Meet Lotus Flow

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lotus Flow. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lotus below.

Lotus, 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?

I want to discuss this because Asian female music producers are rare in the industry, with only 3.4% of music producers worldwide being female. As an Asian female producer, I may be one of just two in the world. Navigating this career path without role models has been incredibly challenging and lonely.

Early in my career, I struggled with motivation because I wasn’t satisfied with how I approached my work. It improved when I began setting boundaries, filtering my collaborators, and defining my own brand. It’s important to discern whether advice comes from genuine intentions or manipulation.

I believe in staying true to yourself by identifying your vibe and collaborating with those who genuinely resonate with it. If someone pressures you to conform with “how things usually work,” it’s important to prioritize your own path and distance yourself from such influences.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My name is Lotus Flow, and I am a music producer, songwriter, and artist from Shenzhen, China. I trained classically in piano for ten years before studying composition, jazz keyboard, and music production sound design at Berklee College of Music.

Before starting my career, I played synth bass keyboard in a jazz band and led my own indie electronic band, releasing original music. In 2021, I signed with Universal Music Publishing Group in China, collaborating across genres like pop, hip-hop, R&B, and electronic.

I moved to LA in 2022, expanding my global music network and forming a team that introduced me to the K-pop circle. I’ve contributed to AleXa’s comeback single “Julie” in K-pop, Santa’s latest J-pop album, and a single for Latin-Chinese artist Renkai under RCA Records. Additionally, I’ve written and produced for China’s top streaming TV show “Ride the Wind 2024,” among other projects.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Work ethic, flexibility, and collaboration are crucial in my life. Talent can help you get started, but putting your heart into projects and working hard consistently makes a bigger impact in the long run. Being open-minded to new experiences and adapting quickly to new environments is essential in the fast-paced life of a musician, where we’re always moving forward. Working together with others is the best way to achieve results more efficiently and effectively. It also gives us the chance to learn from each other and grow together.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

I believe overwhelm is one of the most common challenges in the music industry. Some people don’t take it seriously and experience occasional mental breakdowns. As producers and writers, our social media profiles act as business cards, showcasing our work, connections, and industry status.

Seeing peers constantly post about new releases, collaborations, and successes can lead to FOMO and unhealthy comparisons. In LA’s music scene, many chase numbers and burn out, making me question if this career path is sustainable.

To stay grounded, I remind myself why I started making music. I seek genuine connections, draw inspiration, and create for enjoyment. It’s important to recognize there’s more to life than the music industry, so I also read, travel, and embrace everyday experiences. Keeping a balanced perspective and surrounding myself with supportive people is key.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lotusflow__/

Image Credits

@jayxiaoo
@umpg