Meet Peter Abichaker | American & Asian Pop Singer/Songwriter

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

Hi Peter, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I’m a Lebanese American artist who sings both English & Mandarin pop music. The most important factor is for me to stay authentic in my storytelling through song – regardless of the language I am singing in. Ultimately, success for me is defined by creating a meaningful & positive experience with others by sharing something real & human that they can connect to – no matter which culture they’re from.

As a queer Lebanese American teen growing up in Boston, I faced a lot of turbulence and rejection as I began to express my own identity. The place I felt most comfortable and happy was in the uniquely magical sounds of early 2000’s Asian pop music introduced to meet by some of my Chinese American peers. The dramatic & uplifting melodies were unlike anything I had ever heard – filling my heart with the promise of great otherworldly adventure & new beginnings during a time when I had otherwise felt my world collapsing. Simultaneously, I was also inspired by powerful vocalists like Whitney Houston, and great American songwriters like Stevie Nicks as I began to find my voice through song.

Finding my voice through music across the globe gave birth to my passion of creating my own unique brand of east-meets-west pop music. I want to create beautiful and uplifting sounds that vulnerably expose my own stories of both pain and joy in the heart, while searching for shared human experiences that connect us across cultural and social boundaries. Staying true to this dream is success for me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I create both English and Mandarin pop music that weave together catchy melodies, dramatic instrumental hooks, and deeply honest lyrics that celebrate the emotions of the heart. Fusing eastern and western styles with my own story as a queer Lebanese American, gives me a precious opportunity to create a novel pop music experience – connecting people across cultural and social boundaries.

My debut EP, Beautiful Fighter, bilingually released in 2020, uses a combination of anthemic live instruments and upbeat pop tempos to explore themes of resilience, hope & self empowerment. Creating and releasing this EP was an incredibly meaningful milestone in my journey as an artist. Growing up, I didn’t have formal training in musical instruments, but I’ve always had a strong foundation in vocal training, along with an intuitive knack for crafting melodies and lyrics. I had to step into the unknown with my ideas and forge my own pathway into writing and recording – eventually getting the very fortunate opportunity to co-write with incredible musicians like Rachael Lawrence, Chinese lyricists like Vivienne Jing, and to also work with talented engineers like Kevin Cho to produce the songs.

All of my projects are self-funded, and I hold myself to a high standard of quality, which requires significant investment. To fund my music, I work as a Media Operations Manager at a radio network. Every effort I put into this process is worth it to see my vision realized. This EP represents not just a musical achievement, but a reflection of my dedication, passion, and commitment to creating music that can uplift others the way music saved me as a teenager. It was particularly meaningful to have one of the EP’s songs recognized by leading LGBTQ news & entertainment website – writing that “Struck,” is a song that “gives us hope” and “touches and awakens something beautiful within us.”

Challenges are forever a part of life, however, and are always evolving – so I believe art must push forward to meet those challenges as much as it can. In the current state of the world, I feel I have a certain responsibility to express my queer Middle Eastern identity as boldly as I can. My latest release ‘Audition’ (English) and ‘Du Yi Wu Er’ (Mandarin) is a modern remake of Lee Jung Hyun’s iconic late 90’s hit, ‘Wa,’ with a music video that exudes LGBTQ art excellence.

I combined traditional Arabic and East Asian instruments & aesthetics to create a unique dance pop experience, while Rupaul’s Drag race icon, Kim Chi, pays homage to Lee Jung Hyun in a fierce performance of Hyun’s original Korean rap. This is the first time I’ve expressed so many parts of my identity and love for Asian pop so courageously – challenging gender norms of what it means to be a “Middle Eastern American male,” and I am incredibly proud of that and the visibility for others which it creates. I knew it would be met with some resistance, but it was also received with so much love. It’s given me an emboldened fire to continue in this direction – and find ways I can have a more powerful impact through music on this front.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am a huge fan of all of the beautiful nature LA has to offer. I would definitely say make a stop at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in Pasadena – the gardens and architecture are truly stunning. I’d follow it up with something delicious at one of Old Town Pasadena’s many good restaurants and an evening stroll!

I don’t really drink, but I enjoy a good night out with dancing & music. The Sunset Blvd strip is full of fantastic live music venues where you can see local, up & coming artists. Down the street in West Hollywood has iconic clubs like the Abbey with a diverse mix of people and dance music.

If you’re a foodie like me – Koreatown is a must! My all time favorite Korean restaurant in LA is Ham Ji Park. They have the best pork ribs and a super hearty and flavorful pork neck stew.

I also love to experience LA’s beautiful natural landscapes through hiking although I am unsure whether many of my favorite trails like Temescal & Eaton Canyon have been affected by the tragic fires. I live in Orange County, however, and can also recommend beautiful trails like Rimcrest Trail in Yorba Linda which features miles of rolling hills, or the Schabarum Skyline Trail in Rowland Heights. If you’re in Rowland Heights, you’ll definitely have to follow your hike by eating at one of the many authentic Chinese food spots in the area.

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?
Definitely my voice coach, mentor and dear friend, Wendy Parr! She truly works magic to help an artist connect with their authenticity, discover & develop their voice. She’s not only a remarkable & accomplished music powerhouse in her own right, but someone who deeply cares and finds joy in uplifting others. I’ll never forget the smile on her face as she found that spark in me and watched it grow. She was the first to ever truly believe in me, which is a gift I’ll always treasure.

I’m also forever grateful to my ride or die, Sahra Nguyen! Even with her extremely busy schedule making waves with her groundbreaking Vietnamese coffee company, Nguyen Coffee Supply – she never hesitates to take time to help me strategize a song release, give me honest feedback on my work, or just be there for all of life’s ups & downs. She has a beautiful light & kind heart – putting her family, friends, and community are at the heart of all her fervent work. I’m certainly lucky to call her a friend.

Last but not least, my husband and the love of my life, Tuan Do. I can’t count the number of times he’s had to hear a demo on repeat while I come up with feedback, or hit a clunker when I am trying to figure out a melody! He’s been a rock and source of honest feedback throughout so many decisions – big and small. His unwavering support has meant everything to me.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterabichaker/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/peterabichaker

Image Credits
Shotaro Kondo
Tamara Santos
Tuan Do