We were lucky to catch up with Rebekka Ling recently and have shared our conversation below.
Rebekka , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?
First off, thank you for having me! Grateful for our connection and happy to be back on here.
Interest topic, have I or has my work ever been misunderstood.
I think, as a female artist and songwriter you can easily be mischaracterized by the business as well as the audience.
Often we get asked about our cultural and musical background. Being a European indonesianwoman makes it already a significant difference, when performing in the genre of soul music. On top of that I am singing in a niche of jazz crossover that is also still quite rare. Often when people hear my voice they don’t expect a petite Asian lady behind it haha.
I am happy that my music has reached a growing audience and day one fans that are still very supportive and enthusiastic. And my band has performed at a couple of wonderful established festivals and venues.
Most important thing for artists like me is to stay true to your art and write songs close to your nature.
Rebekka , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Thank you for having me on the Canvas Rebel platform!
My name is Rebekka Ling, I’m a singer, songwriter, musician, and music teacher based in Amsterdam. With Asian-European heritage and Indonesian roots, my music is shaped by a blend of cultures and a deep love for soulful expression.
Music has been part of my life from a young age—I grew up in a musical home, playing instruments and singing since I can remember. I’ve always been drawn to soul and gospel, as well as the timeless energy of artists, bands and songwriters from the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to perform at a variety of jazz festivals and pop venues and appear on both national and international radio. And even take my music overseas, including two performances in Texas, USA. I’ve collaborated across genres with artists from around the world and toured as a backing vocalist with various musicians.
My debut album Travel Light, along with songs like ‘Be Alright’ and ‘Keep Rising’, reflect my desire to create music that uplifts and touches hearts. Alongside performing, I work with children and young people, helping them discover their own talent and voice in music. For me, it’s all about connection—through sound, through story, and through the shared emotions that make us human.
So that’s a bit of my personal story of my journey.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A lesson I had to learn is to not overthink and overcritize. If you want to make something from a pure and authentic starting point yet you try to constantly perfect it, some gems may get lost in the process. And it won’t reach the listener as much as it would have. Also career wise, I still stand by staying of value and maybe therefore less ‘seen’/heard instead being for easy grabs to everyone. The story and touching hearts is also of much more importance to me. It’s exciting when new fans just discover you and your older work still sounds fresh to them. I love that
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes, there is a deep mission at the heart of everything I create. As a singer and songwriter rooted in soul, jazz, and gospel, my goal has always been to touch hearts and uplift spirits. I want my music to be a companion through all the seasons of life whether someone is in a place of joy, heartbreak, growth, or stillness.
For me, it’s about creating songs that people can feel, that remind them they’re not alone in what they’re going through. We all face challenges, doubts, and moments of light, and I believe music has a unique power to bridge those human experiences. I hope my work can offer encouragement, healing, and a sense of connection—not just to the music, but to each other.
Although my lyrics often have a poetic flow, it’s still based on raw emotion and realness I experienced myself in day to day life
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Linktr.ee/rebekkalingmusic
- Instagram: Https://www.instagram.com/rebekka_music
- Facebook: Https://www.facebook.com/Rebekkalingmusic
- Twitter: @rebekkalingmusic
- Youtube: https://Youtube.com/rebekkalingmusic
- Other: https://music.apple.com/nl/artist/rebekka-ling/536168893
Image Credits
Photo credits:
Glenn Gaddum jr.
Manja Stroomer