A London-based singer, songwriter, musician and producer whose work explores themes of identity, heritage and self-discovery. Drawing from her Thai-British background and global upbringing, she creates music that bridges cultures through soulful soundscapes and introspective storytelling.
The emerging singer, songwriter and musician, unveils her upcoming single, Do You Still Know How to Pray?, a deeply introspective track exploring cultural identity through the lens of a “third culture kid” and self-described “cultural chameleon.” Born and raised in Hong Kong and of Thai-British heritage, Denquar blends rich, soulful vocals with the ambient sounds of rural Thailand. The single draws on the memory of Buddhist prayer as a symbolic practice — a way of reconnecting with and preserving the inner child.
With a rich and diverse musical journey, Denquar began performing at just 18 in Hong Kong Disneyland’s acclaimed show The Golden Mickeys. She went on to spend over a decade as a jazz vocalist across Asia’s most prestigious venues, including Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, Park Hyatt Seoul, Grand Hyatt Tokyo, and Island Shangri-La Hong Kong. With further performances in theatres across the UK and London, she now turns her story inward—transforming years of experience into a bold new musical chapter.
Denquar cites a diverse range of influences, including Lauryn Hill, Raveena, D’Angelo, Samm Henshaw and Moonchild, alongside traditional Gamelan and Thai music.
Describe the moment you knew that you wanted to pursue music:
My late father had a jazz club in Phuket made out of bamboo. He had built a stage with sound equipment, microphones, monitors and instruments. I was about 7, and I remember the first time I got up and sang "Sha la la la la in the morning" into the microphone, on stage. This was before the bar opened, and he would be cleaning the tables and getting the bar ready for customers. I have a brilliant photograph of this moment. This is when I knew I belonged on stage and that I wanted to be a singer.
How does your heritage impact your art?
I was born in Hong Kong, lived in Phuket, Thailand for the first 4 years of my life, and then spent the rest of my life in Hong Kong before moving to London later in my adult life until now. I went to local Chinese schools growing up and can speak Cantonese, Thai and English fluently. I feel I have developed a sense of "blending in and out of cultures" when I comes to revisiting the places I've lived, like what I like to call a "cultural chameleon". We cannot deny that the places we’ve lived shape who we are and how we feel the world. Cultural identity exists on a spectrum, and where we fall on it can shift over time. In my time so far on this earth, I have been reflecting on my cultural identity very deeply.
While doing so, I am lucky enough to use music as a means of expressing and exploring who I am, and thus, influencing the way I hear creativity. I make use of Guzheng, Erhu and other gamelan instruments in the sonic soundscape of my arrangements as well as field recordings from my village in Thailand. In fact, if you listen carefully, you can hear the chickens from my village. All these sounds and senses are from my real life experiences and I like to showcase this through musical storytelling.
What moment are you most proud of in your music journey so far?
I am proud of this very moment. Everything in the past (though I am really proud of too), has brought me here, to this every time of my life where I can unleash the amount of depth I feel for my exploration as an artist. If I should add further, I am proud of the willingness to try different genres, stages, performance styles, other skills and crafts (dance and acting) previously in my life. It has opened up channels in my expression that has informed my process of creation.
Your next music goal:
I am due to release the first single of my new sound, 'Do You Still Know How To Pray?', which I co-produce. I then plan to solely produce the next singles of my album all by myself.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who and why?
I would love to collaborate with Samm Henshaw, he is an incredible Gospel/Soul artist whose music is so organic and authentic. I like the production of his music and the songwriting. It has inspired me in my own sound.
Your favourite song/lyrics:
"Now hear this mixture, where Hip Hop meets scripture (uh)
Develop a negative into a positive picture"
(Everything is Everything - Lauryn Hill)
Lauryn Hill was so poetically gritty yet soulfully witty. She embodied female empowerment but also kept it real. I love her style and use of rhyme. If you listen to her melodic math, you'll hear she's a real genius with words.
3 songs you're listening to right now:
i love me - Joy Rhodes
Distance - Emily King
How Does It Feel - Samm Henshaw
Your community shout out:
Raveena (@raveena_aurora) and Laufey (@laufey). And I want to shout out to the "Third Culture Community" Or "Third Culture Kids" out there!
Anything else you'd like to share:
My single, 'Do You Still Know How To Pray?' was released April 3rd!
CHAMPIONING ASIAN HERITAGE IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
Across West to East Asian heritages - We aim to shatter stereotypes and help build bridge between genres, languages and sub regions. Evolving the definition of what being an Asian in the Western music scene entails.
We also have a strong focus on supporting and developing our community in the UK grassroots live scene. With 30 shows to date with 100+ artists on our stages.
