Meet Christiana Chin | Music Artist & Marketing Professional

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christiana Chin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christiana, do you have a budget? how do you think about personal finances?
The short answer is yes, I do prioritize budgeting. I think I may be as bad as Julius from “Everybody Hates Chris”.

Being a black woman living in Los Angeles as a transplant, it is absolutely imperative that I’m strict when it comes to not only rationing my finances, but making an actionable effort to save. To the point where admittedly I am extremely hard on myself and I begin to regret spending $7 on a brown sugar shaken expresso from Starbucks every other morning.

Although, like every other facet of your life, I believe balance is necessary. Meaning, just as much as I like to be extremely frugal with my coins, I make sure I have allocated funds to actually enjoy my life. As much as I love to be economical, we are only getting older, so I make it a point to give myself a weekly allowance to splurge on whatever I want. Whether its trying one of the plethora of restaurants in this city, treating myself to a new pair of shoes or paying for studio time. I think it is important to plan ahead in order to make realistic choices and goals when it comes to my personal finances.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My artistic journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with moments of doubt and rediscovery. After a hiatus of 3 to 4 years, I finally found the courage to embrace my musical aspirations again.

Since the tender age of 6, I’ve been drawn to the power of expression through melodies and lyrics. My earliest creation, “Give Him The Praise,” penned at just 8 years old, marked the beginning of my musical odyssey. Extremely shy with this unknown nervous feeling I had of sharing, my Dad recognized this and quickly forced me out of my shell. Encouraged by his mantra of “Speak up for what you want,” I found my voice. In this instance, I had to tell him exactly how I wanted the song to be arranged and performed by our youth choir at church. My Dad who was the piano player and church band leader at the time, helped me with organizing the structure of the song. I recall singing out the vocal arrangements, harmonies, how I wanted him to play certain chords on the piano and where exactly I wanted our drummer to emphasize the crash symbol on certain parts of the song. Collaborating with him fueled my passion for bringing words to life through music.

My dad is a major influence over my love for music. Growing up, I remember going through his CD collection with artist such as :

Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Earth Wind & Fire, Mary J. Blige, Brandy, Rick James, Quincy Jones, The Gap Band, Erykah Badu, Raphael Saadiq, Lauryn Hill, Notorious BIG, Isley Brothers and a plethora of way more.

I’ve always been captivated by the allure of crafting harmonies and infectious melodies akin to those of my favorite artists. Delving into the science behind weaving sounds into captivating compositions became my obsession. The magic of a well-executed hook, with its perfect blend of cadence, tone, and key, fascinated me. You know when you heard Ex-Factor by Lauryn Hill for the first time? I was obsessed at mastering that feeling.

This pursuit began early, honed through my role as 3rd chair Alto Saxophonist in middle school band. Yet, my fixation on precision sometimes led to frustration. I remember a night of relentless rehearsal over one section of a song, I was upset because I felt I could not swing and finesse a note correctly. So, I threw my music stand against the wall and began screaming like a mad man. My dad immediately came down to confront me and said “You don’t have to play perfect, but you need to be able to feel what you’re playing to make it your own” -this resonated deeply. It was pivotal moment which taught me a lesson in infusing my music with passion, personal expression and flair.

My journey as a music artist has been a rollercoaster of doubts and self-discovery. Initially, I questioned the validity of pursuing music seriously versus keeping it a hobby. Eventually, I realized the regret of not trying outweighed any fear of failure. Shifting my mindset from seeking peer recognition to finding joy in creation became paramount. Success as an artist is subjective; for me, fulfillment stems from seeing my ideas come to life. Music keeps me grounded, reminding me of the pure joy I felt when I wrote my first song at age 8. It’s not about accolades, but the satisfaction of bringing my vision to fruition.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

As an Indiana native, I find Los Angeles captivating, especially within California’s diverse geography. From urban landscapes to ocean vistas and mountainous terrain, it offers a blend of familiarity and novelty. When exploring, I aim for a mix of tourist attractions and local experiences. Starting with a Hollywood homes tour combines fun and history, offering panoramic views from the Sunset Strip to the Hollywood Hills. It’s a must-do for visitors and locals alike, providing an unforgettable glimpse into the city’s allure.

Following that, I’d set aside a few days for day trips. San Diego tops my list for its stunning drive and plethora of dining and nightlife options. Alternatively, a closer option would be a day trip to Malibu. I mean, who can resist cruising along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway? It’s all about soaking in the beauty and vibes of Southern California.

Given my friends’ shared love for music, catching a concert at the Novo is a must. It strikes the perfect balance between a concert venue and an intimate club setting. For those who enjoy DJ sets, spots like the Blind Barber, Los Globos, The Reserve, and Station 1640 offer vibrant atmospheres for dancing and top-notch tunes. And for a unique twist, the Goldline Bar satisfies our vinyl cravings, promising a memorable night out filled with great music and good company.

When it comes to enjoying a delicious boozy drink, Mommas Shelter is my top pick, offering a cozy rooftop lounge with breathtaking 360-degree views of Hollywood. For crafted cocktails, The Obscure in downtown never disappoints.

As a competitive bunch, hitting up an arcade is a must. EightyTwo, a classic video arcade and cocktail bar, always delivers on fun. Additionally, I adore the laid-back vibe of Player One in North Hollywood, which is LGBTQ+ friendly, making it a welcoming spot for all to enjoy some friendly competition.

As a group of food enthusiasts and skilled cooks, we’re discerning critics when it comes to dining out. We crave flavor-packed experiences over just ambiance. Some spots we’d undoubtedly love include Bludsoe’s Barbecue, Fixins Soul Kitchen, La Dolce Vita, Seoul Soul BBQ, Night + Market, and Yerevan Steakhouse, among others. Los Angeles offers a plethora of culinary delights, so you’ll often find us exploring every neighborhood in search of new gastronomic adventures.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
During this journey, I must attribute a significant portion of my growth and motivation to my older sister, Jasmine. Despite the seven-and-a-half-year age gap between us, she has consistently served as my foremost source of inspiration, particularly in embracing risk-taking. I got to watch her make history in my immediate family as being the first person to move from our home state of Indiana. I remember prior to her move, she worked 50 hours a week at a retail store, crashed on our parents couch and would pack her lunch every single day – all while meticulously saving every penny for her impending move to Los Angeles. Witnessing her unwavering dedication and resourcefulness deeply impacted me, igniting my own aspirations for the city of dreams.

I was inspired by seeing her growth as a black woman working in the film and entertainment industry. She literally created her own pathway to success as an independent film editor, and watching her do so has been nothing short of incredible. Upon my arrival in Los Angeles as an 18-year-old film student, Jasmine became my guiding light. She taught me everything from how to navigate the city’s’ complex transportation system, ways to make money and invaluable lessons on how to survive in this city that could so easily swallow you up – but to still live and enjoy life while doing so.

To Jasmine, I owe a debt of gratitude for epitomizing “Black Girl Magic” and for unwaveringly supporting me in pursuing my dreams. Her mentorship has instilled in me a focused determination to pursue my goals with tunnel vision.

Instagram: the.christiana

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiana-chin-b7174aa9/

Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/christiana/1666358826 https://open.spotify.com/artist/5eaLYv1ofTdkB8YOP3AVdw?si=Ir4QPjQsRfirlBpqutOkHQ

Image Credits
Kevin Manuel photographer Instagram is @therealkjkonfidential