Always Rising 88⬆

This is an ode to 88rising and the Head in the Clouds Festival.

Younger me would have never imagined an entire music festival filled with Asian and Asian American artists as a true celebration of culture, identity, and music. So often when we think of Asian music, our minds go straight to the traditional classical instruments of each country without including or even considering the fresh music that is being made on the daily. The traditional instruments and folk songs of Asian cultures are part of Asian musics and cultures, but to reduce Asian musics to traditions themselves is erasive of musical innovation that occurs in our youth and by the Asian diaspora.

Mindblowing. That’s what it felt like to attend the first ever Head in the Clouds Festival in NYC this year. Being surrounded by AAPI food and drink vendors like a nightmarket. Hearing different Asian languages intermixed with English all around. People of different cultures and identities, not just AAPI-identifying folks, vibing in the scene. Simply grooving to the music by incredible young artists onstage was affirming in ways that got my heart pumping and filled with joy. Watching the livestream of the LA Head in the Clouds Festival, which just turned 5 years old, was also amazing to see. A whole livestream of an Asian American music festival on a major streaming service? I’ve watched two years in a row — younger me and current me are still in disbelief. More than anything, the Head in the Clouds Festival was REJUVENATING AND FUN! 

If you haven’t heard of 88rising yet, here is a gentle nudge to explore the artists and take a listen to the vast range of artists who sing, rap, and play about their nuanced life experiences. And if you haven’t listened to music for fun in a minute without an agenda, do it. And go attend and listen to live music because there really is nothing quite like it. Music outside of the classroom is just as important (if not more important in some ways for our souls) as music in the classroom. 

Thank you 88rising for the reminder that we are always rising.