“I go by the stage name ''SOAL'' because if you look at it backwards it spells ''Laos'. I wanted to come up with a stage name because I thought it was cool to have a name like a superhero mixed with their identity. I decided to pursue my passion in music, despite knowing it would be hard to be successful in America’s entertainment industry.”
“My culture and being Lao is a big part of my life.
I am the first generation born American Asian in my family.”
“I want to reflect my culture and let other Lao people know I will be among the first to represent them in the American music industry. So I’m breaking the barrier for us while proudly showing my Lao pride in my name. I am SOAL.”
“There's just too much I love about my Lao people. The culture is rich in every aspect, from food, art and lifestyle. I breathe in everything Lao. How I embrace Lao culture with my friends is by feasting Lao cuisine all day. We're always proud to be Lao. We attack our goals head on and we chant “because we're Lao, we have too much willpower and we can accomplish anything no matter what.”
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“Also, I thought it'd be good business to go by my stage name “SOAL” because it is easier than using my full Lao name, Phongsia Perry Vongkiasone, which can be hard to pronounce and write.”
“I want to be one of the biggest influencers ever with my music and creative videos and other random skills that I love to showcase. I come from a family that loves music. My dad and uncle sing and play in a band. They're my biggest inspiration. “
“Growing up I changed my passion so many times because I loved to do so many different things that I just couldn't choose one. Drawing, dancing, acting, fighting, writing, directing and music. Eventually I came to focus mainly on music while using my other skills to help me make my own music videos. I didn't have the budget to pay someone to shoot for me so I'd have my friends and family to hold the camera.
”
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“When I was a child my dad would always be performing at the Lao parties and big events so I was always walking around the dance floor or standing close to the speakers and being the last out the building since my dad would have to pack up his band equipment after the party.”
“My biggest obstacle chasing my music dreams was the fact that I am a first generation Asian American in my family. My sister and I had to be the first to try and make it in America. Our parents wanted us to go to college and be lawyers and doctors since they saw that as the route to success.”
“I don't believe going to college to get a 9-5 job would make me happy. I didn't care how long it would take to become successful in music. I’ll stick to pursuing it no matter how many years I have to sacrifice or however many parties I'd have to decline just to be in my room working on writing a new song.”
“I have sacrificed a lot of things, especially my love life, and I am a huge family man. One of my biggest dreams has always been to start a family young just so I could be a dad that could play ball with his kids sooner and longer in my life. Yet, I still do not have a family of my own, not until I accomplish all that I need to with music.”
“It wasn’t easy knowing the obstacles
I’d have to face in pursuing music
and becoming successful at it,
but music is what I want to do.”
“I would tell my younger self to not wait and quit being so picky. To understand that time only moves forward and there are people that need to hear you now, not later.”
“I know I can make it.”
“My number one goal is to be so successful I can send all of my little baby cousins to whatever college they want to go to and to pay off everyone's debt. I want to help build my community, culture, and hometown. I wanna inspire and motivate every single person that needs someone to tell them everything's gonna be okay and that they can do it.”
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Phongsia’s story is part of The Lao Project, a collection of narrative portraits of Lao Americans.
My name is Vekonda Luangaphay and I started The Lao Project In light of Asian History Month of 2020 and Lao New Year in April. Click below to read more stories from The Lao Project.
