No-No Boy illuminates hidden Asian American histories through folk songs, sound pieces, live projections, and storytelling. NPR Music has hailed it as "one of the most insurgent pieces of music you'll ever hear which re-examines americana with devastating effect... An act of revisionist subversion." Taking inspiration from his own family’s history living through the Vietnam War as well as many other stories of Asian American experience, Nashville-born songwriter and scholar Julian Saporiti has transformed his years of doctoral study into an innovative project that bridges a divide between art and scholarship. No-No Boy's third full-length LP EMPIRE ELECTRIC was recently released by the Smithsonian Folkways label.

This conversation is part of the course "Asian and Asian American Classical Reception" taught by Professor Kelly Nguyen (Department of Classics) who will moderate the discussion with No-No Boy on the themes of fragmentation and creation. Students in the course will have engaged with Theresa Hak Kyung Cha's Dictee, and the poetry of Hoa Nguyen and Vi Khi Nao. Their conversation will discuss the legacy of the Vietnam War and the concept and consequences of the myth of Western Civilization and the false binaries between East and West, especially as crafted and wielded by imperialism. No-No Boy will also share his music and experience with diaspora.

This conversation is open to the public. We encourage you to check out the links below for more information about No-No Boy's music.

"Mekong Baby"

"Imperial Twist"

"Tell Hanoi I Love Her"

Smithsonian Folkways short doc 1975 LP

Live on KEXP

https://www.nonoboyproject.com

Dr. Julian Saporiti was born and raised in Nashville, TN. He enjoys making music, encountering the arts, and exploring the outdoors. He currently lives in Portland, OR with his wife and collaborator Emilia Halvorsen Saporiti.

Sponsor(s): Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Asian American Studies Center, Asian American Studies Department , Department of Ethnomusicology