Q&A: Brian Chinn
MINIMALISTIC BUT FAR FROM LACKING - Brian Chinn is making music for both your ears and body. His upbeat melodies often contrast with his soulful and blues elements to create a sound that captures all of you. Today Chin releases his latest single, "Not The Plug", just in time to add to your summer playlist. Read on to hear more about Chin's background, "Not The Plug" and his music moving forward.
LUNA: How has your South Korean background impacted your music / you as an artist?
Being born in Korea and raised in Seattle has shaped how I think about culture and creativity. I'm proud to be Korean, but since I didn't spend childhood surrounded by that music and art, I was searching for roots and inspiration. I don't think it was intentional at the time, but looking back, digging through different artists and sounds may have pushed me to invest in music as early as I did—beginning with blues and classical guitar at age seven.
LUNA: Do you find yourself writing about a common theme with your upcoming songs?
I like to take pretty broad themes (love, pain, travel, goals, etc.) and see how I can approach with different scenes or perspectives that make them unique. Sometimes that means getting really specific about one place or thing (for example: expanding on the topic of style/fashion through a specific pair of Suicoke slides), and other times it means jumping into different roles throughout a song to tell multiple sides of the story. The common thread is less of what I'm writing about, and more of how I'm just trying to resist talking only about what's right in front of me.
LUNA: How do you compare “Not the Plug” to your previous music?
"Not the Plug" is a lot darker than my last few releases, and explores a wider range of dynamics. Parts of the song feel like kind of abrupt changes—that was intentional. I wanted the hardest parts of the beat to be like a punch in the face, with a groovy following section to take the edge off like an ice pack. I wouldn't say this is a major theme in how I arrange or produce, but it's what felt right here.
LUNA: Are there any specific artists you’re inspired by recently?
It may sound random since I don't sound like them, but I've been feeling inspired a lot by artists like Slowthai, Valee, and Tierra Whack—not just from their actual sound, but from their concepts and how they put them together. It's obvious that there's extra care and thought that goes into each release, and it extends beyond music because it stems from beyond music.
In terms of my work specifically, it's day-to-day collaborations that've been inspiring me. I'm working on two projects—with NYC artists Kayla Steen and Christa Williamson, separately—that are pushing my production and writing out of the comfort zone.
LUNA: What's next for you?
Aside from a consistent series of singles over the next several months, I'm trying to focus on partnerships and collaborations that put music together with art, fashion, or brands. Most recently, that looked like last week's video shoot with a dance/movement team and a cinematographer we've been dying to work with. I'm also looking to put together a performance or event series that connects music and visual art.