It’s no secret that the world of music is expanding exponentially—especially for Asian artists around the world. Asian artists in the music industry have grown to become more appreciated for all they have to contribute to the music industry, and it’s well overdue. We are thankful that independent Asian artists are beginning to receive the recognition that they deserve in addition to some of the bigger names. With this in mind, how do independent artists promote their music and build a solid career? Building a hub for independent artists to foster growth and inclusivity is vital. This is precisely what EXPOSITION does.

Earlier this year in an interview with EXPOSITION’s founders, there was an explanation given about the origin of EXPOSITION's name. “A sonata has three sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation. Exposition is the first impression. The start of something new.” However, one could say that EXPOSITION is both sections of a sonata, getting artists exposure while also offering artist development for community members. 

Ringing true to their name, EXPOSITION has an upcoming showcase on August 15 to help upcoming indie artists leverage their careers, gain more audience, and connect with fans. The EXPO Showcase will take place at the Moroccan Lounge in Los Angeles, featuring performances from Ethan Low, Aleebi, hyejin, Bachyard Ghost, Donny Daydream, and juhye. Join us as we discover some of these budding artists' work in anticipation of their performances. 

Ethan Low

Ethan Low is a Toronto-raised, Malaysian-Singaporean pop and R&B artist part of LAB0916—a creative agency and studio overseen by Koven Wei, another EXPOSITION artist, who helps create music videos for CLUB BOYBND as well. Having debuted this year, the singer-songwriter’s work has skyrocketed, amassing almost one million listeners on Spotify and spotlighting his work to fans all around the world. Ethan Low has also opened for artists such as GEMINI and JUNNY.

He was even a co-headliner—an incredible feat for a rising artist—alongside Koven Wei. Low’s first single “BUBBLY” spearheaded the start of his musical career and his latest single “BOUJEE,” highlighted the growth in his musicality. Although “BOUJEE” features an upbeat R&B compared to his debut single, Low has a unique voice and lyrics that offer versatility—his sound ranges from melancholic alternative to refreshing pop tracks. With a new album releasing soon, be sure to check out this multi-talented artist if you love songs perfect for any mood. 

Aleebi

Aleebi is a Korean solo artist based in the Bay Area who takes creative control of his music. From songwriting and mixing to performing his own songs, this artist does it all. Aleebi, also known as Austin Lee, started his journey when he debuted back in 2017 with his song “Nandemonaiya.” His debut track is actually in Japanese and offers smooth vocals and melancholic yet hopeful lyrics backed by entrancing lo-fi soft beats.

Aleebi provides an indie-pop, hip-hop sound with trilingual lyrics. His most recent music has more upbeat trap beats that continue to showcase his creativity and storytelling abilities. He has collaborated with the likes of juhye, Koven Wei, and Lydia Ganada as well as Ethan Low, and hyejin. Aleebi was also a supporting act for GEMINI’s Still Blue Tour stop in San Francisco. On April 14, Aleebi dropped his newest track single, “summer,” which is definitely a summer song to listen to if you enjoy his sound.

hyejin

hyejin is a 19-year-old independent alt-R&B artist from South Korea. The singer-songwriter and producer is currently based in New York and is also a full-time university student. Finding time between college studies and creating her own sound, hyejin released her debut EP WHAT A SHAME! earlier this year, which has garnered attention from all over Asia and North America.

The five-track mini album highlights her soft, sultry voice. The songs include a mix between jazz, alternative R&B, pop beats, and instrumentals—with a touch of hip-hop—creating dreamy, relaxing melodies. hyejin has been creating music long before 2023. She dropped her first track “Tell Me” in 2020. The bilingual song cemented her talent as a storyteller with a nostalgic, soulful lyricality.  

She has mentioned her various musical influences such as SZA, Stevie Wonder, Amy Winehouse, Yoo Jae Ha, Lauryn Hill, and Radiohead—all of which explain her innovative music that shatters the limitations on genres. Despite her young age and relatively short time in the music scene, hyejin is a full-fledged musical artist with a promising career that will continue to leave a lasting mark on the industry with her seamless blend of the East and West. Be sure to listen to her latest work, “My Favorite Pillow.” 

Bachyard Ghost

Bachyard Ghost is a Korean-American singer-songwriter, rapper, and producer with a fun sound that will transport you back to the 2000s. In an interview with HALSUG last year, Bachyard Ghost recommended “sick” and “rest your head” as the perfect introductory songs to his music as they are the most relatable and best exemplify his personality. He has also been expanding his sound as it has become a lot more pop-punk than before.

Bachyard Ghost had more of a melancholic hip-hop trap sound that has evolved into a new era of his music. His grungy voice and punchy lyrics make his songs perfect to rock out to at any time of the day. If you like a good throwback and love hip-hop, pop-punk, and alternative music, make sure to check out Bachyard Ghost. 

donny daydream

donny daydream is a Hong Kong-born Chinese-American artist from California who is on the rise. Having been a music enthusiast from a young age, the artist’s passion and dedication are embodied in his work. The singer-songwriter’s lyrics are inspired by his life stories which help fans appreciate and resonate with his music. Throughout his catalog, the artist incorporates melancholic alternative-pop melodies with an air of hip-hop. “ANGELIC,” donny’s most popular track on Spotify, exemplifies his exploration of different genres as it mixes pop, alternative R&B, and EDM-like beats.

The artist’s music videos have a clear storyline that portrays the emotions he hopes to relay to fans. donny daydream has collaborated with the aforementioned Bachyard Ghost multiple times including their joint EP for what you did. The blend between the artists’ vocals provides the best of both worlds with a mix of alternative pop with a heavier punk sound. Take a listen to this rising artist’s latest album don’t you go running off now. The seven-song tracklist includes addicting songs sure to become new additions to your playlists. 

juhye

The surprise guest for the showcase is none other than juhye. The Korean singer-songwriter and producer from California has taken the world by storm with her clean, soothing vocals. Fostering her love for music at a young age, juhye finally made her debut back in 2020 with a single called “Rewind” featuring Ethan Fields. As we previously mentioned, she has also worked with fellow EXPOSITION artist Aleebi as well as melatonin boy and stemo to name a few.

Her first solo single was shared with the world in 2021. “Hot Pocket” has a bubbly, refreshing tone perfect for when you need a chill song to cleanse your palette from the day’s stress. juhye has intriguing, romantic lyrics, soothing guitar rifts, and a nostalgic 2000s sound that instantly hooks listeners. This recent Harvard grad will surely continue to grow and attract listeners from all around the world. Be sure to check out juhye’s latest track “remember” which might just fuel your music obsession. 

Being an independent artist is not easy. Having creative control means you're creating new music, producing content, marketing yourself, and connecting with your fanbase, all on top of managing the distribution and publishing of your work.

As a community, we should continue to support and promote indie artists who work hard to create music for the world. If you are not in the LA area or unable to attend EXPOSITION’s showcase this month, you can still support these artists by giving their work a listen.

Which EXPOSITION artist do you resonate with you the most? Let us know in the comments below or on our Twitter.

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Edited By Ethan Horton