SPECIAL FEATURE SECTIONS REVIEWS INTERVIEWS
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Discover the Passions That is Behind
US ASIANS: How do you describe yourself and why? (i.e. Chinese, Chinese American, Taiwanese, Asian, Asian American, Asian Pacific American, etc.) KOTI HU: I have probably described myself using all of these terms at one point or another. Living in the US since the age of 4 has really impacted the way I view myself. On test forms in high school I always remember there being only one choice when asked my ethnicity: Asian/Pacific Islander. I grew up speaking Mandarin Chinese which also affects my self-description. Ultimately, to be accurate, I am a Taiwanese American, based strictly on order of residence. US ASIANS: Have you met any obstacles in the United States as somebody who was born in Taiwan? KOTI HU: There were a few times in the past where I experienced some racism towards me based only on appearances, but other than that, I would say my parents are the ones who faced more of the obstacles, and by way of example taught me through their experiences. US ASIANS: Are there many Christian artists in Asia that had served as role models? KOTI HU: I don’t have much familiarity with Asian artists in general.
ASIAN/APA
CHRISTIAN ARTISTS KOTI HU: I feel there is a good amount artists who are doing great work, but I feel that these artists could still have more exposure and integration into non-Asian areas of the Church in the US. US ASIANS: Do you feel that the Asian Pacific American churches/Christian organizations have been more or less helpful than American churches/Christian organizations of developing visionary Asian Pacific American artists? KOTI HU: I have had only a little bit of involvement in that area so I cannot really say. US ASIANS:
What do you see as your role/participation in the Contemporary Christian
Music industry as an Asian American? KOTI HU: I see it as peripheral only. I do not have that strong of an ethnic identity and therefore don’t have too much of an agenda at all concerning that. I will let my music speak for itself. Anything that develops will be a byproduct of that.
ASIAN
AMERICAN CHRISTIAN CONCERTS KOTI HU: I had a friend on staff there whom I had met earlier that year. US ASIANS:
What other Christian camps have you ministered to? KOTI HU: Oh, an handful say 10 in all. I can’t really remember the names. US ASIANS:
Within your website, all your upcoming performances appear to be church-related
events? Is this by design, or do you plan to have secular events included
within your touring schedule? KOTI
HU: I constantly have a few different musical
performance projects I’m working on. My website is currently pertaining
to my ministry events exclusively. I have gathered that people are easily
confused if you advertise too many different types of events, especially
between Christian and secular events. US ASIANS: How did you get involved with the “Audience of One” compilation? KOTI HU: That’s an interesting story actually. I was at a restaurant near my house and I felt like I should meet some guys sitting at a table next to me. So I introduced myself and it turned out they were. We exchanged information and soon after, I met some friends of theirs who were doing a compilation and there you have it.
FAMILY
BACKGROUND KOTI HU: More opportunities in work for my parents, the threat of war with Communist China, more opportunities for my brother and I growing up. Those are just a few off the top of my head, I’m sure there were more reasons. US ASIANS: Did your parents live in other places before residing in the Seattle area? KOTI HU: We lived in California for a little over a year, as well as New York, before we moved up to the Seattle area. US ASIANS: How many brothers and sisters do you have in your family? KOTI HU: I have one older brother and no sisters. US ASIANS: Tell us about your older brother. I understand that he already as a career in performing music and writing soundtracks for various industries. Is he pursuing his career in Taiwan and/or in the United States? KOTI HU: He has contracted mainly with US companies. A few video games, a made for TV movie, that kind of thing. He’s really, really good. Kochun Hu. Shameless plug. US ASIANS: It appears that your parents didn’t have any major objections to their children pursuing a music career? Could you share the reasons behind this rare situation? KOTI
HU: They actually did object quite a bit, to my
ambition especially. It was a point of division for a quite a long time
between us. I’m not too sure if they objected to my brother’s
career much. I have always been a dreamer. My parents, like a lot of Chinese
parents were just scared I would waste my time in something that I might
not really succeed in.
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