Daily Archives: August 26, 2011

Angel Island Profile: Tyrus Wong

Angel Island Profile: Tyrus Wong

Here’s a fascinating short documentary interview about artist Tyrus Wong’s experience at the Angel Island Immigration Station at the time of the Chinese Exclusion Act. It’s an interesting first hand account of what is was like on the island from the long waits to the interrogation. The 100 year-old retired artist shares his journey to the United States to discover the truths about “Gold Mountain”. At a young age Tyrus learned to paint and draw, when he arrived to America he studied hard to build a career out of something he loved to do. Eventually, he became the lead artist for Disney’s Bambi and an additional 26 years at Warner Bros. Currently, Tyrus is retired, but continues his passion by creating cards and flying homemade kites out on Santa Monica Beach.

Angel Island Profile: Tyrus Wong

Man Enough to Admit It by Spot & Ess

Man Enough to Admit It by Spot & Ess

Asian Canadian Rappers Spot & Ess is a Vancouver based hip-hop duo and production team. The two brothers have made a name for themselves producing for Vancouver’s elite artists (Jay Kin, Jeff Spec, Matt Brevner) and have released their second single “Man Enough to Admit It”. The song tells the tale of a promiscuous woman with a retro vibe. If you partying tonight, you might want to heed the advice n the single. You can download the track FREE here. Look for their album dropping in the fall.

For more music with that old school vibe, check out Right Now! by Allen Mask x simtracks and Stay (Just a Little bit) by FlowEthics

Man Enough to Admit It by Spot & Ess (contains profanity)

What’s Your Story? video challenge contest

What's Your Story? video challenge contest

There is nothing more powerful than the stories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Our stories define who we are, and they reflect our impact on the community around us. The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders launches an online video challenge, asking participants to submit personal stories about people who have had an impact on the people around them. The effort, called “What’s Your Story?” aims to highlight community service by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders whose dedication to a cause has made a difference in their communities.

They’re calling on you to produce a video, up to three minutes long, telling them who you are and how you have impacted those around you. In your video, answer the questions: How have your unique experiences shaped who you are today? And in what ways are you making a difference in your community? Everyone is welcomed to participate.

Entries are accepted in any form, including music video, public service announcement, short film, video blog or in an interview format. Essays will also be accepted in the place of video entries. All entries should showcase someone’s work around a specific issue facing the APA community in under three minutes or with fewer than 1,000 words.

A select number of entries will be posted on the White House website and a group of exceptional leaders highlighted will be selected to attend a White House briefing this fall and given the opportunity to share their stories in person at the White House as special guests in a White House event.

Entries should be submitted online here by Tuesday, November 1st, 2011.

What’s Your Story? video challenge contest

Asian girl group Blush interview with channelAPA.com

Asian girl group Blush interview with channelAPA.com

Last week, Asian girl group Blush got together with channelAPA.com to do an interview. We had a chance to chat with Victoria, Alisha, Natsuko (aka Nacho), Ji Hae, and Angeli about how they got together as a group, their experiences so far, and how they’re different from other Asian groups trying to break into the US. Billed as the first pan-Asian girl band, they talk about their experiences on So You Think You Can Dance, Justin Bieber, and Snoop Dogg. They’ve also got things in the works with Far East Movement, Disney’s Shake It Up, and more. They’re touring around the US so be on the look out for them.

Be sure to check out their songs Undivided and Fell In Love With A Song. Undivided has already hit #3 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Charts.

Asian girl group Blush interview with channelAPA.com

Introducing Blush

Fell In Love With A Song by Blush

Fell In Love With A Song by Blush

Following up on their dance hit Undivided with Snoop Dogg, Blush has just released their latest song “Fell In Love With A Song”. (Currently, Undivided is #3 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Charts). If you’ve ever been hooked on a song and listen to it over and over again, this single is for you. Once you fall for that track, you just can’t break away. Put it on repeat. It’s another potential dance hit in the making.

Recently, channelAPA.com had a chance to sit with Blush members Victoria, Alisha, Natsuko (aka Nacho), Ji Hae, and Angeli. Look for it soon.

Fell In Love With A Song by Blush