'Ur Story,' is a series where voices from the Urbody community take center stage. We're thrilled to feature an interview with EN'B—a dynamic and multifaceted artist whose journey through music and identity transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. From the vibrant streets of Koreatown, Los Angeles, to the transformative experiences in Baltimore, EN'B (they/he) shares with us the profound influences that have crafted their path and their art.
"Expression through music and acting is a calling, a healing journey during my gender transition"
1. Could you introduce yourself, including your preferred pronouns, and share a little about your background?
EN'B (they/he) 은비, translates to 'Silver Rain'-- like "Purple Rain" (Yes, Im a Prince fan). I was born in LA, torn away by economic distress in the early 2000s to be raised in Arkansas, then ran away and schooled in Baltimore, Maryland-- where I was able to find queer community safe enough to start my FTM transition and perform/ hone my music and acting in the DMV area (Motorhouse, Strand Theatre, The Crown, Metro Gallery, Kennedy Center). Since I left my childhood in LA, I have always dreamt of coming back somehow (it is so expensive to have shelter over your head here!). I would literally dream of and navigate the streets of LA in my dreams since 11 years old-- this is how I still remember and navigate the streets of Ktown in this plane of reality. After the grief of a break up in the height of the pandemic, I got rid of 80% of my things, packed my little miata and moved across the country to live out my known destiny. Expression through music and acting is a calling, a healing journey during my gender transition; I only exist because of the euphoria and reason that these crafts give me to expression Han, Heng of my transcestors and trans youth lost to transphobia.
2. How did your experiences growing up in Koreatown, Los Angeles, influence your musical style?
Growing up in Ktown, LA, I grew up listening to the radio on the school bus and recording tapes-- jams from Lauryn Hill, Lil Kim, NSync, 50Cent AND OG Kpop boy bands like H.O.T., TVXQ! and queen BoA. I also learned how to play the janggu Korean traditional drums in my youth, starting here. My father won 2nd place in the "Jangtuh" (which is the annual Korean Festival held at Olympic Park) singing competition in the 90s. His genre is called Trot music, in which the artist Na Hoon Ah. (like the Korean Elvis) reigns supreme, singing about love but also hardship during the Korean war. The only time my father would express feelings was through passionate music and singing; I believe he is expressing his Han through the hardship he faced during his childhood through the Korean war and immigrant life in the US. -- and trust me, his singing is soul rumbling.
"A uniquely Korean concept but universally understood by oppressed peoples, called Han 한 and Heng 흥 fuels my music."
3. Your music beautifully intertwines traditional Korean sounds with Rhythm and Blues of the Black diaspora. Can you share how this fusion came to be?
All contemporary music, including Kpop, are all influenced and/or rooted by sounds of the Black diaspora (through work songs to gospel to blues to Rock and R&B to hip hop to Pop infusions). I chose to be more clear and transparent about this in my bio. A uniquely Korean concept but universally understood by oppressed peoples, called Han 한 and Heng 흥 fuels my music. Han is not translatable because it is a gut feeling. It can be described as a feeling of "insurmountable grievance over injustice from repeated colonization" that fuels the Heng, which is the expression and joy through the pain of survival. From my childhood in LA, adolescence in Arkansas, and adult "out and queer life"-- the regional music has been musings. I do not claim expertise but I had no choice but to soak up the sounds of LA (R&B, Kpop, Korean Traditional muci), Arkansas (southern hiphop and soul music from playing band with my HBCU band director of Little Rock Central High School-- the first school to integrate in the south after JIm Crow --and being the only Asian kid in the gospel choir), and Baltimore (Ball/ club music). The musings of these sounds come through my music compositions for vocal performance and film music (Wanderer Dir. Caroline Xia and Squeegee Boy Dir. ChungWei).
4. What does the creative process look like for you when blending such diverse musical traditions?
There is no finite process; sometimes the lyrics come first, sometimes a Janggu drum "garak" or rhythm come first, or an R&B guitar riff. I do believe that my transcestors guide me to which projects should come to fruition with intuition.
"THE WORLD AND HUMANITY NEEDS YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF AND EXPRESSIONS!"
5. On family road trips, your dad would sing Korean tunes. Is there a particular song that stands out to you and has influenced your music?
West coast cruisin with "Ooljima 울지마" or "Don't Cry" by Na Hoon Ah and "Dalbal Muri 단발머리" or Short Haircut by Jo Young Pil are memorable songs that come to mind. The "Don't Cry" song is an expression of Han 한 while the The Jo Young PIl song is an 80s rock/city pop song that features some really fun synth sounds of that era express the 'Heng 흥'
6. What advice would you give to young artists who are trying to find their voice and place in the world?
PLEASE KEEP CREATING AND ACTUALIZING WHO YOU UNIQUELY ARE! People like close friends and family may not be your biggest fans and encouraging but you have to push through. THIS REALITY UNDER AI CAPITALISM MAY BE DISCOURAGING BUT THE WORLD AND HUMANITY NEEDS YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF AND EXPRESSIONS!
7. Where do you see your musical journey taking you in the next five years, and are there any new directions you're excited to explore?
I envision my music developing and being more rooted in Korean traditional music, as I am training with the Korean Traditional Dance Institute at the moment. My gender transition has actually caused an intentional hiatus on releasing my music, due to the changing vocal chords and the need to train during this time. I decided to work on acting and started seriously training with an acting coach, EMAS, and ACTNow studios in Hollywood. I am excited to manifest more characters and stories to tell through the authentic lens of my lived non-binary trans experience and acting in TV and film-- this is the next quest on the journey.
To dive deeper into the world of EN'B and experience their captivating artistry, we invite you to watch the short film concept 'Wanderer' and the music video 'Quotient.' For an auditory journey, listen to their track "Take Care" on Spotify. Each piece offers a glimpse into the creative universe of EN'B, blending music and storytelling in a way that moves and inspires.