TAIWANESE pop stars are fast gaining popularity over here, and up-and-coming artist Huang Ane is the latest to woo Hongkong audiences. Ane is hoping he can match the success of compatriots like Jimmy Lin and Annie Lau who are doing extremely well here. The singer was in Hongkong recently to promote his latest album, to be released in Hongkong next month. During his six-day stopover, he gave interviews to magazines and newspapers and appeared on TV. ''This is my first visit to Hongkong,'' Ane told Young Post. ''I'm here on promotional work, but I'm taking the opportunity to make friends and learn something about the territory.'' Like many overseas singers, Huang is keen to make it into Hongkong's music scene. He is aware of the difficulties, however. ''It's very hard to build up a name here because the music market is so competitive.'' But Ane hopes his double talent as a composer would give him an edge in the industry. ''I write my own songs. Many other artists rely on composers, and the songs don't always suit them.'' Once a Christian, Ane used to be a ''rock'' music fan, but recently he has become interested in Buddhism, and his songs are now slower and more meditative. The musician would like to move in a new direction and try out different ideas. The songs in his latest album, his fourth, reflect his religious and personal experiences and have earned him 10 platinums in Taiwan. Titled New Butterfly Lovers' Dream, the album is his first with his new record company ''What's Music''. It was released two months ago and has so far sold over 500,00 copies. The title song of the album has topped the pop charts in Taiwan. Ane became seriously interested in music at 16 years, when he started writing songs. His parents, however, wanted him to continue with his studies. So Ane waited until he had completed four years of study at the Ping Tung Agriculture College in Taiwan before turning to music again. ''I'm still a new face in the music industry,'' Ane said. ''Right now, I want to establish my own style and compose songs that express my personal experiences and views.''
