She’s a seventeen year old up-and-coming musical artist with French-Chinese roots, who blends Mandarin and English in soulful, R&B dreampop.
Naomi: What first got you into music?
Cybèle: When I was really little, I apparently started to sing in my stroller from when I would hear something on the radio. My mom told me that, “You would do it in perfect pitch.” I think that’s what got me singing. My mom would host Music Together classes and we would clap our hands and do the choo-choo train song. I fell in love with music at a very young age, and it’s always been a part of my life. I don’t remember it not being a part of my life.
Naomi: When did you know music was the right path for you?
Cybèle: When I realized I really couldn’t see myself doing anything else.
Naomi: How would you describe the music you typically create?
Cybèle: I would say it’s like rap, mixed with r&b soul, mixed with dreamy pop. It’s influenced by so many things, it’s morphed into its own sound that I can’t quite put my finger on it anymore.
Naomi: How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business? For you and others?
Cybèle: I think the amazing, magical thing about the Internet is it’s removed the gatekeepers to the industry. Before, it was impossible to get your foot in the door, but now every single artist has the opportunity to build their own audience and find their own fanbase, to release their own music, to promote themselves, and to get heard by as many people as they want. It really is all up to you. It’s all up to what you do and I think that’s the beautiful thing- your career is in your control. You don’t need a manager, you don’t need a label who’s taking a huge slice of pie. You really can do it yourself. You can sell your own merch, vinyls, CD’s, streams, and whatever else, as long as you keep growing your platform.
Naomi: What is your favorite song to sing?
Cybèle: I would say American Boy by Estelle and Kanye. I just love that song: the chord progression, Estelle’s voice, the video, the way Kanye raps the song. I just love that tune.
Naomi: If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
Cybèle: I would say a lot of the artists are getting onto the big playlists or getting to this show or getting to play that venue. A lot of times it’s only because they know this A&R or they’re in cahoots with this person and they have that network. Even though we have access to the Internet, it’s really the people who are the most resourceful and smart about their business, who are the onesthat typically go farther than just the artists that are the most artistic. So I think that is the one thing I would change. Your success is ultimately determined by your ability to navigate the music industry, and sometimes less about the actual quality of your music.
Naomi: Where do you want to see yourself in a year?
Cybèle: I would love to see myself collaborating with more artists, with more creative people. Solidifying my brand, building my audience, and just expanding. The ultimate thing for me is just to keep growing musically, and to just move forward and progress.
Naomi: If you could open a show for any artist, who would it be?
artist, she has the highest energy, the best production, the most incredible crowds. A lot of my music’s style is inspired by her, so I would love to play in front of her audience.
Naomi: Do you think Asians are represented enough in the music industry?
Cybèle: No, I don’t think Asians are represented enough. I think it’s not even just the music industry. It’s the media in general. With Asians, there’s so few that are mainstream and are doing it big time. But I think that’s changing, and now it’s more up to the people to decide. And that’s something that I’m really grateful for.
Naomi: If you could tell Asian minorities one thing or tip to motivate them to pursue their dreams, what would you tell them?
Cybèle: You don’t have to become a doctor, or a lawyer, or an engineer. Times have changed. The Internet has made it possible to thrive in any market. It’s now about your ability to market yourself and to maneuver in any industry.
Naomi: What kind of singer do you classify yourself as?
Cybèle: I would say I’m pretty soulful and I love to do riffs and runs and all that, but only when it comes to other people’s songs. When it comes to my own music, I’m less focused on the riffs and runs, and I’m more focused on “How would this melody sound to a listener?” and “How does this message resonate with more people?” and“How does this connect to people?”
Naomi: How would you describe yourself?
Cybèle: I would describe myself as stubborn. I don’t like it when someone says, “You can’t do that. That’s impossible.” I can always work it out in my mind - a plan of how I would go about doing the impossible. There’s a statistic that says there’s one of a four-hundred-trillion chance of you being born, and I’m like, “Well if that doesn’t prove that the impossible is possible, I don’t know what does.”
Naomi: How do you feel when you’re performing and singing?
Cybèle: I feel free and I feel like I’m in control. I love to make people smile and I love to inspire.
“I want to leave a legacy that will inspire women to be confident in themselves regardless of outside opposition or opinion.”
