QEERAN is a Malaysian-born, Chinese-Australian artist crafting a deeply personal form of alternative R&B – cinematic, vulnerable, and grounded in lived experience. Now based in Melbourne, he draws from his journey as a gay man navigating mental health challenges, creating music that explores the tension between intimacy and chaos, softness and self-destruction. Influenced by artists like Alina Baraz and Sabrina Claudio, QEERAN’s sound blends breathy vocals with dark, minimalist production. His latest single, “CLOSER/HARDER,” captures the duality of desire and emotional volatility, solidifying his place as a voice for queer and Asian artists carving space on their own terms.
With “CLOSER/HARDER” out now, we took some time to hear from QEERAN. Read below to learn more about QEERAN, the story behind “CLOSER/HARDER,” and what’s to come.
Hi QEERAN! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
Hi there! Honestly, there’s no wild backstory – Qeeran is actually my real name which is spelt in a super uncommon way. The uniqueness of it made it feel like an artist name already, so I never saw a reason to reinvent it I guess.
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I was raised in Kajang, Malaysia for the first 6 years of my life, and then moved to Melbourne. It has been home ever since and has really shaped who I am now both personally and creatively.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
Music has always been part of my world – I grew up on stages and in rehearsal rooms even before primary school, but it really clicked during my later years in high school when I realised how much I loved connecting with an audience, and how much I wanted to create my own songs that people could lose themselves in. I started with a cheap mic, GarageBand, and a hunger to learn. One YouTube deep dive turned into another, and eventually I had a debut album 3 years later, which will always have a place in my heart.
How has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound?
Being raised between cultures – growing up Malaysian-Chinese and building a life in Australia – gave me a constant sense of duality. That tension between softness and survival, tradition and self-expression, really shaped how I see the world today. It naturally bled into my sound now: soft but heavy, vulnerable but controlled, always pulling from both identity and emotion.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
I’d say it’s definitely on the alt-R&B side, but darker and more intimate. Breathier vocals, space to feel something, a bit of moodiness and a bit of tension. I love building worlds that feel soft but still hit heavy.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I work full-time in a completely unrelated field, so honestly music is my creative outlet. But, I think just living – going out, meeting new personalities, feeling everything in real time. That’s what keeps me inspired. Nightlife, conversations, heartbreak, healing…all of it gives me something to say when I sit down to create.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
Alina Baraz is a huge one – the way she builds mood and space in her music really shaped how I approach my own sound. Summer Walker and Sabrina Claudio are big names that I find myself going back to a lot too. I’m more influenced by how artists like them make you feel something without singing or saying too much. Tone, refrain and space can say just as much.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
Finishing my debut album, IN RETROSPECT, will always be a core memory. I spent over a year and a half working on it at home. Just me, figuring things out as I went. From day one of starting music to the release of that project was a 3 year journey, and it pushed everything that I had – songwriting, production and patience. Performing it live, especially at The Night Cat (my Melbourne people will know this venue), was surreal. That stage had seen so many artists I looked up to, and to stand on it with something I made from scratch felt so full circle.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
That no one’s going to hand you the validation that you’re waiting for. You have to believe in what you’re doing, even when it feels like no one’s watching. Also, that taking your time is okay. Growth isn’t always loud, and sometimes the quiet seasons are where your best work gets built.
Now onto your release, “CLOSER/HARDER.” What inspired this song? What is “CLOSER/HARDER” about?
This song came from that place where love, need, and fear blur together – where you’re desperate for closeness, but the moment it feels too real, something in you panics or pulls back. That kind of emotional whiplash has always been part of how I experience connection. It’s tender and volatile at the same time which is what makes it real.
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “CLOSER/HARDER?”
I wanted the cover to feel raw, like you just caught me in a moment I wasn’t expecting to share. The setting (my apartment shower) is a place that feels both exposed and private, like a pressure cooker for emotion. The way I’m holding my t-shirt, there is a mix of control and surrender – like I’m choosing to show you something, but not everything. This tension is part of the world that “CLOSER/HARDER” lives in.
What was the creative process like when making “CLOSER/HARDER?”
It kicked off with just a bassline and drum pattern – nothing overthought, just something that felt right. The writing came very quickly because the emotional ground of the track was only sitting just beneath the surface for me. From there, everything was so natural: the synth layers, the harmonies, all the sonic textures that give the song weight and mood. The switch-up at the end came last and wasn’t planned initially, but I knew the track needed a shift, like a mood swing you don’t see coming. I think it’s one of my favourite production moments so far and it took everything so much deeper.
How long did it take to complete “CLOSER/HARDER?”
Two days from start to finish. It poured out of me so fast, which is rare and only happens when I know I have something solid. Some songs take months or even up to a year for me, but this one hit hard and clear from the start. When it’s real like that, you don’t need to force it.
What is your favorite lyric in “CLOSER/HARDER” and why?
“Say you need me, cross that line” hands down. There’s something electric about the tension in that line. It’s craving and a challenge all in one. I’m saying “are you willing to risk the safety of distance just to feel something real with me?”
What do you hope fans take away from “CLOSER/HARDER” and your music in general?
Honestly, I just hope it makes people feel seen – especially the parts of themselves that they usually hide. My music lives in the grey areas, especially this new era of me: craving love but fearing it, wanting control but also surrendering. If just one person listens and feels less alone in that chaos, then I’ve done what I came to do.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
“CLOSER/HARDER” is just the beginning of a larger world that I’ve been building behind the scenes. The next project is well and truly in motion, and it dives even deeper into the emotional tension, chaos, and intimacy that this song touches on. I’ll keep the details close for now, but just know that this is only the first hit of what’s coming.
Where can we follow you on social media?
You can find me on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qeeeran
Twitter/X: https://x.com/iamqeeran
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
