The Beat Kuala Lumpur's Up-and-Coming Artist: Alt-Indie Pop Act FIG
The Beat Kuala Lumpur’s Up and Coming is a series where we feature rising talented artists from Malaysia, giving them a platform to share what they’re passionate about and promote the music they (and us too!) would love for the world to hear. Do you want or know someone who wants to be featured? Email us at [email protected] or slide through our DMs on Facebook or Instagram.
Home is where the heart is. FIG has had many.
A Malaysian born in the Philippines, raised in Singapore, and spent time living in Shanghai, Beijing, and Frankfurt, Fay had multiple cultural influences under her sleeves. Now based in New York, the young, budding musician carries her fair share of diverse experiences, which she translates into her music — as FIG, an alt-indie pop artist.
Releasing music as early as 2019, FIG prides herself on being a "self-expressing artist with a DIY attitude." True enough, her songs have been all about her everyday experiences: from the complications of love and friendship to the mundane moments in her life. She now even makes her own cover art for her albums, showcasing her true-blue self-made attitude.
“I’m most drawn to writing about everyday, mundane stories — like biking the same street daily or finding joy in a favorite snack. I love exploring how these simple moments can be special and appreciating the beauty in the ordinary,” FIG told The Beat Asia.
Living in New York, however, did not come without challenges. According to her, loneliness was the biggest debacle when she moved to the big city.
“The biggest challenge was finding a community. Even though NYC is so full of people, it can feel really lonely. Community is essential, especially with people going through similar experiences,” she confessed.
But FIG believes that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. In her case, when life gives you a bunch of corn, make a cob stand. In 2022, the 20-something singer established her own events imprint, Cob Stand (which can be attributed to her love of corn). With Cob Stand, she was able to make a community of music and food lovers in her new hometown and give a platform for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) creatives and artists to showcase their craft.
“I started hosting my own music and food events called Cob Stand, which helped me not only find my own community but also create a space for others to connect,” she added.
Apart from Cob Stand, FIG, of course, is raising the Malaysian flag and uplifting the Asian community as she carves her way into the music industry. Just a few years since she started her music career, FIG has already made waves in the industry, surpassing one million streams with standout singles “Splinter” and “Pair of You.” She has also been featured in Spotify’s Mood and New Music Friday playlists across Asia and has supported other artists like grentperez, dhruv, Tiffany Day, Peach Tree Rascals, and Sarah Kinsley on their tours.
Recently, the singer-songwriter also released her album, “FITS,” featuring eight songs about love and loss — both of which pave a new avenue for FIG’s music.
“This project means a lot to me as it dives deep into the emotional arc of friendships and relationships, capturing both their beautiful beginnings and sometimes their inevitable endings. I explore new topics and continue to find myself as an artist in this project.”
One of the album’s tracks, “Opposite Day,” features Japanese American artist Yoshi T. The song speaks about the back-and-forth tensions in friendships and relationships, featuring a rhythmic rap verse from Yoshi.
“Working with Yoshi T. was amazing! I’ve been a fan of his work for so long and really respect him. I loved how we seamlessly blended indie pop and hip-hop on 'Opposite Day.' Even though we don’t hang out often, shooting the music video was so fun — we naturally got along and worked well together. In the video, we had to constantly argue, and it was hilarious how easily we slipped into it,” FIG shared.
FIG has worked with a few other acts in the past, too. But if she has to choose a dream collaboration, it would be indie R&B artist Orion Sun.
“She does things so effortlessly, and you can’t help but smile when listening to her music. She’s been a major inspiration, and seeing her live recently reminded me why I fell in love with her music. I’d love to work with her someday,” she added.
Amid all the good things going for her, FIG is still looking forward to exploring a lot more, especially when it comes to her music.
“When I first started releasing music, I had no idea what I was doing, so seeing my growth over the years has been amazing. I’ve been exploring indie R&B and enjoying that world, but as I grow more comfortable with my identity and artistry, I’m excited to see how my sound continues to evolve!”
On what her biggest goal as a musician is, FIG says that she wants to do a multi-show tour. But above all, she wants to continue building a community for her fellow artists.
“Creating a safe space where people feel connected and making a meaningful impact is the most rewarding part of being an artist.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. To learn more about FIG, follow her on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, and stream her music on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube.
Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous Up-and-Coming articles here.
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