I heard you got into music at a very early age.

Yes I was! I remember when I was around eight and my dad would play his records in the house for a little party with his friends. They were making an absolute ruckus, screaming and dancing to the music (laughs). The noise would wake me up from sleep and I’ll be standing upstairs looking down with a frown on my face. All my dad could say was, “You can either go to bed or play some records.” So that was it; I played the records (laughs)!

What kind of tune was it?

Oh, dad was a funk and soul man. He also had a collection of old school R&B lying around and through what he played, I learned how expressive music is and how it affects people. Take a listen to Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman”—that’s the kind of song that releases people into the music. It just opens you up.

How has your experience of music evolved since then?

Early disco music did it for me and it went on to early acid house. Later on in my career, I went all over the musical soundscape, from hardcore breakbeats to trance. It has always been about the 4/4 beat for me. I could branch out to techno and soul and funk if need be because these sounds come from house music anyway.

Do you think music has somewhat lost its organic side?

That’s a really good question. I have to agree. Everything is computerized now and the construct of music is overtly formulated; there’s the beginning, middle and an end. Back then, bands would just jam it out in the studio with all the raw emotions and energy they could muster which you could actually hear on the records–everything still intact. Even if they were drunk, you could probably hear it!

What about the London sound? Gavin Mills and Sam Holt of Copyright told me previously in an interview that the city has lost it.

Ahhh, the London sound … it’s hard to say really. Particularly, if you look at how the music coming out from London have naturally stayed in London. If you look at the industry here, clubs are closing down, pirate radios are popping everywhere and file-sharing is a daily fix.

Care to elaborate that?

See, none of the music happening in London ever crosses out of the city, it stays in the city and therefore no one outside of the city have ever heard of its sound. In the end, there is no “London sound,” unless you do come to London and experience it yourself. People like Laurent Garnier have planted his musical seeds out of Manchester and slowly across Europe. It’s tough for DJs to do that anymore. The whole file sharing thing doesn’t help anyway; people will just be cooped up at home listening to a tune that seems to be representative of a city but unfortunately is not. At the end of the day, good music is just good music.

True. You are known for your discerning taste in music. What about your sets that has been so widely respected for?

I give everything for the music and that’s a start. I like to take people in on a journey and find elements of sound that does that. Picking their senses and ultimately, driving them insane.

I heard about this gig you did in Romania that went absolutely mental.

You mean the beach party? Yes, that was a mental night but I forgot which year it was and I was asked to do the last set from 3am onwards. I asked the organizers how long I had, and they told me however long I want. I went from dropping old school house classics to techno and even dropped a bit of trance. I was initially given two hours but we went on for eight hours!

So what’s new for Carl Cox?

All Roads Lead to the Dancefloor -my latest album after 4 years. It’ll be out in early 2011 and I have been secretly dropping the tracks from the album during my sets. The album sees me collaborating with an incredibly talented list of artists and producers. These same people will be playing with me live in some of my appearances this year starting with Stereosonic 2010 in Australia.

We’ll definitely look out for it at Zouk! What can we expect this time around?

This will be the first time I will be playing outside of the F1 after 2 years, so it’ll be definitely different. Zouk is one of my favorite clubs in the world; the people are just amazing! I’ll be dropping some new and old records and the Carl Cox spirit of course!

Experience the legendary sounds of Carl Cox on Oct 9, 10pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. $28-33 includes two drinks.

My parents were divorced and I changed school in the UK every year growing up, which sucked. School was a total waste of time because by the time you made friends, you had to move on. But that taught me how to make friends easier than most people. Keeping them, however, is another matter.

Studying in the UK, I went through racial disharmony because I was the only Asian looking kid. Most of the guys wanted to see if I could fight like Bruce Lee and, much to their pleasure, I couldn’t.

Being kicked out the house at 16 years of age taught me to be self-sufficient, which is a rare commodity as it teaches you to give 100 percent at work. I didn’t want to lose my job and be homeless. I had to endure crappy bosses.

The most difficult period of my life was when I lost my mom to breast cancer at around 10. It clouded most of my childhood. My dad was mostly not interested in us, so it was just my sister Samantha and I fending for ourselves.

I moved to Singapore because I felt that I needed to get out of miserable and cold London and wanted a big change. I needed to get back to my roots, man.

Some of my best experiences were as a young trainee in my first hotel job. I learned the ropes in many different areas, working as a porter, at the restaurant, reception, room service; learning tons and making some good friends. The other was an event at Ascot, London, as head waiter for Mossimans. I had to look after members of royal family and take care of their lunch. It was exciting, memorable and nerve-racking.

A good manager must possess the willingness to teach, have good leadership skills and take responsibility. A good sense of humor definitely helps. It all comes from my previous experience of having to work hard and learning a great deal. Back then I progressed rapidly, and became one of London’s youngest managers at 21.

My worst memory is ironically also of my first hotel job. I was being driven like a slave to work 60 hours a week for 25 quid.

The funniest thing I ever saw was back in London when a server threw a steak onto the floor in the kitchen and kicked it around before throwing it into the deep fryer after getting pissed off with a customer. It was amusing and horrifying at the same time. When they served the steak the customer said that it was one of the best he’d ever had!

There are flaws in the service industry here but I think there are an amazing number of talented local professionals. People all over the world are pretty much taught the same thing; it’s the conviction of how it’s carried out that’s different. Unfortunately, most locals do not see F&B as a career nor will they put their heart into it seriously.

A food critic has a wonderful job; however it’s all down to personal choice as we all have different expectations and varied palates. As long as the diners
enjoy the experience, why should you care about what others say about it?

The elusive French street artist takes Pop Art to the next level with his depiction of media, politics and cultural icons—like a modern-day Andy Warhol.

French native and LA-based Thierry Guetta is enigmatic in every sense of the word, not least in his guise as street-artist Mr. Brainwash. In the public eye, the mysterious artist doesn’t divulge much about himself; but the irony is that this is the very thing that's made him so popular—just like his fellow cohort Banksy. “I do not shy away from the public,” he says in an exclusive (albeit exceedingly brief) interview with I-S. “I give the public all I have.”
The public have indeed witnessed his mercurial rise: From the controversial Sundance documentary hit Exit Through The Gift Shop, which also featured other underground artists like Space Invader, Shepard Fairey and Banksy himself, Mr. Brainwash is now one of the most acclaimed street artists of his generation. The documentary sees Thierry playing himself: An everyday man obsessed with street art and subsequently calling himself Mr. Brainwash. Controversy raged about a number of questionable scenes, including one in which Thierry was shown to be “working” but was instead haphazardly vandalizing walls with paint and aerosol. The media has speculated that the film was directed by Banksy and even went as far as to say that Thierry is Banksy. “That is their freedom. Only time will tell,” was all Thierry would say on when we enquired about the subject.
Following that, his debut art show, Life is Beautiful, held at a former CBS studio in LA in 2008, made him a star. The show drew over 7,000 attendees on its opening night, and the artist was later commissioned to work on the cover of Madonna’s compilation CD Celebration, along with art for her DVDs and singles—certainly a coup. After that, his second solo show ICON saw his portrait of Jim Morrison, made from broken vinyl records, sell for US$100,000. A few months later, his piece featuring a Charlie Chaplin character with a paint can and roller in hand, with a background of Madonna and a heart image, was given a pre-auction estimate of US$50,000-70,000. So what’s the distinction between high art and street art, with the latter now fetching such extravagant prices? “They both are the same to me, but street art is available to everyone,” says the artist. “Art is freedom, it has no rules.”

Immerse yourself in the world of Mr. Brainwash and other well known artists like Marc Quinn, Damien Hirst and Andy Warhol at the exclusive exhibition Art Beyond Limits through Oct 24 at Opera Gallery, #03-05 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6735-2618. Free.

Official
www.official.fm
This no-fuss music storage website lets you upload and share your music anywhere. The functions are a no-brainer; you can choose to allow public downloads, create links to sell your music on other sites like iTunes and Amazon, or protect your tunes for selected listeners by making them private. With basic profile creation, track statistics and even a widget that lets up-coming producers send you their tracks; Official is the ultimate storage and sharing tool for music makers and lovers alike. The best part? There are no upload limits.
 

Dropbox
www.dropbox.com
Store, share and sync; this is a cloud storage user’s dream come true. Announcing their four millionth user earlier this year, the online storage system has surpassed even Google Docs with its intuitive features and offerings. How does it work? Download the free application and simply drag any files into the desktop interface. Share your folders with other Dropbox users with a simple email entry. You can even upload files directly through your online account to
save space on your computer and work collaboratively on a project since Dropbox syncs all the changes users make. Limited to 2GB for free and upgradable to 100GB for US$199 a year.
 

YouSendIt
www.yousendit.com
Forget about sending large files through emails; that’s so passé. YouSendIt works by creating a simple URL link to troublesome big files. In its most basic version, you don’t even have to sign up; just enter the email of the person you want to send the file to (up to 100MB), your own email and send. The receiver will get an email with a link to the file and all they have to do is to click
and download. Simple! Signing up allows you to send and store files up to 2GB on the Lite plan. The Business Plan allows 6GB of storage, unlimited downloads and a controlled expiration date per file for US$329.78 per year.

The buzz: The British footwear label, known for its raw and modern approach and trademark quality leather footwear, has opened its first ever stand-alone boutique in Singapore.

The vibe: The 958 sq. ft. space might not seem that big, but its carefully laid product displays and shelving allow for ample roving. Opting for a classic urban concept, with brick walls, stairs and random wooden panels as décor, the boutique captures the artisan industrial feel that takes you back to J Shoes’ edgy British roots.

The goods: For both men and women, the shoes feature durable leather exteriors and boast exceptional toughness as well as casual comfort. For the men, the line of shoes and boots befits those looking for a rugged industrial style. The Tourer boots ($229) for example, with their seasoned skin and detailed craftsmanship, are made for regular wear. As for the ladies, the boots, shoes and heels are stylish and durable; including the Sidesaddle suede wedged heels ($219) made for the modern woman on the go.

Why you’ll be back: Their footwear is road-tested back in damp, cold and muddy England, so you can rest assured these shoes will last.

#03-03 Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, 8 Grange Rd., 8338-8300. Open Mon-Thu noon-10pm, Fri-Sun noon–11pm.

Arteastiq
For the aspiring tai-tai in all of us, this tea lounge serves a wide selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic teas and other delicacies. The Pomelo and Mint Lemongrass Tea set ($11) is refreshing, but if a buzz is what you are looking for, try their list of nine different alcoholic teas served after 5pm, like the Sweet Choya Lychee tea ($14). If you’re hungry, try out their “teasers” like Trinity, a tri-platter of cold cuts ($8.90) and Lust/Caution, chilled drunken Sakura chicken ($7.90) which goes down a treat. The tea lounge is housed by luxury furniture brand Marxx, offering a collection of furniture, decorative pieces and artwork evoking a sense of grandeur and fine-living. Once you’ve got your energy back, take your pick from the likes of the black gloss Baroque dining chair (from $2,700) and the Speer Grande dining table (from $7,800)
#04-14/15 Meritus Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Rd., 6235-8370. Open Mon–Thu noon– 10pm; Fri noon–11pm; Sat–Sun 11am–11pm.

A Thousand Tales
This one-stop shop is a furniture store, cocktail bar and café all rolled into one. Its furniture features bespoke mid-century Scandinavian pieces layered with a wide range of quality fabrics featuring strong graphical patterns and unique textures. The collection of bold colored and retro-inspired armchairs and dining chairs (from $450) is perfect for those looking for an 80s feel at home. Up on the second level, stop by Bar Stories and try their refreshing Mojitos ($16) or try Café Fables for their selection of sandwiches and salads (from $5) and rest those tired feet.
A Thousand Tales, 55 Haji Lane, 6298-0838. Open Mon-Fri 11am-7pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm.

Little Dröm Store & Kki
The store offers unique collectable knick knacks and delicious cakes in a quaint and homely environment. Both the café Kki and retail space Little Dröm Store are housed under the same roof: Little Dröm Store stocks quirky gift ideas like Polaroid image soft tone films ($35), “memories in a jar,” made up of motivational words on tiny pieces of paper ($16) and Jap artist Yoshitomo Nara glasses ($28); while Kki is a good place to chill over drinks and savor any (or all!) of their delectable cakes on offer, including the Antoinette ($8), comprising white chocolate mousse with a mango center, and the Mont Blanc ($8.50), which combines French chestnut paste with a fresh cream center.
7 Ann Siang Hiill, 6225-5541. Open Mon-Wed, Fri, Sun 11am-9pm; Thu 11am-7pm; Sat 11am- 4pm.

Pluck
This style emporium is well known for its exhaustive inventory of vintage apparel, accessories and even furniture, all executed with flamboyancy and wit. But it’s the ice cream parlor that we keep coming back for, with its 30 different types of deliciousness, including some wonderfully boozy concoctions. Ladies, here’s an idea for next time: Take your pick from the racks–perhaps you want that gorgeous Heather Vintage Dress ($79) and the Michelle Grey Python Tote ($720)–and then head over for some Strawberry Champagne Sorbet ($18). Trust us when we say your day will be made.
Pluck 31/33 Haji Lane, 6396-4048. Open Tue–Sat 11am–8pm;
Sun 1–7pm.

The iconic Hollywood club Avalon will be opening its doors at Marina Bay Sands Crystal Pavilion to much anticipation early next year. And what better way to whet our appetites than with a music festival like no other (featuring the likes of The Chemical Brothers, who are in town for the first time). Here's the lowdown.

DAY 1

Who: Above & Beyond
Why: Looking for some euphoric and up-lifting trance? Above & Beyond—made up of Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamäki—are leaders of the genre. Having claimed fourth position on DJ Magazine’s Top 100 Poll in 2009 for the second year in a row, the British trio are world-renowned for their amazing live sets and imaginative music production.
Look out for… Strobe lights, hard-thumping bass-lines and trancey breakdowns that will send you into outer space.

Who: Steve Angello
Why: One third of the Swedish House Mafia, Steve Angello has been releasing raunchy dance hits under monikers like Buy Now and Who’s Who. With chart-toppers like “Not So Dirty,” “Sexy F***” and “Bodycrash” and his acclaimed remix of Eurythmics’ "Sweet Dreams" in late 2004, his releases have brought him to every A-lister’s attention.
Look out for… “One," a massive track released in June that has been making its way to the top of every producers’ remixing list: An instant floor-filler.
 

Who: Santigold
Why: The American singer-songwriter has been repeatedly compared to the likes of M.I.A, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Blondie for her onstage persona and 80s influenced reggae and electro pop vibes, so expect an energetic performance.
Look out for… Her quirky dress sense (look out, Lady Gaga), stage presence and, of course, her husky vocal prowess.
 

Who: Steve Aoki
Why: The unofficial head-honcho of hipster culture; with a collection of rocking electro tunes you can't find on iTunes. With his label Dim Mak growing in notoriety with a stable of unstable artists like Bloody Beetroots, Klaxons and MSTRKRFT (check them live, they are insane), Steve Aoki is the go to guy for a wicked party.
Look out for… Him pouring liquor down the throats of already inebriated partygoers on the front row while the music mixes by itself.

DAY 2

Who: Make the Girl Dance
Why: Because the French duo can make the girls do more than dance, according to their music video “Baby, Baby, Baby” where French girls walk naked down the streets of Paris. Greg Kozo and Pierre Mathieu are the culprits behind such escapades and they have plenty of ear-pleasing electro dance offerings.
Look out for… Bodysurfing, pushing and shoving; and some random beaver pouring liquor down your throat and claiming not to be Steve Aoki.
 

Who: The Chemical Brothers
Why: Formed by British DJs Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons in the 90s, The Chemical Brothers have been instrumental in raising the quality of dance music for years. It was their 1997 album Dig Your Own Hole which got everybody talking and subsequently cannon-balled them to worldwide fame. “Block Rockin’ Beats” was a dance-floor slayer, while “Setting Sun,” featuring the vocals of Noel Gallagher, got rumor mills spinning that he was going to leave the rock band Oasis. Then came “Hey Boy Hey Girl” off their 1999 album Surrender, which defined their iconic sound.
Look out for… Big basslines, instantly recognizable hooks and a geeky guy with long hair.
 

Who: Empire of the Sun
Why: The Australian 80s synth-rock-inspired duo are known for their outrageous costumes and even more stunning live performances. Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore are Empire of the Sun, who garnered international acclaim with their 2008 debut album Walking on a Dream which went platinum in Australia.
Look out for… 80s garb, big hair and face paint.

Rave on at Avalon at Large Presents Go! on Sep 23-24. Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6225-6005. $85-4,488 from www.avalonatlarge.com.

Tiga James Sontag, or simply Tiga, has not aged in terms of music, although he’s fast approaching 40. His tunes are consistent with his preferred choice of soundscape: Exuberant electro bleeps with a techno charge. “I can’t and I won’t,” was all the DJ could say when asked to define his sound. Raised in Montreal, Tiga was involved in rave-party promotion duties as early as the 90s. From helping set-up world-renowned club SONA to opening his own record store DNA Records in 1994, the all-rounder has literally, been there, done that. “I liked the fact that the scene back then was less musical, more open, more energy and fewer words. My real love affair (with dance music) started in 1992, right around the time Freejack came out.” Yes, the man is referring to the science fiction movie starring Mick Jagger.

In 1998, he founded the label Turbo Recordings, currently housing a stellar cast of heavyweights like 2ManyDjs, Felix The House Cat, Erol Alkan, Boys Noize, Seth Troxler and Zombie Nation (and that’s just half of them). “It has stayed quite true to the original idea—music I love, with nice artwork—but it has also evolved quite a lot in terms of networking and promotions,” he says with regards to the label’s growth.

“I would like to make a law that limits Internet use to one hour per day,” he says of the current state of dwindling music sales. “And I would like to be the public face of getting that law passed. I think people would love me for it.” That said, he is quick to add that although technological advances have disadvantageous, music in its entirety has gotten groovier. “I think it's pretty healthy. And the current state of healthy music? More danceable than ever!”

“(A perfect set is) one that makes the most out of the records. One where you don’t know a single tune, but they are all amazing. A set where strange records make sense. A set where sensible records make strangers pregnant with energy,” he adds. Something to look out for when he dishes the groove at Zouk.

Rev it up with Tiga during the F1 weekender on Sep 25. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St. 6738-2988. $35 includes two drinks.

The buzz: The Apple premium reseller from Newstead Technologies has expanded to six stores with this latest outlet at Raffles City. Expect three more new stores to open by the end of this year.

The vibe: Offering a one-stop point for all your Apple needs, Nubox offers the latest products from Macbooks to ear-phones and a variety of other accessories. Conveniently located at the heart of City Hall, the store boasts a sprawling shopping space and efficient, knowledgeable staff.

The goods: Apart from the Macbooks (from $1,588) and other Apple products like the latest iPod Touch (from $328), the store also stocks the latest range of accessories. Check out the wide range of complimentary gadgets available like the Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth headset (from $169).

Why you’ll be back: Not only will you be spoilt for choice in terms of purchases at this IT haven, it also offers service and advice from experts, and regularly provides in-store demonstrations and training for customers.

#03-25, Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Rd., 6334-8132. Open daily 11am-9:30pm.