Q&A with 2025 NewSong Finalist Alex Sheh

Alex Sheh is a singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. His music blends elements of jazz, blues, folk, and pop. His soulful vocals and expressive guitar playing create a warm and inviting atmosphere for listeners. Whether playing original music or timeless classics, Alex brings passion and depth to every performance. He believes in the power of music to share our stories and uplift each other.

 

Alex and and 7 other finalists will gather in Asheville on December 11 to perform at the 24th annual NewSong Competition.

 

 

 

Alex Sheh: My parents love music and singing. Mandarin pop music would be playing in the house and they often hosted karaoke parties with their friends. My older sister, an actress and a big fan of musical theater, introduced me to Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and others. I remember listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Jobim, the Oldies station, and Top 40.

 

 

My music journey started with classical piano and violin lessons as a child. Then I started learning guitar in seventh grade and everything changed – I became very focused on music and started writing songs shortly after. I sang in choirs through high school and participated in the Madrigal choir, which deepened my love for songs. I received my Bachelor’s in music composition from U.C. San Diego, where I studied classical guitar and piano. After graduating, I took private lessons in voice and jazz guitar. Later, I would study jazz piano, bass, and drums.

 

 

My first song that I was proud of is called “So Easy.” It was the first song that I wrote, at 13 years old, when my technique was limited. Everything about music felt new and exciting, and it was written instinctively, in a flash of inspiration. It was a song that my friends and family loved, and I loved seeing them connect with the music. This was when I caught the songwriting bug.

 

 

 

My writing process is to improvise the vocal melody while accompanying myself on guitar or piano. Sometimes a specific guitar or piano part will appear first and influence the melody, but they are developed together. I compose by singing and playing into a DAW, so that I can let the ideas flow freely and then listen back and review the material. I sing improvised lyrics when writing, sometimes gibberish, but often these improvised lyrics reveal where the song should go. The music is completed first, and then the lyrics are finalized after. Song ideas can come from many places — my own experiences and learnings, stories that my friends and family share about their lives, music that I love, movies, etc. When I feel emotionally connected to a subject, then I search for the song and try to stay true to its emotional center.

 

 

My biggest musical adventure this summer was initiated by my piano teacher, Julie Bonk, who is also a great songwriter. She suggested that I participate in the RealPeopleRealSongs Challenge, a 12-week songwriting challenge led by Cary Cooper, an accomplished songwriter who gives back to the songwriting community through her mentorship. Every Sunday we received a one-word prompt that we would use to write and record a song that week. I learned so much through this challenge. The weekly deadline helped me push through limiting beliefs and awaken the songwriter within me.  I met many talented songwriters through this group, and learned from them by observing how they approached each prompt both musically and lyrically.