S.L.R. Magazine

NEW YORK’S NEW CHAMPIONS, CHANPAN CHARGED UP THE NIGHT ON THEIR RETURN BACK TO LOS ANGELES WITH A SOLD OUT SHOW AT THE SILVERLAKE LOUNGE ON APRIL 23, 2025, BY DON MARCELO

I first came across the band CHANPAN when they opened up as the support act for Japanese Artist/Musician HARU NEMURI at the renowned venue ECHOPLEX in LA back in October 6, 2024. Back then, they have only been together as a band for about a year performing mostly in their hometown, The Big Apple. I…

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I first came across the band CHANPAN when they opened up as the support act for Japanese Artist/Musician HARU NEMURI at the renowned venue ECHOPLEX in LA back in October 6, 2024. Back then, they have only been together as a band for about a year performing mostly in their hometown, The Big Apple. I was immediately smitten by this powerful Asian-American Trio whose performance outshines most veteran bands these days due to their unique style of showmanship on stage and song writing and singing, one moment they will sing to you so eloquently as if they are serenading you, next moment they are pouring water all over themselves and splashing you with their wet hair at the same time while headbanging and giving the middle finger up in the air due to the current events happening in this country and all over the world. I was sold right away and have dubbed them since “The Asian Rage Against The Machine.” Just like RATM in the 90’s, their music is politically charged and provocatively thought provoking with songs that address today’s world politics and issues.

On this night in Los Angeles, CHANPAN was the headliner with a sold out show at the very intimate venue The Silverlake Lounge. The energy of the night was pure excitement and joy. Fans were full of smiles and energy as soon as CHANPAN got on stage. The fans cheered and danced and pranced around and sang all night long along with the band. The lead vocalist would often come down from the stage and interact with the audience. It was almost like a Homecoming reunion of some sort because it seems like the she and the band knew everyone.

The band is fronted by the ever so smiling and very gracious yet fiery with fierce vocals, Grace Dumdaw and is backed up by the wonder twins Matthew Tran as the axe shredder and Lance Tran beating on the drums and played bass as well on a couple of songs. Together they are CHANPAN .

I had the chance to ask the trio who and what CHANPAN is all about and this is what they had to say:

“Chanpan is literally us – a combination of our ethnic names, Chan from the twins’ Cantonese pronunciation family name, and Pan from Ah-Pan, Grace’s Kachin name. We started out busking just for fun on the streets of Chinatown Manhattan. People kept being nice and liking our music and here we are!

Our tour with Haru Nemuri was the first time we got to go on the road to play music for others together. It was a total blessing and first time experience in so many ways for all of us, not just as a tour but as a way to connect with so many people in so many different places. We love Haru as a dear friend and will always be appreciative of it! Our first ever gig, besides busking, I believe was playing in the basement of a place Asia Roma with help from our friend Anatoly.

Lance is the elder brother by 6 minutes. Grace’s ethnicity and culture is Kachin from Myanmar. We grew up with a mix of all sorts of different cultures in the Midwest, but mostly being ethnically Chinese. Our surname is Tran being that our fathers side is from Vietnam, while our moms side is from China, Hong Kong, and other places around the world.

These days we spend a lot of time together and love forcing our friends to do physical activities with us like rock climbing and playing tennis very badly. Contrary to what people expect from a band lifestyle, we don’t go out or party very much as a group but will always overspend on good Asian food.”

What I love about CHANPAN is their authenticity in being who they really are. They are not afraid to speak what’s on their mind and will challenge the norm and society with their beliefs through their actions and their music. One must really go see and hear these artists perform and listen to the message of change behind their music for the betterment of society and its future.

Thank you for the music CHANPAN. Congrats on your SOLD OUT show in LA. We hope to see you back here soon. * Don Marcelo

CHANPAN links

Photography by Don Marcelo Photography 2025

CHANPAN band

A live performance by the Asian-American band CHANPAN, featuring lead vocalist Grace Dumdaw passionately singing into a microphone while Matthew Tran plays guitar in the background. The stage is decorated with golden curtains and musical instruments.
A smiling female vocalist from the band CHANPAN reaching out to the audience during a live performance, with a warm and engaging expression in a black and white setting.
A live performance scene featuring the band CHANPAN, with a female lead vocalist joyfully singing into a microphone while a guitarist plays beside her, and a drummer visible in the background.
A live performance by the band CHANPAN featuring three members on stage: a guitarist and bassist on the left, a lead vocalist in the center, and a drummer visible in the background. The atmosphere is vibrant and energetic, with dramatic lighting highlighting their expressions as they engage with the audience.
A live performance photo of the band CHANPAN, featuring the lead vocalist Grace Dumdaw singing passionately into a microphone while the guitarist Matthew Tran smiles and plays guitar nearby. They are closely positioned on stage, capturing a moment of energy and connection during their show.
A female lead vocalist passionately singing into a microphone while wearing a form-fitting black dress, with two male band members playing guitar and drums in the background at a live music venue.
A female vocalist passionately singing into a microphone, dressed in a dark outfit with metallic accessories, while a guitarist plays in the background at a live music venue.
Two musicians playing guitar and bass on stage, smiling while performing in a venue.
A live performance of the band CHANPAN, featuring lead vocalist Grace Dumdaw singing passionately while guitarist Matthew Tran plays beside her, with drummer Lance Tran visible in the background.
A close-up of a female singer performing on stage, holding a microphone with a focused expression. The background features a softly lit stage with a blurred silhouette of another musician.
Grace Dumdaw performing passionately on stage at a lively venue with an engaged audience in the background.

Grace Dumdaw

Close-up of a female singer holding a microphone, gesturing with her hands during a live performance. She is wearing dark clothing and several rings, against a dimly lit backdrop.
Black and white image of a female vocalist passionately singing into a microphone on stage, with dramatic lighting highlighting her features.
A female vocalist performing on stage, holding a microphone with one hand raised and an expressive look on her face. She wears a black top and shows off ring accessories, with a dark background that suggests an intimate music venue.
A female vocalist passionately performing on stage while holding a microphone, dressed in black with silver bracelets, in a dimly lit venue with warm tones.
A close-up of a female singer passionately performing on stage, wearing a black outfit and holding a microphone, with her hair flowing and eyes closed, conveying deep emotion.
A black and white image of a female singer performing on stage, with dramatic lighting that highlights her expressions and poses while holding a microphone.
A female vocalist with long black hair is singing passionately into a microphone while standing against a wall, wearing a black outfit and silver accessories. The stage is dimly lit, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere.
A close-up of a female vocalist passionately singing into a microphone, with dramatic lighting and an artistic black-and-white effect.
Grace Dumdaw, the lead vocalist of CHANPAN, passionately singing into a microphone during a live performance. She is wearing stylish accessories and has her eyes closed, immersed in the music.
Close-up of a female vocalist passionately singing into a microphone while performing on stage, wearing a black outfit and silver bangles, with dramatic lighting enhancing the intimate atmosphere.
Close-up of a female singer passionately performing on stage, with one arm raised and a playful expression, sticking out her tongue into the microphone.
Lead vocalist Grace Dumdaw performing on stage with a microphone, dressed in a black outfit, expressing energy and engagement with the audience.
Lead vocalist Grace Dumdaw performing passionately on stage, with a microphone in hand and a vibrant energy in a dimly lit venue, accompanied by a drum set and guitar in the background.
Close-up of a hand adorned with rings and long nails, reaching out against a blurred background of musical instruments.
Lead vocalist Grace Dumdaw performing on stage at The Silverlake Lounge, showcasing her energy and charisma in a black outfit.

Lance Tran

A drummer performing on stage, focused and smiling, with a drum set in front of him and a curtain backdrop.
Two members of the band CHANPAN perform on stage, with one playing the bass guitar and the other on guitar, against a backdrop of curtains.
A lively performance by the band CHANPAN featuring a lead vocalist passionately singing into a microphone while a guitarist stands behind with an electric guitar, set against a backdrop of soft curtains.
Close-up of a drummer performing on stage, smiling while playing a white drum set, with a velvet backdrop behind.
A drummer smiling while playing on stage, surrounded by drums and cymbals, with a backdrop of dark curtains.
A smiling drummer performing on stage, playing a drum set with enthusiasm. The background features a dark curtain, creating an intimate atmosphere.
A drummer smiling and playing on stage with drums at a live music venue, with dim lighting and a textured backdrop.
A drummer from the band CHANPAN performing on stage, smiling and playing the drums with a wooden drum kit, against a backdrop of dark curtains.

Matthew Tran

A musician smiling and playing an electric guitar on stage, with a backdrop of curtains and drum kit visible.
A male musician performing on stage, playing an electric guitar, with a focused expression and long black hair, set against a backdrop of curtain drapes.
A guitarist passionately performing on stage, wearing a dark shirt and playing a white electric guitar.
A guitarist performing on stage with concentration, dressed in a black shirt, and playing a white electric guitar.
A musician performing on stage with a white electric guitar, wearing a black outfit and focused on playing, with a microphone nearby and musical equipment in the background.
A smiling male musician on stage, playing an electric guitar and singing into a microphone, with a textured background.
A musician performing on stage, holding a white electric guitar and singing into a microphone, with a backdrop of curtains and music equipment.
A musician smiling while playing an electric guitar on stage, wearing a black shirt. The background features curtains and a speaker.
A musician performing on stage, holding a white electric guitar and singing into a microphone, with a backdrop of curtains and music equipment.
A musician playing an electric guitar on stage, focused and expressive, with a microphone nearby and curtains in the background.

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