Location: Singapore

Weather conditions: Torrential downpour

André: Parisian graffiti artist/clubland innovator/creative instigator. We speak to the man about graffiti, La Maison, the kind of crowd he likes and why he would party with Oprah.

M: Out of all the various forms of art, why did you choose graffiti?

A: I didn’t choose graffiti, graffiti chose me. I was a kid. It was a way of expression. I felt good doing it and it was the beginning of graffiti in Europe. We had everything to invent. We invented our own style and our own rules. It was like a ‘magic calling’. “Come, come to the dark side…”

M: What about doing some graffiti in Singapore?

A: I already have! I came 10 years ago and I didn’t know that it was so illegal and that you could get thrown in jail for graffiti. I spent three days here, didn’t have any friends and I was bored, so I spent every night outside, doing my drawings. That was 10 years ago. I guess they’ve erased it.

M: You own several clubs around the world. Is there a secret success formula?

A: I think I never had a concept. I just made the clubs. The first one in Paris was an old whore house, the guy who owned it was in jail and he didn’t know what to do with the space, so I said, “Ok, give it to us and we’ll do something.” I didn’t have a place to go with my friends, so we created our own space—a place for my crew and my friends and the people I liked, but I never had a concept for anything. I used to go to Japan, so I opened Le Baron in Japan; I used to go to New York a lot, so I opened a club in New York. It just happened.

M: So there’s no formula for aspiring club owners to follow?

A: Ahhh, there is no formula for anything. It’s about feeling. The place you see, the people you meet. People that you get along with that you want to do projects with, more than something calculating and organized.

M: As a creative person, how do you tie this element into your nightclubs and your parties?

A: It just happens. I don’t do this by myself. I’m surrounded by my friends and by my crew; we all work together. It’s more of a group project than a solo effort.

M: It’s notoriously hard to get into your clubs in Paris. What’s your door policy like?

A: I don’t like door policies. If I could do away with a door, I would not have a door. But my door is the opposite of all the other club doors. If I had a policy, it would be that it is the opposite of what all the other clubs do. So, if you are a rich man with a Ferrari, you don’t get in. If you are a famous TV actor, you don’t get in. If you are a tall model, it’s the wrong place to go.

M: But you attract a lot of celebrities to your clubs…

A: I guess they go to places where they are not ‘wanted’. When a place asks and begs them to come, they won’t go there, whereas when a place doesn’t ask them to come, they come.

M: Do you see the same thing happening for La Maison?

A: I hope so. I like people who create, people who are more about ‘thinking’, ‘poetry’ and ‘avant-garde’. I like weirdos more than successful and famous people. I like losers and creative people, more than winners.

M: Can you give us more insight into your Singapore collaboration for La Maison?

A: I’ve always liked Singapore. I think Singapore has a very good music and club culture, compared to other countries in Asia, besides Tokyo. I really like the idea of this little house in the middle of a tropical forest. You have this tropical rain right now with all the greenery and wide-open space. There’s no space like this in Europe or America. It’s very unique and I like it.

M: What’s your favourite part of La Maison and why?

A: I really love La Maison because it’s in the middle of a forest, you have to go down a little road to get here and you see horses riding around. It’s like you have to go though something to get here.

M: How old were you when you had your first kiss and what was it like?

A: Oh… I don’t remember. I’m sure it was amazing because I haven’t stopped since. I’m sure it was really good. I think was young, maybe eight or nine. I grew up in Sweden. They’re really advanced.

M: Tell us about the first time you got drunk.

A: Same thing, I was eight or nine (sniggers). No… I was 12 or 13, in Paris. We used to go out to see punk bands and we used to get drunk. We used to go out to see underground punk concerts in little weird places. That was amazing. Same thing, I liked it and I haven’t stopped since.

M: After a good night out, what’s the first thing you do when you get home?

A: It depends if I am by myself or if I am with a nice lady.

M: What’s your idea of a good night out?

A: Being with the people I like, meeting some new people I like. And an ideal night would be to find my ideal girl and fall in love—that would be nice. It’s always about love. When you find love, everything looks beautiful.

M: Your flight has been delayed for 8 hours and you’re stuck at the airport. The guy next to you starts blasting a few tracks on his iphone. What’s the worst kind of music he could start playing?

A: Euro dance.

M: Who would you party with, Oprah Winfrey or Martha Steward and why?

A: Oprah! That would be fun. I’m sure she likes funk and she would be a good dancer.