Meet Lin Yaungni | Concert Promoter

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

Hi Lin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I never really set out to be in the concert promotion business. Bad Taste started as a small backyard Halloween show with some local musicians I became friends within the SoCal DIY music scene. As the date got closer, I started getting bombarded with messages from other up-and-coming local bands asking if they could play any future shows. That’s when I realized how many insanely talented young artists in the DIY community were just trying to be heard. Ever since, I’ve made it my mission to uplift local artists by creating spaces where musicians can perform their original music to people who are dying to discover something new. A million backyard shows wouldn’t be enough to showcase all the raw talent in SoCal — but I’m determined to try, one show at a time

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.
What sets Bad Taste apart from other concert promoters is the range of creative projects I’ve started to developed under the same name. We don’t just throw shows – we interview musicians, review songs, and I’m working on creating our own magazine to highlight news that’s important to our community. BTB has come this far in just two years by learning from and connecting with the people who inspired me to start promoting concerts in the first place. There’s no manual for this, and the music industry has shifted so much, especially with the rise of social media. Many professionals in the field are still figuring out how to best navigate these changes. Through conversations with other promoters and music industry insiders, we’re learning how to use social media effectively, build our brand, and understand the industry standards that only seasoned promoters truly know.
One thing I want the world to understand is that we’re not corporate businesspeople or suit-and-tie professionals. Like many others who’ve been in this game longer than me, we’re still figuring things out as we go. It’s that DIY ethos that keeps the community moving forward – watching others take risks without knowing if it will pay off. What drives me is my passion for what I do, and I want anyone with that same passion to feel encouraged to go out and make their own mark in the scene.

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?
Los Angeles is the land of sensationalism and overhype. But if I’m showing a close friend around, I’d take them off the beaten path to experience the real LA – the one that many people don’t get to see. We’d start with a meal at some of the best restaurants in downtown Pomona, then take a scenic drive through East Los Angeles, where we can enjoy breathtaking overlooks of the city. Not the touristy spots, but the neighborhoods where locals actually live. To cap off the night, we’d head to a local DIY show at one of the city’s many hidden venues – my top pick being The Smell, a small venue in the heart of downtown LA, right on the edge of Skid Row. The entrance is tucked away in a gritty alley between two dumpsters, however some of the best bands from Southern California has graced its stage. After the show, we’d finish the night bar hopping through the neighborhoods of Silverlake or East Hollywood, meeting the unique and eclectic people who make up the heart and soul of this beautiful city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am endlessly grateful to the many bands and promoters I’ve befriended through the music scene. Bands like Domino Effect, Lazy Susan, and Concave as well as promoters such as 104.live!, SCAB, Free The Youth, and Frowny Face Record are the first to come to mind. Some of my fondest memories are from the early days, when I got guest-listed by these bands, watching sound checks, hanging out in green rooms, and being a part of that circle. It sparked my desire to become more involved in the community. Another person who has deeply inspired me is Danny Fields, an American music journalist, manager, and publicist from the 1960s and ’70s. His story and the countless contributions he made to rock and punk culture—many of which still go unrecognized—have motivated us to do the same for our local scenes. He taught me that life is about the memories and experiences, not the accolades. A wall full of photos and memories of the most unique people you’ve met will always mean more than a wall full of plaques and awards.

Instagram: @badtaste.booking

Image Credits
Yazhi Trujillo