I never wanted to do music professionally.

I enjoyed making music when I was younger but I only did it because that was the only way to get girls.

Music was always the thing I breathed. When I was younger, I was a lot more arrogant and brash. I missed a lot of opportunities but now I’m bringing it all back to one goal and that is to build something that would make people’s lives better.

If you look at my Facebook profile, it says, “Terry Lee is a Singaporean music producer.” I think it’s great being a Singaporean in the 21st century.

I did a presentation for the MDA [Media Development Authority] last year for grants. But these people probably figured I was too young to be running a business and to ask for that much money.

I needed that money to start this thing called Hotel Supastar. I wanted to set up a business for young Singaporeans to live the life that I’ve lived. I am a little more privileged in the sense that I’ve had the opportunity to be abroad and I have very international influences. I’ve had the opportunity to see a lot.

I tried to tell the MDA that Singaporeans have the right Asian sensibility as well as a very global perspective on things. I wanted to groom a bunch of kids that have this type of mentality; that has always been my whole thing.

There’s this kid in Singapore; I call him Zique. Zique does my work and while I’m working on some songs for Vanness (Wu) from F4, Zique will work on a drum track.

I’m slowly picking kids to take over my work. Rather than go out and picking someone out from Taiwan, I try to pick these local kids and bring them with me.

If you don’t explore your options, you’ll get stuck in Singapore and you’ll really start to think that getting played on Perfect 10 translates into making it big.

I remember the first time I had my song on Perfect 10 and I thought I’d made it big. Then I remember my second and third songs on Perfect 10 and eventually, I reached a point where I’d stopped counting and realized I still took the bus.

There are a few places in Asia that are the hotspots. One is Singapore, which is quickly becoming the new Hong Kong. The other is China. China is not going to grow as fast as Singapore because they have to deal with demographic and social issues before they can even start worrying about sub-cultures like Pop Art. I think Singapore is almost there.

Singapore musicians are the best in Asia. Period. When I started working in Taiwan, all I ever heard was how good some of our Singaporean musicians are.

You hear a lot of different opinions about me but I’ve never screwed anyone. I put it on my grandfather’s grave; I’ve never screwed anybody. Usually people who say I’ve screwed them are the people who don’t want to work harder for themselves. I have very high standards. Most people cannot keep up and those that do, do very well.

I am the Dalai Lama.

I don’t smoke, I don’t drink and I don’t go out late nights clubbing. I quit smoking two years ago. Funnily enough, after I quit my vices, my work really started to take off.

Admiralty Park Riverside Rd., 1800-471-7300.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve 177 Hindhede Dr., 6471-7361.

Dairy Farm Nature Park 100 Dairy Farm Rd., 1800-471-7300.

Punggol Park Junction of Hougang Ave. 8 & 10, 1800-471-7300.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve 301 Neo Tiew Crescent, 6794-1401.

Zhenghua Park Bounded by Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE), the BKE slip road to Kranji Expressway (KJE) and Dairy Farm Rd., 1800-471-7300.

What is the show about?
The vibrant chaos and contradictions of modern India form the backdrop to what is essentially a romantic thriller. It’s a story that is full of outrageous humor, spine-chilling tension and heart-breaking beauty. That is its relevance. It appeals to our humanity.

We love chai! What’s its significance to the play?
The Guru of Chai is the nickname given to the unreliable narrator of this epic tale. Kutisar is a chai wallah (tea seller)—part salesman, part shaman, part conman and a wholly charming but dubious spiritual guide. As he draws us into his story he also brews a pot of chai. Each ingredient punctuates a critical moment in the tale and by the end of the show, the steaming hot cup of spicy sweet chai he pours is filled with significance for us all.
What or who are the scene stealers of the show?
There are certain moments of magic that are woven into the narrative. These are the times where you hear an audible “how did he do that?” gasp from the audience and witness their child-like delight. But even more satisfying are the moments of imaginative magic. These include the combined imaginations of performer and musician and audience work to create a crowded railway station, a frenzied cock fight a conversation with the moon.

What concepts are addressed in The Guru of Chai?
Who has the ultimate power over what we make of our lives, the dangers of keeping your soul locked in a cage and the quest for love in a dispassionate world are just a few.

How is the tale conveyed through you?
I play Kutisar, the Guru, who is the storyteller and our guide into the world of the play. He evokes all the characters, locations and atmospheres with the aid of a few simple props and the support of a rich musical soundscape provided by his long suffering disciple, Dave.

What did it take for you and the team to prepare for something like this?
We took two years to put a show together. When you take that long, you don’t really prepare for the role; the role prepares for you. But the real key to my character is a set of hideous, fake teeth. They are a sort of miniature mask. They completely transform me and enable me to “channel the Guru.”

How will we feel after watching the show?
I hope you leave feeling that your soul has been nourished and with an inexplicable craving for a cup of tea.

Experience a state of enlightenment with The Guru of Chai on Jan 19-29, 4pm, 8pm at the DBS Arts Centre, 20 Merbau Rd., 6733-8166. $35-40 from Sistic.

MaxSwing Indoor Golf #04-30 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6509-0200.

Queen’s Golf 60 Jalan Penjara, 6471-0555.

Laguna Golf 11 Laguna Golf Green, 6542-6888.

Marina Bay Golf Course #01-01, 80 Rhu Cross, 6345-7788.

Range-On-Grass 200 Turf Club Rd., 9711-4327.

City Golf #61-01 One Raffles Place, 1 Raffles Plc., 6536-4846.

Singapore Island Country Club 180 Island Club Rd., 6459-2222.

Orchid Country Club 1 Orchid Club Rd., 6755-9811.

Warren Golf & Country Club 81 Choa Chu Kang Way, 6760-6616.

Seletar Country Club 3 Park Lane, 6481-4812.

One way Singapore proves its mettle as a cosmopolitan city is by drawing inspiration from around the world and mixing elements of the old world with modern influences. According to Marie-Helene Piederiet, co-owner of Indian antique furniture store the Past Perfect Collection, mixing and matching different styles and eras has never been more popular. “Antique pieces can work well against a modern styled room, creating depth with contrasting elements. Similarly, pretty much any piece of antique furniture can be given a new lease of life with just some modern re-upholstery. You can use your creativity to combine two different styles of design and eventually have your home looking reinvented and fashionable,” she says. Interested in creating your own eclectic living environment? Get inspiration and antique-buying tips (as well as prices, which are typically only available on application) from the following establishments.

Just Anthony
Founded by Anthony Lee more than 30 years ago, Just Anthony maintains a fine collection of antiques from the Shianxi and Teochew provinces that are well suited for big spaces. Lee continues to spend much of his time in China hunting for prized dynasty pieces and overseeing restoration works at a factory in Guangzhou. At his shop, you can find stone statues, horse shoe chairs, marble chests and even panels from what used to be giant palace doors. “My father occasionally uncovers pieces that are in such perfect condition, they don’t need any restoration work at all,” says his daughter Danielle Lee, who also runs the store.
Look out for: Beautiful handpainted silk wall coverings illustrating classic Chinese landscapes ($340).
Where it’s at: 379 Upper Paya Lebar Rd., 6283-4782.

Akemi Gallery
Japan’s long history of isolation makes for some truly unique designs. Reflecting the simple aesthetic beliefs of Japanese artisans, the gallery showcases furniture as well as ceramic and lacquer accessories that fit perfectly with modern living environments. In keeping with the sensitive way in which the Japanese portray their culture, be it the way they display the obi (a sash used in traditional Japanese dress) or set the dining table, Akemi also offers a complimentary service to advise you on the right way to match and present accessories and furniture.
Look out for: A katana tansu (storage unit) used in the homes of warriors for keeping sword blades.
Where it’s at: #02-06 Tanglin Shopping Center, 19 Tanglin Rd., 6735-6315.

Learn how to care for your antiques

China Collection
Australian expat Anna Lockett was living in Hong Kong in the 80s when her passion for antique Chinese furniture first took hold. Today, she continues to go on regular buying trips to China with her son Doug in search of beautifully crafted works up to 200 years old. While Lockett prides herself on maintaining the original finishes of the furniture as much as possible, she’s willing to occasionally modify pieces in order to keep them relevant for modern living spaces. Here, you can find intricately carved and painted wooden screens and other rustic furniture options.
Look out for: A 100-year-old red lacquer trunk from Shanxi province.
Where it’s at: #01-08 Citilink Warehouse Complex, 102E Pasir Panjang Rd.,
6235-1905.

House of Huanghuali
Named after a type of rosewood commonly used in ancient China to make chests and cupboards, the House of Huanghuali recently moved out of its space in Alexandra, bringing with it a collection of antique furniture that at first glance, looks just like any other in Singapore. What draws us back here however, is their selection of eccentric paintings as well as sculptures and tribal masks originating from the Northern Wei period and the Qing Dynasty.
Look out for: Light rosewood chair meant for the “official hats” of the kingdom.
Where it’s at: #01-08/09/10, Blk. 1001 Jalan Bukit Merah, 6733-5843.

Adityaa Homes
Entrepreneur Kalay R. has stocked her gallery with original period furniture from Southern India, showcasing exquisite teak and rosewood surfaces on classic items like the traditional marital four poster bed. Admirers of the Maharajah’s impeccable taste can select from a range of age-old pieces such as pillars, cupboards, desks and chairs in bronze, brass and granite accents. With her experience in resort-style furnishing, Kalay is also able to tailor your buys for your home.
Look out for: A swing made of rosewood, said to signify a state of bliss and detachment from everyday concerns.
Where it’s at: #03-01 Tagore Bldg., 6 Tagore Dr., 9067-3672.

Past Perfect Collection
Owners Pieter Van Houten and Marie-Helene Piederiet lived in India for five years, giving them valuable insight into the period-style furniture they stock in the gallery, which ranges from romantic Indo-Portuguese to Dutch colonial style pieces. The antiques are typically made of hardwoods such as rosewood, mahogany, teakwood, satinwood and ebony, and display intricate carvings that make them the talking point of any living room.
Look out for: An Anglo-Indian ivory and rosewood dressing box circa 1880s ($3750).
Where it’s at: 480 River Valley Rd., 6737-3078.

Caring for your antiques

• Refrain from storing your furniture in a damp room like the basement. Maintain constant temperature and use a dehumidifier.
• Sunlight can turn a clear finish yellow even without direct exposure. Apply a UV-filtering film on your windows.
• Termites and wood beetles are a collector’s biggest nemesis. Pay for professional fumigation as often as possible.
• • Avoid surface damage by using coasters, mats and trivets, and preventing direct contact with very hot or cold items.
• Use a good quality paste wax to wax the wood. Don’t use typical lemon oil solutions like Pledge because they leave a residue. [TOP]

 As the cult show gears up for its debut staging in Singapore, leads Haley Flaherty and Richard Meek (who play lovebirds Janet and Brad respectively) tell I-S that Rocky Horror Show is above all, a lesson on being the person you want to be.

What does it take for you to get into character?
Haley Flaherty: It’s so easy. I just do the vocal exercises and stretches, head into makeup and wardrobe and I’m her! It’s so much fun.
Richard Meek: The minute I’ve got my glasses on, I’m Brad—it’s so quick.

Really. So what’s your favorite scene?
HF: I’d say my favorite bit is the opening of Act Two, which has the bedroom scenes.

Which character do you like most besides the one you play?
HF: I quite like Riff Raff, the old butler in the castle. He commands the operations and yet he has to submit to Dr. Frank N. Furter.
RM: Of course I like Dr. Frank. He’s just got all the fantastic songs. Anyone would love to play him; he’s so horrible yet so wonderful.

We have to say; the show has quite a reputation here. Aren’t there any moral lessons we can take from it?
HF: It definitely teaches you to always have fun and be what you want to be. It reminds you to really enjoy life.
RM: Yeah, you shouldn’t just hold on to your dreams. The musical visualizes the concept of freedom so well. If you want it, go for it and do it! I have no idea why the show was banned. I understand that some of the topics in it are quite risqué. But while it is sexually free, it is also humorous.

Describe The Rocky Horror Show in three words.
HF: Fun, crazy, different.
RM: Funny, sexy, loud.

Catch the show Jan 5-16, 3pm, 8pm at the Esplanade Theatre, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377. $68-148 from Sistic.