By Christopher Toh, TODAY | Posted: 09 October 2008 1036 hrs http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainmentfeatures/view/381437/1/.html SINGAPORE: Sandy Lam is probably the bubbliest singer we've met in a long time. But it could be because the Chinese singer has just spent a good part of the week in Singapore doing what she likes to do best in Singapore: Shopping and stuffing her face. "The food here is delicious!" said the 42-year-old singer when she sat down for the interview at Marina Mandarin. "I like Singapore. I've been here countless times, you know? The city is very pleasant and comfortable to be in. People are very friendly and I have so many wonderful friends in Singapore." Some of her friends here include musicians whom she's worked with, including singer-songwriter Dick Lee and music arranger Case Woo. But she also considers her fans as "friends", she said. "I really have a lot of wonderful, special fans and they've become sort of like friends to me," said Sandy. "Some of them ... When you first meet them, they were in their school uniforms, and next thing you know, they're grown up with kids. It's like meeting an old friend again. They're all very nice." It's been a long road for the Hong Kong-born singer, who started when she was 19 with her first single, "I Don't Know What Love Is". She rose to fame in the mid '80s with a slew of Cantopop hits, before branching into Mandopop in 1991 with her album, "Home Again Without You". Her 1995 album, "Scars", is considered to be one of her top-selling albums. In 2001, she appeared in the Andrew Lloyd Webber concert "Masterpiece", performing on the same bill with Elaine Page and China's all-time best-selling recording artiste, American-Chinese Kris Phillips - better known to us as Fei Xiang. Earlier this year, she released "Come as U Are" , a live recording of her series of concerts she did last year. But even after all these years, Sandy said she's still learning about herself. "You go through high tides and low tides," she mused. "There are things that you keep learning about yourself and working with people around you. It's a constant learning process. But you know, you're just a human being." Up Close with Sandy You've mentioned that you're going to customise your show for Singapore. What can we expect? For Singapore, more people speak Mandarin, so I will sing more Mandarin songs for them. The core structure of the concert isn't going to change, but I've put in a special little segment of favourites for each individual city ... little touches here and there, like maybe a couple of songs that will have special meaning for Singaporeans. No, I can't tell you which - it's a surprise! Will you have any special guests? I'm not into inviting special guests! There are many musicians whom I have worked with and I will definitely sing their songs during my concert. Unless it is someone extremely special to me, I do not think I will invite a special guest. It will be a one-woman show. It always is! Don't you get bored singing all those early hits? Of course, you get bored if you've been singing the song the same way hundreds of times! That's why I come up with new arrangements or a new perspective for each song. That's the fun part of having a concert. Many artistes say they get a little antsy as a tour goes on. What about you? I've never really felt that way. I love the travelling part ... I always look forward to it! (We don't) tour the whole year and have over 200 gigs - we break for two days, two weeks, or a month. I actually look forward to the experience of doing a whole year of touring, but we don't have that type of market in Asia. Maybe in the future - though probably not in my time! What's your most embarrassing stage moment? I always have embarrassing moments! Like when I forget the lyrics! I'm very critical of myself and if I'm not at my top form, I tend to put pressure on myself. But nowadays, I just learn to deal with it, you know? These things happen. It's also something you learn: You've got to have fun and really enjoy it and not be so hard on yourself. I just laugh it off. You've been in the business almost 24 years now. Any regrets? No, I don't really want to think of anything as a regret. Even if they are mistakes, or things you think you could have done better - it's more a precious reminder or learning experience, I think. So instead of (mulling) over it, you go, 'I've learned something today, so next time I won't do it again, I'll do it differently.' You learn everyday. How do you stay so youthful? I'm a very healthy eater. I also exercise regularly, although I don't like going to the gym. But I love hiking - I enjoy being close to nature. I also swim a lot and play badminton often. I make sure I have sufficient sleep - eight hours of beauty sleep. I also love to soak in a hot bath (with) sea salt for blood circulation. I think I am in good shape for my concert now! Will you be releasing a new album soon? I am right now working on the next album, but it can take a long time, so I don't know when that will be released. How long will you keep singing? I have no idea. I'm not putting a time limit or anything. It's a continuous process of improving yourself and challenging yourself. I think I am actually enjoying it more and more as I mature ... As long as there is the energy and there is the creativity, it can go on for while. Describe Sandy Lam. Determined and hardworking, but lazy at the same time! I'm very extreme. I can be really hardworking when I'm really, really focused, but when I am in a period where I'm lost or wandering, I've got to really pick myself up and go out and look for inspiration. It's a constant challenge for me. - TODAY/sh Sandy Lam performs on Oct 18, 8pm, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Tickets from S$68 to S$168 available from Sistic. --

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