Melbourne and Singapore based indie-folk artist, aeriqah, describes herself as first and foremost, a storyteller. Using lyricism as a medium for archival and exploration, aeriqah believes in using her art to document experiences and lessons in love, loss and finding his place in the world. She embraces the bittersweet along with the humorous, emphasising the need to remain kind to ourselves, extending this message to their listeners. Growing up listening to musical theatre soundtracks, pop and soul music, his artist project is, without a doubt, a smooth blend of these many elements. Describing himself as living in a post-genre world, aeriqah embraces that in the every day, never confining himself to any boxes.
Making her debut as a solo artist in 2017, aeriqah has performed all around Singapore and been a featured artist in events by Sofar, Pinkdot, Temasek and The Esplanade. Through this journey, she has been mentored under the NOISE Music Mentorship Programme and The Great Singapore Replay, where she was guided by SEZAIRI and the producers at Zendyll Records, for the release of her first single. aeriqah has since had numerous releases, including a debut album supported by National Arts Council Singapore which led to a sold out launch show. He also co-produced a concert called “Fire Sale! EVERYTHING MUST GO!!!” with the artists from a songwriting collective he founded. Learning that they valued being able to curate an experience, aeriqah took the chance to launch her latest EP with 2 intimate shows. In 2024, aeriqah moved to Melbourne, Australia, and has been making their way in the scene with several headline shows, Sofar Sounds sessions and opening for Susannah Espie.
aeriqah’s latest body of work is 3-track EP produced by Tim De Cotta, called House Parties. It is an ode to forged family through the lens of a night out, and it is on all streaming platforms now.
Keep up to date with aeriqah here
photography by The Bodged Gallery/Sameh Wahba
“aeriqah’s glowing vocals and charming stage presence offered us a menu of enthralling emotions of love. And life.”
- Vanessa Mostafa (Asia Live 365)
I Wish/I Knew (LIVE at FIRE SALE! Everything Must Go!!!)
All That Matters - Pink Dot, 13 (2021)
Accompanied by RENE
Maybe ft. Umar Sirhan - Official Video
How I Made My Album Art
A behind the scenes look into how I made the art for my debut album, All We Have.
Artwork by aeriqah
Lyrics, Vocals, Arrangement - Aeriqah Chang
Production, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Arrangement - Tim De Cotta
Electric Guitar, Strings, Arrangement - Redwan Hamzah
Drums (track 3) - Josiah Suthan
Backup Vocals (track 2) - Khairul Ridzwan
House Parties - EP (1st September 2023)
Singer-songwriter aeriqah returns with her much-awaited indie-folk/soul 3-track EP, “House Parties.” The collection delves into themes of found family, closure and nostalgia experienced through the lens of an unforgettable night out with friends.
The EP presents a compelling selection of songs penned and performed by aeriqah, developed over a span of three years. As she put the pieces together, she recognized the thread that tied them all together. In collaboration with producer Tim De Cotta, the music was skilfully arranged, with Tim also contributing his bass and acoustic guitar skills to the EP. Additionally, the record features the talents of Redwan Hamzah, responsible for arranging the strings and electric guitar on all three tracks. Party Trick features fellow singer-songwriter KHAi on backup vocals and the closing track of the EP, Amusing, showcases Josiah Suthan on drums and percussion.
The opening track, “Orion’s Apartment”, takes us through the narrative of a New Year’s party, portrayed as a moment of resolution. aeriqah sings fondly about delirious laughter with new friends and getting to dress up. The recurring words “all in good time” serve as an ode to trusting the process. In her own words, “I find closure to be in the simple moments, as opposed to the grand ones.”
In the second track, “Party Trick,” aeriqah writes about the sensation of dissociation and the struggle to contain a downward spiral during a party. She portrays herself as a magician of sorts amidst a disappearing act, allowing listeners a glimpse into the disorienting dance between reality and detachment. Yet, as with most of aeriqah’s songwriting, there is a silver lining- no matter how lonely it can feel, we are loved through it all. The closing verse speaks of someone guiding her to a car, repeating the reassuring words “I’ve got you, I’ve got you, you’ll be home soon,” setting the stage for the final song of the EP.
In the closing track, "Amusing," aeriqah reflects on a late-night conversation with a friend in the back of a taxi. She reveals that there's a unique quality to those post-midnight moments when exhaustion takes over, compelling her to share all her deepest secrets. Through this song, she contemplates loneliness, loves from chapters past, and who she was at 21. Nostalgia, both painful and comforting, becomes a central theme. Writing this song became aeriqah's endeavor to embrace and reconcile the conflicting emotions within herself, accepting them as an integral part of her journey.
Ultimately, “House Parties” not only demonstrates aeriqah’s proficiency as a storyteller but also serves as a testament to her artistic growth and versatility as a vocalist. Through these deeply personal songs, she establishes a strong connection with her audience, inviting them to share in her most intimate thoughts and emotions. This EP is not just a collection of songs; it is a profound exploration of the past and present, revealing where we have been and where we currently find ourselves.
Artwork by aeriqah
Performed by: aeriqah, Umar Sirhan (track 4)
Written by: Aeriqah Chang
Guitars: Tim De Cotta (track 4), Leo Goh (track 2, 3, 6, 9) Vishaal Raj Giri (track 5), Umar Sirhan (track 4), Aeriqah Chang (track 6)
Keys: NAzTyKeys (track 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Drums & Percussion: Josiah Suthan (track 2, 3, 6, 9)
Bass: Tim De Cotta (track 2, 3, 6, 9)
Production: Tim De Cotta
Master: Soul Dot
All We Have - Debut Album (19 August 2022)
aeriqah’s debut album, All We Have, supported by the National Arts Council, documents the cycle of loving and losing in stages. Exploring the vulnerabilities that come with forming new connections, aeriqah embraces the tender moments as much as she does the confusing ones in this 9 track album. Listeners go on a journey from infatuation-filled beginnings to bittersweet ends.
The album features songs written and performed by aeriqah; the oldest one, dating all the way back to 2017. Featured in the record is also an interlude of a documented conversation between aeriqah and Tim De Cotta, who produced the songs. Tim sings backup vocals, plays bass and guitar for some tracks and alongside him are musicians like NAzTyKeys on keys, Josiah Suthan on drums & percussion, Leo Goh and Vishaal Raj Giri on guitar. On the album is also Maybe, a song featuring singer/songwriter Umar Sirhan on both vocals and guitar, which was released as a single back in June. aeriqah describes herself as a “singer/songwriter in a post genre world” and this debut album is an example of just that. The collection of songs ranges from groovy, PJ Morton-inspired arrangements in Déjà Vu to piano ballad, One More, Then I’ll Go, and mellow choral parts in Happy Anniversary. Scattered across most of the songs are foley and sound design that ultimately tell a story of love, heartache and closure.
All We Have, by aeriqah, is an ode to the lessons in love we will keep learning again and again.
Shows
2025 (Melbourne)
(UPCOMING) Queer Is Folk (HEADLINER)
(UPCOMING) Dopey Mick @ Brunswick Artists Bar (OPENER)
(UPCOMING) The Motley Bauhaus (HEADLINER)
Sugar Glider (HEADLINER)
The Drunken Poet (HEADLINER)
Wesley Anne (HEADLINER)
Brunswick Artists Bar (HEADLINER)
Sugar Glider (HEADLINER)
Michael’s Cane Debut @ Bergy Seltzer (OPENER)
-
2024 (Melbourne)
Sugar Glider (HEADLINER)
Suzannah Espie @ The Lomond Hotel (OPENER)
The Union Hotel Brunswick
Sofar Sessions Melbourne
2023 (Singapore)
Found Family by DINK COLLECTIVE
Come Together @ Esplanade
Slumber Party (House Parties EP Launch)
Halloween Party (House Parties EP Launch)
YouthWAVE PassionARTS
Sofar Sounds Singapore
Big Duck B-4 Vol.3
Saylah Sessions
All Things New @ Esplanade
2022 (Singapore)
FIRE SALE! Everything Must Go!!!
All We Have Album Launch
Fruit Basket Vol. 2 Indie Pride
All Things New @ The Esplanade
2021 (Singapore)
Raw@OTH
PinkDot 13
Foreward @ The Esplanade
2020 (Singapore)
Heroes At Sea 2020
SheShines (Music In The Family)
Note To Self; A Livestream (#FundAGig)
Queer Zinefest Pajama Party
The Great Singapore Replay Final Showcase
2019 (Singapore)
The Great Singapore Replay Pop-Up Shows
CHIAK! by Temasek
Ground Zero Festival
Bubble Tea Festival
STOP, THINK, SWAP by Swapaholic
Read!Fest by NLB
NOISE Music Mentorship Final Showcase
W Market CNY Pop-Up
*Scape Invasion Confessions
2018 (Singapore)
The World’s Loneliest Bookstore by BooksActually
Queer Zinefest
Destination Ink Pride Month
Jean Seizure “Night” Single Launch
35MM Art Market by The Local People
Busker (2017-2019)
Local Lingo Tingkat Party by The Local People
Cycles by Leon Markcus
Press Links
aeriqah drops introspective new EP 'House Parties' — listen
Life Listens: New music from Taeyang and Jimin, Shakira, Miley Cyrus and aeriqah
https://www.bigduckmusic.com/best-of-2022
Hear65's guide to gigs and concerts to catch in Singapore in 2023
Our 2022 Spotify wrapped: The local tunes we’ve been listening to on repeat
ArPlayggio: From Déjà-Vu Soul To Psyberpunk Crunk, Here Are Your Tracks Of The Month
Beneath the waves, we felt the undercurrent of emotions (Album Launch Review)
https://www.dreamfellas.com/music/aeriqah-debut-album-all-we-have
aeriqah to hold launch party for new album 'All We Have' this August
Singapore Scene: New music from Gentle Bones, Nathan Hartono, Charlie Lim and more
aeriqah and Umar Sirhan contemplate hope on new collaborative single, 'Maybe' - listen