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2025 on Tumblr: Trends That Defined the Year
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@immigrantmusician
Joe Kye is a violinist. He was born in Korea and grew up in Seattle. His music is surprising and delightful. Joe brings his life experience, keen mind and open heart to his music. Joe and Baruch discuss music, inspiration, … More ...
Portland Dive Bar (Memorial Day)
Portland Dive Bar Three old white men sat at the bar: Two around their late 70s--one declared himself to be "eight years past 70"--and a younger one, a newcomer, was "born in '57." The newcomer had a beer belly, a closely buzzed haircut and a faded white t-shirt. About five minutes prior, he had told me in the bathroom that he had just gotten a great new job at Cisco. I got stuck by the door listening to him congratulate himself while he peed in the urinal. Lonely guy, I figured. Back at the bar, I watched the Mariners game by myself, quietly celebrating the securing of a new rental with a bourbon barrel stout. The newcomer returned, striking up a conversation with the older gentlemen--he began talking about how his father had fought in WWII. He himself had been in the Marines as an engineer. He began recounting stories about his father's time in WWII, and how his father had brought home "damn Jap" bullets that went against the protocols of war--sawed off at one end, "virtually a hollow point"--facilitating killing as opposed to wounding. He pulled out a worn ziplock bag from his pants and began presenting pictures of himself as a boy, when he had begun collecting Japanese swords and WWII memorabilia. In one, a cute looking kid with brown wavy hair knelt before a spread of various Katanas and looked up at the camera with a smile. With each "Jap" slurring out his mouth, my bemusement grew, although I was determined not to be pulled into the conversation. Out of nowhere, the bartender, dyed black hair, nose ring, black eyeliner flicking upwards, maybe in her late thirties, spoke. "You know, I wrote a poem about war." She began to recite her work, vividly describing torn soldiers returning "dickless" from war, their "genetalia blown to bits...." After she finished, the vets, celebrating Memorial Day, sat in silence. A seat away, I applauded, appreciating the irony of the metaphor. The newcomer spoke first. "Just one thing: I don't know if that creates the most positive feeling." At last, my opening. "Well war isn't positive," I said, turning towards the old white men. "Right?" "Neither is the demonization of the other. You shouldn't use that term, 'Japs.' It's offensive and hateful." The newcomer came over to me, all chummy-like, and began showing me the pictures, asking me what nationality I was. "You Chahneese? Japanese?" When I told him I was born in Korea, he said "I knew it." When I asked him how, he said he could tell. To which I replied, "No, don't think you can." He then proceeded to wax on about his pictures and collection. I talked to him about warfare, and how Americans themselves had flaunted standards of war against the British, refusing to fight face-to-face and opting for the strategy of guerrilla warfare...at this point he leaned in--"because it was the only way we could win." Exactly, I said, "War brings out the worst in everyone." With that, I introduced myself to the bartender, Sheeba, who thanked me and told me, "We like differing opinions here." I thanked her for her poem, which started the whole thing, and told her I'd be moving into the neighborhood in a month. "Can't wait to get to know you better," she replied with a smile. As I signed the check, the newcomer wandered off to the bathroom. As I got up from my stool, the 78-year-old man, a veteran himself, turned to me and offered his hand. As I shook it, he looked me in the eye, "Thank you. I really appreciated that," smirking towards the pisser. I'm coming for you, Portland.
Pictures from the Bernie Sanders Rally!
What an transcendental experience! 20 THOUSAND people came out to see Bernie talk about the state of our country and all that it’s missing.
I got to play for this crowd, delivering a set of my original music, talking about my immigrant experience, and ultimately leading them in the national anthem on the violin, Jimi Hendrix style. Our penultimate song, We Shall Overcome, had the entire crowd singing–people of all colors, ages, and genders…
I have never been prouder to say that I am an American.
UNFORTUNATELY, the United States government doesn’t actually recognize this–I moved to his country as a dependent of my dad, an international student, and was subsequently not given a pathway to citizenship. Only after marrying my beautiful wife in 2012 was I given a green card.
How is it that in the country that boasts the top universities in the world, we do not offer a path to residency for those that attain a higher degree?
How is it that in a country founded by immigrants, my sister, who arrived here at the age of three, must apply for a work visa (read: $$$, lawyers, hoops) to contribute to this economy at her employer, Amazon?
How is it that in a country whose ingenuity has been built on the constant flux of new ideas from all over the world, that I’ll finally be able to apply for citizenship in 2017, some 24 years after I arrived on its shores at the age of six?
Comprehensive immigration reform, y’all. Let’s make it happen.
#WhereAreYou? 📷: @dayfortyone #musicvideo #joekye #violin #looping #fishman #neunaber @fishmanmusic @neunaberaudio
On location filming Bambam's Lullaby, the newest #musicvideo... #joekye #violin #strings #akita #akitasofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #tahoe #laketahoe #fishman @neunaberaudio @violinsofig @akitasofinstagram @fishmanmusic (at Lake Tahoe)
Recordings from NYC shows on Joe Kye's Spring 2013 tour, featuring performances at Basement Bar, Brooklyn, and Rockwood Lounge, NYC.
Wow. What a brilliant tour. We sang with choirs in Boston, jammed on porches in DC, and did our first live feed show from Central Park, NYC. Thank you all for showing up, supporting, and feeling the music!
My gift to you: three live recordings from our 3/11 show at the Basement Bar in Brooklyn NYC. They feature internationally-acclaimed percussionist William Catanzaro and inventive composer-pianist Josh Ehrlich. This is just a little taste--we have a LIVE ALBUM with some tour favorites coming to you soon!
Next is opening for Yo-Yo Ma at the Mondavi Center (May 11), Sacramento’s Concerts in the Park (May 20), A JOE KYE EXTRAVAGANZA at Beatnik Studios (June 10). Keep up to date by signing up for the mailing list: www.joekye.com/contact.
Show info: www.joekye.com/shows
Peace be with you all!
Wow. Thank you #Sacramento! We took home TWO #SAMMIES for Folk Rock and Release of the Year! Upcoming shows: May 11- #MondaviCenter opening for @yoyoma.official!! (Say whaaaat?) 😲😍😝May 20- Concerts in the Park @cipsacramento June 10- Secret Collaborative Show (DON'T MISS THIS) LINK IN BIO (📷: @heartbreak_time_machine ) #sacramentoproud #yoyoma #snr #sammies2016 #joekye #josephinthewell #violin #violinist #looping #fishman #neunaber #newmusic @mondavicenter #performingarts #jazz #classical #strings #pop #indie (at Ace Of Spades)
Wow. Thank you #Sacramento! We took home TWO #SAMMIES for Folk Rock and Release of the Year! We have some really exciting shows coming up: May 11- #MondaviCenter opening for @yoyoma.official!! May 20- Concerts in the Park @cipsacramento June 10- Secret Collaborative Show (DON'T MISS THIS) LINK IN BIO (📷: @heartbreak_time_machine ) #sacramentoproud #yoyoma #snr #sammies2016 #joekye #josephinthewell #violin #violinist #looping #fishman #neunaber #newmusic @mondavicenter #performingarts #jazz #classical #strings #pop #indie (at Ace Of Spades)
FAIR-SKIN BIAS
It was an old church, its once-grand arches and bright paint beginning to gather a thin layer of dust. The dome, sky blue accented with orange bronze mottled to look like wood, reminded me of a slick nineties law office—the kind that promises restitution for the injuries you suffered in a profitably unfortunate accident.
Yet there I stood at the altar of St. Mary’s Parish, violin in hand, my pedals arrayed before me. It was the last show of my New World Tour, opening up for Polymnia Choral Society, a group that’s been performing for over 60 years. The audience reflected as much, with pew after pew of fair-skinned, white-haired patrons. And here I was, a little Asian kid, about to perform two pieces inspired by my immigrant past. What have I gotten myself into, I wondered. How would I be received?
“My name is Joe Kye, and I’m a violinist-looper based in Sacramento, California,” I began. “When I heard Polymnia was presenting Annalies, based on the story of Anne Frank, a girl full of hope in the face of fear and oppression, I knew I had to lend my energy to the show. I was born in Seoul, Korea, and moved to the United States at the age of six. I guess that makes me an immigrant.…”
At that moment, before I could go on, the entire church began to applaud. The sea of white heads bobbed in assent, smiles flashing across their faces. I could feel the choir behind me, clapping and lending me their energy and affirmation.
And just like that, the church was filled with magic; I tapped into our focused oneness for the first piece, Migrants. Goosebumps crept down my arms as I sang about moving to Boston as a child: “I found you on the hills of Lexington / in the fields of my heart / America.”
Polymnia Director Murray Kidd joined in with a stripped-down percussion set for the second song. As we began our reinterpretation of the Korean folk tune Arirang, I felt the glow of the old church, its tall ceilings intimately close, the worn carpet nestling the sound of my violin. Its friendly arches channeled the sound up into the lofts then back down to the pews, warmed by the softness of the weathered New England wood.
Despite my own stereotypical assumptions (curse you, neurological biases!) about what the audience would or would not appreciate, this show ended up being one of my favorites on the New World Tour. Afterward, so many people came up to shake my hand, tell me how much my story meant to them, and even purchase a t-shirt or two. Hugs, of course, were aplenty.
“Please come back,” said one young violinist, “I loved what you did.”
Thank you for everything, Melrose. I’ll be back.
Sad to be leaving @fishmanmusic! #NewWorldTour #violin #violinist #violinlooping #immigrant #performingarts #strings (at Fishman Transducers Inc)
Had a great time @fishmanmusic HQ getting my violin sound imaged for the #Fishman Aura Spectrum #Preamp! Thanks Joe B. and @rayneday86! #NewWorldTour #violin #josephinthewell #violinist #violinlooping #worldmusic #immigrant #indie #strings #performingarts (at Fishman Transducers Inc)
#DC #love #NewWorldTour #violin #violinist #looping #arirang #migrants #joekye #josephinthewell (at Washington, District of Columbia)
#DC with gracious host @robertramaswamy! Show tonight! #NewWorldTour #washingtondc #washingtonmonument (at Washington Monument)
Arrived in #DC! Soundcheck with #HandsomeHound for the house show tomorrow! #NewWorldTour #nod #violin (at Washington, District of Columbia)
#Packed and ready to go! #NewWorldTour #violin #violinist #fishman #neunaber @neunaberaudio @fishmanmusic
#NewWorldTour #packed #suitcase #violin #fishman #neunaber #fishman #violincase #bamcase
December 23, 1993. St. John’s Methodist Church, Lexington, MA.
Wow.
Here we are, almost three years in as a full-time musician. Even though I still struggle with perfectionism, I’ve been forcing myself to recognize and celebrate the little moments, the ones that pass by with minimal fanfare. Budgeting. Planning and executing a weekly posting schedule. Unloading the car. Unloading that damn car. But music is happening, and I get to make it happen. Success!
On a related note, my life has become a lot easier thanks to my business manager, Elliot Prestwich. It’s taken time to work on refining our communication, as with any relationship, but I think we’ve really hit our stride. I wouldn’t be doing everything “Joe Kye” is doing if it weren’t for his hard work. Thanks, Elliot. Fellow immigrant musicians, pay heed: Assemble a team. Learn to communicate with your teammates.
I’m going back to the East Coast in March for my #NewWorldTour. Starting in DC, I’ll stop in Hawley Pennsylvania, hit up NYC (twice), hop across the bridge to Brooklyn, then end my trip in the first American city I ever lived in: Boston.
That’s me up there on the right, sporting the spiffy cardigan and tie. I have my hand up, addressing the congregation of St. John’s Methodist Church, a small Korean-American Church in Lexington. Not much has changed--the church is still around, and I like to wear cardigans.
It’s a funny picture; I’m dressed like an Asian Mr. Rogers, while the girl on the left is sporting her hanbok, a traditional Korean robe. (Bomb colors, btw) To me, the contrasting styles symbolize the role of the church in the Korean-American immigrant experience--a place to remember cultural roots while forging a community in a new, foreign land.
Some 20 years later, I’ll be visiting some of my old haunts during the trip, like our family’s first apartment, my second grade elementary school, and my first ever Dunkin Donuts, if it’s still around. I’ll post pictures here on the blog.
The tour promises to be an incredible journey, with guest artists like NYC Percussionist William Catanzaro, Brooklyn Playwright Jerry Lieblich, and NYC pianist/arranger Josh Ehrlich. I'd love to see you at a show--please visit www.joekye.com/shows for more info! Invite your friends!
And if you’re not on the mailing list, remember to sign up at www.joekye.com/contact.
Peace, everyone. See you in the New World.
Joe