I believe music plays an essential role in everyone’s life but being able to touch lives and inspire people with my music is the best joy that money can’t buy.    – Dennis Lau -

I was running 30 minutes late for a brunch appointment with Dennis.

“Where are you?” He asked when I answered my phone.

“On the highway!!! Reaching soon!” I said hastily.

“I’m going to whip your ass later! Eh, I can ‘come’ three times already kay while waiting for you!” He exclaimed.

That’s Dennis Lau for you, mischievously flirtatious yet surprisingly mature for a twenty-three year old instrumentalist who is hard headed, determined and passionately driven by his ambitions and desire to be the best in what he does.

As we settled down comfortably into our seats at Kim Gary, Sunway Pyramid, our official  (read: on the record) conversation began.

Three times, in 30 minutes? You must be kidding me!
Is this on record?

No la. Off record.
*laughed out loud* You switch on your recorder dy?

Three times????
This brunch is on you!!

Sure. Ok, let’s be serious now. I’m not gonna ask you about all your credentials and past performances because I’m sure most people have read it from your blog and website. Do you live by a philosophy?
Yes. My philosophy in life is that nothing is impossible. If you want something, you must go for it. Work hard and work smart to achieve it.

Have you always known that you wanted to be a musician?
Well, music has always been part of my life since I was three and for the past 20 years. As I was growing up, music became a daily routine because I had to practice it everyday. Gradually, it became something I could not live without and naturally, I pursued a music degree.

If you aren’t a musician today, what do you think you would be?
It would still be something on the artistic side. Maybe an artist. I like to draw.

Do you have an idol that you look up to?
The legendary Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson? That’s a surprise. Why him? For your generation, there are so many other talented artistes out there.
Well, he’s a pop icon. He’s very original. He wrote good songs that are evergreen. A lot of music today is inspired by his music. Even dance moves. Look at Usher or Chris Brown.

What inspires your music then?
Anything and everything. Observations, my past experience in relationships, current issues, daily life, just about anything that I feel strongly about.

Music is about creativity, about experimenting… which is something i really enjoy exploring. I do not limit my interest to one genre. I believe that one should be open to all kinds of music regardless of genre or generation because i have always been inspired by great artistes from all over the world. To name a few – from Jazz greats such as Frank Sinatra to Justin Timberlake to Asian heart throb Lee Hom to producers Ryan Leslie, Timberland and P. Daddy to even instrumentalist like Kenny Garrette and Christian Howes.

Tell us a little more about the album that you are working on. What can we expect?
It’s a fusion and a cross of different genres. Most people associate the violin to classical music but I want to project a fresh, modern twist with the violin and show the diversification of the instrument. It will feature melodies and music arrangements that blends pop, jazz, R&B and the classics. It is all about “fusioning” the different genres, but of course in the right way.

Local artistes like Atilia, Yuri, Liang and Pete Teo play an important role in the upbringing of my musical journey and the making of it.

I’m really curious as to how you manage your time. How do you squeeze in time to compose your songs, while at the same time you have so many events to attend and running the day to day operations of your company.
I work hard, play hard and party with a purpose. Time management is important. It’s great that things are really progressing for me. It is years of hard work and I’m finally beginning to reap the fruits.

What is the best part of being a performer? What is your greatest joy from being a musician?
I believe music plays an essential role in everyone’s life but being able to touch lives and inspire people with my music is the best joy that money can’t buy. The applause and words of appreciation after each performance is the key driver for me to create even more good music.

I also find great satisfaction from teaching, especially kids. They are so eager to learn and so adorable.

Do you have any advise for the kids or aspiring young musicians?
Nothing is impossible! But you must really want it, and work hard to achieve your dreams. Not just to become famous or popular but real hard passion for music, the drive to create good music and constant learning to progress to the next level.

So, if you are a superhero, what would you be and why?
Superman of course! He has all the best superpowers!

Thanks for your time.