1 As a story teller through music what would you tell someone going through mental anguish in their life?

One of my favourite poems, “How to Succeed in Heartbreak” has a line in it that reads “Go to museums. Realise other things have history, too.” and I think about that a lot. In the moment, the pain feels like everything but then I lay down, eat a meal, talk to a friend, have an epiphany, maybe eat another meal, walk around, drink water, talk to another friend, laugh, and somehow, time’s passed. Then I realise I’m slightly more nourished and slightly different than I was. All that to say, things ebb and flow. We move through chapters and ways of being, and people have more in common than we think. We let others in and find it’s easier to get through this life with love by our side. Cheesy.. but that’s what I believe.

2 Who taught you the guitar and music writing? Did you pick it up yourself?

I’ve always written little songs and stories ever since I was a child. The songs would be acapella, I still have recordings of those and it’s wild to look back and realise the core of me has remained true. I took guitar lessons when I was 12, learned enough chords to write to and wasn’t interested in much else so the lessons stopped. For a long time I thought I hated playing the guitar but it turned out that I just didn’t like playing the guitar I had. When I bought myself a new guitar at 18, I just couldn’t really put it down. I tried to take up lessons again but they never really stuck. I think my interest still really is in the writing aspect as opposed to the guitar-playing. It really is typical singer-songwriter behaviour. Slowly, though! Many years in, and I’m slowly learning the basics still.

3 What guitar do you play? How many guitars do you own?

Back in Singapore, I played an acoustic Sigma guitar- I couldn’t tell you the actual model but I can tell you she’s been through a lot. She once got submerged in sea water and still came out strong. I wasn’t so confident she’d survive travel so I’ve left her in safe hands at Tim De Cotta’s place back in Singapore. The guitar I use in Melbourne is a Timberidge ‘9 Series’. So, just the 2 guitars. I do have a guitalele for when I travel, though. Traveling is great but being without an instrument, as a songwriter.. Can be stifling.

4 Music and design complement each other in putting yourself (brand) out there eg your album, song covers and videos. What design and artwork style are you drawn to?

I love this question! I’m drawn to a fusion of scanography and collage. It’s honestly helped me through a lot of perfectionism, since this medium is so process-driven. It’s all about experimentation and problem solving, and that’s helped me let go of this idea that art has to be a single thing. It’s so personal, too. It’s one of those you could try to study but ultimately you have to get your hands in and give a go to really learn about.

5 The music artiste you would most like to meet for lunch today.

I’d love to get lunch with Sammy Copley and Leith Ross. The way they craft words together, I believe, has a direct correlation with how they see the world and I think we’d have a lot to talk about.

6 What Singapore food do you miss most?

I’ve recently been missing salted egg chicken rice. Specifically the one from the shop in Sim Lim with the auntie who recognises all the LASALLE students.

7 How do you relax after a hard day at work?

There’s no better feeling than resting my feet after a shower, honestly. But I’m also of the belief that moments of rest can be found within the day as well. I’ve found that if I only let myself go at the end of the day it’d be the equivalent of holding my breath and then burning out from everything being pent up.

8 What is your advice to a young girl who wants to be a singer songwriter like you?

My advice to any young singer songwriter is to go out and live. In whatever way that is true to them. My advice is to stop locking yourself up in a room for days trying to make the perfect piece of art. To talk with friends, dance, explore, see the neighbourhood, take new paths. We’re storytellers, and no better way to do that than to collect stories. Making art comes in stages, which is why I no longer believe in creative block. Just because you aren’t actively writing, it does not mean you aren’t in the process of it. You may be in the living-stage of it, you may be dormant. Much like other things in nature. Take it easy and rid of the shame that comes with not churning things out constantly. Even if you know yourself to be someone who can do that, don’t fret when it dips. You’re a person, let yourself be.