Mono Stereo Groove Hosts 2nd Annual Writing Camp for AAPI Community

Mono Stereo Groove will host their 2nd Annual M.S.G. Writing Camp to celebrate and amplify the AAPI music community through round tables, networking, and panels curated for Asian hitmakers in the music industry.

MSG has partnered with APIECE, Warner Music Group’s API ERG, Sony Music Publishing, Recording Academy Los Angeles Chapter, LIONS SHARE, and SURF Music for this year’s week-long event, which will take place in Los Angeles, CA at the WMG Campus from May 15-19, 2023, coinciding with Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

MSG Writing Camp started during the COVID-19 pandemic by Rose Tan, a Filipino and Chinese songwriter who has been writing for more than 15 years. She wanted to increase opportunities and visibility for API creatives, as in her own experience, she had very rarely been in rooms with other people with similar backgrounds as her and wanted to create a safe space for growth and learning.

“The main objective of this camp, ultimately, is to actually release music,” Tan said, adding that Brooke Alexx’s single “All My Exes’ Moms” is a success story from last year’s inaugural event. “We want people to realize that AAPI creators are already creating across the music industry, and not just during the month of May.”

“We are so grateful to be able to host such an important event during AAPI Heritage Month, but our goal is to be celebrated for our contributions to music all year long,” says Brian Reyes, ASCAP.

Panels will take place during the camp, featuring API executives and songwriters from across the world/US. Representatives from SURF’s team will take part in the main panel on Wednesday evening, Advancing AAPI Leaders and Creators in Music, with other industry executives including Karen Kwak (EVP/Head of A&R, Warner Records), Jon Chen (Sr. Director of A&R, Warner Chappell), Dinah Jane (artist/songwriter and former member of the pop supergroup, Fifth Harmony) and moderated by Jamie Dominguez (Sound Royalties Regional Director of Business and Artist Relations and Governor of The Recording Academy’s NY Chapter). SURF’s Chief Operating Officer Jona Higa and Chief Creative Officer Justine Suzuki, who both serve on MSG’s board of directors, will be available to advise and mentor songwriters as they work on their records, sharing valuable expertise into music monetization and revenue streams, including the hosting of a “Lunch and Learn” event on Thursday, May 18th.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with Mono Stereo Groove to launch its 2^nd annual songwriting camp, and we look forward to further elevating AAPI representation and creativity across music,” said Sony Music Group EVP Philanthropy and Social Impact Towalame Austin.

M.S.G recognizes that none of this would be possible without the generous support of their sponsors including Spotify, Sound Royalties, Angry Mob Music, SHURE, Soho House DTLA, Poketo, Arturia, Health-Ade Kombucha, Nectar Hard Seltzer, Nuero and more.

M.S.G is an acronym for Mono Stereo Groove, a creative collective of songwriters, producers, artists, engineers, and music executives of Asian descent. M.S.G was launched in early 2022 but has been a concept the founding partners envisioned for quite some time. Founded by platinum selling songwriter/producer, Rose Tan, PRO executive, Brian Reyes and manager/music executive, Maria T. Lyons knew there was a need to create a space to showcase and support API talent and to build a bridge for Asian creatives to be able to meet, connect and collaborate. Mono Stereo Groove’s mission is to amplify and create visibility for the API creative community by recognizing its rich history and influence globally and in mainstream American music.

SURF Music is popular in Japan and South Korea and has recently broken into the US market as a finalist for the 2023 SXSW Innovation Award. With a platform of unreleased tracks by hundreds of songwriters, producers, and music creators, SURF allows creators to access creative briefs from labels, ad agencies, and film/tv production companies and submit songs for consideration, among other exciting opportunities on the platform.

“MSG Writing Camp brings great visibility to API creatives,” says Justine Suzuki, CCO at SURF Music. “We know that by partnering with MSG and continuing to support initiatives in this space, additional opportunities will become available for the API community.”

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