Musician, teacher, song writer, producer and arranger
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED ON THE ISLAND?
I have been visiting Thailand for almost 10 years and have been living here for four and a half years. I moved here because Australia was becoming obsessed with “nanny state” laws and employment opportunities were decreasing.
WHAT WERE WERE DOING BEFORE YOU MOVED HERE?
I was a professional musician, music teacher, and manager of a large musical instrument retail store in Australia. Touring the world performing music and living out of hotels and airports sounds exciting, but was becoming a grind and increasingly difficult as I got older. I was also a social sciences and English secondary school teacher a long time ago.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT LIVING HERE?
The comparative freedom from intrusive laws and almost silliness of certain laws and legislative processes, which have steadily-declined common sense and self responsibility in most western countries in general. In my line of work, live music has almost died completely in the west.
Of course the climate, the ocean and beaches are pretty darn great as well.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX?
Reading, and generally lazing around the house and being sabai sabai (happy or relaxed) as much as possible. That said, I don’t get too much time off and I rarely watch TV.
WHAT HOBBIES OR SPORTS ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?
Kayaking, boating and computer simulation games. I don’t list music as that is my work, not my hobby.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY?
Going on holiday with my parents and doing nothing for two weeks camping near the beach in small towns in Tasmania, Australia, and never once being bored even without TV, radio, or any electronic gadgets (there weren’t too many gadgets anyway in those days).
FAVOURITE FOOD OR DISH?
It sounds terrible I know but I don’t really enjoy many foods at all. I would prefer to have a ‘NASA’-style diet, eating compact food and protein bars and not wasting time eating. Sorry, all you food lovers out there. I do admit to having a love affair with good quality chocolate though, and I do enjoy breakfast style foods such as fruits, nuts, juices, wholemeal bread and cereals. Sometimes I eat ‘breakfast’ for an evening meal. I save a lot of money as I rarely go out for dinner and when I perform I rarely eat as I find food reduces my ability to sing and perform.
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC ARE YOU INTO?
As much as I have tried to embrace any forms of recently released music, I keep listening to 1970s and ‘80s classic rock as nothing much new or exciting has come out for many years. It is just rehashed old stuff with a bright and shiny new name that the latest generation ‘thinks’ is new and cutting edge.
Also a lot of modern music is not ‘music’ at all its just computer programming. I still love the most basic four-piece rock band styles – guitar, bass, and drums with vocals. My favourite band is and always has been Bad Company.
I absolutely can’t abide techno or any DJ-related music as it has no relevance to me as a musician as it’s simply not music. There is nothing musically organic in it whatsoever, but I realise it’s very popular and understand it’s “horse for courses” with music tastes.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIP YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE MOVING HERE?
Visit here many times before moving to live. Get to know the place and the localities well. If you intend to work here do it legally with a work permit. Preferably have a Thai friend you can trust to assist you.
WHO DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST AND WHY?
Any one who become successful, and not just financially, from poor or disadvantaged backgrounds compared to “silver spooners” who always had it easy.
IF YOU COULD COME BACK AS ANY OTHER PERSON WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Many people say this but I would like to be myself again in younger time, knowing what I know now I am older [Ed. isn’t that a Rod Stewart song?]. As they say “youth is wasted on youth” and “if youth only knew and age only could”.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU DON’T LIKE ABOUT LIVING HERE?
Farangs who want to turn Phuket into the same over-governed, over-regulated messes that their countries of birth have become.
FAVOURITE PLACE ON THE ISLAND, AND WHY?
The little islands with isolated and deserted beaches with perfect coral diving areas just outside Chalong Bay, that I can easily access with my kayak or small boat.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE NIGHT OUT?
For me I would much prefer a “night in” at home as I spend all my life doing “nights out”.
WHERE IN PHUKET WOULD YOU TAKE SOMEONE ON A FIRST DATE?
I am too old and settled for first dates so I would not know where to begin.
WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO BE YOUR FINAL MEAL?
Cadburys chocolate.