The Secret Lives of Spafaxians: Kevin Chen, London

1. Describe a typical day for you at the office.

As an Asian music curator, I, (to put it simply) listen to music all day! I tune into what’s new and research charts of what’s popular in Asia. I get to liaise and work with music label executives in Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Mumbai to source music masters and deliver them in the form of albums, playlists or radio shows based on the needs of our clients.

I also manage BBC audio content across our airline clients, which involves listening, suggesting and sourcing so I’m constantly on the BBC Sounds website.

While my ears are busy, I happily lend a hand to the metadata team whenever I get a few waves for help from them.

2. If you could swap roles for one day with anyone in the company, who would it be and why?

I would like to swap with someone in the Costa Mesa audio team so I can meet the people I work with regularly, learn about the system and process they use and see if we can further streamline our workflow.

“I get to liaise and work with music label executives in Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Mumbai to source music masters.”

3. Notable Spafax memory?

For our 2017 Christmas party, we got a tour of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane followed by a Christmas lunch at their restaurant on the top floor. There was a piano in the theatre and we took part in a musical quiz where we had to guess the tunes being played by our in-house pianist and maestro Steve O’Connor (a fellow Spafaxian). After lunch a few of us started singing and the crowd got so big that it became a choir singing along to familiar tunes. That was a very memorable moment!

4. Something that inspires you.

From a very young age I have been inspired by music and I love all kinds, except heavy metal. In recent years, architecture and interior design inspire me a lot as well. It amazes me to see how buildings are made; the concept, design, drawings, production to the interiors, colours, textures, fabrics – there are just so many aspects to consider.

As a creative person, it really amazes me how a space can be transformed. And home is very important to me so it inspires me to see how decoration and design can enhance your life.

5. Favorite desk accessory/paraphernalia.

My portable evaporative air cooler! The colleagues that sit near me are always cold so with this handy device, I am in control of the temperature around me.

6. Currently watching/listening to.

Always a fan of acoustic singer-songwriters, Dermot Kennedy’s husky and passionate vocals caught my attention. My favorites from the debut album are Lost, Outnumbered and the title track Without Fear.

Wakin Chau (周華健) is a veteran singer-songwriter in Chinese Pop with a unique singing tone. He has had a ton of massive hits peaking throughout the 80s and 90s but is still scoring numerous award nominations for his albums, most recently in 2013. This latest album Youth after six years is his 21st Mandarin album!

I’m also listening to Pet Shop Boys’ new single Monkey Business on repeat. A fantastic piece of uplifting disco funk. Can’t wait for the new album.

7. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I’m originally from Singapore and all my family still lives there so, as a superpower, I would like to be able to teleport, like Marvel’s Nightcrawler. I could be somewhere and back in a matter of seconds so that I can always visit my family and friends scattered around the world. No more 13-hour flights and the cost and jet-lag that goes with it.

8. Something that most of your colleagues don’t know about you.

I think most don’t know that I was in the Singapore Air Force for seven years as a technician servicing aircraft. During my shifts, I was working on basic checks of the electrical and navigation systems, as well as replacing any faulty instruments. Sometimes I would have to do five AM shifts that involved marshalling, refuelling, take off and landing checks of the surveillance flights. Yes, I was the man in the orange neon vest that guides where the plane will park like you see on the runway.

And now, I service planes with audio content … what are the chances?!

By the way, Happy Chinese New Year 🎊