SHN
... has performed at intimate venues like APW Bangsar as well as at larger stages, including Urbandscapes and Artbox. SHN is building a trademark sonic branding, focusing on detailed lyricism and familiar down-to-earth singer-songwriter pop, making her an excellent Southeast Asian addition to the current music climate that is shifting and spotlighting singer/songwriters.
After a year of silence, all the while maintaining a steady 60,000 - 80,000 monthly listeners across all streaming platforms, SHN is back with brand new music, prepped to be released monthly in 2023, working towards a possible EP towards the end of 2023.
Who is the "human" behind the artist SHN and how did you get into music?
My name is actually "Chloe", and I used to go by that name. But a few years ago, I joined a Chinese record label (of which I've since left), and adopted the stage name, "SHN" and it's stuck around since. I've always loved writing music. I started when I was about 8-years-old. I knew that I wanted to have a career in music one day, and I knew that I was going to write. So I decided to just do it.
"27 in a 7-Eleven" is a catchy alternative Pop song, what was your inspiration, what's the story respectively?
"27 in a 7-Eleven" is a song about having an existential crisis in a convenience store. Sometimes when I go into a store, and I haven't made a list of things to get, I forget what I'm there for. And I thought that felt a lot like life. Sometimes you forget what you're here for. I suppose when I was younger, I thought I'd have it all figured out by now, but I don't. And I'm starting to be okay with that.
"dark places" has been released in 2021, how do you feel, being "back in business" again?
I'm mighty excited about coming back into the scene! Releasing "dark places" was for me. It was a cathartic experience and I just had to get what I was feeling from the weight of the pandemic out. Now, moving into 2023, it feels like I'm making music not solely for me anymore - and that keeps me up at night in the best possible way.
If you compare "I won't go" (released in 2018) to your new release, how would you describe your songwriting "evolution"?
Looking back at my older works has always been a little 'cringe' - but I know that as long as I feel that way, that means I've improved somehow. That's not to say I'm not proud of the work I've put out, I think I will always be proud of them. I think before this, I've always felt rushed to put out music. I didn't always know what the best way to go about crafting a song and letting it simmer in production was. I'm learning to do that better now.
We live in a Social Media Era, how important are Facebook & Co for yourself and what's your favorite channel?
I'm most active on Instagram. And I've just got a brand new official website! I love sharing my music and interacting with my fans through social media. It's most definitely an important channel for me to connect with people. I've been obsessed with this channel on YouTube, Honeyjubu. Watching her videos is incredibly therapeutic for me.
Being an artist in Kuala Lumpur is ...?
Being an artist in Kuala Lumpur is exciting because the chances of being heard isn't one in a million. But it does come with its unique set of challenges.
If you could select an extraordinary location for a show, where would it take place?
I'd love to play somewhere surrounded by nature. It could be in a greenhouse or an orchard or in the woods. I think that would be really cool and intimate.
....and of course what are your plans for 2023?
2023 is going to be an exciting year because I've spent the most part of 2022 just writing music, and they're set to be released monthly in 2023. We've also got merch lined up for the very first time! I'm looking to play more shows as we ease into the new normal. And most of all, I'm really looking forward to building a community with my fans and being more engaged with their lives.
