What is your name?
Norman Kim
What is your genre of music?
Alternative Rock/Pop I suppose
Give us a little bio about you.
I was born in New York, went to music school in Boston, and then I immediately moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a film/TV composer. After doing that for a few years, I am now adding on pursuing a career as a solo artist who sings and produces original songs. What a turn. (I am still scoring as well)
What made you go in to music?
I love it!
Are you a signed?
No.
You released your new single ‘Just Like You,’ tell us more about the single.
It is the title track off my upcoming album. I wrote the song in early 2017 after I had co-scored a Superbowl commercial about immigration. It’s pretty emotional yet a bit aggressive.
What is the meaning behind the single?
We are all the same on the inside, yet we are viewed and treated differently based on external attributes such as the colour of our skin, the status of our gender/sexuality, and our economic status. My single hopefully illustrates how the minority in America might feel.
Describe the track in two words.
Contentious. Passionate.
What was the writing process like?
I was in New York working on this Superbowl thing, and when I flew back to LA, I immediately sat down and wrote the whole thing in about 30 minutes. I have not done any edits to the lyrics or the form from that initial writing session, so it was all a pretty intuitive experience.
What was the recording process like?
I recorded the whole song in my home studio, as I do with all my songs. I neurotically layered instruments and vocals. The process is very similar to how I write my film scores. I didn’t want to use too many “electric guitar” sounds, so I tried my best to use more organic instruments, so there are lots of percussion instruments as well as acoustic guitars. I also used some charango, ronroco, violins, and trumpets amongst other instruments I’m sure I’m forgetting. and vocals.
Who did you work with on the single?
I produced, played, and recorded most of the instruments myself. MB Gordy played drums. Mix by Brian Taylor. Mastering by Greg Calbi.
Will we see any music video for the track?
Yes, I am planning a music video release – hopefully it will by out by September 27th. I am currently editing it. I think it will be a cool concept – I gathered together some diverse people in LA to sing my song, and I also got footage of people from around the world who submitted videos to me of themselves singing the song. Super grateful, and I’m excited to see how it turns out!
Will we see an EP or album? If so what can we expect?
Yes, a 10-track album will be coming out soon, and it will be called “Just Like You.” My single “Just Like You” is the title track.
Do you have any shows coming up?
Yes! Only in LA.
If so where will you be heading?
My next scheduled performance is on October 5th where I will be performing a few songs for “Say NO Bullying Festival,” which I am very excited for because I am a big advocate for these kinds of things. The event will be at Griffith Park from 11am-3pm. More info: http://www.saynobullying.org/festival
What else can we expect in 2019?
I am working on releasing my album as well as music videos. I am also working on cool film projects as well as more classical music works, and hopefully some of that will be released as the year ends.
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any up coming artists?
Not currently! In talks to work with a few artists though.
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Yes, if I clicked with the other musicians! They should contact me through Instagram or Facebook. Or email me at normanmuses @ gmail . com.
Do you play any instruments?
Yes. Anything that can be played like a guitar, violin, or piano (ie. bass guitar, viola, mandolin, charango, balalaika, etc.). I also play some Asian zithers such as gayageum, guzheng, and dan tranh; also misc. percussion instruments including some mallet instruments.
Who are your influences?
Queen/Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson, Aerosmith/Steven Tyler, Muse, Adele, Florence + The Machine, Beethoven, Stravinsky, Mahler, Daniel Licht, and my mom.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
I just live my life.
Where do you see yourself in 5 Years?
Still making the best music I can. Continuing on my path. Building on my story. Every day is a new adventure. Maybe I’ll be scoring more films. Maybe I’ll be performing more of my songs. Who knows?
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
When I’m not doing music, I’m probably watching Seinfeld. Or I might be reading a book.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
The Odyssey by Symphony X.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
I haven’t really received incredibly memorable or brain-melting overall advice from anybody, to be honest. I’ve only received pretty great advice about certain situations. In any case, the best thing I did for myself was to follow after Jerry Seinfeld and make sure to build on my habits. He used to print out a huge calendar and cross off every day he worked on writing comedy. I spent a few years making sure I wrote something every single day.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Just do your thing. Forget advice, even the following advice. But here it is anyway.. Some people say not to wait until things are perfect and just put things out there, but I really don’t endorse that attitude. I think that only leads to oversaturation of mediocrity. You’ll never break through the noise with mediocrity. The world’s changing really quickly. Do whatever works best for you – if you are a perfectionist like me, you will not want to put out any art that is subpar anyway. Wait if you must. Patience is good. Deadlines are only good for jobs. Being an artist is not really doing a job. You’ve got a lot of time. You’ll only get better with age, like wine. Or Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“Better doesn’t mean it’s better for you.” –Me, from my last single “Better”
Okay hahaha, more seriously –
“Lesser artists borrow; great artists steal.” -Stravinsky
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
I don’t know, if you’re ever there for no real reason, you should probably just take the train to the city. You’re probably there because you have friends or family, so just spend time with them. Ask them where their favourite pizza place is.
You’re coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first? Home
2/ Who do you see first? I presume nobody as I’d probably want to be alone for a while
3/What do you eat first? Something Korean
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Depends on the gig, but usually my guitar, guitar tuner, microphone (I kiss the mic, gross), a lot of internal complaints, and a fake attitude of feeling in complete control.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Yes!
joan forgang
October 15, 2019 at 1:08 am
I am impressed I know your mom from the bay club she is sp proud good luck with all your endeavors Joan forging