The CreativeLife Podcast Ep.8: Steve Nguyen’s IT Guy By Day, Producer and Community Building Superhero By Night [Download] [Stream]

Episode 8 – Steve Nguyen

Steve Nguyen, Producer and Community Building Superhero. Art by Technodrome1 Photo: Tommy Su of SnapItStudio

What’s behind the stunner shades and shiny earring? I turn the mic on Steve Nguyen, and attempt to uncover the man, the myth, the mystery that is Steve Nguyen of Stickblade Productions and channelAPA.com. Who knew he became legend at UC Riverside playing Superman and other characters with his theatrical, masked “flash-pranks” during lecture classes?

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He puts all hyphenated artists to shame with his multi-project multi-tasking. I peel back the layers like an onion of truth until we’re both in tears of conversational joy. (yeah. i said that.) We cover some serious ground in intimate conversation with one microphone on my lounge couch in Highland Park. One 7up and an hour and a half later we finally get some details.

And, hold on! Did you know he once appeared as an Asian student character on “The Man Show” with Adam Carolla and Jimmy Kimmel? Not his proudest moment, but highly educational.

Some things you’re gonna learn: how important building community is for Steve, Steve’s vision for providing the ultimate platform for talented Asian Americans in media and entertainment, what he did behind the scenes in one of the “Fast and Furious” movie productions, and the inspiration behind his latest passion project, the animated short film about a survivor of the atom bomb in Japan called “Hibakusha.”

We give a shout-out to professional photographer Tommy Su of Snapit Studios (http://snapitstudio.com/) because we got some GOOOOD cafe food in Monterey Park together with Steve after the interview. Mm. Mm!

With socially awkward comes different and innovative. – Steve Nguyen

If you liked what you heard, please comment in iTunes AND donate by simply clicking the Paypal button at top right hand corner at http://www.creativelifepod.com.

MUSIC:

Episode 8 of The CreativeLife podcast features the talented work of independent artists Anna Su (“Oh My Stars” and “Howling Tree” from “Howling Tree” 2010) and Andrew Figueroa Chiang and the Blazing Rays of the Sun (“Baby Please”). Be sure to catch Andrew and support him when he competes at the November 5th, Kollaboration concert in Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre!

Anna Su Music

FROM ANNA SU’S WEBSITE:

Los Angeles-based musician, Anna Su, explores music as community property, drawing influences from the sounds of her travels and experiences. Through haunting melodies and heartfelt lyrics, mixed with the floor-stomping pulse of her eclectic band, Anna Su’s songs bring players and listeners together to celebrate the simple joys of making music.

Debut album, “Howling Tree” now available on iTunes and Bandcamp

Produced by Nate Vaughan, Mixed by Al Fleming
Mastered by Brad Blackwood at Euphonic Masters, Recorded at Bronson House, Runaway Sound & Hollywood Sound Systems, Drums engineered by Meredith Jung, Artwork by Molly Burgess. All songs by Anna Su except “Over Ourselves” by Anna Su and John Isaac Watters & “City Ain’t That Much Fun by Anna Su and Rachel Vaughan.
Featuring: Al Fleming, Will Gramling, Kris Karlsson, George Krikes, Mike Lindsay, Niccolo Menichini, Alex Rhodes, Gavin Salmon, Brian Song, Dave Torstenson, Nate Vaughan, Rachel Vaughan & Dave Wilson

Andrew Figueroa Chiang and the Blazing Rays of the Sun

FROM ANDREW’S WEBSITE:

Andrew Figueroa Chiang is every bit an entertainer. A sweet-voiced songwriter with a genuine love of performing, Andrew has the unique ability to transform any space into a joyful one. His disarming charm, off-the-cuff comedy, and heartfelt delivery make his shows both moving and fun.

This year, Andrew released his first EP! The self-titled, acoustic record is full of earnest performances, energetic arrangements, and big harmonies.

Andrew is currently playing solo and with his rock and roll band – the Blazing Rays of the Sun. He thinks it would be very nice to meet you.

LINKS:

Steve as “The Chinese Kid” on “The Man Show”
The Hibakusha Kickstarter fundraising page
channelapa.com – Steve’s website featuring Asian American entertainment
Steve Nguyen FlipHD with memoirist Lac Su
Steve as Superman in UC Riverside class prank

And when you’re done listening to it…leave a comment at the end of this post, or on iTunes. Send me your feedback and comments! What did you like about the interview? What did you learn that you hadn’t thought about before? What was something that you wanted to learn more about the creative process? What question were you DYING for me to ask but I never did!?