One thing I carried my whole life, especially from my grandparents in Chicago, was a huge idealism for the world.

I've moved around so much my whole life, and I've gotten so used to being the Other in situations - the foreigner, the outsider. The first time I've ever felt like there was no separation between me and the other elements was in music.

I reside in a new colony for the Chinese-singing banjo player, with a population of one. At least I have something I have to do with my life.

My whole drive is to make sure that music is a common space where we search for beauty and share it. It needs to be louder than any conversation. That's where we have to go as a human race.

And winning is a huge thing for me.

One of my favorite albums in the world is Bruce Springsteen's 'Nebraska.' Each song has this very distinct character who has something profound to say.