Rin’s path into music wasn’t something she planned, but rather something that naturally unfolded over time. Born in Cagayan de Oro City in the Philippines, she moved to the U.S. at just seven years old and grew up as the shy kid who would avoid public speaking at all costs. It’s funny how things would end up working out though. Now, she’s singing in front of crowds, and her music is loved by thousands. Something she never imagined she’d be doing. Even though music was always part of her life, it wasn’t until much later down the road that she realized it was something that she wanted to share with the world and put her all into.
She started playing guitar around 2019-2020, and was inspired by Laufey’s early YouTube videos. Watching Laufey effortlessly sing and play guitar sparked something in Rin, and she decided she wanted to learn too. At first, it was just about playing covers, with I Wish You Love being one of her favorites. But by 2023, she set a summer goal to write her own song, which led to just me, her first official release. She posted it on TikTok, and thanks to a little algorithm luck she says, her music started reaching people in ways she could have never expected.
When it comes to Rin's latest single homebody, it is a departure from the slower, more somber songs she had been writing. She wanted to create something that felt more upbeat and reflective of her personality. Inspired by Zack Villere’s Little World, she experimented with synths and guitars to craft a sound that felt fresh and fun. The songwriting process was just as spontaneous, one summer day, bored and lying on her bedroom floor, she started piecing together ideas. She was thinking about how she had never written a song while high and how most of her music was slower and introspective, so she threw together those ideas, and in just a few hours, homebody was born.
Rin’s inspirations are all over the place - in a good way though. Music wise, she gravitates toward artists like Zack Villere, Clairo, Laufey, Beabadoobee, and Weezer, drawn more to the melody of the music rather than the lyrics. Outside of music, she’s deeply passionate about art, something she’s been doing her whole life and is currently studying in college. For her, drawing people’s faces feels like a way of getting to know them, making it even more special when she gets to sketch her loved ones.
When we asked about some of the most meaningful moments in her career so far, she mentioned receiving messages from listeners, especially the young girls, who were telling her how much her music has helped them in the tough times that they are going through. It’s surreal for her to be on the other side of that, knowing she’s now providing the same kind of comfort that she once found in her favorite artists. She wishes she could tell her younger self that social media isn’t as scary as it seems. At first, posting and reaching out to other artists felt intimidating, but she’s grown into it and is excited to keep building connections with others.
As for what’s next, Rin is just getting started. She’s thrilled that people are loving homebody, but there’s more on the way. Without giving too much away, she hints that her next release has Mr. Bean vibes, which, knowing her playful and experimental approach, could mean just about anything. Whatever it is, it’s clear that Rin is carving out a space that feels entirely like her own!