Flipside

What’s the nicest thing that someone has done for you recently?

Work has been pretty hectic lately, so just going back to my girlfriend and having her take care of small things like meals and making sure that I have my favourite drink—coffee. I make my own coffee so she just makes sure that there’re coffee beans at home.

Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I enjoy being alone. I was previously working in marketing and PR, and I realised that it’s a bit hard to be introverted when you’re working in events. It wasn’t that I was living a double life, but it might have something to do with me being a Gemini. I can switch it on during events, but I also enjoy being by myself and listening to music.

What are you listening to right now?

A lot of jazz—Alice Coltrane, John Coltrane. I’m trying to look for people playing jazz that are alive—there’re a lot of younger artists who are actually very good, it’s just that people don’t really pay them much attention. I’ve been on a mission with a couple of friends to find legit jazz bars in Singapore, but these are few and far between, and if there are good ones they close down in 10 to 12 months.

Dream project:

I’m friends with the band called Monster Cat. They sort of disbanded but are still together now and they helped me fulfil one of my bucket list items—when they were recording their album in Australia, I followed them as a tour/band manager and I watched them record the whole album. They thanked me in their album notes. I guess older people would understand buying CDs and reading through the thank-you notes and stuff.

What are some of your favourite comfort foods?
Chicken rice. But I’ve been vegetarian for the last five months. It’s a lot easier than people think. Your body feels a lot cleaner, and if you don’t put yourself in a ‘compromising chicken rice position’ you’re pretty good.

Why did you turn vegetarian?

Obviously for health reasons, but also the current state of the way food is being produced. I did a lot of reading, watched various documentaries and shows, but it was also me crossing 30 and just wanting to be around longer. Previously I always thought that I don’t really want to be around when I’m 50, because you can’t do much when you’re old. But I realised over time that there are a lot of people in their 50s to 70s who have been doing amazing things or giving back socially or to the world. And in order to do that, they’ll have to try and stay around longer.