The Star Online: Entertainment: Music

Posted: 31 Aug 2011 02:20 AM PDT

Wilber Pan shares his candid reflections on life and music.

EIGHT is truly a significant number for Wilber Pan this year. Also known as Will Pan, the Taiwanese-American singer released his eighth album titled 808, January this year.

An 80s child, Pan also drew inspiration from the retro-electronic Roland TR-808 drum machine, which was popular during his childhood. Born in 1980 in West Virginia, United States, he moved to Taiwan when he was seven and later furthered his studies in California.

Fielding questions from local media in both Mandarin and English during a media conference in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, recently, the dashing singer was quite the charmer with his easy going manner and candid reflections on life and music. He also conducted four showcases and autograph sessions to promote 808 at Kampar in Perak, Malacca, Penang and Kuching.

Turning 31 on Aug 6 (the eighth month of the year), Pan celebrated his birthday here with a wish to fulfil his mother's request to end his bachelor days. "Apart from a smooth sailing career, I hope to find a girlfriend, get married and have children," declared Pan who hoped to find his other half by age 35.

The personable chap also professed his love for children and spoke candidly about his longing to hear the pitter patter of little feet.

"I really look forward to having a kid as many of my friends have gotten married and already have kids. So much so that I'm thinking of adopting or having a kid of my own. I don't mind not having a wife but I'd really like to have kids, just like Angelina Jolie. I've even thought of the name – Will Pan Junior. But, of course, if that is the case, I'd still have to look for a mother for my kid."

Pan, who began with hip hop music, loves to experiment with other genres to give himself and his listeners something new with every album release.

"When I first started out, a lot of people associated me with hip hop, which is one of my favourite genres. But with more albums, life experiences and experimenting with different kinds of music, this album actually deals with more electronic stuff.

"I like to sing a lot of love ballads and R&B stuff. 808 combines futuristic electro and retro music while also offering soft rock ballads."

The singer-songwriter also had a hand in penning the lyrics for three and composing the music for five of the songs in his 11-track album, which also includes five music videos. Pan also amused those present by relating how he generally gets inspired to compose music when he's taking a shower.

"And, it's usually at night. I can't write any music during the day," said Pan, who is now enjoying some orchestra and classical music and looks forward to experimenting with a big band sound for a future project.

As is typical with his albums, 808 also features interesting collaborations with varied artistes, featuring Hawaii-born Hong Kong-based Khalil Fong's composition for Xiao Xiao Ma Yi (Little Ant) and famed Taiwanese lyricist Vincent Fang's lyric for Wo De Dian Hua (My Phone), and American-born Thai/Chinese singer Nichkhun (of South Korean boyband 2PM) in the music video for Chu Dong (Touch).

His previous album 007 (2009) recorded collaborations with American R&B singer Akon for Be With You and multi-lingual South Korean actress Lee Da Hae for the music video of Shuang Ren Wu (Pas de Deux). Another high profile collaboration was with South Korean popstar Lee Hyori for the music video of Zhi Yao Ai Shang Ni (As Long As I Love You), which was filmed for a car commercial. Apart from a successful singing career, Pan also enjoys acting, having starred in TV idol drama Miss No Good (2008) with Taiwanese singer-actress Rainie Yang and Endless Love (2010) with Taiwanese-French actress Sandrine Pinna. He also had supporting roles and cameos in Great Teacher (2002), Love Train (2003) and Pandamen (2010).

Currently mulling over several film offers, Pan admitted to being selective about the roles he plays.

"I'd rather not play characters that are like myself – what they call a sunshine fellow or fun guy. Because, I've already lived 30 years like that. For this album, I played a killer in a 30-minute musical drama. Another sort of character I'd like to play is a messy-looking tramp, complete with beard and dreadlocks. Now, I'd consider that to be more of a challenge."

Wilber Pan's 808, distributed by Universal Music, is available in local stores.

Justin Bieber crashes his Ferrari in LA

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 08:15 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES: Justin Bieber and his Ferrari are both fine after a fender-bender in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Police Officer Gregory Baek says the 17-year-old singer was involved in "a very minor collision" Tuesday afternoon in LA's Studio City.

The officer said no one was injured or cited and no police report was taken. There was no visible damage to Bieber's car or the Honda Civic involved in the crash.

Bieber recently appeared at MTV's Video Music Awards, where he won best male video for his song "U Smile."

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Rabu, 31 Ogos 2011

The Star Online: Entertainment: Music

The Star Online: Entertainment: Music

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