How’s the tour circuit for you guys these days?
The energy has been great.  We are very fortunate to play shows and have people singing along to every word.

It must be tough for bands to have members coming and going. Tell us about your experience.
It definitely isn't easy.  I think that Taking Back Sunday is the happiest and strongest it has ever been.  The time John and I spent away from the band made all five of us realize how much we need each other to succeed and excel creatively.

Your fans loved your TAYF10 Anniversary Tour in 2012. Why did you guys decide to do it?
We did the TAYF10 Anniversary tour because we genuinely felt so lucky to still be creating music together ten years after Tell All Your Friends was released.  We wanted to celebrate that record and how it changed all of our lives.

Step back for a moment to the '90s. What would the “past you” say to yourself now?
I'd say, "Hang in there kid, you will have everything you've ever wanted.  Everything you are going through now is a small price to pay for what is to come."

Is there a fan that has impressed Taking Back Sunday so much they'll never be forgotten?
There are a group of fans that have named themselves "The Randos".  They are the best.  They travel thousands of miles to come to tons of shows all around the US, bake us treats, hang out all day, defend us from internet bullies and never ask for anything in return.

If Taking Back Sunday woke up one day as an all-female band, how would you style yourselves?
I'd want to find myself attractive so I'd style myself like my wife. Long dark hair with lots of tattoos; tight jeans with vintage T-shirts or cute dresses.

How real is the Amityville Horror?
100% FALSE!  I think people can be unaware of how powerful and devastating mental illness is.

What does Taking Back Sunday not want to be labeled as?
Nostalgia.

Listening to TAYF10, why does it get so emotional on stage for Taking Back Sunday?
We felt such a strong connection with the intimate crowd that we were so close to.  Everyone was singing along so loudly we were touched and just grateful to be up there playing those songs.

What are you most thankful for in the past 15 odd years?
There are so many amazing things that have happened to me it's hard to list.  I'm thankful for my beautiful wife, my amazing son, my great family and friends.  I'm thankful for the record we are about to release and all the amazing people we have working for us.  I'm thankful for our new home at Hopeless Records and looking forward to a bright future with them.

Taking Back Sunday performs at *SCAPE on March 2. 7pm. Tickets from $58-$68.

The call-to-action social campaign "Put It On Friend Mode" is now here. Initiated by four friends from NTU's Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, this social movement comes with a simple request for everyone to be better friends. The team tells us what sets them apart.

Tell us what the movement's aim is.

The main objective is to instill social awareness among people in Singapore about using mobile phones in social settings. While mobile phones enable us to connect with friends and family, they can conversely cause a disconnect when used excessively around each other.

The types of behavior the movement targets include the following: gaming, browsing the internet, idly browsing Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, taking photos of food and proceeding to edit them, being absorbed in a text conversation, and in general paying unnecessary attention to your phone at the expense of loved ones.

How has the response been?

Our friends were supportive of this movement, even in spite of some initial doubt that it would take off. Many have said our movement has been a great reminder for them to change their anti-social habits. We have received an amazing response from our campus visits. Through these roadshows, our online efforts and word-of-mouth, we have garnered more than 1800 pledges to date.

The people we approached to be a part of our campaign also believe in the need for such a cause. Many of the cafe owners not only agreed with the cause, but even suggested some interesting ideas that we could adopt.

We were initially doubtful that we would get support of YouTube personalities, but the Tree Potatoes proved us wrong - they not only took time to speak with us, they also agreed to be involved in one of our videos, "10 Ways to Get Your Friends Off Their Phones".

So are you guys leading by example at social gatherings?

We don't like to follow after hypocrites. We would say that prior to launching this campaign, some of us were guilty of using our phones unnecessarily. Now that we are part of this campaign, we have taken it upon ourselves to practice what we preach, and to always "Put It On Friend Mode" (i.e. phones face-down) when we are with our friends and families. In any case, failure to do so will always be met with threats to have photographs of us taken and posted on Stomp. We take these threats very seriously. So the answer is yes—we strive to lead by example.

It is unfortunately very challenging for our generation of people not to utilize our phones in front of others. We know that technology has given us quick and convenient entertainment, and technology has become so mobile. 

Did you have any reservations about people’s reaction at being told what to do?

We decided not to turn it into something revolving around etiquette. People tend to shut down easily when you tell them what to do. You won't find anything that goes along the angle of “being polite”. The social movement encourages people to think of friendship and relationships. A question we would like people to ask themselves is: "When did we begin allowing our phones to take higher importance than the people we care for, who are right before us?"

Are you planning to bring “Put It On Friend Mode” to greater heights? 

We will continue to engage with those who are with us on our Facebook page for 2014. We hope to see "Friend Mode Day" become an annual affair. 

Check out their Facebook page to find out more about the initiative.

A great night out is… great music and a few drinks with great friends.

What doesn't kill you makes you… smarter.

If not for DJ-ing… I'd probably never get to see Singapore.

In New York… it's REALLY cold right now!

To have lived is to… have loved. Obvious, but true.

If I could turn back time… I wouldn't change much.

Kids these days… want to be famous & popular without putting in the necessary work.

There is no one like…​ Mom!

DJ Spinbad will perform at V³ by KU DÉ TA and Grey Goose on Mar 8, 9pm till late. $38 at the door.

How would you describe the nightlife scene in Singapore?
Vibrant, ever-evolving and definitely world class!  Musically, it's one of the fastest growing in Asia. Commercial EDM is quite prevalent, but more classic and fringe sounds are starting to really make a move here.  There are more and more clubs knocking out some fantastic sounds lately and bringing a more underground feel to it all. It used to be small, dark and unknown clubs that played the more underground and traditional house, but now it’s starting to get a real go here.  Singapore’s nightlife scene definitely ranks high on my list.

Best set ever?
It would have to be when I headlined alongside former world number one DJ Paul Oakenfold last year. He’s one of the reasons why I got into deejaying in the 1990s.  So it was definitely a significant night for me, to be able to finally stand and play next to a legend who for the most part got me into [the scene].  That night, the crowd was absolutely off the hook and the energy was amazing too!

You’re known to be a self-taught DJ. How did you start teaching yourself? Would you like to be teaching one day?
I started watching other DJs and their techniques at clubs and on videos—well before YouTube! I also got friendly with a few DJs who let me watch and party with them near the booth at their gigs.

Then, I started DJing in high school, doing house parties with my parent’s home stereo system and a couple of CD players—well before I could afford proper gear!

To me, it’s not about what specific tracks you play. It’s about creating and building a vibe, reading what the crowd wants, responding to it, and then teasing them with that. I’ve often been asked to play a certain sort of music at clubs, and I do that only to realize it’s not working. So you need to shift about and be dynamic. It’s the DJ who is creating the vibe and mood and a large part of how vibrant the night is depends on the DJ’s performance.  To me, to be able to move the crowd is what gives DJing a real sense of enjoyment.

From time to time, I’ve helped and coached up-and-coming DJs who are really into music and are passionate about the craft.  But I don’t think I’d ever teach per se.

Do you prefer an indoor or outdoor set? Why?
Very hard question! I do enjoy indoor sets where people are fixated on the DJ and the music. But outdoor sets and beach party style events bring a completely different vibe and it’s much more of a party.

I’ve played at some amazing places around the world for outdoor events, and the ones where you’re banging out an amazing set on top of a cliff overlooking an ocean are pretty special moments. There’s also something deeply emotional about playing dance music to a crowd of people as you see the sun creeping over the horizon at dawn.

Is there a certain level of competitiveness when it comes to the DJ circuit? Or is everyone too tipsy to care?
Yes, there is certainly a level of it given that there are so many DJs out there now. It's always a challenge to break into new markets where your name isn't well known.  Also, it’s a very personal kind of career in that people either like you, or they don’t. Not everyone is going to like your music or your style, irrespective of whether they appreciate your talent. So, it's important to be able to accept that.  And with that, competitiveness comes the personalities!

DJ Modium will be spinning the closing set of Tanjong Beach's Full Steam Ahead on March 29 from 2-4am. Free.

This play is touted to be one of the best this year. Tell us more about it.
Well, that’s because I'm in it. (laughs) The play boasts an amazing cast of women. We are working with a chorus of 30 women, so you can expect plenty of power on stage. It's going to be exciting with all that feminine energy in one place. 

Do you think you have suppressed desires yourself? 
No, I don't think so. Or if I do, I'm not going to tell...

The plot’s cleverly transposed into Peranakan society. Was it the best fit for the tale?
Yes, I think it works. I feel there are a lot of similarities between Peranakan culture and the world in Lorca's play. The religious aspect works, and the idea of how things "look" (so important to Bernarda) or what we call "face" is really the same thing. Bernarda's snobbery, that none of the men in the village are of the right class for her daughters, reminds me of stories told about the old Peranakan families that would not allow marriage with a non-Peranakan. Costume-wise, I think the use of lace is prominent in both cultures.

If director Garcia Lorca was still alive today, what do you think he would say? 
I hope that he would be happy that his play is still relevant and being staged in a land so far. This adaptation/translation of the play is by one of our finest playwrights Chay Yew. His words are pure poetry and an absolute joy to learn.

People see you in a variety of genres on stage and television, notably comedy. How difficult is it for you to play all these different characters?
I feel very lucky to be working in a job that I enjoy so much. Some jobs are easier than others, but they are all good. I long for more work, as I am happiest when I am working. Recently though, it feels like the parts are fewer and less forthcoming. So, anyone reading this who can cast me, please do.

In a 2010 interview with I-S magazine, you mentioned that you’d repeal Section 377A if you were Prime Minister for a week. What are your thoughts about the level of openness and tolerance to homosexuality in Singapore these days?
I'd like to think that we are more tolerant and [better] these days. Of course, there will always be the [preachers] who think their way is the only way. The recent controversy about the Health Promotion Board FAQ was a great and wonderful thing. Just the fact it’s present is a sign of the times. It's only a matter of time before people realize it is purely equality.

What’s the meaning of life for an artist like you and what keeps you grounded?
Love, living my life with love. Remembering to be grateful for what I have. 

Many artists have looked overseas for opportunities. What do you have to say to them for plying their trade elsewhere?
Yes, go, by all means, go. Artists cannot be confined by borders. The world is a stage. I hope they come back though, like I did, when the time is right.

If there’s one thing you’d have done differently when you first started out, what would it be?
Ok, this has nothing to do with performing. I trained as a lawyer in NUS before I studied acting. I was always looking to go back to law at some point but it just never happened. I would have liked to be called up to the bar and working as a litigator at some point. Maybe it's not too late?

If you woke up as a man and stayed that way for a week, what would you do?
I cannot think of a single thing that a man can do in this day and age that a woman cannot. What a wonderful world we live in. Except maybe for one thing—pee standing.

Neo Swee Lin performs in The House of Bernarda Alba at the  Drama Centre Theatre, National Library. March 12-29. $45-75 from Sistic.

Tell us again, how did the name Mogwai come about? 
(chuckles) We got it from the film Gremlins—there’s not much of a story to be honest.

It’s been about 17 years now. Are your fans growing old with you or are you finding new ones?
I think both. There have been a lot of people listening to us since we started as well as new people who have discovered us along the way. People our age, older and younger as well, which is great.

How has the musical landscape changed since you started in 1995?
It’s definitely changed. It’s much easier for people to obtain music when they can do it online. Back then, any song you wanted to hear, you had to buy the record—it was much simpler. However, it would be much harder for us to get known outside Europe and America hadn’t it been for the Internet. I think there’s more good than bad.

Is touring a breeze now that you’ve had so much experience or otherwise?
It’s neither hard nor easy. Yes, I think there are some parts that are still difficult--it’s still pretty tiring to travel. 

Do you make it a point to stay in shape?
Sometimes we do. The last tour I did a lot of running. Maybe this time I’ll do it again.

Do you have someone taking care of your diet?
No, we do all that ourselves when we feel like doing it!

Your most memorable moment on stage?
(laughs) No one has thrown anything on stage! A few times people will come on the stage, but most of it is because they’re drunk and come off as more annoying than memorable. I think the good experiences come from playing really good concerts—first time we ever played our big gig was opening for Pavement, that was really special.

How long do you guys plan to make music?
As long as people are interested in hearing the music—that’s the main thing. It’s not physically demanding to play music.

In interviews, you typically describe your music as “just a piece of music, there isn’t much meaning to it”. Tell us more about that.
Yes that’s true. The music has meaning to us but it’s hard to describe it to the listeners. You can’t possibly describe it in just a few sentences to them.

How is your new album "Rave Tapes" different from your previous records?
I think it’s a different record from the ones before. There’s a little bit more spark and electronic sounds to it.

The band cut an album called “Zidane” back in 2006. Are you guys big fans of football?
Yeah we are! But I think only Martin plays actively these days. I support Celtic, the biggest club in Scotland. 

Mogwai performs at Hostess Club Weekender on Feb 22. $118 from eventClique. Door sales at $150. For more information, check out their Facebook page.

The good:

+ Top quality construction and aesthetics that reference classical lines, making it a real head-turner.
+ The most modern scooter engine on the market—designed and manufactured in Pontedera, Italy.
+ The three-valve engine gives an improved performance of 7.1 percent in power output and 10.3 percent in torque, giving better pickup overall.
+ Light aluminium body, increasing fuel efficiency.
+ Optional storage box to fix to the rear.

The bad:

- Pricey compared to others within its range.
- The 125cc-engine limits cruise speeds, especially on highways.
- Extremely scarce—only six have arrived in Singapore.

Verdict: This machine is undeniably stunning, both inside and out; perfect for anyone who wants the classic look without having to maintain a real antique. Yes, it’s pricey compared to the direct competition, but it’s still a damn sight cheaper than a car.

Available for $16,946 from Ai De Hua, 19 Genting Rd., 6547-4466. Call to make a booking or enquiry.