The UK is enriched by a cultural LGBTQIA+ community that is creative, talented, and speaks up for those whose voices aren’t heard. Many individuals are fighting to protect their rights in a country that likes to pretend everything is fine. Although we still have an incredibly long way to go, singer-songwriter Jason Kwan proves that surrounding yourself with like-minded people creates a positive atmosphere to thrive and deliver the message to the public. 

Growing up in Hong Kong, Jason moved to London on a musical scholarship at fourteen. Recently, the artist took time out of his busy schedule to sit down with View of the Arts and discuss his latest EP, Deja Vu. The release captures significant moments of his life, including poignant events from his childhood.

Music is clearly both therapeutic and the perfect dose of medicine, and that is exactly what Jason’s music represents. With a solid catalogue of songs that brings a full range of emotions – from the soothing tones of Paradise to the liberating beats of Deja Vu – he also tackles topics that many might find uncomfortable to address. 

If creating music isn’t enough, he’s also part of the incredible The Bitten Peach, the first Asian drag collective to perform across the UK. The group is well-known across the country and does a fantastic job of presenting Asian drag excellence to those who aren’t yet aware of the talent that is out there.

Unafraid, unashamed, and living delightfully for himself, Jason is a positive influence and a role model for many young people. They can look up to him and realise that they too can live the free life they wish to carve out for themselves. Hot off the stage from the busiest calendar month, Pride, Jason continues on the next part of his Deja Vu tour, which has seen more dates added, including Cardiff and Amsterdam!

View of the Arts: You have just released your new debut EP, Deja Vu. What has the reaction to the release been like so far? 

Jason Kwan: I’m so excited that my debut EP is finally out. The reaction has been so warm and lovely. It’s been cool to hear what songs people like on the EP. 

View of the Arts: When it comes to your music, you’re very involved and write your own songs. When did you first begin songwriting, and what was the creative process for Deja Vu?

Jason Kwan: For this EP, I wrote everything with michelangelo.mp3, and it’s been 2 years in the making. I spent a lot of time reflecting on some formative moments in my life, growing up between Hong Kong and the UK, and wrote songs about how I miss and treasure those times.

View of the Arts: When working on new music, what does it feel like to finally see the entire process come to life and be out there for everyone to listen to?

Jason Kwan: It is an incredible feeling. After the music is done and the videos are out, it sometimes feels like I didn’t make them. Just because they take on a life of their own.

View of the Arts: The single Paradise was recently released and is about queer awakening and re-experiencing that first love feeling. How do you incorporate your experiences into your songs and decide on how much you want to share in your songwriting?

Jason Kwan: I take my own experiences as inspiration for the music. I aim to distil those experiences down to their core emotions and rebuild them into songs. Paradise specifically is very close to my personal experience, and the first draft of the lyrics described exact events that happened. However, I like to make the songs more accessible by portraying the emotions more than the exact experiences they were inspired by.

View of the Arts: Faith is a standout track, and many people can relate to it. Do you find that sharing personal stories that resonate with listeners serves as a healing process for you?

Jason Kwan: Faith has its own fan base! I’m so excited to see that. Throughout all of the music I’ve released, I do get healed, little by little, because the process is therapeutic for me. I’ve had audience members tell me how much a song has helped them process their own feelings, and that really encourages me to keep releasing music into the world.

View of the Arts: Out of the four tracks, which one of them are you most proud of and feel the most emotionally attached to?

Jason Kwan: I’m really proud of Paradise because it was a musical idea that almost didn’t make it out into the world. We wanted to create something dream-like and timeless. I’m very glad we found the right instrumentation for the song and got to make a music video for it. I took inspiration from ‘The Little Prince’ to tell that story.

View of the Arts: Alongside the release, you’re currently in the midst of the Deja Vu Pride tour. What songs have you been most excited to perform? What’s been your favourite show so far?

Jason Kwan: I love performing How Could I Ever Say Goodbye, which is a power ballad. The crowd gets really involved, and I have the chance to get emotional during the performance. It’s hard to pick a favourite show, but I really enjoyed Canterbury Pride because that’s where I spent a lot of my teenage years, and my British family was also there supporting me.

View of the Arts: Personally, what genre of music do you find yourself gravitating towards, and would you say it influences the music you like to create

Jason Kwan: I love pop music, and I’ve trained in jazz and classical music, so those genres really inspire me. I’m also a huge K-pop fan. Although it’s not strictly K-pop, I’ve had LISA’s Rockstar on repeat right now.

View of the Arts: Deja Vu is featured on Spotify’s Pride month playlists; which one of your songs would you recommend to new listeners?

Jason Kwan: I’m grateful to Spotify for including Paradise on their GLOW playlist, and to Apple Music for including me on their global Pride playlists. It means a lot as a queer Asian person to be on these lists because queer ESEA representation in music is still so rare.

View of the Arts: Your journey is incredibly inspirational. At the age of 14, you moved to the U.K. from Hong Kong on a musical scholarship. How did you deal with a huge life change like that?

Jason Kwan: I relocated because I was desperate to break free. Additionally, I had an amazing opportunity to pursue advanced music training in the UK. Before my flight, I had never visited, so it was quite nerve-wracking. Nevertheless, my excitement outweighed any fear. I hope I still possess the courage to take bold risks like that today.

View of the Arts: Since you were on a musical scholarship, one is to assume that music was always going to be your main passion. Was there a particular moment when music impacted your life to pursue it?

Jason Kwan: I’ve always wanted to be a singer and songwriter. I started writing music when I was seven, simply because I loved it. When I turned fifteen, I started thinking of music as a potential career, but it took a lot to get to where I am now.

View of the Arts: Who inspired you musically or creatively while growing up? How does it feel to know that your work serves as a source of inspiration for young people who see proud Asians represented in the mainstream?

Jason Kwan: Growing up, and still today, my biggest inspiration is Leslie Cheung, a Cantonese pop legend who sadly committed suicide while I was growing up. He was gender-queer and unapologetically himself. I hope to build on his legacy, along with other artists, to ensure that queer Asian musicians can exist safely and proudly.

View of the Arts: In 2022, you had the incredible opportunity to support Rina Sawayama at Glastonbury in June and later at Electrowerkz in September. How was that experience for you? Looking ahead, what would be your dream show to perform at, or which artist would you most love to collaborate with?

Jason Kwan: 2022 was an incredible year – I released my first pop single, Ritual, and got to play at Glastonbury and Eletrowerkz, and open for Rina. Both experiences felt surreal. My dream collaboration would be with someone like Lady Gaga, simply because she loves all the things I love about music. I’d also love to perform alongside Canto-pop stars like Janice Vidal.

View of the Arts: You uplift voices in not just the Asian community but also the LGBTQIA+ community. Now, more than ever, pride is incredibly important, especially with the upcoming U.K. elections in July. As a very prominent voice, do you feel a weight to educate people? 

Jason Kwan: I’m still very connected to the underground scene where I came from. I’m very vocal on social media and do a lot of diversity, inclusion, and equity work behind the scenes. I want to keep using my platform to raise important issues and share my thoughts on specific things that need attention. Even through my shows and music, those themes pop up all over.

View of the Arts: Not only are you a singer, but you are also a cabaret and drag star, as well as a member of the iconic The Bitten Peach, an Asian collective of queer artists. For those who are unfamiliar with the group, could you explain the scenes’ collective significance to the drag scene and how you met?

Jason Kwan: I came up through the scene experimenting with drag and cabaret, and I am heavily involved in running The Bitten Peach; they’re my chosen family. The Bitten Peach exists to create spaces and opportunities for queer Asian artists, who are usually left on the wayside and not included in mainstream programming. Additionally, we help foster talent that may have been previously discouraged or left behind. We want Asian artists to have outlets to tell their stories. We’re doing a six-show residency at The Underbelly in London this September—please come see us! (Tickets can be brought here.)

View of the Arts: RuPaul’s Drag Race has made drag mainstream, and as with most things, it has its pros and cons. People at home often assume there is only one type of drag when it’s actually an umbrella for many forms of the art. What’s been your experience with the current London scene?

Jason Kwan: Drag is so multi-faceted, and so much of it hasn’t been showcased in mainstream media yet. I think the saturation of Drag Race has made things much harder for drag artists who don’t fit into their categories, so I hope that equity gets shared around so that other drag art forms can also shine. I’m very proud of Le Fil, our Asian sister, who is competing on Canada vs. The World. #TeamLeFil!

View of the Arts: Have things improved regarding show bookings featuring all types of drag? In the past, many line-ups consisted only of white drag queens.

Jason Kwan: I think we’re still not seeing diverse line-ups, and it’s a real shame. With The Bitten Peach, we are going to keep taking over stages to give that queer Asian representation.

View of the Arts: If you’re not songwriting and performing, you’re a drag artist, a cabaret star, and an LGBTQIA+ advocate for the community. You’re practically superhuman, so what is your favourite way to relax and switch off?

Jason Kwan: I’m barely a human, let alone superhuman! My favourite way to switch off is to play video games. Currently, I’m oscillating between Stardew Valley and Gungeon.

View of the Arts: And finally, having done so much, what else is in store for you this year?

Jason Kwan: We’ve just announced Part II of the Deja Vu EP tour, so I’m excited to take the tour to Wales and Amsterdam for the first time. I’m also back in the studio cooking up the next project, so stay tuned!

Written and interviewed by Kirsty Bright

Featured image © Darius Shu

_{View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}