By: Patricia Kaowthumrong, Asian Avenue magazine
Local disc jockey, songwriter and musician Jimmy La, hopes to create memorable sounds and break stereotypes with the release of his new album “The Guest Room.” The album, which is currently available for download online, is a mixture of music genres including pop, electronica, hip-hop, Vietnamese pop, dub step, acapella, lounge and jazz.
La, better known as DJ Guest, wrote, produced and recorded the album in a little over a year. La recorded the entire album in his living room and even recorded two of the songs using an iPhone voice memo application after overusing his studio microphone. Artists featured on the album include JIMMYT, Kurt Jalbert, Arun, An Kim Tran, Jessie, Seraphine Vo and DJ Jit.
“My goal was to create something American with Asian talent,” said La, who is of Vietnamese and Chinese descent. “I wanted to showcase our voices and talent.”
Although La has been a DJ since the early 1990s, he did not establish the name DJ Guest until 2001. La enjoys working as a DJ for different venues, charity events and special occasions like weddings. He was inspired by his love of music from all generations to begin writing music and lyrics a couple years ago after experimenting with rap and electronica. La hopes the new sounds in “The Guest Room” will appeal to multiple generations.
“I put in my all when it comes to the lyrics and beats,” La said. “I am trying to share with people my life, my story and my passion.”
In addition to creating music, La works at an operation center at a small local bank. La taught himself how to manage websites through trial and error, and is the webmaster of djguest.org and tootigh.com. He also enjoys spending time with his wife of five years, Lisa, his 4-year-old son and 4-month-old daughter.
Visit djguest.org to download DJ Guest’s album, listen to his music or learn more about the artists featured on the album. A live concert and CD release event is scheduled for September 15, 2012 at Maxim Lounge, 2915 W. Mississippi Avenue, Denver, CO, 80219.
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