The Straits Times (Singapore) : Sandy's influences

2012-02-07
What do Sandy Lam and Rihanna have in common?
The answer is: Hong Kong veteran singer Lam's daughter, 13-year-old Li Xi'er.
The entertainer says: 'I get to listen to a lot of new songs through her, such as those by Justin Bieber, whom I think is a good songwriter.'
In fact, some songs on her daughter's playlist have made their way to her concerts. She sang Rihanna's hit Love The Way You Lie (Part II) at her Hong Kong concert last year.
'It was one of my favourite tracks last year, and singing it at the concert was one of those indulgent moments for myself,' she says. Xi'er is her daughter with Taiwanese singer-songwriter, Jonathan Lee, whom she divorced in 2004.
Lam, 45, was in town last Saturday to promote the Singapore leg of her MMXII concert on April 6.
The series of concerts, which started in September last year, took place in Hong Kong, San Francisco and Las Vegas.
Lam's fans will also be happy to know that the petite star will release a new album in the middle of this year, six years after her last album.
She says she enjoys the process of recording music in a studio: 'It takes quite long as there are a lot of adjustments and fine-tuning needed, from the lyrics to the way of singing the songs.'
While she did not reveal the style or direction of the new album material, her concerts have been showcasing a more adventurous side to her.
Besides covering Rihanna's songs, she has also incorporated Latin and techno elements into her music, which is 'the fun part of doing a concert'.
Dominican Republic-born musician Chris Polanco helped inject a Latin feel into her dance numbers. And she is not afraid to show off sultry dance moves to go with the Latin grooves. 'I believe that women can exude sexiness naturally. As long as you do not try too hard, it is easy to show your sexy side,' she says.
Lam, who is known for her elegant demeanor and ballads, is only too happy to embrace a 'natural progression' in her public image.
'Doing yoga has made me happier and more open, which allows me to look at things from a broader perspective.'
The bubbly singer, who enjoys kayaking and mountain climbing, is not fazed by performing hip-hop and locking dance moves in her concert.
'The more I dance, the more calories I burn, and this thought makes me happier.'
'I get to listen to a lot of new songs through her, such as those by Justin Bieber, whom I think is a good songwriter'
Hong Kong veteran singer Sandy Lam on getting introduced to songs by her 13-year-old daughter, Li Xi'er
book it
SANDY LAM MMXII CONCERT
Where: Singapore Indoor Stadium
When: April 6, 8pm
Admission: $88, $118, $138, $168 from Sistic (call 6348-5555 or go to sistic.com.sg)