Meet Eiko Jin | Singer & Composer

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

Hi Eiko, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Since I was a child, I have listened to music differently from my family and friends. When I heard good music, there would be a strong emotion in my chest, and I felt I couldn’t breathe. Of course, not all of them gave me the same feeling, but back in the days when we didn’t have so much access to different music, I’d always wait in front of the TV so that I could record the theme songs with my tape recorder then later my iRiver MP3 player. My parents bought a VCD set of Oscar-winning theme songs around the year 2000. They only wanted to listen to “My Heart Will Go On,” but as a kid who didn’t have much entertainment, I listened to all of them at the age of twelve. That was not even an official release of those songs, just film clips put together, but all fantastic songs. After entering high school, I spent all my allowance at an illegally-imported CD store. Thanks to that store, I learned about Yann Tiersen, the composer of Amélie, and many other bands and composers. It offered me a “vision” of different music, which is part of every inspiration that led me to the film music industry later.

With the development of technology, I became a real fan of soundtracks with the internet and my iPod Classic. I still have over 5000 songs left on my old iPod, and many of those songs are film music pieces. Before I decided to be a film composer, I was a film music fan for over ten years. There was a time I randomly found AcE&ArMs by Hiroyuki Sawano, and I was stunned by the astronomical images he described in that song. I tried to explain the thrillingness of that song to my mom – but she didn’t get it at all. To her, that was just a normal song, maybe even too loud. That was when I understood that the feelings in different music I felt were not recognizable to everyone.

Before I came to the US, I worked in an administrative role for four years and never felt anything more than “earning a living.” It might sound weird, but after I have a so-called good job, everyone around me expects nothing more than seeing me find a husband and have a baby. I was only 25 then, and I still had many things that I wanted to try before forming a family. I tried to entertain myself with different hobbies, but I knew something was lacking in my life. Something was missing.

Anyway, after a conversation with an artist, who I will mention later, I decided to come to the US. Even though it was insanely risky to give up a stable life for an unknown world, I never felt a single ounce of regret. I know I can see more things in music just like Cole Sear can see the ghosts from The Sixth Sense. Good music is visible in my head when I hear it. I always thought everyone felt it the same way until I learned it was not true from my mom. She enjoys music for music, but she was never thrilled to tears for it ever. I once learned that “Music is the expression for those emotions that people couldn’t describe with their words.” I wish I could use my sensitivity to music to writing/sing the feelings that are deep inside everyone’s heart. Even if the emotional resonance of my music touches only one person, that will be enough for me. Just like in the movie “La Môme,” when Edith Piaf heard “Non, je ne regrette rien,” she cried and said, “That’s me! That’s me!” I hope that my music gives someone the same feeling someday.

Being an artist was never easy, not just for musicians. All creative people understand what I’m saying. Sometimes I feel we are farmers; we all harvest different products and try to sell them out to the world. There’s no comparison needed between any two artists, we exist to provide diverse forms of art, and we all just need the right wind to sail away.

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.
I’m an artist who has been trying to understand life, and I believe in what Bu Hua told me, “Everything you’ve experienced and learned in life will reflect in your art.” There are so many good artists out there, but there’s only one me in this world. To build up a unique personal brand, I have to learn to be a human being and understand life first. I majored in opera singing, so I consider my voice my specialty. I’ve learned different languages to sing and different ethnic singing styles. I met Mr. Roger Suen at the screening of Blue Bayou, and I recognized from the film that there was Mongolian throat singing in his score. Mr.Suen confirmed and explained that Mr.Daiguo Li performed the throat singing. Broadening my music vision is an essential practice. Even though I’m basically nobody at this point, I don’t think or take these days in vain. I’m a seed that is still beneath the ground, but I’ve been growing every day. I’m still trying to figure out a way to penetrate the soil. However, with years passing by, I’m starting to understand that everyone receives their recognition within their own time. In the meantime, I often reflect on the words of Ms. Lolita Ritmanis, “Don’t compare yourself with anyone else.”

As a foreign artist still holding a visa, I know it could be challenging and frustrating sometimes. Not just for me; it’s challenging for everyone. Constantly being rejected is a part of being a creative person; we all have to get used to that. It can be terrifying, and many people abandon their dreams because they see a hopeless future. I questioned myself the same way – what if I don’t make anything of my career in the end? What if I remain a starving artist for my entire life? Can I take that? I believe it’s not that bad. “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.” I’m not choosing music as my career because I know I’ll be rewarded with money and fame. I choose music because it’s been playing in my heart my entire life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m not very sure about a week-long itinerary but I do have many places I would love to recommend in the LA area.

Places to check:

Mount Sinai Memorial Parks

I know it might be weird to recommend a cemetery on the top of the list but many big names of the old days rest here. It is also located next to Warner Bros. Studio so it could be included in a day trip around the Hollywood area. I never felt Ziggy Elman was so close to me until I’ve learned he rested here. Many fans visited Mt.Sinai for Mama Cass from The Mamas & the Papas as well.

Malaga Cove Library

It was located in Rancho Palos Verdes and you can see beautiful sea views without any crowd. Also, wild peacocks would be found on the street walking here. If you heard screaming sounds like “help”, don’t worry that’s just the peacock somewhere nearby.

Terminal Island Japanese Fishing Village Memorial

For those who are interested in history, this little spot was worth checking. Terminal Island was a Japanese community in the past and I didn’t know it until I’ve watched a TV series set up the story background here.

Food & Drinks:

Cho Dang Tofu (Torrance)

Fantastic Korean tofu store, I was introduced by a Torrance local for the first time and started taking my friends there. Never failed, everybody loves it.

Han Bat Shul Lung Tang(K-town)

Korean soup store, just simply check their online reviews then you’ll understand why I recommend it.

Marufuku Ramen (Irvine)

I was a huge fan of Marufuku back in the days when I lived in SF and accidentally found it here in Irvine. In SF there was always an endless waiting line and in Irvine, you can walk in easily during lunchtime. Never went there for dinner so can’t say a word.

Cream Pan(Bakery in Tustin)

Amazing pudding found at a party, that’s how I’ve learned this place and I’ve been a fan ever since.

Honeymee(Ice Cream chain)

Their original ice cream was my favorite, I never miss my chance to have it if passed by.

HNTea®️ Organic Tea House(Boba milktea chain)

A newly established boba brand and their boba was the best. I’ve tried many boba stores and I can say HNTea®️ is my favorite in LA so far.

Bookstore/Record store:

The Last Bookstore (DTLA)

One of my favorite local bookstores, I would love to deal with downtown parking just to spend a day in it. It has many used books with a great price, and also many records to check. Many people go there for cool photos as well.

Analog Record Shop (Tustin)

A very cool place to buy record players and old records. The shop was not very big but its collections were awesome. I found many good records here, a good place to visit if you are into vinyl records.

Amoeba Music (Hollywood)

I used to shop at Amoeba SF and visited Amoeba here once. It was a big store with not just records but also CDs, posters, cool T-shirts, etc. If you would visit Hollywood for a day maybe just stop by and see if you like anything.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My friend Bu Hua was a digital artist whose works are famous worldwide. When I was in college, one of my high school friends shared Bu Hua’s animation online, and I cried every time I watched it. Due to the music copyright, that video cannot be found anywhere. She made that animation out of her own experience of losing her father. She said in an interview that if she didn’t release that pain in the animation, she would be dead already.

Unlike other fans, at the very beginning when I reached out to her, I didn’t ask her for anything, and I just talked with her. By then, she was a famous artist already. In 2008, after we had known each other for a while, she mentioned that if I went to Beijing again, it would be great if we could have dinner together.

After that, we became friends gradually. I started my life in Beijing in 2010 and visited her once or twice a year. I kept complaining about my parents for stopping me from studying abroad to her. One day in 2013, she stopped me and said, “Stop complaining about your parents. I have known you for a while, and you’ve been talking about going abroad since you moved to Beijing. How many years passed? Three years. Did you get your English ready? You did nothing for your dream besides blaming your parents. If you received your school offer and they still won’t allow you to go, blame them then!!”

Fast forward to 2015, I studied in the US for a while and felt so proud of myself that I could compose music now. I showed her my website and waited for some compliments. She said my work has no universe in it, that it was just plain music. Of course, I was not happy with her comment, but she was right. She told me to build up an inner universe. People could sense that universe even just standing next to me. “Don’t explain. Let them feel. You have to become a real artist, not a musician only. An artist.”

It was funny that she gave me all the “mean” comments, but I know those comments were from someone who truly cares for me. She also held my arm when we walked in her yard. She said, “We are real friends.”

She mentioned we should collaborate a couple of times, but I never took her up on it. I don’t want to catch a quick career ride with her hard-earned reputation. All the wise critiques from her were the best I could ask for. We have known each other for over 14 years, financially she never benefits me, but she has changed my life already.

For anyone looking to join me in this journey, I would highly recommend all my music fellows to check ASMAC (American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers) and SCL (The Society Of Composers & Lyricists). Both of these organizations offer insanely inspiring insights into not only the music business but also music education. As a former music fan, the professional music world was like a massive maze with no public entrance. ASMAC and SCL opened the door to newly started sailors like me and built-up real homes for musicians who have passion and dreams. Please check their websites for more information about music events and ways to join.

Website: www.musik-jin.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musikjin