H O O K E D - Daren Tan: Out in the Open

Daren Tan: Out in the Open

Written by Teo Shu May

Fresh from performing in the hit musical Beauty World, Daren Tan, the winner of Project Superstar 2, has captured public attention once again with his debut album, Regardless.

Settling down to an interview with HOOKED, we put him under further scrutiny as we grilled him on love, life and music - with a dash of humor thrown in.

daren_cd

HOOKED: Let's start off with some questions on your new album. So why the title "Regardless"?

Daren: Well, this album is a close reflection of my character because unlike others, I do not have a "heck care" attitude. I try to do my best in everything, and I also have a pretty open mind.

HOOKED: Which is the most special track to you and why?

Daren: Don't Belong To Me (Track 6) - I wrote it for Beauty World, when Ah Hock (his character) expressed his affections for Ivy Lee (the female lead). It's very special for me because it is the first song that I've written that has been released commercially. And I'm really happy that I managed to write one song for my first album.

HOOKED: So how has the experience of promoting the album been for you?

Daren: It has been very busy, having to go round and do concerts, signings, appearances and more. But I'm enjoying it.

HOOKED: How is it like being an "idol" now?

Daren: Really exciting. But sometimes it can get quite tiring and I've to sacrifice some of my privacy. I'm definitely a lot more conscious over my image now, and more aware of how I have to be a good example to younger kids.

HOOKED: Speaking of privacy, any thoughts on the Edison Chen scandal?

Daren: Well, I've a clear conscience, so I've no worry over scandals. I also know what I will do and what I will not do. I definitely won't do what Edison did, and also things that will give me a bad image.

HOOKED: Let's talk a bit about your experience in the musical Beauty World. What was it like?

Daren: It was an eye-opening experience. I felt very humbled during rehearsals because there were so many people who were more accomplished than me - they could sing, dance and act so well.

I had to learn how to sing all over again, and put my pop singing roots behind me because pop singing and musical singing are vastly different. Thankfully, Ivan Heng and Irene Ang were really helpful and they guided me along, so yes, it was a very good experience for me.

HOOKED: Any plans to participate in more musicals in the future?

Daren: Well, I really like acting, so I hope to act in a musical at least once a year. I will definitely be acting in the upcoming year. I'm also picking up the skills for playing new musical instruments like the piano, to facilitate my composing. It's not too difficult because I had learnt organ for 6 years in the past.

HOOKED: So how do you compose?

Daren: I used to compose on a guitar, because I didn't know how to play the piano then. I usually do the chords first, so if the chords feel right, then I'll develop it further. For me, it's all about the feel of the song, and then the lyrics come in at a later stage.

HOOKED: What do you usually write about then?

Daren: I usually write about love because that is the closest for me, and I also feel that love songs are the easiest for people to connect with. But I hope to experiment with faster numbers in the future.

HOOKED: What does it feel like singing such personal songs about love on stage?

Daren: Well, it doesn't bother me that much because it's more about getting the emotions out there to the audience. And I think it's nice when people enjoy my songs.

HOOKED: Now that we're on the topic of music - what does music mean to you?

Daren: I cannot live without music. I mean, I really grew up with music. My mum used to send me for angklung classes when I was young, and I was in the choir in secondary school, so music is really important to me.

HOOKED: Who are your musical idols and why?

Daren: In terms of composing, I would say Jay Chou, because I think that his composing skills are extraordinary. In terms of singing, there are many good singers out there but I don't really emulate any specific singer. I just try to learn from all of them.

HOOKED: What are your plans for future albums? Do you intend to write and produce the entire album, or to go experiment with a different musical genre?

Daren: I think I'll be sticking to pop because that's where my strengths lie. But it's also my first album and so I've not really thought that far ahead. Perhaps in the future, I could experiment with R&B, because I've mainly done rock, pop and ballads for this first album.

HOOKED: Now for the more personal questions. Do you have any hobbies? What do you do in your free time?

Daren: Sleep (laughs)! I sleep a lot. I also like to exercise, especially playing soccer. I usually hang out with my friends when I'm free, like go out to watch movies or go for a drink. And of course, I also try to spend time with my family.

HOOKED: So how has it been like having to balance your private life and your public life?

Daren: Well, sometimes when I'm outside and I'm recognised by people, I turn a blind eye to them. I guess all this recognition comes with the job.

I used to feel insecure at the start, especially when I had to handle criticism. But now it's better, and I'm more used to walking along the streets and getting recognised.

HOOKED: Do you feel like you have a public side and a private side?

Daren: Definitely, but for me, the division is more obvious when I'm performing, because then, I have to portray a persona to fit the song, but when I'm offstage, not really. For me there's a very fine line between my public life and private side.

HOOKED: Any secret indulgences?

Daren: I love food (laughs). I eat everything.

HOOKED: Any favourites?

Daren: I love Japanese food because there is a wide variety. I also enjoy local delicacies like laksa. I love laksa. I'd travel all the way to Katong just to eat it.

HOOKED: Any incidents previously which have been life-defining moments?

Daren: Not really, because I think that everything that has happened thus far, has all been by chance.

I wasn't expecting to join Project Superstar 2 because back then, I was still in the army and I didn't know what was happening in the entertainment circle.

But my army friends kept pushing me to join and so I went for the auditions, but I never expected to get into the next round, or even to win, eventually.

HOOKED: What was the competition like for you?

Daren: It was very stressful. I had to learn how to handle the media, how to deal with criticisms, and had to continually improve in my singing.

But it was also a very good experience because I made very good friends through it, like Wen Hai, Le Sheng and Jon. We don't really get to meet up very often nowadays, but we're still good friends.

daren_cleo

HOOKED: So how does it feel to be on the cover of Cleo's "Top 50 Eligible Bachelors" list?

Daren: It was pretty exciting. (Laughs) We had a lot of fun during the shoot.

HOOKED: What was it like?

Daren: I had to go topless and they put a lot of oil on me. It felt a little awkward at times because I had to pose really close to the girl. But it was quite fun, almost cute.

HOOKED: Any interesting incidents with female fans after the magazine was released?

Daren: A lot of them wrote many encouraging comments on my blog. Some went to buy the magazine and asked me to autograph it for them.

HOOKED: So what does the blog mean to you?

Daren: I guess it's a gateway for people out there to know more about me. I don't post very frequently, but it's mainly for my fans to have updates on my life.

HOOKED: Are you close to your fans then?

Daren: Yes, to some of them. I'm actually good friends with some of them.

HOOKED: How did you all become such good friends?

Daren: Well, they would wait for me regularly at Medicorp and buy me drinks and food. After that, I knew a few of them better and now, we're good friends. My fans are very sweet.

HOOKED: Do you have any dreams?

Daren: Yes, definitely! I dream of going overseas, of breaking into overseas markets like the Taiwan and China markets. I also want to write more songs. And oh, also to act in movies. I love gangster films, so I'd like to act in them, hopefully.

HOOKED: So which director do you hope to work with and why?

Daren: I hope to work with Royston Tan because he's also my good friend and I really respect him. I think he has the guts and the vision.

HOOKED: Where do you see yourself in ten years' time?

Daren: Hopefully married.

HOOKED: Why?

Daren: Because in ten years' time, I'd be so old! (Laughs) I'd definitely want to have kids too, because I love children.

I'd also like to have my own business. If I could, I'd like to continue in this music industry, but also have a business on the side. I'm not sure what area for now, but I'm exploring various options.

Daren Tan's humbleness, likeability and easy charm make one hard-pressed not to root for the guy in whatever he sets out to do. Right now, he is making waves in the entertainment industry, neither out of sight nor out of mind. And he seems intent on maintaining the status quo. HOOKED

Pictures courtesy of http://www.darentan.com/

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Rusty
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