A self-taught artist, Sook-Yin Lee’s journey began in Vancouver’s art-punk scene, playing in bands as an underage teen and sneaking into clubs. Today she is highly-regarded as one of Canada’s top multimedia artists. Her résumé includes, broadcaster, VJ, musician, film director and actress. She has appeared in films, notably in the John Cameron Mitchell adventurous sex comedy Shortbus. As a recording artist and film composer, Sook-Yin contributed songs to Brandon Cronenberg’s horror films, Infinity Pool and Antiviral. Lee’s musical career covers numerous album releases and involvement in vital underground art scenes from coast to coast. Her film Paying For It, which she directed, co-wrote, and co-scored, is an adaptation of cartoonist Chester Brown’s best-selling graphic novel. It premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, was named one of Canada’s Top Ten films in 2024. 

Broken English was the title song of Marianne Faithfull’s 1979 masterpiece comeback album that examined the futility of war, its senseless brutality and human toll. It critiqued terrorism and the breakdown of communication during conflict. History repeats. Swap out the tensions of the late 70s for our current-day upheaval and Broken English remains a timeless revolutionary anthem. Sook-Yin Lee re-imagines Broken English, recording and performing all instruments and electronics. Through hacked technology, encrusted noisemakers and machines, she remains faithful to Faithfull. The artwork for Lee’s single is a playful swipe of the original album art. While the 1979 music video, directed by Derek Jarman, juxtaposed historic Nazi footage, war, and pinball, Lee directs a music video culled from images she documented in Buenos Aires. Lee’s cover of Broken English is in keeping with the songs from her upcoming album 72RHR, a reference to a the number of times your heart beats per minute when you are at rest. Far from passive-listening, the songs – all composed at 72BPM – take listeners on a sonic ride through discord and harmony. Sook-Yin Lee is set to release 72RHR in Spring 2026, on Hand Drawn Dracula. Lee embodies the evolution of independent expression. 

Portrait of Sook-Yin Lee by Dylan Gamble