Artist Bio
Born in Hong Kong on December 8, 1980 (the same day music legend John Lennon was assassinated), Preston Lau accidentally discovered his musical talent and deep passion for music at the age of nine when a Feng Shui master (Chinese fortune teller) told him he might possess a special interest in music. Preston was curious and began to take classical piano lessons from the teacher his elder sister was studying with. After a few lessons, he began to fall in love with music and was eager to explore more of the art form. Although he was learning classical piano, he learned to play his favorite pop and rock songs entirely by ear and naturally performed them with heart and soul. He also taught himself drums, guitar and music theory. In school, Preston participated in numerous music classes and performing groups including his own rock band ‘Elixir’. His music teachers at Sha Tin College have described him as ‘exceptional’ and ‘the most talented musician they have ever taught’. As a result, he was awarded the first ever ‘College Award’, specially created for his outstanding contribution to music.
In 1996, Preston left Hong Kong to complete his last two years of high school at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts, USA where he picked up jazz music and fell in love with the American art form. In the final year, he was awarded one of the school’s top music awards the 'Joseph Elliot Award’ and was invited to perform at the annual Senior Honors Recital for selected outstanding performers. After graduation, Preston furthered his studies in jazz piano and music business at the University of Miami Frost School of Music in Florida where he studied with some of the nation's finest musicians including Vince Maggio (former private student of Oscar Peterson), Phillip Strange, and Matt Bonelli (former bassist of the Bee Gees). The institution's Studio Music and Jazz program is consistently known as among the best in the nation. It was also the first music school in the nation to offer the innovative degree in Music Business and Entertainment Industries.
But it wasn't until his second year in clubbing capital Miami that Preston discovered electronic dance music. It all began when a friend handed him Paul Oakenfold's ‘Tranceport’ album. He loved it so much that he literally sat in front of the loud speakers with his eyes closed every night, studying the beautiful trance sounds the music offered. It was inevitable that he soon got his hands on the turntables and taught himself to mix records. Within a few months, he began to DJ at student house parties around Miami.
Preston spins progressive, progressive/electro/tech/deep house, and chillout/down-tempo with a tasteful and distinctive sound and style that truly reflect his personality. His strong musical background and approach allow him to stand out among DJs. Since his return to Hong Kong in 2003, he has DJed at numerous trance music dance parties organized by the self-formed group of 8 trance music lovers ‘Trance Desire’. These successful parties were held at Nu, Bling, Music Room Live and The Valley. Preston has been hired to DJ at weddings, bars (Living Room @ W Hotel Hong Kong, Gecko, Half Past Ten), clubs (The Velvet Lounge @ Privé with live musicians, Pure House @ Beijing Club, Cliq, Heat, Why Club), corporate events (Cartier, Fendi, Morgan Stanley, HSBC, BNP, Bacardi Global Conference) and special events including the after party for the 2007 Hong Kong International Film Festival. He has also had the honor of opening for Kaskade, one of America’s favorite house music DJs/producers, and Claude Challe, founder of Buddha Bar. Preston was a finalist in the Pioneer x Juice DJ Quest 07.
During the day, Preston worked at Naxos (http://www.naxos.com), the world's largest classical music label, where he was involved with developing and marketing the label's digital music services.
Currently, Preston is the Musical Director and Resident DJ of Philia, an upscale lounge in Central. Within the first year he managed to capture an audience that has described him as ‘unique’, and his music as ‘the best they have heard in Hong Kong’.
In the summer of 2007, Preston began to set up his own music company Flat Six. Its first album 'Philia Chillout Sessions I' was released in September 2007 in celebration of Philia Bar & Lounge's first year anniversary. In October 2008, the company produced its first major DJ event featuring Kaskade (America's favorite house music dj/producer), and formed its own band ‘Teal’ (http://www.myspace.com/tealmusicofficial) featuring Sherin Siew and Sam W on vocals, and Preston on keyboard, laptop and programing. The company then began to offer private lessons in jazz/pop piano, music theory and composition. Flat Six provides services including music composition & production, DJ/piano/band performance, music sourcing & education, artist management and event production. Flat Six is also a record label based in Hong Kong.
http://www.flatsixmusic.com
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