It's been transformative! I am a Scorpio and we are notoriously impatient and I have definitely learned a lot about patience during the pandemic. I also moved to LA from NYC so that was a big change. I started working from home which I initially hated and had cabin fever but I feel like I've settled into the lifestyle now. I feel like I can't complain! I have been blessed in many ways and in better spirits now that the world is returning back to normal.

 

 

I've never called myself a prodigy! I have an affinity toward music but prodigy may be a stretch haha! My mom pushed me to take violin and piano lessons as it's kind of a tradition in Chinese culture. Many Chinese parents feel that children should be well-rounded and playing musical instruments trains the brain to think in different ways and there is actually research behind this! My favorite was guitar because I found it easier to sing pop music with it. I also enjoyed the flute but I definitely couldn't sing with that one!

 

 

I really looked up to Britney Spears when I was a child but this was never something I thought I would make a reality just because I wasn't raised in a family where anyone had made a career out of creative work. When I was a senior in college, I only interviewed at companies that had New York locations because I thought to myself, when I am brave enough to pursue this, I'll be in the right city. I took a job at a corporation in NYC and just felt I was in the wrong place and I had a life purpose to create music but I tried to convince myself that it was just a dream. I told myself to be who my family wanted me to be. I thought that working at a startup would solve the problem because maybe I just wasn't in the right environment. I tried that and I still felt a calling to music that I had to pursue or I would never be happy in life. I took some time off of work to fully focus on music and now I am working in tech alongside my music career.

 

 

Absolutely! I studied Operations and Information Management and minored in Economics which is basically studied business and technology. Those skills are important to have to be successful in music. Everything is digital and understanding data and analytics allows you to understand your audience.   Working in business has allowed me to grow my network of professionals and also work on the tech side of entertainment. I actually didn't want to go to college. I wanted to be a musician but I was 16 when I graduated high school and my parents were like, "haha funny joke" ...so I went. Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if I started younger but I also feel more grounded now than I was at that age and I also have so many life and business skills from having another career.

 

 

I've started to become a stronger songwriter and performer. I've gained more confidence in my ability to write and not run out of ideas. I have also become more comfortable on stage and connecting with an audience. I've gotten better at producing music videos and have a clearer vision of who I am as an artist. I think in life we always grow so there's more to come and more to do!

 

 

My sound is fun, bubbly, and sassy. This current project and my next few releases will have retro, disco vibes. I love making music with a high BPM and a nice beat that drives the song.

 

What do you want people to take away from it?

 

I always write from my heart and even if my sound is light-hearted and fun, there is always a deeper meaning behind the lyrics. I wrote "Trophy Girl" as an EP but may release each song as singles. That project was about feeling free from needing to be perfect for someone. Overall, I want people to feel empowered and I want to show people that you can be capable of doing a 9-5 job but also have creative passions outside of work and be brave enough to pursue them. You don't have to fit into anyone's mold.

 

 

I don't have anyone person I would say inspires my fashion and it's constantly changing but I follow fashion designers. I really love Jacquemus, Vetements and Gucci. I like things that are colorful and unique and sometimes a little weird but in the best way. Jacquemus plays around with different shapes and asymmetry and makes really beautiful pieces. I love that Vetements played such a big role in bringing regular everyday brands like Champion into the high fashion space. And Gucci has great statement pieces that are fun yet classy.

 

 

I am releasing more music! I am excited to perform live again and to hopefully tour soon as well. I am designing more merch and there will be some classic things like hoodies and shirts but also higher-end pieces as well.