Public Library Commute

New Jersey-native singer, songwriter, and producer Conrad Hsiang, professionally known as Public Library Commute, mentions industry heavyweights like Kanye West, King Krule, and a twist of Hawaiian folk as inspiration for the songs he created in his bedroom.

Public Library Commute is continuing to create a unique space for himself within the Alternative Indie Pop scene. With the release of his 1000 Summers EP, Hsiang showcases his true musicality, with at-home production and lo-fi beats being the backbone of his captivating tracks. Public Library Commute says about the EP:

‘‘1000 Summers was inspired by summers spent in my hometown, Mountain Lakes, NJ. I wrote from experience – '25mph' is kind of a funny story, detailing my frustration with 25mph main roads in my town. Nostalgia is a big thing for me. When building the world of the EP, I looked to 1970s architecture magazines, David Hockney’s romantic Californian imagery, film photography. The EP artwork is directly inspired by Hockney’s 'Portrait of an Artist (Pool With Two Figures)' from 1972. I finished writing this EP right before I moved to Los Angeles in September of 2020. It sort of exists as an ode to NJ in that sense. The last piece of music I wrote at home.”

Hsiang’s moniker, Public Library Commute, was inspired by his drives to work at the local library. His music career started from the standpoint of a producer, working with other alternative artists before creating for himself. Over time, honing in on his individual sound, Hsiang developed his craft as a triple-threat producer, singer, and songwriter. The East coast native made the big leap to LA in order to pursue his music full time, a city he admits he’s idolized since the start of his career. Upon his arrival, he continues to produce and write for the likes of SURFACES, Healy, and many others.