Chloe Tang is Ready to Communicate: Behind the Rising Star's Latest Release and Creative Process

Independent artist Chloe Tang isn’t interested in staying in one lane. While her songs lean into both pop and R&B, the rising star is confidently making the music she wants – regardless of the genre. Combining raw lyrics with melodic beats, her songs are equal parts seductive and exciting.

Zany Waves had the chance to chat with Tang about her latest release, “Communicate,” a bold and catchy song that explores the levels of communication and vulnerability in a relationship. In our conversation, Tang shared insight into her creative process, her experience navigating the music industry as an independent artist, and some of her early inspirations. Keep reading for the full interview!

Emma Zoe Polyak: Starting off, what has your experience been like being an independent artist?

Chloe Tang:  There have been a few challenges, but there are also so many upsides to being an independent artist. I used to see the music industry as just being major labels for so long, and I always thought that was the end goal. But I don't think that it necessarily is anymore, and I’ve found a lot of peace and internal gratification in being an independent artist, doing everything on my own, and learning so much about things that are now second nature to me.

I’ve thought a lot about what it takes to be an artist, and I think it’s even more meaningful to do it independently. I feel like I’ve proven so much to myself, and I have a lot more self-confidence now, knowing I can do everything myself. I also have a really specific vision, and I think that knowing yourself and being clear about your goals is something that’s such an important part of being an artist.

So yeah, it’s definitely been a difficult journey, but it’s been so much more rewarding than I could’ve imagined. I’ve really loved it. I also think it's important for artists to at least go through a phase where they’re independent to be able to experience that autonomy and be forced to figure out exactly what they want.

EZP: I think that's great, and honestly, it’s so refreshing to hear that side of being an independent artist!

Speaking about your vision, I watched the music video for "Communicate." I loved it and noticed that you do have a very consistent look with your visuals – it’s all very cohesive even when some of your music may be a bit more expansive.

CT: My songs definitely don't sound the same, I like to be very experimental with that. I think I struggled for a long time because I really am just a music lover. I don’t discriminate against genres and there’s always some artist or song I can find in any genre that I love. Everyone has their preferences, of course, but for me, when it comes to making music, it’s been challenging because I gravitate toward so many different sounds.

One day I’ll want to write something more folk leaning. Another day it’s Afro-pop. Then maybe I’ll be in the mood to make something grungy. That’s been hard because, in the music industry, people are always telling you to "pick a lane."

It’s taken me a long time to even get this specific, and even now, my music still doesn’t fall into one singular sound. And honestly, I think I’d get bored if it did. I need to constantly try new things; it keeps me inspired.

EZP:  What's the inspiration behind your visuals?

CT: When it came to the visuals, I thought: if the music isn’t going to be super specific, maybe I can make the visual world more focused. That way, when people experience the music alongside the visuals, there’s a cohesive feel. The visuals can anchor everything and become part of the branding.

That realization – that people often see music before they hear it – was a big one for me. If there’s something I can control, like how my brand looks visually, that gives me the freedom to keep experimenting sonically while still feeling grounded.

That’s also where my team comes in. I work with a close friend and collaborator who directs and shoots almost all of my visuals and music videos. Having that consistency is really important to me and it helps keep everything connected, even as the sound evolves.

EZP: What does your creative process look like when writing your music? You mentioned that you draw inspiration from different types of music – does your process change depending on what sound you’re making or are into at the time?

CT: It definitely varies. I’m constantly looking for something that excites me, and that’s where it can get a little tricky, because I find inspiration in so many different places. Usually, if it's a scheduled session where I’m going in with a producer and a writer and there’s a clear structure, I’ll come in with a reference song I’ve been into lately, or just something that fits the mood I’m in. From there, we can build off that vibe.

But there are also times when I just sit at the piano, play a few chords, and that sparks something. Then the whole process shifts because I’m starting with lyrics and melody, and I have to figure out how to build a sound around that from scratch. The challenge becomes creating something that blends with what I already have, while still feeling fresh. Sometimes, I’ll even hear a random beat online from someone I don’t know, and I’ll think, “Wait, this is so cool, this feels like me.” So yeah, it really depends.

The common thread is that I’m always chasing a feeling of excitement. Once I find it, I’ve learned how to adapt and create from there. A lot of the time, what inspires me comes from different genres or unexpected places and I’m still figuring out my creative process; there’s no one right way. I’m trying to stay really open to that – I want to keep experimenting, because who knows? I might end up writing something amazing using a method I’ve never tried before.

EZP: What about “Communicate?" With that song in particular, was it hard to let it go into the world?

CT: Yes, it’s difficult in certain ways, but at the same time, I’ve kind of been practicing it for a while by putting things out there that I know other people might not be comfortable hearing or talking about in their own lives. Sometimes the subject matter can be a little… spicy for some people.

This is another reason that I’m really grateful to be an independent artist, because it means I don’t have a million people in my ear saying, “That’s too sexual” or “That’s too vulnerable.” I get to put things out into the world, take the feedback as it comes, and honestly, that’s been more encouraging than anything else. My hope is that people will relate to the songs on a deeper level – not just as something fun to listen to, but as something they connect with emotionally. But if it is just a fun song to someone, I love that too.

So yes, it can be hard, but it’s actually gotten a lot easier over the years. My manager and I sometimes joke – she’ll say, “Wow, this is a really freaky song,” and we’ll just laugh and say, “Yeah, well, let’s put it out and see what happens.” And honestly, that’s part of the fun.

EZP: That makes sense – I feel like fans of your music will find their own meaning, and will respond to it in different ways, and at the end of the day theirs’ is the most important opinion.

What drew you to music in the first place?

CT: I think what made me fall in love with music initially was Avril Lavigne. I say that a lot, but it’s true! There was just something about her that felt unlike anyone else I’d seen in the media at that age. I was six or seven [years old] when I got my first guitar, and it was because I had seen her. My older cousin used to listen to her all the time – and at that point, I hadn’t really been exposed to pop music or the radio – so Avril Lavigne just seemed like the coolest.

I always knew I loved music and singing. I started classical piano lessons at age five, and my parents noticed I had a natural musical inclination. Fortunately, they wanted to nurture that, even though it’s not necessarily considered a “practical” career path. Having that kind of support at such a young age was really meaningful. From there, things just progressed naturally. I went to an arts charter school for middle school because my parents saw how much I loved music and wanted to help me develop it as a skill. Then, I started playing gigs, performing at open mics. By high school, I wanted to learn how to record my own music. Each step just deepened my connection to it.

Eventually, it got to the point where I realized I can’t live without music, and that nothing else would fulfill me.

EZP: I also wanted to ask you about playing live shows. How does playing live affect how you approach your songs? Does it change anything?

CT: I just had a recent conversation about this – a lot of people in my life say they’re surprised by the kind of music I put out. Like, I’ll mention how much I love Avril Lavigne or John Mayer, and they’re like, “That’s so different from your music now.” And it is! But the reason I’ve been releasing more pop-leaning stuff is because that’s what I love performing live.

Right now, I’m writing music specifically with live performance in mind. I know that someday I’ll make a folk album or maybe a slower, R&B project – something less party-oriented – but at this stage in my career, my goal is to be a live performer. Some people say, “Just put out whatever you feel,” and I get that, but for me, I am putting out what I feel; I'm just also really clear about what I want, and that’s to tour and be on stage.

It might not be everyone’s approach, and I know some industry folks might not recommend being that calculated, but I’ve always known I want to perform live, so I’m putting my efforts into that goal.

EZP: Switching topics a bit, what are you currently listening to – what was the last song you listened to?

CT: I don’t know if this counts, because it was from my falling-asleep playlist, but it was “I Am California” by John Craigie and Gregory Alan Isakov. It’s pretty folky, and not really something I’d listen to during the day, but it’s perfect for winding down. I love really sad, slow folk music when I’m falling asleep. Folk was actually my first musical love, so it helps me relax at the end of the day.

EZP: Who are some of your favorite artists right now?

CT: I discovered Biig Piig recently and I’m obsessed. I’m also really into Amelia Moore, and Greentea Peng!

Listen to Chloe Tang's music below!