Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with alpha yang
Hello! my name is Jacob, and I go under the artist name “alpha yang”. I’m a singer-songwriter-producer from Manila, Philippines, and I just released my new album “Detours”, which is out now on streaming platforms.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I remember joining the choir in grade school, which made me realize how fun singing and performing can be. Another memory is constantly listening to the boy band Westlife in my bedroom when I was around 5 or 6 years old.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I was initially interested in writing songs at a very early age. When I reached high school, I became obsessed with learning about and listening to music through YouTube. I think the instrument that started it all was the ukulele I bought before turning 12.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I tried the usual route of forming a band in high school, but that didn’t really work out due to my introversion and shyness. I decided to learn the basics of production on an iPad to bring my songs to life. I then honed my craft by doing EDM remixes for online competitions, which gave me free material to practice on. Once I felt confident in my skills and songwriting, I launched my solo project, ‘alpha yang,’ to the world.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I would say it’s a chill listening experience with a touch of whimsy added every now and then.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
When I first started learning music production, I was afraid to add elements that I wouldn’t be able to perform live. However, I watched a live performance by Coldplay on YouTube where Chris Martin switched from playing the piano to the guitar in a single song. That made me realize that I can push myself further—not only in making the song sound good but also in how it can be translated live.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
My main DAW is Logic Pro, but I actually started just learning on GarageBand. My go-to instruments are the guitar, piano, and ukulele.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
There’s a tracked called “Simple” by Sung Holly that i think everyone should check out!
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
As time goes by, I feel like my songs become more personal because I’m gaining more experience as I get older. One cool thing I’ve noticed is that the more personal a song is, the more universal its message can be.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I hope the main message that people get from my music is to not be afraid of their emotions and enjoy the small wins in life.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
The most important lesson music has taught me is that, despite all the difficult things happening in the world, we can still be united, even for a simple three-minute song. Music really is a universal language, and I hope to keep spreading that sense of togetherness through my music and whenever I participate in anything musical.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I would love to perform at any stage of Glastonbury!
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
At the moment, I would love to collaborate with the Norwegian artist “Anna of the North”
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
You can listen to my music on most streaming platforms! I also released my latest album “Detours” on October 03, so I hope you can check that out too.
Website: https://alphayangmusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alphayangmusic/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alphayangmusic
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@alphayangmusic?si=M0Jhr7sHEXbpX92I
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/09QqZsgEmhAkYA99qe6QrE?si=YecVDovtS-uVH-zVWEJP1w
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I really hope to push myself with my music and create entire worlds around my albums. I’ll be working hard to make this happen!
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I hope they know that I’m here to have fun and be as sincere as I am with my music.
