Mandy Moore happy to do the write thingJune 8, 2007BY MIRIAM DI NUNZIO Weekend Editor Seems there's no stopping singer-actress Mandy Moore, once she makes up her mind. She made up her mind to be an actress, and in her screen debut at 17, she blew away film critics with her powerful performance in "A Walk to Remember." She followed that up with more critically acclaimed roles in "Saved!" and in "American Dreamz" (opposite Hugh Grant last year.) She'll soon be seen in "License to Wed," with Robin Williams and John Krasinski, in what could be her breakout role if the early buzz is correct.When it comes to her music, Moore (who began her singing career as a preteen in Orlando, Fla., singing the national anthem for every professional sporting event that would have her) can boast 7 million albums sold (nearly 4 million for the soundtrack to "Saved!" alone). Though she took a break from recording to concentrate on her acting career (and a high profile relationship with Zach Braff that ended in 2006), the pixie-ish brunette with the million-watt smile is back with a musical vengeance. » Click to enlarge image Mandy Moore, with a show Tuesday at the Park West, emulates the singer-songwriters she admires on her forthcoming album, "Wild Hope." MANDY MOORE• 8 p.m. Tuesday• Park West, 322 W. Armitage• Tickets, $20• (312) 559-1212 Moore made up her mind last year to go back to the studio on her terms, parting ways with her label, Warner Bros., and thus gaining the freedom to co-write every song on the forthcoming "Wild Hope" (Firm Records), set for release on June 19. It's her first album in nearly three years, and it's a sweet yet potent journey of self-contemplation. Her new album is rife with stories of love gone wrong, though she won't admit it's her breakup with Braff that oozes from most of the lyrics. She's on tour in support of the disc, heading to the Park West on Tuesday with her five-piece band in tow. Moore, 23, talked about life, and finally getting the chance to make music on her own terms. Q. Why was it important for you to write the songs on this album? A. I'm such a huge fan of the singer-songwriter. And I felt I really had something to say. I didn't want to be on stage anymore singing someone else's words. You get to a point in your life where enough of that is enough. Q. The lyrics are very candid and very personal. A. The whole record is very personal. I wanted to be as honest as possible about what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it. The whole process was quite cathartic. I needed clarity on some situations in my life, and writing the words down gave me that clarity. [Laughs] Maybe next time I'll go into therapy instead of writing. Q. Are you afraid of what critics might read into the lyrics? A. Of course. I'm not quite sure what people will make of this record of what will come of it. I don't live my life in a very public way. The public knows tidbits of my personal life. I think the lyrics will definitely make people feel like they're getting a little more out of me. 

Q. What keeps you so grounded, especially when most of your peers are constantly partying, getting drunk, cited for DUIs and such? A. I think it's a testament to my parents, the way they raised me and my brothers. I am who I am because of that. It's not my cup of tea to seek out that very public attention. I enjoy what I have to do for a job, but at the end of the day I'm not one for going out and hitting the bars. I understand all that stuff is part of being a young person, but I don't see myself in that life. I skipped that part of my life, the regular high school [Moore was home schooled], college. At the end of the day I want to come home, get into my PJs, order in and watch my TiVo, catch up on "The Daily Show." The last thing I want to do is put on makeup and go out. [Laughs] I'm too lazy. Q. Are you worried that you might be branded the "Sandra Dee" of this generation? A. It doesn't bother me. That's who I am. Everyone has an edge and dark side. I do as well, but it's just not as prevalent as the sunny side of Mandy. My favorite type of film is the romantic comedy. I love working on them. If people choose to see me as a goody-two-shoes because of that, that's their problem. But I'm also looking into movie roles that indulge that darker, edgier side of me. I have an indie movie coming out at the end of August ["Dedication," opposite Billy Crudup and Tom Wilkinson] that's darker and edgier. We'll see what people think of me after that. Q. What was it like to collaborate with Rachel Yamagata? A. I'm a huge fan. Someone like Rachel is the quintessential artist to me. I aspire to be Rachel one day. She has unbelievably fabulous talents and she's such a cool chick. I would love to work with her again. I just love her. Q. Which song turned out to be the most personal for you? A. "Most of Me." It was a very quick song to write. For the most part I had everything written down and ready to go and then Lori [McKenna] got in there and we just put it all together. The song is so honest and so real. I was very nervous about putting it on the album because the person I had in mind when I wrote it is gonna hear the song. Q. You probably don't want to say who that person is? A. [Laughing] I'd rather not.