Doah Lee has come a long way from Korea to achieve her dream.
Lee will be one step closer when she and her band, Doah’s Daydream, take the main stage at this year’s Ocean Beach Oktoberfest on Friday, Oct. 9, at 6:15 p.m.
The group lists its genre as “Island Grunge,” describing it as a mélange of hard rock, punk and Hawaiian island pop reggae with powerful vocals.
Lead singer-songwriter Lee, who was born in Seoul and grew up in Oahu, Hawaii, recounted how music saved her from working in the corporate world, which just wasn’t her.
“I moved to San Diego and was working a job that I absolutely hated and was miserable,” she said. “It was the first job that I ever quit in my life, and I was depressed.”
As a first-generation Korean American, Lee said the expectation was that she would “climb the social ladder” by attending college and pursuing a career.
But music – and her love for it – eventually set Lee on a different path, far from the conventional life path that her family had laid out for her.
“Music redefined my definition of success in life,” she said.
It wasn’t easy. Lee started performing as a busker in Ocean Beach about eight years ago, before getting in a band and playing at open mics locally and onstage at venues like Winstons, The Harp and during Ocean Beach’s Chili Cookoff.
Lee’s drive has led her to assume the role of lead singer and chief songwriter for the band, which includes lead guitarist Ru Ramos, bassist Ian McIssac and drummer Josh Summerford.
Asked what the Oktoberfest audience can expect when they hear her group, Lee responded, “We cross genres including pop, Korean pop and Cali reggae. We have a lot of original songs, but also do some covers. And, if we’re doing a bigger show like this, we incorporate dancers.”
But the main thing, said Lee, is to put on an entertaining show for the crowd. “I just wanted to really showcase my journey and my roots in the performances and this show that we put on.”
Lee said she and her group are anxious to perform again in Ocean Beach at the Oktoberfest.
“The crowd in Ocean Beach is very enthusiastic about original music, which is why I appreciate the community so much,” she said. “The crowds are very welcoming and adventurous when it comes to music, and the community is very vibrant, loves art, and it’s really a fun crowd to perform for.”
There’s one other thing Lee likes about performing in Ocean Beach. “We can be ourselves,” she concluded, adding that her band will be performing two new original Cali reggae-style songs she’s written.
“We love playing live shows, and we want to make more music,” said Lee. “We are here to spread the message of healing, chasing our dreams, and self-love.”
