She is cool
             She cares about music

She is Candy Lo

     She has played in independent bands.
     She is not merely a Barbie doll singer.
     She is Candy Lo.

     Candy's Chinese name is Lo Hau-yam (hau means technique while yam means sound). Her name gives people an impression that she knows how to sing well.

     "I've just asked my father about my name. He named me in memory of his ex-girlfriend," said Candy.

     Doesn't her mum get jealous?

     Said Candy: "No. She thinks it's just a name. It doesn't bother her."

     Candy never thought of having singing as her career, though she pretended singing on stage at home when she was a kid.

Her Music

     Candy released one EP and one LP, of which she actively participated in the production processes. She was responsible for some of the programming, playing drums, guitars and all the vocals. She also co-produced some of the tracks.

     "Working in the studio, making records, and doing anything related to music gives me the greatest pleasure. They are the most meaningful thing to me.

     "I want to do more than singing. Therefore I learnt playing different musical instruments. I'm now learning how to produce a record," said she.

     Candy writes her own songs. The question is whether her record company gives her any "instructions"?

     "Well sometimes yes, but I may not follow them," she continues, "Because I can't sing songs that I don't like. If I really have to, perhaps I will add some new elements into the song."

     Yet, there were contributions from some avant-garde musicians, and the tracks were 100% made in Hong Kong.

     Candy has played in three independent bands in the past, and the one most well-known was Black and Blue. Now she has a contract with one of the biggest record companies. Would she be regarded as a betrayer to underground music?

     "I don't care what others think, as long as I'm not pretending to be a mild girl. I'm still working on MY music.

     "There should not be a distinction between mainstream and underground. Neither of them is necessarily good.

     "If you think you are doing the right thing, just go ahead," said she.

     Any changes to the relationship with her old friends?

     "Not much, except that we don't have much time to see each other. We still talk about the same topics and they sometimes ask me about my work," she said.

Her life in the showbiz

     Candy does not like promotions.

     Nevertheless she understands that they are necessary in such a competitive world.

     Said Candy: "People may think that I am of a low profile, mainly because I don't take the initiative to talk but wait for questions to come forth. Maybe I'mnot good at telling stories.

     When I was in Malaysia, the reporters asked questions concerning my music. Those in Hong Kong, however, only care about silly trivia."

     She continued: "The music scene in Hong Kong is very unhealthy. Anyway, there's in fact no music scene in Hong Kong, but only showbiz."

     Candy knows this is the rule of the game and it can't be overthrown.

     How can she cope with the pressure and difficulties from such a sudden change of life?

     "I do have unhappy times.

     "At first I just hid away and cried because I don't want to tell my family and let them worry.

     "Now I've learnt that I should be doing my work happily. I realize that no matter how I feel I still have to work. Crying may comfort me but it offers no actual help.

     "Therefore I will talk to my colleagues to seek help. They are much more experienced in handling problems," said she.

     Any particular experience on her mind at the moment?

     She answered: "Recently I've been criticized for my performance on the award presentation ceremony held by Commercial Radio.

     "I was very unhappy because it was the best chance for the public to get to know Candy Lo, but I didn't sing well.

     "I admit that I didn't sing well but it was over. There was nothing I could do afterwards.

     "Now I will do as many shows as I can. Not just for exposure but to train my live performing."

     Though Candy had sung live many times when she was in a band, things are different now.

     There were friends playing on stage at the same time, but now, as a solo singer, she has to handle the pressure on her own.

Her live experience and music hopes

     There must be live performances that impressed everyone. What does Candy think?

     "The most impressive live show I have ever attended was the Radiohead live in Hong Kong in 1994. Though it was held in a small venue, the audience could get closer to the band and they played really well," she said.

     How about her own live shows?

     Said she: "Well I think the show on 23rd January at Arts Center was my best solo performance till now. Everyone played very well, but it was a pity that the public didn't have a chance to listen to my performance.

     "Prior to the solo career, the most unforgettable show was my last show with Black and Blue. It was in late September 1996 at Fringe Club."

     Most Hong Kong singers aim at having their own live shows at the Coliseum.

     Candy would like to have a show at the Coliseum if she ever had that many fans, but she prefers Kai Tak because it is like those venues in foreign countries.

     If Candy could work with one male and one female singer, who would they be?

     Said she: "For local ones I would love to work with Eason Chan because I know there would be so much fun, and Faye Wong.

     "For international ones, Radiohead would be my first choice, and Sinead O'Connor. Sinead O'Connor has always been my idol."

     That explains why she sings like Sinead O'Connor and played Radiohead's Street Spirit (Fade out) live a couple of times.

     "The music scene of Hong Kong is not diversified enough. There should be different kinds of music and more bands. Perhaps the record companiesare not confident enough," said Candy.

     She thinks that the standard of studio technicians and engineers can be improved so as to compete with the international music production.

Her comments on life

     Candy loves travelling, but she hasn't had much chance.

     Said Candy: "I have been to London and my hometown on the mainland. I have also been to Malaysia for a business trip.

     "If I ever had a holiday, I would like to go to the UK again, also to the States to visit my cousin and to Belgium."

     Belgium?

     "There's not much news about Belgium and I want to know whether it is like other European countries."

     Regarding the Answerman question for this issue, if she was to present an award to the Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, what would it be?

     "The Most Meaningless Award. I don't know much about politics. There was too much idle talk in his speech, though he suffers a high pressure," said she.

     Any comment on the Bill Clinton affair?

     Said she: "Oh please stop! It's so annoying. There are things much more important to human life."

     Nowadays human beings cannot live without technology. Will we be under its control?

     "Aren't we under its control already?" She grins, "I've read news recently about implanting a computer mouse into human brains. It's so scary."

     To Candy, life means to enjoy. Said she: "The most important thing is not the achievement, but the process.

     "It's like producing a record. Conceptualization and the discussion and exchange of ideas are the most valuable experiences.

     "Life is enjoyable."

Interviews with Candy Lo