Interview: Singapore-Based Artists Josh Makazo & Jean Seizure, on Latest Collaboration, “Sights”
Electrifying and captivating are a few adjectives that perfectly encapsulate the two artists we will be introducing to you today. Josh Makazo and Jean Seizure are two multi-faceted artists who have taken the Singapore music scene by storm through their soulful voices and artistry.
Makazo is a singer-songwriter and producer who recently went viral with his song “half of my heart,” which has now garnered over three million streams on Spotify alone. Seizure is a singer-songwriter, actor, and stunt double who has had numerous accolades in both music and acting over the years. Recently, she became the first ever SEA Spotify GLOW artist.
With the release of their most recent collaboration, “SIGHTS,” HALSUG had the opportunity to talk to both artists about the process behind the collaboration and to get to know more about them as individual artists.
Photo Courtesy of No Saints Allowed
How did “Sights” come to be? What’s the story behind it?
JEAN: “I was contacted to be a part of a collaboration with Josh Makazo and he sent the demo for “Sights” over. It was a very short clip and unfinished, but when I heard it, I was immediately sold. I’ll let Josh tell you what the story is since he started on it first. :) When he told me what inspired him during our subsequent writing session together, I was able to relate to his story and add in my own experiences to it.”
JOSH: “"Sights" is a song that captures the essence of love and infatuation. Melodically delicate yet captivating, its soft and ethereal instrumentals mirror the fragility of newfound emotions. The song itself does not have a placement within my upcoming album, GRADIENT. This stand-alone single remains thematically consistent with the entirety of my discography, however, with some notable differences. The GRADIENT album had been created from real and tender experiences, some of which coerced vulnerability in my writing, but "Sights" is more of a concept of love and infatuation.”
Apart from singing and songwriting, Makazo and Seizure tend to incorporate other forms of creativity and expression when it comes to their own projects. Both artists coincidentally started off in theater. Although Makazo opted out of his musical theater programme early on, he still wanted to explore other avenues within music. Thus, his endeavor as a music producer was born. “Regardless, I still wanted to make music a part of my life, and I felt like music production was a way for me to do that and with my control over my art,” he adds.
Seizure, on the other hand, had a start in theater at the mere age of six, through Mediacorp in Singapore. Some of their first projects as a child actor were the films The Price of Peace (1997) and Stepping Out (1999). “Having been acting since young, I really like the idea of vulnerability and humanness, and I think in approaching music, it’s similar in the sense that I want to be able to convey a thought or an emotion in a way that is authentic to me.”
Concurrent with their acting career, Seizure was also heavily involved in the music scene from a very young age. From children's choirs to performing alongside Hong Kong's "God of Songs," Jacky Cheung, Seizure has done it all, and with their numerous achievements, the past two years had a few additions to the list. As of 2023, they have twice been featured on Times Square billboards as a Spotify EQUAL ambassador and the SEA Spotify GLOW artist, representing Asia.
"The first time I was featured on Times Square, I was already in shock. So when it happened again, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I was sitting in a cafe doing work when I received the news and after that, I couldn’t focus on anything else. Then when I calmed down, I felt very thankful to the people who believed in me enough to make this happen."
With two powerhouses bringing their own flavor to this collaboration, listeners were sure to receive a sophisticated and polished piece of work. For Makazo, enjoying the process of creating a song is a central ethos of all his work. "Essentially, what this means is that if I feel no passion within the initial stages of the creation of a song, I’ll see no reason to finish it," he expresses. "Sights" was one project that fascinated him through and throughout.
What was the most enjoyable part of this whole collaboration? Do you have a fun memory from the process?
JOSH: “As for this track, it was my first solo collaboration, and that in itself was very exciting and thought-provoking to have finally worked with an artist such as Jean Seizure, who had integrated sophistication and suave in her delivery on the song.”
JEAN: “The most enjoyable part of the collaboration was when we started recording our vocals into the track properly. It was also my first time working with No Saints Allowed, so it was a new environment for me. In trying to embody the emotions into our singing, we had to really get into the zone, and the measures we took to get there were hilarious in hindsight. It took a while for me to channel “spicy” instead of the usual “sad” that I was very comfortable with. So I drank a little, and when that didn’t work, our producer dimmed the lights for me, [and] put up Dua Lipa on the screen for me to look at… but it only really worked after my long-distance partner helped me out when I texted her in a panic. I know Josh got drunk when it was his turn to record his vocals. Hahaha.”
Photo Courtesy of No Saints Allowed
When it comes to their own music, Seizure mentions that she was heavily influenced by indie folk musicians such as Benjamin Francis Leftwich and Lucy Rose, as well as mando-pop artist A-Mei Chang in the beginning. “As I continued down the journey, I also started taking a liking to people like Charlie Lim, DPR Ian, and HONNE,” she continues. Recently, Seizure collaborated with singer-songwriter (and ex-roommate), Marian Carmel, on "somebody’s daughter," a contemporary folk track that touches upon themes of healing one's inner child and acceptance.
As for what's next for Seizure in terms of music, she plans on continuing putting out more singles. "I’m in the midst of exploring different emotions and am excited to be introducing a different sound to my listeners." Collaboration is an essential aspect for Seizure, especially when it comes to their music videos. "I like seeing what other people envision visually when they listen to my music and hence, almost all of my music videos are ideas from the people that I’ve invited on board. The process would start off with me sending them my track. They would then come back with a pitch and storyboard and then we’d put it into action if it’s doable."
The song “Chemistry” is one such project, and a song that she thinks best captures "Jean Seizure" for a first-time listener.
For Makazo, many of his favorites during his childhood fell within the indie-rock genre. “The Killers, with Brandon Flowers, has something that I admire and appreciate for their delivery of stories and emotions. I know it may sound cliché, but now I listen to literally anything."
He also mentions an affinity towards Frank Ocean's lyricism, Coldplay's storytelling, and the atmospheric/sci-fi concepts of aespa. Recently, he realized how being a music producer had slightly tainted his listener experience. "...I can’t fully enjoy a song without firstly deconstructing production qualities, lyrics, rhetorics, arrangement, etc.”
Much of Makazo's musical influences can be spotted in his discography, which falls under the realm of ambient R&B and hip-hop. Notably, “MIDNIGHT PSYCHO” and “Come My Way” are glimpses of the sound listeners can expect from his upcoming debut album, GRADIENT, that he is currently working on.
"When I first started making music, I found myself having difficulties finding subject matters to write about. And I honestly think it was just because I was a lot younger then and hadn’t experienced a lot yet. But as I’ve grown older, it has been a lot easier for me to write and produce my music. These sorts of things take time to marinate mastery, but I feel my path there starts with GRADIENT. The entirety of the creation process of the album had been driven with emotion and I think that's one thing I had been missing in my previous releases."
With the success of “half of my heart” (which now has an orchestral version), he was able to reach an audience via TikTok that could fully resonate with the song's lyrics. "It’s sort of bittersweet knowing that I am not alone. However, having experienced what I had, leading to the creation of "half of my heart," it’s melancholic yet endearing to know how many people share similar feelings which I captured in the song," he adds.
Through the release of his upcoming album GRADIENT, which dives into themes of relationship dynamics, introspection and self-development, he hopes listeners can relate to the point that "there is no deeper heartbreak than breaking the heart of someone you once loved or still love."
We cannot wait to see what both artists have in store for the future, whether it be through their music or other creative endeavors. Before wrapping up, Seizure had one last message she wanted to give her fans. “Thank you for being the better part of my journey and making what I do worthwhile. <3”
What are your thoughts about “Sights”? Let us know what you think of the song by commenting down below, or reaching out to us on Instagram or X (Twitter).
TO STAY UPDATED ON JOSH MAKAZO:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE
TO STAY UPDATED ON JEAN SEIZURE:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | X (TWITTER) | YOUTUBE
Artist Facts
Josh Makazo
Name/Stage Name: Josh Makazo
Birthday: February 2, 2003
Nationality: Filipino / Chinese
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
MBTI: INFJ
Day or Night?: Night
Song he’s most proud of: “Movin’ On”
Jean Seizure
Name/Stage Name: Goh Sijia / Jean Seizure
Birthday: July 9, 1991
Nationality: Singaporean
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
MBTI: INFJ
Fave Foods: Tough question. I love food. Here are some examples of my favorite foods - Dumplings, tteokkochi, jumeok-bap, moo-ping, sashimi, Nutella, spring onion and ginger, beef, roasted duck thigh (not chopped), wanton mee, Koko-Krunch, Super Rings
Fave Drinks: Water, milk, G&T
Fave Movies: Everything Everywhere All At Once, Booksmart, Spider-Verse series movies, Silence of the Lambs, Inception
Day or Night?: The period right before the sun rises, where everything is still dark and blue.
Song they’re most proud of: It’s an unreleased song called “Ghost”
Edited by Neyha Naveed