Taiwanese pop star A-mei assumes a new persona with her aboriginal name, Amit, to do more adventurous recordings.

It is the worst-kept secret in Chinese pop. Newcomer Gulilai Amit is none other than Taiwanese singer A-mei.

The album title Amit already gives the game away as it also stands for A-mei: Music is transformed.

No matter, recording the new album under her Puyuma aboriginal name seems to have fired up the 37-year-old singer and fans have taken to the slightly more adventurous offerings. Tracks such as Alter Ego and After The Sentimental Love Of Animals have topped Singapore’s Radio 100.3’s singles chart.

Controversy over a risque music video from the album for Black Eat Black, which featured masochistic and sexual themes, does not seem to have hurt either.

Since her debut in 1996 with the massive hit album Sisters, the third youngest child in a family of nine has had more than her fair share of highs and lows.

She was banned from performing in China for two years after singing at former president Chen Shui-bian’s inauguration ceremony in 2000, graced the cover of Newsweek in 2001, had a disappointing album in Maybe Tomorrow (2004) and then bounced back with I Want Happiness!? in 2006.

This year was looking good for her with a well-received new album as well as a relationship with basketballer He Shou-cheng, who is 11 years her junior.

Then she lost two relatives, her uncle and brother-in-law, when Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan last month.

Nothing can keep her down, though. She spoke to the media over the telephone from Taipei recently.

How did you approach the recording of ‘Amit’?

Everything from the songs to the themes to the visuals was conceived in totality. It was not meant to be different for the sake of being different.

I didn’t want Amit to come with too much baggage, that she should sing or not sing certain kinds of music. Whether picking the songs or recording in the studio, I needed to discard what was associated with A-mei and my usual and familiar style of expression.

Were you worried that your fans would not be able to accept this change?

People have already associated A-mei with a certain style of music and have not been able to accept something new.

I thought that using a different persona would overcome that. But if you worry about album sales, then you might as well not make albums anymore.

How did your family react to the risque video?

I prepared them for it beforehand. They know that I have very strict demands of my music. Whatever I wish to do or express, I want it to be conveyed 100 per cent and they were supportive of me.

What can we expect from Amit in future?

I think the starting point for each Amit album will be a different theme. Maybe the next one could be very folkish and easy-going or it could be an A-mei release, a very mainstream pop album with either dance tracks or love ballads.

Music is about being led by my emotions and expressing what I want to express.

How much pressure do you feel having a relationship with basketballer He Shoucheng in the public eye?

You have to protect yourself as an artist. I’ve always been very low-key but the more low-key you are, the more curious some people get. I’m like everyone else when it comes to love. I just let things develop naturally.

You lost your uncle and brother-in-law because of Typhoon Morakot. How are you coping?

I had to spend some time to let things settle down. Words of consolation from others are temporary and you still need time for the pain in the heart to heal.

I’m okay now and want to focus on my work and not think too much about other things.

Complete this sentence: If I could live my life all over again...

I think I would make the same choices but live with greater passion. Looking ahead, I wish that I can continue to be as passionate about music and performing on stage. (By Boon Chan in Singapore The Straits Times/ AsiaNews)