SINGAPORE — With the music industry becoming increasingly saturated, it is difficult for young aspiring artistes to make their mark, and many are required to be all-around talents in order to have an edge over others, said Taiwanese mandopop singer Stella Zhang Qing Fang.

“There are fewer and fewer memorable songs now. People don’t remember songs for a long time these days,” she said in Mandarin, adding that many songs grow unfashionable very quickly.

“I don’t know if it is because everyone is lazy to remember things. Because of the growing pace, as well as how everything is easily accessible through technology, a lot of things are easily attainable and easily given up,” she added.

“In the past when we produce an album, a lot of time and effort would be put into it. If it becomes a hit, it can last for quite a long while. Now, it’s hard to have that kind of situation.”

She was speaking to TODAY ahead of her concert on Jan 30 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium — her first ticketed performance in Singapore in 20 years. Her return here after such a lengthy hiatus is one that filled her with emotion and excitement, she said.

“I’m most looking forward to the faces of my Singapore fans. I know they have many memories attached to my songs, so I really want to see that reflected on their faces,” she said.

Added the pop veteran: “Singapore was like my second home. Besides Taipei, Singapore was the place where I was the most popular.”

Zhang, who celebrated 30 years in the music industry last year, is known for her crystal clear vocals and gravity-defying soprano. She is often coined as Dong Fang Bu Bai (“The Invincible East”) and has had a string of chart-topping hits.

Commenting on the industry now, Zhang said many artistes are very talented and are required to sing and act.

“In the past, we didn’t need to be all-around talented. Then, those who could, sing very well; and those who could act, would act really well. Now you have to know how to do both, but it’s not very in-depth,” she said.

When asked why it took her so long to return to Singapore, the 49-year-old quipped: “I got married and became someone’s wife and a mother.”

Zhang wed her investment banking executive husband Sung Hsueh-jen in 2004 and gave birth to a boy a year later (her second son was born in 2007). The couple were in the news recently after news broke following her two Taipei shows late last year that Sung had been in the hospital for more than 20 days due to high fever after an appendicitis operation. (Sung had been in the hospital before her two Taipei shows, the news broke only after the two shows finished (but she still had one more show in Kaohsiung). Overseas media reported that Zhang had to shuttle between concert rehearsals and hospital visits, which took a toll on her.

Zhang’s preparation for her current crop of shows was not easy: She spent three months training with a fitness instructor — who also trains Taiwan’s dance-pop diva Jolin Tsai — to get into shape and prevent any falls on stage. Every week, she had to juggle her time among going for lessons, taking care of her children and rehearsing vocals with renowned Taiwanese record producer Jonathan Lee, who is her show’s music director. According to foreign news reports, she had lost about 4kg as a result all this activity.

Still, Zhang said that her husband “is recovering” (he was spotted with Zhang’s 95-year-old grandfather at her Taipei show) but “at the time, he was very weak, so he kept requesting that I not visit him in hospital”.

“He was afraid I’d fall ill, and ... not be able to sing at my shows,” she said.

“But you know that’s impossible, I’m his wife! I have to be by his side,” she added.

Although her last concert performance was five years ago (also in Taiwan), she is not unnerved by the long break.

“I draw strength from my audience. I know those who come are those who love me, so I’m not scared. My songs have never left them,” she said.

She said she maintains her pipes by sleeping early and waking up early as well as exercising regularly and drinking plenty of water.

“I also have this habit: I don’t speak on the phone very often,” she said. “These are good ways to preserve your vocals.”

At her Singapore gig, there will be tunes that fans are familiar with, as well as surprise guest stars, although Zhang declined to reveal who they were.

Concert goers can also expect a different Stella Zhang, she said, and it’s not just because she’s grown older. “In the past, I was just a girl who could sing. Now, you may see someone who is more mature and whom you can identify with more, because in truth, for the past 11 years, I have lived an ordinary life as a housewife.

“The Stella Zhang you saw 20 years ago might be a little more plump and stout”, she added, jokingly.

Stella Zhang performs on Jan 30, 8pm at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Tickets from S$98 to S$238 from Sports Hub Tix (www.sportshubtix.sg).