Learn a skill related to your art, says Nancy Whang
One half of Ladies of LCD Soundsystem tells Asian kids how you can pursue the arts with freedom and autonomy
By the time The Ladies of LCD Soundsystem came on as the final act in the first edition of The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions, it was an hour and 15 minutes to midnight.
Lucky for the the audience who stayed back for the two Ladies of LCD Soundsystem, namely Nancy Whang and Rayna Russom, their set was a consummate escalation of electronic wizardry, with the synth maestros acceding space to each other to perform on her own, before coming together. There was no ingratiating vocal shout-out, or hyper-energetic antics – just two seasoned artists who were completely in the zone, focused on the job at hand and letting their music speak for itself.
Which is why it comes as a surprise to find out that Whang actually celebrated her 42nd birthday on that very day – and that she didn’t squeak not a word about it. Except for a cryptic photo and two short videos posted on Instagram earlier that day: the photo showed a cut-out pineapple with a fat straw, a slice of orange, held up by someone (presumably Whang) who is relaxing in a deck chair at Tanjong Beach Club on Sentosa, and facing the sea; and two short video clips showing dogs frolicking on the beach with their owners; and swimming in the waters.
These were accompanied by a caption: “No sun, and maybe even a little rain but still a pretty good one because #pinacoladas in December and #dogsonthebeach #celebrationtime (Also, the DJ at this otherwise very basic beach resort happens to be playing some very good #disco. #bizaroworld).”’
These still wouldn’t have given her birthday away, not until the post triggered a flurry of well wishes from friends saying: “Happy birthday!”
We e-mailed the following questions before she came to the festival. Among other matters, Whang said it was her first time visiting Singapore and was “looking forward to exploring and learning about this totally new place to me” and “making discoveries” about the other artists on the bill.
What was the motivation behind Ladies of LCD Soundsystem? Was there a Eureka moment or trigger which spurred your decision to tour together?
The idea first came about as a way to spotlight us women in LCD Soundsystem, and through that, bring focus to the work we do individually outside the band. The LCD tour was winding down so it was a good time to use that momentum, and with the number of females in the band having recently become plural, it was an obvious opportunity to join forces.
How different is this from working with LCD, your other band The Juan Maclean, and other collaborations?
Ladies of LCD Soundsystem is more of a coalition than a creative collaboration to showcase ourselves as DJs. And then it quickly expanded to become an overall platform to promote other women, femme-identifying, and non-binary music artists, as well as a vehicle to lend support to various women’s causes.
As Ladies of LCD Soundsystem, are you two aware that you are in some way redressing the traditionally male-centric situation in the music business?
I hope we are. In a way, that’s sort of the point of the Ladies of LCD Soundsystem existing in the first place.
Have you received any feedback from fans or audience members about the impact of Ladies of LCD Soundsystem on them? What have been some heartening experiences?
The LCD Soundsystem live band audience is predominantly male so it has been heartening to see so many women and girls come out to the Ladies of LCD gigs and be able to express their appreciation for being able to see something of themselves through us in the band or as artists in general.
What have you discovered about yourself and Rayna Russom, artistically and personally, as you two tour together? Please send my congratulations to her on the launch of her debut solo album, The Envoy.
I’ve learned so much about the art and technique of DJing from Rayna and that the two of us together as Ladies of LCD Soundsystem is greater than the sum of its parts.
In this current age of #MeToo and Time’s Up, do you sense a fundamental shift in how women are being treated in the music business? What are the existing gaps, and how can we all do better?
Honestly, no, I haven’t seen a fundamental shift. Optimistically speaking, women at least feel a little more empowered to speak up, and people seem to be listening. But the shifting will be gradual and take much time and effort because it’s not just about the music industry; change will require the systematic excavation of the imbalanced power structure that has been at the base of society at large.
The biggest gap is that those in power see the shift as a zero-sum game; that when others gain, they lose. I hope we can get to a place where equality feels like a win-win.
What is the long-term plan of Ladies of LCD Soundsystem? Do you see it primarily or exclusively as a DJ tour, a side-project from LCD or more of an evolving project which may also involve recording?
I like to think of Ladies of LCD Soundsystem as an open umbrella. Even though it is primarily a DJ act, it has the potential to encompass a broader scope of collaboration and artistic expression. With Rayna focusing her attention on her solo work, I hope to expand the meaning of “Ladies of LCD Soundsystem” to include not just Rayna and me, but anyone who has supported or been supported by the band and our affiliates. Likewise, rather than a side-project, I consider us more of a tributary of LCD Soundsystem that also connects to our other bodies of work, all streaming out from the same source.
Years ago, Self Titled magazine asked you about “making a proper solo album”. Your answer was cagey – “don’t anybody hold their breath.” What are your reservations? I understand there’s an EP from 2014. And, yes, sorry to ask, is a solo album in the cards, so to speak?
I just don’t feel a strong compulsion to make a solo album because other people have drummed up the idea. It’s never been a lifelong dream of mine so to conjure the drive to take on such a challenging creative endeavour is in itself an undertaking.
As a child of Korean parents, did you ever feel the age-old pressure to pursue a “practical career”? How and what would you say to the thousands of Asian kids out there who would like to pursue the arts, and not the usual route of “doctor, lawyer, engineer”?
Absolutely, I felt pressure to do something more “practical,” even still today after doing this for almost half my life.
To all the Asian kids out there who want to pursue art, my advice is learn a skill related to your art. If you want to be a visual artist, learn carpentry or graphic design software. If you want to be a musician, know your way around a recording studio or learn how to solder and fix gear. If you hope to be a filmmaker, learn about camera operation and lighting. In the creative world, a skilled technician is indispensable and will also put you in proximity to people who can help you get your art out into the world.
Also, learn basic accounting. I know I sound like an Asian parent now, but as a freelance artist, financial independence is the best way to have the freedom and autonomy to do what you want to do and escape parental pressure.
You initially intended to be a visual artist, but then realised that music was the one area where you could focus your energy into. In fact, you did say that you never considered music as a viable option, “even into LCD’s career”. What is it about being in the music scene (as opposed to the art scene) that speaks to you?
I think it might be the communal aspect. My visual art practice was always a solitary experience. I enjoy that solitude at times, but I think the making of music is more conducive to a group effort, therefore just more fun.
Tuesday, 10 December 2019
27 Pasir Panjang Road,
Singapore 117537
