Daniel Pak Featured In The International Examiner

Photo Credit: Avi Loud

Check out the International Examiner article entitled "Musician Daniel Pak goes solo: See him at the Crocodile on April 20" written by Alan Chong Lau.

Below is a snippet of the article:
"Totem Star has been a big part of my life for the last eight years. After our first program in 2010 working with young people released from juvenile detention, it dawned on Thad and me that this was truly our calling. We had to do whatever it took to make sure young people had a safe and encouraging space to take creative risks, tell their stories, and build a supportive community. Today we have mentored over 1,500 young recording artists, offering them free studio time, performance opportunities (including shows like The Crocodile), and bringing in guest touring artists and music industry professionals to inspire them.

Totem Star is all about amplifying youth voice and mentoring the next generation of leaders. I think singer-songwriter Monica Elenes says it best: 'What people need to understand about Totem Star is that, more than a record label, first and foremost we’re a family. Before you’re an artist, you’re a human, and Totem Star teaches you that. You can be an artist and not be a role model but Totem Star teaches you to be both.'"

Check out the entire article at iexaminer.org

5 Tips on How to Conquer a Crowd

Written by kidLIO

There comes a time in a performer's life, where they have to learn how to conquer a stage with only a microphone and without the music. Whether it is as a comedian ora host. There will be a time where instead of entertaining the crowd, you are inter-taining with the crowd, in the sense that you are interacting withe crowd between sets of other artists. Some have natural-born instinct to the taking of a crowd... and then, some don't. 

Here are 5 tips on how to conquer a crowd. 

• 1. Assess your crowd; it's important... Trust me.
  When you step onto the stage the you are about to conquer, as a host for the first time, you need to focus on the energy that the crowd is already giving to you. Assess the way that they wait for the artists to arrive, monitor their chatter and prepare  yourself. Maybe even prep them from backstage with jokes, and queues of the shows beginning. When you know your audience, you can feel deep into your stage and connect with the crowd. If you arrive with low energy while everyone in the crowd is hyped, they will assume that there is nothing to be excited about. If you arrive with energy way too loud to register, the crowd will extend how overwhelmed they are towards the artists in an exhausted manner. 
   
• 2. BE ANIMATED... but humble.
  We love a fun host who knows how to make a joke, but it gets questionable when there isn't any room left for ego, unnecessary stories and loss of interest from the crowd. Know when to be humble but also know that crowds are crowds for a reason, keep them happy but not exhausted-- they still have quite a show to go!
   
• 3. Stay hydrated!
  No crowd wants a host too tired to remind them of when their favorite artist is hitting the stage because water bottle isn't being used backstage. Stay hydrated between sets to prevent voice cracks or strain of voice. You have an important job here, best to keep up with it. Also, water is life. If you're hyping up a dope artist on stage and suddenly you collapse from dehydration... it'll be awkward for everyone... in every way. 
   
• 4. Love on your crowd-- AT ALL TIMES!
  Living up to the potential of a "perfect host" is obviously unattainable for any person, no matter their caliber of humor, speech or bravery on stage. There will always be a different essence to each crowd that you assemble and speak before. During a rowdy crowd, or a crowd too quiet to be excited, love on your crowd to remind them of how important they are! Thank them for their contribution to the event your hosting and thank them for their dedication-- even when they won't be quiet. 
   
• 5. Know when to be stern.
  More often than not, there will be crowds that are too hype to listen to a middle man. The key to understanding the element of your crowd is by knowing when to set rules, standards of how to respect each other, the artists and the venue. In other words, when to e stern. Don't be afraid to remind crowds what they are there for and remember to keep all dialogue in between interactive, respectful and with purpose. Don't yell at a crowd because you see someone chewing gum or drinking water. But also, if fabrics and objects start hitting the stage, call a time-out and a take a moment to structure. 

Hope these help! Enjoy!

House Party 6 Was A Packed House!

A packed house at The Station in Beacon Hill. Photo By Mary Elworth

By Mary Elworth

House Party 6 brought singing, dancing, and poetry to an enthusiastic crowd at The Station in Beacon Hill! By 7pm, the place was packed with a diverse and intergenerational group, but it was clear that the youth would rule the night.

Host Lashaunycee O’Cain (a.k.a. kidLIO) set the tone by making sure everyone in the room was on board to support one another throughout the performances. Kicking off the open mic was vocalist Ezra Hollister, accompanied by Daniel Pak on keys) whose melodious voice lit up the room and got everyone captivated by his lyrics.

Jade Arquitt continued the energy by performing an original piece of music. Singer-songwriter Mary Elworth performed an acoustic version of her original “Set You Free.” Next up was Joseph soulfully covering the CNCO hit “Tan Fácil” with the support of Arquitt, Pak, and Thaddeus Turner respectively on bass, guitar, and drums.

Singer-guitarist Zo (Zoser Dunbar) wowed us all with a cover of Ed Sheeran’s Don’t. Later he got everyone singing and grooving along with a mashup of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s “Thrift Shop” and Blackstreet’s “No Diggity.”

Zo freestyling with spontaneous a jam band at The Station. Photo by Mary Elworth

Next up were Twinn (Jonathan Burgos), Virgilio Carbajal, and Noah Predko, who rocked the audience in each of their own performances. Singer-songwriter Dominique Estrada stepped up to the mic and gave us a taste of what she's been working in the studio.

Then came time for the poets in the room to have their say. Carlynn Newhouse brought the room to a philosophical hush with her powerfully crafted verses, followed by Azura Tyabji, who also delivered a poignant message steeped in wisdom and observation.

Azura Tyabji delivers wisdom through poetry at House Party 6. Photo by Mary Elworth

Songwriter and musician Ezrael Sarmiento professed his appreciation for the city of Seattle, followed by a fitting performance of his original “Seattle Skies.”

Muliti-talented kidLIO closed the first round of performances with an original poem illustrating capitalism in society and demonstrating resistance to it.

Joseph. Photo by Mary Elworth

Twin & His Crew of Supporters, Fans, and Family. Photo by Mary Elworth

Much Love to The Station in Beacon Hill for Hosting Us! Photo by Mary Elworth