Not too far from now....

...we will have an interview with Stir Friday Night. I'm intrigued to see the struggles that Asian American actors have faced. I'd like to know if they're comedy has hit either a good tone or a bad tone from other Asian Americans. Why would it be bad when they're doing something good? Well, surprisingly, sometimes people perceive comedy in a negative aspect and some might actually view some of the sketches performed by Stir Friday Night as an incorrect depiction of Asian American lifestyles - saying, "we're nothing like that!" However, that's the work of art at its finest - to be able to initiate those thoughts. So, I'm looking forward to getting the crew's feedback about things like this.

...myspace.com has created connections with future interviews. There are communications in the works and right now we have some good prospects arising. "That Asian Thing" has discovered the music of Cynthia Lin - a singer/songwriter in the genre of acoustic jazz and folk. Her easy style and smooth playing reminds people of Joni Mitchell. She responded to one of my emails and enclosed these thoughts about what we need to do as Asian Americans to make a bigger impact:




CYNTHIA LIN WROTE:

"1. let the culture change – this is purely a matter of time. you see more and more young Asian Americans pursuing untraditional careers, and as the 2nd generation gets older, we’ll become the role models for the next generation, who’ll take more risks and make a bigger impact and create more role models, and so on.

2. increase the support network – in my own experience, young Asian Americans are the biggest supporters of other Asian American artists. they understand the struggle, and they understand how important their support is for the future of Asian Americans in the mainstream American culture. building the support network will encourage more risk taking and more ventures to gain visibility.

3. get Asian Americans into the decision-making positions – perhaps this is a matter of time as well. in both the arts and in politics, the few Asian Americans involved and visible are relatively young. as they gain experience and clout, they will be in more powerful decision-making positions."

Hopefully we'll hold an interview with her in the near future.

...we will be holding an interview session with Stephen Munoz. He is also a singer/songwriter. Stephen does solo stuff but also performs with the band, Midstates. I'm excited to see the takes of these solo Asian American artists - who perform in a realm where it is majority caucasian. I'd like to know what they're reception has been by non-Asian Americans and what things they have faced with record companies that try to market them as this Asian entity (without the American part). I'm sure Stephen has thoughts about Asian American art within music and the perception of "selling out" cause he's not a rapper or R&B singer. So, "That Asian Thing" is psyched to meet up with Munoz and grab a little acoustic session on film as well.

...and even more to come later...