Folk+&+Acoustic

=Folk and Acoustic Music in Asian America=


 * Origins**

Folk music within the Asian American community came about as part of a response to American folk music of the 1960’s. It became necessary for Asians to confront racism and other social issues just like other minorities who were involved in political protest. Through folk music, Asian American identity was developed in relation to social issues and unique experience. The use of traditional folk/acoustic instruments such as the acoustic guitar and sounds resembling grassroots sounds links the music to that of American folk music. The difference is in the subject of the lyrics and/or the performers. The folk music genre, given it's nature and history, provides a good platform for Asian American identification in a social context.


 * Performers**

One of the most popular groups of the Asian American folk music genre was Yellow Pearl. The members of the group included Chris Iijima, Nobuko Joanne Miyamoto, and Charlie Chin. Their album A Grain of Sand: Music for the Struggle by Asians in America was released in 1973 and included songs about the Vietnam War and the Asian American experience. The group grappled with political issues related to the Asian experience in America. It was a critical album for the development of the Asian American identity and the [|"A Grain of Sand" album] is now a part of the Smithsonian Collection. The album was the first to use the term "Asian American" effectively. The group also wrote songs about the African American and the Native American experience. Most of their songs were dedicated to representing Asian American cultural experience in America.

media type="file" key="106 We are the Children.mp3" width="240" height="20"
 * "We Are the Children" by Yellow Pearl from** //**A Grain of Sand**//

Other Asian American folk musicians include Goh Nakamura, and The Travelers 3. Goh Nakamura is a more modern folk musician who got his start broadcasting YouTube videos of his music. His music has been referred to as coffee spot folk music and his songs have been featured in films like "American Gangster" and "Feast of Love".

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 * "Surrogate Valentine" by Goh Nakamura**

The Travelers 3 is described as a multicultural folk trio who specialized in Euro-American folk songs. The group consisted of Charlie Oyama, Pete Apo, and Dick Shirley. The instruments used in their music included the banjo, ukulele, acoustic guitar, bass, and plastic toy flute. Interestingly enough, Jac Holzman who discovered the group, says he does not recall much of a reaction to the presence of two Hawaiians in the group.


 * Other Notable Asian American Folk/Acoustic Musicians:**

Gina Lin Aiko Shimada Michael Hsu


 * References**

[] [| http://distribution.asianamericanmedia.org/]