Q&A With LoveLikeFire’s Ann Yu
March 29, 2007
Just a year in the making, San Francisco indie band LoveLikeFire competed for a spot performing in local alt-rock station Live 105’s holiday festival and now finished their first self released EP, Bed of Gold.
LoveLikeFire’s vocalist Ann Yu is disarming with her blunt-cut bangs and always demure black tights. But her amiability is unexpected and well-received. The Las Vegas native talks about rejecting the Asian American poster child role, the Radiohead album that inspired her to rockstardom, and what it takes to survive the industry.
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
AY: I always try to get back to people, even those teenyboppers. I penpal with them back and forth, always trying to personalize the impersonal ‘Net. My weekend has been busy! I always seem to be running on a tight schedule – we work our asses off. We practically live in the space and have one night off a week. It’s never ending. Oh, I also have a day job.
A strong work ethic is not something you associate with rock band.
AY: There are so many bands out there. In order to set yourself apart, everything has to be perfect. We strive to emulate the classics, like Blondie. Unprofessionalism is a no-go. We strive to be top-notch.
you list radiohead as an influence on the band. What’s your favorite Radiohead song?
AY: I started listening to them when I was in high school. The Bends was the first album that really affected me. I was lying on the carpet, and I thought, “I want to know every single song, and I want to know want he [Thom Yorke] means by it.” To me, it is the ultimate comfort album. “Black star” is my favorite Radiohead song.
Asian American female lead vocalists seem to be a popular these days.
AY: Yeah, with Blonde Redhead and Deerhoof. Asian women always seem to be paving the way. I think they have a stigma that helps them. I think sexuality and beauty are power - whatever it takes…
Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs is half-Korean. It’s 2007 – there should be more girls in rock bands.
You’re Korean American. Second-generation?
AY: People assume I’m Chinese. I think it’s because Korean Americans aren’t very vocal. My parents haven’t been to a show yet. Recently, my dad listened to the tracks and was like, “Whoa! You’re, like, in a real band. This sounds like real music.” I was like, “Hello!” He thinks it’s a phase.
What about being an Asian American?
AY: All these Asian American organizations gravitate towards me. I guess this doesn’t happen very often, and it’s hard breaking through. I don’t really identify as an Asian American in a band. I just want to tell a story and happen to be Asian American. One interviewer recently asked me, “Are you an image or a style?” I’m about a certain style, but I’m not a poster child for Asian American culture. But if I get to be a major voice, [aspiring APA artists] please come my way!
Eunice Lee is a Berkeley student who is currently obsessed with Blonde Redhead’s Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons and the ‘pillows of mochi’ in Pinkberry’s shaved ice.
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