Rozz: I like women who can be honest, confident, and who is comfortable in her own skin.

Not all DJs are as wacky as they seem…
First introduced to us as television personalities, Rosalyn Lee, 29, and Shan Wee, 26, have moved on to being among the few likeable DJs on local airwaves. To me at least, for I’m not a fan of DJs who constantly speak in exclamation marks and try hard to make jokes on air all the time.

The 6-month-old Shan & Rozz show is what radio should be like – maximum music, minimum repetitive radio games and tiresome sound bites, and interesting discussions. Although their 4pm to 8pm weekday slots on 987 FM may sound like it lacks personality, you’ll be surprised by the spontaneous and unusual insights on day-to-day topics by Shan and Rosalyn. Talking to both personalities behind the console made me realise that Shan and Rozz carried themselves exactly like they do on the show. Rosalyn is open, willing to share her experiences, and voices out her genuine opinions, whereas Shan’s more laidback and private. Plus, both were as easy on the eyes as they are on the ears. We got around to talk about music, dealing with criticism, family planning, and toilet paper, as we got to know the voices behind the Shan & Rozz show.

Fancy their quirky takes on life?

Tell me about your family background.
Rozz: Where do I even start? Mum passed away, Dad left us, so I don’t know where he is right now. But I still have my brother Ryan with me, who is two years younger.
Shan: Dad’s Chinese, Mum is Irish. I also have two siblings, a sister and a brother.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Rozz: Hopefully a full time mum. I want to have two kids.
Shan: I like the idea of moving around and living in different countries. I actually worked as an English teacher in Japan for a year before I came to Singapore three years ago. I’m not sure if I’ll still be here five years on, but I like my current job and lifestyle, so for the time being, I’m here to stay.

What are the qualities you admire in both men and women?
Rozz: I like women who can be honest, confident, and who is comfortable in her own skin. As for guys, I’m a little old fashion in a sense because I like the 潇洒 (xiāo sá) type. Sort of being the bigger person in situations. You know, not to be petty about things.
Shan: I guess people admire others who can do things you can’t. So for me, I admire good hosts like Daniel Ong and Flying Dutchman, who are able to interact with the crowd. As for women, I like those with ambition, those who know what they’re going to do with their lives. I can never see myself with a girl who plays mahjong everyday and rely on others. I also tend to end up with petite girls, also with a western flair to them.

Shan: You know when you ask Singaporean girls out for a date, they will say no even when they are interested? That's not the way! Never, ever, do that.

What do you think about Singaporean men/women in general? Rozz: I think Singaporean men would never be able to admit that they’re wrong. Somehow I think they are the type that would hold grudges. Shan: There’s an element of shyness to Singaporean girls. You know when you ask them out for a date, they will say no even when they are interested? That’s not the way! Never, ever, do that How important are your looks to you? Rozz: Well, fairly. I’d like to think that it makes me some money. Shan: It’s useful to me.

How much me-time do you give yourself every week?
Rozz: I never did think of that, but when I’m on Facebook, it’s me-time right?
Shan: I don’t really have to set time aside because my life and job’s really relaxed. But I’ve been trying to put Sundays aside to do more sports. I only play squash now and then with a couple of my mates.

What's the unhealthiest thing you do?
Rozz: Smoking, but I do that in moderation, just like anything else. Oh, and Facebook, which is probably bordering on the unhealthy side already. It’s like a whole real world to me, and I would argue with people over in Facebook, look at my friends’ pictures and wonder who they are hanging out with and all that.
Shan: I’m a fast food addict. I was always tall and thin when I was young, so I used to eat whatever I want. But when you start reaching 24, it’s the time you start to think, hey, maybe I should restrict it a bit. I’m still a big juicy burger fan. Love Carl’s Jr.

What is your vision of an ideal life?
Rozz: To have the luxury of choice as much as possible. I’d like a life with choices.
Shan: To have a job I enjoy and make a ton of money.

What are your views on motherhood/fatherhood?
Rozz: One of my friend denied her kids from TV until they were five-years-old, and now they are smart, creative, and fun. She’s the perfect mom, and I hope to be just like her. I would consider myself as accomplished when I see my kids grow up. Hopefully gorgeous as well lah.
Shan: I guess I took it for granted, the fact that my family along well, me growing up with a happy childhood and all. So I expect a happy family in the future too. And I would want to have three kids, just as my parents did. I also think it’s very important for a boy to have a brother, so maybe two boys and a girl.

What's number 1 on your personal to do list right now? Rozz: I need to get my car license back on track, and I also need to get toilet paper for my house. Shan: Oh yes I bet that’s what she wanted to know. Rozz: What, day to day things what, she might be interested. Shan has this thing about toilet matters. I can never mention that I need to go pee or whatever. He’ll be like ‘Just go’, or ‘I didn’t need to know that’. Shan: Anyway, my mates and I have been toying with the idea of coming up with a sketch show (a series of comedy scenes played out by a group of comedic actors), and I’ve been wanting to focus on the scripting for that. OK, that’s all for personal questions. Shan: Ya, no more questions for you, Rozz. Now, about The Shan & Rozz Show, what makes it unique? Shan: Most people think DJs need to be wild and crazy, but Rozz and I aren’t naturally like that, so we are slightly different on air as well. Rozz: Yeah, Mark Richmond, the Programme Director, once mentioned that our show has a tone of evilness and some unpredictability to it. I guess he’s right in a way because although we do have a format for the whole programme, what we say on the show is pretty much impromptu. Shan: It’s like a dark energy we have. Rozz: And we do enjoy laughing at some of the calls and comments we receive on the show as well, but we try not to overdo it.

You never know what they’re up to next life?

Is DJ-ing something you always wanted to do?
Shan: I’ve always been a music fan, but no, I never thought I was a creative person before this job. But I’m very lucky to have landed this job because it’s just so much fun!
Rozz: I seriously wanted to be a ballerina, but my teacher ended it all by telling me how I was too tall and my hips are too big for a ballerina. So when this job came along, I thought it was a pretty cool job to have, so there.

What are the biggest misconceptions people have about DJs?
Rozz: That we’re damn rich.

What do you have to say to people who criticize your show?
Shan: It’s usually some punk trying to get a kick out of it, but if the criticism does have a point, I’ll take it into consideration. But when you get 20 SMS saying that the show is good, and one SMS slamming it, that very one still stays with you.
Rozz: I think it’s good, because it means people are tuning in to your show, and they care about it. I used to get really affected by personal criticisms, you know people can really pick a weak spot and attack you with it. It took me a while to take it in and psyche myself that it’s good to receive criticism.

Tell me about the strangest phone call or SMS you’ve gotten during the show.
Rozz: Oh, there’s this guy who called, said “F*** you!” and put down the phone.
Shan: I remember we were somewhat on the topic of secrets during the show, and this guy called, gave his name and all that, and said (in a serious tone) “I like to eat women’s shit.” I mean, OK, what do you want me to do about it?!

Shan: I'm always working, and yet not working all the time. I prepare all the time by watching movies, reading magazines, and so on. But at the same time, my work is so enjoyable I feel like I'm not working at all.

What's the best thing about your job? Shan: To me, I’m always working, and yet not working all the time. I prepare for the show all the time by watching all the movies I can, reading as many magazines, and so on. But at the same time, my work is so enjoyable I feel like I’m not working at all. Rozz: Working here gives me a lot of time to myself, and I love that. Any stalker fans? Rozz: I used to have one during my previous DJ-ing job. He started out nice, sending me expensive presents, but when I finally confronted him over the phone, he turned the other way and began spreading rumours about me to the media. I’m glad I haven’t heard from him for some time already.

What are some of your favourite bands/musicians?
Shan: I’m really into the indie, guitar, British kind of music like Radiohead and Arctic Monkeys. But I also like the emo stuff from America like Panic in the Disco.
Rozz: I’m more into the 90s grunge stuff like Pearl Jam and Nirvana.
Shan: Oh and recently, Newton Faulkner. He does folksy, acoustic, kind of stuff. Highly recommend it.

And your least favourite ones?
Rozz:R&B and hip-hop. Unless they’re the more popular ones with a more obvious hook to it. And I hate, hate, hate rap. The beat is so monotonous, and it goes on and on, Oh God…

Shan: UK garage is bad. I also dislike vocalists who tend to over-sing, (does an imitation of a power vocal), like Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera, and all the American Idol type of singers.

Which’s the most embarrassing artist you like? Shan: Always a big fan of Backstreet Boys’ ballads. Rozz: I absolutely love ‘My heart will go on’ by Celine Dion. Titanic is also my favourite movie of all time as well.

Rozz: Once this guy called on the show, said "F*** you!" and put down the phone.

What do you think of our local music scene?
Rozz: The gig scene has always been lively and all that, but when it comes to actually producing a CD, record labels aren’t that into it. I guess it’s not their fault since they don’t make much money from it anyway.
Shan: It’s really sad too, because in Singapore, the market for English music is just not big enough. We don’t have the numbers, and it’s never going to change.
Rozz: But maybe one day, when Singaporeans really start to support our local talent, we can make changes to that.

Catch the Shan & Rozz show on weekdays, from 4pm to 8pm on 98.7FM, and I assure you’ll be in good company even if you’re squished against the MRT doors on the way back from work.