By: Megan Lorich
Plenty of Asian-American artists inhabit the current music scene. With icons like Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Norah Jones, let’s celebrate the Asian artists that make the music industry brighter! Some of these picks are more obscure, but we are also giving flowers to some iconic Asian singers that are performing today.
Raveena
Born to Punjambi immigrants, Raveena Aurora - who goes mononymously by Raveena - is an experimental pop and R&B artist from Massachusetts. Her most recent album, Asha’s Awakening, was released to rave reviews in February of 2022. We recommend you check out her hit “Honey”.
Kiss the Tiger
Rising to popularity due to their consistent airplay by Minnesota station 89.3 Meghan Kriedler fronts the Current, rock band Kiss the Tiger. Their sound has been described as late ’70s new wave punk, a sound that shines through off of their 2021 album Vicious Kid. We recommend that you listen to their infectious hit “Who Does Her Hair?” or their slower but meaningful ballad “Grown Ass Woman”.
Toro y Moi
Filipino artist Chaz Bear - better known by his stage name Toro y Moi - makes chillwave beats, perfect for a sunny drive with the top down. Meaning “bull and me”, Toro y Moi has risen to fame for his ambient sound. His most popular hit “The Difference” has significant plays for a reason, but we recommend that you also check out any of the instrumentals off of his 2023 album Anything In Return.
Hollis
Hollis Wong-Wear is another artist that goes by their first name. Currently residing in Seattle, she rose to prominence after collaborating with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, for which she was nominated for a Grammy. Her solo work has been incredibly rewarding, leading to her performance at last year’s Day in Day Out festival where we were lucky enough to see her live! Her song “Grace Lee” is not only a nice acoustic song in comparison to her hip-hop and R&B background, it describes the life of Chinese activist Grace Lee Boggs.
Little Dragon
Swedish band Little Dragon is fronted by Yukimi Nagano, who not only provides vocals but plays drums for the band. Releasing their first album in 2007, Little Dragon is a Grammy-nominated electro-pop band that is sure to have you nodding along to the beat. We recommend that you check out songs off of their newest single, Kenneth.
The Linda Lindas
When discussing Linda Lindas, the topic that is inevitably brought up is their age. A four-piece group of Latine and Asian girls that range from ages twelve to eighteen, the Linda Lindas represent a beacon of hope for the future of Riot Grrrl and feminist punk. My personal favorite song by them is “Claudia Kishi”, a song about the character from the Babysitters Club. However, “Racist Sexist Boy” is an anthem that is sure to strike a chord for women of all ages.
Beabadoobee
Currently opening for Taylor Swift on her Eras Tour, Beatrice Kristi Ilejay Laus - better known by her stage name Beabadoobee - is an icon of modern indie rock and bedroom pop. Born in the Philippines and raised in London, Bea has already made waves with her music and collaborated with artists like the 1975 and Clairo. Her album Love Worm is a personal favorite, with her song
“Apple Cider” played on repeat during my high school years. You’ve probably heard “Glue Song” making the rounds on Tiktok, so be sure to check that out too.
Mxmtoon
Another popular singer in today’s bedroom pop scene, Maia - also known as Mxmtoon, began her career, like so many others, by posting her songs on Youtube. She has grown significantly since she started posting in 2017, with plenty of songs going viral on platforms like Tiktok. Her song “Prom Dress” is even featured in the Sims 4 and she even voiced Alex Chen in Life is Strange:
True Colors. Raised in a background similar to this author, Mxmtoon is a Chinese-American proud of her heritage. One of her first releases, “Hong Kong” often feels like comfort food to me, reminding myself of me and my mother’s culture.
Japanese Breakfast
To be a publication based in Eugene and not mention Japanese Breakfast would simply be a crime. Michelle Zauner - better known by her stage name Japanese Breakfast - is a Korean-American artist who specializes in alternative pop. Signed under Dead Oceans, her sound is eclectic and comforting. Her 2021 album Jubilee had her nominated for “Best Alternative Album” and “Best New Artist” at the Grammys. Raised in Eugene, OR, Zauner chronicles her life as a woman of mixed heritage and her relationship with her mother in the New York Times Best Seller Crying in H-Mart. We hope that you not only check out this poignant memoir, but her incredible music as well.
Mitski
If I didn’t mention Mitski in this list, my friends would certainly think that something was amiss. Mitski Miyawaki is another mixed Asian-American artist. Her songs often describe the sensation of being torn between identities. With hit album after hit album, Mitski’s music has touched the hearts of countless people. I am certainly one of them. As a mixed person myself, coming from a very similar background as her, she was the first musician I ever truly felt represented by. I’ve proven this by being in the top 0.05% of her Spotify listeners for the past three years in a row. While her music has gained popularity on Tiktok, unfortunately banishing her to the branding of “Sad Girl Music”, the core themes of her music resonate deeply with me and plenty of other Asian-Americans. The song that most exemplifies this is “Your Best American Girl”, a song that I not only recommend but believe is mandatory listening.