Not quite American or Australian nor Filipino enough, Rini talks about the immigrant experience and a potential Philippine tour

Born Justerini Sandoval, Filipino Australian artist Rini is best known for his hit songs “My Favorite Clothes,” “Meet Me in Amsterdam,” and “Aphrodite.” His laid-back, subtle R&B sound coupled with his all-too-relatable lyricism have made him a comfortable listen for both heartbroken teens and downtrodden adults.

His latest EP “Lucky 7” takes inspiration from his musical journey that’s been defined by audacious risk-taking and continuous hustling—from busking around Melbourne and hesitantly releasing and performing his own music, to pursuing his artistry full-time and moving to Los Angeles to better grow as a musician.

Here, we caught up with Rini ahead of his PLUS63 Festival performance last weekend where we chatted about a potential Philippine tour, what his craft means to him, and his experience as an immigrant.

READ: Tyler, The Creator to perform in Manila this September

It’s your first time back in the Philippines since 2023. How’s it feel being back home?

Just being back home and the atmosphere, it brings me back to my life here growing up. It makes me feel nostalgic. 

So it’s not only your first performance of the year, but it’s also your first festival ever and it’s here in the Philippines. That sounds like the perfect start to 2025.  

Honestly, when we found out we were going to the festival, I was really happy, because we’re also going on tour straight after this. Everything kind of lined up perfectly. After we finish here, we fly out to Brisbane and then do the Australian tour. It’s meant to be.

After you run in Australia, are there any plans for an Asian tour?

We’re working on it right now. From what I’ve heard from my management, they’re currently working on locking in shows. But yeah I think definitely towards the middle of this year. I’m even suggesting doing a bunch of cities here in the Philippines, so a couple in Luzon, Visayas, and then of course in Mindanao.

Also, congratulations again on the release of “Lucky 7.” Can you walk us through the album and what it’s generally about?

“Lucky 7” is about my personal growth. Since I moved out to LA from Australia, I’ve experienced so many things, like personally, relationship-wise, and in my career. The album represents an embodiment of that past and the artist I’m growing into—like this new sound and how I’m exploring new stuff artistically as well. 

It’s also not the full picture yet because “Lucky 7” is only an EP and I’ve been working on a bigger project.

“Lucky 7” talks about your story and how you’ve bet on yourself and your career. Are you still betting on and putting yourself out there, or are you now sitting back and reaping the rewards?

Definitely, I’m always gonna be in that mode. My career—being artists, especially considering the standards in the industry today, it’s all at risk. I don’t know anything else but music, I love it, and I’m going to be doing it forever. I’m putting my all into this thing. And whatever happens, happens. If it goes crazy, it goes crazy, but if not, then I’m still going to be happy because I did what I wanted to do and it’s something that I love doing.

You’ve talked about your realization that you get left behind if you don’t hustle. So with discussions surrounding topics like mental health, depression, and burnout, is there a balance to it? How do you do it yourself? 

I like to take breaks from music. There will be months where I literally won’t make any music. Maybe I’ll play my guitar a couple of times, and try to work on something else, but I generally try to stay away from writing and making songs. 

And then once I start to feel I want to go back to the studio and start making music again, all the inspirations come. It’s easier to write. It’s easier to make music. It gives me a little bit more to talk about.

Any advice for young aspiring musicians?

Believe in yourself. That’s the one thing I wish I did more. Especially because when I moved to LA, there were a lot of voices coming from different places saying I should do this, do that. But it doesn’t really matter. It’s all about what you want to do. And if what you’re making sounds good to you, then that’s all that matters. I think Rick Rubin said something like ‘You’re, you’re the first listener, so you have to like the music that you make.’ 

So the immigrant experience can be described as feeling not quite American or Australian because you’re different, but at the same time, you’re also not quite Filipino anymore. Is that something you’ve felt? How did you come to terms with it?

I spent half of my life here in the Philippines. I know what it’s like. But, it’s definitely tough being stuck in between. What I absorbed growing up was different from the culture when I went to the States and when I went to Australia. I didn’t know how to deal with that but eventually, I found the balance and it’s all about being yourself. I’m proud of being Filipino and I’m always gonna represent the culture no matter where I go.