Step into the innovative soundscape of TinaZ, where passion meets artistry in unforgettable moments. We’ll uncover the dynamic fusion of Chinese and Western influences that define her music and explore the depths of her artistic growth.
1. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced on your artistic journey, and how have they shaped your sound?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been finding a balance between “What kind of music I want to write? ”and “What kind of music do people like?”.
In the beginning, I often felt torn between the sincerity of my inner voice and the external expectations of the industry. And day by day, those “moments” taught me that music becomes most powerful when it carries truth.
Every obstacle, moments of doubt, cultural displacement, or even silence,has added another layer of texture to my sound.
I prefer to think of my music as a canvas painted with both fragility and resilience, where the challenges I’ve faced are not shadows but brush strokes that give depth to the picture.
You blend modern Chinese and Western influences. How do you ensure that your fusion feels authentic?
Having lived amidst diverse cultures since I was a child, my world is diverse in my eyes.I translate my feelings into music to share with others. When you truly express yourself authentically, I believe others will surely take notice and see the essence within. Authenticity is not about forcing two worlds together, but allowing them to meet naturally, like two rivers flowing into one sea.
My roots in Chinese culture give me a sense of poetry, space, and subtle emotion, while my exposure to Western music offers rhythm, structure, and boldness. When I create, I don’t consciously think, “Now I’ll add something Chinese, now something Western”. Instead, I listen to the dialogue that happens within me, and I follow where it leads.
The fusion feels authentic because it is not a calculation, it is a reflection of who I am. I want to have the honor of being a bridge where East and West echo through one voice.
Your bio mentions “unforgettable moments.” Can you describe a specific moment in your career that you consider unforgettable and how it has impacted your artistry?
There was a period of almost two months when I couldn’t finish a single song. I had countless fragments, like pieces of a puzzle, but so many were missing. During that time, I felt deeply stuck and powerless. Then, quite unexpectedly, I went to the seaside one evening. Sitting by the shore and listening to the sound of the waves, I suddenly realized that I had been forcing myself to write music just for the sake of writing music.
Once I let go of that pressure and adjusted my mindset, I found a stronger ability to truly feel the melodies in my mind and connect with my music.
That moment had a lasting impact on me, because since then, I’ve stopped forcing myself to create for the sake of producing something, and started allowing the music to flow naturally.
Given your evolution from Tina Lightyear, what advice would you give to young artists who are just starting their musical journey?
In the beginning, my name was Lightyear. Part of the reason was that I loved Toy Story, but there was also a deeper meaning: I hoped that my music could exist in this world for the span of a lightyear,something that travels far, reaches wide, and lasts beyond time.
I don’t feel that I’m at the stage yet where I can give advice to young artists who are just starting out, because I’m still exploring so many possibilities myself. I’m also listening and learning from the experiences of people who are further along in their musical journey.
But when I feel lost or uncertain, I try to speak to myself as if I were my own friend,reminding myself : be patient with yourself. Art is not a competition, it is a conversation with time and that little kid lives deep inside you. Don’t be afraid of silence, or of mistakes, they are the soil where your voice grows. And above all, protect your authenticity. Trends will come and go, but your truth will always find resonance.
One of my favorite sayings is this: when someone tells you that your music has room to grow, or even says that they don’t like it, you should feel happy. Because those words are an invitation to improve 🙂
Your bio highlights the intertwining of melody and rhythm to create a “truly unique serenade.” How do you approach the interplay between these elements in your songwriting process?
I see melody and rhythm as two dancers, sometimes one leads, sometimes the other, but they are always listening to each other. For me, singing is as essential as breathing. In my daily life, there are melodies running through my mind almost all the time. I also love collecting the sounds I hear around me,fragments of conversations, footsteps, the hum of the city, or the quiet of nature.
I try to piece these sounds together with the melodies in my head, and they naturally find harmony with each other. Their dialogue creates balance, like heartbeat and breath, turning a song into something alive. It feels almost like a musical, where one person’s line flows seamlessly into the next, creating a continuous dialogue of sound.
Your songwriting reflects the depth of your experiences and artistic growth. Can you describe a specific experience that significantly influenced your songwriting?
A moment that influenced my music profoundly was a heartfelt conversation with someone I cared for deeply. The emotions, unspoken words, and fleeting gestures of that encounter lingered in me, and I found myself translating them into melodies that capture both tension and tenderness.
It taught me that music can hold the nuances of human connection that words alone sometimes cannot, it feels “ More Than Words”
Your bio describes your music as captivating. What are some of the specific techniques you use to engage and hold the attention of your listeners?
I believe what captures listeners is not only technical skill, but emotional sincerity. Still, I pay attention to dynamics,how a moment of silence can be as powerful as a crescendo. I love layering textures so that every listen reveals something new, like hidden colors in a painting.
But most importantly, I focus on intention: every note might carry meaning, not just sound. Sometimes it’s the simplest things,the ones so ordinary that people often overlook them,that they can suddenly move someone deeply. In our daily lives, so many complex things are happening that we easily ignore the small, familiar details.
That’s why I love recording the sounds around me: footsteps, laughter, the wind, or even silence. These sounds are the most familiar and intimate, yet also the easiest to forget.
In my music, I hope to preserve that sense of closeness. Because beyond attracting listeners, my music must first resonate with me,it has to carry something genuine, something that feels like home.
You invite listeners into your “radiant musical galaxy.” What are some of the key themes or messages you explore in your music that you hope will resonate with your audience?
In my music, I often return to themes of memory, love, longing, and resilience. I want to create songs that feel like a space where people can rest and breathe, even if just for a moment.
For me, music is about finding light in the dark and turning solitude into connection. If listeners can feel a sense of comfort, closeness, or even just a reminder that they are not alone, then I feel my music has found its purpose. That’s what music makes me feel all these years..
How has your youthful energy, paired with a mature and sophisticated delivery, shaped your approach to music production and songwriting?
I see it as a dialogue between two sides of myself. In life, I often come across as mature and composed, able to handle a multitude of challenges. Yet behind the scenes, I’m a playful, whimsical soul, a side of me that my music seeks to reveal to my listeners.
My youthful energy brings curiosity, playfulness, and a willingness to take risks. At the same time, the more mature part of me slows things down, encouraging patience, refinement, and depth. Together, they create balance,songs that can feel spontaneous and alive, but also thoughtful and carefully shaped. It’s like capturing a spark of inspiration, and then slowly sculpting it into something lasting.
How do you see your music evolving in the future, and what new directions are you excited to explore?
I envision my music as a journey led by the voice within me, reaching out to new worlds. I strive to express my innermost thoughts with ever, growing maturity and finesse, daring to weave in diverse cultures and instruments,some so rare they are almost whispers of forgotten worlds.
I want to transform these sounds into melodies that can accompany and touch the hearts of many. Lately, I find myself drawn to creating music that feels like a living story, where dialogue, melody, and narrative flow together like a musical come to life.
Ultimately, I’m excited about growth: each song feels like a new star, and together they form a constellation. I can’t wait to see what shapes it will take next.
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From beats to breakthroughs—TINAZ is rewriting her sound, one track at a time. Tap the link to vibe with her evolution and turn up the volume on her journey!
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamtinazzz?_t=ZS-8zWnUZfKDgY&_r=1
Spotify:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/iamtinazzz?igsh=MXBvZnJuajNpaWpwbw==
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