KUALA LUMPUR – In a notable journey from the heart of Malaysia to the international stage, genre-bending artist Shelhiel is gearing up for an awe-inspiring performance at the United States’ prestigious SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, later this month.
Speaking to Scoop, the musician said he is set to take the stage at the FRIENDS:FOREVER show on March 14 at Empire Control Room & Garage, delivering a fresh set and unreleased music to his global audience.
This marks Shelhiel’s second appearance at SXSW, a festival that holds a special place in his heart. Reflecting on his first experience, he said the debut there was “really chaotic” and nerve-wracking going alone during the lockdown with tight travel regulations.
“This time, I’m more prepared and can’t wait to share my new set and unreleased music with my international fans. Being invited to perform at SXSW means that my music is reaching a global and international audience, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.”
Describing his musical style as a fusion of electropop and R&B, Shelhiel draws inspiration from a wide range of influences, including Cpop, Kpop, gospel, Malay, and Indonesian indie songs, among others.
While he has yet to incorporate traditional Malaysian elements into his music, Shelhiel expresses his desire to explore and integrate them into future compositions.
“I already wrote songs in three different languages. I would love to incorporate different traditional-sounding Malaysian elements in my next songs as well,” he said.
On the upcoming show at SXSW, Shelhiel said he was looking at ways to connect with the festival’s diverse audience to showcase the unique cultural aspects of Malaysian music.
“I had a conversation with myself and my creative director on this topic. I came to the conclusion that I don’t have to purposely showcase the unique cultural aspects of Malaysian music at all times, bluntly, to let people know that I’m from Malaysia.”
“It’s like, because I’m Chinese, I have to include pipa or like the pentatonic melody in my songs,” he quipped.
Shelhiel teases a setlist for SXSW that includes almost 70% new and unreleased music, promising an exciting and unforgettable experience for the audience. As for surprises and collaborations during the performance, he remains tight-lipped, leaving room for anticipation and excitement.
The Malaysian artist has garnered attention both locally and internationally. His recent single, “Love, Repeat”, featuring FiFi Zhang, adds another layer to his expanding discography.
With a string of successful performances, including festivals like Clockenflap and opening for international acts, Shelhiel has become a creative force in the region’s music scene.
Shelhiel is set to release his new EP, SuperKiss (side A), this March in collaboration with the UK-based East and Southeast Asian Electronic Music Label, Eastern Margins.
The EP follows the success of his debut EP, Superstrobe, which earned a spot on NME’s The 25 Best Asian Albums of 2020. – March 1, 2024