Dreams Not Memes Podcast

In today's episode of Dreams Not Memes I speak to Jason/Tsung-Yuan Lee. Jason is a Taiwanese classical/jazz/world music violinist, multi-instrumentalist (piano, bass, guitar, drum, erhu, cello), composer, sound designer and an electronic musician.

In 2017 Jason appeared and composed music for the film “Accommodation”. He also appeared on Dream Theater’s “Along for the Ride” tour and live released DVD “Breaking The Fourth Wall”. In 2015, Jason Lee toured in China with his Chinese/Jazz fusion quartet for the first time and was interviewed by Huaxia Magazine as the theme of the month- “The rising star of the music world”. And later on, went on a sold-out tour with Yo-Yo Ma’s silkroad Ensemble branch project in 2018. In 2017, Tsung-Yuan join The Boulanger Lab as a musical software developer, directed by the creator of Csound computer language, Dr. Richard Boulanger. 

During 2018-2020 Jason was the co-leader of string revolution funk/rock band “2 Birds Band”, the great modern violin pioneer Jean-Luc Ponty has once commented on the band, “I'm glad to see young compatriots at a level that I rarely hear!”. The band is a unique strings-based ensemble with a rhythm section that explores the boundaries of violin and cello through different styles of music. Fusing classical tradition and contemporary styles, the band presents a new way of approaching strings with a sound both cultured and groovy. It has been performing and teaching clinics in Boston, New York, Toronto and France. The band has released 3 albums First Flight (2015), For Lack Of A Better World (2016) and String Groover (2017). 

Through recent years, Tsung-Yuan (Jason) Lee has worked and performed with many renowned musicians from modern jazz innovators such as, 4-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard; 2-time Grammy winner Jacob Collier; modern drummer Jojo Mayer; Mark Guiliana, modern guitarist David Fiuczynski, to King of Chinese Pop Lee Hom Wang; to classical musicians including 4-time grammy winner Eugene Friesen; grammy-winning Yo-Yo Ma’s Silkroad Ensemble, to Hollywood Oscar nominated composer AR Rahma, progressive rock band Dream Theater; electronic music composer Robert Rich; oud master Simon Shaheen and suona master Yazhi Guo. 

In our conversation, Jason and I speak about his experiences with playing the violin and exploring his love for music and how he has been able to work on music in New York and Taiwan. Learn more on Dreams Not Memes. 

https://www.instagram.com/jasonleety/

On Episode 307, I spoke to Ashwin Shenoy aka Xenai, here is a little bio about him. 

My name is Ashwin Shenoy aka Xenai and I’m a third culture alien/artist blending Indian and Middle Eastern elements into Hip Hop & RnB.

Music is my way of connecting with the many facets of who I am and the realities around me.

Known as Xenai, I started composing my own music as a student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. The spectrum of cultural influences I’ve had the privilege of being exposed to from Western sounds like ‘The Weeknd’ and ‘Jeff Buckley’ as well as Eastern traditions like the Arabic vocal music mawwāl and Hindustani classical music, all which shaped my unique kaleidoscopic sound.

So far, I’ve released 40 original singles that I’ve written, composed, produced, engineered and performed myself. I won the Flash Entertainment 2019 Yasalam Emerging Talent Competition in Abu Dhabi and the award for Breakout Artist of the Year 2019: Gulf Indie Music Awards by Museland. I’ve been featured on U.A.E.‘s Gulf News, Bahrain National Newspaper: Gulf Daily News, Bahrain Confidential and Bahrain This Month for my creative endeavors.

My most notable performances include the F1 Grand Prix 2019 in Abu Dhabi opening for Marshmello and The Killers, the “Musicians Without Borders” at the Bahrain Cultural Hall 2019, the 2019 Mubadala Tennis World Championship, 2020 BIRA Makeplay Festival and the Art Fusions Art Exhibition, “Love & Inspire” attended by H.E. Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed Al Khalifa.

I composed the title track and film score for a feature film proposed to be on Netflix, as well as having acted a lead role. I worked as assistant producer for multiple jingles and commercials for companies such as Nissan, Suzuki, Shiseido, DHC, Philip Morris and Kose. As an independent artist in Bahrain with a global outreach, I have a thorough understanding of multiple areas of my craft and the music industry.

In our conversation Xenai share's his story about how he has had to reshape his sound from personal experiences and what he plans to do with his music career in the future. Learn more on Dreams Not Memes. 

Social : https://www.instagram.com/xenaimuzik/?hl=en

Website: https://www.ashwinxenai.com/

Ana Ortiz Wienken is a Berklee College of Music alumni, graduated with a Magna Cum Laude in Film Scoring, Conducting and Music Production.  Her career has been eventually intense as she began her musical training at the Russian Conservatory Katarina Gurska of Madrid, in where she obtained a Magna Cum Laude degree in classical piano performance and contemporary composition.

In our conversation Ana speaks about her experiences with working in the film and composing industry and how she works for herself as an entrepreneurial composer. Learn more on Dreams Not Memes. 

Lillian grew up in Taipei munching on succulent pork baos and chewy bubble teas. She is a former management consultant who followed her passion into becoming a food entrepreneur. Currently, she is a partner at Yun Hai, a NYC based online gourmet shop focused on Taiwanese artisan foods. Lillian and I speak about her journey with with working in the food industry and how she hopes to help the US Food Industry adopt Taiwanese cuisines. 

www.linkedIn.com/lillianlin

Instagram @lilyiann

www.Yunhai.shop is the company website

@yunhaishop is the store’s Instagram

Jernej Bervar is an award-winning musician, guitar player, composer, arranger, and

Jernej discovered his passion for music at early age of 4. Coming from a classical

Jernej won several notable awards, including John Laporta Jazz Award and Performance

Jernej is performing at concerts nationally and internationally in Europe, USA, Africa,

Jernej and I speak together about his journey as an artist and his future goals. Tune in today on the next episode of Dreams Not Memes. 

Socials

https://www.youtube.com/user/jernejbguitar

https://jernejbervar.com/

Shihori is a visionary LA-based singer and songwriter who has enjoyed over a decade of success in the Japanese pop industry and beyond. Her work encompasses original songs as well as compositions for internationally-acclaimed anime tv shows (Fairy Tail, The Irregular at Magic High School, Macross Frontier including collaborations with Kohei Tanaka ( One Piece)) and computer games including 'League of Legends'.  She boasts 11 gold-certified singles and albums that total over a million sales. Her music champions a message of love and life empowerment. In our conversation Shihori and I talk about her journey as a creative, her goals with being a songwriter and composer from Japan. Learn more on Dreams Not Memes and Subscribe today to hear the past episodes. 

Social Media 

https://linktr.ee/shihorimusic

A little to folk for punk and little too punk for folk, Molly Compton is a creative with many hats based in Chicago. Amateur gardener, unofficial soup club member, hidden gem, CEO and hemorrhaging heart at Ur Mom Records. Compton shares her story about her relationship with music, art, and her vision for creating an accessible community. Molly and I take a deep dive into Compton's origin story and talk about having multiple skills in the arts, arranging music, and finding your calling. Find out more on Dreams Not Memes Podcast.

@mollstermash IG AND FB

@mollster_mash Twitter

Molly Compton on spotify

“Born Kevin van Drecht in the Netherlands, Kevan Dre is a 21-year-old upcoming rapper, producer, songwriter and engineer.

At a young age Kevin fell in love with music from the likes of Lil Wayne and Bay Area artists E-40 and Mac Dre.

From playing the organ at his grandparents’ house to building his own studio and recording actual songs that could take you places.

In the summer of 2018 he started messing around with different DAW’s and made his first beats. As soon as he got the hang of producing, Kevin started writing songs and rapping the following year. On May 21st 2019 he finally released his first single called “Drifting Off” with Italian singer Marco Finotti under his old artist name “KD”. Between then and January 2020 Kevin continued to release numerous singles featuring artists around the globe.

After a year of releasing songs as KD, Kevin and the label he was under decided it was time to rebrand to something more unique. He eventually  landed on “Kevan Dre”, which takes parts of his real name, and pays homage to artists like Mac Dre and Dr. DRE. On July 3rd Kevin officially came back to the rap scene under Kevan Dre with his debut single called “Lonely” featuring Miami based artist Don Jones, which amassed over 4000 streams. He then continued releasing singles like “Hurt”, which amassed over 10.000 streams, Need That, which surpassed 4500 streams, and overseas, surpassing 16.000 streams.

Inspired by artists like E-40 and Mac Dre, to G-Eazy and P-Lo, Kevan Dre is set to bring American Hip Hop and West Coast Hip Hop to western Europe.”

Kevan and I speak about his life ambition in becoming an MC and his interactions with hip hop. Learn More on Dreams Not Memes and Subscribe today. 

Social Links:

https://www.instagram.com/Kevan_Dre/

https://www.Twitter.com/Kevan_Dre

Julia Flores (Episode 100) requested to interview the host of Dreams Not Memes Podcast, Brian Walker.  Walker is not only the host of this podcast, he holds many hats. Walker is the singer songwriter of A Day Without Love, Co Producer of Safe x Sound Film, Freelance Scoring Musician, A Change Management Consultant, Author/ Poet, and a Creative Community Centered Collaborator.

Walker has released 104 songs and is currently working on his third studio recorded album, the release of a documentary and hopes to create a community based on acceptance, diversity of thought, and teamwork. Flores interviews Walker about his creative and professional goals, why he started Dreams Not Memes, and how he has overcome his battles with mental health, trauma and inequality as a creative entrepreneur and professional. Learn more about Walker on the 300th episode of Dreams Not Memes.

Socials and Fundraising Links

Bandcamp: https://adaywithoutlove.bandcamp.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/09JoYdZo9cekYMqyN1bsGD?si=xsYvSGwRTh6FGjDBIEKv6g&dl_branch=1

Merch: https://www.adaywithoutlove.com/merch

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adaywithoutlove

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/adaywithoutlove

Tik Tok : @adaywithoutloveband

Instagram: @adaywithoutlove

Subscribe to Dreams Not Memes: https://anchor.fm/dreamsnotmemes/subscribe

Documentary Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lyUjL_W1xM&t=13s

Jesse Lundy has been working as a concert promoter and publicist in Philadelphia area since 1995 (Electric Factory Concerts 95-97; and New Park Entertainment/Jack Utsick Presents 97-01).

In 2002, he joined Point Entertainment as Talent Buyer and Publicist at award-winning listening room The Point in Bryn Mawr, PA. Since The Point closed in June of 2005, Point Entertainment has been producing shows at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA, concerts series and special events at numerous venues including The Ardmore Music Hall and The Locks at Sona. 

From 2008-2017, Point Entertainment programmed the Philadelphia Folk Festival. He has managed Michael Braunfeld (www.michaelbraunfeld.com) The Wallace Brothers Band (http://www.wallacebrothersband.com/) The Brakes (http://www.brakesband.com) and John Francis (http://www.johnfrancismusic.com ) and taught Concert Industry at Drexel University from 2005-2018. Lundy is happily married. 

Jesse and I speak about his journey as a concert promoter and the shifts in promotional trends in entertainment over the past 20 years. Find out more on Dreams Not Memes Podcast. 

Social Media 

https://pointentertainment.com/about-us/