Constant craving
Tanya Chua has to suppress her longing for hor fun and ban mian to fit into her tight costumes
Hor fun and ban mian are local dishes that Tanya Chua craves for but cannot indulge in.
It's not just because she's currently based in Taiwan, but also because she has to watch her diet.
"My concert costumes are super tight. I still need to shed a few more kilos," she told The New Paper.
The 41-year-old local singer was back in town on Monday to promote her upcoming concert, Lemuria 2016 World Tour - her first full concert here in four years.
"I really miss Singapore, especially the food. I'm craving for hor fun and ban mian," said Chua, who will be performing in China this weekend.
For her homecoming concert, she wants to take her fans "on a journey with me where I share my love for music and the things that I went through".
The one-night-only event will see her performing songs familiar to her fans and from Aphasia, the Mandarin album she released last year.
Chua took a break from music after the release of Aphasia to spend some quality time with herself.
"I've been busy living a good life, learning how to be a good person, and finding out more about myself," she said.
"I asked myself what do I really love to do and what do I love about myself. The most important thing I've learnt is the realisation of my own happiness, and I've also found it in my music as well."
The soul-searching period included a trip to Paris in February, where she took a three-month baking course at Bellouet Conseil School.
Her love for baking inspired her to write a cookbook/biography, TANYA The Pie Club, which was published in 2013.
SWEET
Apart from satisfying her sweet tooth, something sweet happened to Chua in the City of Love - she found love in Mr Johann Martin, 34, a French pastry chef who taught at the school.
When we probed for more details on their romance, Chua became shy and said: "I don't really want to spill much on that, but all I would say is that we are in a very good place right now."
She also said she's toying with the idea of collaborating with Mr Martin on producing a cookbook.
On the topic of collaborations, Chua is entertaining the possibility of working with other local singers such as The Sam Willows.
"I may not know a lot of the popular talents in Singapore since I have lived in Taiwan for many years. But if the opportunity arises, why not?"
Noting how Singaporeans such as Nathan Hartono and Natalie Ong are making a name for themselves overseas, Chua said Singapore has very good talents, but Singaporeans must support and have pride in them to help them build a solid market locally before they can make it big abroad.
Chua has plans for a new album after her tour comes to a close but nothing is set in stone yet.
"The new album might take a longer time as my previous one took up a lot of my energy," she said.
"Despite that, I felt rejuvenated as I jumped out of my comfort zone during the making of it.
"I'm also more selective and demanding of my music now, I want to give more crafted stuff.
"Right now, I'm just not in the right mood to write. If I want to write, especially another ballad, it must be really good and authentic to myself.
"When the time is right, I'll do it."
FYI
What: Lemuria 2016 World Tour
When: Dec 10, 8pm
Where: The Star Theatre Tickets: $98 to $178
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