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There really aren't any completely Asian people singing right now.

I learned that instead of relying on and imitating American music, there is a better chance for an Asian artist to succeed if he or she follows his or her own culture.

When I made it, I still didn't wave the flag and say, Yeah go Asian people. I do want people to know that about me, but I always felt like at least musically, let me just do what I do and be the best at it. Which is what I'm doing right now.

I'm proud of my roots. There are not many Asians in the music industry so it's important for me to tell people where I'm from.

But, yeah, as far as Asian Americans go, I hope they know they can look at me and see that they can do music on their own, within a band or just on their own, and not feel like there's any barriers. I've never felt any particular barriers myself, being who I am.

I think that it'd be nice for other Asians to support other Asian artists and help each other instead of pull each other down.

There are aspects of Asian culture in my work, but it's really rooted in an American experience - transcendentalism, '60s counterculture, punk rock.

For most Americans, my Chinese music feels like a novelty, and it's not what it is for me.

I've always been attracted to multicultural music. It's where the world is going.

No, I've heard over the years that it's nice for them to see somebody who's like, you know, a well-known successful musician who's Asian. I've heard it from a few musicians, too.