I’m not a musician. I’m a writer. But I love music.

I’m a huge fan of classic Asian instruments and music.

I’ve also enjoyed and supported the music of tons of Asian American musicians over the past decade, and one thing I’ve noticed is that Asian American music doesn’t exist.

Don’t get me wrong. A lot of the Asian American musicians I’ve supported are very talented and good at what they do, and there is nothing wrong with Asians loving hip hop, jazz, rock, etc. But aside from putting an Asian face and name on the music and the occasional reference to rice cookers in their lyrics or use of Asian language in their singing, there’s nothing really Asian American about the music itself. Just close your eyes and listen and you’ll find that there’s nothing in what you hear that screams Asian American.

I’ve always sought out fusion music. Even when I was romping around Asia immersed in their pop music culture, I was especially drawn to any song that used traditional Asian instruments in them. Sadly, those types of music were always the exception and not the rule.

In the mainstream, the only Asian American that I’ve heard actually integrating some Asian styles into music is Mike Shinoda. Again, though, it’s only an occasionally added flavor instead of the core of the music. The only place that I can get Asian fusion of some sort on a regular basis is from the world music genre, but much of it is just slightly altered traditional music. Sometimes they just add a dance beat to it and call it fusion.

Given this particular taste for Asian fusion music that I have, my reaction to hearing the songs from the band Random Ninjas was:

“I’ve been waiting to hear this music all my life.”

What I love about their music is that it shoves Asian American down your throat.

I’ve often been ridiculed by non-Asians for listening to the twingy twangy traditional Asian music that I developed a taste for as a little girl who learned cultural dances and watched kung fu movies, but that’s expected, right? In my experience, caucasian men were especially rude and cruel in their jeers.

What’s surprising is I’ve also been criticized by Asian Americans for it.

“Don’t you think you’re promoting a stereotype of us?” one Asian American peer had said to me after I performed a sword dance to some classic Chinese music in college. As you can imagine, I felt really upset that I wasn’t allowed to love and be a avid fan of my own cultural heritage.

My current favorite Random Ninjas song right now happens to be “Go” on their newly released E.P. It starts out with some unassuming, minimalistic shamisen which picks up a little momentum and then surprisingly bursts out into full on heavy in-your-face metal. I just imagine all those people who make fun of traditional Asian music being taken off guard by the sudden attack of Asian American rock guitars, and it makes me smile with a vengence. This music gives me hope for the evolution of Asian American music.

Currently the band just finished shooting a new music video that should be out within the next month. They’ve got a show coming up at the legendary Whisky A Go Go on Sunset.

Lots of band bios claim that they have a “fresh” new sound. This band actually delivers.

If you know of any other fusion music, send it my way. I’m always looking for new music.

1) Shai Hulud - That Within Blood Ill-Tempered

A staple in my car. Smart hardcore–smart chords, smart licks, smart lyrics. What other band can get away with screaming, “YOU WERE ONCE A GENTLEMAN”?

2) Mandy Moore - Wild Hope

Mandy is so hardcore.

3) mewithoutYou - Brother Sister

The harp makes my spine tingle.

The following cd’s are being played in my car right now:

1. The Beatles - “1″

“Lady Madonna” is the perfect feel good Saturday morning track, and then the very next track “Hey Jude” is a classic. You’ll be singing “na na na na na na na” by the end.

2. Bloc Party - “Silent Alarm”

I love Bloc Party, exclamation mark. Their drummer, Matt Tong, makes me into analogue drums again. The sound captured in “Silent Alarm” is pretty much what I would have hoped for Red Team Go! Standout tracks include everything.

3. Angels and Airwaves - “I - Empire”

Tons of great atmospheric rock. If U2 died in the 80’s and reincarnated in time for the 21st century, this is what they would’ve sounded like. I’m definitely impressed Tom. Track #8 “True Love” and #4 “Love Like Rockets” are my favorites.

How goes it, fam..

If there is something we do to pass the time besides scrounging for change or taking naps at the park, it’s mastering our pop-locking skills. As you know, the street performance biz is the best way to make that money on the curb…

That is why this week we have chosen Kaba Modern on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew as our pick of the week. You can learn a few moves from these crazy cats…

After searching the USA for the most talented dance crews, MTV has selected twelve groups to compete for a huge cash prize and coveted touring contract. Kaba Modern represents one of two crews from the west coast.

The six members that comprise the team are a representation of a bigger dance crew that originated at the University of California, Irvine back in 1992. The Kaba Modern crew has since been making a name for themselves in the global underground dance scene including a first place win in the USA World Hip-Hop Championship. With their past two performances, we can definitely see why…

You can check them and competition on MTV, Thursday nights @ 10pm ET/PT.

Now, if we could only master the Kid n’ Play routine…

To show your support:

Vote online at the MTV website: dancecrew.mtv.com
Kaba Modern Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kabamodern
Kaba Modern Website: http://www.kabamodern.com/

I wake up every morning and browse thru my list of blogs & videos.
To my surprise, I didn’t come across this video until I read Prohgress’ entry at FMonYourDial.com

Takashi Murakami x Kanye West (Good Morning MV @ MOCA Exhibition)

You will recognize Murakami art on Kanye’s Graduation album.
For those who missed the exhibition, you can watch it all on MOCAlosangeles YouTube.

An Exhibition Tour with Takashi Murakami - Part 1-8

Marc Jacobs on Takashi Murakami

Murakami x MOCA: http://www.moca.org/murakami/

From our friends at Evil Monito.
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Calling all LA sneaker heads

If you’ve ever felt like you know what changes should be made to a sneaker at a major brand, then this is your chance to give your input and get paid! We are looking to put together a focus group in Los Angeles consisting of sneaker savvy, fashion forward people. We are looking for:

1. Both Male & Female
2. Ages between 14 and 28
3. Individuals who spend between $65 or $90 on a pair of sneakers

If this sounds like you please email your name, email address, and phone number to sneakergroup@gmail.com. Please feel free to forward this to anyone you know that fits the profile. We will be contacting everyone this week February 11th to February 15th and make our selections by February 18th.

http://evilmonito.com

Almost Famous (dir. Cameron Crowe), is almost my favorite movie of all time. It’s definitely my favorite music related movie. It’s a semi-fictional story based upon the director’s life himself. While parts are definitely made up or embellished, other amazing facts remain true (for example Crowe really was a teenage kid writing for Rollingstone magazine, covering bands such as Led Zeppelin and The Allman Brothers Band).

Anyways, I bring it up because 1. It’s a great movie. 2. A specific scene has always haunted me.

Somewhere within the first half of the film, the main character Will meets with seasoned rock critic Lester Bangs (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman). The script is as follows:

BANGS
Well, your writing is damn good. It’s just a shame you missed out on rock and roll.

WILLIAM
I did?

BANGS
Oh yeah. It’s over.

WILLIAM
Over?

BANGS
Over. You got here just in time for the death rattle, the last gasp, the last grope.

WILLIAM
Well. At least I’m here for that.

Lester tells William this in the 70’s. The 70’s man. It’s been over 30 years - are we stupid for still making “Rock n’ Roll” music? I first saw the movie right in the middle of my “band” days - I thought it was a fucking great piece of dialogue, but I suppressed the feelings of truth behind it for a long time. I guess at the time I took William’s stand point: “At least I’m here for that”. Now, after being out of a band for over a year, and working full time with music and reviewing tons of music, I’m more inclined to Bang’s point of view.

It’s over right?