Canto-pop legend George Lam Chi-cheung is known as much for his powerful vocals as his moustache. His son, Alex, has followed in his father's footsteps. He recently launched his own singing career with a record due out later this summer. Young Post caught up with him.
Name: Alex Lam Tak-shun
Hometown: Hong Kong
Star Sign: Pisces
Chinese zodiac: Ox
Album: Untitled EP (2012)
YP: Do you always hold a guitar when you do interviews?
Lam: It's nice to have something to hold on to. Sometimes if I can't sleep I would lie down with my guitar and play until I doze off.
YP: Your interests seem very diverse. You majored in English writing at university.
L: It was the only subject that I really enjoyed at university. At first, I did short stories, then poetry, and now songs. I think that really helped me learn how to write better lyrics because I read a lot of poetry.
YP: You are also a licensed yoga instructor. How did that happen?
L: After I graduated, I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I was doing yoga every day, and it just seemed the right thing to do to get a licence to teach it. It helps me de-stress and keep me calm. It also keeps me healthy and I think that's the most important thing for being creative and happy. I still do it at least an hour every day.
YP: You also modelled for an ad campaign for the camera company Canon. Do you enjoy photography?
L: I used to be an avid photographer. But now not so much. I used to carry a camera around, but now for convenience I just use my iPhone.
YP: You've even acted?
L: Actually every time I've acted, I've died. I recently did a movie with [the band] Mr and my character dies of cancer. And before I was in a music video with Kary Ng Yu-fei and I died in that one, too. So I've died twice already. (Laughs)
YP: Did you always want to be a musician?
L: For many years, music wasn't as important to me as it is now. I've always liked it, but I made other things more important in my life. When I [started] to realise that I had to start doing something serious, nothing else made me as happy as music. I couldn't imagine doing other things for as long, but I can imagine doing music for a lifetime.
YP: Do you enjoy playing with a band more or by yourself?
L: I have more experience playing with a band so I like that more ... I'm starting to go out to sing by myself now, but I'm not as confident because I'm still learning a lot about how to stand on stage by myself with a mic in hand and engage the audience.
YP: Is there any pressure in being George Lam's son?
L: Yes, absolutely. But I think a little pressure is good. It makes you want to be better, and the situation makes you think whether you're going the right way or the wrong way. I really admire my dad a lot. I see his career and work as a road I can follow and I'm very happy to follow it.
Name: Alex Lam Tak-shun
Hometown: Hong Kong
Star Sign: Pisces
Chinese zodiac: Ox
Album: Untitled EP (2012)
YP: Do you always hold a guitar when you do interviews?
Lam: It's nice to have something to hold on to. Sometimes if I can't sleep I would lie down with my guitar and play until I doze off.
YP: Your interests seem very diverse. You majored in English writing at university.
L: It was the only subject that I really enjoyed at university. At first, I did short stories, then poetry, and now songs. I think that really helped me learn how to write better lyrics because I read a lot of poetry.
YP: You are also a licensed yoga instructor. How did that happen?
L: After I graduated, I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I was doing yoga every day, and it just seemed the right thing to do to get a licence to teach it. It helps me de-stress and keep me calm. It also keeps me healthy and I think that's the most important thing for being creative and happy. I still do it at least an hour every day.
YP: You also modelled for an ad campaign for the camera company Canon. Do you enjoy photography?
L: I used to be an avid photographer. But now not so much. I used to carry a camera around, but now for convenience I just use my iPhone.
YP: You've even acted?
L: Actually every time I've acted, I've died. I recently did a movie with [the band] Mr and my character dies of cancer. And before I was in a music video with Kary Ng Yu-fei and I died in that one, too. So I've died twice already. (Laughs)
YP: Did you always want to be a musician?
L: For many years, music wasn't as important to me as it is now. I've always liked it, but I made other things more important in my life. When I [started] to realise that I had to start doing something serious, nothing else made me as happy as music. I couldn't imagine doing other things for as long, but I can imagine doing music for a lifetime.
YP: Do you enjoy playing with a band more or by yourself?
L: I have more experience playing with a band so I like that more ... I'm starting to go out to sing by myself now, but I'm not as confident because I'm still learning a lot about how to stand on stage by myself with a mic in hand and engage the audience.
YP: Is there any pressure in being George Lam's son?
L: Yes, absolutely. But I think a little pressure is good. It makes you want to be better, and the situation makes you think whether you're going the right way or the wrong way. I really admire my dad a lot. I see his career and work as a road I can follow and I'm very happy to follow it.
