Playlist: Alexis Kwong Alvarez

The Playlist:

Alexis! 

Play List: Jeremy Wong

What I’m listening to: my recent favourite tracks are all guitar songs, anything that makes me grab my guitar and play and sing in my room. A Step You Can’t Take Back from the film Begin Again is my top jam right now, and I’ve always loved Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton, Fast Car by Tracy Chapman, Wonderwall by Oasis and Wherever You Will Go by The Calling. My favourite Hong Kong singer is Eason Chan and my favourite band would be either Coldplay or Green Day, depending on my mood. I hate K-pop – I don’t know why it’s so popular in Hong Kong.

What I’m reading: The Rules of Life by Richard Templar, which is very inspiring. As a model, I need to know what’s happening in Hong Kong fashion, so I read Prestige HK, Men’s Uno and Esquire. Fashion magazines are littered all over my room. I don’t really have a favourite writer; it just depends on what I’m interested in at the time, whether it’s psychology, philosophy or history.

What I’m watching: my favourite TV show is Family Guy. I love cartoons. I’m also a big fan of The Avengers. My favourite movie of all time is the 1971 Oscar winner, Love Story, starring Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw.

What artists I’m following: can I say Eminem is my favourite artist? He is so talented and his lyrics are amazing. His wordplay is just too cool. I used to be obsessed with Michael Jackson and everything he did in the early days before it all got tragic. And the general, weird coolness of LMFAO. Not just their party songs and catchy tracks, but what they get up to themselves.

Where I’m surfing: Instagram is important to me. I’m amazed at the number of followers I have and the number is constantly growing. I update it daily. It was great when I was promoting my book G.Y.M. Get Yourself Moving (a fitness book). I shop online a lot, so Hypebeast, Mr Porter, Asos, End Clothing and Ssense are on top of my history list.

As told to P. Ramakrishnan
Portraits by Lim Tse Wei - 林子伟

Play List: David Elliott

5 things about fine art photographer David Elliott

What I’m listening to: music is usually playing when I’m working, so the likes of Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Andrew Bird and James Blunt, among others, are on a loop. My favourite male singers include Frank Sinatra and his modern counterpart, Michael Bublé, and my favourite females are Sarah McLachlan, Eva Cassidy, Alicia Keys and Norah Jones. Plus, doesn’t everyone love Adele?

What I’m reading: over the years, I have enjoyed Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, and The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. Photography books such as Genesis by Sebastião Salgado, The Earth from the Air by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Manufactured Landscapes by Edward Burtynsky.

What I’m watching: I liked Birdman, Chef and even the soppy The Fault in Our Stars. The last great TV series was Breaking Bad. One of my favourite films is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

What artists I’m following: Christoph Niemann has a unique ability to visualise and create. He can take something simple and transform it into something inspiring. Steve McCurry is also inspirational. I like illustrator Tanya Piratay and painter Simon Birch, whose vision and drive are a great model for aspiring artists.

Where I’m surfing: apart from the obvious Facebook, I’m often on Instagram to see what the creative folk are doing, and on YouTube for music and comedy stuff like Jimmy Fallon. I’m a massive sports fan, so I regularly log on to ESPN.com to keep up on basketball, hockey, American football, tennis and golf.

As told to P. Ramakrishnan. Portrait by Jesper McIlroy   

Play List: Reanne Moe

5 things dance entrepreneur Reanne Moe loves right now

What I’m listening to: music is a constant inspiration for me as a dancer, instructor and playlist mastermind at the bar Rummin’ Tings. My top three albums at the moment are Currents by Tame Impala, Winter’s Diary 3 by Tink and The Beyond/Where the Giants Roam by Thundercat.

What I’m reading: I enjoy anything by David Sedaris (Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, When You are Engulfed in Flames) and Paul Coelho (The Alchemist). Tales of Ordinary Madness by Charles Bukowski is fantastic. Recently, I’ve been reading books on finance and accounting, start-ups and business plans.

What I’m watching: on TV there’s Orange is the New Black, Power and Masters of Sex. My favourite film is Best in Show – I can recite the entire movie. I love all of Christopher Guest’s films.

What artists I’m following: It was awesome to see Misty Copeland become the first black principal dancer of the American Ballet Theatre and I follow her on Instagram. I’m no ballerina, but ballet is the foundation that lays the technique for all dance, so I appreciate the fundamentals. Oddisee, a producer/musician/MC out of Brooklyn, is a worthy artist and someone I admire. His music is quite special. I enjoy Hong Kong artist Peter Yuill’s work. It is Illuminati-esque.

Where I’m surfing: SoundCloud, 22tracks, BuzzFeed, The Huffington Post, YouTube and Spotify. And, of course my own site (dance-pass.com).

As told to P. Ramakrishnan. Portrait by Dino Busch. 

Met Reanne Moe at Rummin' Tings and she's bril! This amazing portrait by Dino Busch.

Play List: Tanya Pirate

So thrilled this feature ran over the weekend. Double brilliance of Dino Busch photography and the artistry of Pirate!

Click to enlarge!

Play List: Beckaly Franks

5 things keeping Beckaly Franks, bartender at The Pontiac, amused The Kills, Pablo Neruda, stand-up comedy, and Instagram for the pics of cats, sexy clothes and booze - Franks casts her net far and wide for entertainment!

Click to enlarge

Photography: Dino Busch
Hair and make-up: Krystina Te Kanawa
Location: The Pontiac

What I’m listening to: music is my platform and muse for everything. For example, The Pontiac’s soul beats to the tune Kissy Kissy, by one of my all-time favourite bands The Kills. I have been listening to everything from jazz to death metal, and all that lies between.

What I’m reading: right now it’s poetry. I usually carry around Pablo Neruda’s Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair. A loved one of mine turned me on to him and his passion inspires me to be dark and brave. Unfortunately, I had to leave my library back in the US, because shipping books is expensive. It mostly consists of art and cocktail books.

What I’m watching: I have a secret gang of friends that I go to the movies with called the Motorcycle Movie Club, but the first rule of movie club is you don’t talk about movie club. Other than that, I watch an abnormal amount of stand-up comedy online. Anything from old-school Eddie Murphy (Raw) and Def Comedy Jam, to Iliza Shlesinger.

What artists I’m following: performance artist Marina Abramovic. She made performance art what it is today. James Turrell is a legend in my heart. A cowboy whose medium of focus is experimenting with light, colour, perception and space. Also Xu Bing.

Where I’m surfing: I don’t have much time to fiddle on the web, unless I’m searching for what I need for the bar. Facebook to connect with friends and colleagues and Instagram to see all the pictures of booze, cats and sexy clothes.

Out in SCMP, a quick chat with this gorgeous gal; Beckaly Franks at The Pontiac.

More at: SCMP.com (yes, you have to pay/subscribe!)


http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1853377/5-things-keeping-beckaly-franks-bartender-pontiac

Play List: Jonny Rees

A quick chat with rugby player Jonny Rees.

Play List: Sarah Lian

What I’m listening to: I’m loving Sam Smith, Sia and The Weeknd. Last year I was really into female MCs such as Iggy Azalea, Azealia Banks and Angel Haze.

What I’m reading: Essentialism by Greg McKeown helped me look at my task-oriented schedule and put everything in perspective. Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behaviour by Ori and Rom Brafman was also fascinating.

What I’m watching: Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel. His style and storytelling are so original. And I’m so glad Game of Thrones is back.

What artists I’m following: I have been following style bloggers and fashion brands on Instagram. I like to get inside the heads of creative minds – this curation process helps me look at the latest trends and gives me an idea of what to obsess over.

Where I’m surfing: I’m an avid Facebook user, but Instagram allows me to spend hours looking at images. I enjoy design sites such as Thedieline.com or SmashingMagazine.

(As told to P. Ramakrishnan) 

Notes: Through an introduction from my friend and colleague, stylist Tasha Ling, I met the drop-dead gorgeous actress Sarah Lian. A great fun chat with her for the weekly column The Playlist, that runs in SCMP (in The Review section!).

Play List: Maria Chen, Actress

What I’m listening to: I’m open to everything from Indian music to K-pop. Recently, I have been enjoying Gin Wigmore, Birdy, Ellie Goulding and Lorde.

What I’m reading: at the moment, Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching. I will also reread my favourite book as a teen, J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye.

What I’m watching: I watch everything from Game of Thrones to Big Rich Texas. I enjoy Orphan Black and Hello Ladies. I love talk-show hosts such as David Letterman, the two Jimmies and Ellen DeGeneres. I watch anything by Christopher Nolan, David Fincher, Robert Rodriguez, the Wachowskis and Tim Burton.

What artists I’m following: I’m intrigued by Yayoi Kusama, her art, her life, perspective and, well, psychiatric problems.

Where I’m surfing: I’m a Googler, and I can live on Facebook and YouTube. I also love watching Japanese TV dramas and variety shows online. I think I was Japanese in a previous life.

(As told to P. Ramakrishnan)

A quick chat with one of my fav people in Hong Kong, the lovely television actress Maria Chen.

Play List: Mia Kang: Quick chat with Asian supermodel in Hong Kong: 2015

Jewelry: Kasane
Photography: Boris Burgess

What I’m listening to: I’m still obsessed with All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor. Positive vibes, a soulful voice, and a healthy, supportive message. Being half Korean, I also love K-pop – 2NE1are my favourites. I have classical music on my iPod – it engages the mind.

What I’m reading: I’m interested in North Korea and have read some fantastic books based on first-hand experiences and stories from defectors. Dear Leader by Jang Jin-sung and Escape From Camp 13 by Blaine Harden are both mind-blowing.

What I’m watching: I love Game of Thrones, Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire, 30 Rock and QI, but my go-to TV show at any time of the day is, of course, Friends. The humour never gets old. I also love trashy reality TV: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Don’t judge me.

What artists I’m following: I’d love to work with photographer Wing Shya. I worked with make-up artist Wendy Rowe – she’s inspirational and breathtaking. I love makeup and how it can transform someone into almost anything. Olivier Yoan also inspires me – he is a Hong Kong/China-based French photographer.

Where I’m surfing: 9gag.com is great for laughs, Boredpanda.com has hilarious videos of cats doing funny cat things, but Telegraph.co.uk is my homepage – having a master’s in finance and financial law, I like being up to date with economic news and current affairs. There’s more to life than cats and Kardashians.

(As told to P. Ramakrishnan)
Published in South China Morning Post

Q&A with my fav Hong Kong model of all-time; Mia Kang. Gorgeous much?!

Play List: James Wong

Click to enlarge and read

Quick Q&A with Hong Kong TV actor James Wong. Funny kid - with an amazing following on instagram.

Playlist: Jun Tyler

What I’m listening to: all kinds of genres. I love classical music, including Bach, Chopin and Ravel. I also love jazz artists such as Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett and Roberto Fonseca. But I also listen to rock and heavy metal such as Metallica.

What I’m reading: I should be reading more, but I have the concentration span of a six year old. I do read the papers every day. I enjoyed reading Bruce Lee’s Tao of Jeet Kune Do. The Jazz Piano Book by Mark Levine is a great book to learn from. I never bothered when it sat on the piano stool 10 years ago, but now I can finally appreciate it.

What I’m watching: I enjoy British comedies and stand-up, Mock the Week in particular. I’m not very good at keeping up with the latest “it” shows. Recently I saw Gone Girl and thought it was mind-blowing.

What artists I’m following: nobody too crazy, but I think Roberto Fonseca is a great artist – a great pianist and a great live performer.

Where I’m surfing: I’m listening to a lot of music on Spotify. As I’m always searching for knowledge and inspiration, I’m always on Google and Wikipedia. Plus I’m watching a lot of boxing on YouTube.

(As told to P. Ramakrishnan)

A quick Q&A with Jun Tyler.

Pianist and model. 

Play List: David Klar: Ballroom Dancer Extraordinaire is Grooving to The Beat

Noted ballroom dancer David Klar has a quick chat with more the column. 

Published in South China Morning Post, 2014

Playlist: Angela Kan

A quick chat with the gorgeous Angela Kan.

Playlist: Adrienne Lau

Playlist with Adrienne Lau.

Playlist: Helena Chan: Eurasian model on her favourite things

Click on image to ENLARGE and read.

Hottie Helena featured in Playlist in SCMP.

Playlist: Zing Ng

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Playlist: Derrick Fong, Cinematographer

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Quick chat with Derrick. Have known him for a while and was psyched when I heard he shot a Bollywood film! Bless his socks the movie got bad reviews and tanked but the only credit the film had was its cinematography. Word.

Playlist: Arthur Bray

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Playlist chat with Arthur Bray, DJ at Yeti in the Basement.

Playlist: Shama Rahman

Quick chat with Shama Rahman for the paper.