His blend of hip hop and funk has seen him touring with the likes of Coldcut, DJ Food and Vadim. This talent has also opened for The Beastie Boys and Radiohead, while his debut album Carpal Tunnel Syndrome has won thumbs up from people in the industry. Koala last gigged here at one of the series of parties dubbed Loof on Another Roof at chill out bar Loof. We had a chat with Kid Koala about his reading habits, vinyl and the climate.

What is your current state of mind?
I am on a honeymoon right now, so I’m in a very good state of mind. We’ve escaped the winter in Canada. It’s snowing there. It’s a lot of fun. I just released an album, and it’s my favorite recording to date. So I’m happy. Everything happened very naturally.

What inspires you?
The prospect of crazy, inventive things happening. The fresh stuff, you know? Whether I am doing a tour or getting in the studio, it’s always the idea that something might happen that keeps me going.

What is your biggest achievement?
That might be a question for my mum. Haha… Well, I just try to see the world and make some noise.

What personal trait do you appreciate most in others?
I like people who laugh a lot, or try to. I may spend hours DJing, but I don’t take it seriously. It’s just fun.

Which living person do you admire most and would like to invite for dinner?
Tom Waits, because I think he’s a wonderful storyteller cum musician. I really enjoy the way he invented little universes in his songs, and expresses them. In a way, I’m trying to do that too but I can’t sing!

What are you reading?
A cookbook. It was given to us by people we met in New Zealand. It’s about the history of New Zealand and local recipes. There are beautiful photos in this book.

How do you spend your Sunday mornings?
It depends. On some tours, we have to get to the airport. This year, I have been traveling most of the time. I try to find somewhere to meditate when I can.

What is your idea of hell?
A place where everyone has to listen to the same song for eternity.

How do you recharge?
I usually have some pears and dried apricots and sleep.

What do you collect?
I collect vinyls that others are embarrassed of. I have one that teaches you how to date, and another on how to trim your nose hair and one on how to grow taller.

What about you scares others?
People find me rather approachable! If I have to pin down something, perhaps it’ll be what I consider to be acceptable on an album recording. People listen to it and think it’s kind of crazy.

What did you believe at 18 that you wish you still believed now?
I didn’t believe much at 18. I hadn’t seen enough of the world then. I used to think the world was a big place. Now after so much traveling, the world is actually pretty small. People are interested in the same things.

What is the one thing that you would change about the world if given a chance?
The climate. I’d put it back to where it’s supposed to be! The entire climate thing that’s going on is scary. We might be heading to the Ice Age really soon!

Music

Asha. Endowed with powerful vocals, singer-songwriter Asha will blow you away in this gig. Mar 21, 6:45pm. UCC Theatre Foyer. Free.

Broken River & Beyond: Tim O’Dwyer Trio. Aussie band Tim O’Dwyer Trio plays invigorating songs from their album Broken River. Listen out for an absorbing soundscape laced with jazz. Mar 4, 7:30pm. UCC Theatre. $20-25 from Sistic.

Bushmen. For good reggae and catchy hooks, local band Bushmen is a safe bet. Mar 2, 6:45pm. UCC Theatre Foyer. Free.

Electrico: Live In New Wave. Indie, pop, rock. Five-piece local outfit Electrico prepares to deliver funky aural food. Mar 2, 7:30pm. UCC Hall. $18-48 from Sistic.

E.P.I.C.. Citing Pink Floyd, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Hybrid as its influences, five-piece act E.P.I.C. flaunts an eclectic sound. Mar 24, 6:45pm. UCC Theatre Foyer. Free.

Heritage. One of the most respected veteran bands on our shores, Heritage creates music that has both Eastern and Western influences. Mar 3, 6:45pm. UCC Theatre Foyer. Free.

The Observatory. Six-piece local band The Observatory shines on stage with their blend of progressive and innovative sounds. Mar 25, 7:30pm. UCC Theatre. $18 from Sistic.

Press Play 2007 by NUS Electronic Music Lab (EML). Live sounds and recorded electronic music are fused with gripping visuals by members of the NUS Electronic Lab. Mar 16, 8pm. UCC Theatre, Green Room. $10 from Sistic.

Read My Lips: Lunarin. Homegrown talent Lunarin plays a few of their songs and explains the significance behind their lyrics. Mar 8, 7:30pm. UCC Theatre Foyer. Free.

Rockfest by NUS Halls of Residence. Students rock it out with music ranging from grunge to punk, emo to funk in this band showcase. Mar 10, 2pm. UCC Courtyard. Free.

Dance

Hip Hop Nite ’07 by NUS Dance Blast!. Various dance teams fight it out in this intense hip hop competition. Come see who’ll bag the coveted title. Mar 2, 8pm. UCC Courtyard. Free.

Theatre

<< >>. NUS Chinese Drama investigates the notion of space in this play. Get some insight on how people utilize space to different ends. Mar 7, 7:30pm. UCC Theatre. $10 from Sistic.

Communicating Doors by NUS Sheares Hall. Spot some budding talents in this play that delves into time, destiny and relationships. Mar 10-11, 7:30pm. UCC Theatre. $14. Email [email protected] for tickets.

Etc

Read My Lips: X’Ho. X’Ho talks about his songwriting process. Mar 22, 7:30pm. UCC Theatre Foyer. Free.

Smoke Your Way Through!—Turntablism & More. Eminent local DJ KoFlow doles out advice on scratching and mixing in this workshop. Mar 24, 3pm. UCC Dance Studio. $10.

Tempestous Beasts. Scribes talk about inner turmoil, uncontrollable emotions, longing and torment in this reading. Starring Cyril Wong, Alfian Sa’at, Ng Yi-Sheng, Pooja Nansi and Haresh Sharma. Mar 22, 8pm. UCC Theatre Foyer. Free.

Womanity. Writer Catherine Lim, actor Nora Samosir, host Anita Kapoor, playwright Verena Tay and DJ Suzanne Walker entertain with readings and presentations. Mar 8, 8pm. UCC Theatre Foyer. Free.

“Only You,” “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,” “The Great Pretender.” These are just a few of the popular oldies The Platters are known for. Through the years, the band has undergone a myriad of changes, resulting in confusion and several groups disputing the rights to call themselves The Platters. And one of them is hitting the stage come Mar 7. Sanctioned by an original member of The Platters Zolar Taylor, it’s made up of Benjamin T. Mitchell, Eugene Van Buren, Larry Hicks and Misty Black. We talk to Hicks for a quick lowdown on the band.

How did the name The Platters come about?
The original bass singer, Herb Reed, coined the name, The Platters. In the ’50s, vinyl 78 records were the standard media. They were quite large, and Mr. Reed thought they resembled plates and platters!

I see. We spotted pictures of members of The Platters wearing powder blue suits. Think that’ll ever come back into fashion?
Flamboyant attire never really went out of fashion when it comes to stage performances. And The Platters had worn almost every color imaginable at one point or another!

Speaking of stage performances, what works and what doesn’t for The Platters?
The Platters never venture outside of their comfort zone by trying to compete with music of today. This is what makes us unique, and why audiences worldwide continue to fill venues to hear The Platters.

And what younger artistes do you think are promising nowadays?
Corrine Bailey Rae and John Legend are two artists who are not following the standard mold for black artists. Their individual styles are quite innovative for today's black music.

With her deep and smoky voice, singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata has enthralled many with songs like “Letter Read” and “Worn Me Down.” This ex-vocalist of the funk fusion band Bumpus went solo in 2002, and released her debut full-length album Happenstance in 2004, with songs that span across jazz, folk, indie rock and pop. We caught up with Yamagata for a glimpse into her life.

We heard you have two cats. Are you an animal lover?
Yes, I love animals. Horses, dogs, anything. Right now, I just have two cats. I had three but one of them died in Oct. One is a Himalayan. It’s a stray cat I found under a car. I’ve had the other for 10 years.

Cool. And in your myspace page, you mentioned you like traveling. Are we talking to a free-spirited person?
Definitely. I love being on the move all the time, experiencing new places and new cultures and getting out of my comfort zone. I can relate to a wide variety of people. I like seeing how different people live and get on with each other. People don’t necessarily require an understanding of each other’s language to relate to each other.

That’s true. Will you be traveling to any other countries after Singapore?
Right now, I’m just going back to the US. I’m finishing my second record this weekend. When it’s released in spring, I’ll probably go to Japan, England, Spain and Australia to promote the record.

How is this record different or similar to Happenstance?
There’ll be a lot of guitar-driven songs. They’re still the intimate, heartbreaking piano songs. There’s one that’s almost like a Led Zeppelin song. Actually I’ve been doing that kind of thing for shows, but they were not on the first record. This second record is a journey into that world. The lyrics are more poetic. I’ll still have songs on relationships, but I’ll talk about the media too.

Talking about lyrics, a lot of your songwriting seems very personal. Does it take a lot of courage to show your songs to people?
Yes and no. When I write them, I don’t censor myself. I just write, even though it doesn’t capture me in the best light. I love performing. I don’t get self conscious about it, until people remind me to be. That gets me into a lot of trouble sometimes.

Do you miss being in a band?
Yes. I mean, it’s nice to share ideas and create something together. But I must say it’s wonderful to be your own boss, to have creative control. If I don’t like an idea, it’s nice to be able to put my foot down and not do it.

But what’s the rationale behind going solo?
I wanted to write songs and the songs I was writing on my own didn’t fit in the confines of the band. Being in Bumpus was fun. I loved it. I never thought of getting a record deal. It scared the s**t out of me. But lucky place, lucky person. Before I knew it, I was signed to a label as a solo artist. It’s just a funny story of destiny or fate, or whatever you want to call it.

You’ve been compared to singer-songwriters like Norah Jones and Fiona Apple. Think these comparisons are fair?
They are very general. People need to have comparisons as a sort of reference. I like what Norah Jones and Fiona Apple do and I think they both do it really well. But I think what I do is weird and different, music wise. And my shows are not like theirs. The comparisons are flattering. But they’re generalized comparisons. And don’t give respect to any of us as artistes.

Fernando organizes events, especially beauty pageants, for a living. Decked out prettily, we got her to spill the beans about ugly girls, plastic surgery and transsexuals.

Do you reject ugly girls if they want to join a beauty pageant?
There is inner beauty in every individual. Our job is to groom them and make them feel at home with the rest.

Do you worry that people will take the lead from Little Miss Sunshine and perform outrageous stunts on stage?
I don’t mind outrageous stunts that impress the judges.

Do you think less is more when it comes to clothing?
Nope! Beauty has got nothing to do with clothes. It has got to do with personality and confidence.

Are people who have undergone plastic surgery allowed to take part in the pageants you organize?
From my point of view, beauty via plastic surgery is not God-given, and, therefore, people who have had plastic surgery should not take part.

What about transsexuals?
Yes, of course. If one has gone through sex change and is legally recognized in the society as a female, then that should be fine.

Well, do you think beauty pageants objectify women?
No, I don’t think beauty pageants objectify them. Beauty pageants are a way for women to flaunt what they have!

Andy Van’s music is addictive. One of his best known hits “Don’t Call Me Baby” (produced when he was part of the duo Madison Avenue) is still etched in our minds. Van, now part of electro and house trio Vandalism, stops by for a quick chat.

Top three producers or DJs?
Axwell, Ramirez and John Course.

Are you a vinyl addict?
Used to be. I’ve got tens of thousands of 12”s. But now I’m using 100 percent CDs.

The greatest gig you’ve played at?
Love Parade at Leeds UK. I was at the main stage playing to 300,000 people as the sun was setting!

A definite crowd pleaser?
A brand new remix of “He Not In” by Chicken Lips that Vandalism has just done for Azuli (UK).

What else is Vandalism busy with?
Doing remixes and productions. We’ve just done a big remix of “Creeps” by Freaks, which was licensed to Ministry of Sound UK! So now, we’ve got a lot of labels chasing us for remixes and we’ve been gigging all round Australia as Vandalism. We’re completing our debut album too.

Why the name Vandalism? Are you guys into destruction?
Yeah, we like to destroy dance floors!

Things that you have a soft spot for?
I like to chill, watch videos and know more about new gadgets. I’m a real gadget head.

If you could write a book, what would it be about?
I am contemplating writing a book called How to be a DJ.

Jurassic 5 is coming to drop some beats at the Good Vibrations Festival. This group, which was originally a six piece until Cut Chemist left, comprises rappers Chali 2na, Akil, Zaakir (aka Soup), Mark 7even and DJ Nu-Mark. With their brand of old school hip hop, the group’s list of achievements includes having shared stages with Bruce Springsteen, Green Day and OutKast and collaborating with Dave Matthews. We caught Nu-Mark for a quick banter.

What do you need to pull off an awesome gig?
Well, we spend time incorporating the crowd into the show and going through routines. And we try to constantly incorporate new things in our gigs, such as having drum machines. You know, doing all kinds of things and trying to be creative and unique!

So what’s unique for the coming Good Vibrations Festival?
The whole show is going to be unique! It’s going to be something. It’s going to be one no one has ever seen before. We’ll be doing a lot of things we haven’t done before. I can’t tell you much because if I told you, people would know about it already!

Haha. OK. Do you prefer playing in festivals or in stadiums and concert halls?
Personally, I prefer playing in small venues, to about maybe 500 people. That way, you can really feel the energy from the audience!

What do you hope the audience will leave with after they heard your music?
I hope that they have a good time, and hopefully, they’ll know more about funky music, old school hip hop and breaks!

Have you tried improving your own luck before?
Yes. The first time I did that, my daughter got herself a good job. And we struck second prize in 4D. My best record is winning eight numbers in one draw. That was a very long time ago.

Eight numbers? So can you predict what numbers will come out for me?
I don’t predict. I believe if your luck is good, the number you buy will be the winning number.

OK. Will undergoing plastic surgery affect one’s luck?
Yes. Most people like to have nose jobs. The nose affects one’s health and wealth. Michael Jackson had a bad nose job and it got him into a lot of trouble!

We’re sure it was more than a nose job that got him into trouble, but who’s the most unusual client you’ve ever seen?
Once, when I was traveling in Malaysia, I met a person with no lines on her palms. Her palms were like blank pieces of paper. Not even a single line. She claimed it was because of the chemicals in the factories she worked in.

No lines? How did you read her palm then?
I didn’t. I only read her face. I even met a leprosy patient who insisted on me reading his face once.

And what are things people do to change their luck?
You can get luck in a lot of ways. Treat old people well, and you’ll get luck if they bless you. Be happy and light hearted and you’ll attract good luck. Some people, in an effort to give their babies luck, tried to give birth at the right time or at a place with good fengshui. They do this through induced birth or caesarian, or by flying to other countries. Sometimes heaven may not agree, and it doesn’t work out.

Yousef whips up housey techno so infectious that it’s no wonder he has caught the attention of many tacts like Fatboy Slim, Jamiroquai and Moloko. We grab the man for a quick banter.

What makes you smile?
My girlfriend Naomi.

What bores you?
Negative people with no vision about life.

The worst sound you’ve heard?
The noise inside a car before it crashes.

What are you listening to currently?
I'm working on a remix for Billie Ray Martin so I’ve got that on, and the sound of the Pacific Ocean.

A memorable pickup line?
“We've met before and we've been to dinner.”

What blows your mind?
Traveling the world to earn a living!

Your worst nightmare?
Going to prison.

If you can change the world, what would you do?
I'll liquidize George Bush and his whole cabinet!

Complete the sentence. “If I’m not a DJ or a producer, I would…”
Not be doing this interview.

JoJo is a heart specialist and a night porter in the latest offering by Singapore Repoertory Theatre and Indian Ink Theatre Company’s The Pickle King. This uproarious and heart-warming production (the third of a series which comprises Krishnan’s Dairy and The Candlestickmaker) sees JoJo uprooted from India and making his way to New Zealand. There, he falls heads over heels with hotel receptionist Sasha Daniels, but their romance is threatened when the arrogant George Reaper steps in. We quiz JoJo (played by Jacob Rajan) to find out more about his journey.

You’re a trained heart specialist in India. But you settled for a porter position in New Zealand. Why?
They don’t recognise my qualifications. I have to re-sit my exams to be registered to practice medicine here. Meanwhile, I’ve got to eat, no?

Alright, you win. So what is the weirdest room service enquiry you’ve received from hotel guests?
A couple of Singaporeans asked me for tickets to an obscure theater show called The Pickle King once.

Err… OK, what do you miss about India?
The 3 Fs: Family, Food and Food.

What do you love about New Zealand?
Sasha, the night receptionist!

Speaking of Sasha, how would you describe the chemistry between you two?
I’m a cardio thoracic surgeon, I mend hearts. Sasha’s a gypsy, she breaks them. I think we’re perfect for each other.

Anything you’ve done that has made her swoon?
I left some suitcases out that she tripped over. Does that count?

I guess. Any obstacle to you having a smooth sailing relationship with Sasha?
Well, she believes that she’s cursed and everything she loves dies—that sure doesn’t help.

Well, we heard George Reaper comes in between you too…
Everytime I get close to Sasha he barges in and to make matters worse, something usually dies. He’s a strange fellow; I’m going to find out what’s in that large trunk of his.

If you were in a room alone with him, what would you do to the guy?
In a fight or flight situation I’m more a flight kind of guy. But if it’s a matter of the heart…who knows?