Interview with ESAE

I received an email from ESAE asking for feedback on her music. It’s a strange request as I’m not a professional musician or expert in engineering, mixing, or mastering. My true experience is listening to tons of music across different genres and hearing thousands of different releases. ESAE is a new artist who has taken the first big steps of finding her unique voice and style. Her tracks show an honesty and drive to improve.

I was happy to give her some thoughts on the tracks she shared and think she’s an artist to keep tabs on. Here’s an introduction by ESAE. Follow her because the new music she shares is even more impressive than the original tracks she sent.

Can you introduce yourself?

Hi! My name is ESAE and I’m a 1.5 generation Korean American writer/vocalist/producer based in Southern California. The name ESAE is a play on words involving the first two syllables of my Korean name. 이세 (pronounced ee-say) means second generation, and is an integral part of my identity. As a second generation Korean American, I walk a fine line between two very different worlds and cultures, but often feel like I don’t belong fully to either.

How would you describe your music?

I would say my music, for the most part, is the type of music you would listen to driving down Pacific Coast Highway at sunset when you’re going through a quarter life crisis. I do take a lot of my influences from jazz and latin music. I’m an avid but mediocre salsa/bachata dancer so a lot of my influences in my music these days come from there. All in all, I do my best to take what I hear in my head and put that into reality.

What lead you to this genre of music?

It probably has to do with the state of my mind right now. I feel like I’m changing more in a month than I have my entire life, and the feeling is akin to being tossed around in a rapidly spinning washing machine. I believe that all this turmoil will ultimately lead to a lot of growth, but as of now it’s exhausting, lonely, and I very much need a drive down PCH in a convertible.

How long have you been creating music?

I’ve been involved with music since a very young age but via a more traditional, classical route. I played the violin for most of my life and focused more on performance rather than creation. I started songwriting two years ago, and it’s been about a year since I produced my first track.

What tools do you use for your music?

I use Logic, a used midi keyboard I bought off an USC student, a used Yamaha interface, and a mic that I got for free when I bought my used Taylor guitar after I graduated high school. I produce on very minimal and cheap equipment. I occasionally record violin and guitar in my closet.

Where do you get your inspiration?

From anything really: books, dying rose petals, used instruments, paper lanterns…

There are days when I limp through life and feel uninspired by everything. There are some days when a line from a book sets me off on a manic 5 hour writing/producing spree. Sometimes, all it takes is a summer sunset. However, I must say that these days, visual art has been incredibly inspiring to me and often helps me get out of an artistic rut. I’ve been watching a lot of fashion films right now.

Are there any musicians or artists that have influenced your music?

I take a lot of influence from lyricists. Tablo is by far one of my biggest influences. Partially because I felt like I had a lot in common with him (we both attended Seoul International School and dropped our respective “safe” career paths to pursue music) and mainly because he writes so poignantly. I remember listening to Swan Songs as a child and thinking “when I grow up I want to write words that make people remember they have feelings.”

Do you have a specific message with your music?

Not particularly, but I do write with a very specific goal in mind, and it’s that my music can be a dock tired souls can rest at for a little while before continuing on through life.

Is there something you want to accomplish in 2018 as ESAE?

I just want to create something beautiful that other people might find beautiful as well. For 2018, I want to release a collective work that I’m proud of for official release on a streaming platform. I also want to get through the year without quitting music. After I achieve those two things, I’ll go from there.

What are the challenges you have experienced so far as an artist?

The main one was overcoming my fear of not having a foreseen trajectory into my future. Up until all this, I had a very clear and set path that I thought I was going to take, which was either medical or pharmacy school. Having to throw that out the window, along my with my parents’ hopes and ambitions, and trading that in for uncertainty in an industry that is so well known for it’s cruelty and manipulation… that was and still is incredibly difficult. I’ve tried quitting music five times in the span of two years and thought of it hundreds of times. But here I am.

Anything to say to readers?

Please support your indie artists by buying their music and following them on social media! This doesn’t go for just me, but all my fellow peers out there. Sometimes all it takes is a simple “I like your song” to make our day. Thank you for taking the time to take a glimpse into the reasons behind my pursuit of music.

With all my love,

ESAE

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