VIBErations Podcast

Established in 2018 - VIBE is a Book & Music shop situated in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong.

It’s been a few months since my last interview and as it will be the last one in this current format, I chose to interview my brother-in-law of 30 years, at his home in Italy.

But before then, I just wanted to give you a quick overview of what will happen to this podcast going forward…I’m going to rename the podcasts from ‘VIBErations’ to ‘Lantau Island Disks’, now maybe you can see where I’m going with this…

I still plan to use the podcast to promote VIBE Book & Music shop on Lantau Island, but I’ll be asking my interviewees to imagine they’re a castaway on this Island and to choose 8 audio recoding’s (usually, but not always, music), a book and a luxury item that they would like to take if they were to be cast away here, whilst discussing their life and the reasons for their choices.

And so, we turn to this week’s podcast interview…

Jim Feeney says he’s been incredibly lucky and privileged to have had the opportunities to work across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, in a career that began right on the shop floor. Over more than 30 years in the automotive industry, he was fortunate enough to learn the ropes through hands-on sheet metal craftsmanship, before eventually working his way into automotive design. That practical foundation taught him so much about the vehicle development process, helping him understand how to turn initial studio concepts into real-world manufacturing realities. Throughout his journey, he’s been able to apply this knowledge, using 3D computer design to help develop chassis structures, body panels, and various trim layouts, always aiming to turn vehicle concepts into production-ready realities.

But engineering is only one side of Jim’s story, he’s always felt that a busy career needs a bit of balance. His journey has been equally shaped by a love for his family, the brilliant storytelling of favourite authors, and a lifelong passion for making music, that caught him completely by surprise back in the sixties, when at 15, he was roped into stepping onto a local stage to act as a human microphone stand, but somehow ended up belting out a version of “All or Nothing” by the Small Faces, from that exact moment, he was hooked. For him, life has just been about quietly shifting gears between a rich musical world and the daily challenges of automotive design, and he’s incredibly grateful for every opportunity he’s had along the way.

10 Questions

Established in 2018 by Gary Brightman - VIBE is a Book and Music shop situated in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong.

In this episode I interview musician Jeremy Williams - recorded on Thursday 2nd April 2026.

Jeremy Williams was born in Shropshire in the UK. His father was a farmer and mother a keen music lover and pianist. Her father was a professional viola player, so from an early age Jeremy loved music and began learning the violin at the age of 5.

From the age of 11 his path was set as he attended Wells Cathedral School, a specialist music school, and went on to further his studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. At just 22 he was amazed to pass an audition for the London Symphony Orchestra making his career in music already established.

He has been fortunate to have had a varied musical career in both classical and popular music. Aside from many tours around the world with classical orchestras and chamber groups, he has worked on pop music sessions in London for George Martin with Paul McCartney, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page and concerts with George Benson and Tony Bennet to mention only a few. He also played on soundtracks for movies including James Bond, Batman and the long running TV series Inspector Morse.

He met his wife Yuen Yum, also a professional violinist from HK, in London, so have had a lasting connection with HK for many years. They lived in HK from 1998-2003 when he was principal viola with the HK Phil before moving to Australia, again for music. In 2015 they returned to HK for a brief visit for family reasons and 11 years later are still here!

Yuen Yum and Jeremy have 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren, spread out between the UK and Australia. They are in the middle of the sandwich here in HK. They moved from Kowloon to Pui O in 2022 but have had a long and lasting affection for Lantau dating back to 1998.

10 Warm-up Questions

1. Favourite book or authors? War and Peace by Tolstoy, William Sherrer, Andrew Roberts, Simon Sharma

2. Favourite musicians or artists? Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Queen, Alex Harvey Band, 'Dark Side of the Moon' Pink Floyd, The Guarneri Quartet

3. Favourite films? 'Young Frankenstein' 1974 and 'The Producers' 1967

4. Preferred drink? Coffee. Red wine, Real Ale in UK

5. Life motto? Let go and move on

6. Favourite HK walk? Coastal walk from Pui O to Mui Wo, Tung Chung to Tai O and Mount Butler to Tai Tam Reservoir and on to Stanley

7. Favourite HK restaurant? Home. Fuk Shui Loi when it was still here in Mui Wo

8. Best advice you were given? No excuses

9. I live in Hong Kong because…The energy of Hong Kong, you could get things done here. And of course having a Chinese wife helped… 10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? South Lantau.

Established in 2018 by Gary Brightman - VIBE is a Book & Music shop situated in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong.

In this episode I interview airline pilot Pierre Cadoret - recorded on Monday 23rd March 2026.

Pierre Cadoret comes from Somerset in the Southwest of England. His Father hailed from Alderney in the Channel Islands, a French family hence the name.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Pierre trained to be a pilot in Gloucestershire, Plymouth and Prestwick. His first paid role was as a pilot for Logan Air in Scotland flying turboprop ’sheds’ for 3 years. He then worked commercially for Britannia Airways before joining Cathay where he flew 747 jumbos for 3.5 years based out of Manchester. Pierre moved to Hong Kong in 2007 still with Cathay Pacific initially flying 747s, then cross-trained to Boing 777s.

In his spare time, he founded Typhoon Brewery on Lantau Island, HK in 2009 and ran for 4 years. During the ‘covid years’ he briefly returned to UK and flew cargo for DHL out of the Midlands.

Returning to Cathay in 2023 and Lantau in 2024.

10 'Warm-up' Questions

1. Favourite book or authors? Mick Heron for author and book, ‘Lord of the Rings’

2. Favourite musicians or artists? Massive Attack, The Beatles, Led Zep

3. Favourite films? ‘The English Patient’, 1951 film, ‘Pandora and the Flying Dutchman’

4. Preferred drink? Beer, Real Ale.

5. Life motto? It's funny how things work out.

6. Favourite HK walk? Coastal walk from Mui Wo to Shap Long

7. Favourite HK restaurant? Maison Libanaise, Chom Chom Vietnamese

8. Best advice you were given? Father’s advice - 'RTFQ - Read the f**king Question', 'never refuse a mint' and to a person with a bad back 'take more weight on your elbows'

9. I live in Hong Kong because…It's fascinated me for such a long time. Dad was variously stationed in the 'far east'

10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? South Lantau.

Established in 2018 by Gary Brightman - VIBE is a Book & Music shop situated in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong.

In this episode I interview entrepreneur and endurance runner Jo Lodder.

https://gogetfunding.com/flock-bird-murals-of-lantau/

https://www.tailslantau.org/

https://southlantaulife.com/now/x/south-lantau-buffalo-society/

http://www.actionasia.foundation/

http://www.jolodder.com/

Jo Lodder is an endurance athlete, entrepreneur, and speaker shaped by reinvention. A former professional jockey, his career ended after serious injury forcing him to rebuild from scratch.

Since then, he’s completed major endurance challenges, including a 3,140km run across China in 60 days, and won events such as the Oxfam Trail walker.

Today, Jo uses extreme challenge and storytelling to explore resilience, discipline, and purpose and what it really takes to keep going when life doesn’t go to plan.

10 Warm-up Questions...

1. Favourite book or authors? 'The Prophet' by Kahlil Gibran, Sherlock Holmes, Jeeves & Wooster

2. Favourite musicians or artists? Eminen, REM, The Beatles

3. Favourite films? Mulan, Pulp Fiction, No Country for old men, Forest Gump, Man on Fire

4. Preferred drink? Elderflower and soda, 0% Guiness

5. Life motto? ' 'the journey is the destination', 'I run for those that can't'

6. Favourite HK walk? Tigers Head, Chi Ma Wan peninsula, Lin Fa shan

7. Favourite HK restaurant? Wife Novy's Kitchen and Katmandu in Mui Wo

8. Best advice you were given? Grandfathers 'if you die without a story you failed'

9. I live in Hong Kong because…Came here on business and stayed

10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? Lin Fa Shan at sunrise

Established in 2018 by Gary Brightman - VIBE is a Book & Music shop situated in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong.

In this episode I interview Macao News Managing Editor Aidyn Fitzpatrick

Aidyn Fitzpatrick was born in Hong Kong of biracial parentage.

She was educated locally and at Christ Church, Oxford, graduating with a first in modern history.

After stints as a kitchen porter, theatre director, underground dance party promoter, concert producer and copywriter, Aidyn embarked on a career at Time magazine and remained there until 2022 as its Asia managing editor.

Her writings have appeared in Wallpaper, Elle, and numerous other publications. Her photography has been featured on CNN, while her poetry has been anthologised in several collections.

She is the managing editor of Macao News, lives on Lantau Island with her wife and daughter, and was the lead guitarist in China’s first punk band.

Ten warm-up questions

Established in 2018 by Gary Brightman - VIBE is a Book & Music shop situated in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong.

In this episode I interview author Paul French.

www.chinarhyming.com

Insta oldshanghaipaul

Paul was born in the London Borough of Enfield in 1966. He attended Raglan Junior School and Edmonton County School, North London. He gained an M.Phil from the University of Glasgow and studied Chinese at the City Lit.

After university, Paul worked briefly for Time Out magazine and Euromonitor in London before relocating to Shanghai. In 1997 he co-founded the independent research firm Access Asia. It specialised in analysing Chinese consumer and retail markets.

In September 2011 Access Asia was acquired by the London-based market research company Mintel. Paul left the company and China to become a full-time writer of articles and books about China, based in London.

His books include ‘Midnight in Peking’, ‘Destination Shanghai’, ‘City of Devils’ and ‘Her Lotus Year’.

Warm-up Questions 1. Favourite book or author? Graham Greene

2. Favourite films? Films of Zhang Yimou like 'Raise the Red Lantern', 'Shanghai Triad'

3. Preferred drink? Negroni

4. Life motto? ‘Get it written, get it right’

5. Favourite HK walk? Kadoorie Hill and area

6. Favourite HK restaurant? Grappas, Jardine House,. Indochine, Jimmy’s Kitchen, Pawn Restaurant

7. Best advice you were given? ‘Always make time for people who show up at events’ (Colm Toibin)

8. Favourite area of Hong Kong? Mid-Levels

Tales of Jack & Milly is a series of 15-minute episodes about the adventures of 5 talking rescued pets that live with their human parents on a beautiful green hilly island in the South China Sea.

If only our pets had voices, what would they say? Would they be poets, rappers or philosophers, or just like, well… family…

Jack is a 6 year-old beige village dog who looks like a cross between a wolf and a teddy bear.

Milly is a 5 year-old petite black village dog. They have 3 younger siblings: Eeva, a low-slung, wire haired Jack Russell, O’Malley, a ginger tomcat, who are both 5 years old and Louie the Maine Coon cat is 7 years old. In this 2nd season Jack & Milly decide to change things around so that they can raise their profile as a family in the neighbourhood and better protect their humans.

You’ll meet some new characters along the way and there’s always plenty going on locally.

Written & Produced by Gary Brightman

Narrated by Stefan Gannon Featuring:-

Dr. Esslin Terrighena as Milly

Gary Brightman as Jack

Stef Le Gall as Eeva

Cary Nicolson as O'Malley

Stephen Walsh as Louie

Andy Tait as Haggis

Shelly Cox as Field Mouse Montgomery

Ciara Morris as Chekov

Music by Celestial

Recorded at Studio 114 - [email protected]

The pets in ‘Tales of Jack & Milly’ were adopted from TAILS (Team for Animals in Lantau South) a Hong Kong registered charity. The pets are all looked after by Lantau Vets.

For further information you can visit their website at https://www.tailslantau.org/ Or facebook at tailslantau or instagram at tails.lantau

These stories of which this is the 2nd in the second series are about 3 dogs and 2 cats. They had nothing going for them and no hope for a secure and happy future, until they were given a home by a human family.

Tales of Jack & Milly is a series of 15-minute episodes about the adventures of 5 talking rescued pets that live with their human parents on a beautiful green hilly island in the South China Sea.

If only our pets had voices, what would they say? Would they be poets, rappers or philosophers, or just like, well… family…

Jack is a 6 year-old beige village dog who looks like a cross between a wolf and a teddy bear. Milly is a 5 year-old petite black village dog. They have 3 younger siblings: Eeva, a low-slung, wire haired Jack Russell, O’Malley, a ginger tomcat, who are both 5 years old and Louie the Maine Coon cat is 7 years old. In this 2nd season Jack & Milly decide to change things around so that they can raise their profile as a family in the neighbourhood and better protect their humans. You’ll meet some new characters along the way and there’s always plenty going on locally.

Written & Produced by Gary Brightman

Narrated by Stefan Gannon

Featuring:-

Dr. Esslin Terrighena as Milly

Gary Brightman as Jack

Stef Le Gall as Eeva

Cary Nicolson as O'Malley

Stephen Walsh as Louie

Paul Elliott as Eddie the Egret

Music by Celestial Recorded at Studio 114 - [email protected]

The pets in ‘Tales of Jack & Milly’ were adopted from TAILS (Team for Animals in Lantau South) a Hong Kong registered charity.

The pets are all looked after by Lantau Vets.

For further information you can visit their website at https://www.tailslantau.org/ Or facebook at tailslantau or instagram at tails.lantau

These stories of which this is the 1st in the second series are about 3 dogs and 2 cats. They had nothing going for them and no hope for a secure and happy future, until they were given a home by a human family.

Established in 2018 by Gary Brightman - VIBE is a Book & Music shop situated in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong.

This weeks interview is with long term Lantau resident, Bob Bunker

Born in the UK; on graduating in 1968 from Cambridge with a degree in French and German, Bob went to work for a stockbroking firm in the City of London, to look after their European business.

He came to HK in 1979, where he worked for Chase Manhattan Bank. Then spent many years as a Director of HSBC’s investment operation and latterly worked for a private investment operation along with several ex-HSBC colleagues, before retiring in 2010.

He sat for many years on the Listing Committee for the HK Stock Exchange, vetting mainland companies for listing. Bob was one of the founding fathers who set up the Hong Kong Securities Institute, to improve standards of professionalism in the financial industry, and set entry exams and licensing.

Bob and his wife Sally and 2 sons, took a weekend cottage in Shui Hau on Lantau in 1985, and then moved to live full time in Mui Wo in 1997.

He’s retired now on Lantau with his well-known artist wife Sally - they have 2 sons, 2 grandchildren and a dog.