In recent years, there are many Vietnamese rising stars both in the United States and other European countries hoping to break through the barrier to become one of the many 'phenoms' that are currently occupying the mainstream airwave. One such rising star is Kristine Yen Sa. Recently, VietScape had a rare opportunity to catch up with Kristine and were able to have her share some of her secrets to her success. The following is an excerpt from our online interview with Kristine.
VS: What was your birthday ?
Kristine: June 6th, 1982
VS: Where were you born and where did you grow up? What high school did you attend ?
Kristine: I grew up in a town near Saigon called Song Be. My high school years are/were at Wexford C.I. (in Toronto, Canada) I am finishing up my last year right now.
VS: When did you come to the US, where did you first live and where are you living now ?
Kristine: I came to Canada when I was 6 years old and am still living here in Toronto. I often come to the States to work.
VS: Are there any musicians in your family?
Kristine: Yes. =) My sister Tam Doan.
VS: When was your first time singing in public?
Kristine: I believe it was in my kindergarten class when I was about 5. We had put on a little performance for the parents and I was a singing flower. If you ask me, I think I was the best flower there. ;p
VS: How and where did you learn to sing? Did you get encouragement from family?
Kristine: I've been singing all my life, actually. I never really knew it to be something remotely significant. I always thought it was something that everyone did as often as me. My family has brought me up to be very appreciative of music. We ALWAYS have music on, no matter what it is that we are doing. With my career, they support what I do tremendously. They're very proud that I am doing something I love. As for music school, I've been at a special performing arts school since the 9th grade. I chose to go there since the 8th grade, and couldn't stop once I started. It's rather addictive! I've taken drama, vocal, and musical theatre at school but I have never taken any private singing lessons before. I guess my most important mentor has been my mommy... singing Y Lan songs as she cooks.
VS: When did you start your musical career and how?
Kristine: I didn't really wake up one morning and decide that I would pursue this path. It was a friend of mine that knew of my interests and contacted Nemesis Records for me. He told them to take a look at my webpage and they were interested in my poetry. Minh-Dan Pham (CEO of Nemesis Records) and I spoke for a little while. After sending a rough cover of Toni Braxton's "Unbreak My Heart" along with a self-written song, I guess I just stumbled into the business. I was 17 at the time.
VS: Are you influenced by any kind of music or musician(s)? Vietnamese or Foreign? What type of music you love best?
Kristine: I am intrigued by all kinds of music. I love anything and everything that is interesting to the ear. I am influenced by both foreign and Vietnamese music. I find that the stylistics used in Vietnamese music is absolutely gorgeous! It's something that no other music can imitate. Though, I am unable to duplicate it exactly, I hope to somehow incorporate it a little into my writing. There are so many beautiful Vietnamese instruments that are unused by the American industry and hopefully we'll be able to change that.
VS: What is your source of inspiration?
Kristine: Life. I find that I write when I am overwhelmed and I am only overwhelmed when I am able to feel what has happened. Whether it's happened to me or someone else, if I feel it so bad that it aches. That's when a song pours out.
VS: Is there a particular song that you are most proud of? Why?
Kristine: Umm... I don't know. That's a tough one. I like them all equally and I dislike them all equally. I'm the type of person that is never satisfied with my work. I always think that I should be doing a little better, so really I don't know. But if I absolutely HAD to choose, then it would be "Nexusbeta/Parallel Fates". This song is so different from what I usually do that it makes me little happy knowing that I tried something very new.
VS: Do you play any musical instrument?
Kristine: I write with the piano and am trying to pick up some guitar. The guitar is such a romantic instrument.
VS: Do you get involved with any other type of arts or performance outside of music ?
Kristine: Yes. =) I am a chronic writer. I write day and night, and in my sleep. I also do quite a bit of dancing, acting, sketching and lately a little bit of photography.
VS: What kind of fan contact do you have ? Do you receive letters? Do fans come talk to you after concert?
Kristine: Every now and then I get sweet long emails from fans. I always blush a little, every time I say or write the word "fan". I am not used to it at all. They would explain to me how they found out about me and what songs they like the most. There was this one person that emailed me and told me that he used "The Arms Of Paradise" to get married to. WOW, I thought. I almost cried when I read that one. Also, there's a message board at www.nemesismusic.com where people can leave messages and I always read them. I try to respond as often as possible on my diary at the site.
VS: How would someone contact you?
Kristine: I always read the message board at www.nemesismusic.com, so that would be the best way to contact me.
VS: What do you like doing in your free time outside of singing? Do you have any hobbies?
Kristine: I like to spend a little alone time with my boyfriend. =) Yes, yes, I know. I am a big mush-ball but I can't help it. He's the cutest thing! I also like just sitting with a coffee and staring out the window. It's really nice to just sit and observe the world. It's a beautiful place.
VS: Any favorite food and drink ?
Kristine: Bubble tea, hot hot buffalo wings and durian fruit. Generally I just LOVE food though. =) Feed me and I am happy.
VS: Any project in terms on CD, video, concert in the next 6 months ?
Kristine: We are currently working on the first album, titled "I Never Knew" and it will be available sometime this summer.
VS: Any goals you want to accomplish in the future ?
Kristine: I'd like to know that I have reached a few hearts. That's really all I want. In the big picture, I'd like to be recognized as a Vietnamese/Asian singer in the American industry. But really, I just want to reach a few hearts. Without that, there's really no point in writing or singing.
VS: Is your singing career a full-time career or do you have any side business? How do you find the time, do you have to sacrifice anything to pursue singing (or performing)?
Kristine: I am trying to balance singing with my high school career. Next year I'll be studying theatre at York University, which will probably kill me but I'll deal with that when it comes. I had to quit my part-time job a while ago because it kept interfering with my creative outbursts. I used to write parts of songs during work and I would lose concentration. It was bad for both my employer and me. I've had to cut down on my social life... a lot! Of course, I also don't sleep. =)
VS: Please give us the names of 3 of your most requested and successful songs.
Kristine: Oh that's perfect! There are only 3 songs available right now. They are "The Arms Of Paradise", "A Dose Of You" and "Nexusbeta/Parallel Fates". They can be found at www.nemesismusic.com, or on napster if it will survive. I hope it will. I am quite a napster-girl.