Meet Josie

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Josie. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Josie, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

As the Latina-Asian lead singer of And The Animal, Josie shares her perspective: Being the only one in the room who looks like me is both a responsibility and a source of strength. I know that I’m not just there for myself—I’m there representing everyone who sees themselves in me. It’s important to show that our voices, our stories, and our perspectives have a place at the table. At the same time, I remind myself that I’m in the room because I have earned it through hard work, talent, and perseverance. Knowing that I belong there because of my merit drives me to be effective and successful, and to make sure I’m not the last one in the room who looks like me.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

And The Animal is a globally touring electropop band with a mission to build community and elevate all forms of art wherever we go. Our mantra is ‘community, not competition,’ and we strive to make that a reality by collaborating with artists from every medium. We’ve partnered with artists, musicians, and dancers to bring a diverse and inclusive energy to our shows. We want our performances to feel like a celebration of creativity and connection.

What makes us special is our commitment to involving others in what we do—whether it’s live body painting, graffiti artists creating onstage, or flash mobs appearing in the middle of a set. We believe in the power of shared experiences and in creating moments that inspire people long after the music stops. Right now, we’re focused on expanding this vision even further, finding new ways to connect with communities across the globe, and pushing the boundaries of what a live show can be.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three most impactful qualities on our journey as a band have been authenticity, collaboration, and resilience. First, authenticity means understanding that you are not an island. For people to truly appreciate your art, they need to understand who you are, your context, and why you’re sharing it. Be open about your story and your reasons for creating—this helps build genuine connections with your audience.

Second, collaboration is key. You can’t do it alone, and you shouldn’t have to. Find people who share your passion and values, and work together to elevate each other. This is where our mantra, ‘community, not competition,’ comes in. The more you build each other up, the stronger you all become.

Lastly, resilience is essential. The path is not easy, and there will be setbacks. But it’s about getting back up, learning from those moments, and pushing forward. Our advice to anyone starting out is to find what makes you unique and let that be your guiding light. Stay true to yourself, seek out collaborations, and keep moving forward no matter the challenges

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely! And The Animal is always looking to collaborate with artists, dancers, visual creators, musicians, and anyone passionate about building community through art. If you’re someone who believes in the power of creativity and wants to make something incredible together, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us on our social media or through our website, and let’s connect!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Brian Cooper

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