The Beat Singapore's Up-and-Coming Artist: Singer-Songwriter Sherman Zhuo
The Beat Singapore’s Up and Coming is a series where we feature rising talented artists from Singapore, 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 into our DMs on Facebook or Instagram!
“Music is a powerful tool for recovery and provides positive energy to move forward in life.”
This is how Sherman Zhuo, an up-and-coming singer and songwriter from Singapore, describes music. For him, music isn’t just a hobby, but a lifeline that helps him navigate the chaos of life. With this as an inspiration, the singer-songwriter is making his way to our hearts, bringing with him comforting vocals, swoon-worthy beats, and heartwarming lyrics.
This month, the singer brings more feels than ever with the release of his latest single, “endless shine,” a consoling track made in collaboration with leading residential electricity retailer Geneco. In the song, he bares his own experiences in dealing with mental health debacles and encourages his listeners to “take a step back and slow down.”
In an exclusive interview, The Beat Asia spoke to the singer-songwriter about his beginnings, his music, “endless shine,” dream collaborations, and many more. Read on to learn more about this talented crooner.
Hi Sherman! Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
I'm a local singer/songwriter who has loved music and singing for as long as I can remember. While I'm not typically a huge risk-taker, pursuing music full-time is definitely one of the biggest risks I've taken in life. However, it's also one of the main reasons I feel extremely happy and fulfilled.
Random fact: In recent years, my love for cats has grown a lot. (laughs)
How did you get into music? What sparked your interest in the craft?
I've always loved singing; it was a huge part of my childhood. My dad sings really well, which sparked my interest in music and singing. When I was younger, I’d watch TV shows and sing the theme songs, using the remote control as my microphone! In my teenage years, I picked up the guitar, which paved the way for me to record covers and perform songs in my own style. This gave me an outlet to express myself and show how I interpret certain songs. Since I'm not the best at expressing myself through words, music and songwriting provide me with that outlet.
You recently participated in Geneco's 'here, sunrise x sunset' campaign with the song 'endless shine.' What pushed you to join in on the campaign?
As a singer-songwriter, I’ve encountered personal struggles navigating through societal norms and expectations. The importance of mental wellness is imperative to me, especially in Singapore, where social media often leads to unhealthy comparisons that hurt individuals' mental health. Promoting and advocating for mental health awareness has become a cause close to my heart as an artist.
Geneco’s brand mission to #PowerTheChange resonates with me deeply. While they are Singapore’s leading residential electricity retailer, #PowerTheChange goes beyond energy and power, highlighting Geneco’s commitment to contributing to the overall well-being of our society. I'm excited to partner with Geneco, driving meaningful change in our community.
I want to encourage youth's mental wellness through my music, helping to destigmatize conversations around mental health. Music is a powerful tool for recovery and provides positive energy to move forward in life. I hope to use my music to inspire and uplift, promoting mental wellness and resilience.
Can you tell us more about this heartwarming song, how it came to be, and what inspired you for its lyrics?
I believe mental health is a crucial topic, especially in this day and age. Pursuing music as a full-time career is not the most conventional path, so I often struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. When these thoughts become overwhelming, they can lead to depressive episodes that are difficult to overcome.
To break out of that state, I exercise, avoid beating myself up over unproductive days, talk to close friends, and read encouraging materials online.
I wanted the melody to be heartwarming and uplifting, providing comfort to anyone who listens. The lyrics combine my own experiences with my favorite quotes that have helped me through tough times.
"endless shine" is written as a letter to myself and to anyone who may be feeling the same way I do.
If you would choose a favorite line from the song, what would it be and why?
“Sometimes we take a slower pace, to give us time to rearrange.”
It feels like our society is moving very fast, and if you can't keep up, you'll fall behind. To me, keeping up with that pace isn’t always necessary. Sometimes we need to take a step back and slow down to recalibrate and rearrange our thoughts, so we come back stronger. People need to know that it’s okay to slow down sometimes.
For you, what's the best thing about being a musician?
I get to share my stories through my music! It's very heartwarming when someone tells me that my music helped them through a tough time. As a listener, I've been encouraged by other musicians' music, so now, as a musician myself, it's my way of giving back.
Who are your biggest idols in the music industry? How do they inspire your own music?
I think it depends on the season I'm in. Recently, I've been into music by wave to earth, Sunset Rollercoaster, and some Taiwanese indie bands. However, my "mainstays" are Justin Bieber, Jay Chou, Li Ronghao, Wang Leehom, and Crush.
If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be and why?
I’d be very keen to work with Crush! I’m a huge fan of his work; he has a great mix of R&B and ballads, which is the direction I’m heading towards as well.
What's your message for your listeners?
I hope through "endless shine," my listeners can find the encouragement to prioritize their mental wellness. In Singapore, the pressures of societal norms and the constant comparisons on social media can take a toll on our mental health. It's important to recognize these struggles and seek support when needed.
What's next for Sherman Zhuo? Any new music, collabs, or gigs we can look forward to?
My upcoming EP release is the biggest thing to look forward to! Previously, I’ve been releasing singles at a comfortable pace, but now I’d like to change that by dropping more songs, leading up to an EP. Since I’m working with Cross Ratio and Warner Music on this, it’s going to be an exciting project for me, and I hope my music can reach more people!
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. To learn more about Sherman Zhuo, follow him on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, and stream his music on YouTube and Spotify.
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