Meet Legend Pham

We recently connected with Legend Pham and have shared our conversation below.

Legend, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

On stage. The first time I ever went on stage, I remember the nervousness but also a very free feeling. It was probably the first time in my life where I didn’t overthink or second-guess myself. I guess that feeling of freedom and non-thought has carried itself for many years now, and something that I still enjoy today whenever I perform on stage. I didn’t know early on that I wanted to be a musician, and in fact was not enjoying it for the first few years. I learned piano at an early age from our neighbor in Southern California, who was from South Korea and was a renown classical pianist in her home country. I never took liking to her teaching, and found the scales and music theory as a kid to be quite boring. As I got older, I started playing guitar, which then quickly evolved to joining a band. I think at the end of the day, it’s not so much about the music, theory or any of that stuff, it’s just an escape for me to feel 100% myself. I knew pretty early on after performing that this was something that I wanted to do, whether it was for hobby or as a profession, that it was my purpose in life.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I currently play guitar for a band called ‘Summer School’ based out of Seattle, WA. We’re just five friends who really enjoying performing and writing songs together. Our singer and guitarist Joseph Carag is someone I met through mutual friends, having both lived in Hawaii, we were able to write songs pretty fast together. He actually played in a really cool indie band called Ragamuffs and had a few songs do pretty well. This upcoming year 2025, we plan on releasing an EP of our favorite songs, and putting it out to the world. We take influences from all over, from both indie and pop as well as other funk and even r&b influences.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

This first one is more borrowed from the book ‘The Power of Now’ but as cliche as it sounds, I really recommend living in the present. I spent a lot of time in my life, in the military, college, work and wherever else always thinking about the next step. But I found a lot of solace and peace just being happy at my current state and place in life. Whenever I take my dog to the park after work, I always think “this is where I’m at right now” and just enjoy the sun and the grass and the dogs all playing together. It really also gives you perspective when you have to pick up their poop, knowing thats the most important thing you have to do in that moment.

The second one I have is to be kind to yourself. I constantly used to be a perfectionist when it came to writing and making music. I wanted the sound to be perfect, and would beat myself over it. In the grand scheme of things, people probably can’t hear the 18th synth track you added, or the 4th guitar track. People probably won’t remember the goofy comment you made, or the coffee you spilled so there’s not really a point to lull over it. I think realizing that you are human and will always make mistakes is part of the journey and experience we are going through together.

Lastly, my advice for music I would say has been to surround yourself with good people. I’ve met countless other artist on tour and places across the country that have popped in and out of my life over a decade of time. Bands that opened for us in Texas now are heading the country. A drummer from a previous band is now touring Europe. It really is a small world, and if you treat everyone with kindness and build on these relationships, they will turn out fruitful for you in the long run.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

I think for us, trying to balance and juggle our normal lives with this one. We’re trying to build this band together but with all of us working and dealing with our own personal struggles, I think it’s an added layer that we must get around. But I think what’s always been most important is taking care of our own mental health and well-being, everything else is secondary.

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Image Credits

Brittne Lunniss // Andrew Wang

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