Stanford Student Musician Finds Inspiration in Gaming, Collaboration, and the Classics
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Stanford, CA – A burgeoning music scene at Stanford University is being fueled by students like Mica Kim ’28, a songwriter whose passion for creation resonates throughout the campus community. Kim’s artistic journey, blending influences from gaming to the Beatles, exemplifies the vibrant arts ecosystem highlighted by the “Stanford Creates” column.
From Rhythm Games to Songwriting
Kim’s initial exposure to music came through an unexpected source: rhythm games. Growing up, titles like Stepmania and Dance Dance Revolution introduced him to the electronic sounds of artists like Porter Robinson. “I wouldn’t be able to comprehend how [they’re] made,” Kim admitted, reflecting on his early fascination. This initial spark evolved during high school when an elective course on the Beatles ignited a desire to not just listen to music, but to create it.
The support of his family and friends proved crucial in nurturing this newfound enthusiasm. “I was lucky enough to have parents who would buy me gear and encourage me…and friends who would bear the adolescent phase of my music-making,” Kim shared.
A Unique Creative Process
Kim’s songwriting process is often described as fluid, though not always straightforward. Sometimes, inspiration strikes quickly, as demonstrated by his recent song, “Hi!” “The chords came really naturally to me,” he explained, adding that he completed the track within an hour, aiming to “capture the feeling [he] got from a Sam Fender song.”
However, more often, the process involves a deliberate exploration of the unknown. “I don’t know what this song is going to be about, so I’m going to write three words that I wouldn’t have thought of usually,” Kim described, characterizing it as “a lot of probing into the void and seeing what creates the biggest cracks and following through.” He actively seeks new experiences to stimulate his creativity and isn’t afraid to revisit abandoned projects, embracing what he calls “lots of Frankensteining.”
A Diverse Palette of Influences
Kim’s musical influences are remarkably diverse. For guitar, he cites Prince, Kimishima Ozora, and Jimi Hendrix, while his drumming is informed by the styles of J. Dilla, D’Angelo, and Tony Allen. His songwriting draws inspiration from Nick Drake and Adrienne Lenker. He noted that others often recognize the influence of Nick Drake in his work, with acquaintances frequently asking if he listens to the iconic singer-songwriter.
Beyond music, Kim finds inspiration in other art forms. He even attempted a concept album based on Dante’s “Inferno,” which he conceded was “really awful,” but the challenge of completing a project within a pre-defined structure significantly improved his skills.
The Power of Collaboration
Collaboration is central to Kim’s artistic philosophy. He recently recorded “Cobblestone” with fellow Stanford student Sasha Zhang ’28, whom he met through an online forum for gap-year students. “The process is very much just sitting in a room together playing instruments and throwing ideas at each other until something is unforgettable for us,” Kim explained. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the strengths of his collaborators, stating, “If I’m collaborating with someone there’s always going to be someone there way better than me [at something].”
Zachary Guo ’28, a composer and musician who has collaborated with Kim, echoed this sentiment, saying, “[Mica’s] just always down to do anything, and it’s so much fun to work with him.” Kim also contributed to the sound design of his friend Heechan Lim ’28’s short film, “Pentimento,” a project Lim described as showcasing Kim’s embodiment of an artist “in both spirit and product.”
Music as a Pure Pursuit
Despite his talent and growing portfolio, Kim views songwriting as a hobby, recognizing that the pressure of producing music for financial gain can stifle his creativity. “To him, it all circles back to the joy of music,” a close friend observed.
Kim’s aspirations are modest yet meaningful: “I just want to make cool [stuff] that very few people hear, [or gets heard by] just the right amount of people.” And for Kim, that is more than enough.
