Street Talk: Vinson Lam
Meet Vinson Lam, a bored marketing executive by day and aspiring poetic songster by night. After performing at “sad drinker’s night” at Joyce is Not Here bar-café, he talks about inspiration and life as a frustrated poet.
HK Magazine: There are a million things to do in this city. Why bother writing poetry?
Vinson Lam: Simply because of the fact that there are too many things to do in Hong Kong. Too many people are “drunk” with their social obsessions and material gain. There are those who are in bad times due to stress, and more and more are getting depressed. That’s because they have nobody to talk to. So I write poems and songs to let people know they’re not alone.
HK: What inspires you?
VL: It’s hard to be inspired at the moment, as I’m stuck with a marketing job, hiding behind my computer all day. But most of it comes from my ex-girlfriend in Canada. It comes out from the deepest part of my heart because I honestly miss her and love her, so it just comes freely.
HK: Uh, OK. What’s your favorite verse from?
VL: I don’t like the rigidity of traditional verse forms. I prefer free form and poems you can sing. In a way it’s a musical poem, but with minimal music.
HK: What’s the largest crowd you’ve performed to?
VL: Last year there was a charity organized for deprived students who couldn’t afford university education. I was invited to perform and we collected over $20,000.
HK: What’s your rule for life as an aspiring poet?
VL: For me, it’s about having a lot of ups and downs. It’s important to be in tune and communicate with society because if you’re out of touch you can’t write effectively. Life is all about communication. It’s all two-way.
HK: What do the ladies think of you?
VL: Well, I guess some do like my singing but others do think I’m annoying. It also depends on the mood and place - if you’re singing to her at the office than that’s not good timing!