American roots music is a mix of Western European and African traditions. As a musician of Japanese and Chinese descent with a love of folk music, I’ve been wondering what songs my Chinese ancestors brought to the U.S. when they emigrated during the gold rush, and what songs my Japanese ancestors sang while working the sugar plantations of Hawaii. I wonder about the arduous labor of the Chinese who built the railroads, and wish I could hear their work songs. Why didn’t their music become part of the landscape?

My music imagines what it would sound like if elements of Japanese and Chinese music had become a natural part of American roots music.

I am so excited to be working on my first album, Daughter of the West. Co-produced with Grammy-winning engineer Marc Whitmore, and composer/bassist Matt Orenstein, the album features a country band layered with erhu, pipa, shamisen, guzheng and Chinese percussion. There is also a second live album forthcoming on Howlin’ Dog Records, thanks to a grant from the Howlin’ Dog Music Group.

Please see my shows page for concert details and to purchase tickets!

Your support is greatly appreciated.