Leslie the Musician

 

The video begins with Leslie introducing himself and providing some background. He grew up in a middle-class family in Serangoon Garden, where his father was a school teacher. Leslie fondly recalls spending time at a second-hand bookstore called NIV, where he would buy or rent books, cherishing those moments as some of his happiest memories.

Leslie then delves into his educational journey. With his father being a strict English teacher, he developed a strong proficiency in English. He was admitted to Raffles Institution (RI), but his time there was challenging. Academically, he struggled, and he found it difficult to connect with his classmates. He even got into trouble for running in the corridor and using inappropriate language towards his Chinese teacher. By the end of his fourth year, Leslie's poor performance in his ‘O’ levels meant that he could not proceed to junior college.

Following this, Leslie attended AMK Secondary School. Later, he was awarded a scholarship to study music in London. He speaks candidly about the challenges of being a musician, emphasizing the importance of discipline in mastering his craft.

After graduating at 19, Leslie pursued a career in music. Ten years later, in 1991, he decided to continue his studies and moved to Russia. His arrival coincided with a tumultuous time in Russian history—the week he arrived, the Communist Party attempted to overthrow the democratic government. The air was filled with the sound of gunshots and cannons, and people were in a state of panic.

Leslie describes the early and mid-1990s in Russia as an exciting but dangerous period. The country was undergoing significant changes, with the ruble fluctuating wildly and the mafia holding much of the power. It was a lawless time, he recalls.

Despite the challenges, Leslie enjoyed his time in Russia, particularly because of the vibrant art scene. Concert and museum tickets were incredibly affordable, a legacy of the Communist era when everything was heavily subsidized. Although the general population did not earn much, Leslie was able to fully immerse himself in the culture and arts, partly thanks to his American Express credit card, which allowed him to navigate the economic instability with ease.

Leslie left Russia in 1995 and has not returned since, but he looks back on those years with a sense of fondness for the unique experiences they offered.

The video concludes with Leslie reflecting on his views about happiness and career choices. He advocates for pursuing one's passions rather than compromising dreams for the sake of money or security. Leslie firmly believes that the journey of following one's passion is the true source of happiness.