Hey Gorgeous,

First newsletter and can you believe we’re already in the second quarter of 2025? I’ve been meaning to start this newsletter since last year… but the timing never felt quite right. Still, here we are. I’m hitting send before doubt rewrites me.

Ready? No.

Doing it anyway? Absolutely.

Welcome to the written edition of On Musings — a quarterly space where I share reflections, updates from my music journey, and whatever else is stirring in the season. Think of it as a letter from me to you, a quiet pause to catch up.

In this issue:

• My international debut at Music Lane Festival Okinawa 2025

• A long-awaited collab: DIANE/BETTY - First Light Version

• Getting woo-curious (aerial yoga, breathwork, etc.)

• Back in the recording studio again!

• On BBC Music Introducing for the third time

• New release: THE SUN (Pico Boulevard Remix)

• Bonus: Raw travel clips from Okinawa, Japan

The past three (and a half) months have been a whirlwind — full of change and new experiences.

I kicked off the year by making my international debut as an artist-songwriter at Music Lane Festival Okinawa 2025. Honestly, being in Okinawa to play a music festival while traveling with my full band was such a dream. We got to play two shows — one in Koza and another in Naha — and I’d love to do this touring thing again for a long, long time.

I also had the opportunity to speak at the festival conference about my experience at the Asian Songwriting Camp in Bangkok last October, alongside the wonderful Kaz, who was generous enough to share the space with me. It was surreal being on the other side of the mic — not performing, but reflecting and connecting over shared stories in our creative journey.

Thank you to Yama-san, Noda-san, MACP and my band members for making this trip possible. I met so many kindred spirits along the way (and even saw whales!). It truly felt like a solid milestone in my journey as an independent artist. Moments like this are rare and precious — they’ve given me more fuel to keep going, keep writing, and keep showing up.

Since then, I’ve officially transitioned out of my corporate job to run my own studio business full-time — a huge leap, and one I’ve been plotting for years.

For the most part, I’m loving it! Aside from filing taxes, which feels like pulling teeth with a spoon (why is this a thing?!).

Somewhere between the chaos and change, a quiet release bloomed: DIANE/BETTY – First Light Version, a collaboration with Chris M. Yong. Chris and I go way back — we’ve known each other since we were babies — and after years of circling the idea, we finally found a way to create something that felt right to both of us. This project has been a long time coming. I’m so grateful for all the kind words and support you’ve shared since its release in February.

As for life lately — I’ll be honest, I don’t have all the answers when it comes to my music career this year. My focus has naturally shifted more toward writing more songs (and perhaps pitching for more festivals). I’m letting the process unfold in its own time. It’s been quite a journey since finishing WHERE THE SUN CAN’T FIND US, and executing my first headline show. Both took a lot out of me. I’m incredibly proud of what I achieved last year. But now I find myself in a quiet kind of limbo.

The silver lining is that this limbo feels more like fertile ground for exploration than a stagnant phase. Curiousity is nudging me in new directions, and I’ve been trying things I never imagined—like aerial yoga, breathwork meditation, and sound baths. I wouldn’t call myself a “new age woo-woo” person because these activities weren’t consciously chosen for their spiritual qualities. My heart just seems to gravitate toward mindfulness, openness, and alignment at the moment.

And I’m leaning in. 

I’ve also been holed up in the studio again. The process is always nerve-wracking, but I’ve clocked enough hours to know I can trust the journey. I can’t wait for you to hear what’s brewing! (Maybe a new single for this year?)

In the meantime, a little win to share — closer baby closer (Remix), my collab with UK-based band Luna Carina, was recently featured on BBC Music Introducing! It’s our third time being selected, and honestly, it never gets old. Massive love to everyone who’s tuned in and sent us kind messages — your support means the world.

As I step into this new phase of discovery, I’m reminded that creativity isn’t a linear path. Sometimes, it’s about embracing the unknown and letting curiousity guide you to unexpected places. I’m excited to see what unfolds, both in my art and in life.

If you’ve been feeling a little lost yourself, maybe this is your sign to explore something new too.

Before we part ways, I have two offerings for you as a thank-you for reading my first newsletter to the end: 

1. First, I’m so stoked to share a new release I did with my UK-based producer friend, Billy. THE SUN (Pico Boulevard Remix) is distributed through PureTrance—a trance label in Cardiff and is now available on all streaming platforms. We would love it if you could have a spin and show some love. 

2. Second, here is some unseen (and mostly unfiltered) footage I took while globetrotting in Okinawa. Just a little something to share with you as we head into the next quarter.

Wishing you another meaningful quarter ahead. May it be filled with curiousity, creativity, and new discoveries 🖤

Wickedly yours,

Su San