Steve Nguyen is a unique director, animator, and music producer who combines these different forms of art to tell stories that resonate deeply and raise important social issues. We spoke with Steve about his creative journey, his sources of inspiration, and his personal values to better understand how he brings these mediums together and how he envisions lo-fi culture’s role in today's world.
The Creative Process and Inspiration
How do you manage to combine animation, directing, and music? What do you enjoy most about each of these fields?
" I treat these mediums like critical bodily functions. The music represents the pulse of the heart and the animations work like the nervous system. Directing is the connective tissue that binds all of that together. My personal enjoyment comes from the conversations I’ve had or the experiences I’ve lived leading up to the formation of my visual and musical concepts. "
Your work often touches on themes of social justice. What led you to address these important issues through animation and music?
" The root of my inspiration stems from my passion for education, so it is my belief that storytelling through music or animation can have an enormous impact if it is done genuinely. "
Personal Experiences and Influence on Creativity
Was there a particular moment when you realized that you wanted to pursue this path? How did this experience impact your life journey?
" I’ll say that my life path was heavily influenced by my mentors that are no longer with us. Everything I’ve done up to this point is continuing on some level a dream that got interrupted. "
How do you see the development of lo-fi music and its impact on modern society, especially on young people?
" As niche as lo-fi may seem, it has gradually migrated toward the mainstream culture because the artist platform is worldwide. The impact on music culture can’t be denied, so I have high hopes that these creators will continue to push the boundaries of lo-fi forward. "
What cultural or personal experiences have been the biggest sources of inspiration for you in your work?
" I pull from moments or memories that I can’t describe with just words or pictures. The birth of my daughter was one of those moments. Having my first major surgery was another one as well. Even recently, being on The Great Wall of China triggered something within my psyche. I really encourage creatives to live outside the box and open their minds to different perspectives. "
Your team has worked on projects highlighting the struggles of the Asian American community. Are there any other socially important issues you would like to bring attention to in the future?
" With how I approach social awareness content, I pride myself in how meticulous I execute and deliver my message for the sake of being authentic toward the respective cause. Not only do I realize the importance of what I say, but also how releasing things at the right time matter so much. At this point, I am doing my part more from a silent perspective and getting directly involved where I am needed. "
Travel, sports, social projects — how do you find time for all of this, and how do these experiences enrich your creative work?
" I made the effort to see the world from a golfing perspective and share it with people on social media because I thought these respective communities correlate in so many similar ways. That’s why the theme of my recent music catalog is heavily inspired by golf and the places I have traveled to. Also, I played competitively in my formative years and decided to pick it back up again after the pandemic. "
What advice would you give to young artists who want to incorporate socially important ideas into their work?
" As long as they treat their respective platforms with respect and stay true to why they do what they do, I feel like they will get what they give back. "
Your career covers various genres and styles. Which of your projects or areas of work do you consider the most defining for yourself, and why?
" If you can relate to whatever I’ve produced, written or visualized… then that artistic bond is what defines me. "
How do you see your creative journey going forward? Are there new horizons or goals you are aiming for?
" I am appreciative of all the music and visuals that my team and I have produced in this time. Z, Franchesca, Ros, Jorge, Majko, Nick… they’ve all given me the confidence in my vision that have allowed me to connect this body of work and will continue to build upon… so stay tuned. "
This interview offers a glimpse into Steve Nguyen’s thoughtful approach and his integrity as an artist, showing how he creates music and animation with deep respect for social themes and human values. His reflections on lo-fi culture and storytelling leave us inspired to see how he’ll continue expanding its boundaries. We are grateful to Steve for sharing his time and insights with us, and we look forward to seeing what he and his team create next.
