Annie Scherer is a New York-based indie-pop singer, and a second-generation descendent of Chinese immigrants. She was recently nominated for her local newspaper's "Best Local Performer" and in Times Union Annual as "Best of the Capital Region". She recently recorded a live performance of her original song, "Andy Warhol", in LA which will be aired on television sometime this year. Her music touched us, and so did her answers to our interview questions. 1. What inspired you to start creating music? "I’ve always had a profound love for music. I grew up listening to rock n’ roll classics like the Beatles, the Kinks, and the Rolling Stones. They’re still some of my favorite bands. I also began classical piano training when I was six, and I continued to perform piano for 13 years. " 2. What are your thoughts about the industry and Asian-Americans in the music industry currently? "It’s very bittersweet because on one hand, music is so accessible and widespread. But on the other hand, it’s harder to stand out and be heard. I miss when streaming didn’t exist, and you could only buy physical or digital copies. Ten years ago, the best present I could get was an iTunes gift card. I always had a list of songs I couldn’t wait to buy. 3. How has being Asian-American impacted your music/lifestyle? "I feel a strong responsibility to represent Asian-Americans in music, since there are so few of us. My family history and my ancestors’ success is something I strive to live up to. My grandparents are Chinese immigrants, and lived through a war before coming here. My grandmother was the daughter of a wealthy businessman in Shanghai. Meanwhile, my grandfather grew up in extreme poverty and wound up at Princeton. I want to make them proud." 4. What advice do you have for other young Asian-Americans who are thinking of going into music? "I always encourage people to follow their passion. It’s so rewarding, and the hard work pays off. We need more Asian-Americans in the music industry. I hope to empower other Asian-Americans to pursue music as a career by serving as a role model for them and helping to pave the way." Thank you so much to Annie for doing this interview with us, and we are so excited to see Asian-American artists continue to rise up throughout the music industry. Listen to Annie's newest single, "After Rain", on Spotify here.
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