Q&A Asia Chow Talks Beatles, Guitar Dreams, and the Canine That Inspired ‘The Sleeping Dog’
☆ BY Joanna Giano ☆
LOS ANGELES–BASED INDIE-FOLK ARTIST — Asia Chow has just released her latest single, “The Sleeping Dog.” The track weaves together folk, country, and nostalgic pop influences to create a soothing, mindful experience. Featuring a gentle slide guitar and heartfelt lyrics, it delivers a warm and introspective feel. Fans have praised it for its calming effect, with comments like, “Such a beautiful song for a relaxing day” and “The melody is so comforting; it really hits home.” Others have noted how deeply it resonates with their own experiences, saying, “This song speaks to me and my dog” and “I’m grateful for this lovely piece of music.”
Chow made her debut in the indie-folk scene with “Days Unchanged” at the end of last year, catching the attention of Vogue China and Flaunt and landing spots on key playlists like Spotify’s Fresh Folk. Her subsequent release, a folk reimagining of The Weeknd’s “Save Your Tears,” makes a promising start to her music career.
Although she began playing guitar in high school, Chow pursued modeling to support herself financially. It wasn’t until the pandemic that she decided to fully commit to music, using the time to refine her skills and embrace her artistic voice. Her natural shyness has always made music her most genuine form of expression, allowing her to connect deeply with listeners through her heartfelt lyrics and soothing melodies.
From her early obsession with The Beatles to the profound lessons learned from observing her dog’s serene slumbers, Asia Chow’s journey is a blend of unique inspirations. During our Zoom chat, she was as warm and engaging as her music, and we even had the chance to meet her charming dog. Dive into how these influences have shaped her latest single, “The Sleeping Dog,” below.
LUNA: You transitioned from a modeling career to pursuing music. What inspired this shift, and how has your background in modeling influenced your approach to music?
CHOW: That's a good question. I always loved music, and deep down I knew I wanted to pursue it. I felt I just needed the push to give myself permission to do it. Not that you need anyone's permission, but sometimes you need to give yourself that permission, you know? I went through a lot personally, and then, of course, everyone experienced the pandemic. It made me rethink a lot of things. I decided it was now or never — time to step it up. That gave me the push and confidence to do it.
It's interesting because while modeling and music are both part of me, they felt quite separate. Modeling is great — I'm grateful for it… It taught me a lot. But by the time I was writing these songs, my mind was in a different place.
LUNA: It sounds like the pandemic gave you that nudge you needed to dive into music — sometimes it takes a global shake-up to get us moving, right? Speaking of diving in, I’m curious about your early days with music. What’s your earliest memory of music? I’ve heard picking up the guitar in high school was your “Eureka!” moment. How did that all come about?
CHOW: Yeah, I remember falling in love with music when I was in elementary school. My mom bought me a Beatles CD for Christmas, and I just couldn’t get enough of it. I would listen to that CD exclusively, and when I got my first iPod, it was basically a Beatles-only device.
LUNA: What was it about the guitar that pulled you in? What made you choose it over, say, the keyboard or the triangle?
CHOW: Well, if you’d met me in middle school, I would have told you I wanted to be Ritchie Blackmore from Deep Purple. I was obsessed with ’70s rock and guitar-based music. I did play piano as a kid, but for some reason it never really clicked with me. Then in middle school, all the artists I admired were these incredible guitar players. So when I decided to pick up an instrument seriously, the guitar just felt like the natural choice.
LUNA: Did you ever learn any of The Beatles’ songs on the guitar? Is there one track that made you feel like a true member of the Fab Four?
CHOW: Oh, absolutely! Some of the first guitar songs I tackled were Beatles tunes. It was perfect because I could strum along and sing at the same time. It felt like a win-win, getting to play and sing some of the best songs ever written.
LUNA: I have to ask, who's your favorite Beatle?
CHOW: Oh my god. It’s really hard to pick just one because it also depends on the phase of my life, you know what I mean? I feel like I connected to different Beatles at different times. So right now it’s tough to choose a favorite because they each have
their own unique qualities and special traits. And even as solo artists, they all have something special. It really just depends on my mood and frame of mind.
LUNA: It’s clear that each Beatle brought something special to your life, just like different influences have shaped your sound. Speaking of which, your music blends folk, country, and nostalgic pop into a unique mix. What other artists or genres have contributed to your distinctive style?
CHOW: Well, I spent a lot of time in my room practicing guitar and singing. It was a pretty solitary endeavor, unlike being in a band where you’re collaborating with others. I had a lot of time to really think about what I wanted my voice to sound like and how I wanted to develop it. For me, it started with making sure I sounded good with just guitar and vocals alone. From there, I built and expanded on that foundation.
As for other influences, it’s a bit tricky to pinpoint. With the streaming world giving us access to so many artists and genres, it might sound a bit cliché, but I really do listen to a wide range of music. However, when it comes to artists who have shaped my own sound or whom I aspire to emulate, Leonard Cohen stands out. I’m a big fan of lyrics, and Cohen is undeniably a master lyricist. His work has been a significant influence on me.
LUNA: Alright, let’s shift gears to ‘The Sleeping Dog.” It’s clear there’s a lot of heart behind that track. With Aba being the adorable muse that she is, how did she inspire the song? I’m curious, did she offer any “pawsitive” feedback?
CHOW: She's right here, looking for some pets. I had the melody for the song just randomly in my head, and then I looked over at her. She was curled up, doing that adorable donut thing that dogs do when they're sleeping. She brings me so much joy.
I know it sounds cheesy, but she truly is the best decision I've ever made. There are moments, especially when things are tough, when I realize just how grateful I am for her presence in my life. She gives me so much love and joy, and the song came from that feeling of gratitude.
LUNA: Totally get it. My cat and I have navigated some rough patches together — sometimes all you need is a bit of feline wisdom and a cozy purr.
CHOW: I was really inspired by her because the thing with animals, or even small children, is that they’re very uninhibited. They don’t worry about things in the same ways as humans do — they don’t have existential crises. You know what I mean? They’re just living in the moment.
LUNA: Did you aim to capture a sense of innocence in the song?
CHOW: Yeah, and also just being truly present. I think animals don’t really have a choice but to live in the moment, and in some ways, she reminds me to do the same.
LUNA: That's a really interesting point. They definitely keep you mindful.
CHOW: Yeah, like … she reminds me to do that. Just try to live in the moment.
LUNA: So why did you choose the name Aba for your dog?
CHOW: I didn’t choose her name. The rescue did.
LUNA: Oh, that's interesting.
CHOW: Yeah, she’s from the Abaco Islands. They shortened that to Aba. I was considering changing her name when I got her, but she seemed to really identify with the name the rescue gave her. It felt a bit cruel to change it when she was so connected to it, you know?
LUNA: What kind of dog is Aba?
CHOW: She’s what they call a Potcake. They’re stray dogs from the Bahamas. She was found next to a gas station and then brought to LA. That’s her story.
LUNA: Next, I'd love to dive into your creative process. Can you walk us through how you typically start a new song and what your process looks like when writing and composing music?
CHOW: It really depends. Sometimes I start with lyrics, like a line or phrase in my head, and build from there. Other times, like with this song, the melody came to mind first. When I looked over at her, the lyrics started to come together. After that, I worked on the guitar arrangement, and that was the process for this song.
I think sometimes it is that corny thing of it just coming to you or whatever. A lot of the time, though, it's truly just about practicing it. I try to sit down and write a lyric or fiddle around on the guitar and find chords. It's about almost forcing yourself to come up with ideas, even if they're not good at first or whatever.
LUNA: You’ve said music is your most direct form of communication. How do you use your personal storytelling in your songs to really connect with your audience and make that message hit home?
CHOW: Yeah, that's a good question. I don't really know if there's a specific formula or anything like that, but I just kind of feel that a lot of the music that has really meant a lot to me, or that has stayed with me, is the stuff I've emotionally connected with. It might sound a bit corny, but I think it's true. Creativity, and art in different forms, can make people feel like you're sharing emotions that we all have as humans. So I just hope that if I'm honest about how I'm feeling musically, it transfers over to someone who might connect with it as well.
LUNA: What are the major emotions you’re exploring in “The Sleeping Dog”? And can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind the title?
CHOW: I think for me, joy and gratitude. That was kind of what I was feeling when I was writing the song. Yeah, and love, because I was obviously thinking about my dog, who I love very much. So I think those were … kind of the principal emotions.
LUNA: Does being based in LA influence your music or artistry in any way?
CHOW: I'm sure it does. I couldn't tell you exactly how, but like anyone else, where you're from or where you live informs everything about you. So, in that way, I'm sure it does. But since I've only lived in two places, I guess I don’t really have a broader perspective. It’s kind of like I only know what I know. You know what I mean? Sometimes I don’t even know what the specific influence is.
LUNA: That makes sense. Speaking of personal experiences, many aspiring musicians look up to artists like you. Do you have any advice for them as they try to break into the industry?
CHOW: Oh, god, I don’t know. I don’t think I’m qualified to give anyone advice on anything, really. I feel very fortunate to be able to pursue this, but I’m not sure if I’m in a position to offer advice on it.
LUNA: I think that’s a humble approach. Shifting gears a bit, when it comes to performing, what helps you get into the zone? How do you handle any fears or nerves you might have before hitting the stage?
CHOW: Hmm, honestly, I can get quite anxious before or after a performance. It usually takes me maybe one or two songs to really get into it. But I think if you focus on how the song makes you feel, that can help take away some of the anxiety about whether people are judging you while they're listening. You know what I mean?
Also, I’m really into lyrics. While some people might focus on the arrangement or chords, I’m always tuned into the lyrics. So when I’m performing and feeling anxious, I try to center myself by thinking about what the song is about and how it makes me feel. I hope that makes sense.
LUNA: It absolutely does. Now, considering your deep connection with lyrics, how do you think your background and experiences in art influence the imagery in your songwriting?
CHOW: I don’t know. It’s interesting because sometimes the lyrics I write about can be really broad feelings. I’m not sure if the imagery is directly inspired by specific visual details. Though, I would love to be that kind of songwriter who sketches a scene through their lyrics. Maybe that’s something to aim for in the future.
