G*LEE Interviews w/ Wine & Bowties

The cross-disciplinary artist known as G*LEE has an interview out with Wine & Bowties that helps gives a little insight behind the NY based musicians. Her online presence isn’t exactly over-saturated so I imagine most may not be too familiar with her work. I first learned about her after her involvement with Kollaboration NY a couple years back and appreciated this interview. Check it out for yourself over at W&B or in it’s entirety after the jump.

It was an ordinary Wednesday night when I was first introduced to G*LEE. A not so typical night at M Bar providing the setting for everything else to come. Morgan told me she had a friend I needed to meet. Always trusting her taste in people, I was eager to meet this girl who simply went by the letter G. The first thing I noticed were her glasses. A pair of double rimmed bifocals unassumingly resting over the edge of her nose. Sparking some trees up soon after, we chatted a bit before hitting the bar. It wasn’t long before I felt her energy. Her presence makes you feel cooler. After a couple passes of the pipe, she asked, “So when are we gonna hoop?’

Marking the beginning of a still infantile relationship, I find myself constantly impressed by the wisdom of G*LEE. As a songwriter, DJ and creative, it seems as though G has already found her path. Graciously taking the opportunity to pick her brain about life, music and her motivations, there’s some truth for everyone in G’s words. Without further adieu, my interview with G*LEE.

Max Gibson: How would you describe your upbringing as a child?

G*LEE: After my dad abandoned my family, my mother sent my brother and I to Korea when I was 7 years old. This specific moment in my life was the core of my upbringing because I went from wealthy to poor. In Korea, I stayed with my aunt for about a year. But then things started to change with my aunt’s family so I ended up in about five different orphanage/mission homes throughout Korea. As a child, traveling from place to place and always adapting to new environments and culture was optimistic. But there was always the pain about it, the feeling of abandonment and being lost in this world- not having a home. My upbringing then recycled me to live my life in the “poverty mindset” so that meant that I had to think of all the limitations, the laws, and barricades that prevented me from doing certain things. But this actually shaped me to have higher creativity because I learned to make things from “nothing to something”. Also the fact that I was so intrigued by how I valued things in life more than other kids because when you grew up with limitations, you risk everything you got to survive.

What were some of your most profound memories growing up?

I played basketball on the streets day and night because it gave me escape and release. Going to my uncle’s farm in the Korean countryside every weekend and catching butterflies, frogs, dragonflies, and best part was feeling so connected with nature. I loved hearing my mother sing hymns around the house and this definitely shaped the way I aspire to gospels. The first time I watched Les Miserables, I found much of my own uniqueness drawing from the production of this musical because I realized the true meaning of “integrating” arts into one single performance. I would say I have more funky child moments than “profound” because I always sought to do things that were irregular or that many might define as “insane” – but yes, life was surely profound when I was a child.

How has New York shaped the person you are today?

New York shaped me in the respect of understanding true art and art of truth. The realness that comes from the streets. The wild yet classy life that you go through day to day in this city shaped everything in me. If it wasn’t for NY and its culture, I would have been lost in translation in discovering that one important aspect of my identity. If I didn’t end up in this city, I would’ve never met my mentor and even my blood for street subculture. New York is too alive and there’s no time for people to be fake or bullshit. Straight up ambition, pure confidence, and restlessness – exactly what NY gave me.

How were you able to discover your passion at such a young age?

It’s simple. I paid attention. I paid attention to knowledge and art rather than money and dreams. Life is nothing but wisdom, and wisdom cannot be calculated. Never has anyone doubted me or questioned because of my age, because what they see is me rather than what the world wants me to act by. It’s endless to talk about my passion because art is a constant invention. If you pay attention to the world, you as the artist will realize this special commission knocking at your door saying “this is your calling, save them” – that was my voice in my passion. If I’m not going to wake up, then who is? If these individuals and cowardly artists have no courage, then who is going to really cultivate their art. I feel one thing for sure- growing up so untamed I realized the only way to discover yourself is to really believe that life is about expression rather than impression. And that, my friend, only comes when you pay attention to yourself and your every movement.

How did you initially become interested in art and music?

To be frank, I was so disgusted by the pretentiousness of our culture. It all roots back to my childhood, being so close to reality and suffering – I realized the true reason of art and music. So then seeing such artificial art made me concerned about how people are going to really take life serious I mean of course at the same, I was drawn to the abstract and opposite existence of what art and music does to me. A world beyond reality but surrealism where nobody else can find you. I was just born to be an artist. The way that I saw life, heard life, and make my life into a display for others.

How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it before?

It’s philosophical. It’s poetic. It’s organic. No cockiness, just me and you. My mentor always said that my music is beyond words, that you can just close your eyes and see a movie. I grew up always fusing sounds together. Particularly being a former Juilliard student, I’m very cinematic with my music. Though my first EP is more well-shaped than having any visual quality in it. My background in being a trained musician allows me to be more open to fuse sounds together. So I would be totally down to funk up Stravinsky with Lauryn Hill or even Billie Holiday and Sigur Ros – so I love surprising people.

What sort of things inspire you?

Just one thing – my faith.

How has your ethnicity influenced your art?

I never thought about my ethnicity at all to influence my art. I grew up breaking the rules and knocking down stereotypes so race was never something I used to influence anything. No blame or excuse.

Shakespeare once said “True art is performance.” Would you agree with that statement? If so, what does true art mean to you?

Yes, this is actually one of my favorite quotes of all time. True art is definitely performance because when an artist performs you are open to the every movement and energy of the artist. You can really judge the artist by their performance because that’s the complete package of their identity. From the moment the artist plays the instrument, the connection the artist creates, and this mysterious spirit that draws the audience and artist together. You want your art to be alive, not dead.

Have you ever experienced a “big break” in your career thus far? Has there been a moment in your journey where everything completely changed after that point? If so, what was that experience like?

I had many “big breaks” in my career thus far. I never really stop time to be in that moment or even pay attention to a “big break” because I’m always on this run and never looking to embrace too much. I feel that if you become too overwhelmed along your journey, your actually wasting time by celebrating something that you should already have expected to happen you know? And excitement sometimes ruins your motivation, when a big break happens in your life – you sort of collect a small pride thinking everything is going to start getting better. But I actually think that’s the wrong mindset, when a big break happens- it literally is a sign saying “don’t stop, keep going” because once you stop and celebrate, your letting others race ahead of you.

However, the most recent experience in my career was when I was called in to perform and DJ for Pras (of The Fugees) and his new group the AXIXS for a benefit for Haiti. To share the stage with one of the artist of my most influenced band, like really? This fast!

When was the last time you failed at something?

I never see life to have any space for failures for me because even if I fail I always see the purpose or the success behind why it occurred. But I did try making aioli sauce, I failed bad.

Who have collaborated with thus far in your career?

Many, but recently – Gilbere Forte, Twilite Tone (YNot), and Selina Carrera (member of AXIXS)

What projects are you currently working on?

I’m working a lot of projects right now. I’m currently taping a culture and lifestyle TV show for a Korean-American broadcast. I just finished a mixtape collaboration with NYC fashion brand Haus of Belle for their S/S 2011 collection under my side moniker LIAISON FEMME (first female DJ crew). I just completed one out of my three part short film series for my coming EP album, my team is wrapping up to release part one very soon so I’m really excited for that. I’m currently on the grip on collaboration with musical acts The Suzan (Fools Gold), Gilbere Forte, Ninjasonik, and other special guests this year. I’ll be guest DJ for Brooklyn’s very own PNC radio next month. Working on building my creative house El Capitan to its fullest shape. And some personal art and photo exhibits with some special friends.

How would you describe a typical Friday night in the life of G*LEE?

I sort of retired from the party scene earlier than expected. Now that I’m so packed with a lot of projects and deadlines, I really lowered my Friday night. Friday night would now mean gallons of green tea and writing in my creative journal. But of course I do have my “nights” where I spin on the weekends. Gather with best friends, catch a long dinner, then off to all the top joints in my kingdom of NYC. I’m easy-going now, trust me (whew)

What does G*LEE mean to you?

You tell me.

What’s wrong with the world today?

No one is paying attention. Too much capitalism and globalism. Art has turned into enterprise. If there is war, if there is a revolution happening in Egypt, if people are dying every second in Africa – wake up. Pay attention and you will find your purpose in your existence. The world will no longer be capitalistic then, but more altruistic.

What’s right with the world today?

The right is that artists seem to be the only ones surviving and outsourcing bureaucracy.

Do girls just want to have fun?

Girls want money and beauty. Women want to nurture and empower. Everybody has too much fun.

What’s the last book you read?

The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene.

What does it mean to be successful?

Your story reviving someone’s life. Your art influencing others. Your truth saving others. To be successful means seeing success even in times of failure. From there you will always be restless against the world.

What makes you happy?

God and almond milk.