Sasha Jost is a rising artist to watch in the indie music scene. She made her debut as a singer under the name Cupnoodle, launching her first album, Yum — a concept that intrigues from the moment you hear it.

A Thai-German artist who fell in love with music at a young age, Sasha once described herself as shy and deeply fearful. Yet her fear of never pursuing her dream outweighed everything else. She chose the path of music, committing herself to learning every discipline it demanded. That determination led her confidently into her career as a singer, with a sound as assured and distinctive as her artistic identity.

Speaking to #legend_th, Sasha explains that she sees music much like instant noodles: flavourful, accessible and endlessly versatile, with no fixed rules. The metaphor mirrors her own approach to songwriting. Drawn to many musical styles, she channels that range into her work, expressing emotions through multiple forms rather than a single sound.

#legend_th: Tell us how you came up with the name Cupnoodle.

SJ: At the time, I felt that cup noodles were a bit like butterflies. The noodles have to sit in hot water before they bloom and become delicious. A butterfly starts as a caterpillar and waits inside its cocoon before it emerges. That felt very similar to me as a child. I was extremely shy. I loved singing, but I never told anyone. My family knew, but no one at school did. One day, I pushed myself out of that shell and became who I am today. Some people feel surprised when they see me singing with a cart in public — I don’t look shy at all. But as a child, I really was. I used to ask people to turn their backs before I sang. From then to now, owning my own cart, I’ve come a long way.

#legend_th: What pushed you to step out of your comfort zone?

SJ: I remember wanting to sing karaoke, but I would wait until everyone looked away before asking for the microphone. Then a friend’s aunt said to me, “If you want to sing, just sing. If you keep being shy, you’ll never do what you want.” That really hit me. I thought, am I going to stay shy until I’m 80? Is that really what I want? I realised everyone else sang without anything bad happening — it was all in my head. No one should stop me. I picked up the microphone, and I never put it down again (laughs).

#legend_th: Why cup noodles — and why a cart?

SJ: I love music. Music is my life. It doesn’t matter what my singing style is — my passion, my obsession is music. I enjoy every genre and learn from all of them. Cup noodles come in many flavours, and the music I want to share does too. I don’t want people to box me into a single genre. I studied music production, music technology and vocal performance, so it feels like creating new flavours of my own. As for the cart, it represents Bangkok street culture. I love how direct, real and street-level it feels. It also symbolises the grind of being an artist — doing everything yourself. That’s why it feels completely true to who I am.

#legend_th: Which Cupnoodle song best reflects your life in London?

SJ: Therapist, definitely. I released it two or three years ago, during a time when I spent a lot of time alone. I was learning about myself and how to heal. The song began as folk, because I was deeply into that genre at the time, then gradually evolved into rock and blues. Living in London exposed me to so many musical experiences. I discovered a wide range of influences, and all of that shaped who I am today.

#legend_th: Is there anyone you would especially like to collaborate with?

SJ: I’d love to collaborate with Na Polycat one day. He’s one Thai artist I already listen to a lot, and I really admire his work.

#legend_th: Why did you choose the album title Yum?

SJ: It comes from the “flavour” of the music. I wanted to present an album that doesn’t stick to just one style. Across the six tracks on Yum, you’ll hear everything from ballad, jazz and R&B to pop, EDM and hip-hop — all with different tastes. I think listeners today are smart and have diverse musical preferences. This album feels like the truest reflection of who I am, so I wanted to offer that variety.

#legend_th: If not on a stage, where would you most like to perform live?

SJ: I’m very open to different kinds of spaces. I’ve already taken my cart to Banthat Thong Road. But if I had to picture my dream location, it would be a helicopter landing pad.

#legend_th: Share a three-song playlist for lonely days.

SJ: May I recommend my own song? (laughs) Tango is perfect for lonely mornings when you can’t quite get out of bed and need a boost of energy — it will wake you up, guaranteed. Next is Close to You by The Carpenters. It’s gentle and comforting, though it might make you feel less lonely — or perhaps even lonelier. Sometimes, we want to lean into that feeling. The last song is Cry Me a River by Julie London. I’ve sung this one countless times; it used to be my go-to song when I performed. It’s a jazz classic that can deepen the loneliness just enough to push you to step outside and seek a little adventure.

#legend_th: If you could go back to your early days of making music, what would you tell yourself?

SJ: I’d remind myself that the result lives in the process. You have to keep creating and letting go in order to understand who you are. You can’t know in advance who you want to become, what you want to say, or how your voice will connect with people. Over the past four or five years, I’ve released more than ten songs. I experimented, accepted that not everyone would like my work, and never expected any track to become a hit. I didn’t create to meet anyone else’s expectations — I made what I wanted to make. Trust the process. Don’t obsess over the destination. Build your own path and walk it with pride.

#legend_th: How do you see yourself in five years?

SJ: I hope I’ll still be active — with another five albums, more concerts and tours, and even closer connections with listeners. I don’t plan too far ahead, but I know I’ll keep doing this, continuously, without stopping.

#legend_th: How do you find inspiration?

SJ: I think there are so many musicians and artists out there who are overflowing with talent and inspiration. Sometimes simply listening to new music, discovering artists who spark something in me, visiting exhibitions or reading books can unlock fresh ideas. I truly believe life is too short to make every album you dream of. I want to create albums across every style. Music genuinely inspires how I live my life, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be doing this.

#legend_th: Which genre do you find most challenging?

SJ: When it comes to singing, I enjoy every genre. But one style I find especially challenging is luk thung. It demands a very high level of skill and so many specific techniques. I’ll give it a go when the time is right (laughs).

#legend_th: Which song from your album do you like the most?

SJ: That’s a difficult one. Songs feel like children — you love them all equally. I think most artists would say the same. After finishing each track, I always feel like this one is my favourite. In the end, I love them all. That said, Tango is my favourite to produce, peace of mind is the one I most enjoy listening to in the car, and Ketchup (Catch Up) is the most fun to perform live.

#legend_th: Any final words you’d like to share about your music?

SJ: Thank you to everyone who has followed my journey so far. You can find my music on all online platforms and streaming services, with more releases coming regularly. You can also follow me on Instagram at @cupnoodlemusic, which is my main channel for updates and new work.