This is the sonic universe of SONi, Hong Kong’s visionary music producer and self-taught guitarist, who transforms six strings into a portal of self-discovery.
From her roots in the experimental post-rock band GDJYB to the anthemic fervor of Running Youth, SONi has long been a quiet force in Asia’s indie scene. Now, stepping into the spotlight with her debut solo acoustic work, she invites listeners into a deeply personal journey—one where loop pedals become paintbrushes, crafting melodies that oscillate between vulnerability and unapologetic power.
In this exclusive interview, SONi pulls back the curtain on her creative alchemy: how she channels life’s chaos into “self-healing” compositions, why she thrives in the tension between Hong Kong’s grit and Taiwan’s lush creativity, and what it means to redefine music as a tool for awakening curiosity and resilience.
You’re a self-taught guitarist and music producer based in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Can you walk us through your musical journey, from your early days learning the guitar to your current multifaceted career?
I started learning guitar around high school, mainly by forming bands with friends, playing cover songs and trying to write some simple pieces. Back then, I didn’t choose any particular style — we just played what our friends recommended.
Over time, each band member took a different path, so I began focusing on sharing my personal instrumental guitar works.
As a freelancer, music production, guitar arrangements, live performances, and collaboration opportunities are very diverse. Although income is more unstable, it lets me explore possibilities in different fields. My first officially released song was “Echo with Me” on February 22, 2023, followed by “Then, Now, Future,” “GROW+,” “From Strings To Dreams,” and “Flow in Motion.” These pieces document my journey from band-playing to developing my solo musical path.
What inspired you to pursue music production as a full-time career? What were some of the key challenges and rewards you encountered along the way?
Music has always felt like a natural extension of myself. From playing in bands to diving into music production, it’s all driven by the strong sense of freedom and honesty I feel in music. Of course, there are challenges, like inconsistent income and constantly needing to adjust my mindset and pace. But the biggest reward is that every collaboration with other musicians or scenes brings new inspiration and helps me understand my own musical direction more clearly.
Your work encompasses composition, arrangement, sound design, and performance. How do you balance these diverse aspects of your creative process? Do you find that one area influences the others?
I always feel my creative process is three-dimensional, like putting together a puzzle. Composition, arrangement, sound design, and performance all influence each other. Sometimes performing sparks new sonic ideas, while arranging helps me see how sensitive I am to certain emotions. To keep balance, I try to stay flexible and let each piece have enough breathing room to develop its own character.
Your recent solo work marks a departure from your band projects with GDJYB and Running Youth. What motivated you to release your first solo acoustic guitar piece, and what were your goals for this project?
Releasing my first solo acoustic guitar piece was part of my desire to have an honest conversation with myself. Band music is fuller and more energetic, but I wanted to try expressing my purest voice simply through the guitar. For example, “Then, Now, Future” was the beginning of that, expressing the theme of “being your truest self, regardless of past or future.”
How would you describe your unique looping guitar style? What techniques or inspirations inform your approach to looping?
I’d describe my looping guitar style as very free and improvisational. Every time I pick up the guitar, the rhythm I play reflects my current mood. It can be very calm or have a strong sense of protest. My looping technique grew from wanting to put the energy of live performance into my pieces, eventually creating an organic layered feel — like an ongoing inner monologue.
Your music is described as moving between gentle emotions and powerful energy. Can you elaborate on this duality and discuss the emotions you aim to evoke in your listeners?
My music usually flows between gentleness and intensity. In life, sometimes our inner world is calm, other times it’s overwhelming. When I play, there might be light, delicate melodies, but they can suddenly turn into strong, driving rhythms. I hope my music offers this emotional contrast to listeners, like a mirror reflecting their own internal changes.
What are some of your key musical influences? How have these influences shaped your unique sound?
I don’t chase any particular style because every time I discover new music or share it with others, it becomes a new influence.
From high school cover songs to now, many different styles have entered my life. Over time, listening to both international and local musicians has pushed me to experiment, from melody to sound texture.
What role does self-healing play in your music? How do you hope your melodies and compositions can help listeners connect with their inner life force?
I believe in the healing power of music. For example, “From Strings To Dreams” is an honest record of my inner transformation. I hope listeners can feel through my melodies that they’re always moving forward, always evolving. It’s a sincere sense of companionship.
Your music incorporates a deeply personal and characteristic sound. What personal experiences or perspectives do you weave into your compositions?
I think every song I write carries a bit of my own story — sometimes it’s about reflecting on life, sometimes about a specific feeling at the moment. Like “Echo with Me” is about honest self-dialogue, and “Flow in Motion” is a reminder to myself and my listeners that, whether fast or slow, the present is always just right. Underneath all these pieces is my own experience of life’s rhythms and what it means to feel present.
How do you approach the creative process when composing music? Do you start with a melody, a rhythm, or a specific emotion?
My creative process is usually very intuitive. When I pick up the guitar, a melody or rhythm appears first, and I start shaping it from there. Sometimes it’s triggered by an image, sometimes by an emotion that I feel strongly enough to record. For me, melody is the most direct language.
What are some of the unique aspects of the Hong Kong and Taiwan music scenes that have influenced your work?
The Hong Kong music scene is narrower, with most audiences listening to more mainstream stuff. In Taiwan, I think there’s more emphasis on the artist’s unique voice. Indie music and live house scenes there really encourage experimentation and exploration. Many Festivals and collaborations in Taiwan are the stronger thing which makes me want to start more music engagement in taiwan.
How do the cultural contexts of Hong Kong and Taiwan inform your musical expression?
Both cultural backgrounds have influenced me a lot. Hong Kong has a driving energy — everyone’s fast-paced and focused. Taiwan gives me more room to slow down and reflect inward. Switching between these two environments has made my music sometimes explosive, sometimes serene.
Are there any significant differences in the creative process or industry environment between these two locations?
I think it mainly comes down to the pace of life. In Taiwan, I have more time to feel my inner self, so my creations tend to be more settled. In Hong Kong, the faster rhythm might bring out more of that live performance energy. But what matters most is how I stay centered and flexible wherever I am.
What are your plans for future musical projects? Are there any specific genres or collaborations you’re interested in exploring?
I plan to continue releasing more instrumental guitar pieces and collaborating with different musicians and visual artists to explore new cross-disciplinary possibilities. I want to keep showcasing the possibilities of looping guitar, and I hope to be remembered for my live performances and layered sonic textures.
What are your long-term goals as a musician and music producer? What do you hope to achieve with your music?
As a musician and producer, I hope to always maintain curiosity and passion for music. In the long run, I want to keep using music to express my feelings about life and to help others find their own strength and calm through my work.
Ready to dive deeper into SONi’s evolving soundscapes? Follow her journey—where looped melodies meet raw emotion, and every chord tells a story. From new releases, and adventures by tapping those social icons below.
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