Home-grown singer and songwriter Joie Tan grew up around music, so it is something she naturally gravitates towards.

Her father wrote songs for a Hindu temple and seeing him compose music when she was a child inspired her to follow in his footsteps.

"I would sit in when he used to pencil words down. Because as a kid, you think songs just magically appear, but when it's personal, it's your father, then it becomes like a very magical thing."

The 23-year-old artist, who recently released her debut album, Joie, kicks off the fourth season of ST Sessions, The Straits Times' online video series featuring rising talents in the local music scene.

The list of acts that have been featured includes folk/pop singer Gentle Bones in the first season (2015), neo-soul singer Charlie Lim in the second season (2015 to 2016) and indie band Take Two, now known as M1ldl1fe, in the third season (2016 to 2017).

While previous seasons featured the acts performing stripped-down sets live, the new episodes follow the artists around as they prepare for their concerts.

In the episode with Tan, she is seen performing original songs such as sensual pop-funk tune Just A Little Bit, tender ballad Right Here, Right Now and R&B number You at her album launch show at the Esplanade Annexe Studio on April 11.

There is also footage of her backstage, conversing with her band and stage crew, as well as scenes of her getting ready in the dressing room.

She picked up instruments such as the tabla and drums as a child, and started putting up music videos of cover songs on YouTube when she was 14.

Over the years, Tan, who graduated with a degree in music from Lasalle College of the Arts, has performed at music festivals here, including the Esplanade's Mosaic and 100 Bands. She has also been involved in projects such as The Great Singapore Replay, an initiative last year by the National Arts Council and investment company Temasek that saw emerging and established artists redo classic Singapore songs.

ST Sessions' fourth season is part of a series of digital video programmes produced in a partnership between the Info-communications Media Development Authority of Singapore and Singapore Press Holdings.

Besides Tan, the season will also feature seven other acts, including electronic pop singer St Humain and synth-pop band Strangerfox.

• View the video at www.straitstimes.com/videos