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It’s typically tough talking with a musician about their work. What the listener thinks, believes and invests in a tune or an album typically doesn’t correlate with the artist’s intentions. After I converse with Kyoto-based performer YeYe on-line, it turns into obvious that she has run, all through her profession, the gamut of many musical genres. Comparable in some methods to Taylor Swift, who has bounced from indie and pop to rock and nation, YeYe has additionally dispersed herself all through the musical spectrum.
Though very a lot primarily based in Japan, her music holds a world attraction, mirrored by the large success of her tune “Yurayura,” which presently has 13 million views on YouTube. YeYe appears nervous after we converse, at first, however after we discover widespread floor over our mutual love of Glaswegian indie darlings Belle and Sebastian, issues in a short time change into fluid and simple going.
She is in the midst of a Japanese tour proper now, enjoying at places together with Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, however we’re, in the course of the interview, discussing her same-day double header at fashionable Tokyo espresso store Mia Mia on September 24, which is turning into a hotspot for stay music seen by gigs from acclaimed duo Tenniscoats in Could of this yr.
The variations between enjoying giant venues and intimate ones like Mia Mia change into obvious in our chat and YeYe is greater than open to discussing these peculiarities and her profession as one in every of Japan’s best-kept secrets and techniques.
Do you like making music within the studio or enjoying stay?
I desire enjoying stay. I wish to transfer. There are a number of conditions after I play reveals. I play solo and typically play with my common members. We’ve been enjoying collectively for greater than 10 years, since I used to be about 20. We’re virtually like a household.
What was it like enjoying at Fuji Rock?
I performed there in 2016 and final yr too. Fuji Rock could be very particular for me in my profession, however I don’t have many recollections, to be sincere. I additionally regretted, afterwards, how I performed on stage. I want I may play the reveals once more.
What are the variations between reveals at Fuji Rock and extra intimate areas like Mia Mia?
Enjoying Fuji Rock and someplace like Mia Mia is mainly the identical. In a small place like Mia Mia, nevertheless, I can actually really feel the power of the viewers, so maybe I are typically extra nervous. After I play on large levels, I don’t actually really feel prefer it’s actual.
What ought to your followers anticipate out of your two concert events at Mia Mia?
This might be my third time enjoying at Mia Mia. I’m doing two reveals in someday, so I’ll change the set record. I’ve to fulfill the followers that will come to each reveals. I’ve about six albums now, together with the smaller information. However at Mia Mia, I’ll in all probability play a lot of the songs from the final album — Hamidete! — however I’ll additionally do some songs from the opposite albums.
Photograph by Shota Iguchi
The album cowl for Hamidete! is uncommon.
It’s so mysterious and cute. My boss discovered the artist and he requested her to attract one thing for me. The artist is Nico Ito.
You additionally write songs for tv commercials. What’s that course of like?
In my thoughts I have to separate my emotions. This tune is for me, or this tune is written by request. It’s enjoyable to write down music for different folks. It’s completely totally different from my regular course of however I take pleasure in it. There are some music producers who give me some recommendation or requests and that at all times makes me excited and stunned. I believe it typically offers me concepts for my very own music. They normally ask me to write down music which is folky or like a typical YeYe sound.
How would you describe your music?
I really at all times really feel like I’m enjoying punk music in my thoughts. My spirit is at all times punk. However my sound is extra relaxed, J-pop or people. Generally my music is acknowledged as various too.
Photograph by Kazuhei Kimura
How do you select which language to write down or sing in?
I at all times battle with making music. I ponder whether I ought to sing in English or Japanese. After I write music, I understand that the melodies sound extra English. The issues that I wish to say, nevertheless, and describe extra deeply normally are available Japanese.
You’re a multi-instrumentalist. Which devices are you able to play effectively?
I don’t have the boldness to play many devices professionally. However I can play the piano and guitar. On my debut album I performed each instrument on my own. That was a sort of idea. I used to be solely 20 and too younger, however I did it anyway and it was a pleasant expertise.
Lastly, which Japanese band evokes you?
Kukikodan began in about 2000 however are nonetheless making music. I actually love them and so they encourage me rather a lot. I suppose they’re a sort of indie band.
YeYe performs at Mia Mia on September 24. Ticket info could be discovered right here.
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