As a child… we were wild.

We can play… the piano.

Fashion is… a way of expressing yourself.

We like it rough when… it comes to beats.

When we're old… we still want to have a good time.

We often fantasize about... more time for vacation.

Our poison is... vodka.

We dance… every single time we spin.

We're commonly mistaken for... trance DJs?!

We can't imagine a world without... music.

The best thing about being a DJ is... we don’t need to queue for club entry!

Feel the ground move under your feet as Cosmic Gate tears up the dancefloor with futuristic mixes this June 22 at Zouk.
 

The private sector’s struggles to carry out conservation projects are epitomized by the Praya Palazzo (757/1 Somdej Prakinklao Soi 2, 02-883-2998), a stunning riverside boutique hotel. The owners didn’t seek government support, and they still believe heritage conservation can be carried out privately.

“We put our faith in the place, and thought that no matter what obstacles we would face, we would be able to show that conservation and successful business can go together,” says Preeyadhorn Pitakvorrarat, who oversaw the preservation of the neoclassical mansion on the banks of the Chao Phraya River which was recognized with the Best Conservation Award in 2011 from the Association of Siam Architects.

Preeyadhorn credits her late husband Wichai Pitakvorrarat, an assistant professor of architecture who worked in conservation for 20 years, with the original idea of converting the 90-year-old mansion into a boutique hotel. He was enamored with the unique architectural style which dated from the King Rama V era. But, as it had been abandoned for 19 years, the renovation was a slow and painful process. For a long time there was no roof over one of the wings of the mansion and it had flooded three times, including last year.

The renovation bill grew to B80 million. It was footed by many partners involved in the project, which received no financial loans from banks. These saw no future in the project as it had no road access.

“Conservation in Thailand should get support from banks,” says Preeyadhorn. “They should see the value in our roots. Maybe they’re not romantic enough. But Thai billionaires could put together a fund managed by ASA to do conservation work.”

The hotel is still only accessible by boat. This meant all building materials had to be transported by boat, too. “It was like working a hundred years ago,” Preeyadhorn says with a laugh.

The long 20 months of renovations, during which time her husband passed away, left Preeyadhorn resolved to tell the history of the stately building originally known as Baan Bang Yi Khan. She went to the National Library to research everything she could about the house which belonged to Phraya Chollabhumi Panich, a royal officer in the Customs Department during the reigns of King Rama V and VI.

“Conservation work in Thailand still has a long way to go, but we need models to show the young generation the value of preserving our past. History is something that money can’t buy,” Preeyadhorn says.

                                                                                                       Praya Palazzo

If i wasn’t a DJ, i’d be… a doctor or a chef.

The best thing about being a DJ is… I get to travel the world and do what makes me happy.

Complete these sentences. I often regret… that I don’t live somewhere with a tropical climate.

I like it rough when… I get a massage.

My poison of choice is… foot rubs.

The last time I danced… was at my birthday gig in Philly last week.

Alcohol is… for people that want to get naked.

Get a taste of Josh Wink’s electro tech and experimental house on June 1 at Zouk.

Why etching prints?
The illustrations I draw are generally linear and often contain fine details, hence the format. Also the concept of repetition in a kaleidoscope mirrors the processes in printmaking, where many copies of a similar image can be produced from a single plate.

What inspires you?
The natural world; it is like an encyclopedia of textures, patterns and colors. The fascination with psychedelic stuff also influences my thoughts on the idea of extraction and abstraction.

Is art a reflection of life or a mystery?
Both. Art could be a reflection of the artist’s expression, thought and also a mystery to people viewing it. Everyone would have a different emotion when they see an artwork.

Where do you see yourself in another five years?
I see myself as a visual artist expressing my ideas and illustrations across different mediums. It would be great to expand my illustrations across different areas like that of wallpaper design, textile and perhaps even fashion prints.

Without art, life would be… 
Merely an existence instead of living.

Famous last words?
Go ahead, do as you please.

TRANSMISSION: Kaleidoscope is on through June 9 at PHUNK.

When did you realize you wanted to make singing a career?
I always wanted to be a soloist. While I was studying English Literature in Edinburgh, I studied singing on the side and managed to clinch a place at the Royal Academy of Music. I realized that maybe I had a chance to make this dream come true.

How does your background in literature help in your current job?
It has allowed me to really delve into the psyche of the character and interpretation of the pieces I am performing. My teacher always says, “It is your job to make the words intelligible, the composer could have easily given that line to a cello but he didn’t!”

Do you listen to classical songs at home?
Yes, sopranos and mezzo-sopranos mainly—not tenors. But my secret pleasures are the tracks that the gym instructors play at my Bodycombat class: a combination of pop, rock and R&B.

What do you miss most about Singapore when you’re abroad?
Food is high on the list. Other than that, my family and friends, but now that I am back, I miss my surrogate families and good friends in Edinburgh, London and Belgium.

Have you ever used your singing talents to impress a romantic interest?
I have to demonstrate sometimes when new friends or dates don’t believe I’m a professional opera singer. Singing is an incredibly physical and virile action. When I sing a high note, it feels like I’m revving up a luxury Italian sportscar: power with control.

Melvin Tan will perform on June 9 at Singapore Lyric Opera: Opera in the Park 2012 at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

How would you describe TinyFry’s if it was a person?
TinyFry’s is everyone’s favorite uncle, a kindly, approachable fellow with a twinkle in his eye and time for everyone. He is someone who knows when to just let you be yourself and when to dispense advice.

Describe the moment you realized you wanted to turn this into a business venture.
My “eureka” moment was when I went to buy a camera about two years ago. The salesperson said, “Aiyah, why you want Canon, buy Nikon lah better!” I still left with the Canon G11 I wanted, but somehow felt less excited about it. That was when I realized that while gadgets have become easier and more fun to use, shopping for them hadn’t changed—it was still unnecessarily stressful.

Why do you think TinyFry’s worksin Singapore?
Our Millenia Walk outlet looks like a fast food restaurant and the one at Republic Plaza looks like a bakery—I think it is this that attracts people through our doors. Once inside, customers will realize that our product offerings are unusual and our prices low and transparent.

What do you think of the Singapore startup scene?
There seem to be more young entrepreneurs now than ever (or perhaps I’m just getting old) and that heartens me. I sincerely hope they are getting the support they need from financial institutions, the government, media, customers and fellow businesses.

Whose work do you admire most?
I first met the managing director of Spa Esprit Group, Cynthia Chua, as a young writer many years ago. Her vision, energy and nose for trends impressed me then and still do.

Any advice for a fellow entrepreneur?
It’s wise to surround yourself with people whose strengths are the exact things you’re weak in.

I love Singapore because it is home and many of my old friends who went to school with me here have returned.

Being half Indonesian and half Australian, Singapore offers me the best of both worlds.

People say New York has the best food in the world, but I think Singapore does.

My passion is inspiring young creative entrepreneurs and businesses to take action and make change, no matter how big or small it is.

There are many people and businesses moving in from the West to set up in Singapore who don’t really understand how different things work here.

We can’t just put Western ideas at the forefront. We need to mesh them with Singapore’s cultural roots and also work with the neighboring countries.

I love to surround myself with people who inspire me and with whom I can share my ideas.

I have idolized my late father since I was a young girl. My aim is to be like him both personally and professionally.

I look up to people who are really passionate in doing what they love, and those who take risks. I’m a big fan of the marketing guru Seth Godin, as well as Noah Brief.

One of my aims this year is to have more time to myself and not always live out of a suitcase. I like to spend my off days eating with friends, going to music events, doing yoga and sitting by the pool.

People who are negative and complain all the time but never do anything to change themselves or the situation piss me off. I hate that!

The measure of success is all up to the individual. For me it’s making a life that you want to live.

If you want to be successful, you need passion, drive, motivation and the will to keep going to matter what.

You shouldn’t compare yourself to others. Keep an eye out on what your competitors are doing but don’t worry too much about it.

I live every day as fully as I can and am thankful for everything I have achieved.

I’m always hoping that every little thing I do makes a difference either in my own life or someone else’s.

What sparked your interest in dog psychology?
It wasn’t a choice. It was my destiny to teach dog psychology. I came to America to learn how to train dogs, but fate had a different agenda for me, it sent me to teach. I inherited the knowledge needed from my friends and family.

Do you have a favorite breed to train?
Every breed is different. It isn’t the breed that makes them hard to train. And I connect with dogs, I don’t train them. It’s up to the handler to find what inspires or motivates that particular dog. Find your dog’s passion and you can teach him whatever you want.

What’s the best tip you can give people who are having trouble with their dogs?
It isn’t the human that is having trouble with their dog. It’s the dog that is having trouble with the human. My best advice is to ask these questions. How do I feel around my dog? What is my energy like around my dogs? Do I walk with purpose so that my dog feels safe? And, am I consistent with my dogs?

Cesar Millan Live: Unleash Your Packpower is on June 2-3, 8pm at Marina Bay Sands.

How did the idea for this show come about?
I was inspired by pictures, performers, comedians and even a stripper who used bathtubs in her routines. I wanted to pull all my ideas together to create a whole show. I was drawn to bathing because it involves a natural sensuality and is a synonym for relaxation and recreation.

What do you think accounts for the performance’s international appeal?
It is quite quirky. But it attracts a broad audience because there is something for everyone. It is sexy but playful, comical and spectacular. The performance is very imaginative and erotic on a natural level, which everyone can relate to. I am often delighted to see how many different people love this show.

Are the cast members all from the original?
Many of them are long time members, but the cast keeps changing. We’ve been performing for five years nonstop, so it is inevitable to have different artists. Maximilian Rambaek, the other director, me and the producer choose them together.

Have any of the performers gotten seriously injured?
Thank God, no. Once, an artist fell onto a bathtub during his aerial routine, but luckily, he only suffered some scratches. The bathtub, however, was broken. The artists do indeed have to be careful not to slip.

Are there any special tricks you’ve used to make it safer for the acrobats to perform?
Surfer wax is one of the tricks, but the best one is training.

Of all the countries you’ve toured, which has been your favorite?
Every country has its own attactions, sometimes it’s the theatre and other times it is the audience. It is just the differences that makes it exciting. I once directed a dinner show in Singapore and love this city. The audience is great!

Soap! The Show is on Jun 15-16, 8pm; 16-17, 3pm at the Esplanade Theatre.

I’m a huge fan of The Beatles. I’ve listened to all of their albums and, for years, I even styled my hair like them. They never repeated themselves and always tried to revolutionize their sound.

I was a sound engineer at a music club before forming Stylish Nonsense with June [bandmate Yuttana Kalambaheti] and some other friends.

Our limitations as musicians forced us into making electronic music. We had no drummer so we started making songs on computers, which led us to become more experimental.

We are not interested in replicating our recordings when we play live. We also took a long break from entering the studio because it is such a waste of time trying to get everything perfect.

We don’t do any rehearsals before our shows. Often we won’t even talk to each other! Our music is all about moving forward. No need to talk, we just play.

We are lucky that our fans love our unpredictable style. They love us for our imperfections. But some people are disappointed when we don’t sound how we do on our album.

I launched Panda Records in 1999 because no one else would give us the freedom to release our music. All they could think about was marketing.

I put all my time and money into running the label but eventually I became exhausted. It took years to finish some projects because we were such perfectionists. The experience helped me understand why other record labels put business first.

Making music should be all about fun. If I had to deal with the management side of things too much, it would drain me of my ability to make music.

Playing music is a great way to release energy. That’s why we always look high when we play. It’s nothing to do with drugs or alcohol.

Our music scene is too money-driven. Record companies aren’t interested in supporting new things. They just want things that they can sell over and over again.

Big music festivals contribute to global warming. The organizers rig up huge lighting and sound systems, while everyone drives there, rents air-con rooms and creates a massive amount of waste—all for only one or two days. It’s all about selling products.

Our Stone Free music festival [which took place in Saraburi last December] was a lot different. We didn’t search for sponsors to make money. We just gathered a whole bunch of bands to play in a huge disused quarry. The only facilities were toilets.

I am now a professor in music production at Silpakorn University. I was asked to teach because they saw me as a pioneer in Thai electronic music. I teach students how to make music for commercials and events.

It’s good to be around new students. They are smart and so full of energy.

There is no right or wrong in music. I always tell my students to just respect themselves. I do like to sneak in a few lessons about experimental music, though.

Most of the money I make from commercials, modeling and other work goes into my music. I’m just lucky that my wife and family are really understanding of my passion.

The best thing that has happened to me is my daughter. She makes me feel that this world is marvelous because she looks at it in such a fresh and simple way.

I dream of taking Stylish Nonsense on an international tour to places like the USA, Canada and Europe. I spend so much time on small projects that I’ve never really done a big tour.

The internet is like a drug and some people are addicted to it. It can turn anyone into a god but also be a weapon for destroying others. That said, we’re lucky to have it: I can now spread my work and talk to musician friends abroad much easier than before.

People love to shock and frighten one another through online social networking, especially during the floods last year. I’d had enough of it at that time, so switched off my computer and went out to play music in the water. It was a real source of relief for me as my house was among those that were flooded.

I just shaved off my mustache because I don’t want anything like that to define me. I might grow it again later, but not for a while.

I’m not afraid of mainstream success, as the band becomes more recognized. It might lead to more people making new and interesting music.

I feel so great when I see people covering our songs. We can’t even play our own songs!