Being a creative person has got to be one of the most, if not the most, difficult things to pursue in life because society pushes us to be and to do more practical things in life like get a career in Corporate America or a real job once you become an adult. The notion of pursuing a creative career often has this stigma that you will fail or that you are a failure in life. But why have a life if you are not pursuing what you are meant to be on this planet. What is a real job, anyway. You are born. You eat. You sleep. You go to school. You get a “real job”. You get married. You have kids. Then you go back down to the Earth. And the cycle is on repeat. Because that’s what society tells us what you should do. But for those who realize that being creative is what they are meant to do in life, that passion will always be in their blood until the day Mother Earth takes them back. It’s a life worth pursuing. To be who you are meant to be.
Written by Don Marcelo
CHLOE TANG AND THE CONCERT
Chinese-American, Singer Songwriter, Artist, Musician, Chloe Tang is pursuing a life worth living and being a creative life is non-negotiable. It is who she is meant to be. She was born with music in her blood, which has been part of her life ever since she can remember. A true artist with so much zest and passion for her music, Chloe was born to sing and perform and play music.
I recently had the opportunity to photograph and cover for S.L.R. MAGAZINE Chloe Tang’s “HOES HAVE FEELINGS TOO TOUR” and I also had the chance to talk with Chloe Tang afterwards in regards to her 1st ever North American Headline Tour for her 3rd stop in Los Angeles at The Moroccan Lounge in DTLA on September 22, 2026.
Let me just say that her concert was pure magic on this night and our conversation afterwards was deep, meaningful, and authentic.
During her concert show at The Moroccan Lounge, all throughout her set, Chloe emanated an aura full of passion for what she does as an artist singing with strong vocals coupled with some sweet sounds. Her smile was infectious which showed the love to her fans. Her style of Pop/R&B Girly-Girl music filled the room with so much joy where the lyrics of her songs are relatable. Her stage presence was nothing short of sweet, sultry, sexy, elegant, powerful, and graceful.
There were so many great moments throughout the evening like her fans singing to all the lyrics of her music, while matching her energy of dancing, jumping, and prancing around the venue. Or the moment where Chloe handed our roses to her fans during her show. At one point she even asked the question who the biggest Hoe is in the audience and one fan got the prize with a t-shirt that represents her tour “Hoes Have Feelings Too”
Overall seeing and hearing Chloe Tang’s great performance with great music will leave an indelible mark in one’s life.
Afterwards, I had the chance to talk to Chloe about who she is as an artist:
THE CONVERSATION WITH CHLOE TANG:
1. Hi Chloe. Thank you for taking the time to talk to us here at S.L.R. MAGAZINE. For our audience here and music fans all over the world, please tell us a little bit about you and your background in music.
Hi, my name is Chloe Tang, and music has always been deeply embedded in me for as long as I can remember. I was very fortunate that my parents recognized that early on. I was about five years old when my mom put me in piano lessons because she could tell that I loved playing and sounding out songs by ear.
From there, my love for music and the education I wanted just kept growing. I went to a charter arts school where I played saxophone and piano, sang, picked up guitar, and continued studying classical piano throughout most of my childhood. I kept adding instruments, developing new skills, singing in choirs, and eventually writing songs.
I’ve experienced both sides of music: the formal education and technical training, as well as the creative side through songwriting and artistry. I don’t think there will ever be a day when I stop wanting to learn more about music.
2. Did you start off singing right away or did you play any instruments first before singing, and what was/is your favorite instrument you played during your formative years?
I started playing piano before I started singing, and I would still say piano was my first love and my deepest love.
There’s something about seeing all of the keys laid out in front of you and being able to create different combinations of notes and rhythms that is so satisfying, both sonically and visually. It’s also still my favorite instrument to pair with singing.
3. As you know, Asian parents often push their kids to play some form of musical instrument or some kind of artistic endeavor as part of their parenting. Did your parents force you into practicing music at all? Did you like it? Did you hate it? What are your thoughts on Asian parents pushing this type of regimen with their kids, whether it’s studying or playing music?
My mom was very strict and adamant that I continue taking classical piano lessons and that I really stick with it.
Of course, as a child, there were times when I didn’t want to practice piano as soon as I got home from school. I went through phases where I wanted to take dance lessons, do gymnastics, or try other activities instead. Looking back, though, I really believe that staying committed to piano taught me a lot about discipline.
I do think there can be value in parents teaching discipline through music. It taught me that no matter how I felt about it in the moment, whether I loved it or hated it, music was going to remain a part of my life, and it was up to me to decide what I made of it.
Eventually, I learned how to find genres and styles of music that I genuinely enjoyed playing while still appreciating the technical side and the foundation that classical training gave me. I’m definitely grateful now that my mom was so adamant about me sticking with it.
4. When was that moment when you finally realized that music would be your lifelong career? Take us on this path.
The moment I knew music was going to be my career was when I was around 17 and attended Grammy Camp at USC in Los Angeles.
Kids from all over the country auditioned to attend, and we stayed in the dorms and completely immersed ourselves in music. We went to songwriting classes and performance classes, learned how to play in a band, attended workshops, recorded music, performed live, and created constantly.
That was the first time I had ever been so fully engulfed in music. During my childhood, music had always been a huge part of my life, but it was almost like a side dish rather than the main course.
Once I got a taste of what it felt like for music to be the main course, it became obvious to me that I didn’t want anything else.
5. In regards to your parents, what was their reaction when you said that you wanted to pursue music as a career? Were they supportive from the beginning or did they push you to become a doctor, lawyer, or work in finance?
My parents have always been very supportive of my passion for music, but I think it became a little different when the idea of music becoming my career was presented to them.
Out of concern, they initially resisted it and pushed me toward more practical career choices, especially when it came to choosing a college and a major. It was a slow process of convincing them that this decision was never going to change.
I remember there being a time when they would have preferred that I get a business degree. But I’ve never really been the kind of child who makes every decision just to appease what my parents want.
I kept pushing for the career I wanted, and over time they came around. Now they are extremely supportive of music being my career, and it makes all of that persistence feel worth it.
6. During your show in LA, you mentioned that you grew up listening to rock music such as Avril Lavigne and BLINK-182. What made you decide you wanted to become more of an R&B-type artist and embrace a more “girly-girl” style when you grew up loving rock?
I’ve been through so many phases when it comes to my favorite genres and the type of artist I wanted to be.
My love of music has never been limited. I honestly don’t think there’s a genre I would completely rule out listening to, and sometimes that openness can almost feel like a curse. It’s difficult to decide who you want to be perceived as for the rest of your career when you’re still so young and you genuinely love so many different kinds of music.
When I moved to L.A. in 2018, pop with some R&B influence felt like the direction that made the most sense for me at the time. I wasn’t ready to choose something extremely niche because I loved too many kinds of music to fully commit to just one world.
Pop and R&B became a foundation because I know they’re genres I’ll always love, and I don’t regret that choice. But I also know myself, and I know I’m probably going to be one of those artists who eventually makes a folk album, maybe a country album, maybe even a hip-hop album one day.
I don’t really care about limiting myself in that way. I want to experiment, explore my skills, and follow my love of music wherever it takes me.
7. You mentioned on your Instagram that you’ve written hundreds of songs for over 10 years. Tell us about your process of writing music and where you find your inspiration to create.
I would say my inspiration for writing music usually comes from other music, probably 80% of the time.
I fell in love with music at such a young age because of the feeling it gave me. Certain songs remind me of specific moments in my life. They can take me back to certain people, places, smells, or memories in a way that almost nothing else can.
I very quickly became addicted to that feeling, and the idea that I might be able to create something that gives someone else that same feeling gives me so much purpose.
I also love building worlds. I love being able to transport someone into a place, an era, a feeling, or a specific moment. For me, that’s what songwriting is really about.
The actual writing process is different every time. Sometimes I hear a beat and start creating melodies over it. Sometimes the melody comes first. Sometimes a song starts with nothing more than a title, and I don’t even know yet what the song will sound like or what genre it will be.
The process always changes, but the one thing that stays consistent is that I want to build a very specific world.
9. What has been the most challenging thing you have experienced as an independent music artist, and what steps do you take to overcome these challenges?
I think the biggest challenge is the mental endurance you have to build.
If you really think about it, giving up just can’t be an option. You start with these little songs and ideas in your head, and somehow you have to turn them into complete stories and experiences that people actually want to listen to and connect with.
There is so much effort, money, time, and especially sacrifice that goes into doing that. You have to keep choosing this career every single time you wonder if it might be easier to get a regular day job or do something more practical like the people around you.
As an independent artist, that question can come up multiple times a day, and you have to find a way to keep choosing music over and over again.
I think that’s the hardest part. It requires so much sacrifice, and you don’t see the results right away. Sometimes it takes ten or twenty years to see the results of what you’ve been building.
You don’t always get immediate proof that you’re making the right decision. You don’t get an instant reward or proof of concept. You just have to put an enormous amount of faith into yourself and your abilities and keep going.
10. If you had the superpower to do so, what superpower would you want for yourself and why?
I would definitely want the ability to transport myself instantly.
I would love to be able to snap my fingers and suddenly be in another country, or even travel to a different time period. I find myself constantly craving new experiences, culture, growth, learning, and discovery.
Being able to instantly transport myself would be such an incredible way to experience all of those things without the limitations of time or distance.
11. Is there any message you would like to share with the world about CHLOE TANG?
Something I would love everyone to know about Chloe Tang is that I’m here to stay.
This is a lifelong career for me. I’m not going to give this up or say goodbye at any point.
So I would love for you to join the journey.
Thank you very much for taking the time to talk to me and S.L.R. MAGAZINE, Chloe. Keep creating great music. FOLLOW for more amazing music.
Chloe Tang links
https://www.chloetangmusic.com
Photography by Don Marcelo Photography 2026
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