Andr is a singer-songwriter whose energetic blend of alt-rock and pop has made her a rising star on the Taiwanese music scene. Andr’s ascension is part of Taiwan’s rising wave of independent artists hungry for exposure abroad.
Andr’s unique sound stems from her adolescence where she spent countless hours teaching herself production and composition in her bedroom. Influenced by artists like Frank Ocean and Tyler the Creator, she learned to reject genre constraints and pursued diverse sounds that made listeners engage thoughtfully with her music. Since her debut in 2022, Andr has gained a steady following, culminating in the recent release of her debut LP ‘shhh, it’s under my bed’. Across thirteen tracks, Andr’s signature airy vocals and electronic instrumentals are married with lyrics that dig far deeper into her psyche than any release prior.
The rise of production technologies and social media has fostered a thriving indie music scene, free from the scrutiny of major labels and Andr is part of this new generation of artists shifting the global perception of Taiwanese music. In the last four decades, mandopop stars like A-Mei and Jay Chou have dominated music charts. Now, young artists are drawing from an array of genres, creating music that reflects Taiwan's pluralistic society.
Taiwan’s new musical wave lay at the heart of this year’s SXSW Sydney with TAICCA Presents Taiwan Beats Showcase. Artists Andr, YenTing Lo, Scattered Purgatory, and I’mdiffcult took the stage for an evening of unforgettable music. As the last chord rang out just before midnight, audiences left excited at the potential collaborative efforts between both countries. On a macro-level, the showcase was one of many new initiatives amplifying Taiwan’s music talent and connecting them with industry professionals from around the world.
Below is our interview with Andr taken before her showcase set at SXSW Sydney. We discussed her beginnings in music and how she envisions herself on both a local and international stage.
Eastern Standard Times:
How are you today?
Andr:
I'm doing great, thank you. How about you?
Eastern Standard Times:
I’m good! Firstly, who were your biggest musical inspirations growing up?
Andr:
Well, I'd say the ones that inspired me to create music were Frank Ocean and Tyler, the Creator. I also listened to a lot of Taylor Swift (laughs).
Eastern Standard Times:
Do you have a favorite Odd Future album?
Andr:
That's hard. I love Blonde by Frank Ocean; I even have the vinyl at my house. It was kind of hard to get before they restocked it last year.
Eastern Standard Times:
Apparently, he's making new music.
Andr:
I hope so, but I haven't heard him say anything about it.
Eastern Standard Times:
Same (laughs). What made you decide to pursue music as a career?
Andr:
Well, at first, it was just a passion of mine.
I really believe that I'll be doing this for the rest of my life.
However, as a career, I think it really started when the independent label Fortune Cookie Records found and signed me. The producers liked my work, and so I decided to give it a shot.
Eastern Standard Times:
As Australians, we don't have much exposure to the workings of the Taiwanese music industry. Is it perceived as difficult to get signed by a music label in Taiwan?
Andr:
Over the past few years, there have been more and more independent labels, so I guess smaller but really passionate musicians who want to help each other out. But I think the major labels in Taiwan aren't doing that very well. I don't know about other places, but that's what's happening in Taiwan.
Eastern Standard Times:
What are the roles of major labels in Taiwan? Do you think they provide the best platform for artists to express themselves?
Andr:
Although major labels undeniably have more resources, which is a significant advantage, I believe that one of the strengths of being with a smaller independent label is that, due to our scale, we have a closer connection as a group, both creatively and in terms of business.
This setup allows me, as an artist, to authentically represent my own personality without being influenced by other elements of the music industry. In today’s world, I think that genuine connection is what truly resonates with our audience and fans, and it’s something that larger companies may find more challenging to achieve as spontaneously as we do.
Eastern Standard Times:
How would you describe your music?
Andr:
I hope everyone who listens to my music will say, "Wow, what is this? I want more! Where can I find more?"
When I'm writing, I don't try to fit my music inside any genre, but I take a lot of influences from across the board. I love alternative R&B, indie pop, pop, rock, etc.
Eastern Standard Times:
Were those elements considered at the beginning of the music making process?
Andr:
Yeah, definitely. When I create, it's really intuitive. I've learnt to trust myself. But with the production, it's always helpful working with my producer. He's got a lot of knowledge and the skills to make everything more clear and cohesive.
Eastern Standard Times:
I notice you blend English and Mandarin into your songwriting. Is this something you intentionally decided on or organically included?
Andr:
At first, I mainly wrote in English when I was at home; I didn't want my parents to understand what I was talking about, and I thought that English wouldn't be easy for them to pick up on (laughs). As I go on with my creative journey, I want to blend different languages and musical elements. I want to do it all.
Eastern Standard Times:
Do you feel like there were particular themes you wanted to explore on the album?
Andr:
I'm really trying to capture as many aspects of myself as possible, especially with this upcoming album, which is a fresh start. It's my first full-length album, and I really want to show people what kind of person I am. Friendships, relationships, and some darker thoughts are on this album.
Eastern Standard Times:
When people see you perform, what do you hope is their biggest takeaway?
Andr:
First, I hope everyone who comes to my show will have an awesome time that they remember for a long time. I hope they get excited about what I'm capable of, want to see me grow, and just come along with me on this journey. I'm just getting started and have many things to do. I'm just excited to perform, and I think it'll be a great time.
Eastern Standard Times:
In (South) Korea, both K-pop and indie artists have been incorporating English into their lyrics to relate to a younger and more globally aware generation of listeners. Do you feel like it's similar in Taiwan?
Andr:
I think it's starting to become more popular among musicians my age. But it's not like Korea, where everyone's doing it now. We're still trying to get there. We all want to push our music and further push the cultural borders. Incorporating English into our songwriting is definitely going to help that.
Eastern Standard Times:
So now you're playing in Sydney for SXSW, what are your feelings about how fans outside of Taiwan will receive your music?
Andr:
I'm very excited and proud of my work. I'm just very eager to let more and more people hear my music. On the other hand, this is my first time ever performing at an international festival, so I'm pretty nervous and a little bit sick. I'm praying tomorrow that I'll be fine. Hopefully, my voice will come back (laughs).
Eastern Standard Times:
You're performing as a part of the Taiwan Beats Showcase. When I looked at the lineup, I noticed everyone had such varied musical styles. Do you feel like this is indicative of the Taiwanese indie music scene?
Andr:
Yeah, definitely. It's interesting to see how we all come from the same land and take the same nutrients from it. However, we all make music in different genres and have unique styles.
Eastern Standard Times:
Do you feel performing at SXSW Sydney is a big step for Taiwanese indie artists performing abroad?
Andr:
Over the past few years, I think many Taiwanese musicians have tried to take that extra step and look for opportunities outside of Taiwan. We've found some success, like Sunset Rollercoaster, and many more bands are trying to do the same. So yes, this is just a great opportunity for them for this lineup.
Eastern Standard Times:
Aside from Sydney, do you have a dream city where you want to perform?
Andr:
I just came back from Berlin, and I love the vibe there. I would love to perform there.
Eastern Standard Times:
Who are some Taiwanese artists that audiences should be listening to?
Andr:
There's one band, and they're also part of this year's SXSW lineup. They're called I'mdifficult, and I think they write their songs in a non-traditional way. They've captured the essence of Mandopop and recreated aspects of it at its finest. They also write in both English and Mandarin.
Eastern Standard Times:
I can't wait to check them out.
Andr:
They're awesome.
Eastern Standard Times:
Why is now the perfect time to get into Taiwanese independent music?
Andr:
First of all, it's just fresh. I think a lot of the times when I show my music to friends abroad, they find my stuff refreshing. In the last few years, we haven't had the chance to go abroad due to COVID and other reasons. As a result, we've grown into ourselves. I just started my musical journey, but I'm excited to bring whatever I have to the table.