Tai's video kiss embarrasses mother

TAIWAN - Taiwanese singer Tai Ai-ling is best known for her torch songs that plumb the depths of emotional misery. She says that on past tracks such as Tone and Boiling, she "would cry while recording".

She adds: "Once that happens, I can't continue. In recent years, though, I'm better able to control my emotions."

The 35-year-old was in Singapore recently to promote her new album Distance Of Love.

In person, she exudes a cheery rocker vibe. Wearing a cropped black jacket over a print T-shirt, ripped denim shorts, black leggings and blinged out teal-coloured heels, she could have fooled you into forgetting that bittersweet ballads are her calling card.

It seems that Tai has had enough of tears and wants to move on.

She says of her seventh album: "This is closer to my own personality. In the past, listeners might have the impression that I would often shoot for the high notes or go for numbers that aim for the tear ducts."

The real her is somewhat different, she says with a laugh: "Lively, adorable and easy-going."

The choice of the lead single reflects that. Time Of Love is faster-paced than her usual fare and has a buoyant vibe as well.

The album, released in Taiwan in May, debuted at the top of the G-Music album chart.

It must come as sweet vindication for her. She had a say in the change of direction in her career and had a hand in the production of the album. She even contributed lyrics for the first time, to the rap duet Searching For Right Person.

The CD booklet also bears marks of her styling input. She used to look moody or pensive and would often be dressed in sombre colours. This time, she is dressed in a peachy pink dress and is, gasp, smiling.

Tai also shows a sexier side in the music video for Awaken. There are several scenes of her in figure- hugging sleepwear and she even locks lips with the male lead, an unknown artist.

She says: "Even my mother asked me about the kissing scene several times because I'm from the Paiwan tribe and we're quite conservative."

Her mother ended up hiding at home in the hills when the video first aired in order to avoid embarrassing questions. Did Tai's boyfriend object?

"Which one?," she shoots back playfully. While she has been attached in the past, she is currently single.

She has a few considerations in mind when it comes to her ideal other half. "Firstly, he must be kind. Also, he must be filial because family is very important to me. He must also be able to accept and understand my work," she says.

While her two younger brothers are married with children, she herself is in no hurry to get hitched.

She points out: "I still have so many things I want to accomplish."

After 11 years in the industry, she wants to hold a large-scale ticketed solo concert. She usually performs on the pub-house circuit in Taiwan and her Oct 1 gig here was held at Shake Club @ Singapore Flyer, which has a capacity of 450.

Of her arena-rocking dreams, she adds: "I believe that's a common goal for every singer who loves to sing."

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