Becoming a singer was down to luck. A talent scout spotted me walking around Siam shopping for underwear just after I had moved back from Australia.

I don’t give a shit about those who judge people by their looks. I was judged by people at GMM because I wore scruffy sports clothes to our meeting. They were like, why the hell are you here? I was actually meeting executives, to discuss becoming a singer. I wasn’t quite sure but I finally said yes and released my first album in 1996.

Singing isn’t my favorite thing. I just happen to be able to do it. So I turned my back on it for a decade. Now I enjoy working behind the scenes doing jobs like narration and production. I also present a TV show, Por Nu Keng Tee Sud Nai Lok (My Dad is the Best in the World), on Channel 7.

The entertainment industry has a deceptive charm. The business makes those working in it swell with pride and think that they are cooler than everyone else. Those people who aren’t mentally strong might be led astray.

I grew bored of partying every day. I tried to prove that I was a cool guy by going to parties and show everyone that I was cool by being able to hold my alcohol. Laughing at the same shit every night finally wore me out. I just knew that I couldn’t be a bad boy.

Creating scandals or showing some flesh is such a low method of getting famous. Concentrate on doing your best at your job to be successful.

Watching TV and social networking stresses me out. It’s true that we’re in a world of information but it seems like there is no filter.

Seeing politician’s faces on posters and everywhere is really frustrating. It’s like they are taking credit for everything good in this country. The worst thing is people aren’t aware that it is a politician’s duty to work to get all these things for us. People think they owe them a debt of gratitude.

Don’t work for the future. You’re just suffering for things that society thinks are important like cars or houses. But remember, not everyone will live until they are 60. You might die tomorrow and have never really lived. Your life would be such a waste.

Live in the present. My goals are day to day goals. I just do things that I love to do and then try to make money from them.

I love sports. If I had discovered that I loved it earlier, I would definitely be a professional athlete. Sports is the fairest thing in life. You want to win? Go practice.

Riding bicycles is my meditation. Others might go to the temple but this is my way of clearing my mind. Seeing the views change along the way is more pleasurable than just sitting in a temple.

Experiences along the way are far more important than the destination. I love to take a long ride out of town and people always ask me how long it takes to get there. But time isn’t my concern. What happens along the way is all I care about.

Living in the city makes people hostile. Folk who live out of town are far friendlier. When I ride out of town I always meet people who ask me to join them for dinner or to stay at their place. So I’m not sure whose quality of life is better.

Having a baby taught me real love. Love between men and women is all about feelings. There are always mutual benefits. But the love parents give to babies is ideal love. You can’t have it with anyone but your children. He teaches me to live for others.

I’m not the best father in the world. I know I can’t protect him forever. I plan to teach him how to live properly in this world. For example, by encouraging him to get a part-time job to become aware of money.

Kids these days are idle. They think they know everything but they never try to do things. Searching on Google might give you information but you should learn by doing things, too.

Simplicity is best. My wife and I are so happy to live in the simplest way. I want my boy to grow up in this environment.

Virtue and morality are more important than education. It’s true that education matters but, in reality, not everyone can get the best education.

I like the mess and extremes of Thailand. The wires, the sidewalks, the bird shit, the noodle stalls are all amazing. But the most fascinating thing is how Thais learn to live with it all so easily.

I dream of cycling around the world. Taking the plane, you just pop-up at your destination. But cycling helps you experience the sea, the desert, the forest and all the people along the way.

Mix up your daily lifestyle to refresh yourself and broaden your mind. Take a walk instead of driving or stop and talk to a stranger. You will learn a lot.

How did you become a photographer and move into filmmaking?
I studied architecture at Thammasat but decided right after graduating that it wasn’t what I wanted to do. It started out as countless unpaid experimental projects, helping friends take photos at parties. I didn’t even have my own camera at first; I had to borrow one from a friend. My first camera was a compact. I got a job with Art Asava as a Fashion Merchandiser. Then through connections I got to meet Gene Kasidit and work on the cinematography for his “Gep Kam Wa Rak (ONS)” music video. I only started filmmaking a year and a half ago.

How do you explain your success so far?
I know what I want to show my audience and how to play on their emotions. I already have the pictures in my head before I take the photos. Looking through the lens is just a way to frame them. I give everything my best shot. There was one commercial where I had to film using a crane, which I’d never done before. It felt awkward but I didn’t give up until it worked. Boundaries are nothing, you just need to keep pushing yourself.

What do you make of claims that anyone can be a good photographer right now with the latest photo editing apps?
It’s not about good filters or expensive cameras. It’s the individual behind the camera that counts. Creative work in Thailand looks mostly the same because everyone copies one another when they see something they like. I don’t copy. When I see something that inspires me, I might look at the techniques used and ask myself how I can develop it into my own style and still communicate as me.

Any tips about working in the creative industry?
Kids these days want to be something that’s in-trend. They want to be this and that, but they end up nowhere because they forget to be themselves first. Freedom to be yourself is expensive, so keep it. I don’t bother about being anyone else. I’m not a funny person, so I don’t try to crack jokes. I rarely party; either I study, work or hang out with friends. Some things in society are overrated.

What’s your biggest dream?
I don’t have dreams. I have passion. It’s what drives me and I put it into my work. It doesn’t matter what career you’re in, as long as you do it with love and faith, you will never go hungry.

What’s next for you?
I like doing a lot of projects at the same time. For me, doing just one thing is boring. I just flew to New York for work and got to expand my portfolio. The art scene there is more open-minded and vibrant than in Thailand, so I’m planning to take on more international projects. I also just started working on a big top secret project here, which will start shooting soon.

Is contemporary music getting more and more formulaic these days?
I don't think so. Personally I appreciate all the ideas floating around, lyrically and musically. It pushes songwriters and producers to come up with more interesting ideas and newer tricks to tell a story.

Who are your influences?
This is always a revolving door. It depends on my mood and could sit anywhere between Metallica (the first four albums) and Quincy Jones.

Who would you like to collaborate with—living or dead?  
Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, Solange... so many! I think it'd be really fun to do a song with Boys Noize or A-Trak as well.

Do you guys prefer performing live or recording in the studios?
I really enjoy performing but I'm going to have to choose the studio. Both very different experiences so it's almost impossible to compare the two. One is more physical and energetic and the other is creative and technical. There is nothing like a great show but there is also nothing like making magic in the studio.

What is your guilty pleasure?
I'm going to go with Rihanna, although I love to cook in which case I almost always cook while listening to Django Reinhardt. I feel like I'm in a 1939 cooking show.

Famous last words?
Take risks, you never know unless you try.

Cobra Starship performs on Sep 20 at 1 World Music Festival.

I was a terribly hyperactive child. I could not sit still. I still can’t sit still, fact.

My parents were solid, sensible, Chinese-educated Presbyterians. I am not sure why my sister and I turned out Anglo-centric and such left wing idealists.

How did I end up in the ice-cream business? I ask myself that a lot, especially when I wake up in a gutter every now and then.

In a nutshell, I am a bit of a bleeding heart and this business started out just that. Plus I have an insatiably sweet tooth and eat a lot of ice-cream and cakes.

I met my partner Edrick while farming and we wanted to start something that was sustainable, meaningful and community friendly. The searching took us many places and we decided to start with a food business where our first product line involved iced lollies that were healthy, packed to the gills with fresh fruit and also conveyed the essence of how we wanted to lead our life.

The business is active in charitable initiatives, we keep our waste to a minimum, recycle where possible and hire local people like retirees for our production work.

Before Popaganda, I was working at the university as a legal librarian. I had always wanted to be a librarian or a bus driver since I was eight.

But at some point in a legal librarian’s career, one has to complete their master’s degree and this also means being bonded to the institution. I wanted to be free so I went on to become a motoring journalist. I was quite into cars and bikes as a teenage girl. It was the best time of my life.

I got to jet set all over the world, test drive the latest cars, go kart race with Michael Schumacher and be exposed to all sorts of great experiences.

I’ve gone two weeks without showering in the Javanese forests, in an off-roading competition with 40 other men.

I’ve had quite a few madcap adventures in the most remote places. If I had to name one, I would say it involved being up in the mountainous and somewhat dangerous border between Burma and Thailand at a remote village rice farming. The tribe children who wanted to know about the world and soupy noodles were amazing.

It is always wise for everyone to venture abroad to get a perspective, then there is a chance for real comparison to where we are here.

Although it has been a pretty rough past two years for me as I had my heart broken and my health also took a dive at the same time. But I would like to say I was truly happy when I realized at one point as I was looking at the losses and lows I had to face, that I was extremely fortunate to have a very tight group of friends who stuck by me for years and constantly kept my nose clean.

I tell you what I can’t wrap my head around; this frenetic mania surrounding the Hello Kitty dolls from MacDonald’s. I don’t get why grown men will queue up for these things? Let alone fight and stamp their feet over them. There must be some voodoo joo-joo going on.

Soft fluffy puppy ears, strong arms, a sharp mind, a pure heart and good food turn me on. But not in that order.

I like to name my zits after men I admire and love.

What are some of your top barbecuing tips?
Never barbecue meat on a direct flame or over a roaring fire. Also, pat food dry before cooking as it browns better.

What techniques do you use for good barbecue?
I always do a last minute basting and I don’t usually use marinades unless it’s for meats like lamb.

What do you think of gas and electric barbecues?
I like using gas barbecues they allow for a smoky flavor to develop in the meats. Electric barbecues usually have set temperatures, which do not allow you to cook beyond a certain level of heat.

What are some ways to avoid burns?
Never brush too much oil in the meat. Just a thin coat is enough to promote browning.

What kinds of meats take best to barbecues and grills?
Baby ribs, meat brisket, riblets or rib tips.

It’s been a while since your last visit to Bangkok–what are your memories of it?
We have an office in Bangkok so the city has become a second home in Asia over the years and an excellent springboard from which to explore the mainland and the islands. In my time, I’ve DJ’d at the Met bar, eaten and danced the night away at Bed Supperclub, visited the temples, eaten some more at the fish-(super)market, confiscated bootleg Placebo CDs in Patpong, and, at times, explored the city's more salacious underbelly.

Your new album Loud Like Love will be released next month—how is it different from previous albums?
I wanted to call our last album "Speed of Sound" before Coldplay beat us to it with their single. So this time I scoured the internet to check that "Loud Like Love" had not already been used in a musical context which, to the best of my knowledge, it hasn't. I can't remember exactly when and where and why it came to me, but it was sometime during our first phase of writing. It occurred to me that an underlying theme was emerging. We stood at a turning point: were we to follow our instincts and recognize that this theme was a manifestation of our collective sub-conscience and have the courage to explore, in our own singular manner, the subject that remains the most explored in popular song? Or were we to embrace the intellectual and steer the album’s subject matter away from its natural course out of fear of appearing cliched? Thankfully we chose the former and never once questioned that choice. And the results have exceeded our own expectations.

The new album was a long time coming. What took so long?
It is a common misconception that in the time between visits to a particular country your favorite band hasn't been up to much. In our case, we toured Battle For The Sun (2009) for almost two years. I then decided to take a year off to focus on parenting, during which I wrote some of the songs that appear on Loud Like Love. We reconvened in the summer of 2012 ostensibly to record a new single as we had just signed a new record deal. That single morphed into the five-track B3 EP which we released in the autumn to placate the more militant factions of our fanbase. We then realized that we were having such a fantastic time in the studio with our new producer Adam Noble that it felt as if we had already begun the recording of album seven. And that was when we committed ourselves.

What was the recording process like?
Because we practically fell into the recording process accidentally we all had other commitments to fulfill. Adam Noble was about to tour with the Red Hot Chili Peppers to record their live shows and we had booked a tour to promote the B3 EP. We got back together at the beginning of 2013 to finish the new album. This proved challenging as we had already set quite a high benchmark of quality with our 2012 recordings that we felt we had to surpass in some way. A great deal of self-questioning and insecurity followed. It was unpleasant at the time but it forced us out of our comfort zone and to up the ante. The result is an album that feels as if it has a side A and a side B, like an old vinyl album. And like an old vinyl album it is best consumed in one sitting.

What can we expect from your Bangkok show? Plenty of new material?
Unfortunately, due to the fevered proliferation and iniquitousness of smart devices it has become more and more difficult to preview unfinished or unreleased material in a live setting. We do, however, re-work a lot of our old songs to keep them fresh and enjoy presenting them in a new form. Rest assured, our set-list will differ greatly to the one from the last tour.

Your new single “Too Many Friends” seems a bit of a rallying cry against social media…
"Too Many Friends" is most definitely not a rallying cry against social media. It is a small story about social alienation. I do worry, however, that technology is fast replacing religion as the opium of the people. But we cannot blame the technology itself—people are the problem. After all, guns don't kill people, but people do.

You’re coming here to play the Sonic Bang festival, which has a pretty diverse line-up, from Pitbull to the Pet Shop Boys and a number of K-Pop bands. What’s your strangest festival experience?
Being pelted with cooked ham whilst opening for Metallica at an Italian festival ranks in the top three. We have had many strange objects thrown at us during gigs over the years. Coins hurt the most. Bullets were the most disturbing.

You guys have been playing together for so long. Do you still get the same buzz out of touring/playing shows?
If anything, the satisfaction is greater. But it’s a very nerve-wracking thing to do, because as a performer you are placing yourself in a very vulnerable position. When an audience reaches out to the band as much as the band reaches out to them, a state of collective euphoria akin to transcendence is created. Band and audience exist purely in the moment, our every-day perception of time evaporates and true synergy is achieved. This is a rare occurrence but it is what we strive to achieve every time we step out onto the stage. 

Placebo has always been pretty overt in challenging of gender stereotypes—do you feel popular perception has changed at all over the span of your career?
I do not, despite the fact that how we presented ourselves in the 90s has been assimilated into the mainstream. This is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. In my opinion, the human race is as prejudiced as it ever was despite the fact that minorities are accepted by the artistic community. This has always been the case. The internet has simply given a louder voice to the forces of tolerance. But it has also provided a platform for the spineless and hateful---and governments still discriminate against what they fear and do not understand.

We’ve heard you’re pretty interested in Asian religions; can you tell us any more about that? 
I’m interested in Buddhism because it is a philosophy of life rather than a religion. In Buddhism, there’s no god and that is a big part of the attraction for me. Right thoughts, right action. No god, no attachments—no worries.

Lately in the news, Thai monks have been getting pretty messed up with drugs, sex and scandals. Do you have any words for them?
I don't quote Jesus very often but I think in this case it is appropriate: "let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Tell us more about the project.
Moongrazing is a conceptual "visual play" loosely based on themes inspired by the moon set to an original score by Victor Low aka Affixen. The visual consists of a series of animated loops and a main surreal animated clip. There will be 2 x 20min live improvised performance by Victor Low and multi-talented artist Andy Yang for each night. There is also a special live drawing projection segment where selected artists from OICsingapore will be drawing live.

Is this one of the biggest project displays you guys have come up with?
Yes, it is the most important one to date. This is not only our biggest project; it is also our first time participating at the festival. It is great that we, as Singaporeans, are able to perform at such an important platform to showcase our passions and our talents. We also have right partners alongside us that have provided their technical expertise which allow us to do what we do best: Illustrate.

What are some of the challenges you faced?
With the distinct individual styles of our illustrators, we wanted to find a nice blend between making the projection look wholesome while highlighting the individual characteristics of each style at the same time. This involved lots of planning.

Do you come across many artists in it for the money?
Yes, but we believe we should not look at it in a negative context. Like any other profession, a full time artist needs to be able to make a living out of his talents unless of course, you are doing art leisurely. That said, we are always encouraging our peers to look beyond just bread and butter but to find and fine tune their visual voice and do more personal art pieces that are more soulful and less commercialized.

Can Singapore compete with art capitals such as New York, London and Berlin?
Commercially speaking, we are. Singapore is pretty much in the forefront of the Southeast art scene. Having said that, we still are lacking in terms of celebrating our local talents. We have to address this from a grassroots level, appreciating the art for art itself and not the names tagged to it. So platforms like Singapore Night Festival should be applauded for celebrating local talent and putting them on par with international artists.

Singapore Night Festival 2013 is on August 23-24 and 30-31 at various locations along the Bras Basah Bugis precinct. Free.

Why did you decide to start this restaurant?
It’s actually a dream come true for my husband and I! We love hosting parties, and we love the venue that we've got, especially since I grew up in the area—since 1978—plus we got married at the beautiful carpet grass lawn next to us at Rider's Lodge. So it's really like coming home.

How did you come up with the name RoundHouse?
We were trying for the longest time to find a good name, which had special meaning to Wayne. I asked him what the name of the very first pub he ever visited was—since this restaurant-pub was going to be his first—and it was “RoundHouse”, a pub back in England where he grew up! We both looked at each other and just knew it was perfect for us.

How long have you wanted to start a restaurant?
For Wayne, forever! For me, I've always had an idea of something to do with giving people a place to chill or relax but I never really focused on it and when my hubby mentioned this, it felt right!

How much say did you have in the menu?
I left that to my husband and the chef. But they came up with a dish that represents me: The Loco Lopez: A pizza with jalapenos, chilli padis, and salami. Now, how do those and the “Loco” represent me? I'll leave it to your imagination.

What was the most challenging or surprising thing about starting a restaurant?
Painting chairs! If you've noticed, the chairs are a very relaxing turquoise and white combination and we sprayed them ourselves. I now have a new skill. We've had a wonderful response to the new colors and we're absolutely thrilled that people love just chilling out here and enjoying the atmosphere.

Vernetta Lopez is one of the owners of RoundHouse Pizza, Bar & Grill.

What are your favorite Korean dishes?
I like gyeran bbang, or egg bread. It's made with egg, flour, yeast, sugar and salt. I like it because it's savory and sweet and I used to have a lot of it for breakfast as it was cheap and filling. Another one of my favorites is skewered fish cakes. Both egg bread and skewered fish cakes are available all year round in Korea.

What inspired you to create the new menu at Sarang?
I wanted to follow leading Korean restaurant trends by bringing the complete experience of dining in contemporary bistros in Gangnam, to Singapore. My dishes, while unique to Sarang, reference the food from districts like Gangnam, Itaewon, Hongdae and Sinchon in Seoul.

Which of your dishes have proven the most popular?
Ginseng chicken terrine, the meat lovers’ platter and army stew.

What is lacking at most Korean restaurants in Singapore?
Korean dining spots in Singapore mostly comprise smoky barbecue houses. Sarang offers more what one would find on the streets on Gangnam today: Korean-inspired cocktails and Korean classics served tapas style.

What do you think accounts for the increasing popularity of Korean food?
As Korean dramas and music become increasingly popular, Korean food has gained popularity.

Chef Jung Yun Yur cooks at Sarang.

What are essentials to good Argentinean food?
Passion to share great food with the people you love. It’s also very important for us to consume the best produce, especially beef, lamb, and dulce de leche.

What’s special about the Argentinean way of preparing meat?
It’s about slow grilling and the fact we do cook the whole cow. Just like how the Spanish utilize the entire pig, we do that with the cow.

What’s the biggest misconception about Argentinean food?
That we eat 400-500g-steaks at one go. That is so far from the truth.

What do you think accounts for the growing popularity of Latin food in Singapore?
Pure Latin food is fairly uncommon in Singapore. While there is access to plenty of Mexican options, there are no specialized Argentinean restaurants. Singaporeans are well-travelled, curious and are willing to try new things, so I think Bochinche will be well-received. 

What would you say is your specialty and why?
What makes my cuisine so interesting is that my background is in fine dining and I’ve worked in many Michelin-starred restaurants, therefore I use the discipline and techniques to refine traditional Argentinean dishes. These fine dining techniques help to improve the flavors and textures, at the same time giving these traditional dishes a modern spin to suit the modern consumer palate. Dish-wise, my provoleta with almonds and honey, gambas al ajo—caramelized pork belly and chorizo—and dulce de leche crème brulee have received raves.

Why did you decide to come to Singapore?
Cynthia Chua was the main reason. I fell in love with her energy and determination but after visiting Singapore the challenge to make everyone fall in love with Argentine was vital.

What do think of the dining scene in Singapore?
Exciting and challenging. Loads of talented chefs make Singapore truly a food destination city.

Is there anything you’d like to have on the menu in Singapore that you’re holding back on because there might be a lack of demand?
Black pudding. We’re working on it.

Chef Diego Jacquet cooks at Bochinche.