Our first Seattle Autumn. 9/17/95
When people ask me where I’m from, I have a routine.
“Well, I was born in Seoul, Korea, but moved to the States (notice casual, assimilative jargon) when I was six. Lived in Boston for a couple years, then moved to Seattle. I was raised there third grade on, so that’s where I consider my home. It’s where my roots are.”
I love the 206. It’s where my heart beats. I want to thank all of you who came out to my first Seattle show. Your love smelled of wet leaves, coffee, and the rich ocean breeze. It felt like September raindrops dancing on your face.
I saw high school friends. Former students. Colleagues. The Dr. Crew. Ultimate buddies. Family members. Complete strangers. I saw Seattle.
Gasworks Park Picnic with friends. 7/17/14. Photo by Emily Kim (instagram @eskye_photos)
The Homecoming Tour was about getting back to the land that cultivated music in me. I picked up the violin in 4th grade, thanks to a fantastic (but increasingly underfunded) music program in the Seattle Public School system. I played in the Garfield High School Symphony, a nationally recognized high school orchestra. I jammed at blues club, and borrowed hip-hop mix CDs from my friends. I sang vocal jazz, played in the Seattle Youth Symphony, and even got to solo once with the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra.
4th Grade Recital, Bryant Elementary School. 6/5/97
But this was my first show back as my own musician, as Joseph in the Well. It felt so good. Below is a video of "Happy Song" from that night. Enjoy and feel free to share.
I’d like to thank Rachel Lauren, a senior at the Overlake School and former student who opened up the show.
Rachel Lauren, JitW Homecoming Show. 7/19/14
Biddidat, a stanky funk band who closed out the show with dank grooves.
Q Cafe, for great sound, drinks, and hospitality. And of course, all the friends and family who came out.
Love you, Seattle. See you soon.
