A small town girl from Banting, born with a love for performing, is living out her dreams. Sharing a debut album with label mate Keon, Genie showed her song writing and composing chops. MW chats up the effervescent star-in-the-making.

 

What kind of phone do you own?
I have a simple Samsung SGH-E590.

What do you think of it?
I bought it last year for my birthday. I like the fact that it is small, compact and easy to use.

Which phone are you eyeing next?
I saw the Samsung Armani and fell in love with it because of its design.

Everyone has at least one phone calamity story. What’s yours?
I have plenty. I tend to forget where I left my phone and there was one time when I left it in a friend’s car. I spent about 2 days looking for it. But so far I have managed to find my phone back every time.

How important is your mobile phone?
I use it a lot to call, obviously. I also SMS, MMS and take pictures with it. It connects me to my family and friends so it is very, very important.

Are you into mobile games?
Actually I’m bad at computer games (laughs). I used to play some games on a Gameboy but that’s about it.

What other gadgets do you own?
I usually carry my Fuji digital camera and a Compaq HP laptop.

How many contacts do you have in your phone book?
I have about seven hundred plus contacts; mostly friends. As for business contacts I keep their details in my laptop.

Let’s talk about MMS. Do you send a lot?
I love taking pictures with my phone and sending it out to friends. In fact, I MMS pretty frequently.

 

Do you accessorize your phone?
Not really. I don’t want to scratch the screen.

Describe yourself in 5 words.
I’m really talkative, irritating at times because I talk too much, fun-loving, cheerful and I love to make cookies.

How did you get started?
I have always been desiring to be onstage or to perform in public since young. Slowly, in school and university, I started to join singing competitions. In fact I was singing at Wings Café and the boss told me I was just a pretty face. But I improved my techniques and two years later he signed me to his label.

How has it been like in the music industry?
I never wanted to be just another pretty face so I have been learning a lot from the industry. But it will take time for new local artistes to be accepted.

Tell us a bit about your experience recording an album with Keon.
I think we are a great team because our voices are similar in range and we each have something to put into the album (Ye Lv Xing). I would describe it as a mixture because I’m more into pop rock while Keon is into ballads.

What is your music video about?
The music video is for my single, Li Kai Shi Qian (Before I Leave) which is like a mini story. It tells of me leaving the relationship and I had crying scenes. Surprisingly it wasn’t difficult to cry for the camera because I was already tired and with some pointers from the director I think I did OK.

Who do you consider to be your idol?
I like Evanescence because her voice is unique and also for the way she uses it. I also like Jolin Tsai for her great live performances as well as Jay Chou for his music.

What are you up to recently?
We have plans to have about 200 performances in schools and colleges, so I’m busy preparing myself.

What do you look forward to do in the future?
Of course I hope for success and to be a good singer.

Do you have a website?
Yes I do. I blog at www.wretch.cc/blog/tygenie08. Do drop by.

Lastly, how do you unwind after a long day at work?
I do crunches, seriously. I do workouts, jog and swim. Sometimes I go for movies and also window shop.