Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Anh.
Kim Anh, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in the south and on the east coast, and I always admired New York City nightlife. I started going there as a teenager, and it really shaped my love for underground dance music. It was like taking the sounds of gospel and soul that I grew up listening to and taking it to a higher energy. I was in heaven. I learned to DJ when I was 18 through a guy that lived in my dorm. I played in bands throughout college. Music was something that was always with me.
I moved to Los Angeles after graduating from college with the dream of becoming a film and television composer. I liked the idea of storytelling and the role that music plays in creating emotion in the viewer. I also liked the idea of not being in the spotlight. As someone who is not formally trained, I gained most of my musical knowledge by learning to play instruments by ear and quickly learned that I would have to spend time improving on my craft. Parallel to this journey, I was dj’ing and hosting club nights for the queer community.
The clubs brought me in close contact with so many other artists and musicians, and it created space for unexpected collaborations. My first remix was for Tegan and Sara which then led to remixes for artists like Sam Sparro and Peaches. These were all people that I met through dj’ing and queer nightlife. I never imagined I would be putting out my own records. It was something that happened organically following the remix releases.
The first time one of my records was playing on the radio here in LA, I was an intern for Hans Zimmer. Everything was like a simmering stew… and it was leading me to where I am now.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was not a smooth road for me. I didn’t have the financial or moral and emotional support. I grew up with a single mom who is an immigrant from Vietnam. She couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t accept a traditional job that could offer security. My dad left before I was even in elementary school and my mom was left to fend for my newborn sister and me. She immigrated from Vietnam during the war, and I think all she ever wanted was security. It’s still hard for her to understand why I’m an artist.
During times that I was struggling financially, there was really nowhere to turn for financial support, or even moral support as me being an artist was frowned upon. Seeing art as a hobby rather than a career is a cultural view that most first generation Americans can really relate to. Even breaking my own psychological judgment on myself was a part of my journey. I studied sciences and earned a Bachelors of Science that doesn’t get any use at all (haha).
Being a producer is an expensive art form. It took me a long time to get into a place where I could realize my own music from start to finish – financially speaking. It’s finally paid off, and sometimes I still can’t believe that I’ve been able to sustain myself as an artist for over a decade. Being a queer woman of color, just being able to live comfortably as an artist is a success in itself, and I have to remind myself of this constantly. Misogyny, racism… these are all very real obstacles in the world of music.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I am a DJ and producer. I am a singer and songwriter. I also compose music. Most of my work is in the realm of underground dance music: house and techno. Although, I do create other types of music as a composer. I sing on my solo records and also wrote all of the music and lyrics. I’m most proud of the work I’ve been able to within the LGBTQ+ community, mobilizing and fundraising through music.
What sets me apart… I think visibility is key right now. We don’t have enough representation for Asian artists. The intersectionality of me also being queer makes it even more important. I literally had no one to look up to in music or television growing up in the 80s and 90s. I receive so many messages from Asian men and women around the world feeling so happy to have discovered a kindred spirit in music.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
(Reiterating what I said before)…. I am so proud of the work I’ve been able to do with and for the LGBTQ+ community. Working with GLAAD, Equality California and The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center to raise awareness and funds for homeless youth, and to fight oppressive laws such as Prop 8 (which has since been repealed!).
I’ve been able to DJ with some of my teenage idols and travel the world. And I think I cried the first time I heard my own voice singing back to me on the radio. It’s been a magical journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: djkimanh.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/kimanhofficial
- Facebook: facebook.com/kimanhofficial
- Twitter: twitter.com/kim_anh
- Yelp: soundcloud.com/kim_anh
- Other: bit.ly/essentialkimanh
Image Credit:
1 Raphael Chatelain
2 Erica Hernandez
3 and 4 Photobooth
5 David Arellanes
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
