Breakthrough

(from left to right) Zoser (Photo Source: SassyBlack’s Soul Selection), Mirabai Kukathas (Photo by Amber Zbitnoff), J Blanco (Photo Source: The Residency), Lady Saigon (Photo by: Sarah Nguyen), kidLIO (Photo by: Olivia Lohmann), Aurelio Valdez (Photo by: José)

To celebrate our 2nd anniversary of ‘The Song’, we wanted to highlight our Totem Star artists that collaborated together to create “Breakthrough.” Written by Zoser, Mirabai Kukathas, LIO (formerly kidLIO), and Pak, and performed by Lady Saigon (formerly known as Pink Anbu), Mirabai Kukathas, LIO, Aurelio, and J Blanco, “Breakthrough” is a song that speaks volumes.

THE PERFORMERS

Lady Saigon, Mirabai Kukathas, LIO, Aurelio Valdez, J Blanco

LADY SAIGON
What's your story? Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in White Center a.k.a. Rat City.

I come from a household of Vietnamese immigrants and refugees and am one of the first of my people to be born on American soil. Even though I was born and raised in America, English wasn't my first language. Growing up my parents told many stories about the war and famine in Vietnam, the ill intent of its communist government, but more importantly, the culture of it's people. Which gave me a dual mentality on world and social issues. I guess you could say it has made me more open to passion and compassion.

When did music/ singing/ rapping first get introduced to you?
My parents always karaoke’d to Vietnamese music at home. If you don't know what that sounds like, it's a lot of saxophone, cha cha, and ballads, so that was my introduction to music.

My brother and cousins on the other hand would always be playing rap and hip hop. Soulja Boy's "crank dat" is coming to mind. My uncle used to also bump a lot of Snoop Dogg.

I remember being 7 when my older brother played Kanye's "Heartless", I thought it was the most amazing sound ever. It spoke to my heart and I didn't know why. I still think it is one of the best to this day.

My first time singing was actually when my brother and cousin bought the video game “rock band.” They never let me play the guitar or drums, so I was stuck with the mic. Which led me to realize how much I loved to sing.

How would you describe your singing/ rapping style?
I don't really have a style. I'll rap/sing on anything. It don't matter. All with love.

What have you learned from your experience with Totem Star? What are some of the biggest take aways?
Totem Star gives a platform, power in voice, and countless opportunities to people who don't normally have the tools. As an artist, there is always space to grow and learn. They've made me realize I could make a living out of what I love to do which is so powerful. They make such a large impact on the low income community, especially for people who don't have the privilege or ability to access such things. They teach you how to leap and then you do it.

LIO
As this was one of your last Totem Star recordings, what were your feelings during this time? What were you looking forward to, cherishing, excited for, etc.
I wasn't thinking of it as my definite last recording, so I treated it with the same care and intensity that I usually would-- obsessing over word choice, pitch and harmonies from singers, if I sounded honest enough. When you're stepping away from something that consumed your life for so long in a beautiful way, you wonder if you'll ever find anything as beautiful again. But before I even thought about that, I was cherishing the process of being deep in love with something of mine that I created from the depths of my pain (past or present). Even if I never listened to it again it would always be a staple in time for me that made me proud of my progress.

Is music still apart of your life in college? What future ambitions do you have in your art & career?
I love music all the same. I'm not in college currently for music which I believe is healthy because I always want to bring something new to my musical artistry and a lot of time near it can make one repetitive. However, as for future ambitions, I've been really focusing on my absolute devotion to film; nothing is competitive in film the way music becomes in my opinion, it's just people making beautiful things and I'm hoping to use my love for music to be a curator of the soundtrack for one of my own movies, or help produce an album in the future, that sort of thing. I think rapping and singing has become more of a hobby for me, I'm definitely a more behind-the-scenes person which I'm in love with.

MIRABAI
What's your story? Where did you grow up, when did music/singing/rapping first get introduced to you?
I was born in Seattle but I moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia when I was a baby and I lived there until I was four, when I moved back to Seattle. I moved again when I was eleven (this time to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) before once again moving back to Seattle to start high school. Through all of this, music has been part of my life and a part of me. I think a lot of artistic people say things like "oh, i've been dancing since before I could walk" or "I've been painting since I was a baby" or something like that, but while it may be cliche, the same is true for me. I've been singing since I was able to make a sound. It's just always felt like the most natural thing; a way to make myself happy

How would you describe your singing/ rapping style?
I grew up on my dad's music, namely 60s and 70s rock, folk, soul, blues, bluegrass, and country. I have a deep respect for all kinds of music so I try to blend genres and create a sound that's unique to me and is the best way to tell my story. But if you know me, you know that I'm slightly obsessed with 60s folk legend and human rights activist, Joan Baez, so I guess you could say that my style is pretty inspired by her.

What have you learned from your experience with Totem Star? What are some of the biggest takeaways?
I wasn't very confident in my ability as a musician or in my value as a person before I came to Totem Star. It's given me a family of musicians and smart mentors who love me and more opportunities than I could ever hope to have. It's helped me to realize that I have a beautiful voice but also that i matter beyond it.

During this time, you were experiencing vocal pain. How did you learn to overcome this during the recording process? Any lessons for self-care learned?
Yeah, so almost exactly one year ago I started having this pain in my throat. My voice felt raw and tired all the time. Always like I was sick or had just spent the past hour yelling at the top of my lungs. I've gone to a lot of doctors, completely augmented my diet and lifestyle, and it's gotten better but it hasn't completely gone away. When we were recording “Breakthrough” we still weren't completely sure about what was wrong with my throat. Every day was a total crapshoot. Would my throat hurt a lot or only a little bit? Would I be able to sing fine without anyone noticing or would I not be able to produce a note? It made me really nervous and then really scared and then just really sad. And I'm still working through that. Still going to lots of doctors, still usually experiencing some vocal pain, and still abiding by those restrictive diet-and-lifestyle changes. I guess what I did to "cope" was 1) be really strict with myself and follow every rule my doctors had laid out for me, 2) CONSTANTLY drinking water and/or throat coat tea and 3) try to stay calm.

What's one accomplishment you've had with Totem Star?
Writing, recording, and producing my original music.

What's something you've always dreamed of doing with your art?
I mean, hell: what artist doesn't wanna be famous? To play on the biggest stage in front of a thousand people who adore you? To record with the (Italian chef kiss) best equipment and have the most artistic freedom? Sure, I want that. But I'd also happily settle for just being able to keep making art. For my art to keep making me and the people around me happy. And (here's the most farfetched part) to be able to afford to live in Seattle with the money I make as an artist.

AURELIO VALDEZ
You're a part of so many programs and extracurricular activities on top of school. How do you balance out so many commitments while still having time for your artistry?
Balancing everything I do is a challenge. I often find myself being overwhelmed. The best way I know how to balance everything out is to keep two things in mind in everything I do: fight for people and fight for myself. Often times these lines between the two blur. When I do this it makes the tired nights and exhaustion all worth it in the end. I also keep in mind how intentional I am in everything I do. I have to be equally as intentional with myself. This means taking care of myself through things such as therapy, playing video games, hanging out with friends, or sleeping in.

What's one accomplishment you've had with Totem Star?
Biggest accomplishment I had with totem star was definitely collaborating with everyone for FESTA, it was my first time directly involving myself with Totem Star and overall first firm collaborating with everyone in my artistry to this extent.

THE SONGWRITERS

Mirabai Kukathas, Zoser, LIO, Pak

MIRABAI
The process of writing this song was a collaboration. Tell us what yall's process was collaborating? What is this song about?
We actually had to write this song for an Arts Corps fundraiser. It was kind of a pain to write; it took forever. There were so many people involved in the writing process, all of whom write very differently than me. (I wrote the intro-verse and the bridge and I helped with a few other words and phrases, but the rest of the song was written by Zoser and LIO.) Everyone was always busy and finding time to write and practice was hard. But when the song came together it felt really true and special and I had nothing but love for everyone who helped make it real. When we recorded it I just felt so blessed.

BIOGRAPHIES

LADY SAIGON
Lady Saigon (formerly known as Pink Anbu), Sarah Maria Tu Nguyen Mai is an American singer, songwriter. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington. Previously known as Pink Anbu before later changing her name to Lady Saigon in 2019. She loves basketball and bringing concern to world and social politics.

LIO
LIO is 18, ready and thriving. Her interest for social justice led her to the arts and her passion for the arts led her to herself. LIO uses psychology and personal adversity to create multimedia art that brings her to center and that resonates in the hearts of others. Her love for creativity is everlasting.

MIRABAI
Seattle born and everywhere-raised, Mirabai Kukathas has been a singer all her life. She loves nothing (other than perhaps garlic fries) more than stories, no matter the medium in which they are told. Her music is an act of healing; a confusing celebration of her culture, identity, and life. With lots of love, effort, and community, she works to blend folk, pop, jazz, soul, and a lil rock n roll to tell her own unique story.

J BLANCO
J Blanco is a producer/multi-instrumentalist from West Seattle. He gets inspiration from tons of different music, which really shows in the music hes make. Some of his influences are 9th Wonder, Nick Mira, Sidepce, Mac Ayres, Royce David, and many more. He plays trumpet, piano, guitar, bass, drums and ukulele, all self taught.

AURELIO VALDEZ
Aurelio Valdez is a Mexican-American Seattle born Hip Hop artist with a potent style. With a range of topics spanning from politics and history to identity and his upbringing, Aurelio’s music focuses on what it means to truly embody Hip Hop culture by empowering himself and his people. His alluring lyrics provoke thought and reveal his love for Hip Hop culture with every track.

ZOSER
Zoser is a singer/songwriter and music bender with a soulful voice, thoughtful lyrics, and a guitar. As an up and coming Seattle artist, Zoser began playing guitar when he was just 10-years-old. By the age of 12, he began penning his own lyrics and performing to local audiences in his hometown of Augusta, Georgia before relocating to Seattle where he graduated from West Seattle High School in 2018. By culling and synthesizing seemingly disparate musical forms and influences, Zoser has crafted a sound that is wholly and undeniably his own. The result is something spectacular to behold: a voice that conveys a world-weary ache and a bright optimism, and a sense of musicality that is both rhythmic and infectiously melodic. He is a singer, a storyteller and something of a revelation – not necessarily a soul singer but something more rare and precious – a singer with soul.

J Blanco

For the fourteenth installment of The Song, our monthly artist spotlight and music newsletter, we present producer / multi-instrumentalist Justus White aka “J Blanco,” with his new beat tape, “Blanco.”

In his interview, J Blanco shares, "Before I came to Totem Star, I was a really shy person and it helped me become more outgoing and not be afraid to share my music with other people and play in front of people.”

Read the entire interview and listen to the "Blanco" beat tape by J Blanco.