Hito Radio Interview

“Actually production for the next album has already begun, and has never stopped. This gives me more time to deliver our best.” Elva’s burning passion for music leads to a never-ending production for her album. Even as she is promoting her current album, the concept for her next album has taken shape. Perfection is what a serious Elva is about.

On a hot afternoon, Elva talked about her latest album, 3-Faced Elva and her life journey. What I have gained, is more than what I had expected…

R: How do you feel about being the album producer?

E: Actually I was the producer for the previous album, but because the song that I produced was not the main single, there was no pressure at all and I could churn out something according to how I feel. This time I was involved in producing the main singles, so I had to put in more time and effort. For instance in the production of “More More More”, I spent a lot of time discussing with the music arranger, and I experimented a lot for the vocal arrangement. All in all, I’m more opened many possibilities as a producer. I can use an objective point of view to produce something that is comfortable for everyone and at the same time express my thoughts. I can have more vocal expression, which results in faster production time.

R: You must have heard hundreds of demos while producing “3-Faced Elva”, why did you choose these 12 songs eventually?

E: I have my own production house since the last album, 1087, and I was continuously receiving and reviewing songs. In fact we did not have a clear view on which song to be recorded in which album. Most importantly, the song has to be nice. Then I will consider my style of singing and the expectations of my fans. Take “1087” for instance; the theme was skewed towards R&B, whereas for “3-Faced Elva”, the theme was revolved around the 3 facets of Elva. As I have said earlier, we are constantly receiving songs and preparing for the next album. This will give us more time to deliver a more complete piece of work, and not a forced-effort within a few months. I have heard many demos, and because I love writing lyrics, I have also started to write the lyrics for those demos and asking for everyone’s opinions.

R: Can you share with us the story behind every song in “3-Faced Elva”?

E: “I’ll Be There” – This is a disco melody misxed with a House music arrangement. We want show the style of the dance in a positive way. Also, we hoped to blend together sports and fashion because of my endorsement with Puma.

“Impulsive” – This song was developed from the point of view of Sincere Elva. The lyrics expressed that when you are in love with someone and yet you are unsure of it. It’s like when you are constantly thinking of someone and he is lingering in your heart.
“Loneliness of Two” – This is symbolic of Courageous Elva, and I produced this song too. It talks about when a relationship has reached bottleneck, two persons can be lonelier than being alone. So it is time to make a decision courageously as the sky is vast and blue. Actually many of my female friends are of this character, so when I feel like I’m singing this song for them.

“More More More” – I wrote the lyrics for this song. When I heard the demo, I felt that this song needs to express an exhilarating feeling and a crave for speed. Therefore in the music video, I became a speed racer. Of course the lyrics is very expressive. It’s like watching the music video when you are reading the lyrics.

“Time Tunnel” – Lyrics for a ballad is not just about telling a story in everyone’s heart. As for love, it is a concept that is very difficult to grasp; as for past relationships, you should put them in the time tunnel and transport them into a place where you can forget about them for a while so that you give your best wishes to other half. This song talks about bidding goodbye to all the unhappiness in love and moving on.

“Compatibility” – This song is produced by Jae Chong and rapped by Nese and myself. Nese is the person who wrote “Profession” (表白) too. When we were recording, while he was rapping, I would be outside producing and vice-versa. I wrote the lyrics according to the demo given by Nese. I think he raps very well and I’m very happy to work with him. This song talks about a “Stop, look and listen” concept, hoping that a man in a relationship should stop and pay attention to his other half, listen to what hse has to say and observe her actions before taking any actions, and not just desiring a quickie relationship.

“Afterwards” – Sakura wrote the melody and this is the 3rd time I’m working with her. I love her songs because her songs have soul. You do not need the lyrics and you have the feeling just by humming the tune. This song hopes to deliver Sakura’s wishes for love and talks about someone wishing his/her the other would find someone like him/her, and let the past be in the past. In short, this song is about giving your best wishes.
“Baby Girl” – I wrote the song especially for my best friend in Vancouver. She had met into some problems in her relationship and I was in a bystander point a view. So this song talks about her story and this song lets other girls know that I can be your best friend too and tell you through my voice that you should be too blindly in love. All of you are my baby girl, and I will stand by you all the way to protect you.

“Hey Girl” – This R&B dance number is produced by Chen Wei. The lyrics is very interesting as it uses a basketball match to talk about the defence and attack in a relationship. The song is very expressive too and when you singing it, you will feel that a relationship is like a defence and attack match.

“Similar to Love” – Everyone said that I have a little nasal voice in this song. After singing it more than 10 times, it’s like singing a love letter to me. The love letter talks about a past memory, that what I thought was love was in fact something similar to love, not what I thought it was. The person whom I loved loves himself more than me and the feeling is pretty hurting.

“End of Love” – This is Jae Chong’s work too. I recorded this R&B song with him in Los Angeles. He specializes in clean tempo and vocal, and he wanted more air vocal for this song. There’s a verse which states “Falling out of love is temporary, just make a turn and you will find a new future.” (失戀只是暫停戀愛，轉個彎遇上新的未來). This is a more positive song and is expressive of Courageous Elva too.

“Places You Can’t See” – This ballad is produced by Lee Wei Song and lyrics are very melancholic. I feel that it talks about a girl’s feeling that her other half was unable to see some facets of her. This is symbolic of Sincere Elva – willing to wait for love, and I am like everyone else who wants to be loved too.
R: How do you comfort yourself when you met obstacles?

E: Actually for the leg injury and bad luck last year, I brushed it off as it’s the year which I had offended the God, and they will go away. Everyone has their ups and downs and we should grab any opportunity when it comes. When you are feeling down, you should protect yourself. I feel that this is a process, although some things were magnified by the media, I still led a very happy life.

R: Were you affected by your leg injury?

E: Due to my injury, many fans were unable to watch my performance. So it’s time to repay them my “debts”. Although I have to travel frequently and it is tiring, I feel that you have to live your life as it is, cherish all opportunities given to you and enjoy life now. Do what you want to do now, and stop thinking about things that you should not be thinking about.

R: Looking back when you just started, was there any difference now?

E: Now I’m better at managing my emotions. I used to be impulsive and impatient… actually now I still am as I don’t like to drag things. I know how to better express myself. On the execution point of view, I am able to grasp the main point. There was a lot of experimenting last time, but now I’m more stable-minded. I still believe in learning as you age, as I have lots of room for improvement.

R: Which is the singer that most influenced you?

E: I love Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson. Especially when Janet Jackson is dancing on stage, there were many dance moves that many people were unable to perform and surpass, because of her dance rhythm and classics. My favourite mid-tempo dance number is “That’s the Way Love Goes”. Actually I like mid-tempo dance numbers, which is an area that is yet to be explored in Asia. I hope that I have more similar and memorable mid-tempo songs in the future.

R: What do you like do during your pastime?

E: I like to write, diet, sleep and talking nonsense with my friends. I also hope that I could have more than 30 hours in a day, so that I could sleep for 10 hours and still have time for many other things.
R: If you were not an artiste, what would you be?

E: I studied fashion design, so I would most probably be a fashion designer. I’m particularly interested in fashion and I was involved in the concept development of this album. From the last album, I had worked with my good friend to design my outfits. Same for this album, I applied what I’ve learned into this album.

R: Are there any plans for concerts and new attempts?

E: Besides the autograph sessions, a celebration concert is on the way. Details are still being confirmed, everyone can go to EMI website or the official website for this album www.3elva.com. If there is any news we will release it immediately. As for new attempts, everything is still in the planning phase.

Read the original chinese version of this interview here.

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