One of Detroit techno's most distinct pioneers Kenny Larkin, has created some major waves in the electronic dance music industry. Mandy Lynn finds out his poison isn't necessarily a drink.

I can play... a game of golf–just slightly!

When I’m old, I want to… be young again.

I don’t believe in fantasizing because… why fantasize when you can have the real thing?

Alcohol is… not my thing.

Fashion is… anything you have the balls to get away with.

My poison is... Fast cars.

The last time I danced was… damn! When was the last time I danced?!

When I have time, I like to… catch up on dorky stuff like reading.

I get bitchy when… I don't get my way.

I cannot imagine a world without… music, of course. And homies!

If I wasn’t a DJ, I would be a… comedian.

Catch Kenny Larkin at the first of the Cadenza Showcase party series, June 9 at Velvet Underground

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Singapore isn't short on pilates studios so if you're working on a leaner, meaner body, here are some to consider.

Getting fit and staying in shape is never easy—yes, round may be a shape, but not an attractive one. While running, biking and all that may be a solution, the recent climate hike’s a real put off. Work towards that flexible and toned bod with pilates, which promotes physical and mental harmony without aggravating injuries.

Core Fitness

Core Fitness focuses on rehabilitation pilates and sees you through recovery. Instructors take the time to access and carefully diagnose your injury before recommending a treatment. This personal touch really does work wonders in aiding recovery.

Pilates Bodyworks

Established by Alvin Giam, one of the most experienced Pilates trainers in Singapore as certified by the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), Pilates Bodyworks is great for beginners thanks in large part to their customized one-on-one programs. Another plus point is its location in the heart of the CBD, so even the busiest workaholics can nip out for a lunchtime quickie.

Pilates Fitness

Find a range of pilates classes here targeted to solve your every need. Pilates Fitness is the first and, they claim, the only pilates studio in Singapore to provide pilates classes specifically designed for weight loss, athletes and young people.

PowerMoves Pilates in the Park

The lush greenery that surrounds PowerMoves Pilates in the Park gives you the best of both worlds: a scenic natural landscape and the cool comfort of an indoor pilates studio. Multiple winner of Most Beautiful Pilates Studio (by Expat Living, Shape and Singapore Tatler), this holistic healthcare center is set amid a tropical garden that oozes serenity, making it easy for you to renew your mind and redevelop your body.

Sky Pilates

Winner of Best Pilates Studio in our Readers’ Choice Awards 2012 and one of Singapore’s largest machine-based studios, Sky Pilates is unique in its range of courses, from golfer’s classes to improve your swing to Gyrotonic expansion system sessions that combine yoga, dance and (even) tai chi.

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With so many amazing things to do outdoors this summer, you’re bound to feel the heat at some point. Cool it down with the best frozen margaritas (made with 100% blue agave tequila!) at these Singapore bars.

Café Iguana
Step into this restaurant and there’s no way you’ll doubt its authenticity. From handicraft artwork displays and multicolored décor to their impressive list of tequilas, the vibe here is pretty authentic as you sip a frozen margarita by the river—alfresco style. Don’t miss their signature margarita, Iguanarita ($15 per glass), that has handcrafted Iguana lager—sounds weird, but it’s rather potent. Another must-have, Ultimate ($25 per glass), uses only the best ingredients like Cointreau orange liqueur and choice tequila, El Charro Añejotequila—trust us, you can taste the difference.

Margarita’s
Having been in the scene for over a decade, this place needs no introduction. Weekends see this joint packed to the brim by noon. With a variety of over 30 tequilas, including exclusive premium brands found nowhere else in town, such as Patron Gran Burdeos ($120 per shot)–distilled thrice, it’s the world’s number one ultra-premium tequila; this bar arguably serves the best margaritas in town. The tamarind margarita ($16 per glass) is one of our favorites—sweet with the just right amount of sour, it is one margarita that’s hard to put down. You won’t find this on the menu though, it’s our little secret (but now you know).

Piedra Negra
Edgy and vibrant, this alley bar is popular for its live music and margaritas. All the favorites here—strawberry, mango, lime and pineapple (all $13 per glass)—are concocted with Sauza Hornitos tequila—distilled twice, which makes it extremely smooth. In true Mexican spirit, Cactus Berry and Electric Margarita (also $13) are strong stuff—five varieties of alcohol in a mixture so exotically delicious, it makes you want to fly to Mexico just to have a go at the real thing.

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From underage mobile DJ to EDM DJ, the artist-producer behind the seminal ‘90s dance tune “Higher State of Consciousness” takes five with Mandy Lynn.

If i wasn’t a DJ, i’d be… a doctor or a chef.

The best thing about being a DJ is… I get to travel the world and do what makes me happy.

Complete these sentences. I often regret… that I don’t live somewhere with a tropical climate.

I like it rough when… I get a massage.

My poison of choice is… foot rubs.

The last time I danced… was at my birthday gig in Philly last week.

Alcohol is… for people that want to get naked.

Get a taste of Josh Wink’s electro tech and experimental house on June 1 at Zouk.

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Android users frustrated with the limited features of Instagram have other free options. Mandy Lynn picks five of the best.

HDR Camera
With three shots in one snap, this app allows you to preen and pose for three different expressions—or stay still and get the clearest shot. Adding to the fun are three custom adjustments that allow you to edit your photos with warm and soft vintage colors. And if that’s not enough, this app lets you further enhance your photos by adjusting color vividness, exposure, contrast and such, for that bronzed goddess look you’ve been dying to achieve.

Little Photo
Don’t be fooled by the name—this one packs a big punch. Despite having over 70 filters (gasp!) with three more additions early last month (Mental Fire, D-229 and Rolling), there’s as much quality as quantity. Handy tools like bokeh allow you to blur parts of a photo in greater detail than the typical Instagram tilt shift function. Also, we really like the “half apply” feature that lets you control the intensity of the photo filter you’ve selected. Now how cool is that?

Lomo Camera
This snappy app features six filters: lomo, rusty, polaroid, paper, dreams (very psychedelic) and film. While the filters are nothing monumental, this app does let you take self-portrait shots (unlike Instagram for Android). But what’s the point of a great shot if you can only keep it to yourself? This app allows you to share your photos instantly on Facebook and Twitter.

Magic Hour
Featuring 40 preset filters and 20 frames and vignettes to start with, this nifty little app lords over Instagram with the ability to change focus both within and outside the tilt shift area. Other cool tools include customizing your own filters by layering presets, and downloading and sharing unlimited filters from Filter Market. And that’s not all. The best part is its ability to adjust the intensity of almost everything—from contrast to vignettes and even textures!

Pudding Camera
To say this app has a nice appearance would be an understatement. It also offers a variety of stunning filters and effects that clearly rival Instagram. Choose from eight camera styles: basic, snap, panorama, fantasy, motion 2×2, motion x4, fish-eye and triplex. What’s more, filters such as vignette, dazzle and vintage brown will give you photos so beautiful you’ll start thinking about going pro.

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Hip underground DJ, Steve Aoki, has transformed electro house music with his rap and rock punk roots. He talks robotic science with Mandy Lynn.

If I were an animal, I’d be a… pterodactyl.

I smile when… I read about nanotechnology, gene therapy, robotics… futuristic stuff!

The biggest challenge in spinning a mix is…
changing up tempos or genres.

My worst habit is… DJing without earplugs.

Sexy is…. being au naturel and proud of it.

My biggest pet peeve is… when flight attendants tell you to power down on a flight when it clearly does nothing to the plane.

I get bored when… life becomes manufactured. Throw a wrench into it!

I am inspired by… science and technology, but mostly the future.

I get turned on when… a girl breaks out of her pattern and smashes her own box.

I would kill for… Ray Kurzweil's same program of 210 supplements a day or robotic blood cells that will make me swim underwater for 30 minutes.

Don’t miss Steve Aoki’s edgy electro dance beats June 1 at Avalon
 

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Best known for his vocals on Above and Beyond’s “Alone Tonight” and dance hit “Sun and Moon”, Richard Bedford confides in Mandy Lynn about his nude fantasies.

As a child… I ate much more candy!

I can play the… piano and guitar.

My poison of choice is… Jack Daniels.

If I wasn’t a vocalist… I’d be out of a job.

Fashion… stops everything from looking the same.

When I am old, I want to… be the guy that looks half his age.

I often fantasize about… how I might answer strange interview questions in the nude.

Honestly, I feel that… most things (no matter how small), are beautiful if you just take the time to soak it in.

Alcohol… brings down walls, only for you to walk into them later on in the evening.

Richard Bedford will be performing with the Trouse Brothers June 9 at Zouk.

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Creator of Hed Kandi and Fierce Angel, Mark Doyle is no short of worldwide acclaim for fine electro dance music. He tells Mandy Lynn why he wants to be a cat.

When I was young, I wanted to… be a singer, but I can’t sing so I had to be a DJ!

I would kill for… a diet that didn’t involve eating less food.

The biggest challenge in spinning a mix is… judging what will make the crowd go crazy.

My worst habits are… talking far too much, being too noisy and smoking!

My biggest pet peeve is… illegal downloading. Don’t even get me started!

When I’m drunk… I’m very well-behaved and happy—nothing too outrageous!

Sexy is… being intelligent and individualistic.

If I were an animal… I’d be a cat. I have two of them and they have the easiest life ever.

Avalon punters can expect… new CDs, which we're giving away at the gig!

Catch Mark Doyle at Avaland feat. Fierce Angel on June 9 at Avalon

 

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After being smuggled into the legendary Suicide Circus for his first gig, Fritz Kalkbrenner started producing electro music; releasing his debut album, Here Today Gone Tomorrow. Mandy Lynn discovers his penchant for striped socks.

As a child, I was... much shorter.

I often fantasize about... finishing my next album.

If I wasn't a DJ, I would be... a journalist.

Alcohol is... killing people.

My poison of choice is... Botulinum.

The last time I danced was… when I missed my plane last week.

My inspiration comes from... the soul and funk music of late ‘60s and early ‘70s.

Twitter is... unfamiliar to me.

When I'm drunk... I’m pretty nice.

When I'm old, I want to... die.

Honestly, I feel that... striped socks are quite appealing.

Catch the techno infection at the Fritz Kalkbrenner with Jeremy Boon gig on June 1 at Velvet Underground.

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