Increasing right into a two-day occasion to uplift Asian and AAPI artists, tradition and connection, the 2024 MetaMoon Music Competition hits New York this fall with Henry Lau and Eric Nam as headliners, Billboard can completely reveal.
Going down at the Brooklyn Paramount on Sept. 27-28, the fest brings Lau and Nam along with rising stars Emei and SUNKIS, in addition to distinctive academic alternatives in partnership with the Roc Nation Faculty of Music, Sports activities & Leisure at Lengthy Island College. The one-day scholar convention, “The Summit: Rise of Asian Artists and their International Fandom,” takes place on Friday, Sept. 27, with panel discussions and masterclasses by {industry} professionals to foster dialogue on Asian illustration within the music {industry} in addition to networking alternatives.
“The ethos of MetaMoon is to amplify Asian/AAPI expertise on stage by giving underrepresented artists a constant platform to carry out in entrance of their followers within the U.S.,” Grace Chen, founding father of MetaMoon Music Competition, tells Billboard. “Simply as importantly, we need to empower Asian/AAPI voices behind the scenes, within the rooms the place choices are made and agendas are set. Our collaboration with the Roc Nation Faculty of Music, Sports activities & Leisure equips college students and the following era of music executives with the entry and perception, and hopefully inspiration, to point out up and become involved.”
Produced in collaboration with Stay Nation, the pre-sale for the MetaMoon live performance tickets begins on Might 22 and goes on common sale by way of Ticketmaster on Might 24. Registration for the Roc Nation Faculty x MetaMoon Summit opens on Sept. 4.
Forward of MetaMoon Music Competition 2024, Billboard sat down with headliner Henry Lau for 20 Questions to debate his involvement within the present for his first-ever headlining slot in a U.S. pageant, newest music developments and extra.
1. The place are you on the earth proper now, and what’s the setting like?
Proper now, I’m touring round in every single place so I inform my associates I’m like a stewardess. I’m presently in Korea. In a couple of weeks I’ll be going to, I don’t know, Paris. I used to be simply in Thailand final week. It’s all around the world. However proper now, I’m right here in my studio/workplace/health club — there’s an entire complete health club space right here.
2. You’re coming to the 2024 MetaMoon Music Competition in your first time headlining a U.S. pageant. What can we count on?
That is the primary time I can actually present my stage and sing as a lot as I need for my followers who know that every one my exhibits have a very distinctive stage. As a result of I don’t simply go up and sing, there’s numerous devices after which there’s numerous stay recording, looping, I prefer to take numerous props on stage and document them into songs. I’m actually excited that folks in America can see that from me for the primary time. And, after all, mixing in classical music.
3. Is there any new music we’ll hear at MetaMoon?
I truly haven’t advised anyone about this but, however proper round that point, I’ll in all probability be releasing a brand new single. I’ve already teased this with my followers very personally, nevertheless it’s a music known as “At all times Been You.”
4. You’ve teased your full-length album for some time now. What’s the standing?
I’ve put the album on maintain. I’ve already apologized personally to all my followers. However it’s accomplished. It’s simply that I’ve so many initiatives proper now that after I launch it, I’ve to—and my followers would admire it—put it on the market correctly. I’m simply ready for the precise timing; I simply don’t know when that shall be precisely.
5. You’ve spoken about illustration in Hollywood prior to now, and MetaMoon celebrates and highlights AAPI artists and tradition. What’s the importance to you of being a part of such an occasion?
I don’t actually consider it. I’m there to carry out music, proper? There aren’t any borders to music so I feel I’m simply so blissful that I may carry out within the States and and it might be a cross-cultural pageant. That’s my opinion. For me, it’s music first — I’m not considering that this represents something like that.
6. You’re so multifaceted in all of your music inspirations, the languages you communicate and sing in, or the way you launch music. What’s your method while you’re creating the music itself?
For each music, it’s completely completely different. The one actually large aspect of my songs is not only the audio, however I take into consideration how I’ll carry out this onstage. For instance, certainly one of my newest singles was known as “Moonlight.” I made that music after which had a unique model the place I used a loop station course of acting on stage. And for the songs I’ll be performing on the pageant this time, you will be capable of see all of that. That’s a method I method numerous the songs. When you may have an excessive amount of happening in an audio observe, it’s simply too loopy, so I like to go away it for the efficiency. While you truly take heed to my songs, these are in all probability probably the most fundamental variations.
7. when you may journey to any musical period, when and the place would you go?
I used to suppose it might be the ’80s or ’90s as a result of it appears like all the nice melodies, the straightforward melodies, weren’t considered again then. I used to suppose that approach, however you then see the superb pop music that comes out at the moment, too — I’m not saying each music. However I feel the sooner you go and when a brand new style of music is being born, I’d say firstly of any musical period. If it’s the beginning of classical music, that’d be superb.
However proper now could be a actually nice time for mixing completely different genres since there are such a lot of superb genres on the market. And when you’re arguing {that a} style has already matured, when you begin mixing genres and mixing cultures, then the probabilities are limitless. And I feel that’s the place my function is now within the music area total — I feel that’s my function.
6. MetaMoon is not only in regards to the live performance, however there is a summit, panels, and different methods to assist construct the group and music-industry community. What is going to you convey to those occasions?
To begin with, I’ve by no means executed something like this earlier than, so I’ll normally simply go up, carry out and, you understand, say hello. And that’s it. So that is one thing very, very new and I’m very excited to do it. I don’t know what it’s going to be about however I’m simply excited to share what I’ve learnt. Possibly not the whole lot I say shall be probably the most right, nevertheless it’s simply my expertise. I feel I’ve gotten to an age — I’m fairly outdated now [Laughs] — the place there are numerous aspiring musicians, and I hope that my experiences may help give them a good suggestion of what to anticipate and what they should work on in sure points. I’m simply very excited to be sharing my story.
9. The Roc Nation Faculty of Music, Sports activities & Leisure at LIU is collaborating with MetaMoon for his or her “The Evolution of Asian Artists and their International Fandom” summit. You additionally went to a music college. How vital are these alternatives?
I feel the greatest profit was assembly my friends and fellow musicians. At the moment, there weren’t numerous boards like this. Normally, as of late in music college, they’ve numerous visitor audio system and profitable musicians come up and share their tales. And I truly watch these now and search for them on Instagram or YouTube. It’s one thing that I want I had after I was youthful. I feel it’s very, essential as a result of there’s no textbook for music or the music enterprise or information to let folks truly know these are the exhausting issues that it’s important to cope with…I’ll do my half and I hope it helps as a result of all people’s story or approach to success could be very completely different. So, I feel the extra you pay attention, the extra you hear these tales, the extra you possibly can apply it to your self.
10. I need to offer you your flowers in your place as such a singular musician in pop music. Do you see your self having a job in shaping or altering perceptions of well-liked music?
I used to suppose that I got here from a singular background, however I’m coming to understand there are such a lot of extra people who find themselves just like me background-wise. I’ve lots of people that come as much as me like, “Hey, I additionally realized piano, I additionally realized violin,” “I’m residing in Canada, however I don’t have something to do with Ok-pop, what do I do?” [or] “How did you try this?” Everybody from my hometown is nearly similar to me background-wise. I feel I’ve a job to let folks know that it’s potential. I hadn’t a likelihood of like 0.01% of this occurring to me, however then there have been sure steps I took and I feel that possibly it’s my function to share that with folks.
11. Wanting wider, what are your hopes or aspirations in representing children out of your hometown who may need to pursue the same path?
Proper now, I’m simply centered on giving all my followers the perfect music potential, the perfect levels and the perfect content material. Earlier than COVID, I used to be planning on a tour and that’s one thing I nonetheless need to do within the close to future. And thru that, they will see what is feasible. However what’s completely different about America, in comparison with performing in Asia which I normally do 99% of the time, is I feel within the States, they will acknowledge that I’m extra just like them. So, I suppose that one primary distinction after I’m performing or working within the States, it’s like, “Hey, he’s certainly one of us and he’s doing this.” I feel just like Eric [Nam] as nicely. I’m very blissful to let folks know that issues are potential.
12. You and Eric Nam are each headlining MetaMoon Music Competition collectively. Are you associates?
At first of our careers, we have been each on completely different exhibits and got here up collectively. Typically, I’d be on exhibits the place he was the MC; I’d watch it later and be like, “Whoa, he was there with me.” We principally grew up collectively and we got here up very, very equally from the same background.
13. Followers have additionally watched you develop in your appearing profession. Do you may have a film that at all times makes you smile?
To be sincere, I don’t watch many films. I don’t have a lot time. I watch films after I really feel like I have to be lifted up — films that present any person going via a tougher time than me or any film following any genius. What’s that film with Russell Crowe being a mathematician? A Lovely Thoughts. Sure, that’s a good looking film. So after I watch films like that, it’s like, “Ooh, they went via a lot; what I’m going via is truly nothing.”
14. In the event you don’t thoughts sharing, what was a tough time you went via not too long ago and how did you overcome it?
There’s the whole lot. Simply even making ready for one stage, folks see me play numerous devices. I document issues up on stage, and [with] each little factor I do, I’m the one directing it. I make all my gear, I make customized devices for myself, and I do all the blending for the whole lot that’s recorded. If the stage efficiency is half-hour, I’ll spend at the least 5 days simply doing technical issues: coping with lighting, visible results, all of the LEDs, all of the logos, the whole lot. I’ve a behavior of making an attempt to do the whole lot. It will get irritating while you’re coping with that and below a decent timeline. There’s simply numerous that however what I like to point out folks are not the hardships.
15. You shared that you just not too long ago went to Nashville and met with the members of OneRepublic. What’s the significance of touring for music to you and did something come from this journey?
I used to be truly on a journey to discover music and discover myself. This might be a entire separate interview, however in brief, it was to search out one of the best ways to mix classical violin and pop music. The proper place for that’s truly nation music as a result of, if you concentrate on it, violin is in possibly 50% of nation music. So I went to the birthplace of nation music, explored that, and we truly got here up with one thing superb. It’s all in that new album, all of the new ideas, one thing the world’s by no means heard. Idea-wise, it might be “nation x Ok-pop x violin.” That’s the explanation why I’m pushing aside the album and ready for the proper timing as a result of I consider a lot on this mission.
16. What’s one thing you realized in Nashville?
I truly didn’t know, however the fiddle is violin — it’s the identical factor, it’s simply the way in which you play it. So, I truly realized the best way to fiddle. While you pull out a violin in Nashville, all people performs it, so it was type of stunning. Hopefully, if we are able to get a type of songs executed earlier than the pageant, that might truly be actually cool…possibly there’s an opportunity of me performing…you simply gave me an thought.
17. You grew up in a musical household. What do your mother and father consider what you’re doing at the moment?
Nicely, within the very starting, they have been towards it. Sending your child off away from dwelling to turn into a singer doesn’t sound too promising, you understand? However I made a decision to take the danger and I satisfied them to let me do it. And I haven’t been doing so unhealthy. Ever since then, they’ve been supportive. I feel what’s actually essential for an artist, or anybody, is that the folks round you help you. And I do know not all people has supporting households, bu it’s actually essential to construct the folks round you. I used to be considering how that’s one thing actually essential via this discussion board that possibly some individuals who don’t have sufficient help can meet different folks there.
18. Do you may have a proudest second of your profession thus far?
No, I truly don’t. I’m the sort that I ask my firm to take away all my trophies and awards that they prefer to placed on show and stuff. I don’t have a look at these and really feel glad; I’m not that sort. In fact, I’m very grateful however I don’t take into consideration these sorts of issues. I simply take into consideration what I’m going to be doing tomorrow, what I’m going to be doing subsequent month, after I’m going to carry out on the MetaMoon Competition.
19. That’s attention-grabbing as a result of you stated your first movie star crush was Christina Aguilera. She’s stated she places away her Grammys and awards when recording. However you stated you preferred her as a result of she was not solely fairly however proficient. What attracts you to an artist?
I truly completely forgot that I stated that, however now that you just’re saying it and I’m like, “Yeah, that’s truly true.” First, I feel expertise is essential and, till very not too long ago, I solely checked out expertise. What I’m truly discovering that I’m drawn to as of late is the character of the artist. In the event you wished to be simply an artist, you need to launch music and never come onto the display screen. However when you resolve now to be within the media, to even present your face or let folks know who you might be, then you may have a accountability of additionally main folks in a superb route — not doing, you understand, silly shit. One factor that’s actually inspiring to me after I see an artist is after they’re 360 [degrees], the entire image of what they’re doing and how much vitality they’re bringing to folks. I feel that’s one thing that additionally actually attracts me into them. Earlier than, when there was much less social media, it wouldn’t be that essential; you may get by with simply having artwork or your music as a result of there have been no platforms to always present your character.
20. What’s your relationship like with social media as an artist?
For me, Instagram is only a approach of communication between me and my followers. I don’t like to place my complete life up there and I’m very cautious with what I need to put up. However I’ve executed so many foolish issues on TV and the whole lot that I’ve very little to cover from my followers. So, there’s no sure picture for me to maintenance or something — I can put up an image of me trying horrible and it wouldn’t be a lot of a shock to my followers as a result of they’ve already seen the whole lot they need to see of me. I’m extra fortunate in that side, however I’m nonetheless not the sort to place up my entire life on Instagram. I’d say the whole lot I’m doing is all for the followers.
Tickets to MetaMoon Music Competition 2024 can be found by way of Ticketmaster.