My grandfather and my uncle inspired my love of drawing, along with Japanese cartoons like Slam Dunk and Doraemon. I used to draw cartoons and give them away to all my high school friends.

I knew little about architecture when I started at Silpakorn University. All I knew was that I wanted to study something that would let me draw but make more money than fine arts. I was even put on probation in my first year because I devoted all my attention to my art subjects.

Reading lots of books helped me realize that the architecture world didn’t begin and end with professors.

I found a French book on deconstructionist architecture which really pushed me to want to create challenging and provocative works without fear of bad grades from my professors.

Architecture is all about choices. When I finally got praise from a professor, it made me realize that you don’t need to follow the masses to leave an impression. If you and the client agree on the value of your work, that’s enough.

Don’t waste your time once you find what you love. I was struggling to get good grades at Silpakorn, trying to stick to the style that I liked, so I dropped out in my third year and transferred to study at the Pratt Institute in New York. I was able to graduate with honors.

I came back to be a professor at ABAC for 3-4 years before I got my first architect project, designing a house for Kajbodint Sudlabha, editor-in-chief of Daybeds magazine.

It was a really inspiring moment to see my design constructed for the first time. It was much more impressive than on paper. And it led to more design jobs.

Grow your business gradually. Know your limitations. I founded VaSLab with my friend, Boonlert Deeyuen, in the garage of my grandfather’s home. We had only three staff members at the beginning, now we have more than a dozen.

Don’t create an illusion to gain credibility. We try to be sincere to our clients about the type of work we like to do, not simply try to please them at every turn.

Friendship is important in this business. Buildings aren’t made of paper; they must stand for a lifetime. You need to give your clients a gift that they will enjoy for the next 20 years.

People need to be educated on how to appreciate architectural work. Many see a design as a pricy piece of paper and don’t value the creativity. Those who value knowledge and experiences are willing to pay what it takes.

Thai architects don’t need to aspire to reach international levels. Just focus on competing locally. If we keep it up, international acceptance will follow naturally. I actually admire the quality and creativity of work around today.

We need to encourage our new generation to express their creativity. Our education system puts too much emphasis on pleasing professors and this attention to good grades alone is destroying us.

There is no right or wrong in design. You must have faith in your creativity.

Bangkok compares favorably to Paris, London, Tokyo and New York, which I consider my second home. We have such a vivid culture and so many layers of living: there is high-end architecture in the form of five-star hotels and malls, while there are also more underground scenes like Patpong or Klongtom. People might look at these as dirty, but I see them as alive.

Thailand really lacks museums. I dream of building a contemporary art museum and something I’d call Christ People Park, which I’d like to be a church-plus-museum where people can gather to talk about Christ’s work.

I had a total meltdown when I broke up with my wife. I felt I lost my identity. I went on a booze binge, going out every night. It was like living on the dark side.

I finally stopped when I realized that partying didn’t relieve my sorrow. I went out to meet girls but I still felt lonely. I thank God and my friends and family for helping me get through this tough period. They taught me forgiveness and to understand unconditional love.

When you’ve nearly reached a goal you start appreciating the beautiful things in life. You might topple to the ground, but this gives you the strength to reach the finish line.

Becoming an architect won’t make you rich in the short term. You must be patient. Many of my friends stopped doing it because they wanted to make more money faster. One of them used to be top of the class, too!

I love bare concrete walls as they hide nothing and reveal the truth of the material. I especially like the imperfections as they also remind me of humanity’s faults.

Our lives are never straightforward. It’s better that we sometimes take a fall in order to get a better perspective on life.

Live your life according to love. I believe everyone should think positively and that love can overcome anything.

BK: How did you get started in your job?
I was a carpenter for six years, but I stopped because the income wasn’t stable enough. I wanted to be a driver when I was young, but I knew I was not good at it. Then a friend asked me to join him and sell wash basins and other products. He used to give me a ride to wherever I wanted to start and stop each day. I would get the products from him in the morning and reimburse him at night. I got 20% commission, so B40 every time I sold a B200 basin. I worked for him for about ten years, until he got rich and decided to quit the business. I continue to do it because it’s what I know best.

BK: What’s the best thing about your job?
The flexible hours mean I have the freedom to rest when I’m tired and eat when I’m hungry. I like what I do, and I do it well.

BK: What’s your typical day like?
I leave my house around 8:30am, and take a tuk-tuk to wherever I decide to start selling. I take a different route every day. Today, I started at Sam-Yan Market and I plan to stop at Chareunakorn Soi 40. Each morning, I set a time and place to finish, even if I don’t sell much that day. I always try to finish by 8pm. At the end of the day, I just think about the next.

BK: What’s the most difficult thing about your job?
I carry about 70kg of products every day, and I never know what the weather is going to be like. I work in the heat, the cold and the rain. It was very hard during the floods because I could only walk certain routes. In order to survive in this job, you need a fighter’s mindset. You also have to be patient.

BK: What’s your tip for carrying heavy loads?
Make sure you’re evenly balanced then things will be easy once you start walking.

BK: How does business today compare to the past?
It’s totally different, like black and white. In the past, it was much easier because there weren’t many department stores or flea markets. My wife and I used to sell hundreds of basins and earn about B2,000 a day. We saved enough money to buy a house in Kalasin, where my family still lives. Now it’s a lot harder, but I’m doing okay. I don’t think too far ahead and just try to do the best I can today.

BK: Who is your most memorable customer?
There is a grandma on Bangrak Rd. who is very kind to me. She always helps me out by buying my products and then giving them to her friends and family. Sometimes she even gives me B100-200 for no reason at all. She’s so kind.

BK: Do you ever consider doing something else?
You have to do what you love and what you are good at. It’s as simple as that. I love my job. I’ve done it for 30 years and will keep doing so until I’m no longer capable.

Why do you think muay Thai is making a comeback?
There are two main reasons: firstly, people are caring more about their health so are using muay Thai as a way to exercise while learning self-defense. Secondly, it’s already popular with foreigners and a lot of people just like to follow what they do.

How has muay Thai changed over time?
It’s become more business-centric. More people are now focused on building good fighters and putting on a good show for the sake of money and gambling. The rules have also changed to comply with this outlook—and sometimes referees bend the rules to ensure a better fight, something that didn’t happen in the past.

What are the benefits of the sport?
You learn to respect your teacher, be humble, patient, capable of forgiveness and sacrifice and grow as a person, as well as improve your stamina.

Are people mostly training or do they actually spar too?
It depends on the school and teacher, but in most cases if you’re a beginner, you’ll learn the proper footwork and defense moves first, then once you’ve got the balance right you’ll get a chance to fight.

How long does it take for a beginner to turn pro?
It varies depending on the person. If you have a good teacher and you train daily, you’ll be able to defend yourself within three months, and both defend and attack within six months to a year.

What are the signs of a good muay Thai school?
They should teach step-by-step without rushing the students. The staff must not be goons: instructors should be highly disciplined and be able to give reasons behind each move. They should really have some sort of experience in the art of muay Thai.

My life was so planned out. I was good at English so I decided to study at the Faculty of Arts [Chulalongkorn University] with dreams of working for an international organization.

At university, I got to know the extraordinary feeling of studying a play and finally putting it on.

I’m lucky that I was born when I was. When I started my career, the entertainment industry wasn’t so competitive. I progressed from actress to scriptwriter to director quite seamlessly.

Performing on stage is like returning home. It’s one of the best feelings for me. There’s no pre- or post-production like with a TV series or movies. We rehearse then perform, and that’s it!

Performing Tuen Tuek is like competing with the world’s best athletes. The cast is so talented. They don’t have to stick to the script and the show still flows so well. It’s now in its fourth edition and no matter how busy I am, I always look forward to it.

Society is judgmental of single women. But I don’t care what people think; it’s my life.

One benefit of being single is that your happiness doesn’t depend on others.

Thai audiences like their shows like fast food nowadays. They want over-the-top acting and fast-paced storylines, not attention to detail.

People have shorter attention spans. You can see it in everything from politics to drivers on the road. People don’t know how to be patient anymore and don’t want things explained to them.

Reality TV and the internet are changing the way we look at people. People love extroverts who can’t control their emotions, while those who are more reserved are seen as boring or as harboring a secret motive. What’s wrong with us?

Everyone has their own set of virtues. But these can get skewed as society changes. I don’t want to set a bad example for children through my work, even if something is in vogue.

I love being a scriptwriter the most. It lets me be alone with myself and get lost in my imagination. I don’t need to be bothered by anyone.

Scriptwriting is never-ending work. An actress’s job finishes after the final cut, but as a scriptwriter you always have to be thinking of what’s next to keep the story rolling. Eventually you just need a break.

I’m looked upon as a comedian but I’m actually quite pedantic. People who I work closely with are often scared of me.

People should respect themselves and others by doing their job to the best of their abilities. I hate those who don’t pay proper attention to their work.

I always feel that I can do better. I’m like a child who needs compliments and constant reassurance.

If you feel happy every time you go to work, that means you’re successful. I’m really content with my work as an actress and director right now. I never feel bored doing it.

I’m always losing my temper at politics. All I see are politicians making trouble and not fixing anything. It makes you feel powerless.

Marriage is a civil duty. Single people, like me, ignore our most important job: to create the best next generation as possible. Now that I’m getting old, I’m like, “Shit, it’s too late!”

So many people don’t have time to take care of a baby and be a quality person, and that’s bad news for the country.

There’s no equality in this world. We’ve got this ASEAN Community looming on the horizon, but I don’t think we’re ready for it. Look at the European Union: they’re still plagued with huge problems.

Live life like you could die at any moment. Seeing loved ones die—my parents and two close friends—made me realize nothing lasts forever.

Always pursue what makes you happiest. It keeps you inspired.

BK: Had you always dreamed of being a fashion designer?
No, I initially wanted to be a doctor but actually ended up studying Thai at Chula because I was good at it. One day, I attended a fashion competition called the Gift festival at Silapakorn University. I decided right there and then that I would compete the next year. But I knew nothing about fashion at that point.

BK: How did you prepare?
I started going to libraries, every day, just reading about fashion, and spoke to people in the industry. One year later, I placed third in the competiton, landed a job as an assistant designer at Greyhound, and eventually got a scholarship at the Institut Francais de la Mode.

BK: How did you come to enter the Mango Fashion Awards?
In fact, I competed for the Mango award twice. The first time, my teacher saw the work I submitted and said, “You disappoint me. If you study here and that’s the best that you can do, it’s such a waste of time.” It was painful to hear but I decided that I would prove myself to him.

BK: What was your inspiration in creating the collection?
My collection for Mango is called “Reincarnation.” I had lost my father shortly before I created the collection. I was sad about the loss and I went to lot of temples to heal my pain after coming back from France. It helped me absorb my own roots, dharma, and consider where we all go after we die. My collection builds on that, and the idea of the dead strengthening the living. I represent it through snake yadong [a herbal alcohol], which people believe will give them the strength of the dead snake in the jar. The other aspect is the high level of craftsmanship, in little details like the leatherwork and braiding.

BK: What’s next?
I now work as a cultural officer for the Ministry of Culture’s Office of Contemporary Art and Culture so I will try to push our fashion industry forward. As for my brand, Wisharawish, I want to use my prize [300,000 euros] to help it grow, too. I’d like to break into Asian markets like Singapore and Japan before shifting my focus to Europe and the US. My biggest dream is to present my work at the Paris Fashion Week.

BK: Do you sell your collection?
I don’t want to depend on the traditional system in the fashion industry where they normally do collections twice a year and rush to the factory to produce and sell it in 3 months. I don’t have enough time and money for that. So I just make it for customers who love my collection, of whom, to be honest, there are only 10 people.

BK: What’s your motto?
Depend on yourself before seeking help from others.

I sing in the shower… all the time!

When I’m drunk… I drink some more to balance myself out, and then try not to fall down!

Amazing musicians… blow my mind.

When I was young, I wanted to be… a professional hockey player.

The biggest challenge in spinning a mix is… not to get too drunk and f**k it up.

I would kill for… a Grammy.

My worst habit is… taking life too seriously.

I love… beautiful people.

If I had a million dollars… who says I don’t?

My biggest pet peeve is… when people tell me what to do.

I get bored when… people surrounding my dinner table are whack.

I’ve done way too many embarrassing things in my life to remember… but itusually involves me being drunk in some way or another.

Any special remixes or exclusives for Zouk punters… I’ll be spinning all the tracks from our brand new album!

Max Vangeli will be spinning July 6 at Zouk.

Raifana, 25

Where did you hear about AirBnB and where did you stay?
I heard about AirBnB through bloggers like Krisatomic, who’ve used the site before. I stayed in a really cute studio in the Gracia neighborhood in Barcelona and paid for two nights, and a one-bedroom apartment in Paris, for which I paid €220 for 2 nights.

How would you compare your homestay with a regular hotel experience?
With a vacation rental, you are put right in the midst of local life and removed somewhat from the usual tourist areas. You pass by neighbors in the hallway, run to the convenience store downstairs for a razor, and for breakfast you buy bread where the locals buy bread. For a few days at least, you get to experience what it’s like to live like a local. It’s more authentic. The apartment owners are often happy to help—both my hosts were lovely and accommodating, and gave endless advice, recommendations, directions and tips. They were boundless sources of knowledge. It’s akin to having a personal concierge in a hotel, only warmer and more genuine. Vacation rentals tend to be cheaper than hotels too!

What did you like about the booking process?
I liked having a third party, it helps to prevent scams and made the entire experience feel safer and more secure. I cannot imagine what it would be like if I got cheated in a foreign city. In the case of AirBnB, the payment is captured by the website and only released after the first night’s stay, so if anything screws up, hosts know that they will not get paid. Their customer service was excellent and I liked that I could sign in using my Facebook account because I’m usually too lazy to create new accounts. Facebook login also helps the website verify your identity, phone number and other info. The whole process, from finding apartments and approaching hosts to making payment for the actual stay was very smooth and fuss-free.

So no bad experiences?
I did encounter something unpleasant while booking an apartment in Geneva. I had contacted a host and several exchanges had been made—she gave me her word that the reservation was mine, and even proposed a cheaper price. But barely a half hour after I had made payment, the host backed out claiming she’d forgotten she’d promised the apartment to someone else on the dates promised. Payment was made using a Singaporean credit card so refunds were estimated to take up to three weeks. This was very inconvenient for me as I was going to be traveling and could not have my funds inaccessible to me during that period. Thankfully, AirBnB’s customer service stepped up and promptly provided solutions. They suggested other properties I could look into and allowed me to transfer my credit from the botched reservation for the new one. They even offered to top up the extra cost if the new property I was interested in was more expensive.

So you’d recommend AirBnB?
Definitely. I love discovering new hotels in different cities but vacation rentals are perfect for when you’re traveling in a group. I’m very impressed with AirBnB so I’ll stick to the website for all my vacation rental needs. I may try another website if I can’t find suitable accommodation.

Luke Norman, founder of Be Disloyal & his girlfriend, Rowena Paz

How did you find out about AirBnB?
RP: It was through a NYTimes article reviewing vacation rental websites. We were planning our trip to Australia and hotels were very expensive. I was excited to find other more affordable options.

Any concerns about using it at first?
RP: I was concerned about going in blind to the rooms and owners but I appreciated the reviews that other members had provided before. It felt like it took some of the guess work away.
LN: We were also worried about having a location that was near to public transit and had enough privacy.

What did you like (or didn’t) about the booking process?
RP: Great filtering options and map interface. I liked that I was able to see just places in St. Kilda or Fitzroy. The number of potential places to stay was great too… so many choices! I wish it’d been easier to find out more about the amenities though. It needs to be clearer which rooms have private bathrooms or TV.

Where did you stay?
LN: We stayed right outside Melbourne in St. Kilda. It was a great option. The couple we stayed with had a simple but nice two-bedroom in an older three to four-storey apartment. The style was very Art Deco, right down to the doorknobs—very cool. The couple was really nice and showed us their favorite weekend market. If you’re considering moving to a city, AirBnB is a great trial run!

Another other booking sites you’d like to recommend? What do you think is the future of such sites?
RP: I’ve used VRBO for a US house rental, and I think this system is great. We will be recommending AirBnB as an option for our out-of-town guests when they come to San Diego for our wedding next year.
LN: Rental sites are perfect for budget travelers and those planning a longer stay. It adds a lot more character to the experience as compared to a hotel stay.

Farizan Fauzan, Delta Airlines Reservation Agent, 28

How did you find out about AirBnB?
I was Googling cheap accommodation in the United States when I chanced upon the AirBnB website.

Did you have any concerns before using it?
Yes, I wondered a little if owners were making up or embellishing the facts about their home. I got paranoid that they’d turn out to be conmen or serial killers. After doing more research, I decided to go with my instinct and give it a shot.

What did you like about the process?
I like the fact that I was paying less for occupying a whole house than I would’ve for a cramped hotel room.

Where did you stay?
We stayed in a studio apartment by the Hudson River in New York. It was accessible from everywhere (Staten Island ferry terminal, Brooklyn Bridge, etc.) and we could see the Statue of Liberty from one side. It was in a safe neighborhood. The homeowner was nice and cute, too! On another occasion, we stayed in a three-storey home in Portland, Oregon. There was a direct bus from the airport and we had the entire second floor to ourselves! The house was also located in the middle of a hip area, with many thrift and food stores to explore, including my all-time favorite Whole Foods. The owner was a Buddhist astrologer who had great taste in music and eclectic home décor.

Would you recommend it?
I would and I have. Plus every referral gets you a $25 credit voucher for a future stay!

Have you heard of other sites?
Yes, I’ve heard of Couchsurfing but it’s less secure because it’s free and truly at your own risk. AirBnB offers insurance.

Ira Aznor, Graphic designer

What did you like/didn’t about the Roomorama booking process?
It was smooth and straight forward. All the information stated on the website was clear and easy to understand. Everything was explained upfront and if we had any queries, we could contact the apartment owners, who were very prompt with their responses. At first, I was worried about having to pay a high security deposit fee, but on Roomorama, some hosts don't require a deposit.

Where did you stay?
I went to London and Paris and they were both delightful, considering it was my first time in Europe and I was traveling alone. I was very lucky to have chosen the perfect apartments for my stay. In London, I was in the Earl's Court area and the studio apartment was really cozy. It faced a beautiful private garden. I loved it so much I'd sleep in on rainy mornings instead of going out to explore. I stayed in a quaint studio apartment on Ile-St-Louis when I was in Paris. That was a five-minute walk from Notre Dame.

Would you recommend Roomorama? 
Yes, the website is easy to navigate and there are options to suit your budget and other constraints.

COVER STORY: Rise of the Vacation Rental

What’s the difference between being on tour and back home?

The biggest difference from where I come from--where I was born, in my hometown in Virginia, or where I live now in San Diego--is that all the places have become so familiar that all the routines and all the conversations, even the trees and the bird songs, they tend to almost disappear sometimes from view because you’re so deep inside the familiarity of it that you forget to see how beautiful it really is. So therefore, when I travel, when I go to any other cities, and certainly when I’m constantly traveling, everything is new and you’re constantly engaged, constantly awoken to different sights, sounds, shapes, colors of things.

What’s your take on Asia?

There’s something that’s quite profound that happens for me when I come over to Asia. It is because I can’t read anything, and that creates a quiet of the mind. You know, if I’m in New York City, all I’m reading is advertisements, and street signs; it’s constant business being thrown at you. Whereas when I come over here, or when I’m in China, or Japan, most things around me, or even street signs here in Thailand, they just look like graphic art to me. So it quiets the mind, and it allows me to see more of the nature, more of the beauty, more of the spirit in things versus the man-made, or the messages that they try to send us. It just creates a different mindset, in which I’m going to see the world. And then when things come at me, whether it be a conversation I have or a longing for someone in another city, or just being open through this quiet of mind, I never know what’s going to come up in a song. It could be an old feeling in the past, or it could be an entirely new feeling. But because of that, I do get inspired a lot when I travel.

What about Thailand specifically?

I didn’t know it was called the land of smile before. I like that. But I always try to have as few expectations as possible, so as not to live in some made up future, and then get there and say, “Oh, it’s not that at all”. [I try to] just be open to whatever I walk into. What I have noticed here, and now I know that this land is called the Land of smile--it’s amazing--is grace. Other countries don’t have this grace. This bowing, and this respectful language that most males or females seem to have a different kind of respect for, but in an equal amount of respect. It’s just like a grace – a way of being – that not all cultures have. Certainly, in the United States, they don’t. We don’t know how to greet each other at all. Some people shake hands, some people hug, some people don’t touch each other at all. Very awkward, you know, it’s so strange. But here, there’s just grace, I can’t think of any other word for it. And that’s a beautiful thing. You should be very proud.

Would your say your music is about more than just love and relationships?

Well, recently it’s been everything, which is why even the album was created. It’s interesting because when I make an album, it’s whatever I’m processing or learning in my life. That is what the album is about. Or whatever I’m experiencing at the time in my life. And I look back at all my albums and saw that, love and relationship is a common through life. But still I have yet to be master at love; I have yet to start a family, or have a long-lasting relationship. So that was something I really want to look at, and learn, and improve, and be better; be better at love, and just be love itself. So I took this project on, and at the same time that I was having these feelings, I saw that artwork (the new album cover) before I had written any song. And I thought, wow these are four fundamentals of building. They are the first things we even see as children; we were introduced these shapes. Yet, I had never seen them in that order before. It said that word ‘love’. I thought, wow. I’m just so amazed by this. I thought there are two reasons I should make an album about love based on, or because of, this artwork. One, we want to really duplicate that album as much as possible, right? I mean, you want to sell millions of copies. And you want to advertise it, and put posters up. And how cool is that, it even ends up as a digital graphic on your phone if you download it. What a cool way to spread the message of love in the world one more time – another message of love for a new generation. And if you can see love in that image, in those four shapes, it’s a choice that you’re making because they are just shapes. If you choose to see love, you always have the power to choose to see love in the world – in anyone, in anything, in an enemy, in a bad day, in a mirror. Love is a choice that we make. That’s one of the profound realizations I had in working on this album. It’s almost like the songs are just side projects, or side effects of living inside this journey to understand love. What I conclude love to be, now, is sharing. I think it’s best understood, best seen and felt when you simply share something. My being here in this interview is sharing because I love what I do. And I love that you love what you do, and that you’re going to share your passion in writing with someone who’s probably going to have a passion for reading about music or lifestyle or whatever. And it’s going to resonate with their love. It’s the sharing – this constantly sharing – that we pass on to each other. Or when we share resources, or energy, or when we volunteer, or feed other, or hug others, or give money to help an organization. Sharing, I find, is that best way for us to really truly experience love. It gets you out of your head, and your heart.

What’s with your new look?

You know, I don’t know. During my break between albums, I realized that it would grow if I didn’t cut it. So now it’s growing. It’s easier; it’s fun. Yeah, I would probably cut it one day, and people would go, “Oh no! it’s your new look!”

How do you balance your life having to go on tour for a long period of time?

Oh gosh, I don’t always. I don’t always balance my life. Sometimes I absolutely go crazy. And then I think, “Why am I going crazy?” But I do my best. I balance it by doing yoga, or some kind of physical activity. Traveling or touring is often sitting, having conversations, sitting on a plane, sitting in an airport, sitting in a van, sitting on a bus, you know, it’s a lot of just stagnant energy. So by doing yoga or some kind of physical activity, I can, as Bob Marley would say, “lively up yourself,” and get back into your head and generate some thoughts, some lyrics, and some ideas. And that, to me, is to help to keep balance between sitting. And in this practice, of being lively through yoga or sitting, is the balance that I can then apply to my whole life or to my entire day, whether it’s an hour of doing interviews, or an hour of not talking, or interacting with my band later to put the show together tonight. It all goes down to doing a pose in yoga, where you are forced to balance and keep yourself there for an extra minute. But you don’t want to, and your mind says, “I don’t wanna do it.” But your body says, ‘Just do it man, just do it’. And your body finally comes together, and hopefully you can live that way for the rest of the day and create that balance.

How do you maintain a relationship?

As for the rest of my life, how do I have family and all that--I don’t. My family is with me on the road. My family accepts that I’m here on the road. My family is a very special core group of people that I’ll stay in correspondence with. Right now, I’m doing good though. I’ve got a lot of amazing friends in my life – some very close ones that support my being here. So that way, it doesn’t feel like I’m missing anything somewhere else.

Can you tell us about the Jason Mraz foundation?

When I first started out, fifteen years ago, I was making absolutely no money, and it was through the generosity of friends and family that I had a rich quality of life. It kept me on my path so I could be the artist that I wanted to be. And now years later, thanks to music, which I’ve known to actually serve in many ways, I decided to take this spotlight, and redirect it on some stories of individuals and organizations out there that are doing their part, working to give a rich quality of life to those that are less fortunate. So I used the spotlight, the attention, the awareness, my resources and my money to create a foundation that supports these other programs. At the moment, I support about eight different charities inside the fund that is the Jason Mraz foundation. It covers a variety of organizations from animal preservation to human rights. You can find out more about that at jasonmraz.com/foundation. It has been a career highlight for me to actually go far beyond what I thought I would acquire or achieve as a songwriter, now that I can actually serve the world in profound ways.

I would kill for… Transmission Audio’s Ultimate speaker system.

It blows my mind when… I have beef flavored McCoy crisps.

My worst habit is… not taking the rubbish out when it’s due.

If I had a million dollars… I would be chilling in my “big” house making music and going on holidays at least twice a year.

If I were an animal, I’d be… the king of the jungle—a lion.

When I was young, I wanted to be… a fighter pilot.

Avalon punters can expect… new material, new sounds, new directions. I will rock the joint.

Richard Dinsdale spins June 29 at Avalon.

Talent shows: yes or no?
The old way of being spotted by talent scouts is gone. Competitions like the “Idol” series bring a host of great singers and performers into the public eye. They might not have gotten a break anywhere else.

Your concert draws huge crowds. Does it ever get overwhelming?
I tend to feed off the energy of a crowd. If they are rocking, it gives me a huge adrenaline rush. If they are more reserved, I work harder to get them rocking.

Is it challenging to perform songs by Freddie Mercury?
I don’t feel the difference. Whether I record one of my own songs or sing onstage, I still sound like me even though the audience sees me as Freddie Mercury.

Should we envy your rock and roll lifestyle?
These days, it’s a bit of a myth. Because touring is so grueling, I look after myself on the road and off. I have to be 100 percent [for the show] every night. If I partied like a rock star, I wouldn’t be able to keep my performance up. The most “rock and roll” thing I do after a show is to look for somewhere to eat.

Gary Mullen performs One Night of Queen on June 21-23, 7:30pm; June 24, 5pm at the Marina Bay Sands.