In light of our fall issue’s pioneer theme, we hope that you’re feeling inspired to blaze your own career trail. Whether your true love is in business, music, film or giving back to the community, pioneering your own path doesn’t have to feel daunting. We’ve broken down the steps so you can get started on anything from passing a neighborhood law to starting your own company.

Like runway strobe lights prepared to guide a supersonic airplane to takeoff, electronic drums pulse and clang, lining the first verse of the hit single, “Like A G6.” But there is no airstrip here—I’m standing in Times Square, and instead of thundering jet engines I am surrounded by a horde of screaming fans, who literally cause the air to shake with a roar of recognition as Far East Movement plays the first notes of their latest and most infectious song.

In some ways, sisters Knewdles and Sos have what is possibly the most typical sibling relationship in the world—they fight, they squeal on each other, but they also are closer than ever. Yet most sisters don’t grow up, move in together, and decide to start a hip-hop group of their own.

Who would have thought that being bored out of your mind would be the best thing that ever happened to you? While looking for something to do one day, singer-songwriter Zee Avi picked up a guitar and taught herself how to play. At the time, Avi was a college dropout living at home with her parents in Malaysia. Today, she is a rising musical star living her dreams in Brooklyn, New York.

There’s no doubt that Korean pop culture (affectionately called K-pop) has become an international phenomenon. It’s gaining popularity in American pop culture, with enthusiastic fans such as Perez Hilton. For Asian American teens, the luring quality of K-pop runs a little deeper. As Facebook and Twitter feeds run rampant with the latest buzz on SNSD, Big Bang or 2PM, Korean music and all the culture that accompanies it has traveled at lightning speed across the Pacific to influence both Korean and non-Korean American teens alike.

On one of the rare sunny days in Seattle, Mochi got a chance to sit and sip with Kaz Nomura–a singer-songwriter, guitar shredder and music label and tour organizer–otherwise known as PWRFL Power and Half Yogurt.

Truth be told, Tim Ouyang has no idea what kind of long-term situation he’s in. But public opinion seems to indicate big plans for this the lead singer/songwriter of Virginia-based pop-rock quintet, Tim Be Told.

A new generation of rap rock music has hit the airwaves in the form of afterschoolspecial. Hailing from San Diego State University, Dan aka Dan (emcee), Jaimie (vocals), Brian (keyboard), Keane (guitar) and Todd (bass) first got together while at school, but soon took their talent and creativity to a professional studio. After several years of touring and recording up and down the West Coast, the group was nominated for Best Hip Hop at the San Diego Music Awards. Dan, also a coordinator for the San Diego Asian American Film Festival, shares some insight on how the band is embracing their newfound rockstar-dom while also managing to stay true to their roots.

Sultry singer-songwriter Vienna Teng: from software engineer to musician.