Kit Chan on why she wants to keep her life clutter-free

SINGAPORE — Twelve years is a long time, but homegrown songbird Kit Chan has returned with a bang, with a new album that melds her current attitude and musical aspirations.

Early this month, the well-known chanteuse released Edge Of Paradise, her first album that wholly comprises original songs since 2004, when East Towards Saturn was rolled out.

It is no wonder then, that the 43-year-old likes every single track on the album, pointing out that the inspiration behind it is her desire for simplicity and pureness.

“It reflects my current attitude to life, to love (and) to aesthetics. I just want my life to be free of clutter, whether it’s emotionally, physically or mentally. That’s why I’m always clearing up stuff in my house,” said Chan, whose performance in a high profile, televised contest landed her a contract with major China record company Taihe Music Group last December.

Comprising 10 original compositions spanning genres such as pop, jazz and folk, the album’s focus on presenting only the essential elements is evident in how the music arrangement avoids the excessive use of musical instruments.

Chan added that Edge Of Paradise is very different from the past three albums (which she dubs her “electronica trilogy”) she produced before taking a break from performing in 2004, as the former reflects a different state of mind. The trilogy, she said, was more of a rebellious expression.

“I was just so sick of what I was doing before that I wanted to be as far away from that as possible,” she recalled.

In contrast to the “act of desperation” she calls the trilogy, Edge Of Paradise is, to her, a sincere work that exudes a quiet confidence about how her approach to music has matured.

Her album also seems to point to a new direction for her music. A jazz song Don’t Ask Me Why I Love You, in particular, has created a buzz in Taiwan. “Everyone was going like, ‘You should do more jazz. It’s really suitable for you.’ And I find myself buying more jazz albums ... I do not know what that means but certainly I enjoy listening to that genre of music. Maybe it’s something that I can sing more of?” 


Chan also announced in a press conference last Wednesday that she will be holding her Spellbound Homecoming Concert here at home come September. The gig marks the finale of her Spellbound tour that started in Singapore last year and travelled to Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

Held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, it will be the first time she has performed a full show there in 15 years and it promises to be bigger and better than the one she produced herself last year.

For instance, it will be set up by a team of creative talents from Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China — including musical director Feng Wen Fu. The audience can also expect a more elaborate stage design and effects, a 12-piece band and outfits specially tailored for her by Bruce Yu, the award-winning costume designer who has also dressed top Asian artistes such as Stefanie Sun, Sammi Cheng and the late Leslie Cheung.

In addition to an extensive repertoire of well-loved numbers — including Spellbound and Loving You, both specially re-arranged for the concert — the songstress will also perform songs from her new album.

Speaking about her choice of songs for her gig, Chan revealed that she still likes Quarelled, and almost always sings East Towards Saturn at her concerts. The latter was like her anthem for a period in her life, she candidly confessed.

“It’s like a reminder to myself and my fans that no matter how much you love something, you can drive yourself to the point where you don’t want to do it.”

In fact, a pun on the Chinese pronunciation of the title of the jazzy tune actually describes her heartfelt attitude at that time, Chan revealed.

Though the venue for her concert is larger this year, she said she will stay true to the idea of creating a personal touch and making each person in the audience feel like she is singing only for them.

Asked whether she would go offstage to interact with the audience, Chan replied that she has moved on from thinking that physical proximity is necessary to connect with an audience. Now, as her performance style matures, she believes she can create intimacy between her and the audience with what she calls an “intimate switch” that she can turn on, she said.

“It’s not something you can arrive at with a formula. There’s no guarantee ... Sometimes the magic just happens and when it does, it’s unmistakable. The connection is palpable.”

As for her post-gig plans, Chan says she is leaving them open.

“I don’t know (what I’m going to do). Definitely take a holiday. That’s one. But for work plans, I have nothing concrete and that’s a luxury.”

Kit Chan’s Spellbound Homecoming Concert will be held on Sept 10, 8pm. Tickets from S$78 to S$188 from Sports Hub Tix (www.sportshubtix.sg).