Skim
L.A.-based artist Skim, a self-proclaimed “child of hip-hop,” has always fostered a deeply creative and curious spirit. The Queens native remembers sitting in friends’ doorways at parties observing the music, and learning that “it’s about speaking your mind, scratching up a record, and taking a chance.”
This same curiosity is evident on her self-released 2006 debut For Every Tear. Skim’s lyrical themes of sexuality, spirituality and community juxtapose favorably against hiccupping beats, string-laden samples, and her fragile vocal stylings. In her live act, Skim commands her audience by deploying traditional Korean hand-drumming and guitars with unrivaled skill.
Skim, who is a Korean-American lesbian, was no stranger to judgments or “the disapproving eye” after coming out. Still, she continued to garner support among a growing fanbase and local music collectives.
“Either people will like me right away or they won’t,” she says. “I don’t have time to think about it. I have to keep moving and pushing.”
When she’s not on the mic, Skim dedicates her time to community organizing efforts such as Tribe of the Diasporas, a non-profit organization geared towards “queer womyn of color and working class communities.” She also conducts performance workshops for A.I.M. (Assemblies in Motion), an artist collective that uses art to address social issues relevant to their daily lives. Skim looks forward to planning an upcoming national tour, including the Michigan Womyn’s Festival, and a new album set to be released in 2008.
For more of Skim, visit myspace.com/skim-music. –PC
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