Throwback photos: a few moments from Labor Day 2016 weekend when I moved back to LA from SF.
It’s been eight years (!!!) since I’ve moved back home to LA after 10 years of living in the Bay Area. I moved back Labor Day weekend in 2016. My whole family and even Kiwi our sweet Jindo pup who was only 5 at the time road tripped up to help me pack up my things. After a weekend hopping around the city, we drove back down together. It was a bittersweet, emotional weekend to say goodbye to a place I had essentially grown up in during my formative years. It was during this transition that I started my blog and newsletter. What a journey it’s been these past eight years, cultivating new roots back in LA. Despite some breaks in between the years, I continue to write and for that I’m grateful.
When a new month approaches in the year, I also like to look up its spiritual meaning or what it represents. Learning about each month’s themes and meanings helps provide a framework of guidance, grounding, motivation and energy to channel towards various parts of my life.
As summer transitions into autumn, September represents change and transition–what must I let go in order to make space for new beginnings?
Known as the harvest month, September also signifies growth and abundance–what have I harvested and worked hard through this past year that allows me pause and grace to celebrate and revel in gratitude?
Summer highlight: 임윤찬 Yunchan Lim at the Hollywood Bowl
“I made up my mind that I will live my life only for the sake of music, and I decided that I will give up everything for music… I wanted my music to become deeper, and if that desire reached the audience, I’m satisfied.” —Yunchan Lim 임윤찬
What a beautiful and powerful statement from 20-year-old Korean pianist Yunchan Lim. I had the privilege of seeing him perform with the LA Philharmonic and legendary conductor and music director of the LA Phil, Gustavo Dudamel at the Hollywood Bowl on Thursday.
My mom of course was the first person to put me onto Yunchan so we went together. I attribute my love for music and concerts to her so this was special. We were so excited for the concert we bought tickets as soon as they released back in May for the Summer season at the Bowl. One of my favorite things about summers in LA are concerts at the iconic Hollywood Bowl.
Yunchan’s performance was beautiful and mesmerizing. I felt joy and pride in seeing a young Korean musician showcasing his talents while the audience sat quietly entranced as he played Beethoven’s Piano concerto No.5, “Emperor.” You could palpably feel everyone’s minds being blown by his exceptional talent, myself included.
Born in Siheung, Korea, he enrolled in piano lessons at 7 which I read is considered a bit later compared to other piano prodigies who begin learning at a younger age. He went on to become the youngest winner ever of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition at the age of 18. I highly recommend watching Yunchan’s winning performance from that competition even if for a moment. The amount of hours of practice and dedication to arrive at this stage at only 20 years old is admirable and remarkable. Even though I never continued my piano lessons, watching him perform was motivation for me to continue to nurture my own creative pursuits and passions.. Never give up y’all!
August gems playlist round-up:
Listen to the full playlist here.
That Mexican OT ft. Curren$y and LE$ - 1982
Texas rapper That Mexican OT is one of my favorite discoveries from last year. My dearest bff Chrystal put me onto his hit song “Johnny Dang” that put him further into the spotlight. I love his flow, and I’ve also been enjoying the Texas Technician album he released in May and of course his collab with Denzel Curry on “Black Flag Freestyle.” “1982” is another cruise-worthy single.
Billy Lemos & spilltab - Chip Away
Billy Lemos is a talented producer born and raised in Iowa and currently based in LA.I love his production style—creative, unique beats woven through interesting textures and samples that allow the featured artist to also shine in harmony. I love this one in collaboration with spilltab. It reminds me of the end of summer or something I’d play as the sun is setting.
Yaeji - booboo
I remember catching a clip of Yaeji dropping “booboo” during her Boiler Room Brooklyn Mirage set and was instantly hooked by its energy. I love her inclusions of singing in Korean like when she sings repeatedly in the intro, “If you’re sleepy, go home.” “booboo” feels like a reminder that summer isn’t over yet (we still have until September 22), and it features a sample of the hook from her 2017 hit, “raingurl.” It was interesting to read about what she processed after all the success she experienced following “raingurl.” Via Stereogum, she shared: “i think with anything — a little breathing room, a little break — distance makes the heart grow fonder. with the overpowering attention that came from “raingurl,” i took a break from clubbing, dance music, and the underground scene, but in that time away from it all, it’s allowed me to gain new perspective and a deeper appreciation for it. this year is the 10-year mark for many of the parties my friends and i used to go to, so “booboo” coming out now feels like full circle moment. and with my closest friends — who i’ve witnessed grow as DJs and start their own labels, throwing parties & having fun, all while creating a radical and safe space, it’s been so fun being their cheerleader and now rejoining them in the club, front right!” I’ve been a long-time fan of Yaeji, and she just seems like the coolest person. I hope to work with her one day.
SUMIN and Slom - Just a Breakup
I’m digging SUMIN and Slom’s “Just a Breakup” intro track off their MINISERIES 2 album which is a delightful adventure to listen through that draws influences from hip hop to electronic to jazz and of course K-Pop. I love the influence of Brazilian bossa nova in this song “Just a Breakup” in particular. SUMIN is a multifaceted artist, singer-songwriter and producer who’s produced for BTS, Red Velvet and more. Slom is a talented producer who was born in the Bay Area but moved to Korea when he was a child. He’s been producing for many artists in the Korean hip hop scene like Zion.T. The effortless collaboration between these two greats on MINISERIES 2 has me going back to explore their first MINISERIES album.
Whilewesleep - Act II, Scene IV
Whilewesleep is a reminder that the youth are doing more than all right. They’re doing great. I love this song especially the grungy chorus and instrumental breakdown at the end. This one is a particular personal gem because it’s only been in recent years that I got to reconnect with Seb Yu, the main singer and guitarist of Whilewesleep. Seb is my sweet cousin Jenny’s son, but I like to call him my nephew. It’s been a special experience to reunite and bond over our shared love for music. I’m so proud to support him. Hearing him navigate through the last years of high school and embark on his college journey all while hearing the music he’s creating and performing at some shows I’ve gotten to attend have been healing even for me. It’s helped me reconnect with my inner teen to let her know she’s turning out more than all right too. Please support young artists, bands and musicians in your local communities!
Catch you in the Fall,
Jane Shin