By the time Eric Nam was singing I’m Sexy Your Sexy on stage, I already knew it: I fell under his spell.
London, April 2022. The first live concert after the pandemic became one of the most intense live experiences I ever had. On both London’s dates of his There and Back Again tour, Eric Nam showed the public how to command a stage. If there is a word to describe this tour, I would say “hypnotic”.
Milan, June 2022. The story repeated again. Since he first appeared on the stage of Magazzini Generali, the multi-hyphenated artist Nam is, showed up again.
Eric Nam doesn’t need any introduction; everyone loves him. Undoubtedly. Still, his story is worthy of being told. Thirty-three years old, Korean American, over ten years ago, Eric Nam left a steady-paid and secure job to pursue his dream in music. After being noticed by a talent scout from Korea, he flew from the US, where he was working and living, and took part in a tv contest in a country where he just partially spoke the language. The hunch was correct: in 2022, Eric Nam is the independent Korean artist everyone would wish for. He is not only a singer, writer, and composer but also a recognized entrepreneur. His interviews on the Daebak Show with people from the entertainment industry are a must-see, not only for his fans. And his podcast app, Mindset, which he ventured in with his brothers, Eddie and Brian, is a superlative collection of podcasts narrated by some of the most well-known artists, who helped remove the veil on mental health issues showing the fragility of the person behind the artist.
When he appeared on my iMac during our Zoom call, Eric wore a black cap and a grey shirt. Despite his busy schedule, we met for an exclusive chat and had a long conversation spanning from life on tour, his music and his many, many projects.
So, how was Milan?
«Oh, Milan was great. I mean, Milan is, um, it was really hot, and… it was really hot (he laughs). But I got to explore it. I mean, it just happened that it was also Design week, so I got to go to some of the exhibits and the displays that were happening. I got to connect with some old friends that work in fashion and grab some food, and went shopping. It was a really good time, and it made me wanna move to Europe».
And how was the concert and meeting again with the Italian public?
«The concert was really hot, really sticky. Um, like so hot. I was like, “I don’t know how we’re doing this”, but the fans were incredible. They were incredibly passionate, very loud, and it was a really good time. And after that, I was just like, “dude, we gotta do like a bigger venue next time”. Because, you know, obviously it was because it was sold out, but it was packed and made me excited for, you know, what’s to come and hopefully I can go back to Milan soon. Overall it was just a really, really good time».
How do you feel being back performing after a long time?
«It feels great. I think there’s something that’s very powerful and magical about being able to perform music and perform live for fans around the world. And as a musician, I think one of my favorite things to do, if not the favorite thing to do, is actually perform on stage. It’s a blessing, it’s so much fun and I get such a high-like feeling from it. It feels incredible. And so to be able to do what I love to do most on stage around the world has been awesome. Uhm, to put it simply, I missed it a lot. It feels great».
Your shows are more a one-man show, and they are very different from other k-artists. What’s the part you have the most fun with during your time on the stage?
«I feel like I really enjoy songs where I can kind of scream and dance and throw water and uh, you know, kind of just party, like nobody’s really watching. There are songs where, you know, I have to slowed it down and I have to just be very focused on hitting the right notes and being very emotional, but then there are more upbeat ones where I just feel like I’m having fun. And the opening song, Any Other Way, always gives me chills because there’s something very impactful about the way that it’s arranged and the lighting. And when I throw the mic to everybody and then everybody sings along in that hook, it just feels like this is what a live show should be».
While speaking Eric Nam’s eyes are sparkling, and I can totally see him recalling every single moment of his show while talking to me. He took a short pause, then continued:
«It should be everybody singing along. It should be lights, it should be some dancing. It should be vocals and everybody having a great time. I think Echo is one of those songs I never performed until this tour. Uh, but having kind of like an EDM (electronic dance music) moment there is fun. Wildfire and I don’t know you anymore are the closings, they’re very different, but they’re very powerful as songs and everybody loves, reacts so differently. With Wildfire it’s like almost silent where everybody’s just like quietly watching and I don’t know you anymore is where everybody’s screaming “I don’t know you anymore” together. Yeah. And so it’s this emotional roller coaster, um, that I think every song, every moment has a significance. There’s a reason we put it in there. There are reasons we take songs out of it because we’re like, oh, it doesn’t connect the way we want».
After a short pause, he laughs.
«Um, sorry. I just went in a very long way when, uh, to answer your question, but that’s… I love that».
This is also your first tour as an independent artist. Did you encounter any difficulties that you didn’t expect?
«Um, I think there is. I mean the scary part is like, everything is funded by myself. That’s like the scary part. If it doesn’t work, like nobody else really loses money. It’s just me, just completely losing. Um, if it goes well then like it’s great, but it’s always that scary part of like, are people gonna come to a show? Are they gonna sell, sell out? Are they gonna buy merch? Are they going to, you know, show up and have a good time? Do they even know the songs? Do they want to be here? It’s kind of like this very self-conscious kind of moment that I have every time I put a tour on. And I think being an independent artist only made that even more extreme. So it was challenging I think, emotionally, to kind of deal with that. But when it comes to logistics and it comes to actual show and everything, you know, I have a great team. I have a great support system. I have great team members and everybody pulls their weight and that’s what makes this tour possible. And that, that’s something that I’m very, very grateful for every night».
If you can choose one of your songs that identifies you right now, which will it be?
«Ooh, (he laughs), it’s difficult. I think it’d be Any other way. Um, right now just cuz like I think all like just that phrase “any other way”, like I wouldn’t have any other way, it’s you have to embrace the moment that you’re living in and whether or not you love everything about your reality and what you’re living through or not. I think, the faster and the sooner you embrace the situation, that this is your mentality or your state, the easier it becomes for you to either really succeed or really thrive in that situation or figure out a way to change the situation. But for me, I think I choose to embrace it and be like, “Hey, there are challenges, but there are also incredible things that like I’m very blessed with, and I should be grateful for that”. And so to say like, I wouldn’t have any other way is something that I think is empowering, but also kind of where my head is right now».
Your interviews on Daebak with Eric Nam are the most entertaining interviews ever. So, which is your secret to doing that? And will they be back?
«I don’t know. I still feel like, you know, we’ve been talking about, “Hey, do we bring it back?” “Do we want to do it right now? Do we have time?” I feel like I’ve been doing so many things. Like I wanna bring it back, but I’m also worried. And the reason I say I’m worried is because for a lot of people, like you just said, they love watching the interviews, but for me it’s still a very nerve wracking kind of thing. Even if they’re even, even if I’m more senior, even if I’m more veteran or, you know, a lot of these folks, thankfully they look at me in a certain way or they respect me for whatever. I’m still nervous. Like I want to do a good job and I want them to have fun. And that is a pressure I’m sure you can relate to when you’re doing interviews«.
Totally.
«And I don’t think that ever goes away. And so there is a sense of like nervousness and anxiety that I put into it. But then I have to kind of step out of it and be like, “hey, you know what? Just have a good time”. At the end of the day, any interview you do, you’re talking to a human being and human beings are generally all the same. We all have the same purposes. And so, I try to relate with everybody on a real human level. And my concern is that I feel like I’ve been so removed from the world of K-pop for a while that a lot of these people that want to come on or that are wanting to join, I’m like, “I don’t honestly know that much about you” because I haven’t been keeping up every single day with all these new rookie groups, cuz there’s so many, there’s like a new rookie group every week and I’m just like, it’s…»
Crazy.
«(he laughs), It’s a, it’s a big pressure. So that’s kind of like the, you know, the scary part, but you know, I think at the end of the day, just having fun, that’s what I wanna achieve».
And then we have Mindset. So by the time I think this interview will be out, your second season will be uploaded on the app. How is it different from your first mindset? And is there any highlight?
«I think it’s very current and it’s very introspective. It is in ways that when I listened through again the one thing that kind of struck me is like, it felt very like somber and like sad, which I don’t know if like that was not the intention. I think the topics that we were talking about were very heavy though. And so for me, I was like, “wow, like this was like really way too way too serious and deep”. So I was kind of concerned. I was like, I hope this is okay. But then again, I was like, this is what mindset is for it’s for me to be very honest and vulnerable about those things. But, I almost feel like when people hear it, they’re like, “are you okay?” And I just want to be like, “I’m totally fine”. It’s just, as we’re having these mindset recordings, I’m processing in real time, what is going in and out and through my life».
He pauses.
«And, um, the other thing is that like, I think when we were doing it, we were in like a very dark recording studio and I was just in the dark by myself. And I think I just kind of whispered a lot. And so I was like, oh yeah, this is a side that perhaps a lot of people haven’t really seen of me. It is something that is very different, but also very true and honest. And so I think it can be in some ways for some people, an emotional roller coaster, but, yeah, that’s what they can live forward to. I guess».
You know, I never actually listened to podcasts the like Mindset, but one day I downloaded the app and subscribed because I had a long flight… And it was so intense. I was so overwhelmed. It’s so amazing. And one of your episodes really touched me. It was the one about burnout, it’s really intense, and a lot of people are experiencing it right now. A lot of people are in burnout after the COVID situation, and maybe they’re feeling stuck in their life. So do you have any advice for them?
«Yeah. I mean, I think it’s hard to recognize that you have burnout. I think when you get to a burnout situation, oftentimes it’s because you tell yourself that you can do anything and everything, and you wanna prove it to yourself, that you can, and you ignore how you’re feeling and you ignore what’s going on internally. But I think you have to acknowledge that you’re going through burnout and then be okay with it. I don’t think it has to be like the end of the world’s dramatic situation. I think like, “Hey, I’m feeling burnt out. Like what can we do actively to change it?” And I think there are a lot of things that you could do to change it actively. So once you recognize it, think about what makes you happy, just try things like how can I become happier or more comfortable in my situation. And hopefully, that leads you to a place where you’re less burned out or you’re out of burned out. But I think it’s also just very normal and natural, so don’t freak out about it».
That’s great advice. So, besides your Mindset, who do you think has a mindset that people have to listen to?
«There’s so many on this app right now. Um, I’ve heard bits and pieces of like Summer Walker, which I think is great. Obviously Tablo is really great too. Tablo’s hits very strongly. You know, we have video mindsets now. So we have like Minnie of (G)I-dle. We have Jay B from GOT7, Bobby from Ikon… I actually think Jay B’s is really good. I think JB’s if you take the time to listen through and understand what he’s saying, it’s very, very strong as well. And so I say like Tablo and JB and Summer Walker. I definitely recommend people to check out».
Do you have any spoilers to who’s coming next on the app?
«I can’t tell you. I can’t (he laughs) I can’t tell you. Some things could happen».
You and your brother are a really powerful trio. I love how you work and stick together. How do you balance work and family?
«How I balance work and family? I think it’s hard, especially when you’re really in the thick of things. It’s hard because even when you’re together as a family, you end up talking about work. But I think we try, it’s not very easy, but we try to set aside a time where like, let’s just not talk about work. Let’s just like eat a meal and do and try to do something else. But I think it’s important. And then also just, you know, it’s challenging, but you have to be able to talk in, this is business mode and this is family mode. That’s the other part. So when it’s business mode, we can have arguments, we can have disagreements, but when it’s family mode or person to person like human being mode, I’ll be like, “hey, I think you’re kind of being mean right now. Not in the business sense, but like as your brother, I think you could tell you that you’re not saying something properly”. Like you have to be able to compartmentalize sometimes it’s not easy, but when, and if you can, it really helps in, in the relationships I think».
And what’s coming next for you this summer?
«Um, this summer, what am I doing? I think we still have like probably close to 15 to 20 shows left of this tour in Australia and New Zealand and some other places of the world. Um, and have a super, super, super, super, super, super, super, super, super fun secret project or a couple of them that I’m working on. Okay. And I would love to tell you, but I can’t (he laughs)»
The news Eric Nam couldn’t spoil at that time was that he’s embarking on his first gig as an actor in the psychological thriller Transplant.
«But yeah, they’re coming, and I think hopefully I will slowly start getting back into writing. I think starting to write some more music and some more stories and get back into the studio. But most importantly, I kind of just want to go on vacation. So (he laughs)»
Well, it’s deserved; you’re changing a lot of places in a very short time. You’re like everywhere in the world.
«Yeah. So I think, really, if I could do anything next, it’s just going on vacation. That’s like what I would like to do».
Who is Eric Nam now?
«Who’s Eric Nam now? Um, I think Eric Nam is, oh man, who am I? I think I am a, I am a, I don’t know. I think I’m just, I think I’m a creator, I think. And I, I don’t mean that in like I’m an influencer, but I think I would lie to say artist, but at the same time, like I do so much beyond just music and art. So I feel like I just create a lot of things and, I think I’ve always been ambitious and that remains with me. Um, so I just say like a very ambitious creator and just like really grateful. Every day I think that’s like the one thing that I have to just keep in mind all the time, even when things get tough, even if it are hard, it’s like, “Hey, let’s be grateful”. Not a lot of people can do what I’m doing, what we’re doing. And that is something that I have to be very aware of and very, very thankful for. So I’d say: a thankful ambitious creator. Wow».