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Interview with Shirley Ly, a Rising Star in Classical Music – ‘The Representation of Female Composers Needs to Be Improved’

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Shirley Ly is a rising star in classical music. Her music has been played around a million times in over 100 countries around the world, which is rather rare for a modern-day female composer. When listening to her music, we feel emotions spanning a very wide spectrum – her pieces are deep and thought-provoking featuring heart-warming melodies and harmonies. We recently discovered her music when we attended her wonderful performance at the Westminster Music Library on International Women’s Day this year, where we also heard other works by female composers, Louise Farrenc and Clara Schumann. We caught up with Shirley to find out more.

To listen to Shirley’s music, please click here.

It would be interesting to find out how and when you got into composing classical music.

Creating classical music developed into a passion of mine since I was a teen. I remember listening to the soundtracks in one of my favourite films, Amélie and being immediately transported to the enchanting, cobbled streets of Paris. I remember feeling so stunned when listening to Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 in G minor in the very heartfelt movie scene in the Pianist, when the German army officer Hosenfeld discovers Polish pianist Szpilmanthe in his hiding place. I love the purity and unity of Bach’s violin sonatas, the classical symmetry in Mozart’s concertos, the heart-wrenching phrases in Ennio Morricone’s scores. Classical music makes me feel a certain way that no other genre of music does… immeasurable amounts of emotion. Being able to reflect on my own emotions through creating music in this genre brings me great fulfilment – this is how I got into composing classical music!

What are your key inspirations? Would you say that they’re mostly from nature?

Nature is a huge inspiration of mine. My latest album, Paradise is inspired by my experiences of being in the ocean. I feel so lucky to have dived in some of the most beautiful places in the world, such as the Red Sea and Barbados, where I was able to come face to face with extraordinary, colourful creatures and stunning scenery. When I compose, I think back to those experiences and just try to create music which describes my visions and feelings in those moments. Other pieces I have composed inspired by nature include those in my albums, Blossom and Impetus. Vagabond’s Tale is a piece inspired by when I was walking through the Cotswolds (beautiful English countryside) in England. Swallows’ Silhouette is a piece inspired by swallows travelling through different weather to find their nests. Amber Leaves is a piece inspired by Autumn’s rich flora and fauna.

Other inspirations stem from relationships i.e., being heartbroken, experiencing unconditional love from family, my time spent with my beloved grandfather, as well as travel and dreams.

We really enjoyed your performance on International Women’s Day and find you very inspiring as we don’t often come across many female composers. What do you feel about the representation of female composers in the modern world?

Thank you. I feel that the representation of female composers in today’s world needs to be improved. I go to many classical music concerts, and still find that it is rare to hear any works by female composers, whether concerts are large-scale i.e., the BBC Proms, or not. Not only in relation to concerts, but also in relation to media broadcasts i.e., TV and radio. If I do want to hear works by female composers, I would need to actively search for performances as they remain a niche. I hope that more female composers’ works will be performed in the future, but this can only happen if female composers are given good opportunities to.

From my own personal experience when asking for opportunities to perform my own classical music at various venues which typically do showcase classical music, I frequently get rejection without any solid reasons. A common response is that me being a composer and playing my own compositions, would not be in line with the concert requirements. Another common response is that my compositions do not fit into the type of classical music which would usually be played i.e., it’s not from the classical or romantic era. Whenever I get these responses, I just feel that the world of classical music is still a very exclusive and cordoned off world. It really shouldn’t be like this. Luckily, the internet and social media improves accessibility, and allows me to communicate with audiences without such barriers.  

Why do you feel that it is important for female composers to have representation?

I think that it is critical for female composers to be represented simply because there are not many of us out there. By not representing us, our voices become unheard. Music is a form of expression of our identities. I would say that my gender as a female and my heritage, where my parents are from China and Vietnam, have influenced my music – people have commented that some of my melodies sound more feminine, and Eastern for example compared to other composers.

In general, I think people’s understanding of music will be more enriched and enlarged if people listened to works composed by female composers too. Female composers have had to endure many challenges particularly from society – for example, many careers in composition and professional musicianship were generally closed to women through much of European history. As I have mentioned previously, I still get a lot of push back from music venues when I ask to perform my compositions there, compared to if I propose playing more famous works by Beethoven, Chopin etc.

We understand that you are an independent artist. What are some of the key challenges you face as an independent artist compared to an artist who is supported by a record label?

As an independent artist, I am more limited by resources. I don’t have a great budget when it comes to recording, so my recordings may not sound as professional compared to those which are recorded in a renowned studio. However, I don’t let a lack of budget stop me from making sure I deliver the best possible quality of music – I work with extremely talented musicians and engineers as part of the process.

Further, as an independent artist, I do more in terms of promoting myself. I contact music venues directly to arrange concerts. I reach out to radio stations directly to play my works. I have to build my own contacts book effectively.

However, I do love the creative control that I retain as an independent artist. Whatever I want to create, I can create without restrictions and pressure.

What are your future plans in music?

I have just released my new album, Paradise, inspired by the ocean, marine ecosystems and marine species. I hope that you enjoy it! The album features compositions for piano, violin and cello, where many of the compositions are actually solo pieces. I find that it is quite rare for solo compositions to be performed, and I really want to emphasise the beauty and power which can be created through these instruments alone.

I will also shortly be releasing an album featuring 9 pieces inspired by my playful and mischievous cats. I live with 3 cats – sadly 1 is missing, which has caused me great anxiety.

In terms of future plans, I plan to compose orchestral as well as electronic works inspired by my travels in Southeast Asia.

Throughout, I will be performing at various concerts and gigs. Keep your eyes peeled!

Thank you very much for your time in this interview. We wish you all of the best.

Thanks for having me. All the very best to you and the readers.

This article contains branded content provided by a third party. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the content creator or sponsor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or editorial stance of Popular Hustle.

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iurisEkero Proves Pop Music Doesn’t Have to Be Loud to Be Good

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iurisEkero

There’s something refreshing about an artist who doesn’t chase volume. “I don’t make music to sound loud. I make music to sound deep,” says iurisEkero, and after diving into his catalog, you get exactly what he means.

Born in Mendoza, Argentina, iurisEkero (stylized in lowercase, like his approach to fame) grew up in a house where music wasn’t just background noise—it was the main conversation. His grandfather recorded albums as a vocalist, his father played trumpet, and young Iuris absorbed it all. But here’s what’s interesting: instead of just carrying the torch, he’s completely reimagined it.

Now splitting time between the USA and Argentina, iurisEkero creates what he calls “sonic exploration”—pop mixed with electronic textures, ethereal vocals, and these atmospheric moments that genuinely make you want to hit pause on everything else. He pulls inspiration from unexpected places: cities at night, red wine, those comfortable silences between people who know each other well, and what he describes as “the glitch of memories.”

His latest single, “This Summer Night,” dropped on August 19th and perfectly captures that specific magic. At 3:17, it’s packed with synths that stick in your head and a melody that somehow feels both nostalgic and brand new. Other tracks like “The Sun, The Wine and You” and “Midnight Drive” show his range—each one catching different emotional frequencies while keeping that distinctive warmth that comes from his bicultural perspective.

The numbers tell their own story. Nearly 3 million Spotify streams. Over a million YouTube views. But when you mention this to iurisEkero, he seems genuinely surprised. “I don’t even understand those numbers,” he admits. “I just enjoy and am grateful.”

What he hopes listeners take away is simple: that urge to play a song again, whether you’re remembering someone, dancing alone in your kitchen, or waiting for something you can’t quite name yet. Even his breakup songs somehow feel optimistic—there’s always this undercurrent of possibility in his work.

Currently working on a new album featuring various guest artists, iurisEkero seems ready for whatever comes next. The sound explorer from Mendoza has found his frequency, and people are definitely tuning in.

Find iurisEkero’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other streaming platforms, or visit his official website and follow him on Instagram.

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Alain Mékani Confronts Success and Solitude in New Single ‘Quiet’

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Alain Mékani

What happens when you achieve everything you dreamed of before turning 23, but there’s no one around to celebrate with? That’s the question Alain Mékani wrestles with in “Quiet,” his introspective new single that dropped August 1st, 2025.

The Dubai-based artist, who grew up in Beirut speaking Arabic with his mom and French with his dad while MTV played in the background, has been carving out his own corner of the Middle Eastern pop scene since his 2023 debut “Fool.” But this latest track hits different. It’s raw, honest, and uncomfortably relatable for anyone who’s ever felt alone in a room full of people.

Written during a period of professional success while living abroad, “Quiet” runs just over three minutes but packs an emotional punch. The track opens with Mékani reflecting on his younger self’s dreams—the car, the new place, all achieved before his 23rd birthday. But here’s where it gets real: “I left it all behind just to find myself / But am I really free?”

The chorus doesn’t pull punches either. When he admits “I’ve been going through some changes and my mind is fucking racing,” you feel that restless energy. It’s not polished pop perfection; it’s someone working through their stuff in real-time. The official music video, which premiered July 31st, visually captures this internal conflict.

“Quiet” by Alain Mékani

Family threads through every verse — and you can feel it. There’s the promise to make his mother proud, the desire to share his victories, and that gut-punch line about missing the people who matter most. The bridge transforms into something between a mantra and a desperate reminder: “Be somebody if you’re nobody.” It’s less motivational poster, more survival mechanism.

Since emerging with tracks like “Awlad El Haram” and his licensed reimagining of the Lebanese classic “Tallou Hbabna” earlier this year, Mékani has built a reputation for blending French, Arabic, and English lyrics with what critics call a “melancholic awakening” sound. Regional outlets including Musivv and Buro 24/7 Middle East have taken notice of his ability to pair cross-cultural production with genuine vulnerability.

The artist, who taught himself guitar after starting on accordion at eight, turned to songwriting as therapy following his father’s death in 2015. While working a marketing day job in Dubai, he spent nights and weekends learning production, eventually creating the demos that would launch his career.

Currently working on collaborations with Rayan Bailouni and Jay Janith, Mékani is pushing further into French territory with his upcoming releases. It’s a natural evolution for someone who grew up switching between languages at home. As he puts it: “I write in three languages because some emotions need more than one passport.”

“Quiet” is now streaming across all major platforms. Connect with Alain Mékani on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Anghami, Instagram, TikTok, and at alainmekani.com.

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Siren Built Her Entire Sound in Secret and Now She’s Ready to Surface

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Siren

The first thing that hits you about Siren isn’t just her voice—it’s the sheer audacity of someone who taught themselves everything. No formal training, no music theory classes, just pure instinct driving her to create something that sounds like Rammstein got into a late-night conversation with Lana Del Rey while Massive Attack played in the background.

At 24, this LA-based artist has already written around 70 songs, most still unreleased, sitting in her vault like secrets waiting to surface. Born June 13, 2001, Siren started making music in 2019, and what’s emerged since then defies easy categorization. Her sound pulls from trip-hop pioneers like Portishead, the industrial weight of German metal, and the cinematic drama of Tchaikovsky—yes, the Swan Lake composer.

“Every ache must be turned into art,” she says about her approach to music. It’s this philosophy that drives her self-described “raw confessions where melancholy meets beauty.” Her mezzo-soprano voice shifts between whispered vulnerability and soaring intensity, creating what she calls “cold waves of sound that mesmerize like a siren’s voice in the night sea.”

Siren

The artist’s journey started unexpectedly early. One of her most vivid childhood memories involves her grandmother singing Russian folk songs on a winter swing—an experience she describes as “blue, cold, wintry, dark, nostalgic, deep, soulful, and melancholic.” By twelve, she’d discovered Rammstein, which she credits with awakening “strength, courage, resistance, and the spirit of a fighter.” The band shaped about 60% of her musical taste, while Lana Del Rey, who she calls her “musical mother,” opened up the other side of her artistic personality.

What’s striking about Siren’s work is how she balances opposing forces. She describes her music as reflecting both her anima and animus—the feminine emotional vulnerability paired with masculine instrumental drive. This duality shows up everywhere in her sound: acoustic piano meets electric guitars, string arrangements collide with rock drums, trip-hop grooves support orchestral swells.

Her latest release, “Devil 2019,” dropped on August 3, 2025, running 3:28 and showcasing her hypnotic vocal control. But it’s just a taste of what’s coming. Her debut single “Siren Heroine,” released on June 13, previews her upcoming album “Blue Blood,” which promises an oceanic, siren-themed concept drawn from songs written three to four years ago.

Siren

Beyond music, Siren works as a visual artist, filmmaker, and photographer, creating her own visual concepts exactly as she imagines them. She admits to both loving and fearing the ocean—thalassophobia mixed with an obsession for deep blue imagery. “I reflect what I fear. I am what I fear,” she explains.

When asked about dream collaborations, she mentions Hans Zimmer, Rammstein, and Lana Del Rey—though she notes that most of her musical heroes are dead. Her approach to creation remains uncompromising: “I don’t write for people—I write for myself. Music is how I let you know me.”

For those curious to dive deeper, Siren’s music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, SoundCloud, and her website. Follow her journey on Instagram and TikTok.

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