Photo Courtesy of Karen Yee
We’re thrilled to have Karen Yee with us today, a singer-songwriter from Hong Kong who’s not afraid to blend art and intellect. As a law student, Karen brings a unique lens to her music, exploring the complexities of modern life with honesty and vulnerability.
We’ll be exploring her unique sound, the inspirations behind her lyrics, and the message she hopes to convey through her art.
What inspires your songwriting? Do you draw from personal experiences, observations of society, or other sources?
My songwriting inspiration comes from the experiences, incidents and conversations I have in life. Just anything and everything really. Like conversations with friends, my law school life, romantic ups and downs as well as societal observations reflecting the broader atmosphere of where I live.
How would you describe your musical style? What artists or genres have influenced your sound?
Fusion of hiphop, trap, pop rock and kpop. Throughout my writing, artists such as Tate Mcrae, Lexie Liu, Angele have inspired me greatly – the transcendence of genres and languages. Kpop is also an innovative genre that fuels a great creative foundation for me. And locally, JACE is someone I look up to as a creative inspiration.
Your bio mentions that your music transcends language barriers. Can you elaborate on this? How do you achieve this in your work?
I believe music in itself is a universal language for all, regardless of the language employed in the lyrics. That arts and music is a unique landscape for our emotions and feelings to roam in freely. So when I create music, I try to write in the many languages I am comfortable speaking or enjoy the sounds of. Music is all about connecting souls from different cultures, so I try to do that.
What’s the creative process like for you? Do you start with lyrics, melody, or something else?
I start with a feeling, or a melody line.
What are your aspirations for your music career? What are your goals for the future?
I hope to develop a dual career of lawyer + musician.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a singer-songwriter, and how have you overcome them?
That music is super subjective! But we can always find our own crowd.
Can you share a memorable experience or anecdote related to your music?
My first time performing in front of anyone was actually during an audition for a TV show, which I eventually got into and reached the Top 30 as a finalist!
What message or feeling do you hope to convey to your listeners through your music?
To embrace your feelings and yourself, whether ecstatic, sad, angry or yet to be processed, those are all parts of you!
How do you balance your studies in law
with your music career? What strategies do you use to manage your time effectively?
Have a good timetable and set out priorities! Voice memos come in handy when creative ideas suddenly come when I’m working on my law studies.
How do you think your experiences as a law student influence your music, and vice versa?
Both law and music balance my emotional and logical world. And music serves as an emotional outlet for me because we all know, law can get quite complicated and busy!!
What are the similarities and differences between the legal field and the music industry, in your opinion?
Interestingly, they are sometimes quite similar! In both worlds, you are communicating with an audience – just utilizing different languages – in the legal scene we use legal jargon, and in music, we just write and sing what we feel!
Do you see a potential connection between your two passions in the future (e.g., using your legal knowledge to advocate for musicians’ rights)?
For sure. I am very interested in exploring music, entertainment and intellectual property law and developing that area in my home city Hong Kong. Hopefully I can become an expert and build a community for musicians so we are all legally aware of our rights and protected.
What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of music and law?
Learning foreign languages, watching fashion related content, shows and magazines, am also a proud cat mum. I also enjoy dancing but can’t really dance haha.
Who are some of your musical heroes or role models?
Angele. JACE.
What advice would you give to aspiring singer-songwriters?
Follow your passion and write what you feel! And always believe in yourself.
What is your favorite song to perform live, and why?
GHOSTED. Performed it in the rain once, as the closing song of my show. Never fails to put a smile on my face, as well as the audience’s.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
To have become a lawyer in Hong Kong, and hopefully gotten qualifications to practise elsewhere. Developed a solid niche for myself in the legal world. In terms of music, to build a community for fans and listeners and hopefully be able to go on tour!
Don’t miss out on the incredible music of Karen Yee! Click the link below to listen on Spotify and add her to your playlist:
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