ABOUT ASIAN CRISIS
Asian Crisis began in 1998 as a series of community-building jam sessions held in Oakland’s Chinatown. Their goal has since been to create compelling new music that contributes to a pan-Asian/Asian Pacific American political consciousness.

Current instrumentation and repertoire is inspired by the musical traditions of Asia, including India, Korea, Thailand, Laos, Japan, Okinawa, China, and the Philippines, as well as American musical forms such as jazz, R&B and funk.

 As individuals, their musical training and cultural backgrounds vary, yet each member shares the same dream of making meaningful music inspired by their experiences as Asians and Americans.

Their endeavor to merge very distinct musical traditions has yielded a sound rich in passion, creativity, rhythm, and harmony. They are gratified that audiences on both sides of the Pacific Ocean have shown great interest and enthusiasm for their music.

The "crisis" we confront is one of Asian American representation in all areas of contemporary art; a crisis in pan-Asian social/political consciousness and visibility; a crisis of Asian stereotypes; a crisis of being defined and boxed within parameters we refuse to adhere to.
Our music is a response to all of these observations, but more than that, it was born of our need to make sense of who we are as Americans, so far from the land of our ancestors.

--Asian Crisis

Above image courtesy of Asian Crisis.

For more information about Asian Crisis, please visit www.asiancrisismusic.com