Interview: Cupnoodle Gets Real With HALSUG, Talks About New Single “Therapist,” Mental Health, And More
Cupnoodle, also known as “Sasha Natasha Johst,” is a Thai-German singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist currently living in Bangkok. She is a versatile singer who believes her music is a fusion of Pop, Soul, and R&B styles. She voices her satisfaction with the wordplay in her music, making her music more unique. Excitingly, Cupnoodle is back with a new single, “Therapist,” one of her most personal songs, which is a blend of Folk and Rock. HALSUG took this opportunity to discuss her mental health, challenges as an independent artist, future plans, growth, and the music-making process.
Photo Courtesy of Cupnoodle
Q: Please introduce your latest release! What is the story/concept? How would you describe it, and how does it compare to your other singles?
I discovered therapy after my first breakup, and this song is one of the more personal songs I’ve written. It started off as a folk song, and the more we worked on the production, the more I realized there was a bitterness that came through. I can be quite bitter at times [laughs]. The fact that you need to pay a stranger to help get over someone that used to be who you’d tell the most intimate things to is pretty ironic to me. I wanted to show that through the Folk and Rock transition. The lyrics of this song are also something I’m especially proud of. I specifically use wordplay at the end of every line in the verses―the same word that conveys a different meaning. I thought it was cool because it reflects the fact that the same person can have different meanings at different times in your life. I would say it’s the most bitter and cynical song I’ve released so far, and would call it an Alternative Folk/Rock?
Q: Your recent single “therapist” is very relatable and personal. What made you want to share something personal with your listeners? What was the songwriting process like?
To be honest, I wrote it from a dark place and never thought I would release it. This song was the most cathartic experience for me as songwriting goes, and I knew I had to release it because I was scared of what people would think. I don’t like to be intimidated by my own insecurities, so I thought fuck it…people need to know how helpful therapy can be [laughs]. If anything, I just hope this song can make the idea of ‘therapy’ a little less ‘unheard of,’ especially in Thailand.
Q: Can you explain your musical background to listeners just getting to know you? How did you get started?
I was obsessed with pop songs growing up in the 90s. Big ballads from Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey were the first few CDs I got my hands to. Of course, R&B was nearby, and I couldn’t get enough of Beyoncé and Alicia Keys. After a while, I discovered Jazz singers such as Sarah Vaughn and Julie London and fell in love with the genre. It bled into Blues and Soul with Etta James and Aretha Franklin. While at home, my mom was a big Folk fan, so I always sang to Carpenters and the Bee Gees. I didn’t know what ‘genre’ was. All that mattered to me was how the voices moved me and that I had this urge to imitate them while I sat in the bathroom for that glorious reverb. Later on, I discovered the likes of Queen and got even more enamored with his stage presence, and I just wanted to exude that vulnerability in public…I was quite a shy kid [laughs]. Every day after school, I’d bypass my homework and dedicate my time to dissecting everything these artists were doing with their voices, learning the lyrics while flipping through the album pamphlet―that’s how I started. Just singing every day since I was 4 years old [smiles].
Q: Which song(s) would you recommend to first-time listeners of your music and why?
I’d say “2+2” and “pineapple on pizza” would be a good start, as they’re a mixture of different influences―the songwriting is pretty telling of my personality [laughs].
Q: Have you learned anything or changed as an artist since you first began making music?
Yes, I learned that being yourself is exactly what being an artist calls for; you’ll have an experimental phase, and that’s the fun bit…you don’t need to have it perfectly figured out. I feel like the past 2 years have been exactly that for me.
Q: What is the story behind your stage name? Were there other stage names that you were thinking of using?
It’s Asian, instant, and worldwide. Cupnoodle can be your guilty pleasure and a lifesaver. Not that healthy sometimes, but maybe that last thing in your pantry that gets you through the night. I think my music can be both of them. It’s cheeky and sardonic, but I hope it’s thought-provoking to some extent and easier to digest.
Q: How would you describe your relationship with your fans? Do you have a fandom name? If you could name your fandom right now, what are some name ideas that you have?
My fans are my ‘chopsticks’―they lift me up and keep me together!
Photo Courtesy of Cupnoodle
Q: How do you edit and critique your own work? Are there any songs you’ve made that you are still hesitant about sharing?
I let it rest, then come back to it with fresh ears. I play it to producers I trust and work with and try not to take it personally with their feedback. I think over the years, I have developed an openness to opinions as a writer. Although it’s my story I’m writing about, I like to think of how it can connect with someone else’s life as well. Yes, there are songs I know I’ll get haters on, but that makes me more excited to release it [laughs]. I can’t not say what I think just because it won’t please someone else. That idea alone fuels me to speak up.
Q: What are areas that you want to work more on with your music? Do you see your style ever-changing in the future?
Now that I’ve experimented for a period of time, I’m excited to work on a project that’s a bit more glued up as a whole. A repertoire that will mark my journey at a point in time, an album :) I’ve always felt that music is my playground, a never-ending, life-long school that anchors me as a person. I still take singing, guitar, piano, and drum lessons to this day just because I love being a student of music. I definitely see my style evolving. I’m lucky to constantly be surrounded by musicians and collaborators I’m inspired by.
Q: Lastly, what’s next for you and your music?
Working with people who believe in my vision as we move into 2023. I’ve been operating as an independent artist so far and have had to wear 10 hats to get my music out there. I love it, but I also feel like it’s time to shift gears, so I’m happy to say that there will be people boarding with me on my Cupnoodle train as we move into 2023.
Cupnoodle is all set for her new single, and the year 2023, with more vibrant songs and catchy music videos. To support her, and stay up to date with what's coming next, check out Cupnoodle social networks: Spotify | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok. Please continue to love and stream "Therapist" on all streaming platforms.
Artist Facts
Name/Stage Name: Sasha, Cupnoodle
Birthday: March 15
Nationality: Thai-German
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
MBTI: ENFP
Fave Foods: Sashimi, nachos, Thai food
Fave Drinks: Calpico soda, Ice Latte
Fave Movies: I rarely re-watch movies more than twice but I did watch ‘Titanic’ and ‘La La Land’ a bunch
Day or Night?: Afternoon
Song You’re Most Proud Of: 2 + 2 - it’s playing across Thailand’s department stores, malls, and supermarkets as well as on UK’s TV reality show “Made In Chelsea!”!