“I hope to write more at some point about singer-songwriter Alex Wong’s Permission Parties, at which he and his partner Leah Light prepare an amazing meal that contextualizes his songs about growing up a second-generation Chinese-American in California. These communal gatherings are showing how music can create community in a whole new way.” - Ann Powers, NPR
You Have Permission.
SECOND GENERATION (FEAT. VIENNA TENG AND AMULETS), the second single from my upcoming album, is now available to stream everywhere!
PERMISSION (FEAT. MILCK), the title single from my upcoming album, is now available to stream everywhere!
Growing up in the US as a second-generation Chinese American, I struggled to feel permission to take up space with my body, my voice, or my point of view. TV and movies taught me I was allowed to be a sidekick, a decoration, or a punchline, but there was not enough space for my stories in the center of the room.
By sharing my own journey of identity on my new album PERMISSION, I hope to shine a light on an American experience often overlooked in American music, and to empower everyone, especially those on the margins, to feel permission to take up space with their stories.
Track Listing:
PERMISSION (FT. MILCK) - written by Alex Wong
SHOW YOURSELF - written by Alex Wong, Matt Kass and Josh Benus
SECOND GENERATION (FT. VIENNA TENG/AMULETS) - by Alex Wong
THE QUIET VOICE - written by Alex Wong and Elise Hayes
THE SPACES BETWEEN - by Alex Wong
IF YOU WANT TO YOU WILL - by Alex Wong
ALBUM CREDITS
Produced by Josh Kaler and Alex Wong
Mixed by Peter Katis and Alex Wong
Mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound TN
Cover photo by Doug Wong
MANAGEMENT: amy@deepsouthentertainment.com
CONTACT: alex@highceilingsmusic.com
INSTAGRAM: @alexwongsounds
JOIN ME ON PATREON
If you like what I do, the best way to support my ability to create the art I believe in is by becoming a Patreon member. Patrons get access to exclusive videos, unreleased music, behind the scenes content and deep dives into my creative process.
To hear Alex Wong’s music is to know him.
Alex Wong is a Latin GRAMMY-nominated artist, producer and activist who creates music to empower everyone, especially those on the margins, to take up space with their stories.
In 2021 Alex established The Quiet Voice non-profit, and in 2024 he received a Cultural Week of Action grant to create the Show Yourself Festival, activating marginalized communities to fight for change within and outside of the political system and normalizing BIPOC artist visibility to Nashville audiences. The Quiet Voice has raised over $67,000 for BIPOC charities.
In 2023 he launched The Permission Parties, a multi-sensory experience where each track from his upcoming album Permission is paired with a Chinese-inspired dish that shares a common emotion. He has toured the events on two continents, serving over 4000 plates and 1000 guests in 17 cities and 3 countries.
“Growing up in the US as a second-generation Chinese American, I struggled to feel permission to take up space. Movies and media told me I was allowed to be a buddy, a punchline, or a decoration, but there was not enough space for my story in the center of the room. By sharing the emotions connecting my music, food, and identity, I hope to empower everyone, especially those on the margins, to feel permission to take up space with their stories.”
In 2024 Alex, along with fellow artist Vienna Teng, created the Multitudes Gathering, a 4 day music and social change retreat in the Smoky mountains. It sold out in 38 minutes. Alex was also a 2024 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival emerging songwriter and a Kerrville NewFolk Finalist in 2024 and 2020.
His music has appeared in "The Last Song,” "The Lincoln Lawyer," "True Blood,” and "Ray Donovan,” He’s been a featured artist on NPR’s Mountain Stage, SXSW, 30A, AmericanaFest, and Musicians Corner, performed at Coachella, Stagecoach, Outside Lands, and has produced albums for Delta Rae, Ari Hest, and Vienna Teng. Alex has served as co-chair of the Producers and Engineers Wing and sits on the governor’s board of the Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter.
PHOTO BY ALEX BERGER
PHOTO BY ALEX BERGER