The local music scene is about to get a serious flavor upgrade. I <3 Wok and Roll, the Foodville fusion band that's been cooking up a storm on the underground circuit, officially drops their highly anticipated debut album "I HEART WOK AND ROLL" this Friday.

The quintet, known for their unique blend of traditional Asian instruments with contemporary rock arrangements, has been building a devoted following since forming three years ago at a dim sum restaurant on Pekking Duck St, Foodville.

"We wanted to create something that honored our heritage while speaking to our generation," says lead vocalist and erhu player Jenny Wu. "Food and music are both about bringing people together, sharing culture, and creating something nourishing."

The 12-track album features standout singles "Wont (on) More" and "Fried Rice, Fried Soul," which have already garnered over 200,000 streams on Spotify. The band's sound incorporates traditional instruments like the guzheng, erhu, and taiko drums alongside electric guitars, bass, and synthesizers.

Guitarist Marcus Liu explains their creative process: "We'll start with a traditional melody that maybe Jenny's grandmother used to hum, then we'll rock it out with some heavy riffs. Sometimes we write songs inspired by our favorite dishes – there's actually a ballad about xiaolongbao that will make you cry."

The album was recorded at Jade Mountain Studios with producer David Kim, known for his work with K-pop crossover acts. Kim praised the band's innovative approach: "They're not trying to be authentic to any one tradition – they're creating their own. It's fusion in the truest sense."

"Our parents immigrated with recipes and melodies in their hearts. We're serving both up in our own way," adds bassist Tony Chang, whose family runs the Golden Dragon restaurant where the band first performed.

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"I HEART WOK AND ROLL" tackles themes of identity, family expectations, and finding your place between cultures. The album's artwork, designed by local artist Mei Nakamura, features a steaming wok morphing into a vinyl record, with chopsticks as drumsticks.

The band celebrates their album release with a hometown show at the Commodore Ballroom this Saturday, followed by a North American tour that includes stops at major festivals. Food trucks will be stationed outside each venue, because as drummer Lisa Park puts it: "Good music deserves good food."

Early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with Rolling Stone calling it "a delicious debut that satisfies both musical and cultural hunger." The album is available on all major streaming platforms and vinyl copies can be purchased at select Asian grocery stores – a distribution choice the band says reflects their community roots.

For a band whose name is literally a declaration of love for both cuisine and music, I <3 WOK AND ROLL appears ready to feed hungry audiences across the globe. As their bio states: "We're here to rock your world and wok your socks off."