Home > Bibliographies > AAST298J (Spring 2004)

Asian Americans and Music Culture by Dennis Park

Journal Articles

• Greene, Victor. "An Encyclopedia of Ethnic Neighbors and their Music." Journal of American Ethnic History 22.3 (2003): 85-92.

  This article focuses on the gradual "evolution" of ethnic music preserved in the United States by Asian Americans. The article illustrates how Asian Americans bring "traditional" music from their native countries to America. The intended audience is people interested in this type of music, as well as researchers and students studying music history.

• Ho, Fred. "Beyond Asian American Jazz: My Musical and Political Changes in the Asian American Movement." Leonardo Music Journal 9 (1999): 45-51.

  Ho's article discusses the roots of Asian American music through the influence of music from Asia. It offers a history of Asian American music that begins with the revolutionary Yellow Nationalism and Resistance in 1971. The article also explores Asian American jazz in the 1980's and the Afro-Asian American multicultural music of today.

• Hutnyk, John. "Hybridity Saves? Authenticity and/or the Critique of Appro-priation." Amerasia Journal 25.3 (1999/2000): 39-58.
• Katrak, Ketu. "Changing Traditions: South Asian Americans and Cultural/Communal Politics." Massachusetts Review 43.1 (2002): 75.

  Katrak's article focuses on bhangra, a form of Punjabi folk music and dance from North India. Bhangra is an example of the cultural differences between generations of South Asians. It also represents the difference between South Asian Americans and Native Indians. The differences are evidenced by the changes in how dances are performed and practiced in the United States versus India. Additionally, bhangra is a reflection of Indian culture and the cultural conflicts that many Asian Americans face.

• Lam, Joseph. "Report from Santa Barbara: Afterthoughts on a new music festival: New Directions in..." Current Musicology 60.61 (1996): 181.
• Maira, Sunaina. "Desis Reprazent: Bhangra Remix and Hip Hop in New York City." Postcolonial Studies 1.3 (1998): 357.

  This article focuses on the ways in which Indian remix music has become the basis for South Asian American youth culture. Indian-American youth fused American hip hop with their own style of music and culture to create this subculture. The popularity or Bhangra remix continues to grow in urban areas, such as New York City, where the minority presence is strong.

• Wang, Oliver. "Between the Notes: Finding Asian America in Popular Music." American Music 19.4 (2001): 439.
• Wong, Deborah. "Finding an Asian American Audience: The Problem of Listening." American Music 19.4 (2001): 365.

  This article focuses on the habits, tendencies, and trends in regards to the music Asian American audiences listen to. Although it is impossible to generalize about what type of music Asian Americans listen to, analyzing and comparing common trends provides valuable information for Asian musicians who want to market their work to audiences in the United States.

• Wong, Deborah. "Want the Microphone: Mass Mediation and Agency in Asian American Popular Music." The Drama Review 38.3 (1994): 152.
• Yang, Mina "Orientalism and the music of Asian Immigrant Communities in California 1924-1945." American Music 19.4 (2001): 385.
• Yoon, Jong-Chul. "She's Really Become Japanese Now: Taiko Drumming and Asian American Identification," America Music 19.4 (2001): 417.

  This article is significant because it deals with Asian American identity and culture. It cites specific examples of how music connects Asian Americans to the culture of their native country. Taiko drumming in New York City and the Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival are mentioned as venues where Asian American music culture is represented and showcased.

Newspaper or Magazine Articles

• Bennefield, Robin. "Heritage Tours." National Geographic Traveler. July/August 1999: 17-18.
• Borzillo, Carrie. "Ear of the Dragon." Billboard 6 May 1995: 13.

  This article announces the "Ear of the Dragon Tour" celebrating Asian Heritage Month in May 1995. The tour was organized by Soo Young, from Touch and Go Records, and music journalist Ben Kim. The tour featured bands with Asian American members. This tour promoted Asian American music culture.

• Bouchard, Fred. "Anthony Brown's Asian American Orchestra (Music)." Down Beat August 2003: 74.
• Griffiths, Paul. "The Pulse, Dreams and Reserves of the East." New York Times. 17 October 2000, Section E: 1.
• Hau. Louis. "MTV Enters Korean Music-TV Market." Billboard 21 July 2001: 60.

  The MTV network established itself by in Korea by broadcasting Korean music television into homes. A North Asia region executive says that "Korean music and artists are beginning to have an immense impact on the region." Aside from showcasing singers' performances on a regular basis, the network promotes new songs and artists. The fact that MTV is interested in the Korean music industry shows the growing popularity of this music genre and illustrates the coming together of the Korean music industry and American business.

• McClure, Steve. "EMI's quest: Asian 'Macarena'." Billboard 22 Febuary 1997: 37.
• Ouellette, Dan. "Asian American Jazz Crusade." Down Beat August 1996: 10.
• Ouellette, Dan. "East and West." Down Beat August 1989: 61.
• Pacers, Jon. "Chinese-Jazz Fusion in Monkey's Tale." New York Times November 28, 1997, E1: 31.
• Shatz, Adam. "New seekers in jazz look to the east." New York Times November 23, 1997, Section 2: 42.
• "Still fine tuning." Asiaweek 21. 27 September 1995: 13.
• Strauss, Neil. "Asian-Americans Stake a Claim on Rock." New York Times 6 May 1995: 17.

Newspaper or Magazine Articles on the Internet

• Brady, Shirely. "Taking a Break with a Whole Lot of Seoul." TimeAsia May 1999. Date Accessed: 28 May 2006. <http://www.time.com/time/asia/asia/travel_watch/seoul/990503.html>

Websites

• AsiaFinest: Connecting the World to Asian Culture! 2001. AsiaFinest.com. Date Accessed: 28 May 2006. <http://www.asiafinest.com>
• Foolishways.com. Foolishways.com. Date Accessed: 29 May 2006. <http://www.foolishways.com>
• Korean Pop Music Source. 2000. Kpopmusic.com. Date Accessed: 6 April 2004 <http://www.kpopmusic.com>
• Kpop Music Video - for Korean Pop Music forum. Kpopmusic.com. Date Accessed: 6 April 2004. <http://www.kpopmusic.com>
• Solid07 - #1 Stop for Kpop. Solic07.net. Date Accessed: 6 April 2004 <http://www.solid07.net>
• "K-pop for the Masses." S'oompi.com. Date Accessed: 6 April 2004. <http://www.soompi.com>

  This website allows fans of Korean music to keep up-to-date with news surrounding their favorite artists. It has unique features such as a radio station where people can email requests and then listen to the song online. The radio is an interactive way for Asian Americans to be a part of the Korean music industry. The site also has a popular message board that allows Asian Americans to communicate with each other. This "community" shares opinions on music and many other subjects.