LEADR Reminds Us That We’re All Human

interviewed by Sydney Ling

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Head tilted down, hair dyed black and white, with stark fluorescent lights lit behind him, LEADR blinks as if he’s trying to hold back tears. The strumming of a guitar starts, before he looks up, beginning to chant the lyrics in a hushed tone. The camera cuts time after time, each new shot with a new slur written in black block letters across LEADR’s skin. Purplish shadows of bruises appear next to the words, crawling across his chest, shoulders, neck, and face. “Hi, I’m human, I’m just like you,” LEADR intones the chorus throughout his music video for his single, "Hi, I'm Human." 

Los Angeles-based artist LEADR blends electro-pop, indie dance, and futurist sounds in pulsing energy. His single, “Hi, I’m Human,” was released on March 30, as a letter to all people who have felt marginalised or cast aside. Drawing from his own experiences growing up queer in a traditional Vietnamese household, LEADR renders a juxtaposition of dark and glowing visuals in the music video.

At the bridge, LEADR appears in a white robe, standing across from a small boy in black, curled up with his elbows around his knees and head bent down. LEADR walks towards the boy, crouching down as the boy looks up, before pressing a small feather and stone in the boy’s hand. He embraces the boy, before the world turns to white. By the symbolic act of humanity, LEADR reminds the viewer that we’re all human.

Could you introduce yourself?

My name is LEADR. I’m a Vietnamese-American indie-pop artist based in Los Angeles.

Where do you get inspiration from?

Visual art, fashion, and other artists’ performances.

How would you describe your music?

A yin and yang of sounds.

What does music mean to you?
Music is healing. It's an artistic expression and it tells a story; I couldn’t live without it.

What is your favourite part about being in the music industry?

I like being an independent artist and having total creative control.

What was the inspiration behind your latest single, “Hi, I’m Human?” How did you go about creating the powerful visuals in your music video as well as the lyrics? What do the elements of “Hi, I’m Human” mean to you, from the visuals to the music?

The song is about relating to one another. It’s a call to our common humanity. As for the visuals, I wanted to explore the different levels of the human mind and how each responds to trauma. 

photos by Stella Chyun

What was it like growing up as queer in a traditional Asian household? How did that experience impact you as a whole as well as influencing your music?

It was hard because I wasn’t out to my parents. It’s still hard because they don’t really understand me but despite this, it’s actually pushed me to chase my dreams and to be me.

What message do you want to spread with your work? How do you hope your music impacts both AAPI communities, as well as LGBTQ youth communities?

I want to spread love and light through my art to all communities. If I can help even a few people better their lives or overcome their own personal challenges, it’s worth the effort.

You said in a quote that you fought back towards abuse, after being taught to not speak up for yourself. How did you learn to speak up for yourself, and what advice would you give to Asians who have also experienced this?

After a point I didn’t want to be a punching bag anymore, I learned to stand up for myself and I encourage everyone to speak their own truth. If I can offer any advice it is don’t be afraid and stand tall.

What does it mean to you to be a queer Asian artist in the music industry?

I’m grateful to be myself and to share my experiences with people who also identify as queer. 10 years ago it would have felt impossible to be able to express myself as I do now.

What do you hope your music offers for marginalized groups?

I want my music to give them hope and to feel that they exist.

What do you want to be remembered for?

Ask me in 100 years.