Today we are joined by Chandara Heng from Crossed The Golden Gate! Thank you for spending some time with us today. How has your summer been?
To be honest, summer has been a healing journey for me. Spending time with family and close friends.
“Hot Pursuit (Dubisgone Remix)” is such an electrifying track. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the original song and what led to this particular remix?
Hot Pursuit is about chasing a girl I like. The sample was actually influenced by a song called “Crush On You by Lil Cease” so it went pretty well together.
Growing up in San Francisco’s Tenderloin, a neighborhood with a rich and complex history, how did that environment shape your musical style and artistic vision?
The TL is filled with different cultures. Jazz is definitely a big influence in the TL, since the 1950s. The building I went to church at was actually famous for musician gatherings. It was called “The Musician’s Union”
You were born in a refugee camp for Khmer Rouge victims. How does that aspect of your past influence your music today, and do you feel a responsibility to represent those roots in your work?
Yes, absolutely. I have sensitivity surrounding hate, especially around new faces inside a new country. I do feel 100% responsible for my people.
Do you come from a musical family?
My parents are very talented with sounds and crafts. They are two of the craftiest people I know, but they would never show their musician side because of their fear in communism.
What are some of your earliest musical memories?
The earliest memories of music are growing up as a child, and my dad would sing karaoke all day, every day. This is where my love for lyrics started.
From the refugee camp to the Tenderloin, and now to the global music stage, your journey has been one of resilience. What keeps you grounded and motivated in the face of such a dramatic life story?
I don’t think people understand how hard it is to grow out of a concrete jungle. It’s a guilty feeling leaving a town and not helping the town grow to it’s potential.
“Hot Pursuit” has a relentless beat and a catchy vibe. What was the creative process like in the studio when you first recorded it, and how did it change with Dubisgone’s remix?
I started producing the beats at home with the piano sounds. Then, I took it over to Dubisgone and he finalized it with his magic and made it sound much better than what I did. I’m a beginner at producing, so he definitely helped a lot.
How did this collaboration come about, and what was it like working with Dubisgone?
It was a random day in the garage, and I asked him if he can play with this beat I made, and then we just started going ham. Working with Dubisgone is nostalgic. I knew the dude since I was 11 years old, so I’m happy that we are finally working together on projects.
Your music blends various genres and styles. How do you approach the creative process when merging different musical influences?
It’s hard for me to stay within a genre style. I tried my best to stick to a genre, but it’s not happening. I think my mental illness has a lot to do with me switching sounds around.
When you’re working on new material for Crossed The Golden Gate, which typically comes first, the music or the lyrics?
The music comes first, then I take my lyrics out or I write it right then and there.
The music industry can be tough, especially for artists with unique backgrounds. What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
It’s been adversary my entire life. I’m Asian (Austranesian) from Cambodia with multiple ethnicities, but I can look like anything. I can look Indian, European, Asian, Pacific Island, and anything that is dark-skinned. The downside to being a confused face, is that I don’t fit in anywhere.
Your journey seems to be as much about survival as it is about success. How do you balance the two, and what advice would you give to other artists with similar backgrounds?
I have a mental illness where I don’t stay still. People wonder if I am two or three people because I work so much. It’s just me. I can work 20 hours and be fine. It’s probably because my first job ever was on set, and being on set for a non-union documentary, so it is like living in a trailer because you work so much.
Thanks so much for spending some time with us today, Chandara! Where can people go find out more about you and your music?
Absolutely! You can check me out on any platform, just search “Crossed The Golden Gate” and you will find me there! You can also find funny little stories about me on TikTok @CrossedTheGoldenGate.
