The Yoshi T. Interview on Canal Street Dreams *FREE SUBSTACK PREVIEW*

Summary

Canal Street Dreams: The Yoshi T. Interview – Detailed Summary

Episode Title: The Yoshi T. Interview on Canal Street Dreams
Hosts: Eddie Huang and Natashia Perrotti
Guest: Yoshi T.
Release Date: June 20, 2025
Platform: Free preview available on YouTube; Full episode on Substack

---

1. Introduction to the Episode

In this episode of Canal Street Dreams, hosts Eddie Huang and Natashia Perrotti engage in a lively and candid conversation with Yoshi T., a rising artist and creative force. The discussion delves into Yoshi's musical journey, his collaborations, personal background, and the intertwining of their creative lives with their roles as parents.

---

2. Bringing Yoshi T. onto the Show

The conversation begins with Eddie and Yoshi reminiscing about how Yoshi became a guest on the show.

• Natashia: "Natasha was listening to their music...[and] kept sending him [Yoshi's Instagram]."
  (Timestamp: 01:40)

• Yoshi: "This is my racist observation..."
  (Timestamp: 06:08) – Reflecting on group dynamics and individual personalities within his music circle.

Eddie shares how a simple interaction on Instagram led to Yoshi's appearance on the podcast, highlighting the organic way creatives connect in the digital age.

---

3. Yoshi’s Music Project and Group Dynamics

Yoshi discusses his music group formed during high school at LaGuardia, emphasizing their unique approach to making music.

• Yoshi: "We flipped and sampled viral sounds and songs and then just rapped four bars over it."
  (Timestamp: 03:07)

• Eddie: "We're about to drop the actual album, and people seem excited."
  (Timestamp: 03:40)

The group, consisting of friends from LaGuardia, has fostered a collaborative environment where each member brings their unique talents, such as production and live instrumentation.

---

4. Musical Style and Creative Process

The hosts and Yoshi delve into the distinctive style of their music, often described as "slacker rap" with honest and relatable themes.

• Yoshi: "It's just our life... very honest and true."
  (Timestamp: 02:42)

• Eddie: "It's very, like, hip hop, alternate alternative hip hop, probably."
  (Timestamp: 18:10)

They discuss their creative process, which involves spontaneous writing and recording sessions, allowing for authenticity and spontaneity in their music.

---

5. Personal Backgrounds and Upbringing

The conversation shifts to the hosts' and Yoshi's personal backgrounds, highlighting their diverse upbringings and family influences.

• Eddie: "I was born in LA, my parents moved from Japan... my dad started working at the sushi restaurant called Sasabune in LA."
  (Timestamp: 12:40)

• Natashia: "My family did restaurants... roast beef sandwiches, pizza shops... first generation American."
  (Timestamp: 14:34)

Both Eddie and Natasha hail from families deeply rooted in the restaurant business, shaping their perspectives and entrepreneurial spirits.

---

6. Education and Its Impact on Creativity

Eddie shares his experience attending LaGuardia, a performing arts high school, and its influence on his musical aspirations.

• Eddie: "LaGuardia is like a very performing arts school... I always loved hip hop... been obsessed ever since."
  (Timestamp: 16:22)

• Natashia: "The process of having to apply is crazy... especially performing arts schools."
  (Timestamp: 15:32)

They reflect on how educational environments can both nurture and challenge creative ambitions, with LaGuardia playing a pivotal role in Eddie's artistic development.

---

7. Upcoming Music Releases and Performances

Yoshi provides insights into his group's upcoming projects and performance schedules.

• Eddie: "June 6 is when the first single comes out... we're about to milk the rollout."
  (Timestamp: 18:48)

• Yoshi: "We did a show at Little Hector's underneath the High Line... partnering with Posh for events."
  (Timestamp: 19:24)

The hosts encourage listeners to attend their free shows and support their burgeoning music careers.

---

8. Favorite Local Spots and Community Connections

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around beloved local eateries, bars, and community hubs in New York City.

• Yoshi: "Tabetomo has great Jiro ramen... Annex is across the street."
  (Timestamp: 21:15)

• Eddie: "Forget Me Not is a favorite spot... Kiki's for authentic taverna-style Greek food."
  (Timestamp: 21:57)

These venues serve as backdrops for their creative gatherings and performances, reinforcing the tight-knit artistic community they are part of.

---

9. Parenting and Raising Children in Creative Environments

Natasha and Yoshi touch upon their experiences as parents, particularly how their children interact with their creative lifestyles.

• Natasha: "Our son... loves to ball... you will never see him without a basketball in his hand."
  (Timestamp: 12:11)

• Yoshi: "He’s 20 months old... he can throw, shoot, dribble a little bit."
  (Timestamp: 12:23)

Their children are portrayed as integral parts of their lives, seamlessly blending with their artistic and entrepreneurial endeavors.

---

10. Reflections on Friendships and Accountability

The episode concludes with heartfelt reflections on long-term friendships and the importance of having a support system.

• Yoshi: "There's this MK Asante book called Buck... She could sing my song when I forgot the words."
  (Timestamp: 28:37)

• Eddie: "I want people to call me out... it's good to have people in your life that hold you accountable."
  (Timestamp: 28:35)

They emphasize the value of genuine connections that withstand the test of time, providing both support and accountability in their personal and professional lives.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Yoshi: "It's just our life... very honest and true."
  (02:42)

• Eddie: "LaGuardia is like a very performing arts school... I always loved hip hop."
  (16:22)

• Yoshi: "We flipped and sampled viral sounds and songs and then just rapped four bars over it."
  (03:07)

• Eddie: "You have to... have people in your life that hold you accountable."
  (28:35)

---

Conclusion

This episode of Canal Street Dreams offers an intimate look into Yoshi T.'s life as a creative artist navigating the music industry alongside his friends and family. Hosts Eddie Huang and Natashia Perrotti provide a welcoming space for Yoshi to share his journey, emphasizing the importance of community, authenticity, and personal growth. Listeners are treated to a blend of personal anecdotes, musical insights, and reflections on maintaining meaningful relationships amidst the bustling backdrop of New York City.

---

To listen to the full interview and gain deeper insights into Yoshi T.'s creative process and personal journey, subscribe to the full episode on Canal Street Dreams Substack.

Transcript

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[Eddie Wong]

No glaze. I've been watching you since I was, like, 14. That's insane, bro.

[Yoshi]

That's. That's crazy. I don't mind feeling that old. How old are you now?

[Eddie Wong]

I'm 24. Oh, word.

[Natasha]

Wow.

[Yoshi]

So 10 years.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, 10 years, bro.

[Yoshi]

Yeah. So that's like vice years, bro.

[Eddie Wong]

Yes. That's crazy. All of it. Yeah, it's crazy. You were like, you're the guy, bro.

[Yoshi]

Thank you, man. No, it definitely is funny because I'll be out in the club or something or at dinner, and, like, I'll be faded, and someone's like, yo, I've been watching you since middle school, but I should go home and check on my family.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, yeah. Oh, yeah. No, no, I'm hip. I'm up to the whole fam, bro. Like, you know, like, start off YouTube, and then I was just, like, pirating Viceland episodes.

[Yoshi]

Yeah, for free.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, man. For free, man.

[Yoshi]

No, we're very hyped to have you on the show Canal Street Dreams. We back with Yoshi from what More.

[Eddie Wong]

What's going on?

[Yoshi]

The story of this is Natasha was listening to their music.

[Natasha]

Yes.

[Yoshi]

Like, five, six weeks ago. And then was telling me to get you guys on the show. I didn't pay enough attention.

[Natasha]

And then I kept sending him. Like, I was sending your Instagram.

[Eddie Wong]

Oh, like, the reels?

[Natasha]

Yeah. Like, whatever was happening, I was sending. And I'm like, we need to get the. Like, we should connect with them. And, like, I feel like if I reach out and DM people, it, like, goes into the spam. So I'm like, you do it. Like, I'm like, people are going to, like, you have, like, a check. So I was like, reach out.

[Eddie Wong]

Like, oh, no. Well, what's crazy is I. I don't even know. You were just saying that you. Someone tagged you in the comments. I tagged you in the comments. Oh.

[Yoshi]

Oh.

[Eddie Wong]

There was, like, someone. Just. Someone. Just. Someone just posted a gif.

[Natasha]

I saw that. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

And I was like, oh, this is perfect. I was like, this is perfect. The legend. So then I was like, yo, Eddie Wong, like, fuck with us.

[Yoshi]

Yeah. No, I love, Like, I'm hungry. I really. With the music.

[Eddie Wong]

Thank you.

[Yoshi]

That's. I'm. I'm a. I'm a. I love, like, slacker rap. You know what I'm saying? Where it's just, like. It's just that, like, slacker degenerate lifestyle. But it's not really, like, we not gangsters, and we not, you know, like, you know, trying to be, like, lyricist lounge. We're just like, this is just our life.

[Eddie Wong]

Exactly.

[Yoshi]

It's very honest and true.

[Eddie Wong]

I fuck with it. And those little flips. Like, it's definitely, like, a play that we were trying to do to, like. Cause, like, we. I was saying, like, we all do solo stuff.

[Natasha]

Okay.

[Eddie Wong]

We all met in high school in laguardia, and we were just like. We made an album as a group, like, first time ever, and we were like, yo, how we need, like, an audience? Like, no one knows this group exists. Like, people might know who we are individually, but, like, so we were like, all right, we should, like, flip and sample, like, popping viral sounds and songs and then just, like, rap four bars over it. And then that started to pop off, and now, like, you know, we're about to drop the actual album, and, like, people seem excited. So, like, that's kind of the play.

[Yoshi]

Yeah, the flip album on Bandcamp. People should definitely listen because the bars are crazy. They're really crazy. And it's not like you, like, writing them up. You know What I mean?

[Eddie Wong]

30 minutes. 30 minutes on each one. Yeah, yeah.

[Natasha]

Okay.

[Eddie Wong]

And everything. Like, Elijah Judah, like, he's, like, the one who doesn't rap. Like, he just, like, makes it.

[Yoshi]

Yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

While we're all there. 30 minutes on the clock. And, like, we just, like, write and record it.

[Yoshi]

So y' all all friends from LaGuardia. Tell us who's all in the group.

[Eddie Wong]

So it's me, Yoshiti, Cisco, Swank, Tall Dreadhead. And then we got Seb Sebastiano, who's, like, the tall white guy. And then we got Jackson, August Jew Curl white guy. And then Elijah Judah, who's shorter. Dreadhead. So there we go. That's the list.

[Yoshi]

And I love. I love the video in the restaurant with the, like, Maury from Goodfellas Ass manager. You got. You got. Gonna be a big head kid. And it reminded me of that old, like, duck down skit.

[Eddie Wong]

Yes.

[Yoshi]

Where, like, they're, like, talking to Juha and shit like that, you know. Yeah, you're gonna be a big deal.

[Eddie Wong]

You know, and then it flips. It's like a homeless person. Yeah, we were like, yeah, that was, like, an idea we had for a minute. And, like, we, like, trying to, like, level up and shit and, like, hired, like, an actor and, like, went to Kellogg's Diner. Have you guys ever been there? Yeah, they, like, renovated and shit, so it looks a lot cleaner, but, like, we're like, fuck it, we'll just do it there. And, yeah, we, like, spent, like, two hours. And originally, like, the script was a lot longer and a lot more racist, which is mad funny because we made him do it for two hours. And, like, we don't have a permit for the diner and shit. We just have, like, the corner booth. And he's like, screaming like, what are you, Korean? Like, you know, like, where the fuck did you find this Asian?

[Yoshi]

Like, you know, you dropped a more racist cut. I would love to. Extended racist cut.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, so it was like. It was. I think it was. Well, we had Sad Eyed. Oh, no, we had Guido Heartthrob. He got the bars. He might fuck your sister. And then, like, he was just like, going on about, like, you know, like. Just, like the fucking Italian. Italianisms. South Brooklyn, of course. Then we had the two Dreadheads. One's, one's light, one's dark. And then, like, you know, nowadays, they like to pick the favorites, you know? Like, nowadays, you know, they got a favorite. Everyone's got a favorite. And the producer, when he was like, yo, you're like, j Dilla with the beats. Like, you know, like, oh, you're old school. And the jazz one, like, Cisco does a lot jazz shit. And he's like, oh, you're Miles Davis, huh? Like, jazz is that, but who gives a fuck, you know? And he's like, yo, this Asian, like, where the fuck did you find him? Like, I didn't even know they rap. Like, what are you, Korean? Perfect. Perfect. Incredible. Like, yeah, it was like two minutes. And we were just like, okay, this is way too fucking long.

[Yoshi]

Yeah. One of my favorite parts about the group is this is my racist observation. Like, you know how the Asian dude got the deepest voice? You got the most gravel on your voice. Which is hard because I remember when there was, like, freestyle ciphers growing up. Always really, really Sonic the Hedgehog with it. And then the Jewish kid was with the Jewish kid with the, like. Like. Like, Fidel Castro hat was always like, yo, my name is J Dub. You know, like, faking his voice.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah.

[Yoshi]

Like, yo, yo, the flow is crazy, yo. Yeah, the flow's crazy.

[Eddie Wong]

Thank you.

[Yoshi]

Y' all had mad Orlando shout outs, too. There's 45 second songs. There was like, yo, I'm the Magic. Like, Dwight Howard Duncan, you know, There was a DJ Khaled shout out. He went to my high school. I was like, yo, they really. They fucking with Orlando on this tape.

[Eddie Wong]

Right? Wait. Because you. Right, okay, okay. Now I'm, like, remembering, like, I think I know your whole life story, right? You. You. You were born in D.C. born in D.C. yeah, the D.C. episode was fire.

[Yoshi]

Yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

That diner. Diner joint. Or like, I haven't even watched these in a minute. I'm like, they got them online.

[Natasha]

This is archival brain.

[Eddie Wong]

Insane. And then. Right, you moved to Orlando. Orlando, right.

[Yoshi]

Yeah, yeah. Grew up high. Like. Like third grade. I went to Orlando.

[Eddie Wong]

Right, yeah, that's. That's the. The Golden Corral. Or. No, what was it?

[Yoshi]

It's Cattleman State. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But it looks like a Golden Corral.

[Eddie Wong]

Right, Right, Exactly. Right. And then. Yeah, it's crazy. Yeah. No, the Orlando is crazy. I mean, like, we just, like, all, like, basketball. Like, we grew up playing ball and.

[Yoshi]

Yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

And. And, like, I just feel like references stick. You know what I mean? And, like, it's just like. It's mad fun to do it and as, like, rappers and. I don't know, it's just, like, fun.

[Yoshi]

And you still ball?

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, bro. Oh, yeah. Oh, D, bro. We got fives, bro. Oh, the group got fives.

[Yoshi]

Okay, okay, okay. Let me know. Running it on play PS41 or no, on Houston.

[Eddie Wong]

Houston. The Chrisy Courts. Yeah. Christy Courts. We go in the colorful one and the. The Double Rim. Word.

[Yoshi]

The Double Rim is tough.

[Eddie Wong]

It's tough.

[Yoshi]

The double room is tough, man. I used to go afternoons and just play the homeless game. Oh, yeah, all the homeless homies. They were nice. Oh, they were nice.

[Eddie Wong]

Insane.

[Yoshi]

I would say 70% of the homeless homies got the Bill Cartwright jump shot.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, well, you know. Have you guys seen Messiah on Instagram? Oh, my God. Like, the guy who, like, just, like, schools everybody.

[Yoshi]

Oh, no, I ain't seen him.

[Eddie Wong]

Is he homeless, bro? I mean, he looks homeless. No disrespect. Messiah. So, like. But I think he's not homeless. But, like, you got the full beard and shit and, like, super. Just, like. Like, just, like, ball clothes is just, like, tearing apart. Like, probably has been wearing it for, like, 10 years. And like, he, like, goes around, like, bets 20 on a game and just, like, hacks everybody. Like, he's a. He's like a physical ass player. And then White Mamba. You know White Mamba? No, like, the basketball player. I forget his name. But, like, he was like. He's like, the guy. He's just like, an NBA player who's, like a white dude.

[Yoshi]

Calabrini.

[Eddie Wong]

Yes.

[Yoshi]

Yeah, yeah. Vio Scalabrini.

[Natasha]

I love those. I always call him, but he has both.

[Yoshi]

Yeah, he got. He got both. Calabrini.

[Eddie Wong]

So then they played on West.

[Yoshi]

He's nice. He's nice, bro.

[Eddie Wong]

They played on West 4 to, like, check this dude. Messiah.

[Yoshi]

Yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

And he cooked him.

[Natasha]

Messiah cooked him.

[Eddie Wong]

No, no.

[Yoshi]

Oh, yeah. Oh, I watched.

[Eddie Wong]

You saw that.

[Yoshi]

I didn't know who Messiah was, but I saw Veal Scalabrini went crazy.

[Eddie Wong]

Yes.

[Yoshi]

And people were like, yo, dudes in the NBA are so nice. I'm like, yeah, bro.

[Natasha]

Like, Scalabri are so good at basketball. Holy shit.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, yeah. It literally was like that. But, like, he kind of, like, Messiah kind of, like, runs the downtown ball area and, like, just kind of like, it's kind of a challenge to beat him.

[Natasha]

Okay. You know, has anyone besides Veal Scalabrini? I'm sure Messiah.

[Eddie Wong]

I'm sure people have. But, like, it's like, he kind of makes it impossible to be like you. Just, like, he's very physical and just.

[Natasha]

Yeah, he's doing a lot. I need to look into this. This is, like, kind of fun.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah.

[Yoshi]

Scalabrini is, like, a big boy. Michael Rapaport. He looked like a big boy. Michael Rappaport.

[Natasha]

What is his real name?

[Yoshi]

Brian Scalabrini.

[Natasha]

Oh, I thought you were. Okay. Brian Scalabrini. Okay.

[Yoshi]

You know.

[Eddie Wong]

Right.

[Natasha]

Just sounds like. Yeah, I was like. I thought it was. I thought it was. We were calling him that Dish Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Yoshi]

That's what we call him, but that's.

[Eddie Wong]

His real last name.

[Yoshi]

Sound like. Yeah.

[Natasha]

Alliteration Fire.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah.

[Yoshi]

Yo. So how did you find out about what?

[Natasha]

More Instagram. Like, just, like, my algorithm. Like, I don't know how it came.

[Yoshi]

Into my universe, but it'd be feeding her young Asians.

[Natasha]

Yeah. My algorithm is very much like, okay, the new young Asian guys. And then they're, like, all just on my feed. No, I don't even. I don't know how it came about, but I had found you guys on Instagram, and then I listened to the music, and then I was just into it. I was like, this is really good. I try to stay up on music, I think. Just, like, it's, like, important to me. Like, I don't want to lose touch with, like, new artists. And then I had been sending it to him.

[Yoshi]

Yeah, that's fire. Do you live downtown?

[Eddie Wong]

No, no, Upper East.

[Yoshi]

Oh, is that where you from?

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, yeah. Like, I was born in la.

[Natasha]

Okay.

[Eddie Wong]

And wait, sorry, where are you from?

[Natasha]

I'm from Boston.

[Eddie Wong]

Oh, like in the city?

[Natasha]

Not in the city. No. Suburbs outside of Boston, but not far from, like, I would say the Brooklyn of Boston.

[Eddie Wong]

Gotcha.

[Natasha]

Yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

Well, isn't there a place similar to.

[Natasha]

Like, it's called Brooklyn. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

Crazy.

[Natasha]

But I grew up there. I moved here when I was, like, 17.

[Eddie Wong]

Okay.

[Natasha]

Yeah. And then lived here. Lived in LA.

[Eddie Wong]

Congratulations.

[Natasha]

Thanks. Oh, thank you.

[Eddie Wong]

Crazy. Crazy. Where. Where's the baby at right now?

[Natasha]

He's at the bar upstairs.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah.

[Natasha]

And he's ordering some drinks. You know, restaurant kid.

[Yoshi]

Like, me now. Restaurant kid.

[Natasha]

Yeah, we're getting him. We're getting him ready to serve drinks. He's at home. He's probably at the park. He's probably. Honestly at the court balling up. He loves to ball. Really loves it. You will never see this kid without a basketball in his hand.

[Yoshi]

You just carries his ball around everywhere, really. Like, he won't let you take it from. It's like, it makes me the happiest as his dad.

[Natasha]

He loves it. Like, I take him to the court fully.

[Eddie Wong]

Wait, I thought he was still, like a.

[Yoshi]

He's like 20 months old.

[Natasha]

He's crazy. He'll just go through the ball. But he's nice. Like, he can throw the ball, he can shoot. He can dribble a little bit now, which is crazy. He just loves it. Like, he loves the ball. Yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

Public school. Is he gonna be a public school kid?

[Natasha]

We don't know yet. I don't know.

[Yoshi]

I was Were you a public. You were a public school?

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah. All public school? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like on the reside. Sorry, go back to the question. Yeah, my. I was born in la, actually, and, like, my parents moved from Japan over to la, and then my dad started working at the sushi restaurant called Sasabune in la.

[Yoshi]

Oh, no way. That's a fly sushi restaurant.

[Eddie Wong]

Od.

[Yoshi]

Yeah, it's the Beverly Hills one.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, there's Beverly Hills and then there's one. And it started in Sawtel.

[Natasha]

Okay.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, there's one in Glendale, and there's, like, five over there. But basically, like, in 06, he, like, opened his own. He wanted to open his own. So then he moved out here, and then he opened Sasa Buna in New York. There's, like, one up here.

[Yoshi]

Yeah, yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

And then we moved here, like, in 08, and I've just been, like, living on.

[Natasha]

How old were you when you moved here?

[Eddie Wong]

I was born in 2000, so I was eight.

[Natasha]

Okay, so you're eight.

[Eddie Wong]

Third grade.

[Yoshi]

Oh, that's ill. Your dad is a sushi chef?

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, Owner and chef. Yeah.

[Yoshi]

Wow. I got to go.

[Natasha]

We got to, got to go.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, man.

[Yoshi]

I mean, I've been to Sasa Bun here.

[Eddie Wong]

Oh, yeah.

[Yoshi]

Super fly.

[Eddie Wong]

That's crazy.

[Yoshi]

Yeah. Because it was one of the original, like, omakase spots. Edo style.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah.

[Yoshi]

Like, super simple. I really like it. Like, in la, everybody would go to sushi park, but it was like, kind of like Korean sushi omakase. Sweeter, more vinegar, like warm rice. I was just like, I would stay at Sasa Buna. I did Sasa Buna. I did Sushi Gen a lot. I did Shunji. But, like, salsa bunne hits, dude. Always.

[Eddie Wong]

That's. That's awesome.

[Yoshi]

Yeah, yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

No, no. Yeah. You got the lore correct. Well, yeah, it's definitely, like, the super Og Edo style. And yeah. Like, I grew up, like, went to elementary school in Upper east side, Went to Wagner Middle School, which is also on the east side, and then went to LaGuardia. But, like, throughout all of it, I was, like, helping out on Saturdays, like, working and shit. Yeah. But we got a very, like, you just have.

[Natasha]

It's so funny.

[Yoshi]

Santa. Follow his path.

[Natasha]

I know. I was going to say it's funny. Like, we're both restaurant kids. I grew up in and out of restaurants. My family. Yeah, my family did restaurants.

[Eddie Wong]

Wow.

[Natasha]

Like, very local cuisine for Boston. Yeah. Wow.

[Eddie Wong]

What type of food was it?

[Natasha]

Like, like, roast beef restaurants. So they would do, like, roast beef sandwiches, like, pizza shops. Because all the Greek People that would immigrate to the US would open like pizza shops and it was kind of like the first person in your family would come do that and then like bring over all the aunts and uncles and like open a roast beef shop and just like.

[Eddie Wong]

Is your family Greek?

[Natasha]

Yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

Wow, so you're like first gen, are you? First generation American?

[Natasha]

Yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

Well, that's crazy.

[Natasha]

Yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

Shout out Greek people.

[Natasha]

Shout out. Shout out all of us. Shout out to Chinese people outside. Japanese, Greek. But yeah, it's cool because like, I mean, our son will kind of. We're firing up. He's starting a restaurant again, so it'll be the same for him. Like, he'll be growing up in a restaurant.

[Yoshi]

I like this question though. You, did you enjoy going to high school? Public school?

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah. I mean, I went to LaGuardia. LaGuardia is like a very performing arts school.

[Natasha]

Yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

I mean, and it was definitely like a super rigorous, like public. The one thing about public school in the city is you have to apply since elementary school.

[Natasha]

Okay.

[Eddie Wong]

So like fifth grade you have to tour middle schools.

[Natasha]

Yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

You have to apply like how many, like first choice, second choice, third choice. It's like college, do interviews and shit.

[Natasha]

So LaGuardia, you have to audition in.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah. So high school too. So high school is like, you know, we got. Which is like fudge. That I was. I was like always a music kid, so never really cared for academics and like, my parents are very non strict Asians, I would say, comparatively to like.

[Yoshi]

That's cool.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah. So they let me just like do LaGuardia and. Yeah, and then you have. But you do have to like apply to mad schools and like, just like. I don't know, like, it's crazy. It's fucking crazy.

[Natasha]

It is crazy process of like having to apply. And especially like LaGuardia, it's performing arts. So you kind of already have this like idea that you want to be in that. Do you think it steered you or guided you to know, like, I want to do music or.

[Eddie Wong]

That was probably enforced it. But I know a lot of people like, that wanted to do music, went to LaGuardia and then like, their dreams were like fully crushed. You know what I mean? Like, I think it goes both ways anywhere you go.

[Natasha]

Yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

I think if you go to. I've heard stories where people go to non performing arts high schools and like that made them want to do music even more, you know what I mean? Where it's like they're like kind of the odd man out and they're just like. Or they find a group of people in that school that love music and then they do that, you know? So, like, that's kind of. I think there's, like, a balance. I don't. I wouldn't say. I think I just got lucky, found, like, my best friends that are doing music still and, like. But, you know, I know there's a lot of people that don't do that shit anymore.

[Yoshi]

Yeah, I definitely feel like there's people in life who. They're just destined to do this one thing and they. Their focus, and that's all they're going to do. It don't matter where they go.

[Eddie Wong]

They pop. Yeah.

[Yoshi]

Then there's people who they don't know what's up, but then they absorb their environment. They're like, oh, but, like, I feel like you definitely doing what you should be doing.

[Eddie Wong]

Like, the floor is.

[Yoshi]

The flow was fire.

[Eddie Wong]

Thank you. No, yeah, definitely. Like, my parents, like, put me in everything growing up, like, super blessed. So, like. Yeah, like, I was in, like, classical. I did, like, piano, dance, clarinet. I, like, went to LaGuardia for, like, classical clarinet and, like, saxophone. Wow. Yeah. So, like, super Asian. Super Asian trajectories. And then, you know, like, went there and I always loved hip hop. Like, I was like. I moved to New York in 08 when I was, like, 8 and just immediately discovered hip hop. It was like a movie. It was like straight out of movie and. Yeah. Just been obsessed ever since, bro. It's crazy. Yeah. Yeah.

[Yoshi]

I wanted to play saxophone. My mom had me playing goddamn violin, man.

[Eddie Wong]

Really?

[Yoshi]

Yeah. The worst. A saxophone just looked ill. Oh, you know, it does. It looked ill. Like, it's just an ill instrument.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah.

[Yoshi]

You know, I mean, you guys definitely got a lot of jazz influence in the music, for sure.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Yoshi]

How would you describe the music to other people?

[Eddie Wong]

What we have out on the Internet right now, it's definitely like, just kind of. What would we say? Like, I don't know, like, musical, but pretty. Like, chill, hype. I don't know. Like, I feel like it's very dictated on the sample for now, but the music that we have that's coming out is very, like, hip hop, alternate alternative, hip hop, probably. That's like the big umbrella. And then there's a lot of. I mean, like, I'm, like, singing on, like, most of the album that we have, so, like, it's very, like, interesting how people are gonna take it. I'll send it to you guys. I want you guys.

[Yoshi]

Yo, I love. I can't wait. It's June 8, it comes out, right?

[Eddie Wong]

June 6 is when the first single comes out. Yeah, we're about to, like, milk the shit out of this rollout.

[Natasha]

Okay, that's cool.

[Eddie Wong]

You know, probably come out in September. Just trying to, like. We've been doing, like, a lot of these, like, free shows that, like, you guys got to come to one. Like, we did one coming at a skate park in April. We did one at a diner. Little Hector's. You guys know Little Hector's? It's underneath the high line. That one.

[Yoshi]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Right by all them. Yeah, I love that spot. The Mexican spot that. It's like, diner with eggs.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah.

[Yoshi]

Pancakes.

[Eddie Wong]

They got the breakfast burritos and.

[Yoshi]

Yeah, so I ate there two weeks ago.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah. So apparently they're, like, closing and the Whitney's buying it out or something.

[Natasha]

No, man.

[Eddie Wong]

I know, I know, I know. But, yeah, like, kind of, like, the timing was perfect. The guy was, like, not really giving a. Yeah. And so then, like, we partner with this, like, event thing called Posh, and they, like, rented out the space and, like, we had, like, a show in the diner. We were like, that's awesome.

[Yoshi]

Y' all should come perform here sometime.

[Natasha]

I know. I'm like, brooke, Gazebo.

[Eddie Wong]

I would love to. Wait, so is this where you're doing the restaurant?

[Yoshi]

Yeah, we're doing the restaurant here. 11, 12, 13. But I'll talk to Dylan because it's, like, it would be fly to have y' all perform, and Dylan's mad cool.

[Eddie Wong]

That would be sick.

[Yoshi]

Yeah, she's a supporter of the arts.

[Eddie Wong]

Let's go.

[Natasha]

For sure.

[Eddie Wong]

Let's go. Yeah, no, this is a great place. Like, I literally pull up here, like, probably, like, twice a month, honestly. Yeah, yeah.

[Yoshi]

This is something we want to ask you, too, because, like, we're not in the streets anymore like that. But I still like to pop out with her. Where are you at, bro?

[Eddie Wong]

Oh, my God. I'm, like, such a bad person.

[Yoshi]

No, don't. Gotta be cool.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, well, ever since I was finished ending high school, like, my best Jackson, the Jucurl guy.

[Yoshi]

Yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

He's been working at the Ear end. You know the Ear In? I've heard it's on Spring Street. It's, like, one of the oldest Irish bars in. In New York.

[Natasha]

Okay.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, it's on Spring street by the west side Highway. Yeah, that's kind of been our, like, cozy HQ for, like, the past.

[Natasha]

Like, that's tight.

[Eddie Wong]

Ever since we were, like, 18. And that's, like, our spot where we always have been going to that.

[Yoshi]

That's what flies. Because, like, I think a lot of people now, they. They get through the city, like, using, like, the Internet. Like, it was time out. Like, what's the hot spot?

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, I love it.

[Yoshi]

It's like we just there because the homie worked there.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah.

[Yoshi]

Because that's how I came up too.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah.

[Yoshi]

So you're in. What else?

[Eddie Wong]

You're in Tabetomo. Shout out. Tabetomo. They're like a spot on St. Mark's and Avenue A. And they. They have great Jiro ramen. Oh, do you guys know Tsujita la? Yeah. So they have like a. They have like a sibling company restaurant called Annex. Tsujita Annex, which is across the street.

[Yoshi]

Across the street?

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, yeah, that place. One of the workers there opened Tabetomo here. So it's like the thick noodles.

[Yoshi]

Tonkatsu ramen.

[Eddie Wong]

Yep, Tonkatsu. Jiro ramen.

[Yoshi]

Yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

And they do late nights on Saturdays. It's open to, like, the sun comes up. Oh, every Saturday. You guys need to pop out.

[Natasha]

All right, let's go.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, Late night. Tabata. Late night.

[Yoshi]

Because that's the best. Deep, like, cloudy. Tonkotsu.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So that's a spot. Those two are like. I mean, like, those two people find me there. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But what else? I mean, like, flower shop, this whole area, like, we definitely, like, as much as we hate the Times Square vibe, you know, we call it East Canal, but, you know, like, we go to, like, Forget Me Not. That's like a spot that we like, obviously. Kiki's. That's on the corner.

[Yoshi]

Yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

Really incredible food.

[Yoshi]

Very good.

[Eddie Wong]

Do you approve it?

[Natasha]

I love kikis. Yeah, it's like, very authentic to, like, taverna style in Greece, definitely.

[Eddie Wong]

But, like, I mean, like, we're like. We're not like, I'm not like a club kid, so, like, I just kind of go wherever. Like, a lot of times it's dictated off of shows and stuff, like where a show would be. Like, a lot of times we'll be in, like, Williamsburg. We'll go to, like, Maracuja. It's like a spot, like, by babies. All right. Like, Elijah Judah. He does sound at babies. So the guy who.

[Yoshi]

See, I. I like the way you move because it's true to, like, your life.

[Eddie Wong]

Oh, yeah.

[Yoshi]

I like. Yo, I live here and I know these people, but I'm trying to get in over there. I was never like that. No like, people I had friends at that age in the mid-20s that were like, I gotta get in here and I gotta Go see. And I was like, yo, bro. Like, I kind of wanted to come to me, right? Like, I'm just posted, you know, and like, that's the best way to experience New York. To me, it's just like, stay posted where you're comfortable.

[Eddie Wong]

No. Yeah. But every now and then I definitely do feel like I'm like, damn. Like, we'll all get together just like, always be at the air. So they feel like, damn, we should go somewhere else.

[Yoshi]

You're gonna miss it when you don't have that.

[Natasha]

It's so cool to have just a spot where you can, like, pull up and you know your homies.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah. And like, we're like family with, like, every place I've named. Like, yeah. Like, we're like, I really fuck with them and like, you know, like, I don't know. Like, I feel like that's always like, a place that we want to end. So, like, you know, we'll have adventures. We'll go to, like, time again and be outside, you know.

[Yoshi]

But like, Shadow Despot.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, exactly. Like, Eldridge has been popping for, like, the past couple of years. I feel like, you know. So, yeah, like, that's kind of what we do. But yeah, I mean, I don't know. But like, I'm like a city bike demon. So, like, I'll literally go anywhere.

[Yoshi]

Yeah.

[Eddie Wong]

Like, tell me where to go and, like, I'll pull up, pop out. Especially when it's warm. But you know what? One thing I hate about it getting warm is that people don't city bike in the winter, like me and the homies.

[Yoshi]

So it's like, now you fighting for bikes?

[Eddie Wong]

There's like, no bikes anywhere. Yeah, I'm just like, this is awful. Like, I hate this, you know, but that's just like a jaded New York.

[Yoshi]

Oh, yeah, because you live Upper east too. You need the bike. You need to bike. I'm funny. I look like the dude from Grand Theft Auto because I'm just walking the city with a weighted vest all the time. Like, oh, shit, here we go again.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah. What is this about? Yeah, he was huge. Yeah, the weighted vest, you know, like.

[Natasha]

I think it started as like a health thing, but now it's kind of like.

[Yoshi]

Then I started wearing it for Nick games, and then I started putting her panties on my head when I was talking to you.

[Eddie Wong]

Oh, yeah, I know. This is incredible.

[Natasha]

You were talking while you called it, though.

[Yoshi]

He called it. I was talking to Yoshi and he's like. Cuz I told him, he was like, yo, you're Going to come out, watch the game. And I was like, I don't move from this one spot because we win. And we were down like 15. He's like, dog, you may need to move. You may need to leave your house.

[Natasha]

Yeah.

[Yoshi]

And I was like, yo, I'm gonna put on the vest. I'm put on the vest. He's like, all right, it didn't work. Then I was like, I'm put the panties on. And he's like, yo, but they gotta be blue or orange. But you were asleep, so I didn't want to like dig too hard.

[Natasha]

I was sleeping and like I just like heard the door of the bedroom open, but I was so tired that I was like, what's going on? I could hear you like rummaging through something and I was like, I don't know what's going on. And I just wake up in a group chat with all of his friends and there's just photos of him with my panties, literally my like lay's panties on his head. And I was like, what the fuck the happened last night?

[Yoshi]

Yoshi called it. He was like, it's not gonna work because it's the wrong color. And I was, no, chill, chill, chill.

[Natasha]

And it didn't work. I don't think they have orange or blue underwear though, to be fair. So like those are just two colors.

[Eddie Wong]

He needs to leave the crib. I was like, you need to, you need to go outside.

[Natasha]

No, but you know what happened is we went outside for the last game and they blew it got cooked.

[Eddie Wong]

Wow.

[Natasha]

I know. Like he usually. I, I get your thing now. Because he was like, no, I usually stay inside. And like I watch in our. Cuz that became the safe zone was like our living room where he would watch. And then we like, we were like, let's go out.

[Eddie Wong]

It's like, it's right, right?

[Natasha]

Generational run.

[Eddie Wong]

You have to.

[Natasha]

And secretly like I was like standing behind him while they were losing the game. It like got to the point where we were like, we lost. And I was like, damn, should we have stayed inside? Like did we single handedly made the Knicks lose? Cuz we went out there last year.

[Yoshi]

Orange and blue panties.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, we got to buy them.

[Natasha]

I'm going to start buying them now. I'm going to start buying orange of blue panties.

[Yoshi]

I need, I need, need the game.

[Natasha]

Worn shits, you know, I'll wear them to the gym, bag them up for.

[Eddie Wong]

You.

[Natasha]

In a bag. And so they're just like ready. Like the juju is ready.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, the juju Is really strong. This series.

[Natasha]

I feel like cleaning the house. Panties, gym, Pilates panties, like, whatever.

[Yoshi]

Spicy, spicy. Hey, man, my head just smell like moussaka.

[Eddie Wong]

So many flavors. Oh, man. Flavor.

[Natasha]

Flavor.

[Eddie Wong]

Wow.

[Yoshi]

I love it. Yo, are you single?

[Eddie Wong]

No.

[Yoshi]

Oh, no.

[Eddie Wong]

Okay.

[Yoshi]

I like that.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, I've been boot up for, like, three years now.

[Yoshi]

Oh.

[Eddie Wong]

Senior year of college.

[Natasha]

Oh, yeah.

[Yoshi]

I like that, man.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah, man.

[Yoshi]

That's cool. That's cool.

[Eddie Wong]

You know, I'm like. Like I said, like, it's. It. The. The way I go out is very similar to, like, how I live life in every way. Like, I'm like a very. Like, I need my people. I need. I need the places, you know, like, and I'm just like. So, like, it's. It's mad funny. Like, I have, like, obviously I have a lot of new people in my life, you know, music and obviously meeting mad people. But, like, like, it's. It's getting rarer and rarer that, like, I've hanging out with the same people, you know? So, like, I feel like that I've been since high school and, like, middle school. Like, me and Jackson met in middle school. So it's like, you know, I feel like that that's like, kind of the same vibe with, like, my girl and shit, you know?

[Yoshi]

Yeah, it's true, man. The bonds you make from, like, I would say 14. For me, the bonds I made from, like, 14 to 22 are just different than any other ones. Like, still, from 22. I would say from 22 to, like, 26, 27. I made, like, real for life adult friends. But from that age on, it's just like a little more. Relationships become more strategic, and it just. There isn't that purity of connection you have when you're younger.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah. Also it's like, it's like a. Like when you know someone longer and longer, like, whether it's better or worse, like, they just know they've known you and all of your phases, especially those ages, you have so many random phases and shit. Like, so, like, it's kind of like harder to, like, fake anything, you know? So, like, that's kind of a great, like, challenge. And I don't know, like, maybe I'm just a little bit of a masochist in that way where, like, I can't hide because, like, I got Asian parents that just be yelling at me and screaming like, you know. Yeah, I'm very much like. Yeah. Like, I want people to call me out and then, like, I want to feel that, like, yo, like, wow. Like, I just did some. They know that was, you know what I mean? Or like, or like they could tell, you know, it's good to have people.

[Natasha]

In your life that hold you accountable.

[Yoshi]

Yeah, that's some real shit.

[Natasha]

It is.

[Yoshi]

Like there, there's this MK Asante book called Buck and in it I'm going to butcher this quote and it's like light corny, but I think it's kind of what you're talking about in ill is he has like a girl that really holds him down in this story and she has a line or he has a line where it's like, yo, like, she could sing my song when I forgot the words. And I was like, that, that's some real shit. Like, she definitely does that for me. It's really hard to meet people older in life that like plug in. But like on some weird spiritual shit, I feel like I've like, known her in another life.

[Eddie Wong]

Yeah.

[Yoshi]

But if you got a story that can do that for you, that bro, you good?

[Eddie Wong]

You good.

[Yoshi]

That is the end of the free preview of this week's episode. For the full paid version, please consider becoming a paid subscriber on our substack Canal Street Dreams. Thank you.

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