Musician and community organizer Joe Kye speaks on what it felt like to burn out and recover after throwing everything he had into creating something meaningful for his community.
As an immigrant or a child of immigrants, finding your communities, proving your value, and chasing acceptance can become lifelong endeavors. Joe realized this early in life, and became determined to create his own path. He also threw himself into creating Tiger Tiger PDX, a family-friendly music festival for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Communities. Listen to Joe’s journey into his musical career, community building, intense burnout, and finding his way to balance, comfort, and connection.
About the speaker
Portland-based violinist-looper, vocalist, and community organizer Joe Kye discharges worlds of emotion with his lush string loops and eclectic style. From viral TikTok jingles skewering microaggressions to delivering keynote speeches about creativity, community, and identity, Joe’s work taps into an inner core, inspiring audiences to compassion and empathy. Drawing upon his immigrant upbringing, Kye weaves together electronic and acoustic textures, catchy melodies, and vocals to uplift and empower listeners. His band, Joe Kye & the Givers, features some of Portland’s most acclaimed musicians, supercharging Joe’s music with intensity and power. Joe’s children’s music project Hi Joe Kye! introduces families to his story of hope and joy with an electro-pop sound, embracing the creative power of looping with songs inspired by the audience.
In 2022, Kye launched Tiger Tiger PDX, a festival featuring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander artists, performers, and chefs. Kye has opened for Yo-Yo Ma, recorded a Tedx Talk, and been featured on NPR. He is an Oregon Arts Commission 2023 Fellow.
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Hosted by
Alberta House
5131 NE 23rd Ave
Portland, Oregon United States 97211
Date
Photographer Christopher Diego
Videographer Tyler Nordby
