A singer, songwriter, bassist, programmer and producer,

Maggie Kim is a one-gal show. Blending pop, rock, hip-hop and other styles, the 30-year-old began her career as the winner of a

Jane magazine contest and went on to become one of the most

downloaded artists on MP3.com. Born in Seoul, raised in Philadelphia and a longtime New Yorker, Kim now lives in Paris and is working on promoting her first full-length album, “Rocktease.”

 

How do people react to an edgy Asian woman in music?

Some people think it’s fantastic, others think it’s shameless. I don’t think I’m particularly edgy. I don’t do drugs, barely drink, only have one tattoo and a couple of piercings — and I write pop/rock songs. Hardly edgy by the standards of any Brooklyn hipster or MySpace starlet.

What were you like as a kid?

My family moved to a very white, suburban neighborhood when I was in the third grade. Being the only Asian in the neighborhood really pointed out just how much I didn’t — couldn’t — fit in. It didn’t help that I arrived to school and immediately became the smartest kid in class, usurping the cute, popular blonde who previously held that title and became my arch-nemesis. On top of that, I couldn’t do any normal after-school activities like Girl Scouts or sports because my parents were typically strict and I had to study cello. Picture a chubby Korean girl with thick glasses and braces, lugging a big-ass cello on the school bus.

How would you describe your album? 

It’s musically eclectic with pianos, horns and strings, which I haven’t used before. I’m thrilled to be working with Brent Arnold (Modest Mouse, Sleater-Kinney), who’s bringing his left-of-center approach to my little pop songs. But the best part is that my dad will be playing clarinet on one of the songs.

What’s currently playing on your iPod?

This will sound lame, but I’m listening to my demos over and over again. It’s no wonder I’m sick of my records once they’re finally finished. But besides myself, I’ve been listening to a bunch of female artists for inspiration: Feist, Regina Spektor, Lily Allen, KT Tunstall, Björk. Oh, and Sufjan Stevens and Elliott Smith. And can I tell you how much I love Snoop Dogg’s “Sensual Seduction?” It’s genius.

Why relocate to Paris?

For love, what else?

What’s something few people know about you?  

I’m addicted to PerezHilton.com. My fiancé insists I’d choose Perez over him any day.