Walk Your Worth with Belle Sisoski

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It’s always tempting to follow the noise of the crowd. The need to feel a sense of belonging echoes so loudly that, in the process, we sometimes lose our identity—forgetting who we are and what truly interests us.

But music has always been the compass that points us back to our inner rhythm—one that can sometimes beat from a long time ago. Amid the cacophony of trends and viral hits, traditional tunes transcend time, carrying nostalgia, heritage, and stories that bridge generations and cultures.

Music invites us not just to dance with the crowd but to find comfort in our own shadows, helping us rediscover the beats that pulse within—unfiltered and unapologetic. In this digital age, traditional tunes, once whispered like secrets, have found new life in today’s rhythms thanks to musicians like Belle Sisoski, who are unafraid to explore and experiment with the ever-evolving score of humanity’s shared soundtrack.

Traditional Southeast Asian Sounds Meet Modern EDM

Traditional ethnic music and electronic dance music may sound like an unlikely pairing, but the Sarawakian musician Belle Sisoski has proven that when you string musical appreciation, heritage, dedication, and talent together, it can harmonize into something magical.

Amassing a large following on social media, the 18-year-old multi-instrumentalist has been gracing the music industry with her unique sound fusion that mainstreams traditional music. “The digitization of the music industry has benefited a lot of creators, a lot of online content creators as well, because now, music is so accessible to everyone.”

Championing awareness and exposure to traditional music, Belle was featured this year in L’Oréal Paris’ Walk Your Worth, a fashion show held at Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2024. The event celebrated diversity and inclusivity by featuring women from all walks of life rather than conventional supermodels, showcasing self-worth and strength in their respective fields. “Nowadays, a lot of people, especially the younger generation, are not interested in traditional [music]. So, you’ve got to make it a little bit more interesting. A little bit cool.”

Roots and Rhythms

Classically trained by her mother, who is a music teacher, Belle became even more fascinated with traditional ethnic music upon discovering her mother’s ethnomusicology thesis on the music of the Iban and Dayak tribes of Sarawak. “I got intrigued by her thesis and I studied it. And then I was like, why not blend these elements together?”

With a strong foundation in classical music, Belle found it easy to extend her skills to different backgrounds and genres. She began picking up other instruments, including her mother’s guzheng, sape, angklung, keringut, and her personal favorite due to its distinctive tone: the tapi.

Taking influence and inspiration from melodic techno, folk, and EDM artists, as well as musical geniuses like Hans Zimmer and Yanni, Belle translates her emotions into metaphorical poetry that explores the vast and intricate landscapes of human thought. Injecting ethnic nuances and elements of nature—such as wind, fire, water, and earth—her music is rich with profound poetic depth, woven with Southeast Asian culture. Each piece serves as a story so distinct, inviting listeners to a unique auditory experience and a call to action towards natural and cultural preservation.

Of Constant Evolution

While it seems like life has harmoniously laid out everything perfectly for the young artist, Belle admits that navigating her way through the music industry—with such unique genres blended—can be a lonely journey. “Being a creative can be lonely because it’s more like an individual thing. You get to spend hours and hours in your studio or your house producing and experimenting with things.” However, the support of those who have been with her throughout her journey helps alleviate that loneliness.

Like many who pour their heart and passion into their work, Belle has struggled with balancing her social and professional life. “I think the challenge comes with managing my social life and work. I am trying to get in touch with it. It’s a struggle but you just got to get out there and take a break sometimes.”

At such a young age, Belle undoubtedly has much to offer and discover with her talents and musical genius. “Life is a journey of constantly evolving, constantly seeking out new experiences, constantly changing. So, you’re constantly changing your values, your goals.” Being open to change, Belle hopes to further improve her craft, experiment more with new sets of instruments, and perform for more audiences, letting her music reach new emotional depths and heights.

Belle is definitely a living example that music isn’t just a playlist. It is a time machine that transcends time and space, bringing together the tunes of ethnic traditions echoing through the future—reminding people to stay rooted beyond the applause and the echoes of the digital age.

_{This feature is made possible by L’Oreal Paris through Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2024}