Saturday Spotlight: Bowen

Today, we take it to Houston for this week’s Saturday Spotlight, highlighting Chinese-American singer, songwriter, and producer, Bowen. Mainly creating Lo-Fi and Bedroom-Pop infused R&B music, Bowen first delved into the art at the age of 14, with no music knowledge except basic piano skills. As he started adopting FL Studio, his transition from producer to songwriter came with his friends' help and involvement in the school choir. 

At 17, Bowen released his first official single titled "Mile," highlighting themes of loneliness and not knowing the place you hold in life. His second single, "Okay?" touched on themes of accepting yourself and not really caring about what others say. 

His third single, "Company," was released through the label Absent Mind Records and was featured on Complex UK. Finally, his single "Jewels on Fireflies" was released shortly after his third single, focusing on a more independent approach and delving into a relationship & breakup's toxic fluctuation. 

Bowen is set to release his latest EP titled "godspeed" during one epic summer - Summer 2021. So, it was only right to catch up with Bowen in this exclusive interview, before he blows up. Tune in below to learn more of his journey, influences and his approach to music, healing, mental health and more. Right now and only on Hype Off Life 👊🏾

Photo credit: Luz C. (@itsluzc)

Thanks for coming thru! How has 2021 been treating you so far?

Hi, thank you for asking. If I’m honest, 2021 has been a roller coaster for me. I know that we only just started this year, but I feel like I’ve been more inspired than ever during these times. I had been in a profound writer’s block and worked on some mental problems last year to early this year. However, I’ve been starting to write and continue my project again. Generally speaking, I feel like 2020 and 2021 have impacted everyone, creatives specifically, that it makes people see things differently.  

So, you’re from Houston, a very influential city to the culture. What was it like growing up in such an iconic place?

I grew up in Southwest Houston, a suburban area called Alief. Honestly, I wasn’t very familiar with the Houston culture growing up only up until recently in my life. I was introduced to music through artists like Drake, Lil Wayne, and Elvis Presley in elementary school. Through that, I started researching about the culture of where I was from and specifically Houston artists such as Z-Ro, Screw, and Beyoncé. Nowadays, I find myself repping Houston, and specifically Alief, for a majority. I’m appreciative of where I’m from, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. 

Who are some of your favorite Houston-bred artists?

As I referenced before, I’m inspired by DJ Screw and Z-Ro. However, I feel as if I am more inspired by artists that are in my generation. It’s fascinating to see people like Travis Scott or Beyoncé nowadays being these mega-famous pop stars from Houston. I also appreciate artists like Maxo Kream, Aaron May, ArmstrongWW, Baba, and Alan Warhol that are actually from the Alief area. 

What do you love about your city the most?

Houston itself is just a city with its own specific vibe. You can’t go anywhere else that feels like Houston because, at the end of the day, they don’t have the same culture, they don’t have the same people, and they don’t have the same liveness. It’s the culture and the people. I mean, Houston does have its fair share of problems, too (traffic and some of the drivers), but I still love the city.

You mainly create Lo-Fi and Bedroom-Pop infused R&B. How did you find yourself in that lane?

I’m not exactly sure, to be honest. When I was in middle school, I remember listening to a lot of EDM-trap and bass-heavy music such as Tsuruda, Derg, Josh Pan, and Shamana. However, as I got into high school and began to experiment with my voice, I realized that I really enjoyed singing over rapping and that I liked melodies that were in minor a lot. I joined the school choir and began experimenting with chords and vocal performances. The combination of both the soft melodies that I was leaning towards and my DIY process when making music lent itself to the Lo-fi R&B sound you hear today. 

Which 3 R&B albums have been the most influential to your sound?

I wouldn’t say I have a particular three R&B albums that influenced my sound. I find myself listening to a lot of music outside of my genre to keep my head in tune with my own creativity. I believe that if you listen to a lot of music that you are in the same lane as yours, you start to become unoriginal and less creative because you already see other people doing what you want to do. I would have to say my three albums that are the most influential to my sound, and I would be "Let’s Stay Together" by Al Green, "GOODNIGHT LOVELL" by Night Lovell, and the self-titled James Blake album. If we’re talking strictly R&B, it’s gotta be "CooleyHighHarmony" by Boyz II Men.

Your lyrical content gets very deep, exploring themes of life, love and heartbreak. What do you attribute to your ability to tap into your emotions and deeper insights?

When creating songs of any spectrum, I like to imagine my life through an exaggerated lens. Sometimes, the songs that I make aren’t exaggerated, but the metaphors and the lyrics that I sometimes bring into the pieces seem exaggerated. That’s the process that I usually like to take when writing my songs. However, I find it easy to tap into my emotions on the more depressive side. I want to express my feelings through music since I don’t get to do a lot of that daily. 

Speaking of heartbreak, your new single “Say My Name” is very heartfelt. How did you feel after creating it?

I remember I wrote the chorus right after a breakup on the way back in the car. I didn’t think much of it. All that I was thinking was how emotional I was. When writing a new song for a session, I picked out the chorus and started writing to a beat that I found. I then recorded the song and listened back to it.

Surprisingly I really liked it, and the emotion that I felt during that breakup was clearly defined in the chorus and in my singing. I wanted the song to be one of my more vulnerable songs despite most of my songs containing heartbreak themes. I really wanted to focus on the performance and the quality of the overall product. I think I did a great job in conveying the emotions and the themes of heartbreak. 

Aside from music, what other ways have you found good to get over a breakup?

I find that going to the gym and just focusing on yourself is the best way to get over something like a breakup. Mindset is a crucial thing to constantly build when living in this world because life is going to throw a lot of stuff at you, and in order to learn how to avoid obstacles such that, I believe that growing your mindset and maturing is the best way to heal. Healing is a process that can take a while, and there is no one to blame for that.

 I believe that growing your mindset and maturing is the best way to heal

In what way has music been your refuge?

Music has been my refuge for the majority of my life. I remember coming back from school and just getting on Fruity Loops to practice making beats. In a way, music has always been my refuge to express my emotions. I wasn’t an expressive kid growing up, but ever since I started making music, I found myself becoming more confident and actually speaking. Music has helped me find myself and find my passion. I can’t see myself doing anything else except this, and certainly not working in a lab or in a cubicle.

So, you’re gearing up to release a new EP this summer, “godspeed”. What is the meaning behind it’s title?

The title "godspeed" is about the concept of the EP. I feel like, generally speaking, the term is another way of saying goodbye but also wishing the best for the individual. The EP follows a journey through a single person's mind and experiences. The feeling of loss and acceptance can correlate with each other, and I wanted to emphasize that duality.

I know I haven't lived as hard as other people, but I feel like conveying emotions is something I'm good at, and goodbyes are sometimes the most complicated emotions to confront. Many people like to hide their feelings and bottle themselves when stuff like this happens, but everything happens for a reason, and no matter where we go, the universe always has a purpose for us. 

What type of content and vibes will the project offer?

Well, I don’t want to give out too much because I want everything to be a surprise. I generally like surprising people. However, I can’t say this: The project is ultimately me. 

Where do you see yourself and your career 3 years from now?

Touring and meeting my fans. Hopefully I will have grown a fanbase large enough so that I can quit my job and do music full time. I’ve always been an entertainer, so in 3 years time I may also be doing things outside the realm of music. That could include directing short films or acting.

Anything else we should know?

New EP “godspeed” this summer; watch out for that. I have big plans coming for this year so keep the name Bowen in the back of your mind. With that being said, thank you for having me on your platform.