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!

With his bag of house and electronica records, Tom Stephan is lethal. He formed his own record label ChumboMundo in 2005 and has won thumbs-up from big names like Danny Tenaglia and Deep Dish. Stephan discusses music and sudoku with I-S.

What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve done?
Remixing Tom Jones.

One thing you regretted doing?
Not wearing my DJ ear protection years ago when my doctor told me to.

The worst sound you’ve heard?
Happy hardcore.

Your favorite city to spin in?
New York, because it's the city where my love for house was born.

What’s a fool-proof pickup line you use?
There’s no need to say anything. It’s all in the eyes.

If you could change the world, what about it would you change?
I wish we would stop destroying the planet.

What bores you?
Sudoku.

What’s your most terrifying nightmare?
Playing sudoku at a happy hardcore rave!

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.

We all need to find an outlet and learn how to let go. Flexibility and adaptability are necessary in today’s crazy world.

Attention and time management are the key to professional accomplishments, particularly if you are juggling various jobs (like me). The ability to completely isolate each of them is crucial to minimize mix-ups.

Passion combined with luck and opportunity is what it takes to fulfill your dream.

I admire all my colleagues, past to present. As far as actors go, I am impressed with Janet Khiew’s professionalism and multiple talents. Mayura Savetasila, Theng and Nong Therdtherng are also on my favorite list of people to work with.

Physical preparation might not be as essential as mental preparation. Your mind has to stay focused.

Prevention is the best solution. It is hard to fix something when the damage is already done.

When it comes to career options, opportunities are what make all the difference. I consider myself relatively fortunate for all the opportunities presented to me.

Spending time with myself brings peace of mind. When seeking advice, I turn to myself. Upon understanding the situation, who else would be able to figure it out better than I!

I am a risk-averse person when it comes to managing my money. Stashing my money somewhere in the back of my closet or letting it sit in my bank account give me a sense of total control.

True happiness comes from within. The rest is just icing on the cake.

Follow your gut feeling. If it doesn’t feel right or sound right, why bother taking the plunge?

When faced with problems or challenges, I never give up. It’s natural to get discouraged, but there’s no need to feel miserable. Dust yourself off and carry on.

I might have achieved fame and wealth at a certain level, but I consider myself anything but successful. I am just happy to be where I am now.

I see myself retiring at around 50. I’ll probably go behind the scenes. The conventional idea of retiring is just not for me.

I can be a bit of a serious and a private person when not in front of the camera. My fans might mistakenly think of me as unapproachable, which does not do justice to my true personality.

I am an avid reader. My favorites are history, mystery and epics.

My motto is sincerity, ambition and passion. I have been following this philosophy, and it has shaped what I am today.

I am in love with what I do. People who don’t have any pride for their profession are just terrible.

Life is full of surprises and uncertainty. The only sure way of minimizing any potential damage is take all the necessary precautions.

Parenting is not something to be taken lightly. You can’t really have an eye on your kid 24/7. Good moral foundations are the way to help your children differentiate the good from the bad.

You can’t leave your children in a dungeon in today’s world. Exposure to multiple cultures will do them good. It will educate them and provide them with a better understanding of what is going on in the world. I don’t want to make them feel left behind.

How did you begin this job?
I worked in a glasses factory for many years. But after they replaced humans with machines, I lost my job. I learned writing Chinese characters with a paintbrush from my mother, so I began to work here.

What do you write on each piece of paper?
They are actually Confucius’ words. Phrases like “God brings fortune to the enterprising” and “Peace and wealth come to life” are the most popular.

How much do you make?
The price begins at B10. Sometimes I earn more than that, but at times I earn nothing.

How do you concentrate on this busy street?
Concentration happens inside. Although it’s really busy here in Yaowarat—people walking past, cars and buses making noise—I don’t feel annoyed at all. When I do my job, I’m really into it. I don’t hear any noise; I don’t see anything but my work. If you can’t concentrate on your work, you can’t live your life.

What is the best part of your job?
I love my job because it makes my clients happy. I can live without working because my children are all grown up and can take care of me, but I believe one should make each day worthwhile. As a human, we have to struggle for our lives, not just let them pass easily.

What happens to your stall when you need a break?
I just leave it here. I go to Wat Mungkorn and come back and continue my work. Nothing has been stolen so far.

Has the bombing in Yaowarat affected your life at all?
I don’t fear anything. I believe that if I’m a good man and do nothing wrong, I will live my life free from harm.

I was about 10 when I realized that piano could really become something important in my life. I see it as a pen. I use it to write down my thoughts and share my stories.

Before you can write, you need to know basic ABCs and grammar; but when you actually write, it comes from within you. How you will use what you have learned to create something new is the most important thing.

I had no professional training when it comes to composing or producing. I only had classical piano training.

I received a scholarship to study business in ABAC. I had the opportunity to study—why should I pass it up? Music was going to be with me all my life and it’s not something I would give up easily, but the opportunity at ABAC could only happen once.

What I learned at university is very useful for me now when I make music. The marketing and business planning theories all can be applied.

My main source of inspiration has to be my dad. He’s a musician and it was he who put me on this path. We always talk about how to think like a musician and how to adapt to the environment. He guides me through life.

Boyd came to my church one day, saw me play and gave me an opportunity to work with him. I helped him produce music for commercials and TV dramas. I was able to learn a lot from him about music and it prepared me for what was to come next with B5.

As time passes, your goals expand and you are not afraid to take on more challenges. Now that I have my own album, I can further study music or work with other artists on the international level. The list of things I can do is endless.

If your fans like you the way you are, don’t change. If you like a musician, you don’t have to be the second version of them. Just be as good but in your own way.

There are a lot of people competing in this industry and if you are not true to yourself you won’t be able to make it. You cannot always fool your audience.

If you try your best, really put yourself into it, you will make it.

There’s no right or wrong, no good or bad in music. Beyond the basics, it’s all about style. Even if a person can’t sing, it doesn’t mean they are not good at something else. All musicians have their own signature.

Nothing comes easily. Stick to what you’re good at and you will succeed.

Aim at keeping your old fans—it’s always more effective to retain your existing fan base than to find a new one. If you change your style, then you’re selling out and you’re not being honest to your fans.

This new album is the first time I did everything by myself—composing, producing and of course singing. I might not be a great singer, but I want to communicate my love of music to the fans.

If I were not in the music industry, I’d probably go into management and marketing. Being a musician, you belong to the public and you are a product. If I were just doing my own business without anyone watching my every move, it would be nice.

I believe everyone is born with a purpose, but it’s up to you to realize it and make it happen. I received a gift in music and I think I have done my best. I am grateful for it.

How long have you been here? How has it changed?
Since I was born. Pakklong wasn’t like today. It was an ordinary half-day market, not 24/7 like now.

Are you here all day?
No. There are different “shifts.” I have my space from 6am to 6pm.

Are you busy all day?
People come here all day, but things get really chaotic early in the morning and late at night. Unless it’s really too hectic, I usually have time to talk to people and help them.

How’s the money?
It depends. Normally, 50 roses go for B30, but during peak times, like Valentine’s Day, graduation or wedding seasons, the prices go up. In some years, prices have gone up to B150 for a bouquet before Valentine’s Day.

People say it’s better to come here early in the morning—is this true?
Flowers come in at 6pm every day at the Wat Ratchaburana market. So they’re fresher in the evening. People like me who get their space in the morning take the flowers home and keep them until it’s their time to sell.

Which flower is the best seller?
I’m more into roses because they sell well all year round.

Any tricks of the trade?
The nurseries wrap the flowers, so normally all I have to do is dip the head and bottom in clear water. But during the Valentine’s Day period, most sellers put the flowers in an ice tank, so when we take them out, the buds are bigger and fresher and they’ll last almost two weeks longer. But when you take them off the ice, they will bloom for only one day. So it’s risky to buy them before Valentine’s Day, because sometimes you end up with flowers that wither in three hours.

Arica Chan-Saint Pierre

What makes a good maitre d?
Flexibility and firmness.

What do you take care of?
Running the operations and staff training.

How do you remember everyone’s names?
We have a pool of regular customers. After six years I can definitely remember them. We also refer to the reservation book.

How do you remember the guests’ likes and dislikes?
By instinct—it’s hard to explain. We don’t keep a formal file, but we share information amongst the floor staff.

How do you recommend dishes?
I basically recommend our famous dishes—the foie gras and chocolate cake.

How do you word up your wait staff?
There’s classroom teaching and they apply what they learn. We also run through what they’ve been taught during their shift breaks.

What was your most difficult customer like?
The ones that are just unhappy with the table allocation. But I anticipate their questions even before they ask by reading their body language.

Biggest perks of the job?
Seeing your customers happy and hearing them say the meal was great.

Will a bigger tip ensure the best table?
No, it’s first-come, first-served. If it’s a birthday, we will try to give you a romantic corner and dress up the table.

Beppe de Vito-il Lido

What makes a good maitre d?
His appearance should be stylish and understated. He should make people feel comfortable.

What do you take care of?
A maitre d is like a teacher—someone who can teach everybody something. You have to be able to give things and make promises without having to check with anybody.

How do you remember everyone’s names?
It’s a myth when people think the maitre d remembers all the names. It’s not really about remembering names so much as remembering the person.

How do you remember the guests’ likes and dislikes?
We always try to know what people don’t like. Once we find out, then we ask them to let us impress them.

How do you recommend dishes?
Most people just want to be looked after. We’re selling an experience. We try to do it without asking too many questions.

How do you word up your wait staff?
We talk about the customers, table arrangement and the food and wines.

What was your most difficult customer like?
To me, a difficult customer is not a specific person—it’s someone who chooses to remain arrogant and rude.

Biggest perks of the job?
Seeing happy people every day. When the staff turnover is low, when the customers come back.

Will a bigger tip ensure the best table?
There’s no bribe. Just make yourself clear and you can get it.

Roxan Villareal-San Marco At The Lighthouse

What makes a good maitre d?
Flexibility—because not everyone can be treated in the same way.

What do you take care of?
Ordering, taking reservations, the wine and staffing.

How do you remember everyone’s names?
If you know their name perfectly it’s fine. If not, sometimes it’s better to call them sir.

How do you remember the guests’ likes and dislikes?
If they are repeat guests we allocate their favorite table automatically. If there are dietary requirements, we make notes and make sure we remember.

How do you recommend dishes?
About 80 percent of the guests know what they want. If they are a little lost, I describe the dishes.

How do you word up your wait staff?
No meal is the same, so be open and listen to what customers want.

What was your most difficult customer like?
We had a guest with a special religion, and we had to get plastic cutlery and utensils. We didn’t pull out a banana leaf, but almost.

Biggest perks of the job?
When you receive an email thanking you for a satisfying meal—because you managed to touch them somewhere.

Will a bigger tip ensure the best table?
It’s first-come, first-served. Once the tables are given away, we say no. It’s integrity.

Edith Lai-Le Saint Julien

What makes a good maitre d?
Your inner qualities—you need to be devoted to food and services. Secondly, your memory—remember what aperitifs guests like.

What do you take care of?
I handle the phone calls, assign the tables, lay out the restaurant plan properly and go through the guest list thoroughly.

How do you remember everyone’s names?
We look at the way they dress and remember specific incidents.

How do you remember the guests’ likes and dislikes?
Learn the ethnic preferences of the guests. For example, Indian guests love lamb rack. But they will seldom want it rare or medium rare. So you have to ask what they want.

How do you recommend dishes?
Recommend something with your heart. Facial expressions and descriptions are also very important.

How do you word up your wait staff?
We go through all the guests’ information and role play. I even call back and see how fast the phone is picked up and how the staff handle reservations.

What was your most difficult customer like?
Guests who have had a high level of alcohol consumption can become very difficult. When that happens we seat them in the lounge area until they’ve calmed down.

Biggest perks of the job?
When the guests recommend new guests, keep coming back and tell us we’re the top restaurant.

Will a bigger tip ensure the best table?
Well, no. If a new guest wants a prime table, we will give it to them if it’s available and decorate the table nicely.

New York based DJ Alex Gimeno, aka Ursula 1000, has defined his sound with kitschy, loungey breaks that stitch together a network of references loosely based in ’60s cool that bring to mind the groovy days of swing. A peek into his record bag reveals a pastiche of New Orleans funk, metropolitan samba, percolating samba and the occasional big beat break. He will be bringing every pair of shoes he owns to the much anticipated Good Vibrations Festival on Feb 19.

Do you do many music festivals?
Not really. I’ve done Glastonbury, and something called Meltdown in Washington State, but generally it’s solo tours in clubs more than festivals.

When you do a live set, what’s the set up?
I’m mainly playing vinyls. I do bring a pinch of CDs as a lot of my set is weird bootlegs and mashups, but it’s 90 percent vinyl.

What kind of music do you find works best for the festival crowd?
I find a really fulfilled set is one where I can get everything in there—just mash in as many genres as I can. Make it fluid and make it work in my own style.

Your current album is Here Comes Tommorrow—how has your sound changed from your previous efforts?
This time around it’s less ’50s and ’60s intensive in terms of retro lounge elements, and has more of a ’70s and ’80s feel with an rock element and a punky electro element. These are new areas I wanted to explore.

Listening to your music, I’m curious to hear what films have been influential to you.
Mid to late ’60s spy movies like James Bond were big influences. Definitely sci-fi, Woody Allen and Peter Sellers, too.

We think “Russ Myers” when we hear your music.
Yeah, that too. Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is easily in my top 10.

Favorite crowd?
A silly, open minded crowd with a sense of humor.

Fail-safe crowd pleaser?
I have this Sugar Hill Gang vs. Pepe Deluxe track that has been in my box for ages. Who doesn’t like Sugar Hill when you hear them?

Day job?
I’m just doing music full time now. I have a studio at home.

What are you working on now?
I’m wrapping up some remixes right now and working on a new single called “Electric Boogie.” It’s on the Good Vibrations website.

Any advice for 2007?
As an American, I have to say “please don’t judge us by our leader in office.”