9114.
X·TRA RESORT, #02-01 Park Mall, 9 Penang Rd., 6339-4664.

Yes people, this jazz institution returns to delight everyone from those jazz junkies to people just wanting to chill-out on Sat evenings. It goes without saying that the location is perfect, situated on the white sands of Siloso Beach, with some delectable cocktails and finger food on offer from the Cool Deck cocktail bar—this is great for people looking to take time out from the Big Smoke.

The jazz is pretty divine too. Different jazz maestros will be gracing the beach with their take on this great art form each week. On Apr 21 jazz funk specialists Greg Lyons, with his band the Groove Monsters, will be upping the energy quotient. Hailing originally from ole’ Blighty, Lyons is now a regular on the local scene having performed with the likes of Terumasa Hino and Jeremy Monteiro. Renowned for being a dab hand at the saxophone, you can expect his music to be heavily influenced by the Afro-Cuban and Latin heritage upon which much of jazz is heavily dependent, blended in with his new experiences in the region to create a personal take on world music which is deep in improvisation.

You should definitely come back for seconds on Apr 28 when Singapore-based veteran drummer Louis Soliano and Friends will be closing this current series. He has worked with the some of the biggest names ever such as Stan Getz, Sarah Vaughn and Buddy Rich. An acknowledged vocalist, and an immensely accomplished drummer (voted best drummer in Asia by the magazine Downbeat in the 1970s), his unique soundscapes will delight your ears as you lie back and enjoy the setting sun.

Although it ends this month, have no fear, as this killer-combo of awesome jazz, with sun, sand and sea, will be back again in Sep.

This offering by W!ld Rice is the second time Noel Coward’s comic masterpiece has appeared on our stage. Adapted to local tastes, the play is about how the spirit of an ex-wife is accidentally summoned and proceeds to vent her jealous fury on her ex-husband and his new wife. We ask Tan Kheng Hua, who stars as Elvira the dead wife, to explain her mischievous, out-of-the-world shenanigans.

So tell us, has death changed your view of the world?
Oh yes—I’m thoroughly enjoying being even more selfish and manipulative than I was when I was living simply because i now know for certain—live your life like there’s no tomorrow!

Who is the most interesting dead person you have met?
Joan of Arc was rather fun—much more fun than the books or movies ever put her out to be. But her hairstyle really needs a makeover.

Does it hurt when someone puts their hands through you?
Oh no—in fact, it’s rather ticklish!

There must be some dead eligible hunks on the other side for someone so good looking as yourself? We are thinking James Dean, River Phoenix…
You underestimate my love for my dear hubby Charles, darling. I may be dead, but I have real feelings! And I’m only a slut when I need to make him jealous.

For the broken-hearted out there, what are your tips on how to make your ex truly suffer?
Make him realize how much he loved you—now that he’s lost you!

Finally tell us a secret about the other side—can you walk around naked over there?
I have to!!! I only have the one outfit I died in! How absolutely boring!!!! When I’m back for my revisit, remind me to make a quick stop to VivoCity.