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☕ MuChat Café Ep.06 | An Interview with Karen Lai
Welcome to the sixth episode of MuChat Café!
In this episode, host Jae Lau sits down with Toronto-based singer-songwriter, pianist, and bandleader Karen Lai for a relaxed conversation on a peaceful outdoor patio. Together, they explore her musical journey, songwriting experiences, life on stage, and how music became an important source of strength during some of her most challenging moments.
Karen is an active performer in Toronto’s music scene, regularly appearing at concerts and music events. Beyond her work as a keyboardist and bandleader, she is also a passionate singer-songwriter. In this interview, she shares the creative vision behind her debut EP and the deeply personal story that inspired her song “Dear Me.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Karen was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and experienced uncertainty, stress, and panic attacks. During this difficult period, she rediscovered her passion for music and turned to songwriting as a way to encourage herself through life’s challenges. “Dear Me” is like a letter to herself, reminding her that even in difficult times, she has the strength to keep moving forward.
From growing up listening to Linkin Park and Evanescence, to playing in rock bands and eventually releasing a softer, more intimate English-language EP, Karen reflects on her exploration of different musical styles. She also explains why she chose to create music in English to connect with listeners around the world. Looking ahead, she hopes to return to her rock roots with her next EP, explore Cantonese music, and eventually hold her own concert.
But there’s more to Karen than music — she also has a background in mathematics! What do mathematics and music have in common? Why does she find satisfaction in mathematics through solving problems, while music can bring fulfillment through the creative process itself?
The conversation also explores her experiences performing and collaborating within Toronto’s music community, the business side of the music industry, and how she navigates her different roles while discovering her own direction.
And of course, no episode of MuChat Café would be complete without some fun! Alongside a quick-fire Q&A session, this episode features the “Desert Journey Personality Test,” an imaginative exercise involving animals, a cube, a ladder, and more — offering a playful glimpse into Karen’s personality, relationships, and subconscious mind.
☕ Join us for MuChat Café EP.06 as we chat with Karen Lai about music, creativity, mathematics, life, and staying true to yourself while pursuing your dreams!
🎙️ Host: Jae Lau
🎹 Special Guest: Karen Lai
🎬 Presented by: EARS Online | MuChat Café
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