Co-owner of Home Club, Kelvin Tan

I was just a typical Singaporean kid in my childhood. I did well in primary school.
Midway through my education in Melbourne, my dad’s business was affected by the Asian financial crisis. I had to stop my degree course and self-fund my diploma.
I aspire to be great and not rich. Being able to make a change in people’s lives is more important than having a fat bank balance.
My friends would wonder if I am crazy if I suddenly turned up in a suit. They are so used to my self-proclaimed techno-punk look of checked shirts and black boots.
My black boots give me power. Not that I want to use them but they come in handy when someone creates trouble in the club.
My mantra is: Entertain, educate and innovate.
I owe everything I have learnt about the dance music industry to Melbourne’s Richard Maher. He taught me everything from guerilla marketing to quality music. And more importantly, about taking pride in my work.
I have always wondered why he picked me over his fellow Australians.
I used to travel around Melbourne with a large bag of posters and pasting them on poles and cars. I have touched almost every pole in Melbourne.
It was more than just pasting posters. We listened to records and he taught me how to break down and analyze what makes a good record.
The negative press that the rave culture attracted saddens me. It was definitely more than a drugged up culture. In fact, the more positive elements like the indie press, pirate stations and the dedication of the event organizers was hardly touched upon.
My heroes are Jeff Mills, Underground Resistance, Tony Hawk and Rodney Mullen.
I am quite a simple person who is easily contented by creating a great party.
I don’t like to go out. I can’t even remember the last time I was in Orchard Road.
Indie is all about having self-belief and going for what you want in life.
As I grow older, I appreciate my family more. Even a simple moment like sharing dessert my mum makes for me has special significance. I can always count on them when I am down.
If I wasn’t a DJ, I would have been a pro skateboarder.