James Lee apologizes for talking too much. I reassure him that, well — that's the point, I want him to talk. Besides, in many cases, let's be honest — I tend to run into the opposite problem. It's certainly charming, but also surprising to hear this kind of humility come from a seasoned artist such as Lee — the Korean-American musician spent 13 years playing bass in bands across a spectrum of genres — including South Korean group Royal Pirates — and later began recording and producing songs on his own with notable collaborators. But it makes more sense when you take into account, as he puts it, the fact that in many ways, this period in his career has him navigating uncharted territory.
In 2015, a terrible accident left Lee unable to use much of his left hand, ultimately ending his career as a bassist. After quitting Royal Pirates and moving back from South Korea to Los Angeles to focus on his health, he eventually decided to pick music back up again. Thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign, he released The Light EP in 2018, the five tracks of which detail his physical and emotional road to recovery.
Lee's journey has therefore been marked by many seasons — including joy, pain, and healing – but now is budding much more clearly into spring. He most recently released soaring love song "Falling" with pop singer Kevin Woo (formerly of K-pop band U-KISS), and will soon embark on a tour with stops in LA and Berkeley, CA with Woo and rock band FYKE. The contemplative, warm Lee sounds excited as he talks about the future. He's now ready to share this new chapter of his life in person with his fans — after all, they were the ones who helped him write a few pages when he needed it most.
EARMILK talked to Lee on the phone to reflect on the year since The Light, to talk influences, and new beginnings.
