Down With Love by Ronald Wan
 

LIME: You released your fifth album just nine months ago, and now, you're back with your latest, In Love With Love. Do you feel burnt out?

ELVA HSIAO: I do feel burnt out because I didn't really get a break. This album is very important to me and I spent a lot of time on it because I wanted to get it right. I enjoyed experimenting with different styles, like rap. I think fans will be happy because I reveal more of the 'inner me' on this disc.

Six albums in four years - that's quite a feat. What sacrifices have you made to come this far?
My sleep! (Laughs) I don't have a life - I have a schedule. I wake up, I go to work, I go to bed... everything is fixed for me. When I wanted a manicure, I have to ask my publicist when I'm free. I can't even go shopping. I don't have time for myself. You can call it a sacrifice but at least I enjoy it. It's tiring but I know I'm doing it for my music.

Do you fell you and your music have matured over the last four years?
Yes! As you grow older, you get wiser. I have gone through a lot and worked with many older people who taught and shared with me their experiences with other artists. I guess I'm more mature now because I know what I want and I focus on it. I know making music is what I want to do the rest of my life and I don't have second thoughts anymore.

Would you ever put your career on hold for love?
I don't think I'll continue singing after I get married. I'd want to have more time for my family.

Do you feel lonely on the road?
Sometimes. When I work too hard or don't get any sleep for two days, I get depressed. I even ask myself, 'Why am I doing this?' I the past, when reporters wrote lies about me, I'd end up hating them and even thought about quitting. But once I got past that point, I'm like, yeah, whatever. I try to be more optimistic and those lonely feelings will disappear the next day.

Explain your new album title, In Love With Love.
I don't know why my record company went with that! We tried many different versions and this suits me best because in Mandarin, Elva is pronounced ai er wa, which sounds like 'love'. I do sing a lot of love songs. I have a lot of love in me. I guess my producers want fans to fall in love with the love I have in me.

Tell us about your first love.
It was really sweet, simple and... a little stupid. Very pure. I was just this average girl on the streets, I didn't have to think of anything or worry about the paparazzi trailing me. I just wanted to call him, talk to him and be with him.

Do you believe in love?
Yes. There're different kinds of love. My fans put their love in me and then I put the love into my songs. That's how love connects me with my fans. When I love someone spiritually, physically and mentally and I totally believe in the love we share, that's true love.

A fortune-teller once said you'd meet your true love four years from now. Do you believe him?
No, I think I've already found true love. Every love I've experienced has been true love. At every different age, I found different kinds of love and I treasured every bit of it. Maybe the fortune-teller was referring to the guy I'll marry and settle down with forever. Then again, I just met another fortune-teller who told me I wouldn't get hitched until I'm really old!

Ideally, what should Mr Right be like?
He has to be caring, patient, understanding and talented in different ways. He should have his own career but he doesn't need to be in the entertainment industry. Actually, you just go with the flow and feel the sparks between each other. If you click with him, you just do, and if you don't, no matter how hard you hard you try, it just won't work.

You broke down while filming the music video for the track 'Thinking Of You'. Why?
It was a song about my past relationship. He kind of broke my heart... well, a little. You don't always get to be the one who dumps a guy first; sometimes, he'd do something behind your back and cheat on you. While filming the video, I remembered the day we broke up. I was on the verge of a mental breakdown then. When you lost someone, you feel so sad. I wanted to write about those feelings. I know a lot of girls go through this and sometimes, they just need one song to tell their story. This song tells my story. I hope it will touch people because I sang it from my heart.

What can fans expect from you in the next few months?
I'll definitely get into the movies in the future. But right now, I'll busy promoting my latest album so you'll hear me talking a lot about it! (Laughs) I'm also launching my concert tour, which is a big deal for me. I give 100 per cent at every gig and fans will see a different side of me. We'll have hip-hop and disco medleys, dancers, musicians, choreography... it's going to be really fun!

You'll turning 24 on 24 Aug. What's your birthday wish?
(Grins) I don't want to be working on that day! I want to be on a fantastic vacation somewhere!