While Vietnamese people all over joined their communities on April 30th to commemorate the events that took place in 1975, at least two Vietnamese Americans opened their hearts in New York, participating in a different type of cause: a concert raising funds toward relief efforts in Japan.
“Holla for Japan: A Benefit Concert” took place from 8-11 p.m. that Saturday night at New York City’s oldest rock club, The Bitter End, which is famous for hosting performances by legends such as Etta James, Bill Withers, the Isley Brothers, and Andy Gibb.
The event was organized by “Home for the Holla’Days”, a collaborative group whose core members include Magnetic North (half of which is Vietnamese American emcee Theresa Vu, the other half being Chinese American Derek Kan, a.k.a. Direct), Vudoo Soul (the second Vietnamese American performer of the night), Taiyo Na, and Sam Kang.
“Home for the Holla’Days” was originally formed to help raise money for Aid to Children Without Parents, Inc. (ACWP). “The group I played with tonight, the whole Holla’Days crew, we do this thing; it’s been an annual thing so far,” said Vudoo Soul, 29, currently of Southern California. “We’ve done it twice already in the Bay Area. The first year raised $7,000 to provide children without parents in [Southeast Asia] resources, like food, clothes, and education. The second year we raised $14,000.”
In the wake of the recent disasters that literally shook up Japan, “Home for the Holla’Days” was joined by Alfa Garcia in raising proceeds for the International Rescue Committee. A thank you message sent out by Theresa announced that a grand total of $8,675 was raised, which will all go towards Japan.
“Sometimes we feel our calling is to write music for our community and the underrepresented,” Derek said. The 29-year-old New Yorker has been doing music with Theresa for nearly ten years. “Sometimes we feel that we need to write music for ourselves, just to express something that’s been eating away at us inside. But, more and more, it’s events like ‘Holla For Japan’ and the ‘Home for the Holla’Days’ concerts that really seem to be the most important force to why we do music.”
Scooter Oyama of the Home:Word House Band, a 23-year-old from UC San Diego, flew out from Southern California to do his part. “I feel for Japan,” he said. “I was just there and I have family that were somewhat affected and I really want to help out and do anything that I can.”
Other members of the band in attendance were Abraham Kim on the drums, Charles Kim on bass guitar, saxophonist Jonathan Lee, Takenori Nyshiuchi on guitar, and beatboxer David Kong.
After an opening set by Alfa Garcia, the headlining event featured songs from Magnetic North and Taiyo Na’s collaborative album, Home:Word, including their hit single “Summertime”. Accompanied by the Home:Word House Band, they all took turns with Sam Kang, Vudoo Soul, and others on the mic.
The event brought in a full house, and then some, and the overall audience response was positively upbeat. “Everyone is so talented here,” said 23-year-old Di Nguyen from Manhattan. “They’re really passionate about raising money for Japan. [Scooter Oyama] wrote a song just for Japan and that’s really admirable.”
“I just think it’s amazing what they’re doing,” said Yuka Yoneda, 28, from Queens. “I’m so proud of them. I’m proud of Taiyo. And I know some of them aren’t even Japanese so I think it’s just so amazing what people can do when they get together.”
Yuka donated all of her Clossette.com’s March and April sales to the relief efforts in Japan. She added, “A lot of people are doing different things like this and I think once we all get together and do it, we can raise a lot of money.”
This goes to show that philanthropy knows no borders within the Asian American community. Said Vudoo Soul, “The Asian American community is a small, close-knit community. Over the years we found that it’s just a really awesome thing to get together and bring fans of our music together, so that we can raise money for things that we care about.”
“The vibe at these events, and the vibe of the Home:Word House Band, is something that is irreplaceable and the truest form of the music community,” said Derek. “And this is what Magnetic North and Taiyo Na are all about. If we can raise so much money, and help so many vital causes by making good music and creating an atmosphere that both the performers and the audience fall in love with, then what else could we ask for? This is only the beginning.”
For those who’d like to stay up to date on upcoming video clips from the show, subscribe to Magnetic North & Taiyo Na’s YouTube channel. Also, keep an eye out for the release of Magnetic North, Taiyo Na, and Jin’s new music video, which should be premiering this week!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.