Linying
Linying (born 1994) is a Singaporean singer-songwriter. Composing and performing songs in English, Linying is known to be the first Singaporean female artist to sign a multi-rights deal with Universal Music Singapore. [1]
Linying composed the National Day Parade (NDP) 2021 song The Road Ahead with music producer Evan Loh. Along with fellow Singaporean artists Sezairi Sezali, Shye, and Shabir, Linying also lent her vocals to the song.[2]
Background
Family
Linying’s mother was a mathematics teacher, while her father is a businessman. She attributes them for having given her music what she calls a dose of “healthy realism.”
“[My parents] knew the importance of values such as discipline and self-control. They also taught me to focus on my portfolio and transferable skills.”[3]
Education
In her secondary school years, Linying attended CHIJ Secondary School. It was here that she first developed her love for singing when she participated in a singing competition in Secondary One.[3]
“Looking back, I don't know what I was thinking. I wasn't a popular kid or anything, but I randomly decided to join it – and I won.”[3]
Linying attended Saint Andrew’s Junior College (SAJC) during her pre-university years.[4]
Linying majored in History at the National University of Singapore (NUS). During her stint in university, she began recording her music and participating in radio shows.[2]
Music career highlights
Debut song Sticky Leaves went viral on Spotify (2016)
In her final year (2016), Linying's first song Sticky Leaves went viral on Spotify’s Global Viral 50 charts, sharing top spots with The Beatles.[5] She then went on tour in Europe with Felix Jaehn and filed for graduation one year later.[1]
Signing of a multi-rights deal with Universal Music Singapore (2016)
On 1 September 2016, Linying signed a multi-rights deal with Universal Music Singapore.[6] With this deal, Universal Music Singapore began co-managing Linying with local artist management company Foundation Music. Furthermore, her music would be co-released by Umami Records, the music branch of Universal Music Singapore and Foundation Music.
Linying was honoured to be offered the deal:
“Just having the resources to bring tangible, commercial form to the projects surrounding the music can be of great help.”[6]
National Day (2021) - Composer and singer
Linying was contracted to work with music producer Evan Loh to compose the 2021 National Day theme song - The Road Ahead (2021). Linying also performed the song with fellow Singaporean artists Sezairi Sezali, Shye, and Shabir.
When interviewed by The Straits Times, Linying admitted that she was initially daunted by having to work on the song due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation in Singapore:
“At a time where emotions are high and we are going through a lot of change, there was quite a bit of pressure in writing something that feels representative to everyone. With a song like that, you want to be able to speak fairly and honestly for the population.”[7]
Ultimately, Linying took up the challenge and was happy with how the song turned out.
Discography
Linying’s music is inspired by Bon Iver, Kenny Rogers, The Carpenters, Lorde, and Simon and Garfunkel.[1]
“[They] taught me that music can really bring consolation and understanding to situations that otherwise might be quite difficult to process.”[2]
Singles
| Year Released | Song | Duration | Record Label(s) |
| 2021 | Daylight Blows Into One Door | 03:28 | Nettwerk Records[8] |
| 2019 | Self Control | 03:50 | Nettwerk Records[9] |
| All Of Our Friends Know | 03:19 | Foundation Music[10] | |
| 2018 | Paycheck | 04:07 | Nettwerk Music[11] |
| Tall Order | 03:43 | Foundation Music/Universal Music[12] | |
| 2016 | Sticky Leaves | 03:27 | Nettwerk Records[13] |
Albums
| Year Released | Album | Songs | Duration | Record Label(s) |
| 2017 | Paris 12 | Sticky Leaves | 03:52 | Nettwerk Music[14] |
| Alpine | 02:48 | |||
| Paris 12 | 03:45 | |||
| Grime | 02:48 | |||
| Speak Up Selah | 04:36 |
Music Collaborations
Linying has done collaborations with other artists throughout her music career. The tables below compile the works she has collaboratively produced:
Singles
| Year Released | Collaborator(s) | Song | Duration | Record Label(s) |
| 2021 | Evan Low, Sezairi Sezali, Shye, and Shabir | NDP 2021 Theme Song - The Road Ahead[15] | 03:43 | - |
| 2020 | Charlie Lim | Hummingbird | 03:38 | Universal Music[16] |
| 2019 | Felix Jaehn and Lost Frequencies | Eagle Eyes | 03:18 | Spinnin’ Records[17] |
| 2018 | Yaffle | Summer | 03:10 | Tokyo Recordings[18] |
| 2017 | Gentle Bones | Liar | 03:14 | Universal Music[19] |
| 2016 | evanturetime, Charlie Lim | Vultures | 03:51 | Umami Records[20] |
Albums
| Year Released | Album | Collaborator(s) | Songs | Duration | Record Label(s) |
| 2017 | Vultures (Remixes) | evanturetime and Charlie Lim | Vultures | 03:51 | Nettwerk Music[21] |
| evanturetime and Charlie Lim | Vultures (Instrumental) | 03:52 | |||
| evanturetime, Charlie Lim, and THIEVVES | Vultures - Thievves Remix | 03:20 | |||
| evanturetime, Charlie Lim, and Øaths | Vultures - Øaths Remix | 03:29 | |||
| evanturetime, Charlie Lim, and Shaykhandbake | Vultures - Shaykhandbake Remix | 03:19 | |||
| evanturetime, Charlie Lim, and Brannlum | Vultures - Brannlum Remix | 03:58 |
Awards and Accolades
Below is a table listing the awards that Linying has received to date:
| Year | Award/Title | Song | Awarding Organisation |
| 2021 | Youth Music Festival 2021 - Second Runner Up[22] | Hummingbird | *SCAPE |
| 2019 | Top Local English Pop Song[23] | Eagle Eyes | Composers and Authors Society of Singapore |
References & Citations
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Rising star Linying is here to stay.” Today Online. November 2 2016. Accessed 20 August, 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ho, Guo Xiong. "This is Linying, the voice behind the NDP 2021 song." Her World . August 1 2021. Accessed 17 August, 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "NDP 2021 composer Linying shares life choices, favourite food and The Road Ahead." CNA Lifestyle. August 2 2021. Accessed 17 August, 2021.
- ↑ "Unravelling The Art, Life & Projections Of Linying." Bandwagon. October 12 2016. Accessed 20 August, 2021.
- ↑ "Local musicians in Singapore: An interview with Linying, the indie singer-songwriter who’s gently taking over the world." Honeycombers. February 11 2016. Accessed 17 August, 2021.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Hadi, Eddino Abdul. "Universal Music deal for home-grown singer Linying." The Straits Times. September 1 2016. Accessed 19 August, 2021.
- ↑ "Singer-songwriter Linying on NDP 2021 theme song." YouTube. July 2 2021. Accessed 17 August, 2021.
- ↑ "Linying - Daylight Blows Into One Door (Official Video).” YouTube. July 16 2021. Accessed 19 August, 2021.
- ↑ "Self Control.” YouTube. June 13 2019. Accessed 19 August, 2021.
- ↑ "Linying - All Of Our Friends Know (Audio).” YouTube. February 14, 2019. Accessed 19 August, 2021.
- ↑ "Linying - Paycheck [Audio].” YouTube. August 24 2018. Accessed 19 August, 2021.
- ↑ "Linying - Tall Order (Official Video).” YouTube. May 11 2018. Accessed 19 August, 2021.
- ↑ "Linying - Sticky Leaves (Official Video).” YouTube. March 9, 2017. Accessed 19 August, 2021.
- ↑ "Paris 12 - Linying.” AllMusic. Accessed 20 August, 2021.
- ↑ "NDP 2021 Theme Song - The Road Ahead [Official Music Video].” YouTube. July 2 2020. Accessed 19 August, 2021.
- ↑ "Charlie Lim, Linying - Hummingbird [Official Lyric Video].” YouTube. February 7 2020. Accessed 19 August, 2021.
- ↑ "Felix Jaehn feat. Lost Frequencies & Linying - Eagle Eyes.” YouTube. October 20 2015. Accessed 20 August, 2021.
- ↑ Gwee, Karen. "Linying shines on a new track by Yaffle, 'Summer' – listen." Bandwagon Asia. June 22 2018. Accessed 19 August, 2021.
- ↑ "Liar - Gentle Bones feat. Linying // LYRICS VIDEO." YouTube. January 16 2017. Accessed 20 August, 2021.
- ↑ "Evanturetime, Linying Feat. Charlie Lim - Vultures.” YouTube. October 21 2016. Accessed 19 August, 2021.
- ↑ "Paris 12 - Linying.” AllMusic. Accessed 20 August, 2021.
- ↑ "Youth Music Awards 2021.” *SCAPE. Accessed 20 August, 2021.
- ↑ Raguraman, Anjali. "Compass awards: JJ Lin wins big, Linying is first-time winner." The Straits Times. September 15 2019. Accessed 20 August, 2021.