Chloe Tang
Photo credit: Michael Arellano
Chloe Tang is an artist I am only discovering but I quickly fell in love with her music, especially after I heard “Voicemails” and “Copycat”. These songs have been on repeat for a couple days now. I love that her music has some pop and rock influences. I love how honest and vulnerable she is in her art. And I love how she writes about different types of relationships on her new EP E-PITY-ME.
Chloe Tang knows who she is as an artist, she has a true identity and her own musical signature. It’s colorful, edgy, empowering, fun, cool, uplifting, honest and vulnerable.
On a personal note, I could relate to a lot of things she said in this interview, it’s probably because we’re both pisces or maybe because we’re both Asians. But it just reminded me how we were all so similar, as humans. And that’s why I love interviewing people :)
Her new EP E-PITY-ME is available now !! :)
Photo credit: Michael Arellano
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
My name is Chloe Tang aka Beefjerkybih. I’m from Phoenix, AZ, I have tattoos on my head, I’m insecure about my kneecaps because they get dry, and I sometimes look in the mirror and mistake myself for a giant thumb. But for real, I have loved music ever since the womb and my parents noticed it at an early age and I’m fortunate that they put me in piano lessons and choir because it made me love it even more. I went to an arts school for middle school and was in a recording arts program in high school then decided to go to college for songwriting where I got my degree before moving to LA and here I am. Trying to do something cool with my life.
What did you grow up listening to?
My first favorite artists were All Time Low, Avril Lavigne (My #1 idol), NSYNC, The Maine, John Mayer, and probably Good Charlotte or Green Day. They all have a special place in my heart. I feel like these artists influenced me the most because they gave me this feeling in my heart when I listened to them and I knew I wanted to make other people feel that way one day. To this day when I write a song I can’t help but hear All Time Low type melodies with John Mayer lyrics and Avril Lavigne attitude.
When did you know you could sing?
Well I do have a specific memory of me asking my dad if I could try singing “Your Song” by Elton John (but it was the Moulin Rouge version by Ewan McGregor) while he played the guitar chords. Then I think one of my family members was like “hey Chloe you’re pretty good”. They probably shouldn’t have said that though because my 7 year old self definitely got a little cocky after that!
At what point did you decide to be an artist and release your original music?
I always knew I wanted to release my own music but I decided to do it seriously when I was in college. A lot of the students had bands and there were a lot of performance opportunities so I just started to take as many chances as I could and pretended to know what I was doing.
How would you define Chloe Tang, the artist?
She is an emo kid at heart. Can’t be bothered by having hair so she shaves it. Always gives people the benefit of the doubt until they give her a reason not to. She knows what she wants. Also has no issue with embarrassing herself because people are going to eventually see that she’s crazy anyway. And the most important thing to know about her is that she hates rules. She wants to talk about real shit in her music and won’t let anything get in the way of that.
What lessons have you learned since the beginning of your career?
I’ve learned a lot. Mostly that I’m in control of my own life and nothing is worth giving up that control.
You've just released your new EP E-PITY-ME - could you describe the songwriting/production process for this project? Who helped you create it?
This EP was written over the span of a few years. I had a variety of people help me with the writing and production of it. A lot of the writers on this EP were my friends before they were my collaborators, which helped a lot because they really knew the extent of the hardships I was dealing with. The producer for Voicemails and Copycat is my good friend Lisa, who’s also an Asian American creator and it was amazing to work with her and find some solidarity in the difficult industry we’re in. As far as the EP as a whole, it’s a compilation of songs from a certain time period in my early adult life. It doesn’t necessarily have one theme. It’s more like a very personal journal about the hardships and emotions I felt while I was 23 years old.
What different topics are you talking about on this project?
Mostly relationships. Friendships, romantic relationships, my family, people from my high school who I never talk to anymore. It’s really a huge scope of the different kinds of relationships you can have with people and how they can quickly change once you learn more about yourself.
What did you feel when writing "Voicemails"?
This song is very upbeat and happy sounding but it was actually really hard for me to write. I was in the process of moving on from an ex and I just could not get myself to delete these voicemails I had from him from the beginning of our relationship. I’d listen to them over and over again just to hear his voice. At first I felt guilty for holding on to them then I realized it’s normal to keep memories no matter how badly we want to forget them.
What's your favorite thing about this project?
It shows so many sides of me. I’m a pisces, which I believe I embody very accurately. I have a LOT of emotions and most of the time they don’t agree with each other. So I like that this project represents the chaos that is happening in my head on a daily basis.
What did you learn about yourself after finishing this EP?
I learned to let go of people that weren’t lifting me up and helping me create an environment that was nourishing for everyone in it. Growing up, I was always taught that you don’t burn bridges. I agree less and less with that as I grow up. Obviously I’m never going to purposefully end things on a bad note with someone but now I know it’s more important to put yourself first before worrying about hurting someone’s feelings. Also that adulthood is a disaster for everyone!
What made you want to name your project E-PITY-ME ?
I love wordplay and my friend actually came up with the idea for e-pity-me because it sounds like a sad girl album but it also is saying that the album is the epitome of me :)
What can you tell us about the artwork?
My friend Candace really pulled through with this. I told her about my vision of having it feel like I’m a badass new age Ursula and so she shot the photos and did all the editing and honestly it came out perfect. She really gets me!
What does it mean for you to be an artist?
I got a comment on an instagram post from someone and it just said, “I came across your page randomly a couple weeks ago and I love it here” and that is literally ALL I want as an artist. For people to feel like they have a space where they can laugh, cry, be themselves, and empower each other because I truly believe that’s the most important thing.
As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?
The hardest part is having imposter syndrome. This is a really difficult industry to be in as a woman. You are constantly getting questioned and society has made us think we have to look or be a certain way to find success. The best part is my everyday life. I get to make my own schedule and have so much creative freedom. It allows me to be my best self, which helps me fight the imposter syndrome.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I think the industry is always changing and that’s important, but it also makes it difficult to keep up with everything. I enjoy the excitement of learning about new trends, companies, artists, and waves in the ecosystem. That being said, I do strive to personally contribute to the awareness of underrepresented communities in the music industry. I believe it has been run by a specific group of people for a long time and it’s time to make history by disproving the narrative that things have to stay that way.
With the rise of the coronavirus around the world, racism against Asians have increased worldwide - what message do you want to give to Asian communities?
I have a lot to say about this but I will keep it short. In order for these hate crimes, acts of violence, and discrimination to end, we have to ask more questions about where this is coming from. These issues have been present for so long and we have to be curious about the history of trauma that our ancestors have had to endure. We have to teach our children, nieces and nephews about the dangers of white supremacy and how it is held up in every tier of our country, especially in the government. I would just say it’s time for us to speak louder and make sure we’re heard. We are only stronger together.
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
There’s no time to waste being someone you’re not. We have time, but not a lot of it and I’m so tired of feeling like I have to halt my personal discovery because it doesn’t fit the criteria of what the world is telling me is right or cool. I had this problem in my younger years and I’m still not completely at my goal but I have to say, once I cut the bullshit and just stopped caring about what other people thought of me, life became way more enjoyable.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Education. I think from a young age we should be taught about culture, emotional and mental health, and how to practice empathy. Kids should feel safe in learning and making their own decisions about the world, but we need to give them all the information and resources we can for them to have as much context as possible.
What message do you want to deliver to the world?
Fuck the haters!!!
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