1. Thank you very much for your time! Before we introduce your new release to our readers – what kind of drink would you recommend to zip on while they listen to your new music?
Definitely a glass of red wine. Red wine is appropriate in every setting, even the middle of a dance floor!
2. Please give us an update about – new single, new album, tour dates, new videos?!
I’ve just released a new single from an upcoming project (which is a bit secret at the moment…). It’s called Chasing Highs and is about kissing boys and chasing the unending high! I’ve just moved back to London permanently and my next gig is actually for the VIP birthday party of a contestant on UK Drag Race – I’m very nervous!
3. We live in times of many conspiracy theories. Which, harmless, theory would you wish were true? (For example Dinos living inside Earth or E.T. living in a home in California).
That there are some humans who are actually reptiles… I mean some humans do behave like reptiles so maybe it could be true?
4. What fashion style or brand would best describe your music?
Commes de Garcon – they inspire me so much!
5. Tell us more about your songs! Topics! Message!?
I LOVE writing about being an outlandish gay boy. I am proud of and love being gay and so a lot of music is about the dumb and reckless thigns that I get up to. But it’s not all partying and kissing boys, I sometimes write about the darker and more emotional side too but still from the same angle. I like to write about experiences that most experience but aren’t commonly articulated or talked about. My single Don’t Say His Name being a good example where I write about sleeping with someone while thinking about someone else…
6. Beside music, do you have any special talents?
Baking! I actually started selling baked goods on Facebook during the pandemic and lockdowns. It was such a useful skill that made the period easier.
7. Name 5 things we all should know about you as an artist?!
I’m committed that my music inspires people to fully express themselves
I’m very particular and almost everything has been done on purpose
My videos contain a lot of sexuality because I want to increase visibility of Asian queers being seen as sexual
I write my own songs
I used to be really bad at what I do, so practice, hard work and perserverance pay off!
8. How did you learn to sing/ to write/ to play??
I started when I was eight and my brother asked me to record a Spice Girls song with him on cassette. From there, I was asked to sing at class and in choir. I started seeing a singing coach when I was 14 and started writing at 15. I then moved to London when I was 25 and pushed myself to sing at any open mic night I could find and would film myself and correct my stage presence. From there I learnt to ‚perform‘ as that in itself is a skill.
9. A question you’d like to answer, but never been asked in an interview before?! + Answer pls
You’re seen as an attractive and sexual person, do you see yourself as that?
I never used to growing up. Being chubby, I never felt attractive and being Asian added to that. Still to this day, I walk into clubs and feel invisible because I’m not white or traditionally handsome but I’m slowly learning to love myself and own my attractiveness as my own. Which is hard when I hang around a lot of hot boys too!
Instagram: @tinofficialmusic