Upcoming shows / performances:
A Short Biography
Sue Jin is a 24-year-old singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, California. After graduating in 2005 with a BA degree in Anthropology from UCLA, she decided to pursue her passion for music. Since then, she has performed throughout Los Angeles and Hollywood, been a featured artist for numerous university events, appeared on MTV's My Own, and was a top 10 finalist for Asian American Popstar. Her originality, sincerity, and soul, are what make her one of the most inspiring upcoming Asian American artists of today.
Sue Jin began singing at a very young age, however, dedicated much of her early years to competitive figure skating. Her love for performing manifested in her skating for over a decade. Though she continued skating throughout college, founding UCLA's first intercollegiate figure skating team, she decided to direct her energy toward the performing arts, playing lead roles in productions such as Grease and The Tale of Changsu, as well as dancing on various troupes, including ACA Hip Hop, one of UCLA's most reputable and competitive hip hop teams.
After dabbling in various areas of the arts, she decided to take a more individualistic approach to music, writing her first song, "If I Could Change," in 2004. Since then, Sue Jin has dedicated herself to writing original songs with poignant messages and soulful lyrics. Drawing elements from Alicia Keys, India Arie, Joss Stone, Jill Scott, Ella Fitzgerald, Evanescence, Elton John, Sara Mclauchlan, Whitney Houston, and the legendary Stevie Wonder, shes developed her raw talent and made it acoustic soul.
Sue Jin recently released her highly anticipated EP, "Worth the Tears," [2008] which will be available to the public February 2008 at all major online music stores. She can be found performing throughout Los Angeles and Hollywood with her souful rock band consisting of her bass player, Kevin Klein, drummer, Don Caverly, and guitarist, Timo Chen. For booking information, email [email protected].
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"In as few as six songs, Sue Jin demonstrates versatility and talent which make her a force to be reckoned with. The first listen to "Worth The Tears" will captivate the senses, and leave one aching for whatever is next to come from Sue Jin." -Melanie (Sass) Falina, UnratedMagazine.com
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"It's great. Just imagine that you're listening to Alicia Keys, Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John, and maybe even a little bit of Stevie Wonder. Her songs all combine elements from these famous musicians to give a great mixture to entice you. I'm taken back by the professional quality of Sue Jin." -Andy, BiggestLetdown.com
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"She is one of those rare breeds - a true contralto - and she is blessed with a sweeping vocal range that she manipulates to stunning dynamic effect. Add to that her rock-solid, mature songwriting skills and faultless musicianship -- and you've got a total package that's hard to beat." - Steve Foley, Asian Talent Online
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"She belts out an amazing hardcore soulful voice that will lead you to believe you are listening to the top 40." - Chris Tsang, Editor of Jooksing online magazine
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"From musical theater to hip hop dance, she dabbled in many areas of the arts before - lucky for us - settling into singing and songwriting. Drawing inspiration from such diverse artists as India.Arie, Joss Stone, Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John, Sarah McLachlan, and Stevie Wonder, she has created a soulful sound all her own." -ImaginAsian TV, ialink.tv
TV Appearances, Performances, & Press Releases:
ImaginAsian TV, online interview, May 2008
Unrated Magazine - CD Review, May 2008
Biggest Letdown Magazine - CD Review, April 2008
LA 18 KSCI TV - Live performance, February 2008
Asian Talent Online - Featured artist, October 2007
Jook Sings online magazine - Featured artist, October 2007
LA Marathon 2007, Guest performer
Claremont McKenna College - KCN 2007, Featured Artist
TVK - "Exposure: Voices of a 2nd Generation"
TVK Entertainment News
MTV's "My Own"
KTAN
Radio Seoul
Radio Korea
The Korea Times
Asian Sirens
Meniscus Magazine
APA Magazine
Kollaboration 2006 - Competitor
Asian American Popstar - Top 10 finalist
Quest 2006 - Lead vocalist
University of California, Irvine - Tomo No Kai 2006, Featured artist
University of San Diego - PCN 2006, Featured artist
University of California, Los Angeles - KCN 2005, Lead actress/singer
Xperimental Entertainment Interview Questions [April 2006]
WHAT MAKES YOU THE NEXT ASIAN AMERICAN POP STAR?
Haha... I've never pictured myself as a "Pop Star." Actually, I'm not even sure I know what that is. But, if the question is asking why people should listen to me and my music, I guess it's because I have more to offer than an ability to hit notes. I am honest with my lyrics, devoted to touching people with my songs, and soulful to the core. I'm not just a singer, but also a passionate individual with a vision of music that transcends the superficiality of American pop culture.
WHAT DOES LOVE MEAN TO YOU?
I recently read a book by an insightful anthropologist, Helen Fisher, called "Why We Love." After reading over two hundred and thirty something pages detailing the evolutionary, biological, and physiological origins and mechanisms behind love, I realized I still didn't have a clue what it was! But when I evaluated my life history, I thought of one person who has completely demystified that which we define as love, and made it into something tangible and comprehensible. My father. He is undoubtedly one of the most amazing men that has walked the face of this Earth, and has taught me that love is and requires commitment, courage, and sacrifice.
WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION/MOTIVATION COME FROM?
To be honest, my motivation to pursue the things I do in life stems from my inherent fear of regret. I fear waking up one day, regretful of a decision I made, and questioning whether me having taken a different action would've changed the trajectory of my life. Living each day as if it were an opportunity to chase my dreams is (for me) the only way to live, and inspires me to experience all the fruits that life has to offer.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE BORED OUT OF YOUR MIND?
Simple! The three S's: Sing/songwrite, Salsa, and Skate. Three... four S's! I'm rarely bored. Whenever I have nothing to do, I either jam with Alicia Keys (my keyboard), go ice-skating, or salsa dancing. And if for some reason the 4 S's fail me, I pick up one of my nerdy non-fiction books and implacably blog about societal issues.
WHAT ARE YOUR TURN ONS/OFF?
It is IMPERATIVE that one has a sense of humor around me. If not, Sue Jin is not a happy camper! Intelligence, wit, and a strong sense of character is always a turn on. As for turn offs, my main one is cockiness. If someone is over-confident, to the point where they are condescending, I tend to stay away or make it known to them that they need to tone down their ego.
IF YOU ARE TO BE THE FIRST ASIAN AMERICAN POPSTAR TO BREAK INTO THE MAINSTREAM, WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST THING YOU TELL YOUR FANS?
The first thing I would say is, "THANK YOU. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to change the face of mainstream music in America."
I was walking through the music section at Borders the other day, and noticed something incredible. There were no Asian artists anywhere to be found! Well there were a few in the Classical section. But where were the Asian Pop and R&B singers? Where were the Asian Country singers and Rap artists? We aren't intrinsically incapable of singing music in English! It's a common misconception that the music must parallel an image, and unfortunately, there always seem to be gatekeepers preventing people of all shapes, sizes, and colors from just celebrating the music itself. If there is anything that this competition has taught me, it is that there is an abundance of talent in the Asian American community, and it is time for us to display it to the world.